Washington State University October 5, 2009 Volume 15, Issue 4

Vancouver’s Student Newspaper www.vancougar.com

Different perspectives mid semester

Students monitor grades while staff enjoys a new view
be corrected.” This is a long process done by
Jake Kleinschmidt
Campus News Editor a crew of about three or four people who find

W elcome to week seven of the Fall

issues such as doors that do not lock right or
ceiling tiles that don’t fit correctly. “These are
semester. This is roughly the middle of the the things you usually do when you buy a brand
semester as most students probably know from new home. You have to work out all the kinks
the midterms that their professors have either until everything runs smoothly.” Raglione
given them or are warning them of. continued to mention that he saw the

{ }
Some begin to evaluate how things crew of WSU-V workers doing their
are going for themselves or the walkthroughs in the mornings when
campus during the middle of their he would unlock buildings. This
semester. new building gives us the promise
Academically speaking everything of a growing campus, but is it just an
seems fairly average. Tests are going illusion?
alright, some are struggling while Surprisingly, the campus is not
others find it to easy. However some people find growing as much as it is just stretching its legs.
it harder to study well enough for what they are Rough estimates provided by Randy Boose
dealing with in school. from the Human Resources Department say that
The more involved people are in the campus, from Dec. 1, 2008 to Sept. 2009, Tenured track
the more overwhelmed they feel on a daily professors decreased from 101 to 99. Boose
basis. Being swamped is just a part of the said that it does not reflect the exact number of
overcommitted and overworked student. Most professors WSUV gained. Just that the campus
who put themselves in that situation thrive on gained nearly as much as it lost. Adjunct turn
the pressures of being rushed. However, some over varies a great deal, but even with that, there
may be thrown into the mix of being rushed and was hardly a change in faculty and staff. This
overwhelmed by force rather than choice. is most likely due to the hiring freeze. Though
Many people have been affected not only by there aren’t many new members added to the
the workload at school, but by the increases in faculty, the construction of the new building
tuition as well. Having was no waste at all.
to take extra jobs or According to Boose, all
focus more on their the people from the English
own financial issues department, some from
instead of how well Human Development,
they are doing in class is and faculty from other
adding to the stress that departments now have
students already face. It offices in the UCB. Boose
is difficult for students to continued to say that the
be able to survive during people from the two main
the economic downturn, departments in the move
with unemployment rates had not changed location
never seeming to give in about ten years. They
anyone a break. Simply must appreciate the new
put, it is getting tough view. Hal Dengerink,
for those at WSUV. Chancellor, said at a
Students have had Chancellor’s Student
to drop some classes, Advisory Board meeting
but nothing out of the that there were about 250
ordinary. Everyone more students accepted
knows in the first few as freshman and transfers
weeks people drop out than there had been last
for various reasons; be year.
they life or academic So with the a building
issues. They could and a couple hundred
be withdrawing from people as the only big
courses for reasons of the changes, has the quality of
economy or just personal the semester been the same
conflicts. It appears as last year? Last year a
that those who have great number of students
remained in school and had been involved in
only dropped one or two activities on campus. This
classes are mostly due to year the events have been
personal complications greater in frequency, but
or just lack of interest in fewer students seem to turn
the subject. out for them. What is the
Though students have reason behind the lack of
been working hard in participation? Are we too
school and on job, they busy with financial issues
have had just enough to attend? Is the campus
time to enjoy the new itself less connected with
Undergraduate the students and its needs?
Classroom Building Maybe the lack of
(UCB). So far, it seems participation is due to the
to be received well. fact that school has only
Comfortable benches to (Top) Located by the side doors of the lower level of the Undergraduate Classroom Building, this small pond provides a calming view. been in session for a
sleep on and quiet places (Above) The Undergraduate Classroom Building has received many compliments toward the group study rooms and outdoor benches. little over a month.
to study are available there. Jake Kleinschmidt/The VanCougar Though it seems like a
There are roughly 100 mean that the building is entirely finished. that after the construction workers finish the short amount of time,
courses being taught in the UCB, so the building “They have to do what you would call a main project, a small crew on campus does Midterms are just around the corner.
is being utilized well. However this doesn’t punch list,” said Officer Raglione. “This means walkthroughs to find the problems that need to

{ }
Annual Student Spotlight: Cougars vs. ASWSUV’s
dodgeball Harrison Polo; SMU football Cougs and
tournament musician and game Cowboys dance
pictures student
page 4 page 7 page 9 page 13
 2 CAMPUS NEWS

Health care reform debate

Chancellor’s Seminar Series begins
Louise Wynn
Staff Writer
WSUV students joined local doctors,
bankers, and health insurance managers for
the first Chancellor’s Series lecture of the
2009-2010 school year on Sept. 25. Steve Hill,
administrator of the Washington State Health
Care Authority, spoke about health care reform.
The message wasn’t pretty, particularly for
students. Many students, Hill acknowledged,
lack health insurance. His advice for them? Get
a job with benefits.
He wasn’t dismissing the question or joking
around. He was emphasizing that in the current
state of affairs in the U.S., that’s the best a
student, and most people, can do for health
insurance: find an employer who provides it.
Meanwhile, about 46 million Americans are
uninsured, including 30 million working poor
and 13 million young adults.
To arrive at a workable health-delivery and
payment system won’t be easy, he said. “We
have a long journey in front of us. The health
care crisis will not be over in January.”
Every other developed country has a less
expensive and more comprehensive health-care
treatments, fitness club memberships, Lasik eye “The Cost Conundrum,” Atul Gawande,
surgery? New Yorker: http://doclibrary.com/MSC149/
Most thought only dental care and long-term DOC/Cost_Containment_Article_NewYorker_
nursing care were important. But Hill pointed 6.1.092050.pdf
out that the stomach bypass surgery is covered
by many plans.
“How American Health Care Killed My
Father,” David Goldhill, Atlantic: http://www.
program, he said. “We spend twice what the
“We’ll pay $30,000 for stomach surgery,” theatlantic.com/doc/200909/health-care
United Kingdom spends on health care, and the
he said, “which often ends up costing much
others spend even less than the U.K. If we had a
more because of complications, but we won’t ****
system like theirs, the government’s share could
pay for all of our health care.”
pay for a health or nutrition coach, or a gym
membership, and we won’t pay for dental care, VanCougar questionnaire:
He pointed out that the U.S. has elements
which by itself prevents many non-dental health 1. Do you have health care insurance?
of health care insurance similar to the models
problems.” 2. If not, do you think you’re okay without it?
of other developed countries: Our Veterans
Hill said he supports many aspects of the 3. If so, do you get it through:
Administration plan is like the Great Britain
health-care reform bills being considered now your parents
and Italy models; our Medicare and Medicaid
in Congress, but the problem is this: your employer
programs like the models used in Canada and
“We have an access problem because we WSUV
Australia, and our employer-funded private
have an affordability problem. We have an other________________________
insurance like Germany, France, and Japan.
affordability problem because we have a 4. Do you think you’re paying too much for
But the fourth model common in the U.S. is
quality problem. We have to improve quality your coverage?
the “out-of-pocket” model, which is what the
and efficiency to get affordability, and that’s 5. What do you like about your health insurance
undeveloped countries, and the U.S., have: a
what will lead to access to health care for all coverage?
large populace of uninsured.
Americans.” 6. What would you like added to your health
So, Hill asked, “Why is health care reform
Health care costs accounted for 4% of the care insurance plan?
so hard for us?” He answered: “Because the
economy when Hill was born, in 1947; for 8% 7. Do you use free clinics or emergency room
U.S. is a democracy. And if we have a public
of the economy when his daughter was born; care for your medical/health needs?
that believes we’re spending too much or too
for 16% of the economy when his grandson was 8. Do you think standard quality health care
little, it will be hard to wrestle the affordability
born, and for 20% of the economy now. “I don’t should be available to all Americans?
elephant to the ground.”
think there’s a bright future for my grandson,” what about legal immigrants, foreign
He asked the audience what they thought
he concluded, “unless we reform health care.” workers, international students?
a comprehensive health-care insurance plan
Hill recommended two recent articles, what about illegal immigrants?
should cover: dental care, stomach bypass
available online, that review America’s health-
surgery for weight loss, acupuncture, massage
care problems and suggest solutions:
therapy, long-term nursing care, fertility

AWARE Network program Andrew Carnegie live

Helps students feel safer on campus Historical re-enactor to visit WSUV
students.
Rup Brar
Staff Writer
After review, the person in question is referred
to appropriate counseling services. Or any other
Join the Clark County Historical Museum Athenumber of Carnegie Library buildings across
country have been converted to museums

It has been about two years, since the

dreadful day of April 16, 2007, when an
estranged college student opened fire on his
fellow classmates at Virginia Polytechnic and
State University. The killer took 33 innocent
lives, before turning the gun on himself. The
incident is one which has stayed in our minds
and reminded us of the horrors of columbine.
These events lead to several changes on
campuses nation wide to prevent from anything
like this ever happening again.
AWARE Network at WSUV campus was a
precipitate of that day. The tragedy left many
institutions to rethink the safety of students, and
led to develop better precautionary measures to
prevent such massacres.
AWARE network was established last
year with collaboration of several different
departments on campus. The program is a
medium for WSUV community to proactively
respond to individuals exhibiting behaviors
that pose threat to other students as well as to
themselves. The AWARE program provides a
way for students and faculty to channel their
concerns.
Our purpose is not to pinpoint any individual,
but rather to ensure safety of all, mentioned
Nancy Youlden, the Vice Chancellor of Student
Affairs and an active member of the Behavioral
Assessment Team. “AWARE Network provides
an important avenue for the campus community
to communicate” added Youlden.
AWARE network is a non-emergency
response system, where each complaint is
thoroughly analyzed by a Behavioral Assessment
team. A Behavioral Assessment Team, made up
of personnel from Student Affairs, Public Safety,
Counseling Services, Student Conduct, Human
Resources, Disability Resources, Academic
Affairs and Risk Management, oversees the
program. The team functions individually
in order to quickly and effectively judge if a
person is indeed a threat to the safety of WSUV
WSU Vancouver Library
www.vancouver.wsu.edu/library
necessary course of action that is needed to be
taken will be appropriately taken.
Keeping our eyes and ears open to our
surroundings is the key to safety. AWARE
Network web site lists warning signs as indicator
of troubled and distressed individuals. Some of
the warning signs include: change in frequency
of absences, disinterest, apathy, hopelessness,
angry outbursts, suicide talk, noticeable change
in behavior, neglect of personal well being,
paranoia, communicating threats as well as
social threats.
Seung-Hui Chong, the perpetrator of Virginia
Tech killings was described as a quiet, loner
and a shady character by both his instructors
and fellow students. Chong’s writing reflected
anger, and his strange behavior had led his
professor to recommend counseling. Warning
signs were there, but no action was taken.
As human beings, all of us ride the roller
coaster of life. Ups and downs come and go.
One day you are flying high, while the next
you are falling with non-functioning parachute.
AWARE network is as much about helping
troubled individuals as it is about safety. Proper
care can make sure you stay grounded and avoid
any parachute related accidents
Students are encouraged to visit the AWARE
network web site, for any assistance and
referrals, at www.aware.vancouver.wsu.edu.
Warning signs of a distressed student:
Assignments not being turned in, frequent absences,
disruptiveness, excessive emotional content in
discussing or writing class materials, mention of
suicide or homicide in the content of coursework,
significant decline or deficit in self care behaviors
like personal hygiene and extreme weight loss.
Signs that the student may be experiencing a mental
health emergency and in danger of harm to self or
others include:
Direct suicidal or homicidal statements, bizarre
speech, loss of contact with reality, extreme anxiety;
panic.
In these instances, walk the student to Counseling
Services (280 Lighty), Health and Wellness Services
(Washington Bldg.) or call 911.
during the week of October 6-10, 2009 as we
present, Andrew Carnegie Live! (Well, his
look-a-like, noted re-enactor and humanities
scholar George Dauler) with a series of ten
performances that are free and open to the
public. In an effort to celebrate the museum’s
double anniversary year (building is 100 years
old and museum is 45 years old) and to make
museum programs accessible to the broadest
possible audience, the Clark County Historical
Museum has partnered with four branches of
the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System,
the Camas Public Library, and the Washington
State University History Department to
provide performance venues in eight different
locations (see program schedule for locations
and times).
Nineteenth century industrialist and
philanthropist Andrew Carnegie did more
than any other individual to advance the
cause of literacy and self-improvement by
helping communities build quality libraries
and museums. The buildings represent a time
when the public really began to embrace civic
responsibility. When he was a teenager, Andrew
Carnegie was given access to the personal
library of wealthy businessman, Col. James
Anderson, an iron manufacturer in Allegheny
City, PA.. Carnegie (1835-1919) never forgot
the experience or the opportunity to further
his education. Upon his retirement, Andrew
Carnegie was the richest man in the world,
having amassed a fortune of $500 million (about
$200 billion in today’s dollars). Believing
that “the man who dies rich, dies disgraced,”
Carnegie’s retirement years were spent giving
away his fortune through numerous cultural
donations. Carnegie donated the funds for the
construction of 2,509 libraries world-wide.
In each locale it was up to the community to
provide the land, pay for the books, furnishings,
and staff. This opportunity provided the
catalyst for community engagement. All of the
2,509 buildings represent Carnegie’s legacy
and his belief “of giving a hand up, not a hand
out.”
In Vancouver, the Hidden Family donated
the land (which was formerly the clay pit for
their brick yard) and the library was built with
a $10,000 Carnegie Foundation grant. The
library opened on December 31, 1909 and
is the former home of the Vancouver Public
Library, now the Fort Vancouver Regional
Library System. In 1963 the library system
relocated to their new building at the time on
Mill Plain Blvd. On May 24, 1964 the Clark
County Historical Society re-adapted the
building and opened the museum to the public.
and art centers.
Funding for this program is provided by a
generous grant from Humanities Washington
with additional support from museum
supporters, Friends of the Library Groups, the
Columbian and Vesta Hospitality.
Performance Schedule:
• Tuesday October 6, 10 am Clark
County Historical Museum located at 1511 Main
St., Vancouver; 7 PM La Center Community
Library at the La Center Community Center,
1000 E. 4th St.
• Wednesday October 7, 10 am
Woodland Community Library, 770 Park
Street.; 12 noon Vancouver Rotary; 7 PM
Vancouver Community Library, 1007 E. Mill
Plain Blvd.
• Thursday October 8, 4 PM
Goldendale Community Library, 131 W.
Burgen.
• Friday October 9, 10 am Clark
County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St.; 7
PM Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave.
• Saturday October 10, 10 am
Washington State University Vancouver
Campus, ADMIN 110*; 2 PM Clark County
Historical Museum, 1511 Main St.
*The 10/10/09 10 am WSU V performance
is open to the public but is a special presentation
that is also tailored for high school and college
age students interested in pursuing a career in
acting or re-enactment of historical characters.
ABOUT ANDREW CARNEGIE RE-
ENACTOR GEORGE DAULER: George P.
Dauler, a graduate of Indiana University, has a
master’s degree from McCormick Theological
Seminary. He is an Ohio-based, retired
Presbyterian pastor, counselor, and humanities
scholar who has performed historical re-
enactments for more than 30 years. Dauler has
appeared as Andrew Carnegie since 2002.
CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL
MUSEUM INFORMATION: The Clark
County Historical Museum is housed in
Vancouver’s 1909 Carnegie Library which
is located at 1511 Main St. Vancouver, WA
98660. The building is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Regular museum
hours are: Tuesday through Saturday 11-4
PM. Admission rates apply. The museum is
also open first Thursday evenings (Feb – Nov)
from 5-9 PM for First Thursday Museum After
Hours. A wheelchair accessible entrance to
the museum is located on the east side of the
museum building accessed from 16th street.
For more information contact the Clark County
Historical Museum at (360) 993-5679 or visit:
www.cchmuseum.org.

10/7 Cougar Wine and Dine Night at Everyday Wine in Portland, OR @ 6 p.m. - 10/17 Cougs in the Community; volunteer to paint @ 7 a.m.; contact Lea Pfau

Grade inflation at universities nationwide
Is A the new B?
Melissa Vik
Contributing Writer
D espite having good intentions to finish
the paper sooner, I procrastinated and left it
until the night before it was due. With so little
time to focus, my research was halfhearted, my
sentences lazy, and I was hard-pressed to write
an original thought. By 2 a.m. the paper was
finished, but it wasn’t my best work, and I knew
it.
The following week the papers were handed
back. I hesitated before looking at my grade,
then there it was – on the back side, an “A”
scrawled in pencil. I was pleasantly surprised
and relieved. But somewhere deep down, I felt
slightly disillusioned, and strangely, a twinge
of disappointment. I guess that’s all it takes, I
thought.
It was one of my first papers coming back to
college after an 8-year hiatus. I had expected my
upper-division university courses to challenge
me, to ask me to dig deep. But I found that,
as with the paper, in many classes I could get
by on less effort. The discovery surprised me,
and at the same time, as a full time-plus student
working part time on the side, it was welcome.
Maybe I wouldn’t have to work as hard as I
thought.
Was I being my own worst critic, or are
college grading standards lax?
“Grade inflation is the award of higher
grades than are warranted, generally to avoid
displeasure with students,” says Dr. John Barber,
a professor of WSUV’s Digital Technology
& Culture program. “Students have come to
expect higher grades for marginal work at the
university level.”
Grade inflation has been a concern in
universities for a long time, but critics say it
began in earnest in the 1960s. Research evidence
is somewhat mixed, but studies have shown that
average GPAs have increased steadily since the
1960s. Ivy League schools such as Princeton,
You’re a writer? Perfect! The VanCougar is hiring
reporters for all sections.
Please apply online at vancougar.com.
10/17 Eco Friendly Volunteering; clean up Battle Ground Lake State Park @ 10 a.m. - 10/21 Cougar Networking Night @ 5:30 p.m. at The Club at the Historic Reserve
CAMPUS NEWS 3
Stanford and Harvard have gained notoriety Grade Inflation: A Crisis in College Education. of self-esteem,” he writes in an article featured in
for grade inflation and have made changes to Johnson’s study also showed that grade
combat it. An ongoing study by a former Duke inflation is less of a problem in the natural
The Chronicle of Higher Education. “According
to that therapeutic notion, the purpose of
University professor at gradeinflation.com sciences than in the humanities. Perhaps this education is to make students feel capable and
shows average GPAs at American colleges and is because in mathematics and sciences, grades empowered. So to grade them, or to grade them
universities have risen from 2.93 in 1991 to tend to be more quantitative and thus easier
3.11 in 2007. to grade on a black-and-white basis. Gretchen
strictly, is cruel and dehumanizing. Grading
creates stress. It encourages competition rather
Many professors assert from their experiences Johnson, a 2009 graduate of WSUV’s biology than harmony. It is judgmental.”
that grade inflation is a problem, and some admit program, found her courses difficult. “I did not Since 2001, Mansfield has chosen to deal
to giving in to the practice themselves. notice teachers grading easily in my classes,” with grade inflation by giving students two
“What used to get a C now gets a B,” says she says. grades, an official inflated grade for the records,
Dr. Andrew Giarelli, who teaches English and In the humanities and liberal arts, there is and another unofficial grade he feels the student
writing courses at WSUV. “I try to resist grade more room for grading interpretation. “What has truly earned.
inflation, but I have also participated in it.” He is the difference between an A- and an A?” Emily Jones, a 2009 WSUV graduate, isn’t
says rather than give C’s to average work, he Barber says. “The teacher has no support for sure if grade inflation exists, but “if grades have
reserves C’s for “pieces that have really missed their determination of a grade, other than years been inflated,” she says, “I think it’s because
the point.” of experience, time more students are working [in addition to
Often, professors “Students have come spent reading thousands school], and teachers understand that.”
have their jobs in to expect higher grades of papers, and perhaps Jones has a point. On commuter campuses like
mind. “Students take research into assessment.” WSUV, many students have full lives outside of
advantage of teachers for marginal work at the This relativity often college, with families and jobs. Students load
already nervous university level.” allows students the room up on courses in order to complete their degrees
about their future to negotiate or argue their faster and save money in the long run. Few
employment,” says - Dr. John Barber grades. students are able to put the recommended study
Barber. “Teachers Not everyone is and preparation time into their courses.
want to be seen as liked, and therefore successful, convinced that grade inflation exists, however, I understand all that. Prior to my graduation
so they often give in to pressure from students or if it does, that it is a problem. Author and last May, I was one of these nontraditional
to raise grades.” lecturer Alfie Kohn writes, “Maybe instructors students. And I wanted my A as much as
Dr. Wilfred Wu, Assistant Professor of have been too stingy with their marks and now anyone. Still, I wanted my college degree to
WSUV’s Management Information Systems have become more reasonable.” mean something. And I wanted to improve. An
program, thinks that course evaluations, which Among arguments denying grade inflation are A grade for a paper when I knew I’d been lazy
are taken into consideration when professors those that contend that the quality of students’ was good for my GPA, but it deprived me of
are up for tenure, have a lot to do with grade work has simply improved over the years. incentive to improve. I was left with the feeling
inflation. “Professors with tenure can grade how Giarelli disagrees. In 25 years as a professor, that I’d somehow fooled my professor. The
they want, but non-tenured professors have to “That has not been my personal experience,” he classes that I tended to work hardest in were
be more careful,” he says. Teachers want good says. A 2002 study by Dr. Henry Rosovsky and those in which I knew the professors had the
evaluations from students, and students tend Dr. Matthew Hartley showed that SAT scores highest expectations.
to give better course evaluations when they’re have not increased. An increase in SAT scores “In the end, everyone is hurt [by grade
getting good grades. would be expected if students were performing inflation],” says Barber. “The student is hurt
“There were some semesters where grades better. because he/she cannot live up to the rigor
were really bad, and my evaluations dropped If students aren’t doing better work, why required of individuals in the marketplace…
proportionately,” Wu says. Despite the pressure, are they expecting better grades? Dr. Harvey Other students, true achievers, are hurt because
he resists grade inflation as much as possible. “I Mansfield, professor of government at Harvard their achievements are marginalized by higher
don’t give out very many A’s.” and a critic of grade inflation, points to a greater grades being awarded to sub-par work. The
This correlation between grades and course cultural trend. university is hurt because it gains a reputation
evaluations was supported in a 1999 study at “Grade inflation has resulted from the not for preparation for life, but rather an easy
Duke University by Dr. Valen Johnson, author of emphasis in American education on the notion way to obtain a college degree.”
Candid Cougs
“Which do you like cake or pie?”
Jake Kleinschmidt
Bret Davis - Psychology Campus News Editor
“Pie.”
Psychology -Mitzi Ang
“Cake.”
Caitlin Ribera - English
“Cake.”
Business - Leah Sarkkinen
“Pie.”
Liz rosas - Psychology
“Pie.”
Biology - Bryan Johnson
“Cake.”
Elijah Houle- -Computer Science
“Cake.”
 4 STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

Annual dodgeball tournament TUESDAY TO SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 – 10

CelebrateÊOurÊ
CarnegieÊLibraryÊ
Centennial
andÊmeetÊ
AndrewÊCarnegie!
(well his look-a-like, noted re-enactor George Dauler)
Located in Vancouver’s 1909
Carnegie Library building, the Clark
County Historical Museum is one
of 41 Carnegie libraries built in
Washington State with funding from
steel magnate and philanthropist,
Andrew Carnegie.
Join the museum and WSUV History
Department on campus, Saturday, Oct. 10 at
10 a.m. in ADMIN 110 and experience George
Dauler as he portrays the famous philanthropist.
Contact the museum for official schedule and
location of all performances taking place Oct. 6-10.
FRUGAL FAMILY FUN

1511 Main St., Vancouver WA

(360) 993-5679
www.cchmuseum.org

This FREE program

is sponsored
by Humanities
Washington, Friends
of the Library
Groups, individual
museum supporters
and The Columbian.

(Top) Nick Jurgensen prepares to throw the ball at the opponent. (Above) Sean Meyers and Jake Kleinschmidt defend themselves from being thrown out in the dodgeball tournament on Sept. 24. Joseph Tiegs/The VanCougar

10/6 Archery Indoor Instruction at Archery World @ 7 p.m.; $5 for students, $10 for non-students - 10/7 Diverse Careers, Diverse people @ 4 p.m. in VLIB 240

Social and Environmental Justice Cougs’ zoo trip
Sally Thrall
Staff Writer
N ow is the time to get involved with the Social and
Environmental Justice Club if you are concerned about
many of the issues facing not just the local community,
but the world at large. The Social and Environmental
Justice Club complements the overall University
education by teaching students about issues they may
not learn about in their classes. Also, the club features
issues that are of particular concern to the students.
In a sense, the goal of the Social and Environmental
Justice Club is to inform students and the community
about some of the problems facing our global and local
communities.
If you come to the Social and Environmental
Club, you can expect to find ways to get involved
with community issues right off the bat. Community
members and professors often come to meetings to
share information about local volunteer projects that
directly affect issues of social and environmental
justice. You can find information about projects like
Stream Team, which helps to clean up local streams in
the area from litter and invasive species in an effort to
restore the vegetation to its normal state. Or you can
find information about the Vancouver division of Meals
on Wheels which provides meals to members of the
community in need of food.
Students are more than encouraged to get involved
because the club is interested in student input and the
direction that the members want to take the club. At
the first meeting, advisors stressed the ideas of the
open ended possibilities of the club and the type of
progressive messages the club could promote. “It’s
really about where the members want to take the club,”
said Taj Mahon. And the members have already started
thinking about where exactly that is.
The club is still in the planning stages for what they
would like to do this year, and some ideas are already
being discussed. Members of the club are discussing
the possibility of getting some guest speakers to come
to campus and inform the community of issues that
VANCOUGAR.COM
10/12 Dirt: The Erosion of Civilization; Professor Dave Montgomery; Scholars Lecture Series @ 6 p.m. in VUCB 1 - 10/14 National Dessert Day; Free ice cream @ 1 p.m.
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT 5
might be of interest to the people. There have also been
talks of social and environmental justice themed art/
performance art shows or finding a way to bring social
and environmental justice publications and literature to
campus. The Social and Environmental Justice Club
is interested in any way to disperse information about
important issues, including working with KOUG radio.
Input from anyone in the community who would like to
get involved is welcomed and appreciated.
So far this year, the Social and Environmental Justice
Club has already been hard at work trying to get more
people interested in the club and some of the goals of
the club. The Social and Environmental Justice Club
tabled at Vancouver’s Peace and Justice fair where
there was a great turn out from members of the local
community and presented the club with opportunities
for possibly collaborating with other local organizations
in the future. The Social and Environmental Justice
Club is thinking of collaborating with the Center for
Columbia River History and the Center for Social and
Environmental Justice on a conference about the impact
of dams on indigenous peoples and the environment.
This year the work builds upon that of the Social and
Environmental Justice Club last year.
Last year, the Social and Environmental Justice Club
hosted a symposium open to the public called “Cross
Cutting the Themes of Social and Environmental
Justice.” This symposium hosted panel speakers
discussing with the community issues ranging from
free trade agreements, to poverty, to political amnesty.
It provided a forum for the public to chat with
knowledgeable speakers about these dense issues and
gain a better understanding of the issues and maybe be
presented with differing view points.
If any student is interested in getting involved with
the Social and Environmental Justice Club, they are
encouraged to come to the club meetings every other
Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Firstenberg Student
Commons. The next meeting will be on Wednesday,
Oct. 7.
Triana Collins/The VanCougar
WSU VANCOUVER CAMPUS READING PROGRAM: LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel presents
“Ecology and Geography in
Yann Martel’s Life of Pi”
BY
Brian Tissot, PhD
Associate Professor, Science Program, WSU Vancouver
&
Jorge Lizárraga
Diversity Faculty Fellow, WSU Vancouver
Brian Tissot’s research is focused on the ecology and conservation
of marine invertebrates and fishes. His research projects investigate
issues at the interface between conservation science, management,
and policy. He holds a PhD in zoology from Oregon State University.
Jorge Lizárraga’s research and teaching interests center on human
geography, designed landscapes, and environmental studies.
He is ABD in geography from the University of California, Berkeley.
Wednesday, October 7, Noon, VUCB 125
WSU VANCOUVER CAMPUS READ: LIFE OF PI
‘Religion and Spirituality’
in Life of Pi by Yann Martel
October 21 - VUCB 125 - 6:00 p.m.
Moderated by Jorge Lizárraga
 6 FEATURE
‘See You At The Pole’
Nationwide event also held on campus
Chau Nguyen
Staff Writer
H aving to wake up early and be outside in
the cold weather did not stop the Chi Alpha Club
members from getting together and praying.
As a lot of people drove by the flagpole on
Wednesday, Sept. 23rd from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.,
they slowed down and wondered what a group
of people were doing in front of the Student
Service Center. It was “See You at the Pole
Day 2009”, when Christians all across America
gather to pray for anything. “See You at the
Pole” connects Christians on campus at the
beginning of the school year and helps them
stay in unity throughout the year.
Eight people held hands and prayed for
America, for the U.S. troops, the President,
and the government. They prayed that poverty
and hunger would be reduced or no longer be
in existence. They also prayed for Christian
churches around the world and were thankful
that they live in a country where they are not
persecuted for their religion. Some Chi Alpha
club members stepped up and prayed for each
other. They prayed for a fabulous school year
Matt Hunter was one of the students who showed up Wednesday, Sept. 23 for the ‘See You At The Pole’ event.
The Rant Kati Hughes
Copy Editor
F or most students who want to go on to
Graduate school and earn a Master’s degree or
a Doctorate, the Graduate Records Examination
(GRE) is a big scary monster lurking in the
future for which they know they must prepare,
but for which they know not how to prepare.
Many undergraduate students do not even
know they will have to take the GRE in order
to get into Grad school. When I heard about it,
I assumed that since it is a test one takes after
earning a Bachelor’s degree, I would already
know everything I need to know to pass it.
I assumed wrong. The GRE standard test
is a beast, and the worst part is that it isn’t
even a real gauge for the breadth and depth of
a students’ knowledge. All it measures is the
students’ ability to take standardized tests. The
questions are designed to trick you, to get you to
answer wrong. The math section is the worst for
English majors, and it says something about the
uselessness of the test that more and more grad
schools are no longer requiring GRE test results
in application packets.
10/6 Costco Sustainability Supply Chains presentation @ 7 p.m. in VADM 220 - 10/7 Master of Accounting Information Night @ 6 p.m. in VADM 129
during which everyone will do well in school
and for families to be able to take some time
off from work and also for friends to talk with
their parents or siblings. Emily Mertsching, the
Chi Alpha Club President, prayed for younger
generations that they will be protected from the
dangers of the world.
Chi Alpha Club is a Christian club on campus.
It meets every Thursday at 11 a.m. in the
Student Commons and Monday nights at 6 p.m.
The location is not yet determined for Monday
nights. Anyone interested can send e-mails to
articflowerzz@gmail.com and Mertsching will
send out updated information about the club
and meetings.
Mertsching is really excited to see the club
grow. “More people show up at club meetings
this year than last year. We have about 12 solid
members. There are new people coming to
meetings every week.”
The club has some exciting plans for this year.
In December, the members are doing Christmas
blessings when they will give out coffee, cocoa,
or cookies. They also plan to do a concert with
local bands in either January or February. And
in the spring, they will do free car washing!
Chau Nguyen/The VanCougar
When I started studying for the GRE I found
out that I can retake the test as many times as I
want in order to improve my score. That was
my plan for awhile; take the test, then re-study
for the sections I failed. Unfortunately, the test
costs $130.00 to take, and they list all of your
previous scores when they send the results to
your schools. Instead of looking like someone
who can get an awesome score on the GRE, you
end up looking like a professional test-taker.
Also, you look like an idiot because you’re
too poor from paying for 6 exams to buy new
clothes for your college interview.
Now that I know I only have one chance
to pass the GRE, I’m spending more time
studying vocabulary than doing homework for
my actual classes. The study guide that I bought
for the GRE has a list of the most commonly
used words on the test, and tips on how best to
memorize them.
Oh, by the way, the list is six hundred
words long. One of the study tips is to “use
these words in your everyday conversations
to allow maximum retention.” First of all,
just no. Second of all, if I went around using
words like “impecunious” instead of “poor” and
“intransigent” instead of “stubborn” I would
look like a pompous ass. There may be those
The Rant
Jake Kleinschmidt
Campus News Editor
I hate La Center.
Unfortunately, I live in that town. Well, not
in it, but near it. I was given the rock and a hard
place decision between La Center and Woodland
as my home address. This feeling of not really
belonging to either small town helps me sleep at
night, because if I lived in either of them, I do
not think there would be enough water on earth
to wash off my shame.
When people say La Center either they don’t
know what you are talking about, or think about
casinos. La Center must have about 500 of
them and they seem to do pretty well at taking
everyone’s money. Either by legal or illegal
means like the horse betting that happened
several years ago. These gambling houses
which lead to the legendary “La Center Bum”
have been reaping in the profits ever since I
was born. And if you are still shocked on the
statement that La Center is large enough to be
a city, but at the same time have a label for a
vagrant, believe it.
La Center is small, ridiculously small, yet
is still a city. No Street lights, but still a city.
Maybe that’s just simply because they have
sidewalks. The once quaint little logging town
sitting off the east fork of the Lewis River has
turned into a “city” with an inflated sense of self
importance.
The casinos enjoy the easy life by purchasing
the police shiny fast cars, and the government
of you out there thinking, “I use those words
all the time, and nobody thinks I’m a pompous
ass.” Yes, they do. Just stop.
Don’t even get me started on the subject
tests. Most of the grad schools I’m applying
to don’t require a subject test, but since one
of them does I have to take that one as well.
As it is only offered three times a year, and
costs $150.00 to take, I only have one shot. In
addition to the scarcity of test dates, there is
only one available practice test. While the GRE
standard test is repugnant for just plain sucking,
at least there are almost countless practice tests
available online and through mail order with
which to humiliate and disillusion myself.
The GRE subject test in English Literature
is a freaking nightmare. You are tested on
basically everything written in the English
language since there was an English language,
even back when it sounded like German with a
Scottish accent. Becoming familiar with these
archaic texts basically involves learning another
language, because the excerpts used on the
GRE subject test are in modern English and the
original freaky Germanish-Scottishish English,
but you never know which it will be.
I’m basically trying to familiarize myself
with the major authors as canonized by the good
new city halls. This allows the card dealers
to have a great deal of influence on what they
are allowed to get away with. To make matters
even worse, the second largest entity associated
with the government through marriage is the
construction companies.
When the economy is in the toilet and the
housing market already in the sewers you would
think that if someone mentioned building more
houses the “industrial strength landscaping
fertilizer” would hit the fan. But alas, they are
still building because that helps the powers that
beget not only more money from taxes, but
money from business. I am not terribly fond of
paying for my mayor to go golfing on weekends
on taxpayer money, even after being reelected
after that discovery.
To make matters worse, La Center seems to
have quite the arrogant atmosphere about it. And
I am not just talking about the typical “small
town values” or “keep the community small,”
as they keep building residential areas without
caring about peoples jobs. They seem to believe
that they are the world’s example to a perfect
community. If a perfect city requires arrogance,
stacked on top of more corruption than the
mind can possibly imagine, then La Center has
achieved above and beyond perfection.
La Center, I hate you. I hate you for your
casinos buying out the government. I hate you
for your absolute arrogance and unimaginable
ignorant ways of life. Go back to your logs and
rivers, get a new government and stop whining
about Indian casinos that give people jobs other
than the ones that line the government’s private
pockets.
people at Norton, but I’ve noticed that the Bronte
sisters, Jane Austen, and William Makepeace
Thackeray are not in those anthologies, so I’m
pretty sure there are huge gaps in my literary
knowledge. Yay!
GRE, look at what you have done to my
life, and the lives of so many others. Because
I was so thoroughly unprepared for you when
I was supposed to be applying for Grad school
last winter, I have had to take a year off before
grad school, effectively putting my entire life
on hold.
I have spent more time learning how to dodge
your trick questions and effectively guess on
questions with no clear answer than I have spent
learning anything of value. I have increased my
vocabulary by six hundred words that I can’t
use in everyday conversation or – for some
– even in my academic work without appearing
to be a self-inflated egomaniac. And I have lost
nearly $300.00 for two tests that I may have
no choice but to retake. In all the time I have
spent doing this, I have not had time to work on
my college essays or writing samples. And yet,
GRE, you are one of the basic assessments that
determine whether I get into Brown University
or the University of Loserville. GRE, you are a
big, fat, stupid jerk and I hate you!

I met Harrison in my
anthropology class this semester. I
could tell from a distance that he was
musical because if you have seen
him walking around campus, he is
often carrying his guitar. After class
one day he invited my roommate
and I to attend a local acoustic
performance at the Vancouver mall.
So, I decided to see what he was all
about. After hearing him sing and
play the guitar I began to see just
how talented Harrison really is.
Harrison has been writing music
and singing for about two years. He
writes songs daily, and confessed
that in class it may look like he is
taking notes but he is actually jotting
down ideas for songs. He says his
inspiration for songs comes through
his life experiences. He writes about
topics ranging from fun times to
relationships to tragedies. Talking
with Harrison let me know just how
much music and performing means
to him. “Music to me is an escape to
another reality. When I am on stage,
I can bring out my alter-ego.”
For Christmas in 2007, Harrison was given
his first guitar. Since he did not know how to
play it, he went to the Power Cord Academy
in Seattle. He described this as a “rock n’ roll
music camp.” While at the camp Harrison
learned to play the guitar and discovered his
talent of singing. When put into a small group
to perform, he was forced to be the lead singer
when no one else would! Hey, you have to
discover your talent somehow.
After attending this camp, guitar has become
Harrison’s favorite instrument. He can play
both electric and acoustic but he prefers electric.
Besides his vocal talent and skills on the guitar,
Harrison can also play bass and drums.
With the discovery of his musical ability,
Harrison entered the Summer of Rock Anthem
hosted by KUFO. This is a contest specifically
Cougs horsing around
Recreation center rounds up riders
Triana Collins
Staff Writer
I t was a sunny day. I was walking by one of
those informative, shiny black boards with the
colored letters when I saw the sign: “Horseback
Riding!!! September 27th…” Next thing you
know, I’m in the Rec office, handing over my
last $5.
You see, I love horses. Yes, I may be
completely terrified of them (such big teeth!
such large appendages!) but that will not stop,
quell, or tame my adoration. Put a horn on a
hippopotamus and it becomes a rhinoceros
(terrifying!). A toad becomes a horny toad
(gross!). But a horse becomes the ultimate
creature of magic and mystery: a unicorn. So
in my mind, on Sept. 27, I had a date with a
unicorn.
In the carpool, WSUV student and Recreation
Assistant, Denise Eyerly, explained the origin
of the horseback riding trip that she organized
with the help of the other recreation-dedicated
individuals in the WSUV Rec office: she loves
horses and wanted to go for a ride! Renee Rugh,
a sign language interpreter at WSUV, said she
signed up simply because she had never been
on a horse before. I decided not to share my
real reason for going, thinking they might find
it “odd,” “strange,” or even “unrealistic.” The
real reason was finding the perfect horse to
become my perfect unicorn that would dye its
hair rainbow, learn how to fly, and leave a trail
of glitter everywhere we go.
The SEXpert
Dr. D
Staff Writer
Question: “I’m really attracted to a good
friend of mine and would like to get something
going, but I’m afraid to mess up our friendship!”
- Allen C.
10/8 Test Anxiety Workshop @ 1 p.m. in VFSC 104 - 10/13 HD Club Meeting @ 12 p.m. in VMMC 219 - 10/17 Fall Preview Day @ 9:30 a.m. in VADM 110
Student Spotlight: Polo
Music, writing, and Star Wars?
Danielle Tanner
Feature Editor
created for songwriters looking to have their
songs recognized by the public. The song
Harrison chose to enter was “Summertime,”
which is about living it up on the last night of
summer. This contest not only won him $500,
but allowed him to be recognized in a huge
way.
Since this contest, Harrison has performed
many times at Vancouver’s “Pop culture,” a
music venue that allows local bands to perform
Upon arriving at Silver Buckle Ranch
in Bush Prairie (a non-profit organization
dedicated to helping at-risk youth through hard/
horse labor), I found out that the eleven eager
riders from WSUV were pretty evenly divided
by those who had ridden a handful of times to
those that had never even touched a horse. Due
to the abundance of attendees (or the shortage
of horses), our group had one horse to two
riders. (While the ranch did have a fair number
of ponies, goats, and cows, they were not up for
the task of carting around a large human on their
backs).
Mason O’Lennick, a hardworking yet
somehow relaxed student double-majoring in
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, was a
relative beginner with horses. “I started riding
a few months ago and haven’t wanted to stop,”
said O’Lennick. Our shared horse was named
Black, probably due to its coat, which was the
color of oil. It glistened in the sun like it had just
had that precious natural resource poured on.
Our instructor was half my height and half
my age. While a senior in the horsemanship
scene, she was in the sixth grade, had been
working with horses for eight years, and was
a highly valued volunteer at the ranch. She
showed us how to brush Black’s filthy coat,
comb his knotty hair, and tie his hairy face to a
pole. She warned us not to get our toes crushed
by his massive hoofs, and explained the reason
why horses and ponies are always separated (an
ancient feud; they just don’t get along). We
were then fitted for a life-saving, yet optional
Answer: This is a tricky one. Especially if
your friend happens to much more attractive
than you. No offense, but that is probably why
you guys are just friends. However, if you feel
like you really have a chance at making your
friendship something more, follow these steps.
1. Pretend you like someone else. Someone
really, really hot. Talk about this girl constantly
and how she just “gets” you. Your real girl friend
will become super jealous almost immediately
if she does in fact like you.
2. When she becomes jealous, start
FEATURE 7
will cover a variety of topics. In
the first show, which took place
just last week, Harrison talked
about the art of flirting.
Although Harrison may be
mostly known for his musical
talent, there is more to him
than just that! Some other fun
facts about Harrison include his
obsession with Star Wars. He
calls himself a “fanatic” when it
comes to Star Wars trivia. He also
loves to play video games, and is
a big Halo fan. He is an English
major, and enjoys writing fiction
short stories. And, he has been a
vegetarian for about 16 years!
In the future, Harrison dreams
of having his own record label.
Although his major is English,
he is also thinking about going
into audio engineering and
working toward having a studio.
More than anything, he would
just like to have recognition as a
singer/songwriter. He is not the
typical guitar player who wants
Photo courtesy of Harrison Polo to be famous and have every girl
in the world drooling over him. He
genuinely loves music and simply wants to have
people everywhere hear his music.
If you are wondering how you can witness
the talent of Harrison Polo, there are many
opportunities. On October 10th he playing at the
live. Although he sometimes performs with Waterfront in Portland for a fundraiser at 12:00
p.m. He is also playing at Pop Culture October
friends, Harrison is mostly a one man show.
He has also been recognized through his 23rd and 24th at 7:00. Pop Culture is located at
work on the radio. On Thursdays from 12-1 in 1929 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660.
If you happen to pass by Harrison on
the afternoon he co-hosts the Koug radio, right
here at WSUV. It’s called “H and H,” which campus, don’t be afraid to say hello. He is one
stands for “Harrison and Hillary.” The show of the friendliest and most approachable people
covers “life at college,” both the fun times and I have met my first semester at WSUV. For
the challenges. On Monday nights from 8-9 p.m. more information about Harrison, and to hear
Harrison hosts error FM, a station in Portland the song that was selected as the Summer of
that plays indie/alternative rock/pop music. This Rock Anthem, visit his myspace page at www.
new development called “Monday Night Polo” myspace/fivecpu.
helmet. (Two people in the group chose not to
wear them, apparently having extremely hard
skulls).
answered, “Definitely.” Would you go back?
O’Lennick didn’t need to think, “Oh, totally.”
Eyerly, the group organizer, thought the event
Out in the rink, we learned the essential
horse commands. Whoa equals stop; kicking
was such a success that she plans on having
another horseback riding trip in the spring.
your feet into bulbous belly equals go. As As we were leaving, everyone profusely
usual, I had some trouble paying attention to thanked the instructors, inquired about how to
instructions. I was too busy wondering about volunteer or get private lessons, and excitedly
the best placement for a sharp, pointy, golden
horn on Black’s large, luscious head. Thus, I
planned for Silver Buckle Ranch’s upcoming
Fall Festival. The free event will feature
wasn’t surprised when I was clueless as to how hundreds of pumpkins, demos on roping, pony
to maneuver Black left and right between the rides, equine displays, a petting zoo, and more.
obstacle course poles (we knocked down every For more information on the ranch, visit: www.
one! ‘Attaboy!). silverbuckle.org.
It was a 90 degree day. Black was black, hot,
and cranky. He repeatedly
ran when I said walk,
stopped when I said go,
drank deeply from a blue
bucket when I said trot
around the orange cone.
He did not want to entertain
my unicorn fantasies. I
decided it was time to get
off and let my partner have
a go.
Around 4 p.m. everyone
seemed exhausted, covered
in horse hair/dandruff
and ready to call it a day.
Was it a success? Rugh
complimenting her on her outfits, smile, jokes,
Web Editor
and of course, new shoes. She will notice that
even though you ‘like that other girl,’ you are
noticing her as well.
3. Finally, when you have her on your sly,
sticky web, tell her that the girl you liked was
her. Either she’s flattered, or she becomes
super awkward. What’s true love with the risk
though, right?
Needed
Have any questions you’d like to ask our
resident Sexpert? Contact Dr. D. at vancoug@
vancouver.wsu.edu Apply now at vancougar.com
 8 SPORTS AND RECREATION
Soccer Profiles
“All the single ladies at WSUV holla
at me at 509-855-1636.”
Name: Abraham (Abe) Robles
Birthday: April 9, 1989
Position: Forward
Reasons for joining the soccer club: I enjoy
playing soccer and scoring goals.
Did you play soccer in high school?: Yes, I
played on varsity in my freshman and sophomore
years. I did not play in my junior or senior year
because I did Running Start.
Favorite food: Gyros sandwich
Random facts: I hate it when people touch my
hair and I went to Germany for a week when I
was sixteen for World Youth Day.
Open gym basketball
Bringing the heat
Alex Giebelhaus
Staff Writer
S tudents came out ready to play on Sept.
23, 2009 for the second basketball open gym.
There were around 30 athletes excited to play
some competitive basketball. The location
of open gym is at Alki Middle School off of
134th St. Washington State University students,
faculty, and staff are the only ones allowed to
participate in open gym. Some students had
to arrive late due to class conflicts. Open gym
is usually between 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on
Wednesdays and everyone has the opportunity
to get in early for a warm up. The season of open
gym basketball usually runs mid September to
late November. There is another season that
starts up in early spring. Open gym is put on by
the WSU Recreation center.
“We are lucky that we are at Alki because in
the past we have had to move around to many
locations,” said Tim Snyder. The gym seemed
to be enough space for the Cougars because it
was two full sized courts. The way open gym
is set up is there are two courts with four even
teams playing two games simultaneously. The
winners of each court play a final match and
then the teams split up again.
Skill level varied amongst players, but
10/8 Last Day of Outdoor Soccer @ 3:30 p.m. - 10/10 Outdoor Soccer Tournament; sign up in Recreation Office on Oct. 5 - 10/15 Flag Football begins @ 3 p.m.
“My name is Ochoa.”
Name: Andrew Montehermoso
Birthday: June 25, 1989
Position: Midfielder
Reasons for joining the soccer club: I love
playing soccer and playing keeps me in shape.
Did you play soccer in high school?: Yes, I
played all four years of high school.
Favorite food: French toast with peanut butter
and jelly sandwich.
Random facts: I like long walks on the beach,
walking my dog in the park, lying on a blanket
under the stars, and all I can afford right now is
top ramen.
everyone was able to put forth a strong effort
and have a good game. The constant squeak of
the gym floor resembled the melody of a song.
Athletes giving it there all and having a positive
attitude is what was happening in Alki Middle
School’s gym at 8:30 p.m.
Everyone seemed to be so aggressive as
if there was a social status to winning. Many
were happy to see that four girls came out to
compete. The sportsmanship was good for the
most part according to Kevin Guzman. Joseph
Tiegs stated, “The sportsmanship varies most of
the time. It’s basketball, and people are getting
into each others faces, so it’s to be expected.”
There were a variety of comments, but for the
most part there was a lot of positive feedback.
This is well known in basketball on and off
the court. People are always in each other’s
faces because of the close proximity of players.
Although this was intramural basketball
the intensity was unrivaled. Players were
hustling and diving to keep possession of the
ball. Teamwork is essential in basketball and
everyone was working well together to have a
strong defensive and offensive game.
“The way we set up open gym allows everyone
to play with everyone else that came out,” says
Tim Snyder. Open gym allows students to make
connections and meet new people while playing
some competitive basketball.
Joe Creager/The VanCougar

Senior Linebacker Jason Stripling (51) attempts to tackle SMU’s Running-back Ryan
Armstrong. Joseph Tiegs/The VanCougar
Cougars win in OT kick
Southern Methodist University falls
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - Nico Grasu
kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime as
Washington State came back to beat Southern
Methodist 30-27 on Saturday for their first win
of the season.
The Mustangs (2-1) had the first drive of
overtime. But Bo Levi Mitchell threw deep into
the end zone on the first play and was picked
off by Chima Nwachukwu. It was Washington
State’s fourth interception of the game.
The Cougars (1-2) took over on the 25 and
gained just three yards on three plays before
Grasu’s game winner. Earlier in the game he
missed a 39-yard field goal.
It was the first time Washington State had led
all season.
Southern Methodist led 24-7 in the third
quarter and seemed to be cruising to victory.
Then the WSU defense took control.
Linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis picked off
Mitchell at midfield and ran the ball back 52
yards for a touchdown late in the third. But the
snap for the conversion was fumbled, and the
Cougars trailed 24-13. That missed extra point
would end up costing them a chance to win in
regulation.
Matt Szymanski kicked a field goal early in
the fourth for SMU.
Linebacker Myron Beck picked off a
scrambling Mitchell and outran the Mustangs
for a 67-yard touchdown that cut SMU’s lead to
10/26 Pac 10 Fitness Challenge Week - 10/26 Pac 10 Billiards and Ping Pong Play in VFSC - 10/27 Elliptical Relay in Fitness Center - 10/29 Bowling Tournament
SPORTS AND RECREATION 9
FITNESS CENTER
Hours
M-Th : 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat-Sun: Closed
Equipment
Ellipticals & Treadmills
Free Weights
Leg Presses, Extension, & Curl
machines
Medicine balls & Yoga mats
Strength bands & jump ropes
Policy
Fitness center is free to all WSUV
students, faculty, and staff. Must
sign liability waiver. Bring Fit-
ness Center card each visit.
Trainer
A certified personal trainer is
available to Fitness Center users
at no cost. Develop a fitness plan,
learn how to use the equipment,
or develop strength for a specific
sport or activity. The sessions are
free. Get fit! Stay fit!
27-20 with 10:07 left.
Mitchell led SMU deep into WSU territory
on the next drive but was picked off by Brandon
Jones. The Cougars’ offense went 3-and-out,
but SMU did the same and Washington State
got the ball back on its 20 for one last drive.
The Cougars benefited from a key pass
interference call on fourth down against Sterling
Moore on receiver Jared Karstetter that gave
them first down on SMU’s 34. Quarterback
Marshall Lobbestael completed two passes to
give them first down on the SMU 7 with 36
seconds left.
On the second play, Lobbestael hit a diving
Karstetter in the end zone with 28 seconds left.
Grasu kicked the extra point to tie the game at
27-27.
The loss ruined a career day for Mitchell,
who completed 40 of 57 passes for 424 yards
and two touchdowns, but also four interceptions.
Receiver Emmanuel Sanders caught a school
record 18 passes for 178 yards, while Terrance
Wilkerson caught two touchdown passes.
The Mustangs had 504 yards of offense,
compared to 276 for WSU.
Lobbestael, who replaced Kevin Lopina at
starting quarterback this game, completed 24
of 52 passes for 239 yards and was picked off
twice. Karstetter finished with five catches for
63 yards.
10 ARTS, CULTURE, AND ENTERTAINMENT
Coug’s Night Out
Essential Guide to Bars and Clubs
in Vancouver
Bar Name and Location
Back Alley Bar & Grill
6503 E Mill Plain Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (360) 694.6873
Beaches
1919 Se Columbia River Dr
Vancouver, WA 98661
Phone: (360) 699.1592
Blackstone
3200 SE 164th St.
Vancouver, WA 98683
Phone: (360) 253.0523
Chronis
819 Main Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (360) 690.0032
Cinetopia/Vinetopia
11700 SE 7th St
Vancouver, WA 98683
Phone: (360) 213.2800
Elbow Room
1800 Broadway St
Vancouver, WA 98663
Phone: (360) 694.3552
Irishtown
11600 SE Mill Plain Blvd # F
Vancouver, WA 98684
Phone: (360) 253.1470
Oscars Place
400 NE 112TH Ave
Vancouver, WA 98684
Phone: (360) 256.7175
Salmon Creek Brewery and Pub
108 W Evergreen Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (360) 993.1827
The QuarterDeck
4300 E Fourth Plain Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98661
Phone: (360) 694.8016
10/13 Promotions Committee Meetings: Plan the fun for Downtown Vancouver @ 8:30 a.m. in VDA office - 10/14 Design Committee Meeting @ 12 p.m. in VDA office
Local Fare: Mint Tea Imports
A unique addition to Main Street
Jess Davis
ACE Editor
Sally Thrall
Staff Writer
Tea Imports occasionally hosts events. During
the summer months, Mint Tea Imports hosts
a free drum circle where the public can come
Bar Features and Happy Hour
W hen first walking into Mint Tea Imports, and jam with others, or just enjoy the music.
Dancers are also encouraged to come enjoy the
I was overwhelmed by the cozy atmosphere
and visual aesthetic. The eclectic collection of drum circle. Mint Tea Imports also hosts art
Six pool tables, Karaoke seven days a week, shows for the public to enjoy and musicians to
worldly goods adds a colorful element to the
Seven big screen TV’s. add to the customer’s experience. If you really
shop that would otherwise look like an English
Happy Hour: M-F, 3 - 6 p.m. enjoy Mint Tea Imports, you can also rent
country home. The outside of the shop welcomes
private space to host events.
the public with plenty of seating and a well-kept
garden. The exterior complements the inside of The seating on the bottom floor includes an
Waterfront location, Outdoor volleyball. adults-only Moroccan room, where I chose to
the shop, where imported merchandise mingles
Happy Hour: M-F, 4 - 6 p.m. drink my pot of Roo-Berry Tea. The Roo-Berry
with delicious food and tea. There are two
Tea, now one of my
levels to the shop. The
personal favorites, is
bottom level contains
Live music late week, Upscale atmosphere, Full a slightly sweet herbal
the merchandise,
menu during happy hour. tea that contains just the
kitchen and a seating
Happy Hour: M-Sa, 4 - 6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.- right amount of fruity
area, while the top story
Close, All Day Sunday flavor. Do not expect
has additional seating,
to find any NSFW (not
including a fun alcove
to share with close safe for work) items in
friends. the Moroccan room; it
50 cent or 6/$2.50 Taco Tuesday night, Two dart is adults-only because
Mint Tea Imports
boards, Pinball, Golf, Karaoke Th-Sa, 9pm. there are expensive
sells imported items
Happy Hour: M-F, 4 - 6 p.m. musical instruments
ranging from free-trade
that can only be played
olive oil, to bath and
body care, to beautifully made scarves. If you responsibly.
State of the art theatres on-site, Full restaurant, When my party of four friends took our
are in the market for Moroccan drums, or henna
Live Jazz and blues in bar and before mov- seats, we had the pleasure of listening to one
tambourines, then you might enjoy shopping in
ies, Wine tasting machines. Happy Hour: M-F, of our friends play a Tibetan singing bowl. As
the Moroccan Room. Or if you want to purchase
3 - 6 p.m. & 8 - 10 p.m. the reverberations filled the room, we waited
hand crafted jewelry from India, then you can
probably find it at Mint Tea. One could spend for our tea to steep. Service is fast; depending
over an hour looking at all of the fun items on on the type of tea, service will take anywhere
Heavy handed bartending, Attentive servers. from two to five minutes for the tea to brew.
sale. But merchandise is not the only thing sold
Happy Hour: M-F, 5 - 7 p.m. The tea comes brewed in a pot placed with tea
here.
cups on an ornamental tray. You can ask for
Mint Tea Imports is also a bistro that
cream and sugar to add to the tea, but many
provides local, sustainable and organic
goodies for purchase. They have many vegan brews are enjoyable by themselves. They also
Full menu, Live Irish music on Wednesdays/ have jasmine blossom tea, which comes in a
and vegetarian options to choose from, like
Rock music on Friday, Karaoke Monday, Two flower that opens up when it is done brewing.
Moroccan spiced tofu and summer vegetables.
pool tables, Five dart boards, Big screen TV. The aroma and taste of the tea adds to the rest of
They also have fine cuts of meat, including
Happy Hour: Everyday, 3 - 7 p.m. the atmosphere for a full-bodied experience.
carefully seasoned lamb, to satisfy carnivore
cravings. They have baklava, truffles, lunch and Needless to say, I fell in love with this shop
dinner menus, oh and of course, tea. The tea once I explored all it had to offer and was able
Three pool tables, One dart board, Shuffleboard! to taste their wonderful teas. If you are a tea (or
comes in a variety of flavors and varieties, such
Happy Hour: M-F, 3-6pm. food) lover, I recommend Mint Tea Imports for
as black, herbal, green and even special blends.
a tasty time. If you are a fan of imported items, I
The tea is imported seasonally from around the
recommend Mint Tea Imports as a new location
world and blended by Strand Tea Company in
Oregon. The staff is very friendly, and will offer for shopping. If you’re open for something new
Beer brewed on-site, Laid back atmosphere, Full and a little out of the ordinary, I recommend
to let you smell any of the teas, and recommend
menu. Mint Tea Imports for the cozy atmosphere and
what to eat with the tea or when to eat it.
Happy Hour: M-Th and Sa, 3 -6 p.m. the escape it provides from the mundane café.
In addition to food and merchandise, Mint
Karaoke Wed. and Fri; Four pool tables, Two
Poetry Place
dart boards, Two Mega Touch’s, Pinball, Golf,
Foosball, WII.
Happy Hour: M-W, 4 -7 p.m.
Elizabeth
“You need a hug,” she says.
I feel the heavy softness
of her experienced arms encircling me.
No longer firm flesh or toned muscle
they are history and wisdom.
Worn smooth from the dispensation of comfort
Her skin is cool and paper-thin like fine silk.
The fabric of a treasured dress one cannot bear to stop wearing
I have accumulated in my own years
resentment and uncertainty layered like the earth’s strata
Her hugs slowly, tenderly excavate the fossils of my life
eroding without judgment the sediments
binding the truth of my future to the error of my past
By Penney Samuel
Submit now to the Salmon Creek Journal
scj@vancouver.wsu.edu

DJ Dossier: Stuart Ellisards
Amy Thielen
Staff Writer
K OUG Radio DJ Stuart Ellis’ involvement
with music does not end when he leaves the ra-
dio studio. In addition to hosting his radio show
“Radiodiffusion Internasionaal,” Ellis dedicates
much of his time to maintaining his web site of
the same name. His web site focuses on explor-
ing popular music from the 1960s – 1970s in
Africa, The Middle East, India, and Asia, while
displaying how popular Western music influ-
enced music in these other parts of the world.
“The web site evolved out of a set of mix CDs
that I had made for a few friends,” said Ellis,
“Over time, I started posting new finds, and that
eventually became the mess it is today.”
On his web site, Ellis posts hundreds of songs
from these areas of the world. For each song,
he provides a detailed description of the song
and artist as well as showcases the record cover
for the song. Additionally, Ellis includes links
to other web sites that focus on world music,
including Seattle based record label Sublime
Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies’ founder Alan Bishop
has been an important influence for Ellis’ radio
show. “He is the person who gave me the idea
for the format of the show,” said Ellis, “with the
bits of static and other sounds. I borrow heav-
ily from his radio collage releases on Sublime
Frequencies.”
The music Ellis plays for his radio show is the
same music his web site focuses on; late 1960s
to early 1970s era music from Africa, The Mid-
dle East, India, and Asia. “The show is mixed
to sound like you are scanning the shortwave
frequencies,” said Ellis, “so various bits of field
records, song fragments, found sounds and stat-
ic are mixed in between the songs.”
Listen to KOUG Radio streaming live on kougradio.com
Fall TV show run-down
What you are missing while studying
Mark Balyshev
Photographer
H eroes - Can this show be saved? Maybe
it will, while this season brings a few new faces,
but it’s still full of misplaced dialogue and lame
powers for new characters. However, because
of the new cast additions it might come back
with a bang
Flash Forward - ABC Network is looking
for a new lost, this might be it. Everybody on
earth passes out and sees their future in exactly
six months. A few members of the Lost cast
show up in this series and gives us a lot of
promise. Pilot episode had great action sets and
resembled a lot of the first episode of Lost.
Sons of Anarchy - Second season of FX’s
biker “badass” has a great cast, but the narrow
focus of the show might not attract the general
viewer. That is disappointing because it actually
has great writing, and a becoming-of-age
storyline. Also, it’s safe to say that this show
might have one of the best casts on current TV
show line-up.
Fringe - FOX’s sci-fi series continues with the
second season. One-crazy-mystery-per-episode
theme worked great for the first season, and it
might work here as well. The lead detective
(Anna Torv) is horrible in front of the camera,
every dialogue she is in makes me cringe, but
the show is saved by the dad-son relationship
between Joshua Jackson and John Noble.
The Office - It’s the same: kind of funny
and awkward. Pam is pregnant, that’s the new
theme, but the show should of focus mainly on
the supporting cast to mix things up, and they
didn’t, doesn’t look like they will in this season
either.
Trauma - It’s shooting for a full hour medical
drama with prolonged action scenes, which
sounds pretty interesting, but yet, it’s boring….
Full of awkward dialogues and cliché characters,
skip it.
Community - Possibly the funniest series
on TV this season. Chevy Chases plays a great
trying-to-be-cool-grandpa, and the rest of the
cast is just as funny. Please watch this instead of
10/15 ‘Wait Until Dark’ @ 7 p.m. at The Magenta Theater; suspenseful mystery/thriller; tickets available online - 10/17 Farmer’s Market at 8th and Esther Street
ARTS, CULTURE, AND ENTERTAINMENT 11
Working for KOUG is not Ellis’ first expe-
rience with radio. Ellis, a current print and
graphic designer, was involved with radio
when he was a student at Auburn University. “I
worked in the production department at WEGL
at Auburn University when I went to college
there and occasionally helped out on the Punk
Rock/Hardcore show,” he said.
Though Ellis is not a student at WSUV, he
was convinced by a fellow KOUG DJ to join
KOUG radio. “Rich Lindsay talked me into it.
I couldn’t think of a reason not to do it,” Ellis
said.
The music Ellis has been playing for his show
has greatly influenced his current musical pref-
erences. “Right now, I would have to stay the
stuff that I play on my show [is my favorite
kind of music],” said Ellis, “It’s why I do what I
do. It’s just something I find unlike most of the
other forms of music that are generally shoved
down your throat on a daily basis. A lot of radio
stations claim to be ‘Alternative.’ The stuff I lis-
ten to is a real alternative to the ‘Alternative.’”
If you would like to listen to Ellis’ show, “Ra-
diodiffusion Internasionaal,” it airs every Mon-
day from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone who would
like to request songs can e-mail Ellis at stuart@
radiodiffusion.net If you would like to check
out his web site, the address is www.radiodif-
fusion.net In addition to posting information
about world music to his web site, Ellis posts
downloads of most of his previous radio shows,
links to artists played in the previous shows,
and playlists from his previous and upcoming
shows. For anyone who would like to help fur-
ther Ellis’ efforts with the web site by sending
him information, music, or translating record
covers, one can contact him at the e-mail ad-
dress stated above.
The Office, you won’t be disappointed.
House - Best two hour season premiere yet.
Dr. House is still crazy and off the meds, which
makes the show. It looks like the writers will not
take this season to its usual place, which might
be a reason to watching it.
Bored to Death - HBO’s new half hour
comedy with Jason Schwartzman and Zach
Galifianakis. Schwartzman plays a bored-of-life
unlicensed detective making this an enjoyably
weird, almost sad, but really funny new series.
Oh yeah, and did I mention Zach Galifianakis?
Need I say more?
Dexter - He is killing for two now (pun
intended). Great season premiere of Showtime’s
biggest series. Dexter is completely different
from any other show if you haven’t seen the
previews or first three seasons, go and rent them
tonight!
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia - Yes! It’s
finally back. FX’s bad comedy is back and it’s
still hilarious and completely, awkwardly mean
(to some people). Definitely watch this for a lot
of laughs.
Dollhouse - Joss Whedon’s new toy might
be a fanboys fantasy, but Eliza Dushku kills it
with her over-the-top acting, which Dollhouse
doesn’t need. If you like the first season, you
will probably like this one, but Whedon’s
writing is not that strong, and the series does
get boring after a while. I think Joss Whedon
needs to drop everything and bring Firefly back,
a thousand times please.
Glee - a musical high school comedy! Sounds
horrible right? Believe me, it’s simply fun. You
don’t have to invest a lot of time in order to get
this show.
Modern Family - Smart and funny half-hour
family show; watch it for the mockumentary
style comedy.
Bones- Everybody watches it, admit it. It’s
okay for a mainstream show. Everything is the
same with possibly a bit of added romance, but
that’s about it.
Psych- Wacky and hilarious, it is not going
for the best comedy on TV, but it’s something
so charming, and such a treat to watch every
week.
My dad is an early victim of this economic
crisis/financial meltdown thing that’s been
a nonstop topic on radio, TV, newspapers,
the internet, and the minds of each and
every American. The oncoming poverty
of US citizens has become such a common
and widespread theme that it’s the type of
conversation you can have with a stranger.
If you’re thrown into an awkward situation
with a coworker you don’t have anything in
common with, you can always bring up the
economic climate. It’s put the weather on
the back burner. Instead of saying, “Well gee
golly gosh it sure is hot today. How bout this
heat wave?” You can say, “Well gee golly
gosh, I sure do need to get my food stamp
forms in, how bout you?”
What: Presentation
When: Tuesday, Oct. 6
Time: 4 p.m.
Where: Vancouver City Hall
Cost: FREE
What: Slideshow
When: Thursday, Oct. 8
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Battle Ground Community Library
Cost: FREE
What: Reading (to Dogs!)
When: Saturday, Oct. 10
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Vancouver Mall Community Library
Cost: FREE
What: Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 11
Time: Various
Where: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Cost: (some stuff is…) FREE
What: Theatre
When: Friday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct.
15
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Magenta Theatre
Cost: FREE
If you haven’t lost your job, you
know someone who has. If you’re not on
unemployment, you know someone who is.
In my opinion, it’s bringing us all closer. My
dad can no longer tell me to “stop dreaming
and get a real job!” because he doesn’t have
one and has resorted to “working” on his
pairing of wine with certain TV shows (talk
shows are great for reds, Animal Planet for
white, etc.).
This whole job thing is no longer dividing
us because the truth is: life is work. We are
both just people, living, breathing, wandering,
wondering about what we’re supposed to be
doing next, and perhaps taking advantage
of all the FREE events other people have
organized for our enjoyment and enrichment.
The City of Vancouver wants to know if
you know where your garbage, yard debris,
and recycling go once you’ve haphazardly
thrown them on your curb. Well, do you?
They claim that this stuff you no longer
want and gift to the garbage man every
week takes a “fascinating” journey. They
want you to meet the haulers, processors,
local government peeps, and advisory
committee players responsible for managing
this “fascinating” journey and have planned
a presentation titled “Take It Away! – The
Many Travels of Your Trash and Recycling”.
Sounds fascinating…
Iran has been in the news a lot recently.
A lot of this news is negative. But how
many of us really know this country through
and through, let alone what it looks like?
Battleground librarian, Jackie Spurlock,
and her husband Mike traveled to Iran in
2006 and 2008, lived there from 1974-78
and took loads of pictures. They report
that the country is “complex, beautiful, and
fascinating”. See for yourself with their
presentation, “Images of Iran: A Slideshow
of Recent Visits.”
Okay, the event info says that you have
to be between the ages of 5 and 12 to
participate, but I highly suggest using your
persuasive skills to get in on the action,
because this is amazing. For two whole
hours, you get to read to a real, live, and
possibly listening therapy dog. It’s unclear
whether the dog needs therapy or the reader,
but either way, I guarantee this event will
unleash the roaring reader within.
If you like birds, music, history, or
buying stuff, you’ll probably have fun at the
BirdFest and Bluegrass Festival. Featuring:
Audubon-led bird and plant tours, bald eagle
talks, kayak tours, birders marketplace,
Native American demonstrations, salmon
bake, Bluegrass music with a jamming
workshop, craft stations, storytelling, raptor
shows, and so, so, so much more.
I’ve saved the best for last. FREE
THEATRE! Free stuff doesn’t get much
better than this. Last year a fabulous nation-
wide program, dedicated to introducing
people to live theatre, organized for 650
theatre companies in 120 cities to open their
doors to 65,000 new theatergoers for free.
The program is back this year, and our very
own Magenta Theatre will be participating
with their show, “Wait Until Dark,” a play
about a doll filled with narcotics, a blind
women, and two con men (how suspenseful!
How mysterious!). So, starting on Oct. 1,
you can get your pair of FREE tickets on
www.freenightoftheatre.net for this one of
a kind spectacle.
 12 STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Free Coffee Culture event

Music from around the world
Chau Nguyen them and asked if they could come to WSUV
Staff Writer and play music.”
When it comes to what keeps people awake, There were performers from Palau and
Egypt. The event gave students an opportunity
coffee is a good way to go. Coffee Culture on
to study, relax, hang out with friends, and hear
Sept. 24 provided people with energy for their
music from other countries that they have never
early morning classes while giving them a
heard before. Free coffee was provided. To
chance to listen to music around the world.
advertise for the event, Student Government
Coffee Culture is a new event this year

K\ckUg
and Student Involvement members went around
for ASWSUV (The Associated Students of
campus and handed out coupons for free coffee
Washington State University Vancouver).
to the students for several days before the event.
The idea originally came from Dan Jassal,
In order to enhance the nature of the event
who was a multicultural coordinator over the

dfYg]XYbh
more, Janine Johnston put flags from different
summer. Janine Johnston, Activities Director,
countries around the world on the walls.
took Jassal’s idea and made it real. “It took me
Quite a few people stopped by the Firstenburg
a couple of weeks to plan for the event,” said
Student Commons before, between, and after
Johnston, “It did not take long since I already
their morning classes from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
know the performers. I went to Mt. Hood
to join the event.
Community College with them. I just called

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10/7 Mayoral Candidate Debate in VADM 110 @ 3:30 p.m. - 10/8 Free Bowling Night at Crosley Lanes @ 9:30 p.m.; “Black Out” theme: wear black and white

Western themed dance
Cougs and Cowboys line dancing
Joey Hollibaugh
Staff Writer
F
or one night, the Firstenburg Student
Commons was transformed into a traditional
honky-tonk. On Friday, September 25, the
AWSUV hosted Cougs and Cowboys, an event
that featured country music, line dancing, and
mechanical bull rides.
The bull riding competition that took place
halfway through the event turned out to be the
highlight of the evening. Contestants had to take
on a fierce mechanical bull and compete to see
who could stay on the longest when only holding
on with one hand. Many students attempted to
master the art of bull riding to no avail. “The
bull ride is harder than it looks.” said Rebecca
Bawal. However, two men triumphantly rose as
victors in the contest. Abe Robels stayed on the
bull for 103 seconds, while ASWUV President,
Nick Ferderer, came in a close second place
with a time of 94 seconds. Even after the
competition was over, bull riding continued to
lure the masters in throughout the night. Alisa
Astrakhan, inspired by competitors who rode
before her, took the stage and laid down a new
10/24 Unleashing Your Potential Fall Leadership Conference; register at ASWSUV.com to attend - Apply to be on the S & A Committee at ASWSUV.com
STUDENT GOVERNMENT 13
record for the night by staying on for a full 133
seconds.
Dancing and listening to music took up the
majority of the night. The primary style of music
played was Country. Many popular artists were
played, such as Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum,
Big and Rich, