Spring is in air: what to do now pg 15
satrapi speaks to campus
electro pop sensation pg 20
pg 19
climbing Wall to be unveiled Back cover
WhitmanCollegePioneer
april 16, 2009 Volume CXXIV / Issue 9 Walla Walla, WAshington whitmanpioneer.com
Departments introduce major course changes by Chelsea Bissell Reporter
Developing coherent tracks for each major is a delicate process, one that is usually in flux. This year, the philosophy, economics and English departments have taken steps to alter both their major requirements and the classes available for students. Each department is making these changes with the goal of increasing consistency in senior exams and courses and with an eye on the broader spectrum of their discipline. The philosophy department made changes to their requirements and the senior examinations. “We’ve reduced the required four course se-
quence in the history of philosophy to three courses: ancient followed by modern with each major choosing whichever third course best allows him or her to follow out an interesting idea generated by the first two courses,” said Professor Tom Davis, chair of the philosophy department. Alongside course changes in the history of philosophy, the department reworked the senior examination process, abandoning a thesis in favor of a portfolio of writings. In this portfolio, senior philosophy majors will be required to write a 2,000 word narrative on an idea they followed in their three history courses. Students will also be expected to generate a 1,000 word personal narrative on how their philosophical outlook has changed and grown through the study of philosophy. Alongside these narratives, the student will rewrite their best essay in their seminar class. These writings will ultimately be linked together during an oral examination covering all three papers. “The changes makes the major more coherent and students more directly responsible CHANGES, see page 7
ZIPPARO
Timothy Kaufman-Osborn, fondly known as ‘TKO’ by his students and colleagues, has been named Provost and Dean of Faculty. President Bridges notified faculty of his appointment on Monday.
‘TKO’ appointed provost by Molly Smith News Editor
On Monday, April 13, President George Bridges announced the appointment of Timothy Kaufman-Osborn to the position of Provost and Dean of Faculty. The announcement, which was made to the
faculty via e-mail, comes in response to the upcoming departure of current Provost and Dean of Faculty Lori Bettison-Varga. Bettison-Varga has accepted the position of President at Scripps College. Pending confirmation by the Board of Trustees, Kaufman-Osborn will officially assume the PROVOST, see page 3
Record waitlist leaves applicants in flux by Josh Goodman Reporter
E. johnson and o. Johnson
The college application saga came to an end on April 1 for most high school seniors. But for a record number of Whitman applicants this year, the
response to their application was being neither admitted nor declined, but landing a spot on the waitlist. Among the class of 2013 applicants, 550 were waitlisted, compared to 426 for the class of 2012. In addition, 132 applicants were offered the Janstart option for Spring 2010; if they accept that option, they can choose to have a spot on the fall waitlist as well.
“The primary reasons for the increase in the size of the waitlist are [that the] overall quality was very strong and we have many talented students in the pool that we could not admit but would like to [and second] to help us potentially meet enrollment goals if concerns about the economy lead fewer students to accept our offers of admission,” said Dean of Admission Tony Cabasco. ADMISSIONS, see page 7
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April 16, 2009
Class of 2013 to encounter ‘Last Town on Earth’ by Elana Congress Reporter
The incoming class of 2013 will read “The Last Town on Earth,” a novel by Thomas Mullen, for their required summer reading. The Last Town on Earth is a fictional novel set in 1918 in a small logging town in Washington state. The residents choose to isolate themselves to avoid contracting an epidemic flu virus sweeping the area. “I think that the themes are really important to what’s going on today, both nationally and internationally: when we look at pandemic flu planning, when we think about terrorism. Do we cut ourselves off from the world or do we engage?” said Jed Schwendiman, the associate to the president. Although President Bridges chooses the summer reading book for the incoming class, he solicits suggestions and input from faculty members and students. Juli Dunn, the director of the Academic Resource Center (ARC), read several of the books on Bridges’ final list. She noted the key themes of each book to help Bridges decide if the themes would allow for meaningful discussions. “What are the themes, that if I were leading the book discussion, I would feel comfortable tackling?” said Dunn. The Whitman librarians also play a role in the first-year summer reading experience. Although they aren’t involved in the book selection process, they promote the book within the Whitman com-
Corrections for Issue 8, April 9 In the column “Kyoto Protocol still not in best interests of US,” facts about the Copenhagen Protocol were incorrectly referenced as the Kyoto Protocol. “Whitman by the numbers” on page 17 was misattributed to Gillian Frew; the reporter who gathered the information was Maggie Allen. “Memorable Mishaps” on page 18 was misattributed to Cindy Chin. The reporter’s actual name is Cindy Chen.
Inside the Pioneer News.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 Opinion.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-18 A&E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-23 Reviews.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Humor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-26 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-32
munity and the greater Walla Walla community through the Walla Walla Reads program. Through the program, Whitman teams up with the local libraries to encourage community members to read the selected book. “I get together with the librarians at Walla Walla Community College, Walla Walla University, the public library and WaHi (Walla Walla High School) and we talk about the book that’s been selected and then we talk about how we can jointly promote the book within our communities,” said Dalia Corkrum, the director of Penrose Library. Whitman provides copies of the book for the involved libraries. In addition, the Whitman librarians create a display case about the book to stimulate discussion on campus and get all Whitman faculty, staff and students reading the book. The president’s office has arranged for Thomas Mullen to come in September to speak to Whitman affiliates and any interested community members. In addition, three Whitman professors, one from each of the academic divisions, will speak at a panel about the book. Dunn praised the interdisciplinary panel as a great introduction to the educational goals of Whitman. “I think it models Core well, as we think about how we approach the texts of Core, or next year Encounters—we look at them from all different angles. We ask faculty all over campus to teach the course. So I think [the panel] is a good model for what we hope [students] get done during their first year here at Whitman,” said Dunn. When asked if Thomas Mullen would still come to Whitman in light of the economic downturn,
hong
Juli Dunn, Director of the Academic Resource Center, assisted with the selection of the summer reading.
Schwendiman asserted the importance of having the author speak on campus. “This is an important program. We are in the process of negotiating with the author and I am confident that we will be able to bring him to campus within our budget for next fall,” said Schwendiman. In a change from the past, though, Whitman will not send each incoming student a copy of the book. “Given the economic climate it made sense. It’s not what we would like, but it will save the college $8,000-10,000, which is not an insignificant amount
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of money,” said Schwendiman. Instead, students will be asked to purchase their own book or borrow one from their local library. Additionally, ARC has several copies that they can loan out to incoming students. Schwendiman, Dunn and Corkrum encourage all Whitman faculty and students to read The Last Town on Earth. “For anybody who wants to get to know the incoming class, I recommend that you read the book. It’ll give you some natural ways to start conversation,” said Schwendiman.
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New provost to take over for Bettison-Varga in July PROVOST, from cover position on July 1. He currently holds the positions of the Baker Ferguson Chair of Politics and Leadership and Chair of the Faculty, and served as Interim Dean of Faculty in the 2006-2007 academic year. “While serving as Interim Director… Tim performed tirelessly, graciously and effectively, recruiting many new faculty members, addressing critical salary concerns and working closely with me and the College’s other budget officers,” Bridges wrote in his e-mail to the faculty. According to Bridges, the search to fill the position can be intensive and long, often requiring two separate years to find a candidate and for the candidate to familiarize themselves with the college. Bridges cited benefits of Kaufman-Osborn’s current and previous involvement with Whitman. “Conducting a national search is extraor-
dinarily time consuming and expensive. If there is someone here, right here on campus, who the knows the college well and who has performed very well as Dean, why search na-
I am delighted to have this opportunity, especially given the caliber of the people I will be working with in the faculty as well as the administration.” -Timothy Kaufman-Osborn
tionally?” Bridges said. In addition to the convenience of his appointment, Bridges said Kaufman Osborn’s knowledge of the inner workings of the school makes him an ideal candidate in light of current issues the college must face.
“Given the budgetary issues that we’re facing, we need a person who is knowledgeable and familiar with the college and its culture from the get go,” said Bridges. In conducting an internal search, Bridges considered and consulted many Whitman faculty members and administrators. He said the overwhelming recommendations he received from faculty members, administrators and Trustees was Kaufman-Osborn. Kaufman-Osborn has expressed excitement over the appointment. “I am delighted to have this opportunity, especially given the caliber of the people I will be working with in the faculty as well as the administration,” said Kaufman-Osborn. In his newly gained position, KaufmanOsborn will need to deal with the effect of the unstable economy on the college. Bridges, however, is confident that these challenges will not faze Kaufman-Osborn.
“My first priority is to build on the new initiatives brought to Whitman by President Bridges as well as by the Provost and Dean of Faculty Lori Bettison-Varga, and to do so in a way that is consistent with our character and reputation as one of the best small liberal arts and sciences colleges in the nation,” said Kaufman-Osborn. Kaufman-Osborn is expected to be confirmed as Provost and Dean of Faculty at the May Board of Trustees meeting. Pending official confirmation, KaufmanOsborn will serve a three-year term. At the end of the second term, his position and performance will be reviewed. Following this review, Bridges, in consultation with other Whitman faculty and administrators, will decide whether or not to renew his appointment or to conduct a national search for a new Provost and Dean of Faculty.
Increase in Perry Awards for summer research by Alex Jeffers Reporter
Of the possible ways to spend summer vacation, staying in Walla Walla is a strange choice to some Whitties. Most recipients of the 2009 Louis B. Perry Research Awards, however, will be doing just that. Named for Louis B. Perry, eighth president of Whitman from 1959-1967, the Perry Summer Research Awards are grants of up to $8,000 given to student-faculty research teams at Whitman. This year there are 23 teams, most of them consisting of one student and one Whitman faculty member, although some teams are made up of one faculty member and two students. Compared to previous years, the number of teams for 2009 is a substantial increase. In 2005 only 12 teams conducted research, and that number has risen steadily ever since. Sophomore Jaspreet Gill is conducting research for her second consecutive summer with history professor Julie Charlip. Last year Gill, Charlip and senior Bryce McKay traveled to Costa Rica to research Costa Rican security forces. The group of researchers spent most of their time in the archives of Costa
Rica’s Legislative Assembly finding relevant documents. This year Gill will work from the University of Washington libraries to help professor Charlip on a separate project. Gill is grateful for the opportunity to participate in a professor’s research. She thinks the projects are a great learning experience for all parties involved, and an effective way for students to connect with professors and Whitman’s larger academic community. “I think students benefit a lot,” said Gill. “We all get something different out of [our experience]. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into last year; I was just kind of having professor Charlip tell me what to do. But just spending so much time with a professor… I just kind of started to see professors as more human. [Julie] was telling us so much about Whitman and the history department. Before that I didn’t really know that many people in the history department, but now I know a lot of them on a first name basis” All faculty-student teams submit an application to a selection committee, which works with Provost and Dean of Facutly Lori Bettison-Varga to assign the awards. BettisonVarga is enthusiastic about the Perry Awards program.
“It’s a really great program,” said BettisonVarga. “A lot of undergraduate institutions will have undergraduate research support, but this one – the $8,000 for the faculty student pair – is really quite generous.” The grants are assigned to research teams in all disciplines. “A unique thing is that you see a really broad distribution across disciplinary areas for Perry Awards,” Bettison-Varga said. “At a lot of [schools] you’ll see mostly scientists doing this, but [here] it’s across the board. You’ve got philosophy, and social sciences and all sorts of different projects going on.” One such non-science team is Assistant Professor of English and General Studies Sharon Alker and junior Nanda Maw Lin. Their research is on the history of the configuration of martial spaces by focusing on the way culture constructs the spaces of war during a traumatic series of British wars. The faculty-student teams are formed by professors approaching students and vice versa. Alker commented on the team-formation process. “It can work either way,” said Alker. “I have been both approached by a student and have approached a worthy student. It’s important to
find someone who would be excited about the same sort of work as you, so alongside strong intellectual abilities, professors tend to look for high energy students who have the stamina to engage in intensive research.”
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Jaspreet Gill ‘11, will work with history professor Julie Charlip for the second consecutive summer.
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April 16, 2009
‘Greekend’ strives to unite sororities and fraternities by Cindy Chen Senior Reporter
While other schools dedicate an entire week to their Greek Week, Whitman’s greek system will be holding Greek Weekend. The weekend will kick off today, April 16 with a movie on the Phi lawn and end with the greek football tournament on Sunday, April 19. “Greek Week, or technically Greek Weekend for us, is something that a lot of greek systems do across the nation to promote unity between their own houses as well as with the independent community on their respective campuses,” said sophomore Kate Newman, vice president of Programming for Panhellenic Association. “The purpose of Greek Weekend is to bring all the different houses together, so every house participates in all the events together -- the sororities
don’t have their own separate events, and neither do the fraternities,” said Newman. Greek Weekend has been a tradition, and though some events are open only to greeks, other events like the dance-off/ eating competition on Friday will be open to everyone, even though the participants will be greek. The Barefoot Formal on Saturday night will also be open to everyone. “I think Greek Week gets the Greek system to be united for once. There’s always a little bit of tension between all the groups, and this allows us to put aside our differences and come together to be greek, and show the Whitman community that this is what the greek system is,” said junior Albert Lee, vice president of the Interfraternity Council. “In the past years, it’s definitely been a low-key event. Attendance has been low and no one really cares because it’s lame or because no one knows what’s going on. That’s usually another big problem that we have,” said Lee. “We’re going to try and advertise this as much as possible to make sure people know, and get them psyched up for it.” Planned by both Panhellenic and the IFC, Greek week is a collaborative effort between all the greek groups on campus, with every group contributing and participating.
“I think the girls get more into the dance-off, and we’re pretty serious about the football, but I think for the most part there is actually pretty equal participation,” said Newman. On Thursday, a movie will be projected on the Phi lawn. Friday will be the traditional dance-off between house teams and an eating competition, which used to be a cook-off. Saturday will be a day of service within Walla Walla and Satu r d a y night will be the allcampus Barefoot formal on the Reid side lawn with performances by Danger Mermaid, Red Light Blue Light and the Raptivists. Greek Weekend will conclude with a greek football tournament on Ankeny.
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Kappas solicit charity applications for Mr. Whitman by CJ Wisler Reporter
While most student organizations and clubs are approaching the culmination of their activities for the 2008-09 school year, sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) is beginning to look ahead towards next year. The sorority is currently accepting applications from any student or faculty member to submit possible charities to be the recipient of the 2009 Mr. Whitman funds. In previous years the charity applicants had to be a KKG member, however, the decision to open up the application process to a larger body of possible charities was made last year.
“While there are many great connections to charities within Kappa Kappa Gamma, there are so many more opportunities and connections throughout campus,” said sophomore and KKG Philanthropy Chairman Leah Wheeler. The applications are open to all students, faculty and staff members of Whitman College. The annual Mr. Whitman contest is a male beauty pageant involving eight senior men who compete for the title. Each candidate advertises the contest and helps raise the funds that are donated to the selected charity. The pageant offers the Whitman community a chance to support a favorite charity or charity of interest.
“The fund-raiser has always been largely successful, so this is huge for students who want to be involved in contributing [to a charity],” said Wheeler. The application involves a series of questions to make sure the charity aligns with KKG’s requirements. The questions involve what the charity’s mission is, the size of the program’s outreach and the size of the organization itself, as well as a few other more specific questions. “The charities we are looking for this year should involve literacy somehow, whether that means something like benefiting a school or donating books,” said Wheeler. “The charity also must be a non-profit organization in order to be accepted for the Mr. Whitman
charity.” Though the charity applications have been open to students for two years now, many students do not realize that the opportunity is out there. “I think it went a little under the radar last year,” said Wheeler. “Students should know about this opportunity. Whitman students seem to have a desire to help out and volunteer, and this is a great way to do so.” Applications are due May 3, and the charity will be selected before the end of the school year. Applications for independent Mr. Whitman contestants for 2009 will be available soon as well.
Financial aid office factors job loss, greater need by Shannon Buckham with Gillian Frew Reporter and Director of Writing
A shaky economy and rising tuition costs have students questioning whether they can afford to attend Whitman next year, but officials at the financial aid office say they are committed to helping students stay in school. “Our first and foremost commitment is to current students and parents,” said Dean of Students and Financial Aid Tony Cabasco. “The key message is that Whitman will continue to help students to the same degree that we have before.” According to Cabasco, in anticipation of greater need, Whitman increased the financial aid budget from approximately $18-18.5 million this year to about $19.5 million for next year. To raise necessary funds for financial aid, Whitman has implemented budget cuts across the board. “We have to find ways to make it work in these unusually tough times,” said Cabasco. If their finances have remained the same as previous years, students should receive packages similar to what they have received in the past, and those students who have experienced a big change in their finances might also see their package change significantly. According to Cabasco, students and their families may be seeing a decrease in home equity and retirement funds due to the present economy; however that will not affect their financial aid package.
