WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2018 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 13
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NEWS
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
THE WESTERN JOURNAL 345 N. Monmouth Ave. Monmouth, OR 97361 Student Media Department TERRY HOUSE NEWSROOM 503-838-8347
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ZOË STRICKLAND
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MANAGING EDITOR TBD
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NEWS EDITOR SAMANTHA DUNAWAY
STAY UPDATED ON THE TUITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE The committee welcomes student input on the university budget By Sam Dunaway | News Editor
What is the Tuition Advisory Committee?
When is the next meeting?
The Tuition Advisory Committee is a committee composed of Western students, faculty and staff that want a voice in how tuition dollars are spent. Led by President Rex Fuller and interim Vice President for Finance and Administration Jay Kenton, the open meetings encourage an honest dialogue between students and administration on budget cuts, tuition increases and effectively spending student dollars.
Feb. 16 at 11:30 a.m. in RWEC 104. The dialogue will continue between administration and students and more information on the university budget and potential tuition increases will be discussed.
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LIFESTYLE EDITOR CAITY HEALY ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR TBD journalentertainment@wou.edu
SPORTS EDITOR SIMSON GARCIA
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PHOTO EDITOR PAUL F. DAVIS
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DESIGNERS DARIEN CAMPO ELISSA SORENSON
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COPY EDITOR TBD
How can students get involved? Students are the basis of Western. If a student has ever felt like their thoughts and opinions are not being taken in account by the administration, this is the opportunity to voice concerns. Students can give opinions on whether they’d rather see tuition and fee increases or department budget cuts to make up for a shortage of funds. Are students willing to pay more tuition dollars if that means an increase in staff salaries? Additionally, should more money be put toward fee remissions or scholarships for low-income students? These are all important decisions that the administration needs to make, and students now have an opportunity to give their opinion on how student dollars are spent. Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu
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Tuition is expected to increase no more than five percent next year. Money that goes to funding the university comes from tuition dollars and state funding. There is expected to be a shortage of $130 million, which could lead to a tuition increase. In future Tuition Advisory Committee meetings, the administration will prepare proposals for cuts ranging from one to five percent and students can give input on the proposals.
Western’s writing center provides writig help for students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
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WEB MANAGER LAKE LARSEN
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DISTRIBUTION MANAGER RUBY ESTRADA SANCHEZ STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER RHYS FINCH finchr@wou.edu 503-838-9697
HELPING WESTERN STUDENTS SUCCEED
Student Success and Advising Office provides tutoring and academic assistance
SUBMISSIONS THE WESTERN 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 WESTERN JOURNAL does not guarantee the publication of all letters or columns. THE WESTERN JOURNAL reserves the right to edit for punctuation, grammar, and spelling, but never for content. Please bring submissions to THE WESTERN 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 WESTERN JOURNAL or Western Oregon University.
By Sam Dunaway | News Editor Week five can be a stressful time in a college student’s life. When midterm exams, essays and projects start to pile up, the Student Success and Advising Office can be an important resource to keep on track and receive academic help. The Student Success and Advising Office aims to support students and provide them the tools they need to be successful in their academic and career goals. One of the major services provided by the department is free peer tutoring for Western students. Every student can take advantage of these tutoring services by simply clicking the “WCS” logo on Portal and
making a tutoring appointment for a current class. Tutoring through the Student Success and Advising Office is available for most humanities, linguistics and social science classes. Tutoring Coordinator and Student Success Specialist Carly DelaBarre emphasized that the peer tutors undergo extensive training in their position. This includes teaching to multiple learning styles, multiple intelligences, and general communication skills to effectively assist students in need. Even if students don’t require tutoring for specific classes, DelaBarre encourages everyone
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to seek help at the Student Success and Advising Office, “I would really love students to know that they can come in and see us if they have a 4.0,” she explained. “I want to help you. I want to make sure that your time management is solid, study habits are solid, and your classes are going well. I genuinely care about every single student that comes in here … I have students from all different grade levels and all different backgrounds come in and see me regularly, and I wish more students did that.” Student Success Specialists like DelaBarre can help with everything from text anxiety to
studying for specific learning styles. When asked what advice she would give students during midterms week, DelaBarre replied, “It’s so crucially important to manage your time well … Take care of future you by planning now for the future.” Visit the Student Success and Advising Office in its new location, the old Student Health and Counseling Center next to the WUC, starting on Feb. 12. For more information on the resources that the center offers, visit wou.edu/advising. Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu
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ADVERTISING MANAGER TBD
Will tuition increase next year?
