THE WESTERN
OURNAL
WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2017 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 2
The Ladybugs gently rock Smith Fine Arts
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SPORTS
NEWS
LIFESTYLE
Western offers extracurricular sports
Las Vegas mass shooting injures over 500
Cuffing season makes its way to Western
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Page 5
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SPORTS
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017
THE WESTERN JOURNAL
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Wolves hungry for win
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Women’s soccer falls twice in one week
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On Sept. 26 and 30, Wolves’ soccer played their last two home games before heading out on the road for three weeks. Concordia, Western’s opponent on Sept. 26, came into the game with a 355-minute shut out. They left with that record extended by 90 minutes. Though sophomore Caitlin Kastelic made five saves throughout the game, she was unable to stop three of Concordia’s shots over the course of the 90-minute game. The Wolves fell against Concordia, 0-3. The Wolves started out strong on Sept. 30 in their match against Seattle Pacific; junior Amber
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Whitmore scored the first point of the game in minute 22, with an assist from first-year Alexie Morris. They held a 1-0 lead going into the second half. It looked as though the Wolves would taste victory and end their 20-day drought, until the Falcons’ Kasey Reeve scored in the eighty-third minute of the game. After seven more minutes of back and forth with no goals made, the game launched into overtime. However, there was no resolution in the additional 10-minutes of game play provided, forcing the game into double-overtime. After 102 minutes of play, the game was decided by a goal for Seattle Pacific, making the final score of 1-2 in favor of the Falcons. Post-match on Sept. 30, the Wolves have a conference record of 0-4-1. The Wolves return to Western’s soccer field on Oct. 21 to face Saint Martin’s University. Contact the author at journaleditor@wou.edu
Goalkeeper Caitlin Kastelic (left) made eight saves across last week’s games
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SUBMISSIONS
The team racked up a pair of losses By Zoë Strickland Managing Editor Wolves volleyball garnered a dual loss while on the road. On Sept. 28, the Wolves headed to Burnaby, B.C. to face-off against Simon Fraser University. The game was a series of close scores and inevitable misses. Junior Alisha Bettinson scored the first kill of the game, putting the Wolves on the board. The first set was close, but had the Wolves leading by a marginal 25-22. The Wolves lost momentum as the sets progressed, surrendering the win to Simon Fraser. The remaining three sets totaled 2225, 17-25 and 16-25, respectively. Bettinson was the star attacker of the game against Simon
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Wolve’s volleyball grouping together before a game
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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.
Volleyball moves north
Fraser, racking up 19 kills. On Sept. 30, the Wolves continued their tour to Bellingham, Washington to face off against No. 10-ranked Western Washington University. The game ended in a 0-3 loss for the Wolves. From the beginning of the first set, Washington held the lead against the Wolves. This culminated in a 25-11 lead for Washington at the end of the first. The two remaining sets saw similar fates, with the Wolves coming in short at 17-25 and 1425. Against Washington, the team saw a season-low hitting percentage of 0.032. Wolves volleyball is currently ranked last in GNAC. The team has a chance to redeem themselves at home on Oct. 7, where they will face the Montana State Billings. The Wolves beat the Billings 3-1 in their 2016 game.
SPORTS
Western’s campus is home to a variety of different sports
Intramural and club sports offer recreation opportunities for students By Zoë Strickland Managing Editor
It’s difficult to go to college without being aware of the myriad of different NCAA sports teams on campus. For students who aren’t inclined to go the NCAA route, Western is also home to intramural programs and club sports, both of which are open to students across campus. Both IM and club sports are a way for
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017 members of the Western community to participate in recreational sports at varying levels of intensity. Club Sports are run by students and go through the university’s campus recreation department. Some of the clubs offered include rugby, wrestling and rock climbing. Club Sports are a way for students to participate in structured games and practices, as well as travel and compete with other college students throughout the Pacific Northwest. “Playing club sports here has opened so many doors that I never even thought it would,” said Lake Larsen, senior Lacrosse player and Club Sports Supervisor. “On the field I’ve been able to travel all over the west coast ranging from Las Vegas and San Francisco to Seattle and Boise.” In addition to being part of a team, participating in club sports can also come with various responsibilities. Larsen, who was elected president of the Lacrosse team, can attest to this;
“The biggest impact of club sports has come from my time off the field and behind the scenes … with this title I learned how to manage an annual budget of approximately $50K, hired a new coaching staff and have developed great relationships with people around the school.” IM programs are less structured; they’re less likely to have a coach, and take on a more freeform nature. Unlike club sports, they are also open to Western faculty and staff. “IM teams are usually a group of friends comprised of WOU students competing to have fun and try to win an Intramural championship T-Shirt,” said Andy Main, the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Intramural and Club Sports. Some of the intramural sports programs, such as Flag Football and Basketball, cost students a registration fee of $50. The money paid by students goes back into the program to help pay for court and field maintenance, as well