“Because we don’t look at home equity in determining financial need, we are not going to look at it now. Families might feel impact of the economy on their home values but it might not directly impact income,” said Cabasco. “The biggest thing we are looking at
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Director of Financial Aid Services Varga Fox has witnessed an increase in applications.
is job loss, because that has the biggest impact on income.” Returning students will not receive financial aid packages until May, and full information is not yet available on how the economic climate is impacting their ability to privately
can, but it’s always going to depend on the fund a Whitman education. “We will do as much as possible to see situation. I’m most worried about the famithat those students who have been affected lies with the big drops in income…but some by lay-offs and a reduction to income receive people need more help than others,” Cabasco the financial aid necessary to return to Whit- said. “We need to decide who has the most man in the fall,” said Director of Financial need. It’s going to be difficult for people to afford college any year and this year might Aid Varga Fox. Cabasco agreed that the financial aid of- be even more difficult.” Currently, the amount of aid that will be fice may have more students in need of help, but added that, as of now, officials can only available to students is still in question pendspeculate as to the amount of aid students ing the completion of FAFSA and CSS Profile materials. Cabasco urged returning students might need. not to delay on finishing these “The way we’ve calculatforms. ed demonstrated need before Resources “The biggest hurdle someis the same way we are gotimes with current students is ing to calculate it now, but • Collegeboard.com that they don’t get those in on it might be a tough year for • Fafsa.ed.gov • Finaid.org time,” he said. students,” he said. “With • Fastweb.net The FAFSA and CSS Profile news stories about Microare due to the financial aid ofsoft, Boeing, Starbucks and fice by April 15. Students who other big corporations laying off people I start to get worried, because do not get their forms in on time are usually it is going to affect Whitman families and given about a month as grace period, after the college. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see which time Whitman subtracts about 5 permore families qualify for more aid than last cent from their package. Copies of both parents’ and students’ income tax statements are year.” Cabasco encouraged those students who due no later than May 15, and awards will be may not have applied for financial aid in the sent out in mid-May. “We’re certainly concerned in financial aid past to find out if they are now eligible based on a change in their financial circumstances. because so much is unknown,” said Cabasco. Students whose parents have lost their jobs or Although he noted that Whitman is in better who now have a significantly lower income to economic shape than some other institutions, support their tuition are the highest priority the future is still uncertain. “Most years we for financial aid, he added. can, for the most part, predict what is com“We’d like to help those families if we ing, but this year we just don’t know.”
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April 16, 2009
Three-college celebration planned for Earth Day Earth Week Events Monday, April 20th Movie Screening: MAQUILAPOLIS (City of Factories), a film by Vicky Funari and Sergio De La Torre. Kimball, 7:00 PM Tuesday, April 21st John Muir: Watch, Fight, Pray - A oneman show by local Shakespearian actor Mark Raddatz, who takes on the persona of John Muir to perform excerpts from Muir’s nature writing and tell tales of his life. Olin 130, 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 22nd 5:00 PM, Drum Circle in the Amphitheater. 7:00 PM, Olin 130 Save the Ales! - Presentation and open discussion on the effects of global warming on the beer and wine industries; wine raffle included. Thursday, April 23rd Recycled Piñata-making Party @ La Casa. 7:00 PM Friday, April 24th Earth Week Potluck Dinner, 5:30 PM at the Outhouse. All are welcome.
by Gillian Frew Director of Writing
The United Nations first established Earth Day as an annual celebration during the March equinox. In the 1970s, a U.S. senator chose April 22 as its official date. Leave it to Whitman students to expand the festivities into an entire week of environmental service projects and activities. According to Sustainability Coordinator, senior Karlis Rokpelnis, the increasing scope of the celebration and number of activities scheduled for Earth Week are the primary changes from last year’s event. “Earth Day is a long standing tradition at Whitman,” Rokpelnis said. “But there is a particular focus this year on cooperation between the campus environmental groups and other organizations.” As part of this effort to expand local outreach, the Center for Community Service is combining with students from Walla Walla University (WWU) and Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) to host a service day on Sunday, Apr. 19, followed by the all campus celebration in the afternoon. According to Center for Community Service Coordinator Lina Menard, volunteers from all three schools will team up to tackle projects like stream restoration at Garrison Creek, planting trees along the highway near the Sudbury Landfill and landscaping for senior citizens. “The Earth Day celebration should be bigger and better than ever, but still have all the traditional Earth Day activities that Whitties have come to enjoy, like live music and tie-dying,” said sophomore Nat Clarke, Co-President of Campus Greens, the group that is organizing the celebration. “Last year Earth Day was a very festive occasion and I am sure it will be even more of a fest this year with all the extra people and food,” Rokpelnis said. As in years past, Campus Greens is hosting the main Earth Day event on Ankeny Field on Sunday. The celebration will feature live music, a raffle and booths set up by campus and community groups, as well as local food vendors like the Taco Truck and His Garden bakery. “We’re also stepping up the food factor,” said
Clarke, adding that root beer floats made with organic vanilla ice cream or soy ice cream, pop corn, and cotton candy would all be available to attendees. The musical line-up is set to include campus bands Red Light Blue Light and Dabbles in Bloom. The Walla Walla University Steel Drum Band will also be performing, a new addition that organizers say reflects the integration of the Whitman community with other local schools. “We’re excited to feature a WWU band on the Whitman campus for the event—it’s not something I’ve ever seen,” said junior Tyler Harvey, Co-President
of Campus Greens with Clarke. “I’m really jazzed about the whole-cross campus event idea in general. I hope there will be as many WWUers attending as there are Whitties—they’ve certainly got us beat right now for the service day in the morning.” Although the main celebration will take place on Sunday, Earth Week promises an array of ecofriendly opportunities for students, from a discussion of the effects of climate change on the beer and wine industry to a recycled piñata making party at La Casa, the Spanish Interest House. In an event coordinated by Rokpelnis, Whitman employees will also be able to participate in Walla Walla’s “Get to Work Green Day” effort on April 24. Downtown businesses are offering discounts to participants who walk, bike, carpool or ride the bus to work instead of driving a personal vehicle. “We’ve been working with a theme of inclusive, collaborative events for Earth Week,” Harvey said. “The idea behind the week is that everybody lives on the earth, so everybody’s involved.”
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Future seniors can expect new finals formats CHANGES, from cover for that coherence,” said Davis. These changes stemmed from student concern about the cohesiveness of the major. “For the past several years we’ve experimented with different variations of a senior thesis and written comprehensive examinations, but students kept running into a problem making ‘the parts’ cohere into a clear ‘whole,’” said Davis. “Changing the history sequence and taking a portfolio approach is our attempt to answer that problem.” While the philosophy department has solidified its changes, many departments are in the discussion process, considering how they may change requirements for the future. According to Professor Katrina Roberts, English department chair, the English profes-
sors are currently discussing the possibility of altering the senior written and oral examinations to ensure a greater connectedness between the two. “We’ve thought about the interconnectedness of orals and writtens, as well as the thesis defense, as we’ve worked to try to prepare our students for graduation, and also for graduate work, should they so desire to continue their studies,” said Roberts. These changes would also attempt to allow students to use different writing styles and approaches to literature in their examinations. The exams would assess varied forms of writing under different situations, such as a take-home exam, explained Roberts. Should these changes be made, they would not be implemented until the current sopho-
mores are seniors. Instead of altering the examination process like the philosophy and English departments aim to do, the economics department has made course changes with the hope of expanding the knowledge base of its students. This year, the department decided to break its Principles of Economics course into two different courses. In the past, the course was taught in one semester and included both micro and macroeconomic theories. The new change would require one semester of microeconomics and one of macroeconomics, according to Denise Hazlett, economics chair. But the change that will expand the breadth of the department is the new course in accounting and finance. This year, guest professor Bruce Toews from WWU designed
and taught a course exploring how and why people use economic information. According to Hazlett, this information is important in preventing financial crises similar to the one the world is currently suffering. “Having this course is really helpful for us,” said Hazlett. Though this course is not required for the major, it is highly encouraged. “We want to strongly recommend for people to take it,” said Hazlett. “It helps you understand economics better. It’s not critical, but really, really helpful.” The department is exploring the possibility of hiring a permanent finance professor. But they are relying on donor funds to keep this course afloat.
Display of interest best tactic for waitlisted students ADMISSIONS, from cover In fact, the Office of Admission anticipates a decline in the percentage of admitted students who matriculate. They’ve already admitted more students than they otherwise would for this reason. Still, there may be good use for the waitlist. “It’s really hard to predict what will happen this year given the recession, concerns about financial aid, and general uncertainty in the air,” Cabasco said. Though anywhere from zero to 35 waitlisted students were admitted during the last three years, that trend may not hold this year. In addition, Cabasco said that only about one-third of waitlisted students will accept a spot on the waitlist in the first place. “Given the talented group of students who apply to Whitman, the students on our waitlist have often been admitted to many great colleges and universities,” he said. One such student is Emily from New Jersey. She responded to an inquiry from The Pioneer through an online college applications forum, College
Confidential, but chose not to provide her last name. “Whitman is most definitely my first choice,” she said. “I love the idea of being able to get a top education in a more laid-back atmosphere.” But she realizes her odds of getting off the waitlist may be low. “Being on the waitlist is emotional torture,” she said. “I want to try so badly to move on to a different school because I know my chances of admission are slim, but at the same time I can’t give up the prospect of attending my number one school.” If she doesn’t end up at Whitman, Emily said she will probably attend the University of Vermont. Meanwhile, she’s doing all she can to try to get off the waitlist. “I wrote a letter stating my continued interest and that I would one hundred percent attend Whitman if admitted,” she said. “That was last week, and this week one of my teachers offered to write me a recommendation. I guess I’m just trying to make contact every week. Next week I’m planning on making a short personal call to the admissions officer for New Jersey.” Admission Officer Joshua Smith
klein
For Kevin Dyerly, Director of Admissions, the work doesn’t end once acceptance letters are sent out.
said that demonstrating interest can help markedly. When looking at the waitlist, Smith said that admission officers want to know whether Whitman is the student’s first choice, how long they want to remain on the waitlist, and whether anything dramatic has changed, such as GPA or receiving an academic or extracurricular award. “A lot of students can communicate that once and they’re fine,” Smith said. “They’re not going to increase their odds by calling four times.” An additional teacher recommendation can help, too, if there’s a significant update. For this year’s waitlist, though, it boils down to space. “We would have no trouble getting nearly anybody off our waitlist in terms of the quality, class profile or diversity initiative,” Smith said. “The issue…is simply one of space.” With a record number of applicants, it only makes sense that the college has a record number of qualified students it only wishes it could admit.
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NEWS
Whitman College Pio neer
April 16, 2009
The results of the ASWC elections, held on Wed., April 15, are as follows:
Progr amming Board Chair:
Stephen Stradley S e n i o r s e n at o r s :
J u n i o r s e n at o r s :
SOPHOMORE s e n at o r s :
Autumn McCartan Divneet K. Kaur Ellie Klein Graham Brewer
Gary Wang/John David Davidson Masud Shah/John Loranger Carson Burns Nina Neff
Dujie Tahat Geni Venable Noah Lerner Caroline Koehler
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Imagine Celebration emphasizes diversity, education through music by Maggie Allen Reporter
Session I May 18-June 26
Session II June 29-August 7
Summer Sessions at Lewis & Clark www.lclark.edu/org/casummer
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Performers and clubs will gather to observe diversity next Saturday, Apr. 18 at the annual Imagine Celebration. Organized by the Intercultural Center, this festivity brings together student organizations, jugglers, dancers and student bands. The Celebration originated in 2000 when an intern at the Center was very interested in bringing a concert to Whitman. Based on the song “Imagine” by John Lennon, the festival originally was of a shorter concert format. Two or three years ago, people from the community began to participate. Now, the celebration, created to promote diversity in the community and on campus, includes a variety of cultural and ethnic presentations. “It has become more inclusive,” said Intercultural Center Director Mukulu Mweu. “We still maintain that professional aspect with an outside group coming to perform, but we’ve included student groups and a variety of cultural dances. We’ve really made it more of a celebration in the professional feel than just a concert.” Feminists Advocating Change and
Empowerment (FACE), Club Latino and the IHC will have booths at this year’s festival. Senior intern Haley Woods believes this is a great event for these clubs to “have the opportunity to show what they are really about.” This year, the celebration will be two hours shorter than usual due to the Tour of Walla Walla, the annual cycling race that runs through town. Usually, the Imagine Celebration is from noon to 5 p.m., but this year it ends at 3 p.m. “I think the shorter time will get people to stay for the duration of it…[I]t’s really hard to coordinate when you have people backing out,” Woods said. “So this way it’s a lot more streamlined and is going to go really smoothly.” “I think when people know that it’s five hours, they only want to show up for an hour or so,” Mweu said. “We are thinking that with this shorter time period, we’ll have more people.” Another change with this year’s celebration is that it is going to be more musically focused than dance-heavy. The Portland Taiko, a group of Japanese drummers, will perform at 2 p.m. on Saturday and offer a workshop on Friday.
“There really is an educational component to this celebration,” Mweu said, “The workshop will allow people to learn about the instruments and interact with the drummers. The next day, people will get to participate and go on stage.” “The way I look at it, it is creating this environment where people get to interact in a setting other than academics and other than a night setting. Here, they will just be able to hang out and talk,” said junior Ashma Basnyat. Overall, the Intercultural Center promises for a fun, inclusive event. “With all the different cultural groups that go up and the clubs participating, just being there and seeing all these things really opens up the [idea of diversity] to all the people,” Basnyat said. “We invite families to join,” Mweu said, “Every year there are kids coming out and dancing. It’s open to students, faculty members and community members, so we encourage everyone to come out and celebrate.” The Imagine Celebration will occur from 12-3 p.m. on the Reid Side Lawn, Saturday, Apr. 18, weather permitting.
April 16, 2009
NEWS
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Op-ED
Whitman College Pio neer
April 16, 2009
Student input ignored in making cuts WhitmanCollegePioneer PIONEER BOARD EDITORIAL As the administration confronts the consequences of a tightening economy and shrinking endowment, it has had to significantly cut costs. These cuts have included decisions to postpone the search for a new Director of Student Activities and to convert Whitman’s varsity ski team to the club level. In failing to bring the student body, student activities staff, any of the four ski teams or either of the teams’ two coaches into the decision-making process, President George Bridges and other administrators are doing more than shortchanging the ski team and student activities; they are creating an upsetting precedent. The decision to ax an entire varsity sport is a substantial one, and should have been considered by both the administration and athletic department in collaboration with students—especially those involved in athletics. Within hours of the announcement, constructive feedback could be found on numerous listservs, all seeking solutions. For instance, two varsity athletes specifically asked their teams to give up money from their budget in order to help “save skiing.” In addition to printing hundreds of t-shirts and mobilizing the student body on its behalf, the ski team has assembled a coalition of highly supportive alumni, skiers and parents. This same coalition has put together a 59-page proposal offering alternate solutions to save the team that is their legacy and their passion. All of these efforts by the ski team and community have occurred in less than four weeks. Similarly, students have suffered the loss of the Director of Student Activities position for next year. ASWC President-elect Nadim Damluji called the initial decision to postpone the hiring of a replacement for Andrea Ramirez “an extreme lack of foresight from the administration.” Assistant Director of Student Activities Leann White said, of the same initial decision, that next year, “there will be less that students can do and less that the students activities office can do” in the March 5 issue of The Pioneer. Despite this blow to student activities, the administration did not consult students—the group it affects most. Working toward solutions cooperatively with those most
passionate about skiing, the administration might have been able to keep skiing as a varsity sport at Whitman. Thanks to the efforts of the team and its supporters, they may still be able to. If the administration had consulted ASWC or other groups, they might have been able to develop options that would not limit what the student activities office can do. But in handing down both of these decisions from on high, without any previous notification, the administration effectively told the ski team and the student programming community as a whole that it had no interest in hearing their ideas. To its credit, the administration is paying attention to the team’s proposal. Bridges and Athletic Director Dean Snider have already held two meetings with a group of ski team representatives to discuss it before allowing the trustees to make their final decision. Still, it is likely too late to salvage the ski team as it currently operates. If the administration had invited discussion or solicited more creative options—even invited the ski teams to lobby for themselves—then a compromise might have been possible. At the very least, the ski team could have had ample time to solicit support from alumni and other potential sponsors. As it happened, the decisions seem to have been made behind closed doors or without proper forum. The changes to the ski team and student activities are a warning to the students of Whitman College: the administration is prepared to cut important programs without early notification, open discourse or appreciation for the resourcefulness of students dedicated to keeping the things they love. Failing to tell students that their programs are in imminent danger of being drastically altered is a highly disappointing decision by Whitman’s administrators. What the decision bodes for the future, though, is perhaps even more unsettling. As the college is forced to make further cuts, students should make it unmistakable that they demand greater transparency from the administration and the chance they deserve to keep the programs they love.