NEWS
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
By Natalie Dean | Freelancer
Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS
Secretary of State Dennis Richardson attends Western to speak on current Oregon issues
Dennis Richardson, the current Oregon Secretary of State, visited Western’s campus on Jan. 30 to promote local politics and expand education around state government issues. Secretary Richardson spoke of his own political journey starting with his work for the Central Point City Council. Richardson noted in his speech one thing that he learned during his time there, “citizens do not come into their government office unless they have to. But when people came in, it was because something was amiss and they wanted their elected official to take action. It was an opportunity for common sense and ordinances to be balanced and resolve things citizens think are important.” He continued by pointing out that, upon running for Secretary of State, the last Republican to serve in that position was Norma Paulus, who was elected 40 years prior. The cards were stacked against him, and Richardson explained, “it was said that it couldn’t be done. My advice is to focus on the principles you stand for and not focus on a party. I tell this to republicans, to
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anybody who asks me how to win (an election.) Have ideas on how to solve the problems that face the people, and run on that with the dedication to do what you said you would do.” Later in the evening, Richardson posed an important question to the crowd, “What do you want out of your life?” he asked. “When you die, people say nice things about you if they have something to say. Wouldn’t it make sense to say ‘when I leave this life, here’s what I want to be remembered for.’. I want to be known as a good man, a civil servant, an honest man, a person of integrity, a hard worker. These are all important to me, and I’m trying to live up to it, because it’s not going to happen otherwise. So, what do you want to be remembered for?” Richardson spoke on one current Oregon issue: the foster care system. “The time for talk has passed, the time for action is now. Those that think it’s a broken system will not be surprised,” he said. “We have auditors who have been on the job for over 10 years, and they said this was the most difficult audit they had done ... But these are issues that must be addressed if we are going Continued on the back
Richardson was the first Republican to win a statewide election in Oregon since 2002
Giving a voice to student concerns The Bias Reporting Form and the university CARE Team aim to support Western students By Sam Dunaway | News Editor
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to be places that are safe for all members of their respective communities.” Find the Bias Reporting Form at wou. edu/student and contact Tina Fuchs at fuchst@wou.edu for more information. Contact the author at journalnews@ wou.edu
Current Western president, Rex Fuller
Photo courtesy of WOU.EDU
Current Western students may have noticed a recent email in their inbox from university president Rex Fuller. The email emphasized Western Oregon University values such as community, diversity and respect, and introduced the recently developed Bias Reporting Form. But what is the Bias Reporting Form and what does it mean for Western students? The form was created as a result of a bias-related incident that occurred in Monmouth last year. The individuals involved in the incident noted that there was not a clear path that they could follow to report what had happened. The university CARE Team, a team composed of staff members from various departments, took it upon themselves to create this form in hopes that it would simplify the process of reporting bias-related incidents for students and community members.
The Bias Reporting Form can be found on the Division of Student Affairs webpage on Western’s website. Students that have experienced or heard about a bias-related incident have the opportunity to complete the form online. Within the document, there is an option to remain anonymous and list details of the incident. The CARE Team then reviews the Bias Reporting Form and finds resources for the students involved. “That’s our primary goal: to support students,” explained Tina Fuchs, Dean of Students and CARE Team Chair. “And continue to evaluate best practices in terms of how we address issues that might be coming up on campus.” The CARE Team is made up of individuals from several campus departments including Campus Public Safety, the Student Health and Counseling Center, Student Success and the Vice President for Student Affairs. Fuchs explained the
importance of this team, stating, “This gives us an opportunity to have all of those experts come in and look at that and do the best we can to support our students. I think by bringing multiple people together to do that, we’re giving them the best opportunities. We’re responding in the best way we can.” Fuchs explained that the name “CARE” stands for Campus Assessment, Response and Education Team. In addition to supporting student concerns, the CARE Team also gives training and presentations to students regarding working with distressed individuals and responding to information on sexual misconduct. Fuchs emphasized, “We’re not just a response team. We’re also a team that educates.” President Fuller hopes that the bias reporting form will be an easy and accessible method of incident reporting. When asked why the form is important to have available, Fuller replied, “The process is intended to support our campus values that were reaffirmed in the recent strategic planning process. These values are community, diversity and respect. I believe that all universities, especially Western, have a sacred trust with society
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SPORTS
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Keeping it going: men’s team extends win streak to 14 Heading into the final month of the regular season, Wolves continue to dominate By Morgan Swaim | Staff Writer As the regular season winds down, every game becomes more important for the men’s basketball team. Luckily, this past week’s two victories on Jan. 30 versus Concordia, 86-72, and Feb. 1 against Montana State-Billings, 71-60, showed that the Wolves are one of the teams to beat across the nation. The Wolves grabbed the first victory at home despite Concordia’s best efforts. In that first game, junior guard Riley Hawken, who played at Concordia during his first year of college, was able to get hot against his former team. Scoring 11 points in 16 minutes, Hawken’s offense helped the team jump out to a 45-31 lead at halftime. Throughout the second half, the Wolves were trying to break the game open even further. At one point the lead was 20, but the Cavaliers were able to keep the game from becoming a blowout due to the effort of senior forward Christopher Edward, who scored 33 points in an attempt to upset the Wolves. The key to maintaining a large second-half lead was strong bench play. Senior guard Demetrius Trammell had another great game as a reserve, shooting 4/5 from the 3-point line and scoring 14 points in the second half alone. The second game was on the road where four players reached double figures on the offensive side of the ball in the comeback.The first half provided some adversity for the Wolves, as they found themselves staring at an eight point deficit going into the final 20
minutes. Trailing 42-34, the team came out in the second half on a mission. The Yellowjackets were only allowed to score 18 points, shooting only 22 percent. The Wolves were locked in with their winning streak on the line, and outscored Montana State Billings 37-18 in the second half to keep the streak alive at 14. Next week, the Wolves will have back to back home games. On Thursday, Feb. 8, the Seattle Pacific Falcons make a visit. The game will take place at 7:30 p.m. The first matchup of the year was extremely tight, as the Wolves won 8379, one of their closest games of the
The team remains at No. 4 nationally
year. On Saturday, Feb. 10, the St. Martin’s University Saints will also make an arrival to Monmouth. The Saints have a winning streak of their own right now currently at seven. With St. Martin’s sitting at third place in the GNAC conference this game will be one to watch, as it is one of the key matchups left in the GNAC conference-regular season.
