is issue: A Trip to The Man

In th From the Scholarship

Israel President Behind the Assistance
Part one of WSU-V
student Byron Nalos’ Student Elections are Events Tips on how to make
paying tuition less painful;
month long coming up; short Neil Gregory reveals what
descriptions of job techniques for earning the
back-packing trip it’s really like to plan the scholarships you apply for
through Israel duties available recreation activities
Page 7 Page 4 Page 11 Page 8

Washington State University Vancouver February 9, 2009 Issue 11 www.vancougar.com

Board of Regents meet at WSU Vancouver

President Floyd reports on Governor Gregoire proposed that WSU could give their
take a 12% budget cut ($31 million). suggestions on
major financial cutbacks Meanwhile, the Senate has suggested potential solutions
By Jake Kleinschmidt that the budget should receive an 18% for the budget cuts.
The VanCougar bi-annual reduction in the WSU budget. Out of about 500
Over 2 years, $94 million would be recommendations
Imagine a group of tribes during cut. The House has not spoken on the they took the top
a time of hardship on their lands, the issue of WSU budget cutting. 10 and researched
chiefs and leaders of all the tribes Gregoire has been cutting WSU’s their possible
conglomerating together in one great budget since October. The Governor outcomes.
meeting to discuss what they are going had WSU return $10.47 million The Board of
to do to survive the rainy season. That during that month, and President Regents greatly
is basically quintessential of what Floyd had 66% of the “10.5” come emphasized that
the main focus was at the board of out of administration. Floyd said that all precautions
regents meeting of the 29th and 30th his office can now be seen with a are research and
of January. bell labeled “Please ring if you need experimentation,
The meeting contained a review assistance.” that neither the
of the activities and funding that WSU has been conducting 12% or 18%
was provided from different groups. “exercises” on the possible situations budget cuts are
Remarkably our largest amount of funds that could come solid numbers
was given to us
from Europe “Even during these difficult rout with fiscally
esponsible
and that any real President Floyd headed the Regents meeting on January 29 and 30.
numbers are still
totalling during these difficult financial times,
$ 5 0 , 2 2 6 , 0 0 0 . financial times, WSU will not and a careful
o u t c o m e s up in the air.
Later in the meeting, ASWSUV WSU will not compromise the quality
Though WSU compromise the quality of assessment of President Peter Sterr present the status of education you receive” said Floyd.
has received of WSU-V’s development. Sterr stated There is a commitment made to
support and is education you receive.” the potential
consequences that the campus is experiencing rapid sustaining regular programs, and to
requesting aid could be of that decision. In the growth and the culture of WSU-V is ensure current plans are fulfilled,
from the stimulus package, it is likely meantime, a hiring freeze has been expanding. Representation of student according to Floyd.
that WSU will have to make some enacted stopping the hiring of any interests is a “fundamental duty of In essence, we don’t know anything
adjustments for upcoming budget faculty; however it was pressed that elected officials” said Sterr. The focus for certain. However we can rest
cuts. they are committed to maintaining overall was the empowerment of assured that they have put diligent
There have been two or three current enrollment and employment. students. time and effort into preventing any
possible budget cuts that WSU will During their study of the budget The VanCougar had a chance to impact the students will feel from the
have to find a way to compensate for. they launched a web page where people speak with President Floyd. “Even budget cuts.

“Undercats” competing in national sales competition

Three WSU-V students head you can’t even imagine,” and must be
overcome in a very specific way.
to national competition “Three rounds, and it gets more
By Michael Hatch intense as you go,” says Castaneda,
ManagIng eDITor “and the first round will really just be
On February 26, students from an elimination. I have a feeling all three
across North America will test their of us will make it past the first round.”
selling skills in one-on-one role play Throughout the role play, judges
challenges. A three-day event hosted will take note of any faults in the
by The Center for Professional Selling competitors procedure.
in Atlanta, the National Collegiate WSU-V won first and second place
Sales Competition (NCSC) brings at the 2007 NCSC. “We snatched [the
together the best college-level sales trophy] out from beneath the noses of
and business students to participate all these ivy league schools,” Castaneda
in three mock sales call rounds. Each says. “Washington State University
competitor acts as a representative for a Vancouver, of all places; not even the
real-world company, attempting to sell Pullman campus.”
the product to, or at least get a second “This year it’s even more against
appointment with, the buyer. us, so we’re really going in as the
After two qualifier competitions, undercats,” Castaneda says, noting that
Washington State Chris Plouffe,
University this who previously
year is sending “If [the professors at WSU-V] acted as coach
three students to ever initially got into teaching for WSU-V
the competition, competitors in the
all of which are with the idea of changing NCSC, has left NCSC competitors Jonathan Tharp, Jason West, Chuck Pickett (their coach), and Bobby Castaneda
WSU. Plouffe, he
from WSU-V: someone’s life, they have says, “knew this software people, none of us, it’s a little very tightly and they’re going to be
Bobby Castaneda intimidating to sell this product.” pulling out all the stops to try and
and Jonathan done so for me.” thing inside and A major reason for enthusiasm get us to stumble,” says Castaneda.
Tharp for the out, and is very surrounding the NCSC, Castaneda “There are a number of schools that
undergraduate division and Jason West competitive.” says, is the number of big-name are being turned away because the
for the graduate division. Chuck Pickett is now acting as their sponsors it has. Last year’s competition is completely full.”
“It’s all role play but it’s an intense coach and, according to Castaneda, “is competition attracted sponsors Recalling winning first place at the
competition.” says Castaneda, who quickly making himself familiar with such as Liberty Mutual, State Farm WSU qualifier, Castaneda expressed
took first place at the WSU Qualifier everything.” Insurance, AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, his gratitude to his professors at
on December 5. “You only have 20 This year, competitors must learn Verizon, and UPS. “They’re WSU-V. “If they ever initially
minutes to have some sort of success.” about and try to sell a data management volunteering their time just for the got into teaching with the idea of
During each round, the competitor software suite from one of the opportunity to meet us,” he says. “but changing someone’s life they have
is given the objective to identify three competition’s prominent sponsors, Net more importantly, they are genuinely done so for me, and I thank them
needs and to overcome three objections Suite. and really making a difference in for that. I was completely hopeless.
their buyer has. These “road blocks,” “We have to learn the product; their community.” Nobody would hire me. I didn’t have
according to Castaneda, can be anything not completely, but we have to know “The big cats are going to be the right degree; and now, I am more
“from age to expertise to price to things enough,” says Castaneda, “so not being there. They’re going to be judging hopeful than I have ever been.”
2 The VanCougar
The VanCougar
www.vancougar.com
The VanCougar is a student-run newspaper
serving the students, faculty and staff of
WSU Vancouver. Copies of The VanCougar
are available, free of charge, every other
Monday during the school year.
Editor-in-Chief
Katie Wells
Managing Editor
Michael Hatch
Advisor
Dean Baker
Assistant Editor
Collin Rickman
Copy Editor
Kati Hughes
Arts & Culture Editor
Jake Kleinschmidt
Sports & Rec Editor
Erik Cummings
Ad Manager
Dan Rauchenstein
Staff Writers & Photographers
Rosann Bartel, Matt Hunter, Louise
Wynn, Hannah Walker, Shane Monroe,
Danielle Mosier, Isaac Madsen, Matthew
Wright, Greg Zschomler, Lori Fischer,
Mark Medina, Christina Frye, Matthew
South, Charis Jensen, Perry Miller, Adam
Fox, Dale Flamm, Joseph Creager,
Erik Jutila, Alexandria Denny, Dillon
Stiffler, Erik Beaulieu, René Fragall, Eric
Eccleston, Spring Atkinson, and Sheryl
Kennon
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EDITORIAL
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START TAking chARge.
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There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong. Enroll in the Army ROTC
Leader’s Training Course at WSU and you will be ready for life after
college. Because when you attend this 4-week leadership
development course, you will take on new challenges and
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To get started, contact CPT Lontai
or email: lontai@up.edu.
PAID LEADER TRAINING SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR WSU STUDENTS!
COMPLETE THE LEADER'S TRAINING COURSE! EARN A FULL TUITION AND FEES SCHOLARSHIP!
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©2008. paid for by the united States Army. All rights reserved.
“There are two body’s physical response
to something that should be
types of speakers” cared about. Nervousness
can be alleviated by
Lewisville Regional my summer days than “..those that are nervous
and those that are liars.”
taking the attention off
Lewisville. yourself, and focusing
Park: it may be old, Still today, the 79 year claimed Mark Twain, and on your audience. Unless
but it’s still active old regional park holds he wasn’t too far off. Public you are the topic of the
many attractions to locals. speaking is the number one presentation, you are just a
Located off of Lewisville fear in America, beating conduit for information.
The other day I woke up Highway in Battle Ground, fear of death which is
after a good seven hours While this is the most
this park features hiking ranked number seven. obvious tip, it is also the
of sleep and noticed that trail, 13 picnic areas, a large Public speaking is a
it was extremely sunny most commonly unheeded:
swimming hole, a boat huge part of the business practice, practice,
outside. I couldn’t stop launch, tennis courts and a and academic worlds,
thinking about the summer practice.
sports field. Lewisville park and it becomes more and After understanding
and the many hours I’d sits on 154 acres of land more necessary with every
spend outside swimming that nervousness is
which is more than enough step towards a successful caused primarily by
and laying in the sun. As to entertain a large group of career.
the day went on, I started being confronted by an
friends or family. Speaking in front of unfamiliar situation, the
to remember the times Since the park is open to a group of strangers, or next logical step is to
when I was younger that I the public, there are a few confronting any situation
would spend the day down make it a familiar one.
rules there. Unleashed pets, that is unfamiliar to us, our Have your presentation
at Lewisville Park with my horses, fires, camping and animilistic instinct of fight ready ahead of time and
aunt. Lewisville Regional alcohol are not allowed. or flight kicks in.
Park was absolutely practice it as you would
If you’ve never been there It is that feeling of in front of your audience.
amazing when I was little. before, I highly suggest nervousness, however, that
There was a semi-quick Even having a one-person
checking out this site. can make the difference audience will mimic the
river to swim in, a forest to Activities here could easily between keeping your
hike through and acres of effects of stage fright
fill up an entire hot, summer audience engaged and enough to desensitize your
bright green grass to play day; maybe even a warm creating the dreaded sea of
on. There was no place tendency to want to run off
day in February. stares. stage.
I’d rather be spending Nerves are, after all, a
OPINION February 9, 2009 3
The Sluice Box But who really was Chambers? troubled time. It was as part of the
Who was this fat, sweaty little man underground that Chambers met
who the world in 1948 knew only as Alger Hiss.
than ten years, Chambers saw the
real dangers of the ideology. As
he points out in the introduction to
Witness: An Immortal the senior editor of Time Magazine? However, Chambers came to the book, the ex-communist is very
Born in 1901 to a seemingly normal realize that communism inevitably rare-“an index to the power of the
Book for a Mortal Time middle class family, Chambers grew led to totalitarianism. As a member vision and the power of the crises.”
acutely aware that the world was of the underground, he could feel Ironically, this brave man did not
By Matt Hunter
The VanCougar
crumbling. As a child, he was aware the earth shake under the foot of live to see the respect he deserved
of the extremely unhappy marriage Stalin as he stomped all opposition. for his actions. Despite very
There are always certain books of his parents, who eventually The book describes how unfaithful convincing evidence, the media and
that gain immortality. Long after separated. He saw the old mores members of the party would the American elite largely sided
the authors have past away, these of society crumbling as modernity disappear, never to be seen again. with Hiss during the trials, branding
books survive, as relevant today as overcame them. When Chambers as a homosexual and a
the day they were written. Witness he was a young man, “Thus began one of the most fraud. It was not until 1995 that
by Whittaker Chambers fits this his brother committed important and controversial trials coded Russian transcripts from
description. First published in suicide, overcome by the the Cold War revealed that Hiss
1952, it is a detailed autobiography meaninglessness of life. in American history- was passing information to the
of a most extraordinary and Chambers joined the the Hiss Case. “ Kremlin.
controversial man. American Communist Witness is more than an
But who was Chambers? Party in 1925, believing that Chambers determined he would autobiography. It is more than
Americans came to know him communism might be able to bring break with the underground. an account of a famous trial. It
suddenly in 1948 when he was some sanity to the world. He married Knowing that he would be killed is a moving story of a tragic and
summoned to testify before the a member of the Party and became if caught, Chambers and his family wonderful soul. I can assure you that
House Committee on un-American a high ranking writer for the Daily disappeared into hiding for some you will not come away from this
Activities. His accusation was Worker: an American Communist years. He believed that he had beautiful book unmoved. In a time
incredible: Alger Hiss-respected paper. He would later be selected left the winning side for the losing when socialism is again on the rise,
lawyer, bureaucrat, and one of the to enter the underground in the side, but he felt a duty to fight the memory of the dangers of such
founders of the United Nations-had 30s to collect information about against communism despite the systems is even more important.
been a communist spy during the the United States government for consequences. It is vital that we understand why
30s. Thus began one of the most the Soviet Union. Witness reveals Chambers’ reason for writing some of the strongest believers in
important and controversial trials the sheer number of bureaucrats in Witness was to reveal communism communism rejected it and turned
in American history-the Hiss Case. the Federal government that were as he had experienced it. Having against it so vehemently.
involved in espionage during that believed it so fervently for more