S PRING 2 0 0 9
Editors-in-Chief: Kim Sommers, Jamie Soukup Director of Writing: Gillian Frew Business Director: Megan McIntire
e d i t o r s News Editor: Molly Smith A&E Editor: Mike Sado Feature Editor: Autumn McCartan Op-Ed Editor: Derek Thurber Sports Editor: Andy Jobanek Humor Editors: Photography Editor: Illustration Editor:
Associate News: Hanna Ory Associate A&E: Mariko Helm Associate Feature: Lyndsey Wilson Associate Op-Ed: Gabriela Salvidea Associate Sports: Mallory Peterson Sarah Hatheway, Evan Cartwright Peter Zipparo Tyler Calkin
r e p o rt e r s Iris Alden, Maggie Allen, Chelsea Bissell, Alethea Buchal, Shannon Buckham, Cindy Chen, Elana Congress, Alyssa Fairbanks, Josh Goodman, Rachel Hoar, J. Staten Hudson, Alex Jeffers, Sara Levy, Billy Low, Rebecca MacFife, Lauren McCullough, Noah Moskat, Carly Spiering, CJ Wisler, Libby Watkins
c o l u m n i s t s Russ Caditz-Peck, Lisa Curtis, Bryant Fong, Spencer Janyk, Alex Kerr, William Lawrence, Miles Pengilly, Sophia Sady, Caitlin Tortorici, Jesús Vásquez, Gary Wang, Connor Guy, Margaux Cameron Reviewers: Corey Feinstein, Andrew Hall, Becquer Medak-Seguin
p ro d u c t i o n Production Manager: Sara Rasmussen Senior Production Associate: Rebecca Fish Production Associates: Brianna Jaro, Tessa Matson, Quinn Taylor Copy Editors: Matt Manley, Sarah McVicar, Aakanksha Veenapani Web Manager: Andrew Spittle
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i l l u s t r at i o n Sam Alden, Kelly Douglas, Emily Johnson, Olivia Johnson, Colleen Mitchell, Tricia Vanderbilt, Jillian Varonin
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Editorial Policy The Whitman College Pioneer is published under the auspices of the Associated Students of Whitman College. The purpose of The Pioneer is to provide pertinent, timely information and entertainment for Whitman students, alumni, faculty, staff and parents, as well as the Walla Walla community. In addition, The Pioneer strives to act as a catalyst and forum for communication within the Whitman community. To do so, The Pioneer publishes weekly Board Editorials. These opinion pieces reflect the views of The Pioneer, and not necessarily the views of each individual associated with the newspaper. The Pioneer welcomes letters to the Editor or any contradicting opinion pieces.
SUBMISSION Policy Letters and Opinion articles may be submitted to The Pioneer editors, Jamie Soukup and Kim Sommers, via e-mail at soukupje@whitman.edu and sommerka@whitman.edu; or sent to The Pioneer, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA, 99362. All submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Saturday prior to the week that they are intended to appear. All submissions must be signed and may be cut for space and edited for journalistic style.
Op-Ed
April 16, 2009
Whitman College Pio neer
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letter to the editor EDITOR, I find this article to be in bad taste and hold little merit. Janyk believes the Peace Corps was developed as an instrument of American imperialism, equating volunteers to brainwashing missionaries of poverty. What is their crime? Apparently helping people “start businesses, build roads,” as if these are modern inventions, is a grave wrong doing. The truth is that undeveloped nations are in fact undeveloped. Many people in these nations
live in poverty. I’m not talking about Janyk’s so-called American definition of poverty, the lack of an iPod or Big Mac. No, I believe poverty is suffering brought about by a lack of money. The common expression, “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime” is certainly applicable here. The United States gives billions in foreign aid to developing countries to alleviate poverty. Some of this aid, in the form of food, has a onetime effect. The work of the Peace Corps is a last-
ing effect. A business provides a family with sustainable money that could lift them out of poverty. The United States did not create poverty and underdevelopment, and its origin is the subject for a different debate. What is clear is that without money and technological assistance, developing countries will suffer horrible poverty. It is not America’s role to tell people what to believe, how to act or how to run their lives. The volunteers of the Peace Corps do not send this message. Surviving
in a rapidly expanding world requires some change, but I believe developing countries can achieve this while maintaining their culture. Capitalism has certainly had ill effects, but the attack on the Peace Corps is ridiculous and unwarranted.
- Matt Liedtke ‘12
Would-be student artists denied workspace I could write a whole column about that It’s prospie time on capital “A”—but I’ll pass for now. Suffice it to campus, which means scores of bored high say that the Illuminati have decreed that we schoolers and their ter- peons are unfit to use the facilities, or even rified parents are mak- distinguish Art from mere craft. Thank goodness we have distribution reing the rounds on tours. A highlight of each tour quirements, or some of us would graduate is the new Fouts Center never knowing how to completely offend a William for Visual Arts—its student with a one-sentence e-mail. Please LAWRENCE Columnist shininess alone is sure- don’t let me anywhere near this building, or I ly a draw even for the may drown in the molasses-thick pretension. Professor Timm-Ballard declined to commost artistically inept student. Unfortunately, many Whitties have found ment for this column, but Provost Lori Bettison-Varga tried to themselves unfairly explain the policy of deprived of the right As it stands, this exclusion. to use this $14.2 miltreatment of students “[The Fouts Cenlion space which we ter] is not an open use all pay for with our is not only silly, but wrongfacility,” she said. tuition. The powers headed and unfair. Locking “Many of the matethat be have decided art and theatre majors out of rials and equipment that only students enused in the Art Derolled in art classes the library would make just partment are hazardshould be allowed to as much sense. Or what if use the building. the Writing Center were only ous if misused. Students in art courses First-year Adam open to students in English are taught the proper Michel discovered classes, and the pool closed use of equipment, first-hand that the proper use of supplies Fouts Center is an ex- to all except Varsity Swimand proper disposal clusive facility, fit for mers?” of hazardous materionly a select group of als.” students. While the potential for equipment misuse “I began with a friendly e-mail to ceramics professor (and art department chair) Charles exists, this is no reason to deny experienced, Timm-Ballard explaining my extensive ex- competent artists like Michel. Further, what perience with clay and asking if I could use is preventing the art staff from providing, for the studio in an independent capacity,” Mi- a fee, a short tutorial on proper equipment chel said. “He responded, telling me, ‘If you use? This could be a money-maker for the art want to do work on your own you can do it department. As first-year Laura Euller put it, “The new off campus, and if you want to do Art you can building is so beautiful and well-equipped take my class.’”
douglas
that it seems silly not to put it to as much use as possible.” As it stands, this treatment of students is not only silly, but wrongheaded and unfair. Locking art and theatre majors out of the library would make just as much sense. Or what if the Writing Center were only open to students in English classes, and the pool closed to all except Varsity swimmers? The music department permits non-students to use expensive pianos in the music building; how is this any different from art supplies? As a liberal arts school, Whitman usually does a good job of encouraging and facilitating diverse learning opportunities for its students. However, it has completely failed
here. “Is it too much to ask for the art department to foster art without academic purpose?” asked Michel. Artists and non-artists in the student body are united in their disdain for this ill-considered, condescending policy. If no reconciliation is to come with the Administration, perhaps Whitman will build a new $15 million building where the less talented and dedicated among us may scratch out stick figures and clumsily prod balls of clay.
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Whitman College Pio neer
Op-Ed
April 16, 2009
Proposed federal loan reform merits scrutiny
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It’s unclear whether Obama’s latest proposal to reform the federal college loan system is bold and progressive or just plain idealistic and shortsighted. Currently, private Gabriela SALVIDEA lenders facilitate fedAssociate eral loans by acting as Op-Ed Editor middlemen between schools and the government. Essentially, paperwork and services are outsourced to lenders rather than handled directly by the government and a school. To clarify: as a Whitman student, you could opt for one of two types of loans. The first is a federal Stafford loan. The other is a private loan. It is the former type of loan that Obama’s initiative targets. Prior to the Clinton administration, no direct loan program with the government existed. The Clinton administration pioneered a change that gave schools an option between the Direct Loan Program, which excludes private lenders, and the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FEL), which includes private lenders. Whitman participates in the
the quality and services offered by private latter program. Up until now, according to Assistant Direc- lenders. Now, Obama hopes to establish the Direct tor of Financial Aid Marilyn Ponti, schools have chosen between the two programs based Loan Program as schools’ sole choice. By cutting out the purportedly superfluous on what works best for them. “We feel really lucky. We send them all middleman, Obama intends to reap billions in electronically. For us it’s a very easy system,” savings for government that it then would inject into the Pell Grant program, which helps said Ponti. According to Republican and former Clin- the neediest students. ton adviser Dick Morris, writing for The On the surface this proposal sounds sterHill, “The special ling: simplify lending, i nter est s — pa r t iclower fees for students Of critical importance and direct money to ularly Sallie Mae, is whether governthe leading student students rather than to l e n d e r — f o r c e d ment is equipped to offer by subsidies for lenders. But in fact it may Clinton to allow pri- next year, the services that present significant vate lending along- they haven’t had to offer up challenges, particularside of the governuntil now on a large scale.” ly since Obama aims to ment program. Now convert to direct lendObama is trying to ing by next year. eliminate it. And “The federal governwisely so.” But how wise it actually is bears investiga- ment would hold the loans and we ourselves would be responsible for all the processing,” tion. According to Director of Financial Aid Ponti said, pointing out that the financial aid Varga Fox, over the past 15 years the com- office currently is staffed by three and a half petition sparked by the creation of choice be- people. Neither colleges nor government currently tween those programs remarkably increased
have the infrastructure or resources to administer all the loans themselves. Some proponents of Obama’s plan simplify the issue: government already guarantees these loans, and now it ought to cut out greedy bankers. Morris writes, “The issue is: Should the lenders make a profit, or should the student pay a lower interest?” But that rhetoric undermines the real services provided by lenders, services which the Department of Education may not have the resources to offer. “What concerns me is that lenders have always been there for schools—just a lot of things they’ve provided that we as a school would have to pay much more for. They’ve provided services to our students that I think are outstanding,” Ponti said. Of critical importance is whether government is equipped to offer, by next year, not just all the processing but also the services that they haven’t had to offer up until now on a large scale. “One thing to remember is that statistically I think 80 percent of schools are doing FEL. If we all switch over, that’s 80 percent of us. Our concerns are whether the system can handle that. Right now at Whitman we don’t have a single problem with a loan being disbursed,” said Ponti. Services, including exit interviews and financial literacy training, have helped students tremendously. “At Whitman the default rate is zero. We work hard so that students understand their responsibilities. I can tell you they’re [the government] not going to come to campus to offer financial literacy training. I would miss those programs to help students,” said Ponti. “We know because of Department of Education training that it’s difficult for them to even come for state training—let alone to campus. It just wouldn’t happen.” Some argue that corruption—lenders enticing schools to use their services through bribes—would be eliminated by Obama’s plan. “I sort of laugh about that because when you talk about incentives, a lender may come and visit and gave you sticky notes, it’s not like they’re sending us to the Bahamas,” said Ponti. Reform is necessary, and I think Obama is headed in the right direction. But it seems like the best approach might be one that still utilizes valuable private sector services.
Op-Ed
April 16, 2009
It’s Ridiculous
In defense of Bon Appétit All too often I hear from the ability to make custom dishes for each perWhitman students how son. They have to cook mass quantities and that much they hate Bon Ap- inherently is going to lower the quality of the pétit. How they hate this food. To counteract that, the chefs put spices in or that, wish something the food. Even if they don’t always do the best was better or just want job putting spices in their food (which I admit a change. I think this is they don’t), at least it shows they care enough to try to make the food better. Most schools can’t ridiculous. Derek say that about their catering companies. I don’t think Bon ApTHURBER Second, that Bon Appétit won’t serve enough Op-Ed Editor pétit serves the best food. I don’t even like their food to people in the dining halls. food most of the time, but that doesn’t mean I Sometimes I get hungry and I want more than think they are doing a bad job. On the contrary, they will give me. Two pieces of pizza at a time I think Bon Appétit is doing a great job. is not always enough. I understand the frustraBon Appétit has the extraordinarily hard job tion. But then I go to put my dishes away and I of catering to a large group of people three times see whole plates of uneaten food and realize the a day, seven days a amount of food waste week. And I think they that comes out of the There are many simideserve some praise dinning halls every lar catering compafor doing what they night. So if you’re can to bring us the best nies that do the food service still hungry after your food possible under at colleges and universities two pieces of pizza the circumstances. just get back in line. It around the country. I would There are many wager, based on what I have is better for costs and similar catering comfor the environment. heard and experienced at panies that provide Third, that Bon Apfood service at col- other colleges, that none of pétit is not open to leges and universities those other catering comserve food during the around the country. I panies care as much about afternoon. would wager, based on serving good food as Bon This is true and what I have heard and unfortunate but it is Appétit does at Whitman.” experienced at other explainable. It comes colleges, that none of down to the most those other catering simple of economic companies care as much about serving good concepts. They were not making enough money food as Bon Appétit does. because there were not enough people eating We are truly lucky to have a catering com- during the afternoon for them to make up the pany that cares the way Bon Appétit does. costs of operating during those hours. So yeah, They take student suggestions with the napkin I wish they were open then too, but this is no suggestion walls and surveys. They hire real different from a restaurant that closes in the afchefs—yes, some other schools don’t hire certi- ternoon because of the cost of staying open. It fied chefs. has to, and no other catering company would This is not to say Bon Appétit doesn’t have stay open either. its problems, but none of them justify hating Based on these complaints and others, I see them or wanting them to leave. So, I would like no legitimate reason for all of the whining and to try to dispel some of the common problems angry words said against Bon Appétit. But I people have with Bon Appétit: will leave you with one last thing to think about First, that Bon Appétit serves food with too the next time you complain. many spices or that is not cooked as well as we The main competitor of Bon Appétit is a comwould like it to be. pany that does food catering for prisons as well They are cooking for hundreds of people as colleges. Would you rather get the same food every night. Let’s make sure everyone under- as inmates at the Walla Walla Penitentiary? stands that: hundreds of people. They don’t have
Whitman College Pio neer
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‘Socialism’ cool again
Apparently President net—now seem more appealing. The laissezObama—coupled with faire, anti-“socialist” rhetoric of the right has our imploding financial fallen victim to the reality of Europe. As long system—has the ability as our politicians prioritize increased tax cuts to make even Ameri- for the wealthy above all else, this trend will ca’s dirtiest word cool likely continue. If Republicans continue to conflate pure again. Russ Last week’s Rasmus- socialism with social democracies, the public CADITZ-PECK sen Reports national seems eager to forgive the error and move on Columnist survey found that of to real debate. It is common knowledge that Americans under the Berlin under Soviet rule in the 1970s is a very age of 30, only 37 percent prefer “capital- different place from Berlin today—or Paris ism,” while 33 percent prefer “socialism” or Copenhagen, for that matter. Times have changed—no industrialized and 30 percent are undecided (RasmussenRenations advocate for exclusive public ownerports.com). As the chic Neopsychpop synth band ship of the means of production, but rather MGMT told me, “The youth is starting to mixed systems that look out for the interests change.” But wait—it’s not just the kids! Just of the public. Americans are justifiably inter53 percent of American adults of any age re- ested in learning more about these systems, and are not frightened by a mere word. sponded that “capitalism” is best. The irony is so palpable I can In the aftermath of Bush, the nation almost afford stuff again. The demanded a serious debate over what president’s most vocal oppogovernment must do to maintain both nents—from Fox News to American competitiveness and qualRush Limbaugh—have taken ity of life in a global economy. With every opportunity to link the the election of Barack Obama, it popular president to “socialseems that a major part of that debate ism.” It seems Americans have has been resolved—at least for now. internalized the connection. Americans voted for universal health After witnessing the fruits of care, public investment in climate eight years of advice from change and green jobs, financial Fox, Rush and friends, the re-regulation, a stimulus packcitizenry is ready for anyage etc. thing deemed the opposite. While the poll results may Ever since Obama unveiled initially shock, it should come his recovery plan and continas no surprise that the pubued Bush’s bailout precedent, lic—especially the youth Americans have been bomwith no memory of the barded with a farcical attempt Cold War—is increasat a red scare. The right-wing’s ingly open to prioriknack for labeling any increastizing based upon the es in regulation or public spendneeds of “society” ing “socialism” has truly backrather than cash fired. The middle class is feeling and “capital.” The the growing pressures of the longer it takes Rerecession, and has identified publicans and conservative Democrats GOP-style deregulation and to realize this, the a shoddy safety net as mafurther the national jor sources of suffering. mood will shift to The Cold War is over the left to accomplish and the face of “socialthese goals—and keep ism” has changed. The obstructionist politisocial democracies of cians away from the leEu r op e — comple te vers of power. with free college, health care and a real social safety courtesy of Sam Chasan
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Whitman College Pio neer
Op-ed
April 16, 2009
QUESTIONS ABOUT US: Hey there, do-gooder At Whitman and similar institutions, there are a lot of do-gooders. Student activists, the benevolently ambitious, idealists with a practical edge or just plain Gary do-gooders all describe WANG the same kind of person. Columnist And, as someone who is involved in many of these kinds of activities or fits under these kind of labels, I want to locate the origin of this drive in our irrational idealism: Could it be logic? Take international poverty for example. Philosopher Peter Singer has been arguing for decades that people in developed countries, namely US, have a moral obligation to donate the majority of the money we spend on things like clothes, gadgets and consumer goods to those in the developing world walking the fine line between subsistence and starvation. The argument goes: a) Suffering due to starvation, disease and malnutrition is bad.