Wolves accelerate but couldn’t endure opponents Women’s basketball gains early momentum in two games but falters in both second halves
By Simson Garcia | Sports Editor Two early leads were unsustainable as the women’s basketball team lost two games on Feb. 1 against the Western Washington Vikings, 66-46 and Feb. 3 against the Simon Fraser Clan, 74-57. The last time Western Oregon played Western Washington resulted in a winning effort from which the Wolves ended an 18-game losing streak to the Vikings. Free throws were the barometer that enabled the Wolves to barely edge out the Vikings. This go-around found the Wolves in free throw struggles. As one of the best teams in the GNAC in that category, they shot 7/13 on the night. But a bigger woe was the 3-point shooting as the box score entailed 3/18 from beyond. As the Wolves looked like the team from their earlier matchup, it was a tale of two different halves. They traded baskets with the Vikings and ended the first-quarter knotted at 16-16. The Wolves kept it up in the second-
a game on the season. Washington meanwhile was starting to hit their marks in shooting, and got above 50 percent in the second half. Overall the Wolves shot 30 percent on the game. In their last meeting, the team not only prevailed in stopping the previous 18-game losing streak but held senior forward Hannah Stipanovich, the top-10 scorer in the GNAC, to four points. In this second match up, she was able to score 17 points. The Wolves got another early lead against SFU off a pair of three-pointers from senior guards Shelby Snook and Kennedy Corrigan, to establish a 12-6 lead in the first. And as they were able to have their largest lead of the game at eight, the Clan soon battled back to retain the lead, 32-28, by halftime. The last these two teams played, freethrows were a theme in the Wolves’s losing try. The Clan got to the line plenty in that first meeting and continued to do so in the second game. But poor Wolf shooting from three-point carried on from their game in Washington as this time, they shot 3/19. The second half also paled in comparison to the first as the Wolves
Senior forward Jasmine Miller leads the team with 10 blocks over 20 games
Contact the author at mswaim16@wou. edu
17.7 is the highest scoring margin ever by a Wolve and GNAC team
Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM
Photos courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM
quarter and had their biggest lead of six at 27-21 before the Vikings sailed back for the lead at 28-27. Western was able to keep the Vikings to a low percentage in shooting; 3-point woes were also a problem for Washington. But the second half was in high contrast compared to the first. The Wolves scored season-low totals in the back to back quarters including its lowest of nine in the third, as part of another team-low of 46 total points for
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couldn’t help matters with their shooting, going 30 percent in the half compared to the Clan’s 62 percent. The Wolves continue their season and GNAC campaign on a five-game losing streak and hope to shake it off against a pair of Alaska teams on Feb. 8 and 10. The games are at home and both have a start time of 5:15 p.m. Contact the author at journalsports@ wou.edu
SPORTS
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
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softball opens season at 3-2
Wolves softball gets invite to the Desert Stinger to start things off in the 2018 season By Simson Garcia | Sports Editor Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM
Western’s second in the GNAC in strikeouts (25) and tied for first in doubles (9)
Wolves softball is back again on the diamond. The 2017 GNAC championship contenders emerge once again and have another season to look forward to. In January they were picked in the preseason coaches poll to finish third in the conference. From Feb. 2-4, they returned to the turf in the Desert Stinger invitational in Las Vegas, Nevada, to open their first five games of the season. The Wolves started things off right on their first day of competition on Feb. 2 in two games against Eastern New Mexico, 7-2, and Sonoma State, 4-3. Things flipped and the Wolves fell twice on Feb. 3 versus ConcordiaIrvine, 12-0, and Cal-State San Bernardino 11-8. Finally, the Wolves went up against Notre Dame de Namur sealing the weekend off correctly in a win, 13-6.