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as to pay student workers. “The largest portion of the Intramural budget goes to pay for Intramural student-employees,” said Main. “The intramural program requires about 30 student-employees to ensure that all competitions are officiated by referees and/or monitored by Intramural supervisors.” What isn’t covered by the intramural fee is provided to the program by the Incidental Fee Committee. Those interested in finding out more about IM programs or club sports, can do so by heading to wou.edu/campusrec or by looking up @wou_imsports and @ wouclubsports on Instagram. Students who are more interested in watching the sports than playing them, can view the schedules for both Intramural and club sports at IMLeagues.com/wou. Contact the author at journalmanaging@ wou.edu
Wolves surrender win to Azusa Football experiences their fourth loss of the season
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Students spar in first wrestling practice of the year
Football players prepare to go head to head in a match
Unity of Mankind:
Bahá’u’lláh’s Revolutionary Message from Nineteenth Century Iran A Talk by Saghar Sadeghian, Ph.D. __________________________ Sunday, October 8th 2:00pm Salem Public Library, Loucks Auditorium Free Admission and Refreshments __________________________
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By Zoë Strickland | Managing Editor
Dr. Saghar Sadeghian started her higher education in Iran at an underground Bahá’í university, the BIHE. She received her M.A. At Lancaster Univeristy in the U.K.; her Ph.D at the Université de Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris, France; and then came to the U.S. as a postdoctoral fellow at the MacMillan Center, Yale University, where she also received the Rice Faculty Fellowship. Saghar is currently an assistant professor in the History Department at Willamette University.
On Sept. 30, the Wolves travelled to Glendora, California and surrendered yet another win to Azusa Pacific University. The final score was 48-17 in favor of Azusa. This is their first time heading against Azusa this season, but their third consecutive loss against the team. The Wolves’ only lead during the game was 7-3 in the first quarter. Wolves’ junior tight end Caleb Tingstad scored the first touchdown of the game, completing a 72-yard, five-play run. By the end of the first, junior kicker Jacob Hill had put three points on the board for APU with a 38-yard field goal. Azusa gained control of the second quarter, scoring two touchdowns. The Wolves were determined to stay close behind their competitors, and gained a 49-yard field goal from junior kicker Adrian Saldana. The second quarter closed out at 10-17.
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The game tied 17-17 early on in the third quarter when senior quarterback Phillip Fenumiai scored Western’s second and last touchdown of the day. The tie was broken by APU junior running back Kurt Scoby before the end of the third. The score at the top of the fourth read 17-24, and continued to weigh in favor of Azusa Pacific. The remainder of the game was rounded out with three more touchdowns and one field goal on behalf of APU. This loss places Western Oregon at the bottom of the GNAC leaderboard, just above Simon Fraser University. The Wolves will be heading to Burnaby, B.C. on Oct. 7 to face Simon Fraser; kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu
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NEWS
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017
New guidance may change how universities handle sexual misconduct investigations
By Sam Dunaway | News Editor U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced that there will be changes to the guidance on how schools handle investigations regarding sexual misconduct on college campuses. On Sept. 22, DeVos declared a withdrawal of the 2014 Questions and Answers on Campus Sexual Misconduct document, which described a school’s responsibility to address issues of sexual misconduct. An interim Q&A document was released that takes the place of the 2014 document, as well as the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter that was used as a guideline under the Title IX law. The interim Q&A allows schools the option to have a higher standard of evidence in an investigation of sexual misconduct. The 2011 Dear Colleague letter required schools to find a preponderance of the evidence in sexual misconduct investigations to determine guilt. According to the Association for Student Conduct Administration, a preponderance of evidence is found when “the proof need only show that the facts are more likely to be than not so.” In other words, more than 50 percent of the evidence must point to guilt. As of Sept. 22, schools now have the
option to hold a clear and convincing standard of evidence in cases of sexual misconduct. This is defined by the ASCA as, “that proof which results in reasonable certainty of the truth.” “To implement sustainable solutions, institutions must be mindful of the rights of every student,” DeVos stated in a speech on Sept. 7. “No one benefits from a system that does not have the public’s trust — not survivors, not accused students, not institutions and not the public.” Western Oregon University’s staff and personnel have not yet released information regarding this policy and if it will change the way campus sexual misconduct cases are handled. Abby’s House, Center for Equity & Gender Justice, is a resource and referral center at Western. According to the university’s website, Abby’s House strives to promote equity and non-violence through educational programming, referral services and information. Dr. Addington, Director of Abby’s House, encourages, “if students have a particular issue or concern they want to talk about or figure out what to do next, they can come in and talk to us.” When asked if the potential policy change will affect the resources and support given by Abby’s House, she
Get to know a major
Receiving a Bachelor of Science in biology with a pre-professional emphasis
Photo by SAM DUNAWAY
By Sam Dunaway | News Editor
Photo by AMBER GLINSKI
Schools now have the option to require a higher level of evidence before determining guilt
Dr. Addington, Director of Abby’s House, is a confidential resource for all students
replied, “No. Abby’s House is a survivor center in our approach to advocacy. If someone comes in and is a survivor of gender-based violence of some kind, we will do our very best to be helpful and supportive all the same. So that part won’t change.” “When things like this come out, when public officials make statements regarding assault in any way, that affects people,” Addington said. “So it could
change our day to day in Abby’s House in terms of who is coming in and who is seeking that support, but regardless of what the policies are, we will provide that support. These things do affect folks that need help and that’s what we’re here for.”
