WKU Housing Guide

Cover Models: Yellow Room: Emma Watson and Honey, Red Room: Adin Parks, Green Room: Rafael Teodoro da Silva, Blue Room: Emma Carlton and Elizabeth Cheshire

The Pros and Cons of Having a Pet on Campus

Imagine coming home from a long day of classes to find a pet waiting at the door. A little companion to keep a student company on stressful days: Who could ask for more?

What exactly is a student getting into when they bring an animal to campus? Sure a student can get a companion to experience all of their new adventures with, but taking care of an animal is a lot of work. Some students might even ask if it’s worth it.

Students should know exactly what they’re getting into when they bring a pet on campus.

Allie Newman, a sophomore from Sebree, owns a fish named Fred. “I love having my fish — it’s fun to watch him swim around, and they are so pretty to look at,” Newman said.

It can also be tedious and hard work to take care of a fish, Newman said.

“You have to constantly clean the water bowl for the fish so that they can stay healthy,” Newman said. “Also, trying to drive home with an open fish bowl in your car is the worst.”

While a fish may be less of a hassle to take care of, some students have cats on campus.

Whitney Sanders, a freshman from Mammoth Cave, is the owner of a tabby kitten named Hoss.

Hoss is a good kitten who is well behaved most of the time, Sanders said.

“While it’s great to have a buddy, they take a lot of time to take care of, especially if you have a kitten,” Sanders said. “It’s honestly like having a newborn. They bite; they cry, but in the long run, it’s worth it.”

Callison Padgett, a freshman from Verona, has a kitten named Peri.

“Having Peri on campus means that I always get to have someone there for

Story by Emma Dock | Photos by Garrett Woodrum

Verona freshman Callison Padgett’s cat, Peri, wakes up on her roommate’s bed. “He’s my cat, but he is not confined to my side at all, sometimes people just take him to hang out in their rooms,” Padgett said.

me no matter what,” Padgett said. “Peri is literally one of my best friends, and getting to have him with me just makes me more comfortable while I’m four hours away from home.”

Padgett said that having a cat helped with her anxiety and stress.

“The only downside that I know of is that I feel really bad when I have a long day and I’m not able to be home with him,” Padgett said.

Owning a pet while being on campus has its upsides and its downsides. They can be stressful, and getting permission to have the pet on campus can be long.

To get an animal on campus, they have to be registered as an emotional support animal or a service animal. To get them registered, a student will need to complete an application through the Student Accessibility Resource Center. This includes why a student will need the animal and a note from a licensed professional saying that they need one.

In the end, however, a student will be able to have a little companion to experience this new part of their life with.

Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your new best friend.

Peri the cat shows off his “I heart my mommy” sweater to his owner, Callison Padgett.

Sander’s cat, Hoss, eats from his bowl placed by the door for easy cleaning.

Hoss creeps out of his crate after a nap inside of owner Whitney Sanders’ dorm home.

Dorm Room Alternatives

Interviews by Chloe Sharp | Illustrations by Abby Neltner

“I really wanted a dog, but you cannot have an animal in the dorms unless it’s a service or emotional support animal, so instead I got a fish named Bella.”

- Izzy Lanuza, Junior, Chattanooga, Tenn.

“I share a communal shower in the dorms, and I don’t like dirt, so I place a yoga mat down on the floor since we can’t have our own shower rug.”

- KC Ciresi, Sophomore, Louisville

“Because candles aren’t allowed in the dorm, I prefer to use room spray. I can still enjoy the effects of a candle, without actually having a candle!”

- Kathryn Klassen, Sophomore, Santa Clarita, Calif.

Your Space, Your Way

For most WKU students, the transition to the Hill is often the first time they have moved away from home and now have the option to take their own creative liberties.

This new chapter may be daunting, but setting up a new space does not have to be, as interior design faculty and students share a few tips.

When beginning the process of moving into a new space, make sure to plan wisely, said Sheila Flener, an interior design professor at WKU. “Spend money on quality items that you envision having for a long time,” Flener said. “Try not to add to disposable culture.”

When working with a small student budget, Flener recommends buying secondhand pieces from places such as thrift stores, vintage shops and Facebook marketplace.

Lexington junior Kennedy Gayheart lives in an off-campus apartment with three roommates and brought in secondhand items to complete her space.

“I got my nightstand from my sister that she used in college. I also got my desk for $20 off the WKU Sorority Swap Facebook page,” Gayheart said. “I tried to bring the most affordable things I could and not splurge because it is just a college apartment.”

Flener recommended that a good interior design style should outlast trends and that the biggest common mistake she sees students make is being too trendy, like the farmhouse style.

“Joanna Gaines has made money off her style,” Flener said. “I just have to ponder if people in 10 years will be sending shiplap to landfills.”

Casey Eberhard is a senior interior design major from Evansville. Eberhard warns that people should avoid decorating their space to please other people.