The low-down on the Olympic snow-down
Ice hockey, skating, snowboarding, and more are in gear for the 2018 Olympics By Simson Garcia | Sports Editor Get ready for takeoff when that snowboarder launches from that halfpipe. Brace for impact when that skier hits that gate. Then get your footing as soon as that ice skater gracefully lands that triple axle. Feast your eyes — the Winter Olympics are back. Every four years, Olympians from a diverse range of
Batters were surely up against New Mexico and so was the ball. Home runs set the tone for the Wolves in the second and third innings to go up 3-1. If it wasn’t homers, it was hard slugging as first-year outfielder Ayanna Arceneaux run batted in junior infielder Jenna Kelly off double to right-center field to a score of 4-1 in the fourth. Then in the fifth, Arceneaux helped again by scoring on a single from first-year utility player Tyler Creach to put the game away. The offensive momentum transferred onto the defense as junior pitcher Haley Fabian threw a complete game earning a win in the process and striking out nine players. The later game against Sonoma State saw the Wolves down early 3-0 by the fourth inning. Unable to get things going with a mere two hits, the fifth had
the Wolves revive their wounds after an Arceneaux single to left that ran in senior outfielder Zoe Clark. After a single rounded Arceneaux to third, she advanced home on a Sonoma error to further ensure the deficit at 3-2. Inning six came around and so did the Wolves. The Wolves got their fourth homer of the day from freshman catcher Mariah Deleon to win the game. Senior pitcher Lizzet Dominguez got the start and win by throwing a complete game and allowed only three hits in the comeback. An opportunity to stay undefeated closed the next day. No openings for a score were present against Concordia as the Wolves went hitless. A pop-up or walk was all the Wolves could conjure up and in all, nine batters struck out. The Eagles, who were just lurking on the outside of the top-25 Division
II preseason poll offed the Wolves’s defense scoring 12 unanswered in the last three innings to shutout the Wolves. In the fourth game against Cal-State San Bernardino, the Wolves continued their struggles giving up five early runs. Three more runs extended the Coyote lead by the top of the fourth. Down 9-3 in the bottom of the sixth, back-to-back singles to center field via the Wolves scored two. But Cal-State outpaced the Wolves stretching the lead to 11-5 in the seventh and final inning. A makeor-break situation for the Wolves in the bottom half had them RBI three but a ground out and strikeout ended hopes. Fabian played her second complete game, with her first loss of the season. The Wolves faced off against Notre
sports race, jump, spin, land and cross the finish line in hopes of gold, silver and bronze glory. Snowboarding, skiing, ice hockey and figure skating will once again be a few of the mainstays during the month of February. American gold medalists in past Olympics such as snowboarder Shaun White and skier Lindsey Vonn make their return. Canada, gold medal winners of the past two games in ice hockey, will once again deploy the puck. Who to watch: Two-time gold medalist and 18time X Games medalist, White, will compete in his fourth Winter Olympics — in one of his signature events, the half-pipe. White didn’t medal in the 2014 Games but has emerged from
a few spectacular performances this past year. 2010 Olympic gold medalist Vonn also makes her fourth Olympic appearance and will get a shot at her signature event in the super giant slalom. Vonn, a winner of 81 titles over 135 made podiums also returns after a long rehabilitation from a severe knee injury in 2013 that set her back and is one of the comeback stories to look forward to. Mikaela Shiffrin, arguably the next Vonn, will race in similar skiing events and at 22 is already rivaling Vonn’s number with 59 total podiums, including her first gold in the slalom at the 2014 Games. What to watch for: This year around, 92 nations and their 2,952 athletes will take their talents to
Pyeongchang, South Korea to compete in over 102 events in seven different sports. Out of the seven different sports are 15 different disciplines such as freestyle skiing and Alpine skiing or downhill skiing, the latter of which Vonn and Shiffrin compete. When to watch: The competitions kick off on Feb. 8 and ends on Feb. 25. While the opening ceremony sets the stage on Feb. 9, the actual events will begin as early as Feb. 7 as Alpine skiing and curling start things off at 8 p.m. Pacific time.
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Continued on the back
Contact the author at journalsports@ wou.edu
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LIFESTYLE
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
LEARNING YOUR LOVE
LANGUAGE Why understanding your relationship preferences can be beneficial By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor The way that each person tends to interpret and express love varies depending on who you are. Understanding your love language can be something that makes incredible positive changes to your relationships. Not only will it help you understand yourself and the way you desire things to be, it will also help your partner understand the aspects of the relationship that you value and find important. Ultimately, knowing
your love language will lead to a better understanding of each other as individuals, and a better understanding of what needs to be done to improve and keep your relationship positive. “The Five Love Languages” by Dr. Gary Chapman created a new way to think of relationships. Saving numerous marriages and inspiring others to see how they could grow with their partner and progress as a team, the five languages he defined essentially decode the ways people communicate with their significant others. According to Chapman, they are “universal ways that all people express and interpret love.” The first of the five languages is words of affirmation. For those who identify with this, they find a lot of value in hearing the words “I love you.” Being complimented or being told that they are loved is something they hold real appreciation for and find incredibly important. And that also means that if someone were to insult them or make a negative comment, it would cut deeper with them than with others. The second language is quality time. With this, it’s important to the person to have undivided attention from the
Dear Ezi
person they love. While they don’t need it all the time, they put a lot of value into the thought of the person they love setting aside time to make it just about them. Togetherness and being close, as well as good conversation and maintaining eye contact is important to them. This also means that if you choose to blow off plans, are constantly distracted — especially by other people or your cell phone — or feeling like they aren’t being fully listened to can have negative effects. The third language is receiving gifts. Having something they can hold that took thought and effort to some is a material representation of the love that their partner has for them. It doesn’t mean that they are necessarily a materialistic person, but knowing that effort was put into a gift means a lot to them. Gifts will make them feel appreciated. The fourth language is acts of service. Helping out your partner when they are going through a tough time, or just lending a hand when they are struggling will speak volumes to them. Being perceived as lazy by them will bother them a lot; to them, actions speak louder than words. Favors will
