Fall 2013 Issue 6

The

PIONEER

All Students for Consent gains national attention

Issue 6 | October 17, 2013 | Whitman news since 1896 | Vol. CXXXI

Spotlight fades from

DIVESTMENT

by sarah cornett News Editor

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by hannah bartman

hitman’s new All Students for Consent (ASC) club was featured in national news outlets after winning the Consent Revolution Awards, put on by an awareness and anti-rape media outlet called Force, last week.

The win was a result of ASC’s recent “Ask For It” campaign, meant to turn an often abused phrase on its head by promoting healthy and consensual sexual relationships. Students in ASC asked to give studiers chocolate “kisses” in the library, and temporary tattoos saying “I ask for it” were handed out freely on campus.

Force, a media organization whose mission is “upsetting rape culture,” organized the contest and asked colleges and universities to submit a photo of creative consent promoting activities and campaigns. To win, schools were required to get the most Facebook “likes” on their photo.

ASC submitted a picture of the group’s core members standing in front of posters promoting consent that were distributed across campus during events for the “Ask For It” campaign. The photo received over 800 likes, most from Whitman students. ASC won the contest, along with consent advocacy groups from UCLA, Connecticut College, University of Oregon and Arizona State University. As a result, ASC was featured in the Huffington Post, Bitch Magazine and Think Progress, among other news outlets, bringing significant media attention to Whitman and the group.

Hundreds of students “liked” the photo, and it got many of them thinking about why the campaign was important to Whitman.

“I liked the photo because I appreciate the campaign [ASC] was doing. People’s feelings are very important, and especially in intimate situations, it is crucial to feel like you can and should check in with them,” said sophomore Megan O’Brien.

The success of the Ask For It campaign came after months of hard work from founding members juniors Sayda Morales, George Felton, Corinne Vandagriff, Sam Fischer and senior Yana Vasquez.

Staff Reporter

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ealous environmentalism and student activism meet head on in the international college campaign of divestment. The peak of this issue was reached at Whitman during environmental activist Bill McKibben’s speech in May of the last school year. Students became impassioned and involved in the campaign for Whitman to divest in its fossil fuel investments as over 200 students marched across campus. But then the school year reached its end. Students left Whitman and divestment similarly diffused, an inevitable difficulty that accompanies student activism.

“Right now is a natural period when a good chunk of people who knew about divestment have left and a new chunk of students have come and we have to spread awareness again,” said junior Divestment Media Leader Audrey Vaughan. “It’s a continuing action of informing people.”

Divestment is thus still an issue being fought through a passionate minority of dedicated students. It is an issue which they believe has a strong lasting power, and which can be reignited among the student population through education of the issue. And yet the public display of divestment seems to have waned. The posters, the marches and the sit-ins that appeared so prominently last year have diminished with seemingly nothing publicly in its place.

“I think it’s no longer at the front and center of campus awareness,” said sophomore Josh Rubenstein.

While this may be the majority student opinion, there is still much to be done within the political field of divestment. The student group spearheading the issue believes the next step remains with gaining the backing of the Board of Trustees. “[The trustees have] seen campus issues come and go, and they think that they can ride this one out like they’ve ridden other things out, and so the onus is on us to do our work to get the campus, alumni, faculty and staff behind us so the trustees will listen with an ear towards actually doing something,” said junior Divestment Finance Researcher Collin Smith.

Divestment is an international campaign that has been progressively

see DIVESTMENT, page 3

see CONSENT, page 2

Men’s rugby tries for strong season

by Mitchell Smith Staff Reporter

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year ago, the Whitman rugby Reapers suffered an 88-0 loss on their trip to Klamath Falls at the hands of the Oregon Institute of Technology. On Sunday, Oct. 5, the club rugby team of Whitman College had a chance to avenge that season defining loss. The Reapers did not disappoint, outscoring OIT 19-15 on Ankeny Field for their first win of the season.

“That felt really good,” said sophomore Nate Dorlac of his team’s redeeming win. It looks like many more of such wins are in store for the team this year, which has been infused with young talent.

“It’s a completely different animal,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of people from the freshman class that have showed interest and played really well.”

In fact, of the 25 players on the team, eight had never played before coming to Whitman. Second-year Head Coach Clive Kaiser pointed to the youth movement as vital to the future of the team.

“This team has incredible potential ... They have the desire, they have the ability and I think they’ll go a long way,” said Kaiser.

That youth movement has paid off so far for the Reapers, who also won last Saturday, Oct. 12 in an away game over Willamette University by a score of 15-5.

Those away games are tough, explained Kaiser. Because rugby is a club sport, traveling to away games is not mandatory.

“The big snag we have is traveling long distances to play teams,” said Kaiser. “The numbers drop off as you go to the away games.”

This makes road wins such as the victory against Willamette all the more satisfying for the Reapers.

The talent of the younger players sometimes takes a little while to blossom, as Kaiser and some of the more experienced players have to teach technique, strategy and rules to those players with

less experience. This inexperience was a big part of the team’s loss in its first game to Gonzaga University, explained first-year Logan Miller.

“That was our first game of the year and we had four or five guys that had never played a game before, so [the difficulty] was to be expected,” he said.

Miller has played rugby since he was just six years old, which is actually quite common where he grew up, just outside of London. Miller said that the quality of play here is not quite at the level that it was in England, but that there are parts of the game that are more intense than across the pond.

“The guys here are very intense ... It’s very oriented around contact here,” said Miller.

That should change soon, though. As the less experienced players gain the basics of the sport, more tactics will be introduced.

Miller believes the more advanced tactics will come with time.

“You need to know the basics of the game before they can be implemented. I’m sure we’ll bring those [tactics] in soon,” he said.

In addition to the rugby players who attend Whitman, the Reapers include several members of the Walla Walla community. This year the number of community players is down compared to years past. Of the 25 on the roster, just four do not attend Whitman. The talent from outside the Whitman sphere has benefits outside of helping the team, explained first-year Edward Ferguson.

“I think it’s really great because when you go to a school like Whitman you can sort of get into a bubble. You can be in an environment where you don’t get a lot of contact with the local community unless you get yourself out there. Playing with the guys from town is a great way to get to know some of the people from Walla Walla and engage in a more organic way. Because we’re playing out here, it’s not a forced sort of thing,” said Ferguson.

Miller has also enjoyed his teammates, whether or not they are Whitman students. see RUGBY, page 5

Photo by Clay

Humane Society celebrates 46 years of service to local animals

by ISABEL MILLS Staff Reporter

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he Blue Mountain Humane Society in Walla Walla is about to celebrate its 46th anniversary. According to its website, its mission for almost 46 years has been to encourage kindness toward all animals in the community.

Sarah Archer, the executive director of the Humane Society, has worked there for eight years now.

Since she joined the team, adoption numbers have nearly doubled.

“Being an executive director is a pretty multifaceted role. It requires wearing a lot of hats,” she said. “I try to be an inspirational leader for the staff, a fundraiser, a cheerleader, an advocate for animal welfare, a bookkeeper, a counselor and a poop scooper. It’s pretty

much whatever needs to be done.”

Despite the heavy work load, Archer truly loves her job.

“One of the fun things about being in a leadership role in a nonprofit is that every day is different,” she said.

The Humane Society puts no limit on how long they keep animals. Sometimes when animals are there for a long time, staff members take them home, but most of the animals are waiting to be adopted by community members.

The adoption process is fairly simple. An application must be filled out, but the Humane Society is quite reasonable when it comes to trusting the citizens of Walla Walla.

“Our adoption process honors the belief that people are basically good. More often than

not, people come through our doors because they genuinely have a passion for the human-animal bond,” said Archer.

The bond that Whitman students in particular have with the animals is very helpful for both the shelter and the students themselves.

“In the summer, you can’t know how much we miss that energy and that enthusiasm. It really makes a difference. I love how on any given Friday afternoon there’s a whole flock of people who come in and it’s so win-win. It’s great for us, it’s great for the animals and it’s great for the students,” said Archer.

First-year Spencer Thomas is one of the frequent visitors to the Humane Society that has been going about twice a week since she arrived. see HUMANE SOCIETY, page 6

NEWS

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Renovations modernize, increase efficiency

by LORAH STEICHEN Staff Reporter

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Offices in Memorial, including the Office of the Dean, Annual Giving, the Academic Resource Center and Communications were recently rennovated. Photos by Clay

hen students arrived on campus this fall, they were greeted with a slew of in-progress and recently completed campus renovation projects. Construction crews are currently finishing up remodels of multiple spaces that will allow for improvement and relocation of certain administrative offices, including the Office of Dean, the Office of Annual Giving, the Academic Resource Center and the Communications Office.