Western Oregon offers a wide variety of majors that students can choose to pursue, but many students don’t know the full scope of degrees that are offered. This week, explore what a Bachelor of Science in biology includes and the fields of work it can lead to. Savannah Kumar is a senior transfer student finishing her last year as a biology major with a pre-professional emphasis. When asked why she chose this major, Kumar responded, “I chose biology, and very specifically pre-professional biology, because it gave me a really good path to go towards the career goal that I wanted, which was medicine. I want to be a doctor. So I know that the pre-professional biology program here at Western encompasses all the classes
that you’re going to need in the future.” According to Western’s website, a degree in biology aims to prepare students for professional careers in biology and science education, or in Kumar’s case, entrance into graduate schools in the health sciences. “My next step is medical school,” Kumar said. “I’m currently applying and just exposing myself, not only to the application process, but also what it’s like to be a doctor. I spent this summer shadowing other physicians to get an idea of what my life would be like in the future … I really wanted to make sure 100 percent that that was what I wanted to do.” She added, “I think for the most part, going to Western and having the classes
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Continued on the back
NEWS
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017
The deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history 59 killed and 515 injured in terrorist attack on Las Vegas
Photo courtesy of LASVEGASTRAVELERSINFO.COM
By Sam Dunaway | News Editor
A gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas hotel Oct. 1, killing 59 and injuring hundreds more. The gunfire was directed at a crowd of nearly 22,000 people attending an outdoor country music festival concert on the Las Vegas Strip. According to the New York Times, this incident is considered one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. The shooter rained bullets from his room at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, just down the road from the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival, during a performance by Jason Aldean. The music stopped soon after the gunfire began and concertgoers began to duck for cover or run for their lives. According to nytimes.com, the bullets didn’t cease for approximately 10 minutes. According to CNN, the hotel was placed on lockdown and a SWAT team searched every floor; they found the gunman dead, inside his room on the 32nd floor. Also found in the room were at least 23 firearms, including several rifles that had scopes on them. Law enforcement officials searched the gunman’s home in Mesquite, Nevada, discovering several more firearms,
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explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Jake Owen, a singer who was onstage with Jason Aldean, described the shooting to NBC News saying, “It got faster and faster, almost like it sounded like it was an automatic rifle. You could hear it ringing off the tops of the rafters of the stage. That’s when you saw people fleeing. At that point, everyone on stage just started running everywhere possible. It was pretty chaotic for sure.” According to CNN, hundreds of individuals in the Las Vegas community rushed to blood banks Oct. 2. People waited in lines for six to eight hours to donate blood for the victims. In his Oct. 2 speech, President Trump stated, “We call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community, and the comfort of our common humanity. Our unity cannot be shattered by evil, our bonds cannot be broken by violence, and though we feel such great anger, at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens, it is our love that defines us today.” Contact the author at journalnews@ wou.edu
The Las Vegas Village, across from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, was the site of the Oct. 1 concert
Dedication for new Student Health and Counseling Center Oct. 2 marked the official grand opening of the new building
Faculty, staff, and students gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Student Health and Counseling Center at the dedication on Oct. 2. The newest building on Western’s campus houses medical, mental health and wellness education services. According to Clinic Director Jaime Silva, the old building had adequate space for the student population in 1963. Now, because of student enrollment increases, expansion of services offered and increased number of staff, a larger space is necessary. According to Silva, the new Student Health and Counseling Center is larger, more aesthetically pleasing and has a brighter and more welcoming waiting room. In addition, there is more modern
Photo by NICK BROOKS
By Sam Dunaway | News Editor
Clinic Director Jaime Silva addresses the audience at the dedication ceremony