weren’t around for the 1980 Mt. Hel-

Why Do You Ask? ens eruption, you’ve probably heard
about 83 year old Harry Truman, who Man on the Street
What’s your issue? got his 15 minutes of fame by refus-
ing to leave his home. He apparently
thought the eruption would be a slow Why did you watch the Super Bowl?
By Louise Wynn
The VanCougar oozing of lava that would give the Na-
tional Guard time to rescue him in a By Jake Kleinschmidt
Did you know there’s a volcano (Re- helicopter at the last minute. His body The VanCougar
doubt) in Alaska that’s getting ready ended up 150 feet under the current
to blow its top? Do you spend much Spirit Lake, along with his pink Cadil-
time worrying about this? Maybe you lac and 16 cats.
should. In 1990, the last time Redoubt Sometimes I worry that our whole
erupted, a passenger jet 150 miles away country is acting like Harry Truman.
lost all four engines. The pilots of KLM “No,” we say, “I’ve lived this way for
Flight 867 eventually restarted the en- umpteen years, and I haven’t died yet.
gines and landed safely. This time, the And anyway there’s plenty of time, and
Federal Aviation Administration has somebody’s going to figure out how to
issued a temporary flight restriction, save us.” This attitude ranks right up Katie Spring Atkinson
from ground level to 60,000 feet, for a there with “luck” for lameness. Biology DTC
10-mile radius around the volcano. But we all do it. Don’t we? Have “Yes part of it, because my boy- “Yes. This year I watched because
But maybe you already worry you ever driven too fast on I-205, late friend is interested in it and it’s of the commercials, and Bruce
about these kinds of things every time for school or whatever, reasoning that a good thing to waste time after
you get on a plane. the speed limit is Springsteen. For the most part they
Does the “miracu- way lower than work.” were really good; they were really
“The whole idea necessary and creative this year. I like the one with
lous” landing of US
Air Flight 1549 on of ‘luck’ isn’t very anyway you’ve the potato heads where her mouth
the Hudson River reassuring to me.” never had an ac- flies off in the convertible, that one
last month make cident on the way was really good.”
you feel any less worried about your to school before?
chances in an in-flight emergency? No? Or decided not to make an appointment
Me, neither. An analysis of the landing for a medical checkup because it’s so
by another experienced pilot points out expensive and anyway you’re not feel-
that the pilots of Flight 1549 were just ing any pain and you’re young and in
doing what they had been trained to good enough health? Tanner Smetana
do, implying that it was all business as Or reasoned that you would be- Biology
normal. But then that writer added that lieve in global warming if someone “I did not. If I could watch it I
“luck” played a big part. would jut present a little more convinc- wouldn’t I’m not that big of a
The whole idea of “luck” isn’t very ing evidence? This is what the U.S. has sports fan, but I do like pool if that
reassuring to me. Good or bad, luck been doing for the past eight years, Samuel Simpson
counts.” Computer Science
seems to me the lamest possible expla- in spite of plenty of evidence. And
nation for how anything turns out. if there’s one way to earn a little bad “No, because I don’t care about
So, for instance, in the case of two “luck,” this is surely it. The longer we football. I don’t really find sports in-
other volcanic eruptions in fairly re- take to stop the anthropogenic warm- teresting I guess. It’s not something I
cent history, it wasn’t “luck” at all that ing of Earth, the more chance we have really want to watch.”
saved thousands of lives. (I’m referring of getting crushed in the eruption, of
to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Hel- crashing into a Jersey barrier, of find-
ens and the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pi- ing out we have an illness we could
natubo in the Philippines.) It was solid have prevented.
scientific research and responsive gov- I’m not saying we should go
ernment agencies who warned people around worrying about things we can’t Mealeatey Pel
to get out in time. control. There’s plenty we can control, Biology
As we know, though, not everyone and plenty we can do. Next time: Some “Yes, I think that the super bowl is
got out who could have. Even if you things we can do. once a year, and it’s a national game
and a really big deal so I should
participate in it and watch. And also
CAR + HOME = BIG SAVINGS family, its where everybody joins
together to enjoy one game. There
John
Staff
“Parts of it, I was in and out be-
are really good commercials and the cause I was doing computer work.
game itself is really enjoyable. At Mostly I was watching to see what
HARRY HOFFMAN, Agent first I didn’t like the game but when I good advertising was on, and ad-
360-574-5222
071808R2933076

watch, it’s really good, and the thrill
1307 B NE 78th St., Ste 1 of watching people fight each other,
Vancouver, WA 98665 they are the best of the best to play,
www.harryhoffman.net and that’s one of the most important
reasons to watch.”
vertising this year wasn’t that great.
The game turned out to be pretty
good in the second half; I’m not re-
ally that big of a fan so I only watch
once a year at the super bowl.”