In an effort to consolidate corresponding departments and arrange spaces more effectively, renovations began immediately following commencement last spring. Some offices were rearranged within Memorial Building, while others moved to separate buildings all together.

The Office of the Dean and the Academic Resource Center (ARC), both previously housed in separate areas of Memorial, are now located in the newly renovated east wing of the third floor of Memorial which was formerly occupied by a classroom and part of the communications department.

“We needed to be closer together and at the same time, the Academic Resource Center needed more space,” said Associate to the Dean of the Students Donna Cummins.

Although the two offices, both engaged in student affairs, work closely with one another, their separate physical locations made collaboration dif-

ficult. While the Office of the Dean was located on the west wing of the third floor of Memorial, the Academic Resource Center was based on the second floor. “[Director of Academic Resources] Juli [Dunn] would go upstairs frequently throughout the day, but you can imagine how that would be challenging, because she’s upstairs, I’m downstairs. So it just makes perfect sense that we’re in the same space. It couldn’t be nicer,” said Academic Resources Program Coordinator Mary Claire Gegen.

In addition to situating the two offices in close proximity to one another, renovations in Memorial gave the Academic Resource Center additional space. Before the remodel, the ARC shared an office with off-campus studies.

“Before, you know, [we had to ask], ‘Oh, are you here because you’re going to Spain or because you need a tutor?’ I loved working next to off-campus studies, but it just wasn’t effective,” said Gegen. “Also at that point, I didn’t have an office, and so I was working with students on perhaps confidential or really focus-oriented work, which was difficult to maintain that focus because I had a steady stream of students.”

The ARC’s previous location was not only ineffective for staff, but also for students seeking to utilize the office’s services as well.

“The old [office], when you walked in, was sort of confusing, because it was a shared space ... The design of the office felt really cramped. It didn’t even feel that official because it was so

crammed and sort of in the corner and just not a lot of space” said sophomore Student Academic Advisor Alex Hulse.

The ARC’s new location beside the Office of the Dean gives the department a more distinct, spacious and private office setup.

“We’re thrilled to be in this gorgeous space. We can help students in a much more effective and efficient manner,” said Gegen.

The relocation of these two student affairs offices displaced the Communications Office, previously located in that area on the third floor prior to the renovations. However, this allowed the communications department to form a more cohesive office space as well. In addition to offices dispersed throughout the third floor of memorial, parts of communications were located across campus in Boyer House.

Now, the entirety of the Communications Office is located in the newly remodeled Boyer House.

“This move consolidates the office of communications. So we’re all here. It’s nice to be able to easily talk to people you work with and work together as a unit. It’s been a good move,” said Acting Director of Communications David Brauhn.

In addition to moving office spaces for increased functionality, Memorial, Baker Faculty Center and Boyer House underwent extensive restorations including new carpet, paint-jobs and historic molding.

Baker Faculty Center is still undergoing renovations but upon completion will house Alumni Relations and the Office of Annual Giving.

ASC formed out of void in consent education from CONSENT, page 1

The idea for ASC came during the ASWC Sponsored Power and were approaching, and this group of five students wanted a way to bring consent promotion to the fraternities.

Morales, co-founder and copresident of ASC, brought awareness to her women’s fraternity, while Felton and Fischer did the same with their fraternities.

“Sam worked on implementing consent in his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, as part of the new member education and risk management position. George worked on getting us to present at his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon,” she said in an email. “Corinne and Yana worked on creating a curriculum to present to the fraternity men. I reached out to the women of my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta.”

Felton, Vasquez, Vandagriff and alumnus Matt Raymond ‘13

Corrections to Issue 5 In “Roller derby excitement hits Whitman students” on page 2, the opponent for the Walla Walla Sweets Roller Girls should have been listed as being from Lynnwood, not Seattle.

On page 6, the caption should have said that Chris Perkins and Reid Shaw biked from Seattle to Walla Walla last year, in August 2012.

presented to nearly every member of TKE at the end of April.

After witnessing events promoting safe and consensual sexual behavior last year, the founding members of ASC observed that not enough was being done to advocate for consent. The problems were not ones that could be solved by existing programs, but required a new way of thinking, one that called for direct and simple advocacy on personal levels.

“The impetus for this grew out of frustrations raised by the Sexual Assault Panel and Take Back the Night, where a clear problem of sexual assault at Whitman was presented, but one we didn’t feel was being solved,” said Felton in an email. “We decided that this problem needed to be addressed at the individual level.”

Another significant inspiration for ASC’s formation was a general feeling that the Green Dot program, while essential to Whitman in its focus on students watching out for one another, did not do

Illustration Credits Pg 1: Sophia Cooper-Ellis Pg 2: MaryAnne Bowen Pg 4: Eduardo Vazquez, Lya Hernandez Pg 6: MaryAnne

Bowen, Asa Mease, Luke Hampton Pg 8: Asa Mease, Emma Rust

enough to prevent sexual assault.

The Green Dot program asks students to be aware, especially at parties involving alcohol, of suspicious activity. If someone sees a friend becoming inappropriate with someone else, they are encouraged to “green dot,” or stop violent or suspicious behavior before it happens. However, in the view of ASC, Green Dot can only do so much and cannot work when there are not onlookers to a situation.

“The reality is that Green Dot is a bystander program meant to encourage Whitman students to look after one another, but what about when you are alone in a room with someone, or others, and one of you wants to interact sexually with the other?” said Morales.

The “Ask For It” Campaign sought to encourage conversations about consent and general awareness among all students. Though the contest win has been exciting for students involved with ASC, they still believe that Whitman has a lot to think about regarding consent.

“Consent is about respecting others and respecting yourself.

Consent is not only meant for sexual activities, but should be practiced whenever you want something from another human being. Consent is not only sexy and fun, but it is also necessary,” said Morales.

PRODUCTION

WRITING

BUSINESS

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NEWS

Managing Editor Pam London

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PIONEER

EDITORIAL

News Editors Sarah Cornett Dylan Tull A&E Editor Aleida Fernandez Sports Editor Quin Nelson Feature Editor Karah Kemmerly Opinion Editor Kyle Seasly Humor Editor Molly Johanson Photography Editor Catie Bergman Videography Editor Skye Vander Laan Illustration Editor Luke Hampton

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MaryAnne Bowen, Sophia Cooper-Ellis, Lya Hernandez, Emily Jones, Kelsey Lund, Asa Mease, Emma Rust, Tyler Schuh, Eduardo Vazquez

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The

NEWS

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Challenges remain present in divestment campaign

Louis Perry to be remembered by sam grainger-shuba Staff Reporter

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ouis Perry, Whitman’s eighth president, passed away at age 95 in Washington Odd Fellow’s Home on Sept. 8, 2013. “[Former] President Perry was one of the most gracious, dignified and thoughtful persons I have ever met. When my wife Kari [Tupper] and I arrived at Whitman, he and his wife welcomed us to Walla Walla,” said President George Bridges.

Perry was born on March 4, 1918 in Los Angeles. He served as Whitman’s president from 1959 to 1967. During his time as president, Perry focused on increasing the college asset base and endowment. He launched many significant building and fundraising campaigns, including establishing the Office of Development, expanding the size of campus, and adding students and faculty.

“Louis [Perry] led Whitman through much of the 1970s and had a profound impact on professionalizing the staff,” said President Bridges. “Without [the Office of Development] and the very dedicated work our development staff perform, Whitman would not be nearly as strong and financially secure as it is.”

Perry’s legacy continued after he left Whitman College as well, due to his active role in the community. The Louis B. Perry Summer Student-Faculty Research Endowment was established in 1996 to celebrate Perry’s continuing service to community. The grant allows faculty to employ Whitman students to collaborate in the research pursuits of their professors.

According to Marcus Juhasz, assistant professor of chemistry and recipient of a 2012 Perry Grant, the funding from this and a previous Perry Grant have allowed him to employ four full-time students in his lab over the past five years.

“Working closely with students on research over the summers has been a personally rewarding experience for me, and the students gain a rich experience from sustained and focused work on a project,” said Juhasz. “My Perry-funded students have taken part in some impressive professional activities — things I didn’t have a chance to do as an undergraduate.”

For example, one Perry-funded student, alumnus Aaron Rosenbaum ‘12, coauthored an article with Juhasz and Associate Professor of Physics Doug Juers in the chemistry textbook “Inorganic Chemistry.” Another alumnus, Nathan Neff-Mallon ‘12, presented research done at a 15,000-attendee national meeting of the American Chemical Society, according to Juhasz.