medical equipment, an increased number of exam rooms and counseling offices and a better sound masking system for patient confidentiality. Another addition is a large conference room built with advanced technology
for professional staff, masters level interns and student peer mentors. This campus improvement will affect a large population of the student body. Silva stated that 4,290 medical visits and 4,709 counseling visits were conducted
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in the 2016-17 school year. Part of the cost for this building came from increased student fees. Contact the author at journalnews@ wou.edu
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LIFESTYLE
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017
searching for love at
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western Tips and tricks from student to student on how to thrive this cuffing season By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor
Students at Western are no exception to this season; like all others, we have that desire to find someone to spend the holiday season with. For your benefit I am using my platform to provide advice from one student to another on how to find the right one just in time for sweater weather and snuggle season. What better way to make that great first romantic impression than to take the leap and ask them to go on a date with you? Courage goes a long way; oftentimes, the other person will be impressed with the forwardness that it takes to do such a thing. Be careful and make sure to do this in a polite way. Junior Bailey Thompson, language arts education major, noted that you should “not yell at the person while
New food truck adds variety to Monmouth
Aloha, Oregon, as well as Vancouver, Washington, the restaurant wisely decided to open up shop just a block away from Western; students undeniably appreciated the proximity. “I think it’s a good location,” commented junior exercise science major Joely Yaptangco. “There’s not a lot of good options in Monmouth (for) people who don’t have cars and it’s walking distance.” With this newly added eatery, students now have another option to add to their list of ways to satisfy hunger. Offering numerous flavors, a wide menu, competitive prices and fairly quick service, there’s no reason not to give it a try. So, once you find time for a study break, make a quick trip to Bobablastic and indulge yourself in Monmouth’s newest tasteful addition.
Bobablastic excites, opening up shop near campus
By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor Once the summer heat began to subside and students made their way back to Western, they were given a warm welcome with a sweet treat. Just down the road from campus, off the side of Main St., sits a soon-to-be student favorite: Bobablastic. Serving everything from boba tea to spaghetti and meatballs, the small truck could satisfy any craving. With locations in Portland and
you’re driving past them in your car,” as nobody appreciates being cat-called. Additionally, Thompson mentioned that, “if someone has avoided you on multiple occasions, take the hint.” Be respectful of their answer, and simply find someone else. However, you can’t plan that perfect date until you find the perfect person to ask out. In order to do that, you have to know where to look. In response to where she recommends looking for dates, sophomore criminal justice major Emily McKnight commented, “I feel like nowadays, it’s all social media.” Meanwhile, McKnight notes that if she were to approach someone in person, she “wouldn’t even know what to say.” So, if you want to avoid that awkwardness, simply head to
Tinder, Instagram, Twitter or any other form of social media to find your ideal cuffing season date. If all else fails, there’s no need to be discouraged. Because when in doubt, everyone falls for a good pick up line, right? Here are some suggestions: “I wanna live in your socks so I can be with you every step of the way.” “Are you a fruit? Because Honeydew you know how fine you look right now?” And last, but not least, a personal favorite: “Are you a beaver? ‘Cause dam.” With that, I say goodbye and best of luck to you on your cuffing season search. Contact the author at chealy16@wou. edu
Contact the author at chealy16@wou. edu
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Boblastic sits in the lot on the corner of Main St. and Warren St.
Photo by AMBER GLINSKI
It’s that time of year again; the sound of leaves crunching is all around, the smell of pumpkin spice brewing is strong and the breeze of crisp Monmouth air is making it just cool enough to throw on our beanies and scarves. That’s right: cuffing season is officially in full swing. For those who are unaware, cuffing season is when, as Urban Dictionary defines it, “people who would normally rather be single or promiscuous find themselves, along with the rest of the world, desiring to be ‘cuffed,’ or tied down by a serious relationship. The cold weather and prolonged indoor activity causes singles to become lonely and desperate to be cuffed.” So, essentially, it’s the time of year when everyone begins keeping their eye out for their next one true love.