b) If you can prevent something bad from happening to someone at little cost to yourself, you ought to do it. c) It makes no difference if the person suffering is in front of your eyes or thousands of miles away. d) It makes no difference whether you act alone or with others in alleviating another’s suffering. He made this argument in 1971 and last I checked, poverty, starvation and genocide still occur daily. Now, one could disagree with “b)” by arguing that we’re all selfish and should only help ourselves
even at expense of others. If you agree with that, then whatever I have to say won’t matter. Someone else a little less narcissistic could disagree with “c)” by arguing that by not seeing the person suffering in front of you, you are emotionally less invested and hence psychologically less willing to help them. However, this objection relies on the empirical, descriptive fact that people are by nature less inclined to help those who they don’t see, know or have any connection to. This objection doesn’t say that this fact of human psychology should be the case, only that it is. Now,
what about “d)?” One could argue that if you were the only one donating to stop poverty, it’d be pointless, but that’s not the case. Millions of people donate to stop poverty each year: it’s just that there are billions of poor people. So what are we left with? Is suffering only bad if we see it or relates to us, and the real suffering going on is ok as long as we don’t show it on TV? I guess so. Certainly, E! True Hollywood Stories are less depressing than sub-Saharan Africa. Then, what’s the foundation for my and your student activism? Just naked ambition? Maybe looking at the foundation for activism, or “do-gooderness”, in terms of applying rational moral principles is wrong. Rather, maybe the desire for “social justice” originates in a discrepancy between our ideals for the world, and the world that meets our eyes. The larger the discrepancy, the stronger the will. And that’s a good thing no matter how irrational. douglas
Support for yet another auto industry bailout The auto industry is asking the federal government for yet another bailout. Many believe that only GM and Chrysler should be granted the funds because Ford can use their Bryant FONG savings to wade through Columnist the tough economic times. General Motors and Chrysler, however, do not have the savings Ford has, and both risk filing in bankruptcy court. Some believe that the next bailout is necessary, yet others believe the companies are asking for another handout. Sure, Capitol Hill was a little hurried in bailing them out the first time. However, they ask for taxpayer help again since a company that has losses will only incur more loss if not subsidized to spark innovation towards a
prosperous future. The question is not whether or not bailing them out rewards mediocrity and negligence in the boards and upper management of the auto industry while preserving America’s future. The closure of one auto giant would impact the whole nation since the auto industry reaches out to all the states. When one of the big three goes down, their demise has effects everywhere in the U.S. The auto companies are an integral part of the Midwest’s economy; every state and city has a car dealership and mechanics shop, which rely on the auto industry for business. The ripple effect could be catastrophic as all the affiliated mechanics and car dealers will be out of jobs which would worsen the economy by increasing unemployment. Think about all the auto mechanics who will go under, many of whom are even now barely getting by.
Imagine the healthcare catastrophe as one of the largest American employers files Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy protections. All the retirees, many who are too old to work would then find themselves without healthcare protection, placing more strain on an already defunct government system. The effects of the jobless from the auto companies would also affect the housing market as those unemployed would be unable to make their mortgage payments. The ripple effect would be far greater as the unemployed create more foreclosed homes and make the housing situation worse than its current state. Lessons can be learned from the 1980 Chrysler bailout, since oil prices were as high in the late 70s as they are now and the UAW was willing to negotiate (about.com). The Chrysler “K car” came about as a result of the Chrysler bailout, which according
to the Chrysler Web site was the car of the decade. The “K car” began with Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries as a lightweight, modest horsepower and the best gas mileage at the time with 26 city/40 hwy mpg (allpar.com). If the auto companies were to declare bankruptcy, their demise would lead to even worse deterioration of the economy. The nation might lose out on an opportunity to spark American innovation in the future of green transportation. As a nation, many feel it is not the taxpayers’ responsibility to fix corporate mistakes. However, by punishing corporations, we punish ourselves, the taxpayers. Eliminating an auto company has repercussions across the nations and would affect the communities that we all live in. The bailout of the auto companies is only in our best interests.
FEATURES
APRIL 16, 2009
WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER
F E AT U R E
Spring Fever
by Sara Levy What is it about a little bit of sun that turns ordinarily studious young adults into a bacchanal mob and leaves no campus courtyard unafflicted? Even the presence of Vitamin D cannot justify it. Perhaps first-year Matt Dittrich was on to
something when he said that for him, the reappearance of sun after a long winter is life-affirming. “When it’s sunny out, I feel so alive,” he said. “Winter is the season when you realize
However, Dittrich added that the presence
ing homework in the sun altogether, because
that you only have so many years to live, and
of sun, while serving as an end to the de-
the lack of productivity that results from the
spring is the time when you see how many
pression of winter, can actually be a cause
temptation to join the ultimate Frisbee game
you still have left.”
for a different type of depression when it is
nearby is dispiriting.
combined with doing homework. “I noticed that people who were reading
First-year Oliver Wood takes this same approach.
Wuthering Heights outside in the sun hated
“I just do all my homework at night after
it, but the people who waited until nighttime
the sun goes down. It just means staying up
when it was dark and spooky out loved it,”
later, but then I don’t get tired because the
he said.
sun makes me less depressed,” he said. “I
Dittrich’s suggestion is to avoid do-
SPRING, page 18
15
16
FEATURES
APRIL 16, 2009
10 V ings
WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER
by Shannon Buckham
to do outside besides
W
Frisbee Gol f
compiled by Jamie Soukup
ith the arrival of spring comes pollen, and soon people will be sneezing left and right. Pollen from grass and trees
is the main cause of allergies during springtime, and pollen from flowers can spark a reaction in those who are actively gardening. People are affected by allergies year round, but once spring rolls around, the number of people with itchy eyes and runny noses seems to increase. These
1
Spring is upon us—for the first time all year, the thermometer has jumped above 65, the sun is showing its face, and people are taking off
allergies result from the pollen in the air.
their shoes and shirts to step into the fountain in front of Hunter. As the temperatures rise, it’s time to take a break from writing that thesis
Center, few students come in with severe symptoms.
to step outside and enjoy the fresh air. Here are some things to do outside besides the typical Frisbee-tossing on Ankeny:
However, there are cases in which people experience
Play with dogs at the Humane Society.
The Walla Walla Humane Society is always looking for volunteers—people who just want to go and play with puppies and walk them around. If you love animals and volunteering, there is no better way to spend that time out in the sunshine than with them.
2
Look for ducks’ nests or ducklings.
This reporter has found two nests already—one by “the Gates” artwork on the stream by Hunter, and one by the wooden bridge by BFC and Douglas. Mother ducks are incredibly protective of their nests, so don’t get too close, or they’ll charge. But if you stay a ways back, you can see their nests and eggs, and maybe see them hatch if you’re lucky! Some biology majors claim you can rent binoculars from the science building, and these are perfect for watching ducks and other birds (rumor has it two owls have moved into the tree by the Outhouse).
3
Ru n a lemona de sta nd.
It’s not just for kids anymore! Grab some friends, a folding table and a poster board, and go to town. Feel free
Flowers photo by HONG
to make your own substitutions, to make it more grown-up. For example, try serving Arnold Palmers instead of lemonade, or give watermelon lemonade a shot! Just remember you need a liquor license to serve alcohol, so put the hard stuff away…
4
Decorate Styx.
This suggestion comes via a reader. He suggests grabbing some props—sunglasses, leis, grass skirts for example—and giving Styx a little fashion makeover. You can use this project in a fun way: dress him up like a friend, and give him a poster that celebrates that friend; or, choose a favorite fictional character (Harry Potter perhaps?) to disguise him.
5
Stargaze.
This might seem like an obvious one, but if you haven’t done it, don’t miss your chance! We’re so far-removed from the city, that bright lights don’t impede our ability to see the celestial heavens. Even grabbing a blanket and heading to your front yard is great, but I highly recommend driving out to the wheat fields, climbing a hay bale, and spending an hour or two just gazing at the sky. Just remember that not all wheat fields are public, and don’t trespass.
6
Take a ride in a Pedi Cab.
Sidewalk Chalk.
There is a ton of sidewalk chalk on this campus already. It’s mostly used for advertising for student events, but there is no reason why you and a few friends can’t grab some and paint (well, chalk) the town! Remember not to draw on bricks or concrete, because these don’t wash off easily, and then a custodial staff will have to spend hours scrubbing.
8
long-term allergies. “Students here are often from somewhere other
Head around town in one of these person-powered taxis. These are a great way to make a special event— a birthday celebration, a date—extra special. If you want, arrange ahead of time with a friend who works for the company to find out when they will be pedaling. You can also go on historic Pedi Cab tours which would be a surprise to treat your parents to when they come to help you move!
7
According to Ellen Collette, Director of Welty Health
Create an art installation.
Now that we’re well into April, it will be any day now that the senior art majors will adorn campus with obscure and unexpected art installations. Some of these projects may make us squint and ask our friends,
“Is that really art?”—as it turns out, yes, it is: they’re art majors, they know what they’re doing—but don’t let the
than Eastern Washington, so the first year they come
GABRIELLE VANCE , '11, enjoys the sunshine .
here they haven’t made antibodies yet to the grass pollens that are here," said Collette
magnitude of some projects deter you.
"The trees that are in their hometowns may be dif-
Make YOUR public art inspiration re-
ferent from the ones that are here. But then the next
ality. And don’t miss your opportunity;
year they might have enough antibodies to start hav-
when you leave Whitman, you’ll be
ing symptoms," she added.
surprised at the lack of acceptance for
Students and other individuals new to campus may
public art installations.
have suffered from hay fever, or other allergies com-
9
mon to their hometown, however they will not initially
Have a picnic in a tree.
display allergy symptoms in a new location. Once immune systems grow used to the surroundings, they
This is my favorite idea. I was going
will begin to produce antibodies that cause them to
to suggest climbing trees, or having a
have allergic reactions to the trees or grasses specific
picnic, but you’ve heard those before.
to their new surroundings.
On a sunny day, pack a Nalgene full
Since a lot of the sources of allergies can not be
of juice, a Tupperware container with
avoided, especially the pollen which causes springtime
your favorite snack, and hoist yourself
allergies, there are multiple options for students who
and a friend into a tree to enjoy it. If
experience ongoing allergy symptoms.
climbing trees are challenging for
According to Collette, over-the-counter anti-hista-
you, I suggest use of an emergency rope ladder.
10
mines and decongestants are given to students who experience short-term exposure. A stop at Safeway for
“If it’s enough to want to do something about it then Claritin or the other two generic brands are a source of quick comfort,” said Collette. If students come in with more severe symptoms, the health center will give them a prescription for pills that stop inflammation and runny nose for the long term. However, this solution has side-effects and should not be used unnecessarily. An over-the-counter nasal spray is also sometimes provided. In extreme cases, individuals can be put on a steroid which, according to Collette, is a shot that lasts three months and effectively reduces inflammatory responses. Walla Walla does have one allergist that students can go see if they feel that they need to get allergy shots, or need further guidance in treating allergies. Collette advises checking to make sure that insurance will cover the doctor before going to see him. “Most of the time they will either use a patch or a scratch test. Either way, they apply to the skin or scratch
ALLERGY, page 18
Quidditch. Junior Kali Stoehr last year
organized all-campus open games of the Hogwarts sport on Ankeny. All you need to do is look up the rules online, gather some Harry Potter enthusiasts, and grab a broom to get started.
FALLTRICK
Claritin, Zyrtec or Allegra can also provide fast relief.
Al lerg y Alert !
17
18
FEATURES
WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER
APRIL 16, 2009
ALLERGY, from page 17 into the skin protein, the antibodies that people are allergic to, the specific protein that triggers their allergies. It stays there for a specifed amount of time and check to see where the local inflammation is.” Allergy shots can be given to those who really do not feel like they can handle their allergies. However, the shots only provide protection against the pollen produced from local grasses and trees, so they will not be as effective in a different environment. “Students can [also] come here and get their allergy shots continued. We ask that their doctor at home make very clear instructions. We do charge a nominal fee for it. Can come in when the doctor is there on the weekdays or they can find out when I am in and
ALDEN
come in when I’m here,” said Collette. Allergy shots work in a similar way to all vaccinations. Small amounts of the protein causing
SPRING, from page 15 don’t even try to do homework in the sun right now.” Director of Academic Resources Juli Dunn said that the reaction to Spring’s arrival need not be so extreme, and that there are ways to balance studying and sun-soaking. “I think there is a way to productively embrace Spring Fever,” she said. “You can study out in the warm sunshine for a healthy change of environment. I wouldn’t suggest the middle of Ankeny because the distractions are too enticing, but there are places such as by Lakum Duckum and I’ve seen people in front of Prentiss.” She also suggests getting up earlier and prioritizing work during that time so that you have the afternoon to go out and play.
together as a reward. Interim Academic Resources Program Coordinator Colleen McKinney suggests planning to take advantage of the nice weather for a short amount of time, so that it is easier to buckle down and study later on. “I don’t think it is a bad thing to go out after class and run around for an hour or two, as long as you know that after dinner you’re actually going to do work and not do other things,” she said. “Then you don’t feel like you’ve deprived yourself of the nice weather.” Or sometimes when all else fails, there’s Wood’s advice: “At some point you just have to go to the library, hide in the quiet room, and not look outside.”
the allergy will be added to an individual’s body and eventually their reactions will start to decrease. Allergies arise when proteins from pollen get into the blood stream and antibodies find them, causing the release of histamine, which then leads to inflammation. Wherever the protein is in the body is where symptoms will appear. When an individual has a runny nose, it is a result of protein entering through the nose. People with more active immune systems will have stronger allergies. Another source of allergies in the local area can be found at Palouse Falls, where poison oak is abundant. The rash that results
Finally, there is the option of agreeing
from this plant is due to Contact
as a group to get a certain amount of work
Dermatitis, which occurs when
done before going outside and playing frolf
simply touching something causes an allergic reaction.