Story by Chloe Sharp | Photos by Rhett Helland

Kennedy Gayheart shows off her room and how she efficiently utilizes her space while keeping the feeling of home.

Paint samples hang in the interior design materials closet in Academic Complex.

“In reality, you’re going to be spending the most time there,” Eberhard said.

Flener and Eberhard discussed the importance of avoiding buying into micro-trends and how this will lead to saving money in the long run.

“Everyone’s design inspiration and style are different and unique in their own way and eventually become a reflection of themselves,” Gayheart said.

Gayheart discussed how she incorporated different decorations to represent various aspects of her life.

“I have some Disney decor in my room because I just came back from doing the Disney College Program this past semester,” Gayheart said. “I also have photos of my family as well to remind me of home.”

Bringing items from home to decorate a new space can also help to prevent the homesickness some students may experience while away at college, Gayheart said.

Eberhard discussed how the most important part of setting up a new space is to prioritize organization.

Student dorms and apartments are not the roomiest, to say the least. This means that finding space-saving organization hacks will allow all of the space to be utilized, Eberhard said.

“Stacking items for under-the-bed organization can help to utilize space efficiently,” Eberhard said.

Gayheart said she has been able to save space in her closet with a hanger that can hold multiple pairs of pants to take up less space on her closet rod.

“Everyone’s design inspiration and style are different and unique in their own way and eventually become a reflection of themselves.”

-Kennedy Gayheart

Gayheart displays and organizes memorabilia on a bookshelf in her bedroom.

An easy way to save even more space is by giving a piece multiple purposes, Gayheart said. She has a storage cube she bought at Target that can also function as a chair and a step stool.

Interior design is not just how a space is decorated. Eberhard said how most people often confuse interior design with interior decorating.

“We are more like interior architects in that we learn how to space plan, and we get to choose where walls go, where appliances go, etc.,” Eberhard said.

“Monitoring a carbon footprint plays a big role in designing a new space as well,” Eberhard said. “In interior design, we must look into the environmental impact of products as they break down over time to ensure we are using materials that aids in reducing our carbon footprint.”

Designing a new space can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be with these helpful tips. As Flener said, interior design doesn’t have to be backed by a big budget or tons of experience, it just needs a personal touch.

Evansville senior Casey Eberhard works on a furniture plan using the software Autodesk Revit in her interior design class.

Taco Salad Recipe

COOK TIME FROM START TO FINISH

30 minutes makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 avocado

1 teaspoon lime juice

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 head iceberg or romaine lettuce

3 tablespoons cilantro

1/3 cup white onion

2 roma tomatoes

1 jalapeño pepper

1 cup canned black beans

1 cup canned whole kernel corn

1 1/2 cups shredded mexican cheese blend

3/4 cup sour cream

4 oz tortilla chips

Quick? Check. Easy? Check. Nutritious? Check. This taco salad recipe is customizable for students in need of a homemade meal or a meal prep option for on the go.

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

1. Using a knife, slice the avocado in half lengthwise, remove the pit and scoop the rest into a small bowl. Add lime juice and salt. Use the back of a fork to mash it and mix ingredients. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and set aside.

2. Rinse and chop the lettuce, cilantro, onions and tomatoes. Set aside.

3. Cut off the jalapeño’s stem and slice in half, lengthwise. Remove the seeds and dice.

4. Drain and heat the black beans and corn, following directions on each can.

5. Optional: Season and prepare a protein of your choice.

Assemble the Salad

1. Add a base of lettuce to serving plates or a large salad bowl.

2. Mix in black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, jalapeño pepper, onions, cilantro and cheese.

3. Top with the mashed avocado mixture then add a dollop of sour cream to each serving.

4. Sprinkle with tortilla chips and serve!

Photo by Emma Bayens

Basic Kitchen Supplies

A student’s first apartment can come with a few lifestyle changes, including a need for often forgotten kitchen supplies. These basic kitchen supplies could help even a novice chef’s cooking pan out.

Pack a snack in a lunchbox to stay energized between classes.

Efficiency is key when it comes to healthy snacking.

Measuring Cups

Curb those latenight cravings by scooping up some ice cream.

Measuring cups are a necessity for following delicious recipes.

Slice it. Dice it. Cube it. Mince it.

They don’t all come with pop-tops.

Can Opener Knife & Cutting Board

Text by Emma Bayens | Photos by Hydia Jackson

Lunchbox

Apple Slicer

Ice cream Scooper

Cleaner vs Cleanest

Story by Emma Dock | Illustrations by Nicole Johnson

When students become roommates, they need to learn a variety of things about each other. What are their likes and dislikes? How do they feel about company? And, most importantly, how often do they clean?

It’s important for both students to be on the same page when it comes to how often they should clean, whose turn it is to do a certain chore and what cleaning supplies they have to buy.

Alexis Stroh and Cylie Vaughn have known each other since high school and went from being close friends to living in extremely close quarters.