LIFESTYLE
Struggling to find selfconfidence How I came to find faith in myself
By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor I can remember the day when I first realized that my self-confidence was next to nonexistent. I was in seventh grade; I saw my school picture and immediately felt a wave of discouragement wash over me. I was suddenly uncomfortable
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017 with myself and my appearance. My confidence plummeted and continued to worsen with time. In the grand scheme of things, this may seem to be a miniscule problem. However, people don’t realize just how detrimental it can be. My lack of confidence would keep me from doing anything slightly past my comfort zone; it would negatively affect my relationships, as not believing in myself led me to distrust anyone who said they did. It forced me to be extremely cautious about what I chose to wear. The plague of self-doubt seeped into the foundation of my life, and I felt like at any moment I would crack. It wasn’t until my first year at Western that things began to turn around. I
Getting festive for fall Instructions on how to best bask in the ambiance of autumn beauty
By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor Photo by AMBER GLINSKI
With the start of the new term, the leaves are taking on various shades of reds, oranges and browns as they slowly flutter from the limbs by which they once hung and make their way to the ground. Fall has finally begun and it is time to celebrate. What better way to do so than
dear
Backroads between Monmouth and Salem display autumn adorned trees
ezi
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was thrown into this new environment surrounded by a sea of unfamiliar faces, not knowing a single person. I knew then that I had to find a way to build my confidence. I began developing new habits; I set aside time in my days to pick outfits that I love, do my makeup in ways that I prefer wearing it and I created a daily workout schedule that I knew I could stick to. I did things that I knew would help me feel confident. Slowly, but surely, it started working. Today I wouldn’t say that my confidence is impeccable. I have days where it’s an intense struggle, other days, I walk with my head high and bear a proud smile on my face that I truly mean. I can’t deny that it still finds
ways to have negative effects on aspects of my life, but thankfully I have an incredibly supportive group of people surrounding me who are patient, kind and understanding. My advice to anyone struggling with the same thing is to find things that you love doing, and do them unapologetically. Find people who will support you through it all. And remind yourself everyday about how amazing you are, and why you deserve to be confident.
to make the place you reside reflect the environment surrounding you? Decorating for autumn is a must this season. Whether you’re living off campus or in a dorm, there’s no reason why you can’t partake in all that the season has to offer. All you have to do is put in a little work to rejoice in the beauty that fall provides. To get started, you’ll have to purchase or make some decorations. For the best deals, head down to Dallas and take a stroll through Dollar Tree — believe it or not, their options are abundant. Everything from banners, to signs, knick-knacks and garlands are available. While you’re there, you might as well check out Goodwill and Walmart as well, as both provide a large selection of decor to choose from.
If you’re on a tight budget, that’s no reason why you can’t be involved in the fall fun; grab some construction paper, some markers and get crafty. If you happen to have extra jars or cans, cut out some Autumn-colored leaves, and paste them around the outside to create a fall-themed container. If you aren’t a creative person, that’s okay, too. Just head to Pinterest to develop some lively ideas for creations. Once you’ve finished making the indoors look as perfect as outdoors, you can finally throw on a sweater and some fuzzy socks, kick back with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and make the most of the season from wherever you are.
Contact the author at chealy16@wou. edu
Contact the author at chealy16@wou. edu
Dear Ezi, I’m a freshman here at Western and I was really blasé with how I dressed in high school. I am kinda working on doing a bit of a makeover! Any tips? -New Year, New Me Dear New Year, New Me, First, it’s so great to be back and writing these! Now your Q: you should not change yourself a ton, be who you are and be proud of that! There is only one you and they are wonderful! When revamping one’s style, one should always make sure one is comfortable and happy with it! With fall coming, scarves and sweaters are always a win; also cute layers work wonderfully! When slayage time is here, serve it queen! Serving it is all about confidence; half
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of the time I only look good because what I’m wearing is a ton of confidence! Make sure you keep a good balance in your style. Try something new from time to time, but keep it practical! Don’t go too crazy — leave that for us drag queens! Slay it gurl! XO Esmeralda Got a question that you’re dying to ask Ezi? Send them to chealy16@wou.edu
ENTERTAINMENT
Review: “If It Was A Smile” Seasoned, Portland-based duo delights with indie-folk debut By Stephanie Blair Editor-in-Chief For fans of folk and indie rock, a must-hear album is coming your way— Joseph Demaree and the Great Smoking Mirror: a guitar- and cello-playing duo from Portland, Oregon, will release the band’s 10-track, debut album, “If It Were A Smile,” on Jan. 16, 2018. The group is composed of frontman Joseph Demaree, who contributes vocals and guitar to the tracks, and Miranda Shapiro, who is featured on vocals and cello. The band describes their sound as “mellow and dreamy with an indie rock edge,” with influences spanning from Duke Ellington to Hank Williams, to The Velvet Underground, to Leonard Cohen named.