“The Perry Award program established in honor of Louis B. Perry is a fitting legacy for someone who served the college for many years as president and as an overseer,” Juhasz said.

After serving as Whitman’s president, Perry worked for Standard Insurance Co. in Portland. He then returned to Walla Walla to be overseer of Whitman from 1991 to 2001.

Other professors have benefited from the Perry Grant, even if they did not have a chance to get to know Perry.

“Although I never met Professor Perry, I’ve very much appreciated the opportunity to work closely with students that the Perry Summer Research Endowment has made possible. Examining literary works and criticism with dedicated student researchers over the course of a summer has really helped me articulate and extend my research questions in new ways,” said 2012 Perry grant recipient and Associate Professor for Language and Literature Nicole Simek.

Bridges particularly noted that Perry was devoted to the importance of leaving a lasting impact on the college. Although many of the people who worked with Perry during his lifetime are no longer on campus, his legacy continues to impact education and research at Whitman. “[Perry] also devoted time to educating me about the legacies that other Whitman presidents had left and some of the challenges that they faced. He was a very good listener and an important adviser to me,” said Bridges.

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from DIVESTMENT, page 1

Nine Glean Team members harvested produce at Solar Farm in Walla Walla on Monday, Oct. 14.

Together they collected 2,095 pounds of corn, which will be donated to food banks. Photos by Clay

Glean Team harvests for community

ADVERTISEMENT

by LACHLAN JOHNSON Staff Reporter

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he school year is well under way, but members of this summer’s Food & Hunger SCORE are still working to address food instability in Walla Walla by founding the Whitman Glean Team. By picking the fruits and vegetables around the Walla Walla Valley, which would otherwise be left in the fields, and then donating them to food banks, the Glean Team hopes to provide healthy food to those in need as well as save food which would otherwise go to waste.

Though frequent windstorms allowed only one gleaning trip in September, interest is high and the team hopes to get out in the fields several more times before the frost sets in and brings an end to the harvest. Sophomore Sam Curtis founded the Glean Team this September after gaining experience gleaning first as a participant and then as a leader on the Food & Hunger Summer Community OutReach Excursion (SCORE). Gleaning, the practice of picking produce which is not profitable for farms to pick themselves, was one of several components of the SCORE. “The hunger situation

and the homelessness situation really go hand in hand,” said Curtis. “Getting Whitman students involved in gleaning would be so easy.

There are so many students at Whitman who want to be involved; I just made a listserv and that’s all it took.”

By canvassing at the Activities Fair and spreading the news by word of mouth, Curtis created a list-serve of over 140 students who are interested in gleaning, though only six were able to attend the first Glean Team outing on a small organic farm. Many of the first-years from Curtis’ SCORE enrolled for the Glean Team as a chance to continue gleaning.

“It was crazy to see how much [effort] goes into a farm and how much work goes into every vegetable you eat,” said firstyear and SCORE member Meghan Ash. “[However], I don’t think I would [glean on a non-organic farm], because to glean, you physically come in contact with all of the produce, so if it’s not organic you’re touching chemicals and getting stuff that’s really harmful on you.”

While many of the farms the Glean Team is looking to partner with are organic, Curtis is willing to partner with farms which are non-organic as well, in order to gather as much food as possible.

The Whitman Glean Team will add its efforts to those of two other gleaning groups already active in the Walla Walla com-

munity. Curtis has received help from Laura Engelman, an AmeriCorp volunteer who manages one of the community gleaning groups as part of her work.

“It’s more hands-on than just working for a non-profit that does office work and facilitates people on the ground­­— I wanted to accept that role of action, being on the ground myself. One of my big areas of interest is trying to work for a more sustainable solution for food insecurity,” said Engelman.

Engelman helped organize the SCORE’s gleaning experience this summer, put Curtis in contact with farmers who may be willing to have volunteers glean on their farms, and helped the Glean Team transport produce to food banks after their first glean.

While the coming winter may soon put an end to the Glean Team’s excursions, interest remains high and connections are being built with farmers and the community, which could make the team a permanent fixture among Whitman’s clubs and activities. “[Gleaning] is something that students should get involved with, but at the same time the size of the [gleaning] listserv is so enormous, I don’t think we’re going to have gleaning opportunities in one season for the 130 people [on it right now],” said Curtis. “I’m really just glad there are that many people that are interested in being involved.”

gaining traction on college campuses, with an effective six campuses divested in the United States. Being divested effectively means that zero of a college’s investments are in any of the top 200 coal, oil or gas companies. Ultimately, roughly 2 percent of Whitman’s investments lie in fossil fuels, and 0.3 percent specifically is invested in coal companies.

The formal international divestment campaign has a time cap of five years to achieve divestment.

Whitman Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Peter Harvey believes that for Whitman to become completely divested, it would take approximately 10 years or more because some of Whitman’s investments are long-term contracts. Keeping this in mind, Smith believes that communication with the administration should remain negotiable to prove that this is a lasting issue.

“To be honest, if I were in the administration’s position, I would be acting very similar to how they are right now,” said Smith. “We need to prove that this has staying power, and I really do believe it does.”

Vaughan is of the same opinion that divestment has the power to remain in institutional memory.

“It’s not just some fad. It’s something that we really care about and want to see through,” said Vaughan.

On April 14 of last year, a mild resolution was passed by ASWC that called upon the administration and the Board of Trustees to limit their investments in fossil fuel companies. It also suggested that a committee of Whitman students be created to further research divestment.

The Board of Trustees turned down the resolution, and as of yet, nothing new has been pursued by students.

“I want people to think more broadly about actions they can take that would have more effects in the political sphere, because the financial world is being rocked by this too,” said Smith.

This school year Whitman hired a Campus Sustainability Coordinator, Tristan Sewell. While Sewell supports the passions of the students and thus thinks divestment is an issue to be pursued, he believes that there are others issues that could be undertaken with greater priority.

“I do think there are other ways we can go about divesting which we aren’t really looking into as much, such as reducing our reliance on and purchase of the products that fossil fuel companies sell,” said Sewell.

Currently Whitman’s energy source is approximately 30 percent invested in the Blue Sky Renewable Energy Program, an organization that focuses on reducing emissions through use of renewable energy. Sewell believes greater investment in companies such as Blue Sky could raise our renewable energy source to at least 50 percent. This would not only increase our energy source to more sustainable methods, reducing environmental impacts, but also improve the market for renewable energy companies. Some students agree that the campus itself should focus less on divestment and more on being as environmentally sustainable as possible.

“In general, divestment is a good thing, but at Whitman I think we should be focusing our energy on sustainability,” said sophomore Linnaea Weld.

Similar to the Blue Sky program, Sewell believes that more investments in solar energy companies could increase our action in renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. These projects are more concrete and sustainable, in Sewell’s opinion.

“I think we need to prioritize [investing in renewable energy] because it’s more tangible, doable and visible than divestment, and I don’t think it’s particularly hard,” said Sewell.

Regardless of the method, Whitman is on a steady progression towards decreased dependence on fossil fuels. Divestment remains in the forefront of student activism on the issue of climate change, but forthcoming projects will also lead Whitman in a direction that is more environmentally friendly than the present.

“Whitman sells future and that future comes in the form of a bachelor’s degree. However, we’re not doing our best job to secure the physical future of this planet, and I think that’s a moral consistency problem,” said Sewell.

To become more involved with divestment, students can “like” the Divest Whitman Facebook page, and attend the divestment art exhibit that will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 7–9 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Stevens Gallery. Additionally, Campus Climate Change (CCC), a club that is involved with the Divestment campaign, meets every Friday at noon in Reid 207.

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17 2013 PIO PICKS Each Thursday, The Pioneer highlights events happening on campus or in Walla Walla.

Here are this week’s picks:

Myth, memory at Sheehan Gallery

Gaga Feminism Why are so many women single, so many men resisting marriage and so many gays and lesbians having babies? J. Jack Halberstam, author of “Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender, and the End of Normal,” answers these questions while attempting to make sense of the tectonic cultural shifts that have transformed gender and sexual politics in the past few decades.

Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium

Oktoberfest Join the German Interest House in celebrating Oktoberfest, Bavaria’s so very iconic autumnal festival! Swing by the Haus to enjoy homemade German pretzels and Apfelschorle, and to learn all about this festive German custom. Sponsored by ASWC. Sunday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m. at Das Haus

Women in Leadership Symposium Meet inspirational women from all different professions and hear how they got where they are.