“We already knew each other which helped a lot,” Stroh, a freshman from Payneville, said.“We didn’t have to play that whole ‘get to know your roommate’ game.”

Because of the adjustment of lifestyle, they needed to figure out each other’s boundaries.

“While we knew each other separately, we needed to figure out what it was like to live with each other,” Vaughn, a freshman from Ekron, said.

That’s not the only thing they had to figure out. When it comes to cleaning, both girls have their own thoughts on how they should clean.

“Cylie definitely cleans more,” Stroh said. “I’m not a neat freak, and I usually just leave things lying around. Cylie is definitely cleaner than I am, but I do my part to keep the dorm clean.”

While Stroh does what she can, Vaughn agrees that she is cleaner than her roommate.

“I like to keep my space clean and organized. It gives me more space in such a cramped room,” Vaughn said.

While they have different cleaning methods, both girls agree it’s important to have essential cleaning supplies.

“I have to have a broom — the floor needs to be swept constantly,” Stroh said. “I’m also thinking about buying a mop soon to help clean the floor.”

Vaughn also had her own list of cleaning supplies.

“Disinfectant wipes are a must,” Vaughn said. “We wipe the desks every day. It helps keep everything clean and nice. We also use Lysol to help clean as well.”

While both girls clean differently, they both agree that cleaning is something students have to do. Anyone who moves into a new space, a dorm, an apartment or a house should know how often they need to clean and what they should clean with.

Crossword Puzzle

Fun Page

At the Movies

Variety Trivia

1. What is the only Best Picture Oscar without any female speaking roles?

1. What is the only Best Picture Oscar without any female speaking roles?

(a) All the Kings Men (b) Lawrence of Arabia

(c) Midnight Cowboy

(a) All the Kings Men (b) Lawrence of Arabia (c) Midnight Cowboy

2. Who starred in the movie that won the most Razzie awards in history?

2. Who starred in the movie that won the most Razzie awards in history?

(a) Adam Sandler (b) Sylvester Stallone

(a) Adam Sandler (b) Sylvester Stallone (c) Arnold Schwarzenegger

(c) Arnold Schwarzenegger

3. Before become an A-list actor, Kevin Costner played a dead person in what film?

3. Before becoming an A-list actor, Kevin Costner played a dead person in what film?

(a) Texas Chain Saw Massacre (b) Beetlejuice

(a) Texas Chain Saw Massacre (b) Beetlejuice (c) The Big

(c) The Big Chill

4. What actor was the voice of Ken in Toy Story 3?

(a) George Clooney (b) Michael Keaton (c) Christian Bale

4. What actor was the voice of Ken in Toy Story 3?

5. Who was originally offered the role of Captain Jack Sparrow Pirates of the Caribbean?

(a) George Clooney (b) Michael Keaton

(c) Christian Bale

(a) Ben Stiller (b) Robin Williams (c) Jim Carrey

6. What country produces the most movies in the world?

(a) India (b) United States (c) China

5. Who was originally offered the role of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean?

(a) Ben Stiller (b) Robin Williams (c) Jim Carrey

7. What fiction character has been depicted by the most actors

(a) Dracula (b) Sherlock Holmes (c) James Bond

6. What country produces the most movies in the world?

8. Who is the only actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a Wars film?

(a) India (b) United States (c) China

(a) Carrie Fisher (b) Harrison Ford (c) Alec Guinness

9. What was Buzz Lightyear's original name?

7. What fiction charater has been depicted by the most actors?

(a) Cosmo Carl (b) Lunar Larry (c) Astro Pete

10. What horror movie was filmed in eight days?

(a) Dracula (b) Sherlock Holmes (c) James Bond

(a) The Blair Witch Project (b) The Ring (c) The Bad Seed

8. Who is the only actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a Star Wars film?

(a) Carrier Fisher (b) Harrison Ford

(c) Alec Guinness

9. What was Buzz Lightyear’s original name?

(a) Cosmo Carl (b) Lunar Larry (c) Astro Pete

10. What horror movie was filmed in eight days?

(a) The Blair Witch Project (b) The Ring

(c) The Bad Seed

Sudoku

Love Is Strange

By: Mickey & Sylvia

Dinner Party Playlist Dinner Party Playlist

Burning

By: Maggie Rogers

A Sunday Kind Of Love

By: Etta James

Fly Me To The Moon

By: Frank Sinatra

Cherry Thrill

By: Movements

A-Punk

By: Vampire Weekend

2011

By: 5 Seconds Of Summer

Until I Found You

By: Stephen Sanchez & Em Beihold

On An Evening In Roma

By: Dean Martin

Dinner is served. Dinner is served.

Golden Days

By: Whitney

Deja Vu

By: Olivia Rodrigo

Twenty Something

By: Nightly

Epilogue

By: Justin Hurwitz

Kentucky

By: Hippo Campus

Illustrations by Nicole Johnson