Music is in the air The best way to stream music around campus
Music is a great way to fill any amount of silence with melodic noise. “Spotify has a wide selection...it’s the only way I stream music,” said Ethan Gilbert a junior computer science major. Whether a person is walking to class, driving down the road or finds themselves anywhere in between, streaming music has replaced the classic mp3s and there are about a million ways
patterns on guitar. The sound and story isn’t for everyone, but, if you would enjoy hearing a Johnny Cash/David Bowie/ Ayreon collaboration album — this is it.
to get your music fix. Mary Goodale, a senior communications major, still relies on purchased music but also uses popular streaming services, “I use Pandora or the Google Music app on my phone. I use Pandora when I want a wide range of music I don’t have on my phone and I use Google music when I want to listen to music I’ve purchased throughout
the years.” Surprisingly, many students around campus use more than one streaming service, depending on their mood such as Maria Krueger, a sophomore psychology major, “I like Spotify because the playlists you pick are more specific than when you listen on Pandora. But, I listen to Pandora when I don’t know exactly what I want to listen to and am feeling random.” Spotify caters to a person’s musical interests with unique playlists and Pandora’s random selection method is great for scratching that musical itch that a person isn’t quite sure how to reach otherwise. While there is an innumerable amount of other free options including AccuRadio, SlackerRadio and TuneIn, most music streaming services have one thing that most people can agree is possibly the worst kind of interruption when in the middle of a deserted highway or during a high-intensity workout: commercials. However, for a monthly fee these heinous interruptions can be avoided on most streaming sites. Go figure. One such service, Spotify Premium, is partnering with Hulu to provide unlimited listening and commercial free access to hundreds of shows and movies for students at the discounted price of $4.99 for 12 months.
Local girl tunes out world
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Joseph Demaree and The Great Smoking Mirror plan to tour in 2018
Photo by AMBER GLINSKI
By Alexandra Martin Entertainment Editor
The album begins with dialogue that’s been faded and distorted with an effect that’s reminiscent of early 20th century radio broadcasts — this is a part of the story-driven element of the album, which reappears at the beginnings or ends of various tracks. After the initial bit of conversation comes the first song, which opens with the album title as its first line. The album would pair with a melancholic montage in a Wes Anderson-esque indie film, or a rainy day of doing the dishes for noncinematic persons. The tone of the album left this listener with an ache in her heart and the story, a longing for a resolution that would come in the final track: 10 minutes that left me only halfsatisfied. Those with a love for dynamic changes within an album will be disappointed.
While the sound is pleasant, each track is extremely similar. Without the interwoven bits of theatrical dialogue between tracks, it could very easily be mistaken for one 46-minute long song. Every track on the album is a waltz, with most featuring the same drumline and extremely similar picking
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The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017
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at
THE LADYBUGS: A BIG APPLE JAZZ ENSEMBLE
A Smith Fine Arts Series spectacle By Alexandra Martin Entertainment Editor
Contact the author journalentertainment@wou.edu
Photos by ALEXANDRA MARTIN
The 41st season of The Smith Fine Arts Series kicked off the year with The Ladybugs. Hailing from the Big Apple, The Ladybugs’ one of a kind sound immersed the whole of Rice Auditorium this past Friday with their upbeat, contemporary interpretations on early 20th century favorites. Each member of this incredibly talented fivesome is an accomplished musician in their own right, whether it be as working musicians for popular television shows, performing at jazz clubs in New York City, being members of community ensembles or laboring solo artists, The Ladybugs passion was apparent throughout the entirety of the performance. As part of their NorthWest Tour, they banded together to create a night to remember at Western for the community, university alumni, faculty and students, alike. Featuring musical stylings many performance-goers know and love from the musical “Guys and Dolls,” and other famed artists such as Louis Armstrong. The group played a vast collection of songs old and new, imbued with latin flavor and country flair that aimed to please. With the jazzy, ethereal vocals of Martina DaSilva and Vanessa Perea, Dylan Shamat’s thumping bass, Joe McDonough’s buoyant trombone solos and the warm bluesy guitar stylings fashioned by Alex Goodman, this group demonstrated that it is just as tasty piecemeal as it is a cohesive, delightful treat for audiences aged six to sixty and anywhere outside or in between. Western Oregon University was the last stop on The Ladybugs Northwest Tour, which spanned from Canada to Oregon. Their self-titled album, “The Ladybugs” can be purchased through iTunes or from their Facebook page. The Smith Fine Arts Series shows will reconvene Oct. 6 with BodyVox: BloodyVox at Rice Auditorium, a dance spectacular complete with talented dancers, eerily beautiful choreography and an artful depiction of the creatures and mystery that surround the month of October.