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Co. – Bloomington, IL
4 The VanCougar
INVOLVEMENT
STUDENT
Upcoming
Events
Feb. 10: Valentine’s Day
Craft Night
5 - 7 p.m. in the FSC
Feb. 19: Free Bowling
9: 30 p.m. at Crosley Lanes 2400 E.
Evergreen Blvd.
Ticket Sales
February 10: Ralphie May
Runner-up in Last Comic Standing
Show: February 20 at 7 PM (21+)
Feb. 11: Harlem Globetrotters
Show: February 21 at 7:30 PM
Announcements
ASWSUV Election packets
Due to OSI by 2/13/09 at 3 PM
Senate & President/ Vice president
ASWSUV elections just around the corner
With the national election cycle
behind us, it is once again time to
think about our campus elections!
Each spring, students vote to elect
the entire ASWSUV Senate (eleven
seats) and the ASWSUV President and
Vice President. They also vote on any
ASWSUV Constitutional Amendments
that may be presented. Voting will take
place from 9:00 a.m. on March 10 to
7:30 p.m. on March 12. Please mark
this time on your calendar and be sure
to turn out to participate in the vote!
This is an excellent way to voice your
opinion in the student governing of our
campus!
During the voting period, polling
sites will be set up on campus from
9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voting will also
be available 24 hours per day through
your MyWSU account.
If you have any interest in
participating in ASWSUV, I strongly
encourage you to run for office. This
is an incredible opportunity for you
Having a ball at bowling
By Greg Zschomler
The VanCougar
Eric Davidson, ASWSUV’s activities
director, is working hard to make
every student activity a complete
success. Sometimes it’s hard to get all
the details just perfect. Take the ever
popular bowling nights as an example.
“It’s growing as usual,” said Davidson
noting new bowlers continue to come
as word spreads. The event’s popularity
is a testament to Davidson’s efforts, but
he’s still making changes, too.
The January 29 bowling night drew
over 200 attendees, filling 26 lanes.
Davidson didn’t expect such a crowd;
he’d contracted for only 150 pairs of
shoes. Many lanes had six players
and all of them had four or more.
Several popular men’s shoe sizes were
to initiate the change that you would
like to see on our campus, participate
in the governance of our student
organizations, and truly give back to
your school. Lead the way for your
fellow students by contributing to
ASWSUV!
As an ASWSUV Senator, you will
be able to represent the wants and
needs of the students by crafting
legislation, allocating student funds
to various projects and organizations,
and representing the campus to the
community and visiting dignitaries—
all while gaining valuable leadership
skills.
As ASWSUV President or Vice
President, you will be a liaison between
students and WSU administrators.
You will also be responsible for
developing the mission and themes of
ASWSUV, managing ASWSUV staff,
appointing students to various boards
and committees within the university,
and acting in the best interests of
unavailable and some players had to
bowl in their socks. Davidson said he
added five additional lanes for this
month’s bowling over the last regular
bowling night.
In between the two regular bowling
events he tried “cosmic bowling”—
renting the entire alley. Cosmic
Bowling is played under dance club
lighting conditions (blacklights, haze,
spinning disco lights, etc.) and a blaring
music mix. That event was full but
much more costly and did not include
pizza. Some students, expecting pizza
as usual, were disappointed. Others
didn’t mind.
“I’d rather have the whole place
and no pizza,” said Mallory Knutson
referring to her experience at Cosmic
Bowling. “It was the best,” said Kaylee
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
the students. This is an incredible
opportunity to expand your leadership
skills in a professional environment.
Candidate packets are available from
Pachia Thao in the Office of Student
Involvement, located in the Firstenburg
Student Commons. They must be
submitted to the Elections Board
mailbox, also located in the Office of
Student Involvement, by 3:00 p.m. on
Friday, February 13th.
I am happy to answer any questions
that you may have concerning the
various positions that are available,
but please direct any questions about
elections to the ASWSUV Elections
Board (Melissa Boles, Tiffany
Moore, and Shelly Vincent), at
aswsuvelectionboard@gmail.com.
GO COUGS!
Peter Sterr
ASWSUV President
Brown, “and it was cool because it was
cosmic.” Brown has been coming to
the bowling nights for a while and she
said the pizza at this one went fast.
“They were gone as soon as they
were out,” said Brown. Josh Jonston
got one slice of pizza and no soda.
“Before someone could walk over they
were gone,” said Jonston. “Its going
to happen no matter what with free
food.”
Davidson said he contracted the same
sweet deal with the alley as before—20
pizzas and the same amount of soda.
“I was surprised at how many more
guys there were than girls,” said
Davidson. Unlike past bowling events,
guys outnumbered gals two to one.
There were markedly more freshman
participants as well. Davidson said
he’d assumed that people had already
eaten dinner since the event didn’t
begin until 9:30 p.m. and that the food
was designed “to be a snack.”
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT February 9, 2009 5
Newly passed Senate bills Poetry Place There is another sky
by Emily Dickinson
Submitted by members of
There is another sky,
BILL 18.019 the Salmon Creek Journal Ever serene and fair,
ASWSUV Eighteenth Senate 2008-09 Session Fire and Ice And there is another sunshine,
by Robert Frost Though it be darkness there;
By Senators Chu and Myers Never mind faded forests, Austin,
Some say the world will end in fire, Never mind silent fields -
27 January 2009
Some say in ice. Here is a little forest,
From what I’ve tasted of desire Whose leaf is ever green;
AN ACT Relating to: The allocation of $2,337.44 (two thousand three
I hold with those who favour fire. Here is a brighter garden,
hundred thirty-seven dollars and forty-four cents) from the Student Events
But if it had to perish twice, Where not a frost has been;
Pool (6272-0200-03) for Cougars Got Culture to be held on 1-2 April 2009
I think I know enough of hate In its unfading flowers
at 5:00 p.m.
To say that for destruction ice I hear the bright bee hum:
Is also great Prithee, my brother,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE ASWSUV SENATE:
And would suffice. Into my garden come!
Section 1: Catered Food $1,000.00
Section 2: Staging and Lighting $ 734.96
Section 3: Supplies and Decorations
Section 4: Advertising
Section 5: Thank You Gift Bags
$ 363.48
$ 50.00
$ 225.00
Run For Student
STATEMENT OF FACT: Advertisements will read “Co-sponsored by
ASWSUV” in 14-point font or font equal to the average size lettering on the
Government
advertisement, for all advertising for the event(s) as required by ASWSUV
By-Laws (260.12). All advertisements shall be approved prior to distribution President, Vice President and 11
by the ASWSUV Public Relations Director. Senate Positions available for
The Multicultural Event Committee and the International Student Association 2009-2010
will bring a night of culture to campus while teaming together to provide
leadership opportunities to plan, organize, and execute this event. Performers/
Presenters with diverse backgrounds will share experiences with students,
which will provide a chance to experience performing arts on campus.

BILL 18.020

ASWSUV Eighteenth Senate 2008-09 Session

Turn in your packets in the OSI by
By Senators Atkinson and Chu
27 January 2009 February 13th at 3 p.m.
AN ACT Relating to: The allocation of $900.00 (nine hundred dollars) from
the Student Events Pool (6272-0200-03) for Student Leadership Recognition Questions contact ASWSUV Elections
Program to be held on 16 April 2009.
Board at aswsuvelectionboard@gmail.com
BE IT ENACTED BY THE ASWSUV SENATE:

Section 1: 125 Student Leader Pins $900.00

STATEMENT OF FACT: Advertisements will read “Co-sponsored by

ASWSUV” in 14-point font or font equal to the average size lettering on the
advertisement, for all advertising for the event(s) as required by ASWSUV
By-Laws (260.12). All advertisements shall be approved prior to distribution
by the ASWSUV Public Relations Director.

The 2nd annual Student Leadership Recognition Program will give a small
token of thanks to our campus’ student leaders. This event will feature a
keynote speaker, recognize involved students, and the disbursement of the
new Student Leadership Award.