Flower Facts i
compiled by Shannon Buckham
MAGNOLIAS, BLOOM EARLY APRIL. Mainly found in east and Southeast Asia. Named after French botanist Pierre Magnol. DAFFODILS, BLOOM IN EARLY SPRING The earliest known reference to Daffodils can be found in the 6th century A.D. writings of Prophet Mohammed. Native mainly to the Mediterranean HYACINTHS, BLOOM MARCH TO APRIL Sometimes associated with rebirth RHODODENDRON, BLOOM MAY-JUNE. The species of Rhododendron that are currently blooming at Whitman are RJM Rhododendrons that bloom earlier. Some species of rhododendrons are poisonous to animals. National flower of Nepal BLUEBELLS, BLOOM IN SPRING The classical hyacinth was a flower described in Greek mythology that sprang from the blood of the dying prince Hyacinthus. TULIPS, BLOOM MID TO LATE SPRING Tulips do best in climates with long cool springs and early summers PANSIES, BLOOM ANY TIME OF THE YEAR Pansies are a hybrid derived from the Viola species of flowers Breeding has produced a wide range of colors including yellow, gold, orange, purple, violet, red, white, and even black (dark purple), many with large showy face markings. PERIWINKLE, BLOOM LATE WINTER - EARLY SUMMER Periwinke blue is the color for esophageal cancer awareness ribbons
April 16, 2009
A&E
Whitman College Pio neer
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Author Satrapi talks comics, movies, cigarettes by Iris Alden Reporter
“Already an hour and a half without a cigarette is painful,” Marjane Satrapi said in eager anticipation of the five-minute break she would take after her lecture had finished. Her love of cigarettes remained a theme throughout “An Evening with Marjane Satrapi,” though the author and filmmaker went on to discuss much meatier content. Satrapi’s lecture, which took place last Friday, April 10, was one of the most anticipated events of the spring semester at Whitman. The seats beginning to fill up 15 minutes before the lecture began and students and community members alike lined up to purchase copies of Satrapi’s works. Cordiner Hall was charged with excitement. Satrapi is the author of the highly acclaimed “Persepolis,” a comic book about her childhood in Iran during the tumultuous years following the fall of the Shah in 1979 and her subsequent stay in Vienna, Austria. The enthusiasm for Satrapi’s talk seemed to be specifically focused on her role as an author of comics. “I’m really interested in the production of the text,” said Walla Walla University professor Dan Lamberton, who teaches “Persepolis” in several courses. “It should be interesting to hear why she chose pictures,” said first-year Max Friedlander-
Marjane Satrapi - born 1969 in Rasht, Iran - spent childhood in Tehran where she attended the Lycée Français - 1977: first exposed to comic books - 1983: sent to Vienna by her parents to escape Iran-Iraq War - returned to Iran for college - 1994: left Iran for France, where she attended art school in Strasbourg - 1999: began work on “Persepolis” - 2003: “Persepolis” finished -2007: film adaptation of Persepolis debuts at Cannes -currently resides in Paris with her husband
Moore. Satrapi was introduced by Nicole Simek, Assistant Professor of French. Simek spoke about how “Persepolis” highlights and questions the search for truth and redefines the position of the reader. Satrapi’s first words, “Good night, ladies and gentlemen,” were met with generous laughter—a frequent occurrence throughout the lecture. Satrapi then apologized for her less-than perfect English, explaining that she had learned the language from watching American movies. The first topic of Satrapi’s lecture was the term “graphic novel.” She expressed her distaste for the pretension associated with the phrase, saying, “‘Graphic novel’ is a little like ‘Lady Chatterly’s Lover.’” Satrapi went on to discuss how she became an author of comics. Unlike many famous cartoonists, Satrapi did not grow up in a strong comics culture, though she had been exposed to the medium at age seven. Her desire to express her story through comics was spurred by reading Art Spieglman’s “Maus” (which is being considered as an addition to next year’s syllabus for Encounters, the new Core) after she moved to France in 1994. Satrapi waited five years after emigrating from Iran before she started work on “Persepolis.” Satrapi stressed that it was important for her to let go of her anger before telling her story, saying, “There’s nothing worse than writing with anger, writing with hate.” Satrapi then explained her choice to tell her story through the form of comics. She said that drawing was a natural way for her to express herself and that the accessibility of the medium also made it appealing. “It was extremely important to find a way to tell the story in a way that was attractive,” she said. Satrapi also pointed to humor as an element that brings people together. The audience greeted her claim that “people with no sense of humor are just stupid” with laughter and applause. The choice to adapt “Persepolis” into an animated film was also addressed by the author, though her explanation was far less complex than that of her desire to make the book. “If you give a great toy to a child, he will not say no,” said Satrapi. In her more serious moments, Satrapi warned about the power of language and its ability to divide people, speficially pointing to the danger of the “Axis of Evil” moniker. She also asserted her belief in establishing a minimum quality of life for all people, as well as the importance of
Norman
Marjane Satrapi, the author of the graphic novel “Persepolis,” spoke in Cordiner last Friday, April 10. Satrapi is currently working on the film adaptation of her second novel, “Chicken With Plums.”
education. “The basis of all the harm in the world is ignorance,” said Satrapi. After concluding her talk on a positive note, Satrapi opened the floor to questions. Many audience members were interested in her unique position as a female comic book author hailing from Iran, though some had more unexpected responses. One man prefaced his questions with the statement, “You’re beautiful when you cry.” Asked to give an example of a joke or funny story, Satrapi told the story of a woman in a Salt Lake City Airport who asked her if she could see the moon from France, to which she replied, “No.”
After a reportedly much needed cigarette break, Satrapi held a book signing. While in line, sophomore Shaheen Qureshi shared her reaction to the Satrapi’s lecture: “I was surprised by how funny she was. She just came off as very natural.” Satrapi graciously declined further interviews at the book signing, saying, “No, I’m really finished.” Satrapi is currently working on a live-action film adaptation of her comic book “Chicken With Plums” with Vincent Paronnaud, whom she collaborated with for the animated “Persepolis” movie.
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A&E
April 16, 2009
‘Star-effer?’ ‘Starfracker?’ Bands shine in show by Sara Levy Reporter
The first thing the band members said was that they love playing for college campuses. “It’s definitely a different energy level than at the bars. People go to bars to drink and have sex,’” said Jason Holstrom, the guitarist of U.S.E. “People who go to bars can become a little jaded, but I remember the first show I saw at college…it changed my life, it was just so exciting.” Holstrom also described U.S.E.’s first tour. “We got booked at this 1,500 capacity club on Chapel Hill in North Carolina and one person showed up. Literally. And by the end of the set
The concert on Friday, April 11 could be described as a stimulus overload. Not just one band from out of town, but three. Not just pop music, but “electro-pop,” complete with multicolored star-shaped lights flashing on a projector in the background. The concert opened with the one-man-band called Guidance Counselor, whose MySpace page describes his music as “Ghettotech” and whose all-over tattoos describe him as anomalous. Then Starfucker played an hour of electronica and finally United State of Electronica (U.S.E.) headlined with some serious dance music. Junior Sam Chasan, Public Events Director, said that he chose these bands because he thought they would work well together and bring a new type of music to campus. “It’s a different genre than we’ve had. We had Devin the Dude and Blue Scholars, which are both hip-hop. And then we had Grand Ole Party, which is rock. So this is like fun dance music,” he said. “I also liked getting the local groups. Starfucker is kind of a Portland gem, and then U.S.E. is also pretty ridiculous and Norman Jason Holstrom, guitarist of United States of Electronica (U.S.E.) belts out one they’re from Seattle.” Pre-concert, six a number after an exciting performance by Starfucker. of the seven U.S.E. members were preparing in a room next to Reid. he and us and the other bands were all dancing Vocalist Carly Nicklaus was curling her hair on stage, there was no one on the floor,” he said. One of vocalist Amanda Khanjian’s favorite without a mirror, some of the band members were eating snacks provided by Whitman and concerts was the one following Chapel Hill bekeyboard-player Noah Star Weaver was draw- cause the sole audience member, Steve, came to ing attention in a green shrunken puffer jacket, see them. “A few weeks later we were playing in Minnewhich he later swapped for flowered pants and a see-through white t-shirt that said “Dance” in apolis and I came out of the bathroom and there was Steve! He flew out to see us again, our one big letters.
same letters but rearranged,” said Hodges. fan!” she said. After a debate about whether it’s okay to talk Although U.S.E. has gained countless other fans since then, they still like to maintain a level about penises in the newspaper, and how much they should really divulge about their newest of intimacy with the audience members. “We hate those barricades,” Khanjuan said, in “superfan,” Ian Hunter Anderson from Guidance reference to the short fences that lined the front Counselor stepped in. Anderson’s personality is expressed on his of the stage in the Reid Ballroom. “We don’t see forearms, which said the need for barriers, “GOSH TYTE.” Anreally.” That’s how we started, derson said that he Josh Hodges, who in house parties in the received the tattoos plays keyboard and down in his friend’s drums in Starfucker, basement.” made a similar com-Josh Hodges, keyboardist and drummer basement, and that he ment after the show. uses those words a lot “[The barrier] sucked because the thing we and thought it would be funny. like the most is when people come up on stage “My mom cried when she saw them,” he said. and knock our shit...and it’s fun,” he said. “Be- Anderson then told a story about how he took cause that’s how we started, in house parties in a fur hat, one which he was currently wearing, the basement. It’s like being with the people, in- from a dead guy who had probably OD’d in a stead of above them and separated.” sketchy bathroom in LA. Starfucker, like U.S.E., has grown since its “It was so shady, but I mean he’s not gonna use basement days but its name reflects its refusal to it,” said Anderson. conform to the wishes of the music industry. Ryan Biornstad from Starfucker, who does “It’s just an intentionally stupid name because vocals, guitar, keyboards, and drums, said that it’s a constant reminder that the music industry his band loved playing with Guidance Counselor sucks, and that’s not why we’re doing what we’re and U.S.E., and performing at Whitman in gendoing,” said Hodges. “And it’s funny, or at least I eral. think it’s funny.’” “U.S.E. was the perfect band to play after us When their music plays on the radio, the band to keep the party going. I mean, we were danctypically goes by names such as “Star-effer” or ing like retards over there. It was really fun,” he even “Starfracker.” said. “Oh, and Ian had his pants off for like half “Or ‘Fartsucker’ sometimes, because it’s the the time.”
Norman
Ryan Biornstad and Josh Hodges of the electronica group Starfucker jam on the Reid Ballroom stage on Saturday, April 11.
A&E
April 16, 2009
Whitman College Pio neer 21
Jekyll and Hyde: when two tribes go to war by Alethea Buchal Reporter
Back turned to the audience, his right arm flails wildly as the left arms sticks to his side; as straight as a pin. When he turns around, his face is distorted and tortured. He is caught between good and evil, Chastity and Lust—which will he choose? This Friday, April 17 and Saturday April 18, Whitman’s Dance Department presents “Jekyll and Hyde” choreographed by seniors Seren Pendleton-Knoll, Kerry Pine and directed by Idalee Hutson-Fish. The story of “Jekyll and Hyde” is based on the famous 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stevenson which tells the story of a Dr. Jekyll who attempts to separate the good and evil qualities within himself, eventually losing his sanity and becoming the evil Mr. Jekyll. In Whitman’s production, the opposing forc-
es of good and evil within Dr. Jekyll, played by 2003 Whitman Alum and visiting artist Andrew Claus, are personified in his two love interests, Chastity (played by Monica Finney) and Lust (played by Tillie Gottlieb). All of the 27 Whitman student dancers in the production are divided into the two camps: good and evil. The good camp features the seven virtues of Patience (Seren Pendleton-Knoll), Kindness (Kelli Kuhlman), Diligence (Cristine Tennant), Liberality (Lauren Bolkovatz), Abstinence (Emily Kitzman) and Humility (Caitlin Feeney), and focuses on more classical ballet with a contemporary edge. Kerry Pine, the choreographer for good, also included some Virginia reels and Irish dances for the party scenes. The evil camp features the seven deadly sins of Wrath (Kerry Pine), Pride (Rhya Milici), Envy (Katie Baxter), Greed (Kate Robinette), Gluttony (Rachelle Sloss) and Sloth (Laura Lindeman), and focuses on more jazzy, modern
dancing. The tension between the two parties remains extremely acute throughout the production, particularly in the “Brothel Tango,” featuring music from the Gotan Project and the Finale. “It is something completely new and something we’ve never seen before. It’s original, dramatic and full of personality. It’s a fun rendition of a class story,” said junior dancer Kate Robinette (Greed). Perhaps the greatest highlight of the production is the dramatic tension. The dancers are driven by the music and acutely cast their feelings during every emotional swell. Jekyll is not the only one who feels anguish, pain and torture. Every dancer feels the pull of evil in the piece. Senior Seren Pendleton-Knoll says Jekyll and Hyde is a “dance production that’s not necessarily happy. It’s a little dark, a little disturbing [because] we [the choreographers] knew we
wanted to do not a happy ballet. We wanted to do something a little bit darker, a little more interesting. We wanted
something that had a little more edge, more fire and more spirit to it.” “Jekyll and Hyde” will be performed this Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. mitchell
Dabbles in Bloom blossom in second performance by Alyssa Fairbanks Reporter
Music bloomed in Whitman’s amphitheater Thursday, April 9 as first-year Adriel Borshansky’s band performed their concert “Dabbles in Bloom” in front of a large crowd. Borshansky, singer, song writer and guitarist, was joined by other first-years Rimmy Doowa (vocals), Sam Epstein (bass and saxophone), Aaron Zalman (guitar) and senior Nick Gottschall (drums). Zalman opened the show, singing a few songs while playing acoustic guitar as the crowd gathered. Opening with “Forgotten Fairytales,” the band performed 11 original songs written by Borshansky. Each song was introduced by Borshansky with a quirky story that reflected the nature of the lyrics. As the concert drew to a close, much of the audience danced to the final song which ended in a storm of clapping and cheering. “Dabbles in Bloom,” a name that incidentally came to Borshansky as he was falling asleep, is the second performance by Borshansky, Doowa and Epstein, who performed together at Coffeehouse first semester. Several songs they performed at Coffeehouse were repeated in this concert along with several new songs. With the addition of Janstart Zalman and senior Gottschall, this concert, according to Borshansky, brought the music to a
“new level.” Borshansky, who has been writing music since high school said, “I felt like I was expanding and with where my music is going I wanted to showcase the expansion.” After being turned off by organized music in school, he chose to focus his “creative energy” on writing his own music.“I started off writing really bad music,” he said. “About a year and a half into it, I decided maybe my music is good.”
“Dabbles in Bloom” Playlist The Pio asked each performer to pick two songs that they think people need to listen to or else they aren’t really experiencing life. 1. “Normandie” by Shout Out Louds (Borshansky’s pick) 2. “The First Five Times” by Stars (Borshansky’s pick) 3. “Girl, I Wanna Lay You Down” by Animal Liberation Orchestra (Epstein’s pick) 4. “Darn that Dream” by Dexter Gordon (Epstein’s pick) 5. “Love Like the Movies” by The Avett Brothers (Zalman’s pick) 6. “Thickfreakness” by The Black Keys (Zalman’s pick) 7. “At the Beginning” from the Disney movie Anastasia (Doowa’s pick) 8. “Gurus of Peace” by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and AR Rahman (Doowa’s pick)
Borshansky chose to put on his own concert to promote independent music on the campus. He preferred the amphitheater as the venue for his show over the more traditional Coffeehouse route or party scene. “I think I just really like the amphitheatre; it feels natural and it is a really good set up,” he said. “It’s imperfect which I like and my music suits the outdoors. I think we are pretty chill, so this setting works.” This sentiment was shared by band member Epstein who said, “I think that Coffeehouse and playing at parties are great and I’ve done both of those. But this is a new way to perform and the venue matches the type of music perfectly.” Doowa, Epstein and Zalman have all been involved in music since elementary school as well. Doowa began singing classical Indian music called raag. She has competed in and won numerous talent shows and she performed with her elite high school choir at venues such as the U.N. building in Bangkok and for the Princess of Thailand. Epstein, who plays a number of instruments, has been involved in jazz since the sixth grade and recently took up bass—performing the instrument for the first time at this concert. Zalman has played guitar since the seventh grade and has been involved with several jazz and funk bands, performing throughout high school. Although Borshansky wrote all the songs performed, he clearly is open to collaboration with
his band members. “We all have ideas and make suggestions,” said Zalman. “Adriel writes his songs. Then I harmonize and improvise as I feel the music - which is something we both enjoy doing. I listen to his music and try to make it sound better [...] to give it depth and a richness of sound,” said Doowa. “He has a base, the words, the tune, and then we build it up together.” However, the vision is still clearly Borshansky’s. “Adriel is not afraid to tell you if he wants you to play something else,” said Epstein. “He has a clear vision of what he wants us to do and this produces really good results.” In an effort to produce a diverse body of music, Borshansky’s lyrics feature four different languages: English, Spanish, Hebrew and Hindi. “I hope to create one coherent group that can produce a wide variety of music,” he said. “The worst thing I can imagine is being stuck in one formulaic way of performing.” Borshansky sees himself, Doowa, Epstein and Zalman as a permanent group. He anticipates performing with them throughout college. While waiting for a sequel performance to “Dabbles in Bloom,” check out Borshansky’s music on MySpace (myspace.com/adrieljarrod) and iTunes.