Sponsored by the SEC. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. in the Reid Ballroom

J. Frank Munns brings an interesting perspective to Sheehan. Created a few months before his untimely death, his works deal with concepts of myth and memory. Photos by Felt

by JAMES KENNEDY Staff Reporter

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n Oct. 14, Whitman College’s Sheehan Gallery opened its latest exhibit, a reflection on the works of the local artist J. Frank Munns, who passed away last January.

The exhibition process varies by artist, but this display is distinctly different from most others. While most exhibits revolve around a central theme, this new exhibit is more of an overall look at a lifetime of work, albeit an abbreviated one.

“Since this is a retrospective, it’s kind of an overview of his entire life,” said Director of the Sheehan Gallery Daniel Forbes.

As Munns had his studio based in Walla Walla, the pieces for this exhibit were easier to collect.

Rather than having pieces gathered from all around the world, most of the exhibit was already in town.

“He was kind of an anomaly in that he didn’t sell all of his work,” said Forbes.

The Gallery started planning the exhibit back in January after the passing of the artist. However, exhibits of this scope usually take much longer.

“It’s probably more along the lines of a two-year project for some-

thing of this scope,” said Forbes.

There are between six and 10 students on staff at the Gallery, and they put in a lot of work for such a lengthy process. Ideas for exhibits come up in a variety of ways. Sometimes they are recruited, proposed by faculty or even curated by students. As exhibits require such extensive research, Forbes was able to speak at length about Munns, his life and his work.

“He was quite a remarkable individual,” said Forbes.

A well-rounded academic, Munns earned a B.A. in classics, a masters in Latin, a masters in classical archaeology and an M.F.A. in sculpture and painting. He also worked at Whitman as a lecturer of art history, and served as the director of the Sheehan Gallery from 1976–1983.

In the 1950s, Munns had a profound experience that would affect his work and life outlook for the rest of his life.

“His dad decided to pack everything up and drive everyone to Mexico City for vacation,” said Forbes. “That exposure to markets and to culture had a profound effect on him, [spurring his interests in anthropology and iconography].”

Munns was influenced by the Day of the Dead, Egyptology, African art, modernists, contempo-

rary artists, Native American artists and specific artists, including Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.

“He sort of was a gatherer and drew influences from all different kinds of places,” said Forbes, “There is a lot of history in this exhibition.”

One of Munns’ intense influences was his most significant partner, a gentleman named Elie José, who eventually passed as a result of AIDS. “[José] passed away in the 1980s — a victim of the AIDS crisis ... Like a lot of people who survived that ‘80s and ‘90s epidemic, that tension between life and death had a profound effect on him,” said Forbes.

The exhibit features a lot of morbid imagery, but the most emotional part of the collection is a series of drawings Munns drew of José on his deathbed, which was “part of his process” of moving on. Munns would cut up larger art pieces and repurpose their parts in new works, but even though one of the pieces on José is part of a larger work, he couldn’t bring himself to separate it completely.

The collection also has more playful notes, such as with the “Hound Alcove” or “English Bull Terrier Room.” Dogs are used

in art as a symbol of fidelity, but Munns plays with those conceptions with some of his more suggestive titles in the alcove. He had three English bull terriers over the course of his life, and they eventually became recognizable signs that Munns was in town.

“When he was in town, you could always see them at Starbucks, him and his bull terriers at about 5:30 or 6 in the morning,” said Forbes.

The exhibit also features

a lot of sculpture pieces, many featuring an animal skull motif drawn from Munns’ interest in shamanism, and even video components that show some of Munns’ performance pieces.

Today, Thursday, Oct. 17, the college will permanently install two life-sized bronze figures adjacent to the entrance of Maxey Hall, similar to sculptures in the exhibit, forever immortalizing Munns’ work as a fixture of the Whitman community.

Different in similarity

Let’s drink to ‘The World’s End’ by nathan fisher Staff Reporter

by Adam heymann Staff Reporter

W

ith my 21st birthday approaching in February and the end of three-fourths of my college years looming in May, I feel a crisis coming on that I might actually have to grow up and make adult decisions... Nah, that’s not gonna happen just yet, because denial is still an option/my best friend.

This week I saw another movie to add to my arsenal of self-denial, “The World’s End” starring dynamic duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

Remember the two man-children from the funny “Hot Fuzz” and the hysterical zombie comedy “Shaun of the Dead”? Well, the two goof balls are back and just as funny as ever!

“The World’s End” follows a group of high school buddies who haven’t seen each other in years.

The group reunites with one goal: to complete the golden mile — 12 pubs, at least 12 beers and shots all in one glorious night. Sounds awesome, but of course a minor problem pops up partway through the pub crawl. You know, the usual end-ofthe-world type stuff. Hilarity ensues as the group of old friends have to fight their way to the finish line. Although Pegg and Frost have aged and blue-blooded robots are the substitute for zombies, “The World’s End” was hysterical and a hoot to watch.

“The World’s End” got me thinking not only about life after college, but about drinking.

My “mature” friends who have already turned 21 have celebrated in a variety of ways. One friend, no stranger to alcohol, decided he would take 21 shots on his 21st birthday. You can guess what happened: drunk before noon, no recollection of taking a broom outside in an attempt to “sweep and clean” the trees. While the trees never looked better, that doesn’t sound appealing to me. On the other end of the spectrum, another friend who had never tasted alcohol went out to lunch with her mom for her

C

21st birthday and had ONE margarita (with only half the tequila). I think I’ll search for a middle ground. Maybe model myself after my movie role models in “The World’s End” who spend their time going bar to bar in a drunken haze... As far as I can tell, nothing can go wrong and it’ll just be a great (drunken) adventure, right?

Although closure to Pegg’s cult trilogy, “The World’s End”

not only made me laugh out loud, but confirmed that I want the freedom to do what I want when I want. Once I turn 21, is there anything I can’t do? Well, probably, but for now I’ll just focus on the party. The way I see it, my best course of action in the way of celebrating is similar to “The World’s End” — Go out to the bars with a group of my closest friends, have a few drinks and SAVE THE WORLD.

lassical and jazz. Punk and metal. These pairs of music movements have much in common. The truth is, though, they are all quite different in their sounds as well as their cultures.

Some set the stage for dance, others are meant for pure intellectual contemplation and some exist for pure rebellion and unabashed madness. Each of these pairs has converged on similar sounds through the influence of the other while simultaneously pushing to be different. This has resulted in pairs of genres with similar music but completely different philosophies.

For a novice listener, it’s easy to mistake jazz and classical songs for each other. The majority of their artists produce instrumentally inclined songs that range from slow, melodic tunes to quick songs that focus on highly technical parts and a fast pace. Furthermore, neither follow to the tenets of popular music. They’re often minimally produced and do not make songs for the sake of catchiness.

The history of the movements explains why their sounds are actually so contrasting. Classical music emerged in Europe as the first major musical movement and it was originally church music. As a result, many classical songs have a pious atmosphere to them. They are delicate and contemplative, conveying a notion of religious importance and intellectualism to listeners.

Jazz, on the other hand, is a movement that originates with African slaves in America. They desired to separate themselves as much as possible from their white masters, so they created music that was influenced by their Afro-Caribbean roots and dominated by tonally heavy banjo instruments.

As they continued to push away from the tastes of their masters, jazz musicians created an antithetical

culture to that of their white countrymen. They created jazz music theory, which shed the diatonic (adhering to the key) rules of classical music and added chromatic notes into scales to change sonic characteristic of the music. They also shunned white culture by smoking cannabis, which was quite rare in America until jazz musicians embraced it.

While jazz evolved from the music foundation set by classical music, punk and metal were simply separate branches on the rock ‘n’ roll tree. They developed as contemporaries, and this sheds light on their differences. Black Sabbath is where metal starts. The band took the heavy sound of the African American blues and mixed it in with contemporary rock music to create music heavier than ever before. By adding in a tritone, AKA the devil’s tone, Sabbath established the supernatural theme that metal has always carried.

Punk, on the other hand, originated with the energetic youthfulness of The Who. Their themes of uniting the youth, as heard in the song “My Generation,” and rebellion against the adult authority sparked the punk movement’s prominent voice for political criticism and youthful angst.

These movements sound similar because their sounds sharply contrast the music of the previous generations through their use of intensely fast tempos and distorted guitars. But like jazz and classical, these movements desired to push away from each other. In the 1980s there was even rivalry between the youths of each movement — they were fighting for position in deviant culture. In the end they simply went in opposite directions.

Metal became the music of extremes — extremely loud music, extremely frightening aesthetics and extremely deviant themes.

Punk, on the other hand, has become music of the teenager; it has come to represent hatred for societal constraint and adult ignorance.

SPORTS 5 Reapers looking at bright future oct

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17 2013

from RUGBY, page 1

“It’s great, everyone’s really friendly,” he said.