9 Jazz quintet dazzles at Rice Auditorium
ENTERTAINMENT
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017
at
wou.edu/westernjournal
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HUMOR
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017
aries
3/21-4/19
This is your week to be spontaneous, Aries. So, go for it; switch things up. I know you’ve been itching to order sourdough instead of wheat. What’s stopping you?
cancer
taurus
4/20-5/20 gemini
Take this week by the horns or, at least, try not to get your legs knocked out from under you. Persevere! You can make it through; the stars have faith in you.
6/21-7/22 leo
Take some time for yourself, Leo. Just because you can focus all of your energy on other people, doesn’t mean you should.
libra
scorpio
9/23-10/22
Just give in and buy a french press, Gemini. The coffee lines are too long this year.
7/23-8/22 virgo
The stars have no time for the petty squabbles of humanity! Vast, ancient games are at play far beyond our comprehension. But the stars do suggest perhaps saving a few bucks by cutting down on the daily coffee.
5/21-6/20
8/23-9/22
Everyone knows sunglasses can make you look cool. But despite your best efforts, Virgo, wearing sunglasses while its raining isn’t helping your image.
10/23-11/21 sagittarius 11/22-12/21
Libra, I have some gross news for you; the stars are telling me that your hands are going to get friendly with some under-the-table gum twice this week. It might be a good idea to carry hand sanitizer.
Remember that person you had a crush on last year? Text them a compliment this week.
I know it sounds tempting to put off all your homework and retreat to the beach, Sagittarius. But I promise you: you can’t write that essay in just one night.
capricorn
aquarius
pisces
12/22-1/19
Treat yourself, Capricorn — buy that pair of shoes. You just got paid: might as well spend all of it in one place, right?
1/20 - 2/18
Your independent nature is definitely a strong quality of yours, Aquarius. But remember, the syllabus exists for a reason.
wou.edu/westernjournal
2/19 - 3/20
If you’re feeling like a fish out of water in your new classes, have no fear. You’ll always have friends waiting for you at your local aquarium.
EDITORIAL Another fish bites the dust
Feeder fish shouldn’t be used as a ploy for attention By Zoë Strickland Managing Editor
lasts longer than a few weeks. Like other mass-bred animals, such as chickens, feeder fish are raised in restrictive environments that then have a negative impact on their overall health. When bred, they’re kept in crowded tanks and underfed- all in an effort to keep them from growing. Because feeder fish are supposed to be used as food, they’re cheap. A company that specializes in selling feeder fish, www.livefeederfish.com, has a package of 1000 goldfish for $200. Giving away goldfish is a low-budget operation, which is why it’s so naturally appealing. I don’t particularly have a problem with the existence of feeder fish; it’s natural for larger fish to eat smaller ones, so they serve a purpose. My problem comes when integrating students into the mix. Going to the fair as a child and getting a goldfish is one thing; you’re young and your parents will most likely be taking care of it. Getting a goldfish as a reward for filling out a survey during an over-crowded event is completely different. Students who are just coming to college need to learn how to take care of themselves before they should learn to care for another living thing. It’s a fish, but it’s still work. Are they going to remember to feed it before they go to their night class? Do they have a car to drive to get food and tank-cleaning supplies? Do they even
Newsflash: WOUNews is no news Western’s lies lie in the details
By Stephanie Blair Editor-in-Chief I know I may be a little biased on the issue as an aspiring journalist in the age of fake news and “alternative facts” but this is the opinion section, so hear me out. @WOUNews is not news — and no, that’s not The Western Journal’s handle on social media. Ever since I arrived at Western in 2014, it’s bothered me that the public relations sector of the school — officially known as “Marketing and Communications” — has slapped the name “WOU News” on the school’s social media accounts. And, I know, a social media account
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Illustration by ELISSA SORENSON
When I was growing up, my mom told me and my brother that we weren’t allowed to have pets that we couldn’t easily flush down the toilet. Though this has since changed, the overall sentiment is still true — fish are easy. It’s culturally accepted that we shouldn’t get attached to pet fish. They’re thought of as one of the most disposable living beings that you can have. So disposable that we give them away to anyone who is willing to grab a plastic cup. Every year, a club on campus gives out feeder fish during new student week. For those who don’t know, feeder fish are inexpensive fish that are often bought in bulk and used to feed other large aquatic animals such as sharks and larger fish. As “Finding Nemo” taught us all: fish are friends, not food. Or, in this case, not gimmicks. Feeder fish aren’t meant to be kept as pets, they’re meant to be prey. That’s why it’s a miracle that any fair or carnival fish
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017
have a sufficient sink to clean the tank in? Fish, especially ones like feeder fish that have been raised in less-than-great environments, require specific tank temperatures, a tank large enough that it won’t further stunt their growth, food and aquarium maintenance. Giving away a living creature shouldn’t be an afterthought. It shouldn’t be a reward for a student who devotes thirty seconds to filling out a piece of paper. If a student truly wants a pet fish, they
should devote time to thinking about whether or not they have the resources to take care of one. What happens over Thanksgiving or winter break when a student goes home? Who’s going to take care of a fish in an empty dorm? That is, if it makes it past day four.