go a long way. The fifth and final language is physical touch. While this can mean in the bedroom, it goes outside of those walls as well. A warm hug and embrace will make them feel safe and loved. They’ll put a lot of value into cuddling and hand-holding. This doesn’t always mean they want a ton of PDA, but they’ll appreciate the feeling of being held by the one they love. Knowing your partner’s love language can be incredibly beneficial. It will solve the mystery of “what is missing in this relationship?” and open doors to a far more understanding and well-working partnership. Knowing your own is important too, because if you don’t know then how can you expect your partner to? Note that while your partner may favor a certain language, the others cannot be neglected. Most find every single aspect important, but a specific one is held to the highest degree. Don’t let the others fall behind just because you are putting preference on one. Contact the author at chealy16@mail. wou.edu
Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS
Dear Lazy is the New Black,
Life got you down? Problem with your lover? Get some advice from the fabulous drag queen Esmeralda. Get your life straight, unlike her
Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS
Dear Ezi, I am feeling completely ! unmotivated to do anything k, I don’t wanna do homewor ve go to class or even read! I ha no inspiration to write, I only wanna lay in bed and watch no Netflix. Any advice? I have idea what to do…
Oooo kitty friend! I get you! Senioritis is real, heck even Google Docs recognizes it as a word! I’m not sure if senioritis is what you are experiencing but it sashays on to folks hard during winter term! I know the best way you can combat that is just forcing yourself to start something — other than a new show on Netflix — and stick to it. Once you start something don’t stop till you have a good portion of it done! Starting something is honestly the hardest part, once you get passed that things may be easier! There are also more complicated things that could be at play, if you feel comfortable I’d make an appointment at the counseling center! If you are a full-time student it is free! The ole’ brain wranglers over there can help with many mental things! They are wonderful and they could help you better than this humble drag queen could ever. I am trained in death drops and lipsync; they are trained in all the things that go on in the old wig holder! There is no perfect option for anyone, but for some people once they get motivated they don’t stop. Try bribing yourself with coffee or your treat of choice. The caffeine and sugar can help give you energy to do things! Best of luck my dear! Ezi P.S Once you get some stuff done you should watch Grace and Frankie, it’s great! BUT only after you get your stuff done. P.S.S. I am serious!!!
Lazy is the New Black
Got a question that you’re dying to ask Ezi? Send them to chealy16@wou.edu
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LIFESTYLE
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Tips and tricks to make your beverage choice cheap By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor The cheapest option for starting your day with that morning cup of coffee is ultimately to make it at home. While it may not be as convenient as getting it on the go, the amount you’ll save is incredible. Think about it, you spend maybe $3 to $5 per cup when purchasing one cup of coffee. That money will add up quick. But even when you are making it at home, there are ways to make that cheaper as well. First of all, buy beans instead of ground coffee. Whole beans stay fresh for a lot longer than ground coffee, so you’ll be able to keep them in your cupboard even longer. One trick for keeping your coffee beans or grounds fresh is to keep them in an airtight container and away from any
light, heat or moisture. Avoiding those few things will keep your coffee tasting better longer, and you won’t feel like you have to throw it away too soon. If you find yourself drinking your coffee too quickly and having to constantly buy more, you’ll find it to be a cheaper option to buy your beans in bulk. Waremart offers this, and if you live further away, you can also find it at stores such as Fred Meyer. Make just enough coffee that you’re planning to drink. Think about how often you make a full pot of coffee, and then find yourself only having one cups worth. So much coffee has been wasted this way, so think ahead of time and make yourself one cup at a time. Or, you can opt for a french press. Not
only does this allow you to regulate how much coffee you make, it gives it a more robust flavor. That being said, if you do have leftover coffee, save it. It reheats a lot better than you’d think. You could also freeze it and make coffee ice cubes, which is perfect for if you make yourself an iced coffee or any iced drink that you’d like to kick up a notch with a little bit of java. Perhaps you’re craving coffee that has a little more flavor than your usual drip; there are definitely some at-home options for you too. Purchasing a bottle of flavored syrup that will last you awhile costs about the same as a Frappuccino. And, it allows you to be creative and mix and match different syrups at home.
Sometimes, you simply do not have enough time to brew yourself a pot of coffee. When this happens, and you really need that kick of caffeine, most find themselves heading to their favorite coffee shop. While this can undoubtedly get expensive, there are a few key ways you can get away without spending an arm and a leg. Order your coffee or iced drink with light ice — doing this oftentimes means you will get more beverage for your buck. Places like Dutch Bros confirms this to be true. So next time you order that iced coffee, make sure to do it with less ice — and with more caffeine, preferably. While you’re at it, Dutch Bros also confirms that adding extra sweetener to your drink comes at no cost. If you’re worried about getting the best deal, might as well amp it up with some extra sweetness, as it won’t have any
effect on your wallet. You can also save money by purchasing your coffee on campus. Both Caffè Allegro and The Press will give you a 25 cent discount if you bring in your reusable coffee cup. While that might not seem like a lot, it can quickly add up if you’re someone who buys frequently. Get creative with the drink you are purchasing. Sometimes, some shops will have cheaper deals of the day, why not try those? Caffè Allegro gives 25 to 50 cent discounts on their daily specials which are always changing. You can also try to mix up the drink you’re used to getting. For instance, if you like to order a grande iced white mocha at Starbucks, instead order an iced grande triple espresso with four pumps of white mocha. The first one only has two shots of espresso, and is over $4 — while the latter has three shots and
is roughly $3. If you choose to get less flavor, it would be even cheaper. Try testing out different combinations like this to get the cheapest option for the same coffee taste you know and love. And of course, you can always opt to just get a drip coffee, as they are cheapest at any shop. Then, most will supply coffee creamer you can just use for free. During the winter, I would purchase a drip coffee on campus and use the peppermint mocha creamer they had for free. It tasted just like a peppermint mocha, only it was $2 cheaper.