Great can also be used to describe the future of the rugby program at Whitman. While the team elected not to enter the National Small College Tournament this year due to a conflict with final exams, entering and having success at Nationals is definitely a prospect for next year.

“With the talent we have, there’s a good chance we might elect to go to nationals next year,” said Booth.

For now, though, the team will look to improve on their 2-1 record. With a third of the season already gone, it looks to be one of the best years yet for the Whitman Reapers.

Men’s XC team chases big goals

by Cole anderson Staff Reporter

F

or the Whitman College men’s cross country team, the 2013 season has brought a new attitude about conference, the team and each runner. New goals have been set, practices have improved and results at races both individually and team-wide have reflected this new mentality.

“So far this season, the team has run better than I have ever seen since I’ve been at Whitman. We are consistently beating teams we usually lose to, most notably Whitworth,” said junior Colin Domonoske.

At the recent Erik Anderson Invitational, the top five Whitman runners finished within 24 seconds of each other, something new for a team that usually has two or three runners leading the pack and a couple rounding out the scoring much later in the race. This newfound success can’t be attributed to any one element, but there are indeed multiple aspects of the team that are new this year that haven’t necessarily been as prominent in years past.

First, the first-year contingent has been excellent this year. Not only have they been competing well, but are also consistently pushing their older teammates, which has in turn made everyone quite a bit faster.

“Alex Waheed, Matt Wotipka, Stanley Walker and Caleb Moosman are the first-years who have impressed me to the upmost level and push the team,” said Domonoske.

The heightened level of competition bodes well for numerous runners this season as they look to set new personal records and fall under certain times by the end of the season.

“There are a couple runners already looking to break 26 min-

utes [in the 8,000 meter, which would mean averaging 5:25 per mile] and I’m looking to break a 26:30. I’m already getting close to that, so I hope to break that and then push to maybe break 26 minutes also,” said junior Carl Garrett.

Senior Spencer Corwin shared similar sentiments, but also had a couple unique personal goals.

“I really just want to change the attitude of the team from what it’s been in previous years. And I also haven’t PRed since I was a first-year, so I’d like to do that,” said Corwin.

The previous attitude Corwin is referring to is a general lack of a true competitive hunger to place in the conference.

“In previous years we never had any team goals; we never talked about what we wanted to accomplish.

So now we’re out to actually accomplish things, and we set some team goals and it’s really a good attitude.

Very competitive,” said Corwin.

By setting reachable goals week by week, each runner is able to improve his times throughout the season and so far, the team is improving significantly.

“We’re just trying to get better and better and better. To not settle and train strategically so we can run our best at our conference race and place top three in the conference,” said Domonoske.

Though each runner has his own personal goals for the season, the success of each person only goes as far as the team’s success. However, that isn’t an issue this year due to the overall team dynamic that has developed. Younger runners are pushing the veterans to be better and at the same time, the older runners have a lot of knowledge to offer their younger teammates.

“Most of these young guys have never run an 8K before. It’s a totally

different race than a 5K or anything else. Other than that, there’s a lot of experience between the older guys, and we can give tips on how different courses should be run,” said Garrett.

Corwin agrees, seeing the benefits of teamwork on individual performances.

“I think we can’t overlook the team aspect of an otherwise individual sport. In the end, top five guys score, but in training everyday, everyone is there pushing each other the whole time,” said Corwin.

One reason each runner is pushed so hard every practice is the presence of a large team. There is always a teammate able to push someone else with similar running ability.

“A lot of our strength has come from the fact that we have a big team. We’re not just looking at two or three people who are way out in front, it’s more of everyone right in there together,” said Garrett.

This year before each race, the team gathers in a hotel room to go over what each runner expects of himself and the team and pump each other up about the race to come. The acknowledgement of goals has probably been the biggest difference this year, and so far it really seems to be paying off.

“I feel like every day I get better and as long as I keep up with and challenge the rest of the top guys, I will continue to run faster and help the team,” said Domonoske.

Collectively everyone on the team seems extremely positive about how this season is going so far, and will continue to progress this season.

“I’d say this is one of the best teams we’ve had in a long time, possibly like the last 10 years,” said Corwin.

The team will look to build on its early success at the Lewis and Clark Invitational this weekend.

Co-captain Taylor Nelson ‘14 leads the men’s cross country team on a training run in preparation for their next meet. Photo by Barton ADVERTISEMENT

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The men’s rugby team practices their scrum technique (top). Ryan Sahih ‘16 (bottom) and his Reaper teammates are off to a strong start this season. Photos by McCormick

Trainers give their all for student-athletes by marah alindogan Staff Reporter

I

njuries are not enjoyable for any athlete. Yet, as an athlete who suffered an ACL tear during my collegiate career, the athletic training room became my second home due to the many hours of knee rehabilitation. In the process I had the pleasure of getting to know the men who make it their mission to solve every ache and pain of athletes at Whitman College, John Eckel and Nathan Fry. From working with skeleton teams, to open fractures and dislocations of several fingers, the infinite cringe-worthy stories these men carry with them are mesmerizing. You could sit with them for hours and never get bored.

Eckel and Fry, who came to Whitman in 2010 and 2009 respectively, discovered their passion for athletic training in college. For Eckel, being a football coach was his original plan until he took an athletic training class.

“I liked it. I liked the idea of helping people,” said Eckel.

Fry chose athletic training as a career due to the many injuries he suffered as a collegiate volleyball player. From broken ankles to a torn ACL, Fry had to deal with an astonishing array of injuries.

“I was hurt more than any Whitman athlete combined. I was always in the training room,” said Fry. By stepping into the training room, you get transported into a whole different world. You see hot and cold tubs on the right and drawers and drawers of different BandAids and other gadgets on the left.

Just by observing Eckel and Fry for a good minute, you will realize that they are masters of their craft.

According to Eckel and Fry, the most exciting part of their jobs is that there is no typical day.

“That’s why we do the job,” said Fry. Every single day different athletes come in and out of the training room looking for a solution to their injuries. Eckel and Fry always have an answer for their ailments. “[Eckel and Fry] are seriously like superheroes. I can point to a random part of my body that hurts and they instantly know what’s wrong,” said Alyssa Maine, a sophomore golfer.

Hailey Maeda, a junior women’s basketball player who underwent shoulder surgery last year to repair a torn labrum, completely agrees that Eckel and Fry perform miracles. “[Eckel and Fry] are really concerned about getting you better both mentally and physically,” said Maeda. “They really helped in my recovery and rehab process. Six months later, I am back on the court and feel great.”

Though their official titles are athletic trainers, they are much more than that. Fry and Eckel can often be found offering a listening ear when students are having a bad day or acting as comedians when athletes need a joke or two. Fry sees himself as a tough older brother, while Eckel

takes the image of a fatherly figure.

“I try to make the experience fun, but not too fun so athletes won’t want to live in here,” said Fry of his demeanor in the training room.

Eckel expresses nothing but care and concern in helping athletes get back to peak condition.

“Obviously you have to have those qualities to be an athletic trainer,” said Eckel.

But at the end of the day, for these two men, it is all about improving the athletic experiences and lives of Whitman athletes.

“What I enjoy most about Whitman is the personal relationships you build with athletes,” said Fry. Eckel agrees, feeling that these relationships make it that much more meaningful when treating the athletes. “I love helping injured athletes get back to activity.”

Day after day, these athletic trainers excel in their jobs in order for athletes to get the best care they deserve. From dealing with traumatic seasoning-ending ACL injuries to waking up at the crack of dawn to prep athletes before early-morning practices, Eckel and Fry remain committed to athletes at Whitman.

And if the training room can be summed up in one word?

“Heart,” said Eckel. “The word has so many meanings that can be applied to the training room. Compassion, care, love, center, core, the most essential or important part.”

Heart is right.

SCOREBOARD Soccer

Men’s v. Whitworth University Oct. 12: L 2–1 Women’s v. George Fox University Oct. 13: W 4-0

Volleyball

v. Whitworth University Oct. 9: L 3–0 v. Linfield College Oct. 12: L 3–0

Golf

Women’s Golfweek Fall Preview Oct. 15: 7th Place

upcoming soccer

Men’s v. Pacific Lutheran Oct. 19, 2:30 p.m.: HOME v. Puget Sound Oct. 20, 2:30 p.m.: HOME Women’s v. Pacific Lutheran Oct. 19, 12:00 p.m.: HOME v. Puget Sound Oct. 20, 12:00 p.m.: HOME

Volleyball

v. Lewis & CLark Oct. 18: AWAY v. Willamete University Oct. 19: AWAY

Cross country

Lewis & CLark Invitational Oct. 19: AWAY

Golf

Men’s Stone Creek Preview Oct. 19: AWAY Women’s Fall Clasic Preview Oct. 19: AWAY

PAGE

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FEATURE

OCT

17 2013

Blue Mountain Humane Society partners animals with inmates

from HUMANE SOCIETY, page 1

“I just really miss my dog and I love animals, so I decided to go one day with a friend who goes a lot. You can walk the dogs, which is really important because they basically don’t get let out unless volunteers go.