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April 16, 2009
Poet Simic sifts through darkness with humor at Walt Whitman Lecture by CJ Wisler
Doesn’t End,” which was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Reporter “The problem with [this book] is that things are so hard to find because there are no titles,” said For senior English major Jake Kinstler, former United States Poet Laureate Charles Simic pleas- Simic jokingly about “The World Doesn’t End”, antly surprised him with his craft as well as his which is filled with untitled prose poems. The poetry Simic read, described by many as personality at the Annual Walt Whitman Lecture. both “meditative “I had no idea and fantastical”, he was so multialso had a tickgenre talented, and lish edge to it, way funnier than I often evoking thought,” said Kinlaughter from stler. “The poems I the audience. read were really “I was stolen dark, but the poby the gypsies,” etry he read had a read Simic. “My really light, really parents stole me humorous tone to right back. Then it.” the gypsies Simic read his stole me again. works in the MaxThis went on for ey Hall Auditosome time.” rium on Thursday, kim In an inApril 9. The lec- Charles Simic, celebrated poet, speaks candidly to the audience at the Antroduction by ture was open to nual Walt Whitman Lecture on Thursday, April 9. Roberts, she Whitman students, faculty and staff members, as well as Walla Walla described Simic as “our most disquieting muse” whose poetry is “a feast in a time of plague.” With community members. The Walt Whitman Lecture, in the past, has in- his combination of trauma, drama, fantasy and wit, cluded poets such as Louise Glück, Adrienne Rich, Simic describes himself and his own writing as Billy Collins and last year’s Richard Wilbur. Unfor- “surrealist with a purpose.” “His work is so fantastic, verging on frightentunately, due to lack of funding, the Walt Whitman Lecture will not occur next school year. Creative ing, particularly in his earlier work,” said Kintsler. writing professor and director of the Walt Whitman “But after this reading, I think I’ll read some of [his Lecture Katrina Roberts hopes for the best “once work] lighter and more humorously.” In a smaller lecture for creative writing students the economy turns around.” Born in Yugoslavia in 1938, Simic is profes- earlier in the day, Simic described his attention to humor in sor emeritus of his writing. American LitI was stolen by the gypsies. My par“Comedy erature and creents stole me right back. Then the is fundaative writing at mentally rethe University of gypsies stole me again. This went lated to our New Hampshire. on for some time.” He has won nu-Excerpt from Charles Simic’s poetry existence as human bemerous awards ings,” said including, among Simic. “We others, a Guggenheim Foundation Scholarship, a MacArthur Foun- could not bear our difficulties without humor.” During the small lecture, he frequently refdation Scholarship, the Edgar Allen Poe Award, the Wallace Stevens Award and the 1990 Pulitzer erenced one of his newest books, “The Monster Loves his Labyrinth,” which he described as a comPrize in Poetry. A celebrated and award-winning poet, Simic en- pilation of “notebook entries, travel scraps” and a tertained audiences with his poems from many of number of “moments’ thoughts.” his works, including his book of poetry “The World
April 16, 2009
A&E
Whitman College Pio neer
‘Foot-fisting’ it into Hollywood: by Mike Sado
ego-driven males and the social awkwardness they create in relation to other people. In “Foot,” fourth-degree black belt Fred Simmons runs a “Mcdojo,” where he frequently bullies his pupils. On Hill’s new HBO series (along with frequent collaborators Ben Best and Danny McBride, who also stars), “Eastbound & Down,” Kenny Powers, a washed-up former major league baseball player, returns to his town but finds that he is not as respected by the people as he once was. Driven by their overt machismo, Hill’s creations
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An interview with ‘Observe & Report’ director Jody Hill and actors Seth Rogen and Anna Faris
none. A fascination with guns, perhaps, but I don’t own any guns,” he said. Hill plays with the audience’s understanding of the Rogen archetype—lazy, sloppy, unattractive, oafish—throughout “Observe”. “Part of me thinks this disgusting pervert is the best thing that happened to me,” Ronnie declares, and it’s an axiom that colors all of his actions throughout the film. Ronnie is a victim of the loving-butdysfunctional relationship with his mother (Celia Watson), his bi-polar mind, and—significantly
House Bunny,” added that all the characters in the A&E Editor film—not just Ronnie—are awful human beings. Brandi, she said, “was definitely the worst character I’ve played, and I’ve got to [say that] I just The curse of “Observe & Report,” written loved it. I loved every second of it.” and directed by Jody Hill (TV’s “Eastbound The characters in the film may be terrible, but and Down”), is that it will probably suffer the production behind it wasn’t. endless comparisons to Steve Carr’s “Paul “Everybody was really nice, so everybody was Blart: Mall Cop,” which came out in January always positive about the material and glad to this year. work and, really, you know everybody was just “Observe,” like “Blart,” features an overweight pushing themselves,” Hill said. security guard (played by Seth Rogen) with fanDuring the production of “Obtasies about the importance of his serve,” Rogen said he was accliprofession. “Observe’s” Ronnie Courtesy of WARNER BROS mated to the atmosphere on set invents his own little world as the because “it really felt like a little head of security at the Forest Ridge independent film shot by a bunch Mall, everything from smashing of friends.” skateboards over delinquent youths’ Rogen met Hill three years heads to tasing store owners for inago when he was filming Apanocuous misdemeanors. tow’s “Knocked Up.” Hill said Unlike “Blart,” however, Ronnie he wrote the movie with Seth in is a hair-trigger away from becomhis mind as Ronnie, and Rogen ing a Travis Bickle of the Twitinstantly signed on when he reter age, a cipher for populist anger ceived the script. against whatever social ill is the “We kind of just felt like we “flavor of the month.” (In this case, had stolen a bunch of movie caman anonymous flasher who terroreras and somehow they [Warner izes the parking lot of the mall.) Brothers] let us make this movie In fact, the iconic character from in this mall and it was very selfMartin Scorcese’s “Taxi Driver” contained,” said Rogen. seemed to be on Hill’s mind when he And while Hill has graduated was creating “Observe & Report.” to a Warner Brothers and Leg“I don’t have a certain agenda or endary Pictures production, it anything when I’m working. But I doesn’t mean that he sacrificed think that maybe, you know, I tried his low-budget approach to the to use the model of character pieces material. from the ‘70s,” Hill said in a conferFilmmakers like Hill and simence call with the Pioneer on Tues., ilar indie-darling David Gordon April 7. “Those movies deal with a Green (who directed Rogen in lot of themes of isolation and lone- Jody Hill directs Seth Rogan during shooting for the film “Observe & Report,” which was released last Friday, April 10. Hill’s other works include the cult favorite “The Foot Fist Way” and the HBO series “Eastbound and Down.” last summer’s “Pineapple Express” liness and characters trying to come with James Franco), according to up with a code and feeling out of never realize the absurdity of their personalities. place in their time.” —his sexual dysfunction. His infatuation with Rogen, bring a “really different sensibility” to the While Hill wanted viewers of “Observe” to Brandi, the beautiful-but-dim cosmetic clerk at atypical Hollywood comedy. Hill is the latest independent director to break “I just think, you know, for me and Evan [Goldinto mainstream Hollywood comedy. His pre- laugh at Ronnie and his flaws, he also wanted them the mall, takes a dark-and-disturbing turn when to question why Ronnie Ronnie consummates his obsession with a visi- berg, Rogen’s frequent writing collaborator], vious film, the lowwas the hero. “You know bly-drunk Brandi. we’re looking for people who are smarter than budget “The Foot Fist We kind of just felt we praise him, certainly Way,” was picked up “When we were shooting it, Seth and I were us,” he said. “There’s a reason we don’t direct in the movie, but how real both like, ‘There is no way this is going to be movies ourselves, ‘cause we don’t think we are by actor Will Ferrell like we had stolen a and director Adam bunch of movie cameras and is that praise, and what kept in the movie,’” said Anna Faris, who plays the best skilled people to do it.” exactly are we praising?” Brandi. “We were both like, ‘This is a Warner For Hill, graduating from a small film financed McKay (“Step Brothsomehow they let us make he said. ers”) after screening Brothers movie. There’s no way. This is way too on his credit card to working with Rogen and It’s a point that Rogen offensive.’ It’s not like we were making some lit- Faris is an experience he called “surreal.” at 2006’s Sundance this movie in this mall.” -Seth Rogen, “Ronnie” agreed with as he calmly “I just feel really lucky that I’m able to make Film Festival, and it tle ‘indie’ here […] But then there it is. So I gave deflected comparisons my parents a glass of wine and I showed them that films,” he said. “You know, I’ve wanted to do it gained a cult following from popular film web sites like AintItCool- of Ronnie to other “Rogen-ish” characters he’s scene, and I was like, ‘Okay, brace yourselves. all my life, and I just—I don’t know—I just feel really lucky that I’m able to do that.” News and CHUD. Like comedy film luminaries played in the past—and himself. This is a rough one.’” “No, not really. No, I would say pretty much McKay and Judd Apatow, Hill’s films exploit Faris, who played the lead in 2007’s “The
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REVIEWs
Whitman College Pio neer
April 16, 2009
Don’t ‘Observe’ this film Building the perfect ‘Castle’ Movie Review by Becquer Medak-Seguin Reviewer
To give Jody Hill’s “Observe and Report” any credit for being an indie-comedy (it somehow appeared in the SXSW film festival, don’t ask me how), a decent comedy, or even a comedy to which I could attribute any sort of qualitative metric would be to justify its squalid and mindless existence that, beyond a vocabulary that is faithfully limited to the F-word, is a perfect example of the sort of humor that led many to laugh at Don Imus’ comments two years ago. Sexism and racism should only be saved for those writers and directors who keep fullfledged parody—or social commentary—in mind, not for those who use it to get a cheap laugh and a few million more bucks in their pockets. I think we’ll shove Jody into the dim-witted corner directors like Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer (“Scary Movie,” “Date Movie,” “Meet the Spartans,” among other atrocities) already occupy. Maybe I’m being a tad too hyperbolic. I mean, the protagonist of this 86-minute stretch of ennui is, admittedly, a try-too-hard faux cop who goes after a perpetual indecentexposure offender in an attempt to impress the ersatz tough-guy who is the official detective on the case. So, I guess the premise just doesn’t allow for much does it? It doesn’t help that races are nicely divided into distinct roles like each component of the Prentiss salad bar. The Asian twins (Matt and John Yuan) idolize Ronnie (Seth Rogen) and do whatever he says, the Mexican guy, Den-
nis (Michael Peña), speaks with a lisp, is a thief and escapes across the boarder before he is caught, the Arab guy is ignorantly named Saddamn (Aziz Ansari) and runs an island stand in order to hit on women, and, last but not least—the epitome of white trash—Ronnie’s nameless mother (Celia Weston) who sits in a recliner and drinks all day. It also doesn’t help that Ronnie date rapes the ditzy make-up salon girl (Anna Faris) rather than pursuing some sort of halfhearted, respectable relationship with the always-coffee-providing Nell (Collette Wolf). Though Ronnie ends up with Nell, this never really matters because he refuses to change his repellent self-centeredness, rendering the relationship completely unbelievable. While the crux of the plot swivels around both Ronny’s attempt to become a real police officer and his pursuit of an anonymous flasher who has blinded mall-goers, it’s easy to tear through this movie’s indie and black comedy labels to reveal its pointless, unfunny and self-deprecating core. The most painful part about this movie is not watching the non-parodied racism or sexism, but watching the movie unknowingly chastise itself with a successful inadvertent critique of mall cops everywhere, essentially telling mall owners: ‘they’re impotent and expendable, so why don’t you fire them next?’ I have no idea why its thematic predecessor “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” instantly became a sleeper hit (which is more telling of our society than of the movie itself). It wasn’t funny and neither is this one. Let’s hope Hollywood gives the already clichéd mall cop genre a rest.
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T V show Review
The plot opens in the pilot episode with Detective Kate Beckett, played by Katic, finding a murder victim that copies a murder from by Derek Thurber one of the murder mystery novels by RichContributing reviewer ard Castle, played by Fillion. When she apWhen I first saw an advertisement for the proaches Castle about this, he is thrilled and new ABC show “Castle,” I thought, “Oh, no, wants to help with the investigation. By the end of the episode, Castle has decidnot another terrible cop drama.” I was still getting over the horrible failure of “Life on ed to use Detective Beckett as his inspiration Mars,” and was not ready to be so unbeliev- for a new series of murder novels so he must do “original research” by shadowing Beckett at her ably disappointed by another show again. work. But I From watc hed there, the pilot the two a ny way, solve because murders w h a t toget hh a r m er, with c o u l d Beckthat do, ett bereally? I ing the was inser ious stantly detecblown tive who away by solves how well Courtesy of Disney/Abc Television r e a l the show crimes w a s made. When the pilot was over I found my- and Castle being the flamboyant writer who self having that wonderful, though not often- finds solutions based on what murder would achieved feeling of not knowing where the make the best plot line for one of his books. Together they make a compelling and interestlast hour went. Every week since that first episode now a ing team that solves crimes very efficiently. Fillion, who has appeared in very few month ago, I have hardly been able to wait until the next Monday, when I can watch the things since “Firefly,” does not disappoint his next episode. And as of yet, the following epi- fan base. He is a smart, funny, confident man with a good life and he knows it. sodes have not disappointed me each week. But where “Castle” really blows me away “Castle” has a compelling and unique plot. It is rare to find a truly different plot in a most is its pure enjoyment factor. Unlike show these days, but “Castle” has achieved what seems like every other show on television these days, “Castle” does not fall into the that goal. It is also not afraid of stereotypes. Instead trivial and annoying trap of having to create of uselessly trying to avoid every cliché that conflict where it is not needed. Castle has a perfect life which is refreshwill inevitably come up in a cop drama, “Castle” lets those stereotypes occur in the plot ingly good. It seems like every time I watch a and then acknowledges them in a metatheat- show the main character has to be screwed up rical moment in which the characters make because it creates good drama. If that is true, then I hate good drama. some comment about the cliché plot they are This show has quickly jumped to the top of in. “‘Castle’ follows the story of two main my lists of favorites and I will continue to look characters: a very down-to-earth female de- forward to “Castle” every week. If you watch tective, played by Stana Katic, and an ec- no other show this year, check out “Castle.” centric but lovable murder mystery novelist, You won’t be disappointed. I enthusiastically played by the cult favorite star of ‘Firefly’ give this show five out of five stars. and ‘Serenity,’” Nathan Fillion.
HUMOR
April 16, 2009
Awkward silence at party A generally-boisterous weekly beirut function was momentarily stalled last Friday by what some are terming “a total buzzkill.” Garrulous conversation came to a halt as one attendee fiddled with the iTunes playlist, resulting in an uncomfortable silence broken only by the shifting of sneakers on the gummy hardwood floor. “Hey,” one student said, clearing his throat loudly, “do you know that in a
group there’s a collective silence like, once every seven minutes?” “I think that’s just something people say to fill the space,” another quickly added, a look of desperation on her face as her forced laughter faded. Much to everyone’s relief, the music started up again soon after.
rush limbaugh’s warnings fall on deaf ears: “The Obama puppy is clearly a terrorist sleeper agent infiltrating our highest levels of government! Isn’t anybody listening? hello?”
Whitman College Pio neer
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quarterlife posthumously sued by Kurt Vonnegut Insiders have confirmed that a recent intellectual property lawsuit was filed against Whitman’s student literary journal quarterlife by famed American novelist and social satirist Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007). The issue of contention seems to be quarterlife’s choice of the phrase “So it goes” for the theme of its thirteenth issue, to be published in May 2009. Vonnegut, who coined and used the three-word refrain extensively throughout his seminal 1969 novel Slaughterhouse-Five, is now demanding royalties for its use. “I have no problem with people using my words as part of daily conversation. In fact, it’s sort of flattering,” said Vonnegut through a spirit medium. “But as a person who made my living through my creativity, I have to draw the line somewhere between imitation and exploitation. I used ‘So it goes’ one hundred sixteen times in that book, so I find it hard to imagine that quarterlife thought they could just slip this one by.” A spokesperson for the student staff at quarterlife had a different view of the matter. “Honestly, I don’t mean to dance on a grave or anything, but it’s ridiculous to try to exercise copyright on vernacular. Besides, we don’t even have a budget besides what ASWC gives us, so I don’t
know what sort of royalties he’s expecting to get.” As the court date draws nearer, quarterlife employees seem content to wait and trust that things will work out in their favor. “So it goes,” said one, as an additional ghostly litigation materialized from the ether.
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HUMOR
Whitman College Pio neer
April 16, 2009
NO MORE VARSITY SKI TEAMS! It’s all downhill from here The ski team has managed to prove two things since it was announced that Whitman’s number one team is being cut. 1) They are NOT the most expensive team per athlete. The data that implied they were didn’t count coaches salaries. 2) They were never given a warning or a chance to try and save the school money - they had no idea. Whatever, you cash-guzzling snow-fiends, we did some research. Here comes a blizzard of facts: COLD AND HARD!