Cover photo and photos by PAUL F. DAVIS
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ENTERTAINMENT
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
the people behind the people that changed the world
Photos by PAUL F. DAVIS
The student-directed show is being performed in the black box theater in Rice Auditorium
“The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence” performs on campus By Sam Dunaway | News Editor Clever, complex and filled to the brim with emotion: prepare for a journey through time in Western’s newest production, “The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence.” The play, written by playwright Madeleine George, centers around four different characters named Watson: the supercomputer that became a “Jeopardy!” champion, Sherlock Holmes’s faithful sidekick, Alexander Graham Bell’s assistant who helped build the first telephone and a modernday computer repairman on the search for companionship. Senior and Bachelor of Fine Arts student Stephen Nielson portrays all four Watsons throughout the show. When asked what his favorite thing about this show is, Nielson commented, “This show is really cool to me because it’s this story about wanting to be helpful … It’s very fun to be able to use me as a starting point for a character like Watson, who is so weird and varied.” Modern-day Josh Watson is hired by a local politician Frank Merrick, played by sophomore Bill Evans, to spy
on Merrick’s ex-wife Eliza, portrayed by sophomore Selena Moreno. The stalking quickly turns into an emotional love affair between Eliza and Watson. The play consistently jumps from 2011 modern America to 1889 Victorian England where another Eliza meets Sherlock Holmes’s trusty sidekick, John Watson. A third
timeline in 1931 involves a radio interview between a third Eliza and Alexander Graham Bell’s assistant, Thomas Watson, on the invention of the telephone. The complex storyline ties three centuries together and makes the audience consider the underlying characteristics that make us all human. “This show is about the people behind the people who change the
Eliza, played by Selena Moreno, creates a robot named Watson, portrayed by Stephen Nielson
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world,” Director and senior Western student Matthew Miller explained. Working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts in technical theatre, Miller is passionate about directing. “Directing is a weird art. It’s different from painting where you just do the thing by itself and people see it. With this, you are taking other peoples art and making sure it all fits together in the best possible way. It’s kind of like a giant puzzle.” Miller described his favorite thing about this show: the hidden heros. “We look at Thomas Watson, who assisted Alexander Graham Bell in the invention of the telephone. And John Watson who is Sherlock Holmes’s fictional assistant. Everyone knows who Graham Bell is, not everyone knows how important Watson was to that. As someone who usually works behind the scenes and doesn’t get seen the same way actors do, this show speaks to me on that level.” “The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence” will be performed at Rice Auditorium on Feb. 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 10. An interpreted performance is on Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The show runs about two and a half hours long and is $8 for students, $14 for general admission and $10 for seniors, faculty and staff. Contact the author at journalnews@ wou.edu
ENTERTAINMENT
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Photo courtesy of THEYMIGHTBEGIANTS.COM
Review: “I Like Fun”
They Might Be Giants release their 20th studio album, continue a 20-record streak of unstoppable songwriting By Darien Campo | Designer
A family tree of podcasts
Photos courtesy of MAXIMUMFUN.ORG
The McElroy brothers have built an empire of audio By Stephanie Blair | Staff Writer
In 2010, three brothers sat down to make a podcast in order to stay in regular contact after two of them moved a couple states away. The podcast: “My Brother, My Brother and Me.” The hosts: Justin, Travis and Griffin McElroy. Fast-forward to 2018, the McElroys have established an enormous audience and created dozens of podcasts. Mainly playing on their comedic skills, the brothers have toured around the country multiple times, gotten a shoutout in the lyrics of Hamilton and garnered an audience of thousands upon thousands. And while their main show is a comedy/advice show, the McElroy family of products has something for everyone. For a sampling of their shows, read on.
Why is the world in love again? Why are we marching hand in hand? The ambassadors of love have brought us a brand new record for 2018: They Might Be Giants brand new album “I Like Fun.” John and John’s 20th studio album further cements their place as one of rock’s most delightfully eclectic bands. While usually “experimental” music is confrontationally so, the Giants have spent over 30 years perfecting their own unique flavor of songwriting that invites listeners as much as it intrigues them. The opening track title, “Let’s Get This Over With,” almost feels like the mission statement for the record. From the first note the Giants hook us with those catchy piano chords and bring us through a 15-track journey of nonstop pop energy with no filler tracks left. Each song sounds equally and lovingly crafted as if it were the lead single. And honestly, most any of these tracks could work as the single, the songwriting quality never seems to dip at any point as most pop records tend to do — usually around the 66 percent mark of the record. “All Time What” proves once again that John Flansburgh secretly wants to be in a pop-punk band. “Lake Monsters” ends in one of the catchiest refrains
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about mass hypnosis ever written. “By the Time You Get This,” a letter to the future, is my favorite track on the album. I’ve never heard a song before that can inspire equal parts feelings of positivity and utter defeat. The record starts with high energy and carries that through for 13 songs until “The Greatest,” which is the first breather we get. The song feels like a Damon Albarn pastiche, and Flansburgh’s vocals perfectly capture that quiet power. The bizarre music video starring Nick Offerman is well worth the watch. It wasn’t until the chorus of “Last Wave,” the final track, that I realized what a morbid record I had just listened to. I immediately spun the album a second time to discover the grim themes and lyrics that had been hidden by bright and poppy instrumentation. “I Like Fun” follows in the path of previous Giants records like “Mink Car” and “The Else” with its relentlessly catchy songwriting masking darker lyrical tones. This is my favorite Giants record since 2013’s “Nanobots.” The only issue I had with the three albums that came out compiling their 2015 Dial-a-Song tracks is the lack of cohesion within the album. “I Like Fun” tells a cohesive,
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“Sawbones”
If you’ve ever wondered how we figured out that we should use mold to treat an STI, this show is for you. In this podcast, Dr. Sydnee McElroy takes her husband Justin and their listeners through “all the odd, weird, wrong, dumb and just gross ways we’ve tried to fix people over the years.” She’s smart and he’s funny, you get to laugh, learn and cringe — that’s the show. As just a taste, a scientist once drank cholera-filled poop water in the name of science and that’s not the grossest thing they’ll tell you about.