You can clean their kennels out and throw balls for them. It’s a good place. I know that,” she said.

Volunteers and donations are crucial to the survival of this nonprofit organization. The staff’s commitment to creating a great environment for the animals is fantastic, but can be costly. They responsibly make sure that all the animals are spayed or neutered, current on their shots and microchipped before they can be adopted.

“Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our operations, with the exception of surgery, from exercising pets to just socializing the animals to make sure that they’re keeping that humananimal bond strong, to helping in the office and filing. We have volunteers earn our trust to the point that they answer the phone and help with customers,” said Archer.

For students who want to get more involved, there is a volunteer orientation. The orientation is unnecessary for anyone who wants to go to the shelter, but required if volunteers want to take the animals elsewhere. For example, orientated students may take dogs on

walks downtown with vests that say “Adopt me” or even just take the dogs on a run through the hills.

“There’s no such thing as too many volunteers or a dog that gets walked too much at this time of year. There’s always some positive benefit to that interaction,” said Archer.

The Humane Society also has a unique program that pairs dogs with inmates at the Washington State Penitentiary. The dogs live in the same quarters as the inmates, so they are with them 24/7, and the inmates keep journals on the dogs’ behavior. They get to spend 8 to 10 weeks training the dogs in basic obedience to make them more adoptable. In order to graduate, the dogs have to pass a “canine good citizen test.”

The program allows both the dogs and inmates to create positive relationships.

“It’s had a powerful impact on the lives of both the offenders and the dogs,” said Archer. “When we go to a graduation at the penitentiary, there’s not a dry eye in the place. I’ve received some of the most heart-wrenching letters from some of the inmates who have said watching the dogs learn to change their behavior has inspired them to change their behavior. I choose to believe that that’s the truth ... that lives are being transformed. And that’s just so cool.”

More recently they have started sending cats to the pen-

itentiary as well. The program is now affectionately referred to as “Kitties in the Clink.”

The Humane Society offers a lot to the community. They go above and beyond their goal of preventing cruelty and promoting kindness. The organization has created a Halloween program called “Dog-a-ween,” which is when the Human Society will go downtown to pass out dog treats for kids to take home to their puppies.

However, their primary goal is still finding homes for animals in need.

“We provide a safe environment for animals; there’s no question. But the shelter is no place for an animal. They get cared for, but that’s not what they’re meant for.

They’re meant to be in homes with us. Our goal is always to get them placed in homes,” said Archer.

Thomas believes that all the animals deserve a good home.

“There’re a few funny ones.

There’s one named Molly that is very funny-looking and I don’t think she gets out much, so I take her. They’re all really great dogs.

If you just start petting them and give them some space, then they’ll start loving you,” said Thomas.

The Humane Society is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Invite anyone who is missing his or her [pet] at home to come over and get their fur fix,” said Archer.

Volunteers at the Blue Mountain Humane Society can complete an orientation to take the animals for walks outside of building. The nonprofit organization needs volunteers for all aspects of their operation, including office work. Photos by Barton

Pets provide companionship for off-campus students

by Serena Runyan Staff Reporter

S

enior Stefani Paladino always knew she wanted a dog and finally got her part German Shepherd mix, Abby, when she moved off-campus last September. For Paladino, there isn’t really a “hard” part to owning an animal in college.

“When I first got her, there was an adjustment period for both of us, but once we got into a routine, it was pretty easy,” she said.

And Paladino was certainly prepared for the responsibilities of owning a dog.

“I’m really a dog person, so I knew I wanted one, and I did a lot of research on it and looked around at different dogs,” said Paladino. “When I met her she licked my face and

I just knew I had to get her.”

The same can be said for junior Evan Griffis, proud owner of a hedgehog named Constantine.

However, Griffis didn’t necessarily consider himself a hedgehog person before he bought Constantine.

“It was a little impromptu,” said Griffis. “I was just wanting a pet, a companion. One day I was at home and I was on Craigslist and I stumbled upon this guy selling a hedgehog.”

Griffis was heading up to Walla Walla for the summer, so he quickly had to decide if a hedgehog was right for him.

“I was trying to gauge if this was a pet that could live in a fraternity. So I did a bunch of research, and I decided to get it.”

Griffis ended up going to the owner’s home, a houseboat

Louie gives comfort at Counseling Center

When Associate Dean of Health & Wellness F. Thacher Carter came to Whitman, he brought his dog, Louie (above), to help raise spirits at the counseling center. Louie’s calm attitude makes him a great companion for stressed students. Photo by Barton

in Portland, and purchasing his hedgehog from a drugged-up man named Constantine, who became the hedgehog’s namesake.

Of course caring for these two different animals requires different responsibilities from their owners. Paladino needs to be sure to give Abby exercise and attention.

“We go on walks, we go around campus a lot and [to] Bennington Lake. I take her in my car when I go around town,” said Paladino.

Luckily, Paladino’s housemates are excited about having a dog in their home.

“They love her,” said Paladino. “And if I’m having a busy day or something, they’ll let her out.”

Constantine, however, has a bit of a different attitude when it comes to lots of people. Because

he is a nocturnal animal, he’s relatively shy around other people.

“That’s what hedgehogs are. They’re pretty solitary and individualistic. There’s a lot of negative preconceptions about hedgehogs because they’re just scared,” said Griffis.

As a result, Griffis gets some good-natured jokes from other Phi Delta Theta students about his choice of pet.

“The guys who live in the house with me think he’s the dumbest pet, like ‘you’re holding a cactus,’” he said.

And there are some drawbacks to having such a reserved pet.

“I had a long time of earning trust. For a long time I’d just hold a little quill ball for like an hour and nothing would happen, and that was a little disappointing,” said Griffis.

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What’s more is that Griffis and Constantine only get to interact for a couple hours every night, since he’s asleep the rest of the day.

“Usually I’ll wake him up around 11 [p.m.], play with him for an hour or two ... It’s a little sad that I really only interact with him at night,” said Griffis.

Despite these drawbacks, Constantine’s solitary nature makes him a great companion.

“My hedgehog and I are such a good match,” said Griffis. “We don’t need a ton of social interaction. I’ll just read with him, and he’ll just wander up and down my leg.”

This sense of companionship is exactly what Paladino loves most about her dog.

“The best part is when I’ve had a rough day, and I can come home and cuddle with her,” she said.

OPINION

oct

17 2013

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Genetic modification bill doesn’t go far enough ANDY MONSERUD First-year

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t’s October, and even in this odd-numbered year, election season is upon us. And this year, we’re actually being encouraged to care. While odd years don’t usually have much at stake for Whitman students, the past few weeks have seen a rise in get-out-thevote campaigning, from posters plastered on the walls of academic buildings to the guy who handed me a voter-registration form while I walked into my dorm on Friday.

Much of this rise in voter recruitment enthusiasm stems not from the handful of Walla Walla city and county offices up for grabs this year,

but from Initiative Measure 522, a bill added to the ballot this year that would require labels on some genetically modified foods. The bill resembles similar ballot initiatives proposed in California last year and Oregon in 2002, neither of which passed. A number of Whitman students have shown a strong interest in the campaign, but the bill is all but toothless. Though it has high symbolic value as a fight against Big Agro, this battle was poorly picked. Genetic modification is a losing issue for the opponents of Monsanto and its ilk, and I-522 is hardly a fight worth picking.

First, there’s no evidence that genetic modification is harmful, so labeling genetically modified food is a difficult position to defend. Excessive and unnecessary regulation is a hot topic these days, and while the Tea Partiers in Congress continue to humiliate themselves with the backfiring let’s-shut-down-thegovernment ploy of last week,

voters are still wary of involving the government where it doesn’t need to be (in no small part because of its recent show of incompetence). The bill doesn’t even cover GMOs comprehensively. Exceptions include alcohol, animals that have not been genetically engineered but have eaten or been injected with genetically engineered materials, and food processed with genetically engineered materials. (The full text of the bill can be found online at the Office of the Secretary of State’s website, for those interested in learning more.) Not that this matters, because it’s not harmful anyway, but if the objective is to encourage competition from organic farmers, we could at least go all the way with it.