How much money is the ski team hiding from us? Real Value of Ski Team:
$15 k for each of the four teams
Unnoticed signs that the ski team’s relationship with Athletic Director Dean Snider was deteriorating: * When Snider planned a surprise candle-lit budget meeting, and the Ski Team got home late from skiing, AGAIN, it didn’t even ask why all the good silverware was out. * Snider left out a copy of Cosmo in the ski team locker room with the page open to a quiz called “How to know if Your Man is Spending Too Much on Skiing to Reasonably Fit Into the Budget of a Small College”
* When Snider and the Ski Team went to see Iron Man, he stared at the team for, like, a full minute during the part where Tony Stark goes over budget * When the Ski Team came home from shopping, Snider asked if HE could borrow money for ski poles for once, but then said, “Just kidding, just kidding,” and went back to reading The Lovely Bones.
* When the Ski Team left a generous tip for a waitress, Snider rolled his eyes, then vehemently denied that he was upset about anything, even though he didn’t say another word until they left Applebees.
* When Snider asked the ski team to try on a budget from a few years ago, the one he really used to like. When the ski team responded that it had gotten too big, Snyder raised his eyebrows and muttered something about how the ski team at his last school could probably still fit into that budget.
* Snider dreamily mentioned how “impressed” he was with Bode Miller’s fiscal responsibility
by Bailey Arend, Alex Kerr, Warren McDermott, and Finn Straley
During this last year, ASWC was forced to turn its focus inward and make cuts within its administration. Here are a few things ASWC decided it could do without:
Potential Value • Value on eBay of Warren McDermott’s highly-oxygenated blood if sold at about 12 dollars per pint: $30,000 Nobody really knows how many pints are in the human body, but look at him. Dude has hella pints. • Money to be made by intentionally losing to the easily-bribed Vassar: $10,000 • The value of friendship: $700 • Retail value of Anti-Global-Warming-Machine that has thus far prevented global snow melt: $2,000
• To show approval during meetings, ASWC will begin knocking on tables instead of “making it rain” hundred dollar bills into a pit of fire
• Elliott Okantey to sell pet griffin, in exchange for smaller griffin
• Champagne hot tub donated to local charity
• ASWC now to serve Franzia at meetings, instead of Montrachet 1978
• Team-building trip to Atlantis probably canceled
• Pool full of sharks downgraded to pool full of piranhas
SPORTS
April 16, 2009
FullCourt Press
Whitman College Pio neer
The student athletics or big money? Billy Low and Andy Jobanek Reporter & Sports Editor Billy: In her article “Learn a Lesson, Lose the Wins” in Sports Illustrated this March, Selena Roberts addressed Florida State University’s reaction to an NCAA ruling that disqualifies several wins from the school’s football program because of an academic cheating scandal. Roberts noted that while the university had to cut funding for some of its academic departments due to the economy, it is spending thousands of dollars on a case to reverse the NCAA’s ruling just to maintain credit for winning some football games. Division I sports can provide a school with funding and bolster its reputation, but this potential tempts some schools to abuse the ideas of “college” sports and “student-athletes.” When FSU prioritizes the prestige and reputation of its football program, it suggests sports are meant to be a profitable big business, rather than a way to bring together the school’s community. At a Division I university, I doubt I could feel a closer bond to a major varsity sports teams than to pro teams that are private businesses. Unless student-athletes live and go to class with the rest of the student body, they seem more like mercenaries than true representatives of the university. This distance from the rest of the school does not discredit the actual competition or the character of athletes and coaches. In fact, an athlete such as UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough likely exemplifies the kind of work ethic and commitment that his fellow students can look up to. Nor is the concept of Division I sports (i.e. a venue of competition for the nation’s best amateur athletes) a problem. Instead, the problem is individual administrators who forget they lead an educational institution and not a big business. In contrast to major Division I sports,
Division III sports seem more connected to college communities. When I watch Whitman athletes compete after just seeing them in the same classroom as me, I feel like I’m watching the best our student body has to offer. When the athletic department created the W Club, I felt the school was looking to improve athletes’ experiences and win more games, not more money. Division III lacks the media attention of Division I that helps casual fans become interested in sports. Because there was so much coverage of March Madness,
tons of fans knew Hansbrough was a good player before they ever saw him play. But again, fans can feel more involved at a small school like Whitman, because Division III allows fans to form their own thoughts on the athletes and game. Andy: I completely agree with your critique of Florida calkin State, Billy, but at the same time, I think that Division I athletics should capitalize on the public’s interest when they can. You say that administrations sometimes treat sports “as big businesses” and that they lose a connection to the community when they do. I don’t think it’s fair to draw such a sharp line in the sand. As an
c o m m e n ta r y
Oregon Duck fan, I know that men’s basketball is a huge money maker for the athletic department and that Phil Knight’s fingerprints are all over the program (you can’t get a much bigger business than Nike). Yet the seniors on the 2007-08 team that made the NCAA tournament all graduated early, balancing the sports big business with academic success. I’m sure there are other stories like this out there and that, with the exception of a few bad apples, there generally is a marriage between the business of college athletics and the student athlete experience. Even if the Duck seniors hadn’t graduated early, I’d still argue that college sports should try and make as much money as possible. Several programs around the country, including the aforementioned University of Oregon, are entirely self-sustaining. While I disagree with how Jim Calhoun voiced this argument, the fact is that some programs give money back to their respective universities. In addition, a winning football or basketball program brings in more students and more attention to the university, which both amount to more money coming in. Clearly Florida State has crossed the line when their investigation dips into money that would normally be going elsewhere, but if athletic departments can graduate players while still making a boat load of money, why shouldn’t they market their sports as much as possible? In terms of your comments on Division III’s intimacy, I definitely agree with your feelings about Whitman, but I don’t think the same is true of all Division III schools. If you’ve ever heard Stephen Curry talk about Davidson, it sounds exactly like Whitman, but still competes in Division I. In addition, some other Division III campuses have a sharp divide between the athletes and the regular student body. Here at Whitman, I don’t see a divide, which allows us to form those personal connections you were talking about. However, when there is a divide, I doubt that those students feel the same way we do. Therefore, I think we should not generalize to say that all Division III sports foster a sense of community and just appreciate that our local sports do.
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Whitman Athlete of the Week Dan Wilson
Each week the sports staff will pick one Whitman athlete that performed exceptionally in the previous weekend’s games. The distinction will be judged both on the individual’s performance and their impact on the team. With the conference No. 1 seed already wrapped up the week before, the Whitman men’s tennis team had little riding on their match against Pacific Lutheran University last weekend. However, since the last five conference titles have come from either of the two schools, a lot outside of seeding fueled the match. In the end, Whitman beat their primary rivals for the second time this season, 7-2. Junior Dan Wilson keyed Whitman’s victory with an early win at No. 1 doubles along with junior teammate Nadeem
kim
Kassam. The pair have not lost a match all season and their victory against PLU began a Whitman sweep of doubles. Wilson also won his match at No. 2 singles 6-0, 6-4, giving Whitman a 4-1 lead at the time. Junior Jake Cappel clinched the match for Whitman immediately after. by Andy Jobanek
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Whitman College Pio neer
SPORTS
April 16, 2009
New wall instructional Men’s tennis enters conference as well as recreational tourney favored, undefeated ROCK WALL, from back cover Pogue thought to himself, “Wow, we could actually drill holes, put drop-in anchors and put climbing holds onto the wall of Sherwood— wouldn’t that be neat?” Pogue drilled 400 to 500 holes in the wall during his first few years at Whitman, adding one or two new routes every year. Additionally, a quarter of an old racquetball court was converted into a small indoor vertical climbing wall, but was used only by Sports Studies and Recreational Activities (SSRA) classes in inclement weather. When Brien Sheedy became the director of the OP in 2001, he was determined to transform the rockclimbing program. Sheedy purchased a concrete drill and worked tirelessly to improve the existing wall. He replaced 75% of the drop-in anchors on the vertical wall and installed over 3000 new holds on the bouldering wall. He also created new climbing curriculums, adapted the wall to better serve the SSRA climbing classes and added new holds to make the wall more accessible to beginners. The new wall will consist of three parts: a vertical indoor climbing wall, an interior bouldering wall and an exterior bouldering wall. Although students will not have access to the vertical climbing wall after hours the way they did with the old outdoor vertical climbing wall, they will be able to climb year-round, rain or shine. “The facility that we’re going to get is going to meet the needs of all the climbing classes but also allow students to go down there and recreate pretty much whenever the facility is open,” said Sheedy. Although the climbing wall will be open to all Whitman affiliates, rock climbing novices and aficio-
nados alike, it is built with an underlying educational purpose. “We specifically designed certain features into the new facility that will enable us to teach climbing better,” said Sheedy. These features include removable belay ledges that will enable students to practice mock multipitch climbing or rescue systems, along with built-in cracks for teaching crack climbing. “Brien has done a fantastic job of designing [the wall] with the program in mind for teaching climbing,” said Pogue. The extent of the operating hours will depend on the budget, but Sheedy hopes to have the wall open for at least four hours a day during the week and two hours a day during the weekend. The accessibility of the new wall is especially exciting for Whitman climbers, like senior Andy Erickson and junior Lilly Dethier. Both students are avid rock climbers and rock-climbing instructors for SSRA classes. “It’s definitely going to be a lot better than the old climbing wall— for sure,” said junior Lilly Dethier. Furthermore, both students expect that the new wall will spark students’ enthusiasm for rock climbing. “Over the last year, the lack of the climbing wall has really hurt the climbing program. Hopefully with the new wall, [the program] will come back stronger than ever,” said Erickson.
New rock wall The new rock-climbing wall is scheduled to open in the fall. For more information about
the new wall, visit the OP’s rock-climbing Web site at www.whitman.edu/content/ outdoor-program/activities/ climbing
by Andy Jobanek
second time you play them it gets a little closer, the third time they kind Sports Editor of figure out your nuances and how After ripping through the conference you play and what you do, so it’s difregular season undefeated, the Whit- ficult to beat teams three times in a man Men’s Tennis team has only one row,” said Northam. If Whitman wins on Friday, they’ll thing left to do: repeat as Northwest Conference champions. They’ll get advance to the championship game the chance this coming weekend as on Saturday where they’ve faced Pacific Lutheran University each of the past five years. Over that time, Whitman has won two titles versus three for the Lutes. Whitman won both regular season matches between the two teams by scores of 8-1 and 7-2, but the team’s regular season success has not dulled their awareness to their vulnerability in the conference tournament. “It’s just one match so anything can happen,” said No. 1 single and doubles player Etijacobson enne Moshevich. “We just have to No. 1 singles and doubles player Etienne Moshevich, ‘11, missed last season’s conference tournament with a make sure we come shoulder injury. Moshevich went undefeated in conference out strong, excited matches during the regular season. He’ll compete in both and ready to battle, singles and doubles at this weekend’s tournament. and if we do those things, then it will the No. 1 seed entering the confer- be very tough to beat us. I expect whoever we play to come out firing ence tournament. Whitman opens the tournament so we gotta be ready with our AFriday afternoon against the winner game and play aggresively.” An undefeated record heading of the day’s earlier match between Willamette and Whitworth. Whit- into the tournament is not unfamilman swept the season series against iar territory for the Fighting Squirboth teams, winning 9-0 each time rels. Whitman was undefeated enthe teams faced each other. Howev- tering the tournament the previous er, despite the regular season domi- two seasons in addition to this one. nance, Head Coach Jeff Northam is It has not always meant an easy time weary of facing either team a third in the tournament though, as Pacific Lutheran upset them in the final two time this season. “The first time you play some- years ago. Two years later, the team is used body, even if you beat them, the
to being the team everyone else aims to knock off. “All year we’ve been preparing, everyone’s always pumped to play us since it’s a chance to upset the number one team in the conference so we’ve seen a lot of teams get up for us, and so we kind of know what to expect,” said junior Dan Wilson. Coach Northam even leads discussion on the team’s status as favorites in practice. “You’ve got to relish that position of knowing that everyone is going after you,” said Northam. “For the last three years we’ve been in that position and I think it kind of grows on you after a while and it’s kind of a since of pride after time.” Aiding them at the tournament as it has throughout the season will be the team’s depth. With 16 players on the roster, Whitman has had the luxury to rest players battling illness or injury. At Whitman’s final home weekend against Whitworth, the Missionaries rested three normal starters and still won both matches 9-0. “[Our depth] helps a lot, it gives us a lot of possibilities going in, teams don’t know what to prepare for,” said senior Christoph Fuchs. “If we’re missing one or two people, we still have a very strong line up to field.” Asked what he thought was the key factor to another Whitman victory, Coach Northam gave a oneword answer. “Doubles,” he said. “[Doubles] starts the match out and if we get a lead after doubles, it’d be hard to beat this team.” Friday #3 Linfield vs. #6 Puget Sound #4 Willamette vs. #5 Whitworth Later in the day #1 Whitman vs. #4/5 winner #2 PLU vs. #3/6 winner Saturday NWC tournament title match
SPORTS
April 16, 2009
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Get up, get out, jog, bike your way through Walla Walla ROUTES, from back cover
“I enjoy running near Mill Creek because the scenery is pretty and it feels like I am more off campus than if I were to run the golf course loop,” said first-year Alyssa Breetwor. This run has a lot of turns and can be confusing the first time you take it, so it would be smart to go with someone that knows the way there. 4. Bennington Lake: about 10 miles out and back. From the Mill Creek route go over the dam. This leads to a variety of trails, paved and unpaved, that will take you around the lake at various distances. Again, this route can get confusing with multiple paths it offers, so running with a friend for the first time is recommended.
Bike:
1. Cottonwood Loop: approximately 17 miles. Go out Park Street, which turns into Howard after crossing Alder. Howard eventually turns into Cottonwood. Turn right on Foster, and take a right on Reser Road back into town. The ride is mostly flat with a slight incline. This is a good route for people who want to go on a ride that is not too difficult, but still has some distance. The route goes out into the country where there are few cars and pretty mountain views. 2. Milton Freewater Route: approximately 24 miles. Get on Cottonwood in the same way as the Cottonwood Loop. Instead of continuing on Cottonwood, turn a slight right onto Powerline. Eventually turn right at Birch Creek Road, right at Eastside, right at 6th,
right at Freewater, right at Case, over Highway 125, onto Old Milton, and take a right on Plaza back into town. This ride is mostly flat and takes you into the town of Milton Freewater, providing a little more distance than the Cottonwood Loop and a change of scenery. 3. Waitesburg Loop: approximately 40 miles. Take Clintin over Highway 12 onto lower Waitesburg for the majority of the ride. Go across Bulls Road and come back into town on Middle Waitesburg. This ride is good for people who want a good, long ride. The way back into town frequently has a strong headwind. Justin Bannerman from Allegro Cycling recommends this ride. “This ride is lots of fun. It’s hilly and challenging. Walla Walla valley is full of good road rides,” Bannerman
said. 4. Spouts Spring ride: approximately 90 miles. Take Toll Gate Road in Milton Freewater until the Spouts Spring exit. From there the ride takes you uphill into breathtaking scenery. This ride is for the ambitious riders. According to Bannerman, this ride provides great hill climbs into beautiful views similar to the ones seen in The Sound of Music. In late spring and early summer, wildflowers are everywhere. All of these rides take you away from campus and should be ridden with another person unless you are confident in where you are going. Bring a phone in case of emergencies, unforeseen complications or inclement weather.
Seattle Sounders ignite passion, begin season by Noah Moskat Reporter
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Excitement about the team has also moved across the state via Seattle natives and soccer fans here on the Whitman College campus. “I’m thrilled to have an MLS team in Seattle,” said first-year Jeff Gayle in an e-mail, who attended Sounders FC’s first two home games ca
Major League Soccer finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest last month—and in the early stages, things have begun with a bang. In part of a multiyear expansion program, MLS granted the city of Seattle a franchise, which started play when the league’s season opened just a few weeks ago. Its name: Seattle Sounders FC, as chosen through a fan voting process. The new team drew many staff and other resources, as well as the name, from Seattle Sounders, a now-defunct member of the United Soccer League. In just a few weeks, the new Sounders have created quite a buzz. Beside the generous fan support and raucous game crowds, the team has defied expectations on the field, winning each of its first three games without surrendering a single goal.
i n person. “It’s been fun to watch them so far. The games I went to were an absolute blast.” Fans at the team’s home stadium, Qwest field, who have gained a reputation as among the loudest in the nation, have continued this trend for their newest squad. “From the moment the game started to the final whistle everyone was on their feet, yelling and chanting in support of the Sounders,” said Gayle. “The stadium was so loud throughout the game that it was obvious players couldn’t communicate by voice, and they were forced to resort to hand signals and
waving.” Yet despite the highly audible support, the team’s arrival comes at a trying time for the Seattle sports community. Within the past year, the Seattle Mariners finished near the bottom of the league, the Seahawks bottomed out, and the University of Washington football team failed to win a single game. Most notable, however, was the departure of the Seattle SuperSonics basketball franchise to Oklahoma City, Okla. As such, the culmination of these events leave a big hole for Sounders FC to fill. “As much as I love soccer and hope for the Sounders’ success, I doubt they will be able to make people forget about the awful teams we had last year,” Gayle said. But this is not to downplay the team’s promising start, which has generated high hopes for success this year, says Gayle. “I hesitate to predict the future,” Gayle said. “But I am excited about our chances of not only doing better than almost every other expansion team before, but even of contending for the title.” And if the team continues to succeed through its first season, it seems that Seattle soccer fans will be able to expect—and in fact, already do expect—a winner well into the future as well. “I am sure that this year is only the beginning of a long trend of Sounders dominance in the MLS for years to come,” Gayle said.