“The Adventure Zone”
“Bunker Buddies”
Lots of people worry about what they’ll do after an apocalypse, but few make a weekly podcast discussing it. “Bunker Buddies,” is hosted by Travis McElroy and Andie Bolt and, as their show summary says, “they’re not preppers, they’re comedians” which lends the podcast some levity in the face of a grave subject. For people who like practical information and like to worry about everything, this show may prove cathartic. Some potential apocalypse scenarios that Travis and Andie have covered are: an alien invasion, a robot uprising, the Rapture and the sun suddenly disappearing and leaving the world in an eternal night.
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The premise of this show is a little harder to convey; it’s a podcast where the McElbrothers play Dungeons and Dragons with their dad, but it’s not even a little bit about playing Dungeons and Dragons. Through the development of the show and the relationships that the hosts play on while making decisions in-game, the Boys made a story that captured their biggest audience yet. If you don’t know anything about D and D — perfect. At the beginning, neither do they. Get ready to cry about high fantasy characters and their tragic backstories.
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HUMOR
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
aries
3/21-4/19
Wow, this week has been nothing but bad luck for you, Aries. Probably because of that one time eight years ago when you didn’t send that chain email.
cancer
taurus
4/20-5/20 gemini
The stars heard from the tea leaves who heard from the crystal ball who heard from a 20-sided die that you should be careful walking through doorways this week, Taurus. They also recommend keeping your umbrella with you.
6/21-7/22 leo
You are up to bat this week Leo, so get your best bat, take a breath and knock it out of the park.
libra
scorpio
9/23-10/22
The stars around you will prove the Big Bang theory is real. How about this — pay off your $12 revolving charge on your account. Then watch things begin to unfold before your very eyes.
7/23-8/22 virgo
The stars are predicting a breakup in your near future. You know, I’m also, er ... available. I mean, I just – I feel like you really get me, you know? Anyway. Food for thought.
5/21-6/20
8/23-9/22
Take care of yourself, Virgo, be but weary — a self-care night can turn into a self-care day. Pretty soon you’ll spend a month nose-deep in dirty laundry and stale Funyuns.
10/23-11/21 sagittarius 11/22-12/21
Welcome to week 10. Oops, I meant week five. Remember to stay on top of everything this week, Libra.
Maybe if you drink enough bubble tea, you’ll just float away. Don’t believe me? Better go test the hypothesis.
The stars can see that you’re getting a little unorganized, Sagittarius. Maybe spring for a new folder to house those loose papers in the bottom of your backpack.
capricorn
aquarius
pisces
12/22-1/19
Stop watching Vine compilations, Capricorn. You’ve got things to do, a life to live.
1/20 - 2/18
Well you’ve already made one good choice this week — picking up the paper. Why don’t you continue the streak and go eat some fruit? Maybe a vegetable? Compiled By The Western Journal Staff wou.edu/westernjournal
2/19 - 3/20
If you’d like to make a call, please hang up and try again. If you need help, hang up and then dial your operator.