Should the bill actually pass, the proposed labeling might discourage purchase of genetically modified food, but only among those who can afford to look at food labels in the first place. Frankly, affluent people already consume

most of the organic food in the United States. Companies like Monsanto make most of their money off of those people who can’t afford to care about things that a) cost more money and b) don’t impact their health. And they’re right not to care. GMOs have thus far proved entirely harmless to humans. Why refuse to buy something simply because it makes good use of promising technology? The baby is going out with the bath water. What’s more, Big Agro will undoubtedly survive this fairly insignificant issue; we can’t seem to get rid of the bath water.

While I’m all about fighting Big Agro and its monopolistic grip on American food production and consumption, genetic modification simply doesn’t have the teeth to make much difference in the American food economy.

What Washington — and the entire United States — needs to address is not a generally harmless practice that allows us to make food cheap-

ly and efficiently. Instead of directly attacking the monopolistic forces lobbying against this largely symbolic legislation, Washington’s food-reforming legislators are using a passive, ineffective and somewhat underhanded method that makes them look like so many complaining hippies, rather than coming out to attack the all-encompassing conglomerates that own American agribusiness directly.

Why not take on the issue directly and demand better inspection of food processing plants, higher standards for processing of meat and subsidies to decrease the cost of organic foods? All these would have a positive impact on the food we consume, and no beating around the bush. The food industry has found one efficient way to get more food without endangering consumers.

Let’s let them have it, and instead focus on the stuff we should actually worry about.

Meat’s contribution to climate change Mease not DANI HUPPER First-year

I

t probably seems impossible to give up sizzling bacon with your eggs in the morning, barbecue ribs right off the charcoal grill or Grandma’s roasted Thanksgiving turkey. But if you’re seriously committed to minimizing your carbon footprint, consuming less meat may be the simplest, most effective decision you can make.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the meat industry emits more greenhouse gases than the whole transportation sector combined. That’s right, all fossil fuels burned by cars, trucks, buses, trains, boats and planes emit fewer greenhouse gases than raising animals for food. 18 percent of our emissions are attributed to meat production, while only 13 percent are attributed to transportation. Emptying your wallet for a new hybrid may have less of an impact on the earth’s atmosphere than altering your diet.

A recent study by the University of Chicago concluded that an average meat-consuming Toyota Camry driver will re-

duce their emissions the same amount if they switch to a Prius hybrid or eat one fifth less meat.

“You can change your light bulbs, buy a hybrid car and plant more trees till the cows come home,” the study says, “but nothing is as effective, available, inexpensive, quick and powerful for the individual in affecting global warming as the choice of where to put your fork.”

How can one measly cheeseburger have such a large carbon footprint? The answer is simple: A cheeseburger takes a long journey before it reaches someone’s plate.

First, land is cleared to grow corn and grain (requiring tilling and irrigation). The crops are transported to feed mills to be manufactured into feed. The feed is hauled to the farm to nourish the livestock. The

Junior

D

o you ever judge things by price? Sometimes when feeling spendy I might buy the $4 pasta sauce instead of the $2 Ragu. I assume that the $4 sauce is better because the grocery store is charging me more for it, but I really don’t know. I let the price gauge the quality, which is a mistake, and a large one at that. And the street artist Bansky just proved that big time.

Banksy is probably one of the most (if not the most) famous street artists in the world.

Recently he tried to sell his highly coveted pieces on the streets of New York for $60 a piece. One of the pieces he was selling on the street sold for $249,000 at an auction recently.

Banksy himself wasn’t selling the pieces; his identity remains highly guarded. What became immediately interesting was the fact that he only received a small number of customers — and profited only $420. The pieces themselves could be worth somewhere in the $10,000 range if veri-

animal waste or the swaths of land cleared for livestock production.

(It’s 30 percent of the land on our planet, in case you were wondering.)

Eating less meat is one of the simplest ways an individual can reduce his or her footprint (albeit one of the hardest on your self-will). It’s much more difficult to find an affordable hybrid or electric car. I am not undermining the importance of greener vehicles. I would simply like to provide a comparison in order to illustrate the magnitude of the meat industry’s emissions.

Eating less meat is one of the most simple ways an individual can reduce his or her footprint. livestock is trucked to slaughterhouses. This meat is transported to processing plants and is then finally brought to your local grocery store.

The corn and grain farms, feed mills, livestock farms, slaughterhouses, processing plants and grocery stores consume energy in order to operate.

A vegetarian puts 1.5 less tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere compared to the average American’s meat consumer (based on the

Banksy comments on modern consumerism KYLE SEASLY

University of Chicago publication).

Carbon dioxide from transportation and operation isn’t the meat industry’s only pollutant. Because of cows’ particular digestive system, they release methane (a pollutant 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide) and account for 16 percent of all methane emissions. 1.3 billion cattle are on this planet due to human demand, and that number will only increase as the population rises if we don’t cut down our meat consumption.

The amount of cows raised to match the world’s growing

fied legitimate by Bansky’s representative.

Another interesting point is how selling art can become an equal part of an art as well.

Had Banksy put his name on the pieces or sold them for exuberant prices, they certainly would have attracted more attention. They would have stirred up more attention and someone may have recognized them as Bansky prints, rather than some old man selling random prints.

Banksy’s own comment on his art selling experiment was “I know street art can feel increasingly like the marketing wing of an art career, so I wanted to make some art without the price tag attached. There’s no gallery show or book or film. It’s pointless. Which hopefully means something.”

I would agree that the experiment succeeded in illustrating how certain variables can manipulate one’s perception of how valuable an item is, but it also illustrated how important name recognition can be. We see this every day — if a collared shirt has a guy playing polo or an alligator on it, then its price and our perception of its wearer instantly changes. It demonstrates that many people (myself included) need to take a step back and evaluate things objectively rather than judging things (or people) automatically based on the connotation of a certain product or brand. Had those in New York done that, they might have realized, “Wow, this is really cool spray art, it looks like something Banksy might have done,” or “Wow, this spray art is very over-priced.

It looks like something Banksy might have done — he’s famous but he kind of sucks anyway.”

Mooses by Asa Mease

Purchasing a Toyota Prius or Ford Hybrid sends the message that you are committed to reducing your footprint and dependency on wealthy gas companies.

Likewise, modifying your diet to include less meat shows support for a less pollutant-intensive food system.

appetite release methane that is no more natural than the carbon emitted by a Hummer.

I haven’t even mentioned water pollution from

Voices from the

If the school could spend money on anything, what would that be?

Community

Poll by Skye Vander Laan

Sarah Le

Katie Steen

Community Member

“I think that [the school] should spend money on getting more low-income and diverse students on campus.”

Sophomore

“I think Whitman should spend more money on getting more cool speakers and performers from different parts of the world to come to Whitman.

Also, I think we should pay our professors more, especially the women.”

Jack Percival

Vincent Le

Sophomore

Community Member

“I think we should build something. We could establish a really cool art collection with armour and weapons and famous paintings. We could procure these from different museums and put them on campus. Then we would become really notable and people would say, ‘Let’s go to Whitman College.’”

“Baby rental services. I feel like Whitman students would feel a lot better if they held a baby for five minutes a day. Imagine the revenue Whitman could make if they had a pro-rated baby rental service. Also, a bigger, even more expensive tennis court.”

For video responses visit: whitmanpioneer.com/category/opinion

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8

Haze of

Corn Maze Dayz Craze

This perplexing item was found in the Anderson D-section lounge. Photo by Clay

W

hat started out as a funfilled evening quickly turned to tragedy when a group of eager young first-year students attended their first ever haunted corn maze here in the idyllic town of Walla Walla. On a crisp fall evening, a small group of Andersonians, having heard the rumors of the great excitement the Haunted Corn Maze has brought to Whitman students for years on end, planned on a night of innocent autumnal fun last Friday, Oct. 11.

Being college students now, the students thought it would be appropriate to commemorate their practice of a Whitman tradition with a few drinks... and maybe a few more... and another few...

“I mean, hard cider and Oktoberfest right? ... And besides, we were totally for real, I mean, like not that drunk at all really. Like hardly drunk at all,” said Nate Spookeder, a first-year who survived the incidents of last Friday, while hiccupping.

Having properly pre-gamed, Spookeder and first-year friends Sally Summers, Jackson Hill, Carol Smith and Jason Lee set out for the corn fields. After pinky-swearing to stick together in the corn, they headed in.

What exactly happened in the maze remains unclear; however, corn maze workers and interviews with eye-witnesses reveal the following picture of events.