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April 16, 2009
Men’s lacrosse optimistic about finish of season by Mallory Peterson Associate Sports Editor
With a 4-1 record, the men’s lacrosse team is confident in their abilities as they head into their final two games before the playoffs. The men’s team beat Central Washington 1110 on Saturday, April 11 in Ellensburg, Wash. They will play at home on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19 against rivals Western Washington and Pacific Lutheran. If the team wins all three games, they are guaranteed a first-round bye straight to the Final Four where they lost last year. If they win two of the three games, the team will be in the playoffs. Players attribute some of their success to Head Coach David Schmitz, who grew up in Long Island, N.Y – the lacrosse capital of the United States. Schmitz has been playing lacrosse since high school and has been coaching since 1985. “I like the speed and the combination of skills, physical but also mental,” said Schmitz. Senior David Ogle, one of the team captains, acknowledges Schmitz’s capability as a coach. “He knows what he is doing and he cares for
the team far more than anyone can imagine. It the team you have to trust the other guys on the seems like he is far more invested in the team team as much as you trust yourself.” Ogle, who plans to play in a city league after than us at times,” said Ogle. Schmitz, on the other hand, attributes the graduation, was initially attracted to the ‘fastpaced’ nature of the game. team’s success to their chemistry. “Lacrosse is a good combination of a lot of “Players come from different fraternities and many are independents, but there is no divi- different sports. It is similar to basketball in its sion. They come together very well. They are very supportive,” said Schmitz. “We do get players that have absolutely no experience and the experienced players really help them.” Junior Bidnam Lee, an attackman on the team, attributes good senior leadership and great team dynamics to the success and camaraderie of the team. Team captains include seniors Matt Duncan, Kevin Wilson and Dajacobson vid Ogle. When asked about his favorite Stephen Over, ‘11, and Ben Spencer, ‘10, practice as part of the aspect of lacrosse, Lee said, “the men’s lacrosse team who with two games left in the season can biggest reason is just that it is clinch a spot in the league’s semifinal round with wins in both games. Last year the team made it to the semifinals before losing. such a team sport. To do well on
offensive movement and it’s a contact sport like hockey,” said Ogle. “I play midfield, so I play both offense and defense. I am invested in both.” Schmitz is looking forward to the home games next weekend and eventually, the playoffs. “So far we’ve done well. We can do better, but we’ve done well,” he said. “We started slow which is to be expected, but the team has been working hard and getting a better understanding of what we are trying to do.” Guided by Schmitz and the senior captains, the men’s lacrosse team is highly optimistic about the approaching games, expecting to fare well in the playoffs. Regardless of last year’s success, Schmitz realizes the importance of living in the present. “I don’t believe in rebuilding years; I believe in championships,” said Schmitz. “The fun comes from challenging ourselves. I believe that we should be in the Final Four. It’s a great opportunity to play for the championship and hopefully to play in nationals.”
Women’s tennis prepares for conference tournament by CJ Wisler Reporter
As the very successful season of the Whitman women’s tennis team comes to a close, coach John Hein and the women lay their eyes on the Northwest Conference Tournament. “It’s been a really fun season. We have high expectations and have worked hard to meet them,” said Hein. “We feel good about the work we’ve done, and this season’s lead to this conference. We hope to play our best tennis yet.” “Overall, this season has been really great,” said senior Katie Oost. “I have enjoyed getting to know all the new players, and being their teammate is what I am going to miss most after this year.” Hein feels that this season has focused intently on long-term goals of developing a nationally ranked team and hopes that the conference tournament will further propel the women’s team towards this goal. “I’m excited to see how the team is going to play,” said Hein. “I hope we’ll be able to step it
ability to battle it out with the rivaling teams, up and play. I’m really stoked.” The playoff tournament, which takes place particularly Whitworth and Linfield, who are in Yakima, Wash., is the deciding factor as to seeded respectively at no. 1 and no. 2. “Linfield and Whitman really match up well. which teams will get to go to the regional tourThat’s a tough match,” said Hein. “We’ve been nament. Seeded at No. 3 in conference, the highest really close. We can beat them, and I think we’re since 2007, the girls face a series of challenging ready to. Whitworth’s challenging too, but we hope to make it matches. through to the “The downside is that the Friday, April 17 finals.” first top two seeds get a bye, #3 Whitman vs. #6 Willamette #4 Lewis & Clark vs. #5 Pacific (Ore.) “They [Linso they only have to play two Later in the day field] just matches,” said Hein. “If we #1 Whitworth vs. #4/5 winner barely beat were the two seed, we would #2 Linfield vs. #3/6 winner us during the get a by and only have to play Saturday, April 18 regular season. one of the top two seeds. The NWC tournament title match Both times the upside is we get a warm-up score was 5-4 match, hopefully, since we’ve [in Linfield’s beaten the No. 6 seed. Hopefavor],” said fully that will help us relax Oost. and play some good tennis.” If the women’s team beats Linfield and Whit“We get to play No. 6 seed first, though, instead of the No. 5 we played last year, which worth, the winning teams go to the regional tournament, the first step into the national gives a little advantage,” said Oost. Nevertheless, Hein is confident in his team’s championships. If the women’s team fails to
advance, the top girls will have one more individual tournament. “At least Katie Oost and Elise Otto will attend the tournament,” said Hein. “The rest of the girls will be looking towards next year and seniors will help us prepare for next year.” The conference tournament will take place April 17 through April 18 at the Yakima Tennis Center. Whitman’s first match-up will be against Willamette, seeded at No. 6. Hein hopes to come out strong in the first doubles matches in order to get some energy into the team’s deeper singles lineup. Both the men’s and the women’s team will play in Yakima the same weekend. “This will give both teams a lot of support, because during down time the girls will go support the men’s team, and vice versa,” said Hein. All in all, Hein feels that this season has been quite a success for him and for his team. “It’s been a really great first year for me,” said Hein. “The team has been great. It’s been so fun, and I’m so proud of how the team has done so far.”
SPORTS
April 16, 2009
Lewiston, Idaho Teams Matches Lewis-Clark State (9-9) 9 Whitman College (13-8, 12-4 NWC) 0
SCOREBOARD of the Week
Friday, april 10, 2009 Baseball: George Fox vs Whitman College in Newberg, Ore. Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Whitman (3-20, 2-15 NWC) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 3 George Fox (22-7, 17-3 NWC) 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 X 4 13 0 Pitchers W—Nick Bratney L—Blaine Mercado
IP H R 8.0 13 5 8.0 13 4
ER SO 1 6 3 3
Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Whitman (3-21, 2-16 NWC) 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 7 3 George Fox (23-7, 18-3 NWC) 1 0 4 3 8 4 0 1 X 21 20 0 Pitchers IP H R ER SO W—Shane Dalgleish 5.0 6 2 2 5 L—Calvin Davis 4.0 11 11 7 1
Saturday, april 11, 2009 Baseball: George Fox vs Whitman College in Newberg, Ore. Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Whitman (3-22, 2-17 NWC) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 3 George Fox (24-7, 19-3 NWC) 1 4 1 0 5 3 X 14 13 3
Singles #1: Jamie Chan (Lewis-Clark) def. Hadley DeBree (Whitman) 6-2, 6-1 Doubles #1: Jamie Chan/Kristine Hoang (LewisClark) def. Katie Oost/Divneet Kaur (Whitman) 8-5
Men’s tennis: Whitman College vs Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. Teams Matches Whitman College (22-4, 16-0 NWC) 7 Pacific Lutheran (13-3, 15-9 NWC) 2 Singles #1: Joel Trudel (PLU) def. Chris Bailey (Whitman) 6-2, 6-4 Doubles #1: Justin Hayashi/Dan Wilson (Whitman) def. Joel Trudel/Justin Peterson (PLU) 8-5
Men’s golf: NWC Three-Way at Canyon Lakes GC in Kennewick, WA Top Whitman Finishers (par 72): Brian Barton (83) Steve Campbell (84) John Abercrombie (87) Paul De Barros (91) Noah Jolley (95) David DeVine (97) Team: 1. Pacific 2. Whitworth 3. Whitman
Total Scores 327 335 345
Pitchers IP H R ER SO W—Mark Putney 7.0 5 1 0 6 L—Pete Stadmeyer 5.0 10 11 3 2 Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Whitman (3-23, 2-18 NWC) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 George Fox (25-7, 20-3 NWC) 0 2 3 0 0 1 X 6 7 0 Pitchers IP H W—Jeremy Cheney 7.0 5 L—Peter Olson 6.0 7
R 0 6
ER SO 0 2 6 1
Women’s tennis: Lewis-Clark State vs Whitman College in
SCHEDULE for Next Week
Friday, april 17, 2009 Women’s Tennis: NWC Women’s Tennis Championships; Match 2: No. 3 Whitman vs. No. 6 Willamette at Yakima, Wash. Tennis Center, 12 p.m. Game Notes: The Whitman women begin the conference tournament against a team they beat twice during the regular season, 7-2 and 6-3. If the Missionaries make it past Willamette,
then they’ll face Linfield, who, as the No. 2 seed, received a first round bye. Whitman lost to Linfield 5-4 both times the teams faced each other. Last year, Whitman faced Willamette in the first round, beating them 5-2 before losing 7-2 to No. 1 Linfield. Men’s Tennis: NWC Men’s Tennis Championships; Semifinal: No. 1 Whitman vs. No. 4/5 (Winner match 1) at Yakima, Wash. Tennis Center, 12:30 p.m. Game Notes: The Whitman Men will face Whitworth or Willamette, who play each other earlier the same day. Whitman beat both teams twice during the regular season, both times by a score of 9-0. Last year, Whitman beat Willamette in the semifinals, 6-3. No. 1 singles player Etienne Moshevich did not play in the tournament last year due to a shoulder injury, but will play in this year’s tournament.
Saturday, april 18, 2009 Men’s Golf: NWC Northern Colleges Spring Tourney (Men) at Apple Tree GC, Yakima, Wash. Game Notes: After taking third in a three-way tournament between Pacific, Whitworth and themselves, the Missionaries head into their last tournament before the conference final. Currently tied for seventh place in the conference, Whitman wasn’t too far from first-place Pacific and fourth-place Whitworth at the threeway tournament, losing by 18 and 10 strokes respectively. Whitman will face Whitworth again in this tournament along with PLU and UPS. This tournament does not count toward the final conference standings so no matter how Whitman fares, they’ll still be tied for seventh afterwards. Baseball: Pacific Lutheran University versus Whitman College (two 9 inning games) at Borleske Stadium, 12 p.m. Game Notes: Pacific Lutheran sits a half game out of second place in conference with a record of 17-5. After two straight weekend sweeps, Whitman has fallen back into the cellar at 2-17. PLU split both of their series against conference-leading George Fox, the team that just swept the Missionaries, and second place Linfield. The Lutes have four players batting over .400, including three of the top ten batters in the conference. In comparison, Whitman’s top hitter, Erik Korsmo, is hitting .403. It’s been over ten years since Whitman has had a hitter finish above .400. The closest anyone has come recently was when current Assistant Coach Sean Kinney hit .396 during the 2004 season.
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Men’s Tennis: NWC Men’s Tennis Championships; Title Match, Yakima, Wash. Tennis Center, 12 p.m. Game Notes: If the men’s tennis team defeats the winner of the no. 4/5 match on Friday, then they’ll advance to the title match where they’ve been for the past five years. Over that time, they’ve only won two titles, but will enter as the clear favorites this year. Their likely opponent be Pacific Lutheran, who’s been in the title match against Whitman each of those five years, winning the other three. Whitman beat PLU twice during the regular season, but two years ago, they swept them in the regular season and PLU upset them in the finals. Last year, Whitman swept them again and beat them in the finals, so the match could go either way in the tournament. Women’s Golf: NWC Northern Colleges Spring Tourney (Women) at Apple Tree GC, Yakima, Wash., 12 p.m. Game Notes: The women’s golf team, like the men, face PLU, UPS and Whitworth in their final tournament before the conference tournament. Whitworth and UPS, Nos. 1 and 2 in the Northwest Conference respectively, are the clear favorites for the tournament. At the other end, PLU is just above Whitman in seventh place, while Whitman is in eighth, only above Lewis & Clark, who has not fielded a team for the two counting events so far. This will only be the third tournament the women’s team has participated in this year and the first against PLU. Women’s Tennis: NWC Men’s Tennis Championships; Title Match, Yakima, Wash. Tennis Center, 12 p.m. Game Notes: If Whitman wins in the first round and then makes it past Linfield on Friday, they will most likely face No. 1 seeded Whitworth in the title match. Whitworth swept through the conference regular season, completing a perfect 16-0 record. Their closest matches were 7-2 decisions, one of which was against Whitman on April 5. They were ranked 31st nationally as of March 17.
Sunday, april 19, 2009 Baseball: Pacific Lutheran University versus Whitman College (two 7 inning games) at Borleske Stadium, 12 p.m. Scoreboard and Schedule courtesy of Dave Holden, Sports Information Director
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Climbing wall to open in fall 2009 by Elana Congress Reporter
Next fall, Whitties will lose one more excuse to avoid exercise. The new rock climbing wall, housed in Sherwood Athletic Center, will open in the fall—just in time to strengthen students and faculty members for the new school year. “I’ve been kind of a slug lately,” admitted geology professor Kevin Pogue, a devoted rock climber who uses climbing to stay in shape. Demolition of the old rockclimbing wall, located on the south side of Sherwood Athletic Center, began in the summer of 2008. Andy Dappen, a 1976 Whitman graduate and the first OP Coordinator, built the original rock-climbing wall—a bouldering wall—in
the 1980s. The bouldering wall consisted of a hodgepodge of granite, chipped rock-climbing holds and metal bolted onto the exterior south side of Sherwood. Once Pogue arrived in 1990, the bouldering wall developed into a vertical rock-climbing wall. (Bouldering is rock climbing without ropes). Pogue had just completed graduate school at Oregon State University, where he worked as the coordinator for the indoor climbing center for a year and spent much of his time constructing a climbing wall. “And so when I came to Whitman and saw the traverse wall,” Pogue said, “I realized that there was a lot that could be done to upgrade it.” Reflecting on the possibilities, ROCK WALL, see page 28
caption courtesy of outdoor program
An artist’s rendition of what the new rock climbing wall will look like, which will be available to students at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year. The wall will consist of three parts: an interior bouldering wall, an exterior bouldering wall and a vertical indoor climbing wall. In addition, the new wall will be open to students year-round.
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Jogging, biking routes in Walla Walla community c o m m e n ta r y
by Shannon Buckham Reporter
Run:
kim
Janelle Peterson, ‘11, and other Whitman joggers can choose from a plethora of different routes in and around Walla Walla. Cyclists at Whitman are not at a loss for routes around campus either, although the generally flat Walla Walla does not offer many challenging nearby hills to climb.
1. Pioneer Park: three-plus miles depending on how many times you run around the park. Run up Boyer, turn left on Division and run until you hit the park. This is a good run for people who do not want to go on a really long run, but just want to enjoy a nice jog. 2. Golf Course Loop: about six miles. Run past Baker Ferguson Fitness Center and Tamarack House toward the track. From the track, follow the road underneath the highway, and then take a right up the hill that takes you to
the golf course. You can run around the course in either direction depending on the desired distance. 3. Mill Creek Route: about six miles. Run up Boyer, turn left at Blue Street, left at Francis, left at Roosevelt, left at Alder, and a slight right at Tausick Way. A left on Reservoir Road will take you around Mill Creek. The trail takes you over a bridge and eventually onto a bike path, which connects to Blue Road and takes a right back to Boyer.
ROUTES, see page 29