EDITORIAL
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
THE UNFORTUNATE
REALITY OF TV SHOW REVIVALS Photo courtesy of FULLHOUSE.WIKIA.COM
Full House aired in 1987 and ran for eight seasons
Revivals almost always fall short of expectations By Sam Dunaway News Editor
Photo courtesy of NETFLIX.COM
Have you ever watched the ending of a TV show and craved more? Do you watch shows from twenty years ago and wonder what life in that universe would be like now? Curiosity and desire are common occurrences, and this innate craving for more is what leads television industries to continue on with a previously established plotline. This is known as a revival. In theory, revivals sound amazing. Your favorite TV show that you’ve seen a thousand times, only new and improved? Yes, please. Unfortunately, the reality of TV show revivals is far from that. There is one thing that drives our desire for classic TV show revivals: nostalgia. Ever wonder what happened to the Tanner family after the end of Season 8 of “Full House”? Bring on “Fuller House.” Dying to see more drama surrounding Lorelai and Rory in “Gilmore Girls”? Cue the miniseries on Netflix. Does your love for the ‘90s classic “Boy Meets World” ever lead you to wonder how Topanga and Cory survive through their adult years? Perfect, you can watch their kids carry on the hilarious hijinks in “Girl Meets World.” But the problem with nostalgia is that we can’t go back in time and continue the series where it left off just for our viewing pleasure. Instead, revivals are often filmed decades after the original with a fraction of the original cast and often completely different writers. Our heart still tells us that it’ll be the same, and it almost never is. A major problem that I have with revivals is the lack of consideration for the storyline itself. You mean we can make a revival of “Roseanne” with almost the entire cast and people will go crazy for it? Then why not? Pay no mind to the fact that the father, Dan, died at the end of the original series. We’ll hope people forget about that and bring him back for the revival. Everybody wins. One of the most disappointing examples of a failed revival is season four of “Arrested Development.” Fans were heartbroken when the series was cut off after three seasons, so a
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revival was what diehard fans craved. It was announced that all 15 episodes of season four would premiere as a Netflix Original in 2013, and it was far from what fans expected. The subtle, oddball and perfectly crafted humor of the first three seasons was nowhere to be found in season four. Instead the humor felt overdone and fell flat. “Fuller House” was a revival that had a lot of promise. The fans of the original series dealt with the cheesy life lessons and dramatic narratives because it was a family-friendly hit. I spent many afternoons growing up alongside the Tanner daughters and laughing at the classic plotlines. You’d think a revival with the family back together again would be great, right? Not exactly. The once cute daughters are now adults, and their dimples and “you got it, dudes” are not enough to make up for their lack of depth. The show tries way too hard to be modern, with jokes about selfies, Donald Trump and constant references to the Olsen twins’s absence. Honestly, the only thing “Fuller House” has going for it is that John Stamos is still nice to look at. You win some, you lose some. Rumor has it that NBC has plans to bring back “The Office,” premiering in the 2018-2019 season. As someone who watches “The Office” nearly every day, I have a special place in my heart for Dunder Mifflin. The best part of my day is watching Jim play pranks on Dwight, witnessing Michael and Holly’s love unfold and learning more and more about the mystery that is Creed Bratton. But a revival of “The Office” is the absolute last thing I want. Yes, it would be amazing to have the cast all together again. But more likely than not, it’s going to be a select few actors that haven’t found much else to do in the past five years and a bunch of other people that we don’t know. The show will probably have different writers as well, so the witty humor that I once loved will probably be disappointingly different. And honestly, who even enjoys the end of the series after Michael leaves? No one. The revival is more than likely going to be another season nine. Do we really need that in our life? If your favorite TV show is getting a revival, I wish you all the luck in the world. But my advice would be to re-watch old seasons and continue imagining life after the finale without actually having to watch it. Contact the author at sedunaway13@ wou.edu
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TAIL-END
The Western Journal Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Softball
Continued from page 5 Dame de Namur for their fifth and final game where the Argonauts pushed out to a 3-0 lead early. But the bottom of the second was in the Wolves’s favor as eight batters in total locked in and the resulting home-run by junior infielder Ryann Huffman scored two to grab the lead at 4-3. After scoring two more, the Argonauts knotted the game at 6-6. But a 5-0 Wolf run in the sixth established a comfortable lead and the win. Dominguez completed the game with her second win of the invitational to put her at 2-0. The 3-2 Wolves will now look ahead as they’ll play six more games from Feb. 9-11 in the West Texas A&M Lady Buff.
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu
“I Like Fun”
Continued from page 9
though esoteric, story that brings the record together into one full piece. If you’ve never listened to the Giants before, they have once again cut a record that is just as good a place to start as any other. They are a persistently memorable and haunting songwriting duo, unmatched in their unique sound and always outdoing themselves. “I Like Fun” is a record full of love, fear and pop that feels “complete, completely, completelier.” Contact the author at dcampo13@ wou.edu
Secretary of State
kwou valentine’s day schedule
Podcasts Continued from page 9
“when hearts attack!” 11 a.m. - The Ram ‘n’ Ezi Show featuring LGTBQ+ love songs 12 p.m. - Survivor Songs w/ DJ Megan GoodChoices & Aislinn 1 p.m. - Classically Sad Break-up Songs w/ DJ Megan GoodChoices
“Wonderful!”
Each week, for a little under an hour, Griffin and Rachel McElroy take turns sharing things they find to be wonderful. There is no other criteria for what can be featured, which has resulted in albums, poems and french fries being shared. It’s a show about enthusiasm and positivity and because the two record this podcast while their infant son sleeps, their voices tend to be lowered which is quite soothing. Whether you’re into ASMR, looking for something to fall asleep to or just enjoy positive conversation, this is the show for you. It’s really wonderful! Contact the author at sblair13@wou.edu
2 p.m. - Songs of Anger & Revenge w/ DJ Megan GoodChoices 3 p.m. - Break Up Song Grab Bag w/ DJ Megan GoodChoices 4 p.m. - Love Songs Less Traveled w/ DJ Megan GoodChoices & Marshall 5 p.m. - Women’s Power Hour w/ DJs Chaser & Kale Salad 6 p.m. - The Rivera Family Sideshow Kickback Hour
THE WESTERN JOURNAL
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Continued from page 3 to change the system and serve our most vulnerable population, which are the children.” Secretary Richardson finished the speech by answering a final question from the crowd: how can college students become involved and educated in local politics? He urged folks to vote and seek out education, to reach out to local legislators and to ask questions. He encouraged all students to be actively engaged and in turn, create the world they would want their own children to live and thrive in. Contact the author at ndean17@wou. edu
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