by any other name would still look as sweet, but this is a line I can’t bear to see crossed. Public relations is not news — it’s propaganda. The word “news” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a report of recent events.” Reporting the news is not what a public relations team does: they report good news. The kind of news that will bring up enrollment and increase donor funding, but not news about things
shot photos of our campus rather than a realistic picture of what being a student at Western is like. And I can’t fault them for that — it’s their job. It is the responsibility of a PR team to make their employer attractive to the public and to handle any blemishes on that employer’s image with grace. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of a reporter to inform the public of the truth about recent events. The dichotomy between a news source and a PR department is a strong one, though it may be subtle at first glance. I’m not trying to say that public relations is an immoral profession or that it shouldn’t exist — simply that we should call a spade “a spade.” Hey, Marketing and Communications — give it up. You’re a spade, babe.
Public relations is not news — it’s propaganda which would damage Western’s image — like the racist graffiti that was painted in April on a door in the Wolfpack Village, which is owned by the school. WOUNews and WOU Stories provide a shining image of Western alongside cute memes and artistically
wou.edu/westernjournal
Contact the author at zstrickland14@ wou.edu
Contact the author at sblair13@wou.edu
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TAIL-END
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Senior Savannah Kumar plans to use her major to pursue a medical career
Photo by SAM DUNAWAY
WOU’s literary journal. We accept student-made:
Poetry Photography Art Short Fiction/Nonfiction (Under 1,500 words) And now accepting Music
Continued from page 4 that I’ve had and the professors knowing that the pre-professional emphasis students are all going to go into grad schools or professional schools of some sort, they really make sure you know that it’s important to take those steps.” Western’s biology department head Kristin Lathan-Scott explained, “we currently have nine upper-division courses with authentic research experience and 10 faculty members who have had undergraduate students on individual or group research projects … a few research projects have given students the opportunity to present at local and national research conferences. We also work with students who want to shadow a professional in the field or obtain an internship/research position off campus.”
When asked to give advice to students considering a biology degree, Kumar replied, “be ready to learn outside of what your comfort zone is. My comfort zone is absolutely medicine — the body, the anatomy and physiology — but I had to really expand my horizons. Biology also encompasses plants, and that’s not my strong suit, but you have to work at it. My advice is, because biology is all-encompassing, you’re going to learn that there are things that are not your strong suits and you will eventually learn to love them as a part of your major.” She added, “You’re learning about the world when you’re learning about biology. And it’s eye opening in every respect.”
don’t forget to submit! Fall submission deadline: November 1st, 2017 Email submissions to northwestpassage@wou.edu
2017. 18 SEASON Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
The Ladybugs Friday, Oct. 6, 2017
BodyVox: BloodyVox
Contact the author at journalnews@ wou.edu Friday, Jan. 12, 2018
the western journal is hiring We’re currently looking for a Sports Editor, Advertising Manager, Online Media Manager and Distribution Manager. Apply on OrgSync. Still want to work for us but with less commitment? We’re always looking for freelance writers and photographers. Email journalmanaging@wou.edu for more information.
Celtic Journeys: Sounds & Soundtracks
Friday, Jan. 19, 2018
Grégoire Maret: The Gospel According to Grégoire Maret Saturday, April 14, 2018
Vic Juris, Steve Cardenas,& Nir Felder with the American Metropole Orchestra
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Dirty Dozen Brass Band FOLLOW US ONLINE @ THEWOUJOURNAL
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WOU students can receive a free ticket night of the show at the Box Office beginning at 6:30 PM
503-838-8333 SMITHFINEARTS.ORG All shows 7:30 p.m. • Rice Auditorium • Monmouth
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