The first-years were horrified, and let out blood-curdling screams. They had arrived at the ticket booth. The ticket seller reported the following to the police: “I am not sure what they were screaming about — $8 per person seems like a pretty fair rate, I think.”

The police relayed that Summers ran off into the cornfields alone, not to be found until later that evening muttering to herself “eight dollars, eight dollars.” After having been treated in a psych ward, Summers has

made a partial recovery and has spoken out about the incident.

“I regret that last four loco,” she said.

However, doctors state that any prices over $6 could send Summers into a tailspin.

But having already paid for their tickets, the four remaining members of the group entered the maze. When they had made it about 30 feet in, the first axewielding specter jumped out at the group. Taking defensive actions learned from two years of tae kwon do, yellow-belt Hill forcibly disarmed and assaulted the masked high school maze worker. Security was called and Hill was asked to leave the premises.

Bravely continuing on, Spookeder, Smith and Lee made it half-way through the maze without further trouble. However, while being chased by a clown with a chainsaw, Lee used Smith as a human shield and forced the clown worker to accept her as a sacrifice in exchange for his own life. After a 10 minute argument, the clown took custody of Smith while Lee and Spookeder ran away screaming. Neither the clown nor Smith really understand the exchange, and the clown just pointed Smith towards the exit. Smith returned to campus unharmed.

Two left and half a maze to go, Spookeder and Lee made for the end of the maze with much haste, but after they were separated by a malicious zombie, only Spookeder made it to the exit of the maze. After waiting two hours for Lee to exit the maze, without success, the police were called to the scene. Lee was found two days later in the heart of the maze, having survived by only eating raw corn cobs, despite being half a mile from the highway and the nearest convenience store.

All in all, the police cite extreme fall frivolity as the source of all of last Friday’s troubling events.

Connect the Dots

W

ith the advent of the ill-named “Drunk Sunday” on campus, Encounters professors have noticed a slight decline in the quality of Encounters papers. Some of them have sent in the following excepts to help alert the college to the increasing severity of the problem: Submitted by Professor Cohn Jotts: “And so Keats was like, ‘Oh, no!

I am so sad!’ and the Grecian Urn was like, ‘Yeah, I know rite’ and beauty is truth and truth beauty wam bam done you have a classic.” Interesting insight Aaron, but “wam bam done” is not scholarly language last time I checked. Have you considered trade school?

Submitted by Professor Kan Dent: “Frankenstein? More like bone-enstein! Am i rite?” I don’t know what you are talking about.

Submitted by Professor Aron Shalker: “Regardless of the varying and contridictiry lenses in Rashomon, it is cleer that in all the accounts, everyone was pretty hammed. That’s why they wanted to fight, were falling down so much, and noone could remember correctly what had happened the next day.” This is literally the worst bit of textual analysis I have ever read.

What is wrong with you?

Submitted by Professor Kan Dent: “Nietzsche?

I

More like do-me! Am I rite?” Seriously, Steven. This is neither smart nor funny.

Submitted by Professor Fattew Mox: “The only conclusion that can be reeched about The Battle Of Algeres is that Drunkmerica is great and life suks if you speek French.

DRU NK MEEEEER IKA!!!!

DRUNKMERIKA! NOW GIVE A PABST TO MEEEEEEE!” Susan, Drunkmerika is not a place.

Submitted by Professor Kan Dent: “Odyssey?

More like BROdyssey! Am I rite?” Are you stupid? Is that what is going on here?

Submitted by Professor Wames Jarren: “Maus is really sad. (Spleigleman, 1-all)” Try harder. In fact, just try at all. For me. Do it for me.

Submitted by Professor Kan Dent: “The Second Sex? More like lets get some sex! BOOM! Am I rite?”

Please have the Academic Resource Center email me about how to accommodate your particular learning disability.

Submitted by Professor Snon Dow: “’Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink’ (John 2:10). Best. Scripture. Eva.” Good quote, now what does it mean? Go deeper. I mean, if there is anything deeper than “Best Scripture Ever.”

Submitted by Professor Kan Dent: “Bhaga-

Fire & Spice Presents

The Rim Teed Special

As @g see oa n o sw n c T the wi tte r!

Mayonnaise, peanut butter, Twizzlers, cookies, ham, jam, hummus and gluten-free bread!

Bon Appétit

vad Gita? More like Bhagavad Get Some! Am I rite?”

Are you even enrolled here, or do you just show up to class to say stupid things?

Submitted by Professor Kelen Him: “Partymeister, Allhailtothe Professor Kelen Him Encounters 4 October 2013” James, this is not MLA format. Your name is not Allhailtothe Partymeister.

You are not a citizen of “Drunkmerika.” Please stop bringing it up in discussion.

Submitted by Professor Kan Dent: “Ode on Melancholy? More like Ode on My Dick! Am i rite?”

You have broken me, Steven. Four years of teaching Encounters and you have officially broken me.

Submitted by Professor Tenna Jerry: “You are mean and unfair and I’m not doing this stupid paper.” True. F. General Chemistry Professor Bate Noland would also like to submit the following few excerpts of lab reports: “Methods: The catalyst is super hard to pour into the beaker. Its got, like, the tiniest top. Who mad this?

Lab Procedures: Poured 250 ml of ethanol into my mouth.

Conclusions: Awesom” As you will notice, comma use and spelling are absolutely unacceptable.

Whitman Spirits

f you talk the talk, you got to drink the drink. Below are a few mixed drinks you may associate with various organizations, people and buildings across campus.

Go Sweets!: 1/4 cup of sweet onion juice, 1 shot vodka, slice of sweet onion 2-Messed Up: 1 beer with 1 shot vodka; repeat for desired effect FYS (Forget Your Semester) in the West: 1 shot Kahlua, 1 shot vodka, 2 tablespoons powdered milk, 1 cup iodized water

The Philosophy Major: 1 shot Marx, 1 shot Foucault, 1 shot de Beauvoir, 1 cup Nihilism The DFMO (dance-floor make-out): 1 shot tequila, 1 shot vodka, 1 shot gin, 1 cup pineapple juice, handful of ice Kappatini: 1 packet Crystal Light Lemonade, 1 cup Ethos Water, 1 shot vodka, 1 shot tequila, carrot stick Walla Walla Summer: 1 cup chilled white wine, 1 shot peach Schnapps, 1 slice peach

Schwa-wasted: 2 shots amaretto, 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper, fire

Walla Walla Summer part deux: 1 cup frozen red wine, blended, 1 shot orange liqueur, orange rind and cinnamon stick

Sex on the Olin Roof: 1 shot fireball with rim of cinnamon sugar

The G-Bridges: Tequila (gold), key lime, gold salt

FIND YOUR SPIRIT QUIZ

2. Out of the following, who is your favorite musician? a. Skrillex b. Beyoncé c. Jimi Hendrix d. Shakira

THIS WEEK!

17 2013

Students drunk, essays crunk

1. Where can you be found on an average Tuesday morning at 8 a.m.? a. My genetics lecture, of course. b. Walking to the gym c. Asleep in my bed d. Passed out on a random couch on the Beta porch

YUM-VERTISEMENT

OCT

3. What academic building most suits your fancy? a. Science b. Maxey c. Olin d. Hunter 4. What quote most typifies your attitude towards drinking? a. “Drinking is for the weekends and sometimes Thursday.” b. “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.” c. “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” d. “I keep a bottle around in case I see a snake, which I also keep around.”

Mostly A’s — Hopskip (beer, vodka and lemonade) Your greatest fear is losing your youth, and especially your youthful hangovers that last only until you eat brunch at Prentiss Dining Hall. You possess most of the traits of a stereotypical college student, which doesn’t bother you at all. Like hopskip, you’re a standard at every party, intermingling and getting along with everyone. Unfortunately, however, you tend to leave a bad taste in more refined mouths.

Mostly B’s — Fake champagne (wine and sprite) You consider yourself the life of the party, which is accurate as you always have some drank in that cup, no matter where you are. People who assume there is actually coffee in your mug are repeatedly proven wrong. While you don’t think you need alcohol to have fun, why not!

Mostly C’s — Frisky whiskey (whiskey and slurpee) You’re the type of person to be drunk in Encounters just to see how it feels. Your life is accurately described as a constant staycation. Never one to let the tough times get you down, you remain optimistic by always viewing the glass as half full and keeping it filled to the brim.

Mostly D’s — T squared (tequila and tums) Adventurous and not afraid to get weird, you love to try new and fun combinations. Nothing bores you more than a night out with just a 30-rack of Keystone. Your favorite activities involve salsa dancing, chips and salsa, and being a little saucy. People appreciate you for the variety you bring to their everyday lives.