BILL 18.021

ASWSUV Eighteenth Senate 2008-09 Session

By Senators Atkinson and Harman

28 January 2009

AN ACT Relating to: The allocation of $725.00 (seven hundred twenty-five

dollars) from the Student Events Pool (6272-0200-03) for Oregon Students
of Color Conference to be held on 6-8 February 2009.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE ASWSUV SENATE:

Section 1: 5 Registrations $275.00

Section 2: 2 Hotel Rooms (2 nights) $450.00

STATEMENT OF FACT: Advertisements will read “Co-sponsored by

ASWSUV” in 14-point font or font equal to the average size lettering on the
advertisement, for all advertising for the event(s) as required by ASWSUV
By-Laws (260.12). All advertisements shall be approved prior to distribution
by the ASWSUV Public Relations Director.

This is the first time WSU Vancouver students have shown interest in
attending OSCC. This event will allow students to further access to education
at all levels, build social networks for themselves and the University, and
participate in a diversity event held once a year. The students attending
the conference will hold a seminar on what they have learned. It should be
noted that other funds have been sought through the Diversity Council, and
transportation funds have not been requested from ASWSUV.
6 The VanCougar CAMPUS NEWS
Earning money the easy way

CAMPUS NEWS
Assistance on where to find
scholarships and how they
will help you with tuition
By Kayla Page
the VanCougar
Many students are still reeling from
the huge hits their bank accounts took
after paying tuition. It is likely that the
last thing we want to do is decide how
to pay tuition next fall.
What if it was possible to look ahead
to next fall knowing that you won’t
have to spend a dime on tuition? April
Brimelow, student affairs counselor
at WSU-V, has advice for students
seeking scholarships to help ease the
tuition paying pains.
A scholarship is money awarded to
students directly through a particular
school or by an outside donor.
Brimelow says that students need
to be disciplined during scholarship
season, “the donor sets up their criteria
and scholarships application process,
including deadlines,” she said, so it
is “important to read the application
instructions carefully.”
WSU-V compiles a list of
community scholarships where donors
have specifically asked that students
be notified. There are many free
scholarship searches on the Internet,
although, if the site is requesting a fee
for the search, it is likely a scam. If the
scholarship is genuine there will not be
a fee associated with it.
The first part of the scholarship search
process is finding them. The second
step is weeding through the ones that
the student does not qualify for. The
best time to search is December through
April for scholarships that will be
awarded out the following fall semester.
However, Brimelow urges, students
need to be proactive. “Students need to
be continually looking for scholarships
during this time frame. Don’t just look
once.” It is important to understand the
qualifications and specifications of the
scholarship in order to avoid wasting
time applying for a scholarship which
the student does not qualify for.
There are many different
qualifications a donor might consider
before awarding a scholarship.
Typically scholarships are divided into
the following categories: special talents
or qualifications (academic, leadership,
athletic, or artistic), group affiliation
(students and/or parents belonging to
clubs, groups, organizations, employers,
military, or religious affiliations), fields
of study (undergraduate or graduate),
members of underrepresented groups,
geographic areas, or financial need.
One way to increase the likelihood of
success is by applying for Vancouver
or Washington based scholarships.
Students are usually more successful
applying with local community
scholarships. Brimelow says that fewer
restrictions make a scholarship more
competitive.
Applying for as many scholarships
as you are eligible for can also increase
your odds. Apply for even the smallest
awards, which other searches may
overlook. Several small awards can
add up to a sizeable amount. Many
scholarships ask similar questions, so
be sure to save copies of your work.
They may be helpful to refer back to.
Getting a scholarship doesn’t mean
you will be able to go on a shopping
spree, however. “Most scholarships
are paid directly to the school and used
first for tuition,” said Brimelow. If the
donor states that the scholarship can
also be used for living expenses, [and]
if there is extra money, a refund check
can be issued to the student for the
leftover amount.”
Two WSU-V students largely
successful in their search, and were
featured at the WSU-V scholarship
night. Steve Erickson, a junior in
Biology, was awarded $5,500 from
three scholarships. Carol Lopez-
Gustin, a senior, received two awards
totaling $8,720.
“If I was to give advice on applying
for scholarships, my first comment
would be never give up hope,” said
Lopez-Gustin. “Don’t think that you
lack the resources or that you make
too much money. You can receive
scholarships in many ways. I obtained
my scholarships through community
service, leadership and grades.”
She also wants students to know
that despite the scholarship search
allowed her to learn about herself and
her community. “Some of the essay
questions are hard, but it helped me see
what I really wanted, or how I wanted
to be represented.”
Lopez-Gustin feels the reward in
every sense of the word. “I put many
hours into applying for scholarships,
and it is very rewarding to know
that people, establishments, and my
community create scholarships for
us students. Knowing, as a single
first generation college student and
mother of one daughter, I would not be
attending WSU Vancouver if it weren’t
for my scholarships.”

EVENT DATE TIME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Scholarship information and initial
The Scottish Rite February 11, 2009 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in interviews
Foundation VSSC 101 www.wascottishrite.org/under_g.htm

UPCOMING Application due Postmarked by Four $5,000 scholarships; two for

EVENTS
The Rotary Scholarship undergraduates and two for graduates
February 11, 2009 date listed www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ss/finaid/dnloads/scholapp09.pdf

A-Z Financial Aid & February 12, 2009 5:30 p.m. in VSSC 101 Important scholarship information
The Arts @ WSU Vancouver Scholarship Workshop www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ss/finaid/az.html

Application due Automatically enters students into

WSU-V Scholarship Received by date 80 different scholarship possibilities
Who: All WSU Vancouver students
Application March 31, 2009 listed www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ss/finaid/outsdsch.htm
who would like to showcase their
art or craft

When: Event held April 10, 2009
3:30 p.m.
What: Local arts and crafts
vendors, including community,
students, staff and faculty.
This event hopes to bring aware-
ness to the community of the
campus’ rotating galleries and
permanent art pieces.
We plan to use this event to raise
funds to support the WSU Van-
couver Art galleries, DTC Program
and Fine Arts department.
Contact: Lea Pfau in the office of
Development and Alumni rela-
tions 360-546-9600 or e-mail
lea_pfau@vancouver.wsu.edu
Governor Gregoire speaks at the Port
Originally scheduled to
present on campus, Gov.
makes final remarks
downtown
By Matt South
the VanCougar
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire
held a community discussion at the Port
of Vancouver Tuesday Jan. 27. Gregoire
spoke about our economy, including
tax-increment financing and possible
revisions to questionable storm water
regulations, as well as Washington’s
portion of the federal stimulus package
and the minimum wage increase
freeze. Local business owners voiced
their concerns, and Gregoire told them
how the state would be able to help
with either changes to legislation or
upcoming economic stimulus relief.
Washington’s economy is partly a
reflection of the national economy.
Gregoire’s statements are a lot like
President Obama’s regarding jobs and
the worsening economic climate. Local
business owners are troubled by rising
fuel costs, health care benefits for their
employees and a decrease in demand.
For many businesses an increase in the
minimum wage is not possible right
now.
What does this mean for WSU-V
students? Jobs are harder to come by
in this competitive market, and many
young people were likely counting
on the minimum wage increase. Also
technology in the Northwest seems to be
lagging, Hewlett-Packard is currently
laying off 150 employees. With many
WSU-V students studying science and
technology, a thriving market is what
is desired by upcoming graduates, and
for the time being that desire may not
materialize.
Gregoire also used this opportunity
to discuss how the Federal stimulus
package will benefit Washington. 1.9
billion will likely go to Medicaid,
which will help reduce the $6 billion
deficit that program faces.
There is also a large amount of money
set aside in the stimulus package for
K-12 education. Focusing on lower
education is something Gregoire
has been a part of recently, with the
recent budget cut of $31 million for
WSU. There is just not enough money
to appease everyone in these tough
times.
Developers told Gov. Christine
Gregoire that she should use tax-
increment financing to get the economy
moving again. This system would
allow loans to local government to
jump start the construction of roads
and other projects for developers who
are building communities. Then the
developed community’s tax revenue
pays off the loan. Tax-increment
financing is utilized by 48 states
including Oregon, and developers
are aware of the benefits it can bring.
Gregoire said that the Washington
Constitution currently makes tax-
increment financing difficult. However
pilot projects of this sort have proved
successful, so this tool may be more
readily available in the near future.
Another troubling aspect of
Washington’s economy, is that
development has recently halted in
Clark County. Many developers say this
is because of new stormwater runoff
rules, which require more land devoted
to retention ponds at developments.
One builder advised Gregoire to have
her department of ecology perform a
cost-benefit analysis of the stormwater
rules to disprove their validity. County
Attorney Mike Cox says, however, that
Clark County is working as an example
for other counties in the state that do
not have strict rules for stormwater
runoff in developments. Cox and the
County Stormwater committee are glad
to see Clark County’s property owners
protected from floods.
Gregoire’s message also holds with
President Obama’s, in that they both
stress that our situation will indeed get
better.
CAMPUS NEWS
Gut Feelings Israel: moving toward autonomy
Obesity causes explored in WSU-V student’s month long
Chancellor’s Seminar event backpacking trip to Tel Aviv,
Feb. 13 Israel
By Sheryl Kennon
The VanCougar
America’s battle of the bulge has
been waging for decades. Even
worse, it seems other nations have
started their own love affairs with
fast food and stressful lifestyles.
WSU-Pullman Professor of
Physiology and Neuroscience
Robert Ritter believes that obesity is
the world’s next great health crisis.
It is estimated that one third of the
United States’ adult population is
obese. Obesity has been blamed as
a contributing factor in 20 percent
of cancer cases and fifty percent
of diabetes diagnoses. Ritter says
that understanding caloric intake
will soon be as critical as infectious
disease problems are in the
developing world.
Ritter became interested in how
sensory neurons and hormones in the
gastrointestinal tract communicate
with the brain while he was a
veterinary student. Ritter says he was
fascinated with how physiological
processes and behavior interact.
“At the time, my interest was
purely intellectual,” he said. “Only
5 percent of the population was
obese.”
The main objective in Ritter’s
field is discovering why obese
people continue to eat beyond their
needs. His research has shown that
sensory nerve fibers inside the gut
communicate to the brain while a
person eats. Normally, the gut tells
the brain that it is full after receiving
enough food. Hormones specifically
secreted from fat enhance these
signals. Studies seem to show that
obese people can lose sensitivity
to these hormonal processes.
Ritter hopes that by understanding
these processes medicines can be
developed that will help obese
people sense they are full.
Ritter will present some of his
findings on Friday, February 13
from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in
the Firstenburg Student Commons.
The event costs $25 and includes a
temporary parking pass and catered
lunch. All attendees must register in
advance by contacting the Greater
Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
at 360-694-2588. For more
information about this event and the
other Chancellor’s Seminars, visit
www.vancouver.wsu.edu/css/
February 9, 2009
By Byron Nalos
Contributing Writer
I couldn’t help feeling I’d chosen the
wrong destination as the 767 climbed
over the turquoise Grecian Isles and
away from the grandeur of Rome- even
her grimy airport. In four hours we will
be landing in Tel Aviv, Israel.
On the jet, I dreamed of this essay.
I dreamed it would sound visceral,
brawny, and erudite all at once. In fact,
it was my main motive for spending a
month backpacking through the Middle
East, and all her turbulent beauty.
Four weeks later I returned to Portland
speechless. It’s taken more than a
year for me to figure out what it is,
exactly, I should say. This last month,
newsflashes of the missile strikes in
Gaza keep rousing the landscape in my
memory- and I can’t stop the feelings
they resurrect.
To prepare for my jaunt in 2007,
I bought three books. Being
knowledgeable about Mideast politics
is fashionable. It’s even more hip if
you’re pro-Palestine. I’d been reading
for twenty hours strait, cherishing each
moment on the plane to grapple at the
Jewish roots of my family tree.
We came into Tel Aviv close to
midnight. I spent twenty-five minutes
with a police interrogation officer.
She was convinced I did not look
anything like the sixteen year old on
my passport photo. I could only shrug
at my belongings strewn out on the
investigation table; personal belonging
are hard to explain when the police are
trying to accuse you. My travel buddy
Ryan, a clumping Alaskan, already lost
his luggage. If that wasn’t enough, we
arrived on the morning of Shabbat,
the day of rest, and not a train, bus, or
shuttle was in sight. I was already pro-
Palestine.
We found an infidel sly enough to work
on the holy day, and he took us to our
hostel for the Shabbat Price. This was
my first cultural lesson, getting jewed.
His English was poor, so Ryan spoke
to him in French as we circled our
hostel. When we got there I collected
my blankets, laid on the bed cradling
my backpack, and slept with delusions
of insurgents and car bombs. I woke 18
hours later to the hot afternoon sunshine
and honking German cars outside the
bunk-bed window.
Tel Aviv, my guide book says, is a
flashy beach town built by the European
Jews coming “home” after WWII. But
the city is haunted by an old hunch on
her back: Joppa. The British boats,
full of immigrants, were not received
at the Arab port of Joppa. Instead of
fighting their way through the port,
the immigrants simply got some sand
and built their own port a mile north-
now the nation’s capital. That was in
the 1940s and the city is still under
construction- half polished glass, half
dirt roads.
Staring at the city map, I realized
how deep the gap is between those
European immigrants and the Arabs.
The roads between Tel Aviv and old
town Joppa hardly connect, as if a river
ran between the city- and only a few
highways bridged across. The tension
between the two towns was so thick
that, in the end, we slunk away from
Joppa and remained three days in Tel
Aviv.
Modern Israelis dress like Latin
Americans. Gender roles are celebrated;
the men are groomed for the discoteca
and the women are sexy! After a few
days gawking on the Mediterranean
beach, (in December), we were eager
to move inland away from the dance
clubs and ice creams shops toward the
dusty spine of the Middle East.
Our first stop was southern Israel,
along the Red Sea. The bay of Eilat is
a commercial port. Giant oil tankers
coming in and out of Saudi Arabia
float on the crystal blue horizon, my
guidebook says. The town was full of
Vegas style hotels with long beachfront
property. Ryan and I bought an un-
rented apartment for fifteen bucks a
night in the bowels of the city. The
room was bleached white and smelled
chemically sterilized. We spent the
days snorkeling in the neon sea, and the
nights shivering in the air-conditioned
apartment.
My camera was loaded, but I hadn’t
seen a single temple, donkey, or rabbi.
I couldn’t help but think that just a
hundred miles over the mountain ridge,
Palestinians in Gaza had breached the
western border, and were being shot
down by the Egyptian patrol. Nobody
wants the Palestinians; not even
Egypt.
Because of Hajj, our trip into Egypt
was short. The boiling freeway down
the dessert shoreline of Sinai was
crammed bumper to bumper with
parked cars. Muslims from all over
Africa waited in line to board the ferry
from Dahab into Saudi Arabia. The
entire continent faced Mecca, and we
were stuck in the traffic jam. Beggars
laid beside the road as the bus crept
along. I noticed a man grilling meat on
a makeshift metal net over a burning
pile of trash. There’s an extraordinary
difference in wealth between Israel and
the rest of the Mideast. BBC’s website
put Israel’s average annual income at
18,000 USD a year- Egypt, Jordan, and
Palestine hover around 1,500 USD.
The difference is obvious. There’s shit
on the floor in the bus station bathroom.
7
A swarm of flies and malaria hover over
the toilet. I could see in people’s eyes a
jealousy of the American Dream, or the
next best thing: Israel. Egypt’s border
towns were a lulled predator that could
strike like a Tijuana snake any moment.
After a day in chaos and filth we cut
our losses and made east for Jordan.
Jordan is all stone, without exception.
Petra was our first introduction to an
ancient city with living zest. We hiked
through towering ruins until we reached
pure wilderness- and hiked back. That
evening, smoking on the
roof, I was startled by a
synchronized chorus of
electric Muslim prayers
blasting through mosque
speakers around the city.
Bread was cheap. I
was drunk with Arab
pastries my entire stay in
Jordan. I met a Jordanian
who spent several years
in Washington D.C.
managing a Pizza Hut.
His English was good
enough to debate bread,
and even politics. He
pointed north towards
Iraq. “What the US is
doing there,” he said, “is
creating a mess.”
Three hours north was
the town of Beer-sheva,
and what a different
world inland Israel was.
When I got off the bus
the station looked like a
military base. Thousands
of teenagers leaning on
fences, waiting for their
connecting bus, or walking home for
dinner; boys and girls alike- eighteen
years old- carrying AK-47 machine
guns with ten inch clips. They wore
sunglasses, ipods, untucked uniforms;
they ate McDonald’s and flirted like
American high-schoolers.
In Beer-sheva, a missionary put us up
in the back of an evangelical church.
That night I washed my clothes in
the shower and listened to ambulance
sirens echo through the stone throat
of the city. I read The Lemon Tree by
Sandy Tolan, which tells a forty year
history of an Arab family displaced by
the Diaspora. I recognized all the names
of the towns in the book; even the soil
beneath my feet was blood stained. The
dry air inland was much cooler than by
the ocean, and my clothes were stiff in
the morning.
The history of Beer-sheva is spoiled.
The city has amnesia. I paid five dollars
to see Abraham’s Well full of plastic
coke bottles. It was discouraging until
I slithered through the crowd under the
fabric awnings of the street market. The
food was cheap. I sat on a brick ledge
with my jeans rolled up and licked the
humus off my wrist as it dripped out of
the pita sandwich. Stray cats gathered
around me. There are enough stray cats
in the Middle East to defeat China in a
land war.
The Dead Sea was only forty-five
minutes away by bus. Luckily, Ryan
brought enough camping gear for two,
and we slept on the lowest point of
planet earth under a canopy of stars.
I watched Orion rise off his back like
a zombie from the east. The wind was
strong and loud, and it was difficult
sleeping. Sunrise was a crisp line that
swept along the dessert floor. That
morning, I climbed carefully down
the barnacle shoreline in my undies
and bobbed in the dense water. Deep
beneath me pillars of salt sparkled in
the green- Lot’s wife winking. The
stench of sulfur, which clung to our
wet heads, filled the whole bus on the
way up to Jerusalem.
There are no words for Jerusalem....
To read about Byron’s remaining
time in Israel, read page 6 of our
next issue...
8 The VanCougar
ARTS & CULTURE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Who: All WSU Vancouver students who
would like to showcase their art or
craft
When: Event held April 10, 2009 3:30
p.m.
What: Local arts and crafts vendors,
including community, students, staff
and faculty.
This event hopes to bring awareness to
the community of the campus’ rotating
galleries and permanent art pieces.
We plan to use this event to raise funds
to support the WSU Vancouver Art
galleries, DTC Program and Fine Arts
department.
Contact: Lea Pfau in the office of
Development and Alumni relations
360-546-9600 or e-mail lea_pfau@
vancouver.wsu.edu


WSU Vancouver Library
www.vancouver.wsu.edu/library
Vancouver symphony plays at Skyview
Classical music earning
attention in Vancouver
Review by Lance Smith
Contributing Writer
Classical music often times gets the short
end of the baton when compared to other
musical offerings. I have heard people on
campus passionately discuss their Rock
band impromptus, but I have yet to hear
much about our award-winning, local
orchestra. The Vancouver Symphony
Orchestra (VSO) is, perhaps, the brightest
cultural offering in all of Southwest
Washington. Lead by Maestro Salvador
Brotons, the 75 member ensemble
performs an impressive repertoire of
challenging compositions every concert
season, and they are in their 30th.
For those who have not been to a VSO
performance, the concerts themselves
take place on Saturdays and Sundays,
usually scheduled once a month. A typical
concert lasts approximately two hours,
with a brief intermission in between two
halves of the concert itself. A real treat
awaits the attendee who shows up to the
Saturday concert about an hour early, as
a member of the orchestra talks at length
about the history and musical nuances
of the pieces before the audience hears
them. Be assured, this is History Channel
material, not a stale lecture on scales and
half-notes!
Students interested in classical music
are encouraged to attend by an almost
unbelievable ticket price of only $7. This
ticket will grant you a seat anywhere in
Growing campus brings culture to Cougs
Coug Got Culture to take
place April 2 in the FSC
By Gregory E. Zschomler
The VanCougar
Cougars Got Culture, an international,
multi-cultural entertainment event will
take place April 2 at 6 p.m. in the FSC.
Four performers have been lined up so
far, but the event organizer, Ramandeep
Brar, Student Affairs Diversity Intern
said, “there’s room for more.”
“We are looking for performers that
can share and celebrate their heritage
and culture with the [WSU-V]
students, staff, faculty and community
members,” said Brar. “This can be
through the form of singing, dancing,
and story telling.” Her desire is to
showcase cultural background through
a performance by international students
living in the United States.
Brar, a WSU-V biology major, was
herself born in a small village in Punjab,
India and came to the United States at
the age of 8, in the April of 1997. She
hopes to pursue a career in medicine and
is involved in the International Student
Association and Circle K International
(a campus community service club).
“The idea behind this show actually
came from my own experience in high
school. We had multicultural assemblies
in which students from diverse
backgrounds performed their country
ARTS & CULTURE
the Skyview Concert Hall (home of the and hated him equally as often, and a
VSO), save for the VIP sections roped story contends that Shostakovich and
off near the front. General admission for dictator Joseph Stalin did not get along.
non-students is $28, which attests to the The composer secretly stated (in the mid-
incredible value for students. All seats are 1940s) that he would only write another
first-come, first-serve, and the auditorium symphony after Stalin’s death. Stalin died
fills up rather quickly. in early 1953, and this piece debuted in
Speaking from recent experience, I December of that year.
attended the January 17th performance The symphony itself opened with
at the Skyview Concert Hall. Out of the slow, somber tones of deep bass
respect for the event, I dressed in casual accompanied by violins, creating a
attire (a sweater and dockers). This is desperate canvas with anxious emotions.
the symphony after all, not a Guitar Hero A clarinet solo bridged the rest of the
marathon. I never once felt intimidated, orchestra into a dark dialogue-perhaps
as the ushers and staff were very friendly. a political statement against musical
Upon entering the auditorium, I was censorship that Shostakovich constantly
presented with a handsome program battled in the USSR. The darkness
detailing the musical history of the pieces becomes increasingly powerful and
among other interesting VSO facts. rhythmic, and made for a truly thrilling
The concert itself began with pomp, as a experience. Particularly impressive was
lively Austrian march by Johann Strauss, the 2nd movement, where Shostakovich
Sr. livened the spirits of the crowd. portrays his personal disgust of Stalin
From Austria, the concert proceeded to with bombastic brevity. The rest of the
Denmark, playing a flute concerto by 20th symphony rises and falls in contemplative
century composer Carl Nielsen. This brief fashion, until the rapid crescendo
thirty minutes of music was followed by brings resolution at the end of the 4th
an intermission, where light refreshments movement.
were available. Once the upbeat first The symphony was a treat, and at $7
half of the concert was over, the focus per ticket, students can hardly go wrong
of the rest of the performance centered with two hours of deeply enjoyable
around the difficult and evocative 10th music. To note, there are only three
Symphony by Russian composer Dmitri concerts left this season. For romantic
Shostakovich. types, it is serendipitous that their next
The events surrounding the making of concerts occur on February 14th and 15th
this nearly one hour symphony are as respectively. Make sure to get your tickets
fascinating as the symphony is complex. early! To learn more about upcoming
Shostakovich wrote music in Soviet concerts and ticket information, check
Russia, both before and during the Cold out the VSO web site at: http://www.
War. The Soviet leadership loved him vancouversymphony.org/.
dance, or told their stories of what it different take on the International
meant for them to be in the USA,” said Night that took place last year, which
Brar. She said the assemblies were “all was an event that ISA brought forward.
about diversity present among us.” I was thinking of doing a cultural show
Participating for my semester
in the project and
assembles approached ISA
helped her about combining
realize that the two ideas to
this was a make it one grand
great way to idea.” She said the
gain insight to difference between
other cultures the International
that were Night and Cougars
different from Got Culture is
her own. that instead of
“Not only hired performers,
was it fun, students, staff
but also or faculty will
entertaining perform.
for the “I decided to do
attendees,” a show such as
said Brar. this, because…
“So, when there were no
I took my performance
position [at] art shows on
the beginning campus…[and]
of fall 2008, I hope this event
and realized will open avenues
I had to do for students that
a semester are interested in
project, the performance arts.”
first thought “This [will] be
that came to a great way for
my mind was Ramandeep Brar is the Student Diversity Intern on
students to gain
campus.
to do a cultural insight into other
show.” students’ cultural
Brar hopes 100 people will attend. backgrounds. Also, this will be a non-
She said that the event will include traditional way of learning [about] the
catered food with an international diversity present on campus and will
twist and that the FSC will be serve as outlet for students to take a
decorated in various international break from academics.” She said the
themes (similar to International vision for the event was “not to only
Night). Admission will be by bring the vast variety of cultures on
ticket. Tickets will be free and campus together, but also to promote
only 100 will be available. open-mindedness through a fun,
According to Brar this event entertaining night which will also be a
involves a partnership between the cross-cultural learning experience.”
Multicultural Committee and the For more information or to get
International Student Association onboard with your performance
(ISA) and is being funded by contact Ramandeep Brar at the Office
the ASWSUV. The underwritten of Student Diversity, by dialing 6-9568
budget is around $2,400 she said. from a campus phone or e-mail to van.
“This show,” said Brar, “is a studentdiversity@vancouver.wsu.edu.
ARTS & CULTURE February 9, 2009 9
MOSAIC to touch students
MOSAIC taking place
this Friday, February 13
want to attend college.
This event will be comprised
of forty students from Fort Vancouver
High School, and Hudson’s Bay High
CougAr t
By Joe Creager School. Students attending this event
the VanCougar will be treated to an experience different
to the one they may had before. “This
MOSAIC, which once stood for Meet year we decided to change things
Our Students and Investigate College, up,” Majekobaje said. To do this,
is a college outreach program targeted Majekobaje and Reyes partnered up
at low income and first generation with the local Gear Up grant program,
students in high and unlike previous
school. Now, the name sessions, in
MOSAIC had taken on which the visiting
a new meaning, and students received
has come to represent a rigidly scheduled
small pieces coming day that included
together to make the guest speakers
bigger picture. That and a lunch break,
picture is access to students at this
higher education. session will have a
Coordinated by the college buddy.
Assistant Director This won’t be
for Student Diversity the only MOSAIC
Bola Majekobaje and this year though.
Admissions Counselor In may, an all city
Mike Reyes, MOSAIC MOSAIC will
will take place this be held, which Jodi Tripp: “Felida Bridge”
month on February 13. will include three
additional local high Former staff member at WSU-V
“MOSAIC
brings in a very diverse schools; Evergreen, Loves taking photographs of the Northwest.
group of students,” Heritage, and
said Majekobaje. The Mountain View.
participating high There is an ulterior
schools were selected motive however,
based on student body Bola Majebokaje is the Assistant Director for to inviting these
demographics, and the Student Diversity. students to our
percentage of students campus, “we hope
on free and reduced lunch. While that all of our efforts turn into students
diverse, the students selected from attending our campus in a couple of
these schools do share some common years,” Majekobaje said. However,
ground. Those selected are either low prior to confiding this information,
income or first generation students, she also said “going to any college is
although most importantly, they all awesome…”

The Golden Mean at WSU-V

The golden rule is It’s theme is the golden mean, a
illustrated through figure often found in nature, much like
student art at WSU-V a nautilus shell, arms of a galaxy, or
the heads of sunflowers. It is also often
used in renaissance art as a symbol of
By Jake Kleinschmidt balance. Something almost hidden in Joe Creager:“Robin”
aCe eDitor the design is the cracks in the stones Student: History Major
around the artists “golden section,”
Another strange piece of art is on indicating the “golden mean” Loves to take candid photographs of human behavior.
display in the center of the campus. It’s As it can be found on the WSU-V
a monolith with a maze in the bottom. web site “Davis states that the plaza
Called the “golden section,” it is a piece ‘symbolizes the cross referencing
of campus art made by Michael Davis. of disciplines
integral to the
foundation
of liberal arts
institution’ and
’reiterates the
function of the
campus where the
convergence of
people and ideas
representing
d i f f e r e n t
disciplines
create a dialog
of intellectual
discovery.’”
The golden
section as
Gallery Director
Erin Dengerink
Madarang Tim Batchelor
says, “I like it Student: Biology Major
because you can
walk through Held a photography business for 2 years, been shooting since age 11.
the labyrinth,
the art piece is
very constructed
and smooth.
There is a clear
understanding
of the artist’s
intent.”
Want your art here? Tell us!
Thus, WSU-V
hosts art which is Email the ACE Editor at
themed to nature
and dates back vancoug@vancouver.wsu.edu
centuries.

This statue is located across from the Firstenburg Student Commons and was created Michael Davis.
10 The VanCougar SPORTS & RECREATION
Spring intramural flag football unfurls

RECREATION
Returning players battle end of the first hour, more than half while the rest were returning players
of the players boasted swaths of mud from last semester. However, Eyerly
the mud; play in the fog across their torsos and backs. and Gregory say they hope to build up
Photos and Story by Erik Cummings Recreation Coordinator Neil Gregory the Flag Football team and challenge
SPorTS anD reCreaTIon eDITor headed up the Clark College in
blue team for the Vancouver
SPORTS & “It’s freaking cold!” Jonathan McCool the first game Bowl.
said with a laugh as he strode toward while Eyerly The team will
the sports field Thursday afternoon. took command be playing Flag
And with good reason. Despite the of the yellow. Football at
fog and chill, over 10 students and The teams 3:30 p.m. every
one faculty member turned out to open fluctuated as Thursday in the
the semester’s flag football season. one or two sports fields.
The majority of them wore shorts and people arrived Ending times are
sweatshirts. late or left. liable to extend
Recreation intern Denise Eyerly said They played as the days grow
that the fields were holding up well. for two hours longer. Participants
While the surface was level, the mud and ended at are required to
did not fail to make an appearance. 5:30 p.m. as sign a waiver
This did not deter the players as one the evening before playing
after another rose from the muck after grew dark. Daniel Barrette tries to escape his flag being pulled. and the location is
spectacular scrambles for the ball. Eyerly says that soccer is generally subject to weather changes. For further
Time outs were called as the ball was more popular and drew about ten times information, call Neil Gregory at 360-
dried. Laughter and joking followed the number of flag football participants 546-9532 or visit the Recreation Office
the tumbles, fumbles and missed last semester. McCool was the only in VFSC 136 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
throws due to the slippery ball. By the new player who attended the first meet

UPCOMING
EVENTS
Snowboard/Ski
Rent equipment from the OSI
Recreation Office for your Denise Eyerly runs for the end zone as fog and players close in around her. The yellow team scored the first touchdown of the game early on.
personal trip

Boot Camp commences Basketball

Ping Pong Tournament
Feb. 26: Visit the OSI for more
information
Hold-Em Tournament
March 6: Held in Firstenburg
Student Center from 3 p.m. to
7 p.m.
Blazers vs Knicks
March 8: Tickets available in
the OSI
Winterhawks vs. Everett
March 8: Tickets available
from Student Affairs Cashier
February 23 starting 9 a.m.
Visit www.vancouver.
wsu.edu for further
listings of events to
come
Kick yourself into shape
at the fitness center
By Ariel Richer
The VanCougar
The New Year is here. Resolutions
have been made. Are you ready to
accomplish them? If you aren’t the
highly self-motivated type who wakes
up at the crack of dawn to run, rain
or shine, then participating in a group
exercise class may be the right option
for you.
The Recreation Office offers three
different classes that provide different
types of exercises for various levels
of fitness. Yoga and Pilates are geared
towards beginners, but certainly offer
health, strength and flexibility benefits
to those at any level. For a greater-
intensity cardio workout, boot camp is
a great fit.
Boot camp kicked off the second
week of classes in room 20 of the
Clark Center. It meets on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 12 p.m., officially
starting five minutes after the hour and
ending ten minutes before 1 p.m. It is
open to all WSU-V students, staff and
faculty.
Instructors Mari-Jo Qualey and Chon
Neville, who alternate teaching the
classes, do all they can to keep your
heart rate elevated for the majority Pullman men’s basketball
of the 45 minute class. Despite the on a two game losing
condensed class time, they manage to
include a full range of exercises.
streak
Each class begins with a short warm Photo and Story by Katie Wells
eDITor In ChIeF
up and some stretching then jumps After back to back losses to Arizona
into various cardio exercises. The
exercises change with each class
and Stanford and a game last Saturday,
the Cougars
period, to prevent each participant prepare to take
from falling into a routine. Neville on Oregon
brings in exercises from his experience Thursday, Feb.
as a professional basketball and soccer
12.
player. Relying on sports conditioning Into the second
exercises like jogging, push-ups, and half of the Pac-
wall sits. Meanwhile, Qualey draws
on her knowledge of pilates and yoga
10 season, WSU
is 4-6 overall.
while teaching and frequently using RS senior
free weights and stability balls in her Guard, Taylor
workouts. Both instructors provide Rochestie, is
a selection of upbeat music for the leading the
duration of the class. team in points
As the weather improves, some classes scored with
may be held outside, making use of 151 points, an
more than 300 acres that the WSU-V average of 15
campus has to offer. WSU lost to USC with a score a game. Aron
of 44-46 on January 24, 2009.
The class has four regular attendees, Baynes, a
three of which are female. New senior center, is heading off the team
participants are more than welcome with 95 rebounds as of last week.
to join at anytime. No enrollment is Freshman power forward, DeAngelo
required, only a membership at the Casto, has blocked 13 shots as well as
fitness center. A free membership can sinking 12 of 16 free throw shots.
The Ducks have lost all ten conference
be obtained by bringing your WSU-V ID
to the fitness center below the Library. games as of Feb. 6, scoring an average
of 68.5 points a game. WSU will take
them on at home at 7 p.m.
SPORTS & RECREATION February 9, 2009 11
Neil Gregory re-creates recreation on WSU-V campus
In a single year, Neil Additionally the flag football season says there are still “certain things we so well, it’s amazing…” He says they
recently kicked off. can’t [yet] take on, but we’re getting take their jobs and student safety very
Gregory has improved WSU-V now has two sports related there.” seriously.
recreation for students clubs: the Outdoor Club and the Gregory says that he and his “This is the amazing thing,” says
Cycling Club which will compete in staff have now shifted to phase two. Gregory, “coming into the fitness
Photos and Story by Gregory Zschomler
The VanCougar
this year’s Ride Across Oregon against The recreation department, as part center, we went through an entire year
Neil Gregory. The name is nearly other schools. There’s talk of other of the Office of Student Involvement without [ever] a late staffer.” He says
synonymous with WSU-V Recreation.
After all Gregory has been an integral
part—if not the very impetus—for
the growth and development of the
campus’ recreation programs over the
past year. Gregory, however, is quick
to acknowledge the impassioned
work of his staff.
“My staff is awesome,” says
Gregory, “they’re very passionate…
doing what they love. These guys
are—to the last one—enthusiastic…”
Gregory built a team which he says,
“all do their job well.”
Having begun part time, September
marked Gregory’s one year
anniversary at WSU-V. In March he
will have been on staff full-time for a
year—a year in which he has made a
huge difference.
Gregory also says that the program’s
success is due to, “Listening, talking
and inferring to find out what students
are wanting.” That process has led to
a variety of fitness classes like pilates,
yoga, and the new fitness boot camp
in the Clark Center; an expanded,
remodeled and refurnished fitness
center; development of the recreation
playing fields; and acquiring the use
of two full courts at Gold’s Gym for
open gym basketball. Not to mention
the numerous recreational field trips
like Mt. Bachelor ski weekends, rock
climbing, kayaking, intramural sports
and a whole room full of sports gear Recreation Coordinator Neil Gregory (center) with Recreation Intern Denise Eyerly (left) and Recreation Specialist Shawn Romine (right)
you can rent.
That’s a lot accomplished in a year cycling trips, a ping pong tournament, (OSI), relies upon students to guide they all perform “way beyond my
and it has led to extensive growth. more rock climbing adventures, and a and initiate the programs. Student expectations.”
“Program numbers have gone through lot more. So much is happening that interests drive the process. Upcoming events include: a Mt.
the roof,” says Gregory. Rentals have Gregory said he and his staff have had “If we’re going to meet the needs,” Bachelor ski trip—which is full at
tripled and field trips are often full and to deal with “lots of growing pains.” says Gregory, “I’m not going to do it 60 students and another 20 on the
have waiting lists. “As soon as we post “Yeah, there’s been growing pains,” on my own. That’s why I get students waiting list; a class 5 white water trip
something it’s full,” he said, noting said Gregory, “but I’ve enjoyed it.” involved in their area of passion— on Wind River; a paintball excursion
that subsidy funds limit the number Over the past year there was a lot of there’s that passion behind [student to a new Woodland venue; and a zip
of students that can get in on the great gearing up to do and Gregory says recreation] that drives it.” line adventure in the Columbia River
deals they offer. According to Gregory, it involved “depth and fine tuning, The recreation staff has a lot to do Gorge. According to Gregory the
it is difficult to expand these trips because we started so many new with that passion. Shawn Remine Canyon Creek Ranch Zip the Gorge
because it costs a lot more money and things.” He says the “controlled heads outdoor recreation, Denise adventure takes 4 hours and involves
manpower. Outdoor chaos” involves some cyclical stress, Eyerly is a full-time intern who 9 scenic one mile-long zip lines, some
recreation has seen a about 900 feet off the ground.
five fold increase in There are three fitness classes
participation over the going on three days a week. The
past year. fitness center has added two hours
Additionally, the to each day’s hours of operation
fitness center has seen and is now open from 7 a.m. to
more visits (2,800) 9 p.m. Personal trainers are still
since it’s reopening available for free consultation.
in September, four And Gregory says this is all just
months ago, than in the beginning.
the entire previous While Gregory has been here
year. Gregory said a year and has accomplished so
there have been more much, he is just getting started.
than 1,000 visits in WSU-V students are fortunate to
January alone. have him here. The 44 year-old
Intramural sports Gregory has a degree in Business
have been busy, too. Administration from Warner
Ten times as many Pacific College in Portland, Ore.
people now participate He is a certified advanced personal
than in previous years. trainer and a USA cycling coach.
Last year the program Gregory says, “My background
rented a single court is really diverse.” It’s this diversity
gym and could not which gives him the many varied
accommodate all the skills required to organize this
students interested in vast realm. He’s played sports and
playing basketball. skied his whole life, has worked
This year Gregory at 24-Hour Fitness, been a gym
was able to contract Since he started this job last Spring, Neil Gregory has done everything in his power to improve the fitness activities on campus. and Young Life director, coached
with nearby Gold’s track and field for the Evergreen
Gym for two full courts. but that “you never get bored; there’s oversees intramurals, and Mari-Jo School District and has done a lot of
WSU-V participates with teams on so much to do.” Qualey teaches fitness classes. The other useful/helpful things. He’s even
city leagues in women’s volleyball, Gregory had to “create a model student staff of ten (three work in ridden across the United States on a
men’s basketball, coed soccer and for our school…we had to get up to the recreation office, 7 in the fitness bike in 24 days (averaging 125 miles a
softball, the WSU-V team took second speed on all the latest safety gear and center) “are a mix of 18 to 30 year- day)! How does he do it? He said, “It’s
place in the softball league for 2008. [create] emergency action plans.” He olds,” said Gregory, “[that] get along all in the details.”
12
February
Feb. 10: Ski Bowl Night Skiing Trip
Carpool/Caravan leaving campus at 3:00 p.m.
$15.00 for students, $20.00 for non-students
Feb. 10: Entrepreneurship Club Meeting
Administration Building, Room 130 / 4:30 p.m.
All students welcome and encouraged to attend
Feb. 10: Get To Know Ya Tuesdays: Love Fest
Firstenburg Student Commons / 3:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Feb. 10: Improve Your Memory and Concentration
Fistenburg Student Commons, 104 / 1:30 p.m.
Free and open to current students
Feb. 12: Cougar Motorcycle Club Meeting
Administration Building, Room 130 / 2:00 p.m.
Contact Eric Davidson, 67cougar@wsu.edu
Feb. 12: Queer Cougars & Allies Meeting
Administration Building, Room 129 / 5:35 p.m.
Club meeting, free and open to the public
Feb. 13: Gut Feelings - Dr. Bob Ritter
Firstenburg Student Commons / 11:45 a.m.
Open to the public, $25 registration, includes lunch
Feb. 17: Making The Most of The Career Fair
Firstenburg Student Commons, 104 / 4:15 p.m.
Free and open to all current students and alumni
Feb. 18: Test Taking Strategies Workshop
Firstenburg Student Commons, 104 / 3:00 p.m.
Free and open to current students
Feb. 18: Corporate Social Responsibility Forum
CLS 208J, CLS 308J, MMC 204 / 3:30 p.m.
Videoconference, free and open to the public
Feb. 19: Social & Environmental Justice Club
Firstenburg Student Commons / 3:00 p.m.
Club meeting, free and open to the public
Feb. 19: The Afghan Women: A Readers Theater
Administration Building, Room 110 / 6:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public
The VanCougar TAIL END
2009 A Valentine from Greg Zschomler
She’s my favorite news hack, wordster and snoop,
I’m proud of her Oregonian articles and scoops.
With more then a pen, she inscribes love on my heart,
Marks kisses on my lips when we meet and/or part.
She cares for my children, my self and our home,
Yes, I am hers and she is my own
To Kevin Malone; my lover
I’ll get right to the point in my letter to you,
With your deep set brown eyes and sly smile too,
Your business suits and dark combed-over hair.
You’re super hot Kevin and its just not fair.
I love when you speak, so slow and deep.
Always so insightful, it makes me want to weep.
The fact that I can’t have you tears at my heart,
Being without you makes me want to fall apart.
Even after Stacey’s gone, you won’t give me a shot,
Its probably since I’m not your type or because you are so hot.
Pessimistic Stanley thinks we really could work out,
I could see us getting married without a shadow of a doubt.
So now I’ll close this letter off and let you get back to work,
I can picture you now reading this with such a little smirk.
If you would play a song for me at a wedding with your band,
I might pass out, but when I woke, I’d be at your command.
Love, Katie Wells
An Anonymous Love Letter
To my hunny bunny, so fluffy and so cute,
I love to cuddle-bunny you, even though you’re mute.
And when you look at me and smile
with your hunny bunny eyes
and call me your hun bun baby
I always sinks and sighs.
KOUG Radio, Will you be my Valentine?
You are the music my soul dances to,
you are always there for me (except when my internet goes
down),
and you are just as random as I am.
KOUG, you complete me.
With love always, Spring
A Note from Collin
To: You
Why don’t we just…
…leave school
…quit our jobs
…lose our cell phones
…abandon our cars
…give our money away
…go barefoot
…let our hair down
…stowaway to Fiji
…walk on sand
…swim in water
…start a life
I’m ready if you are.
Love, Me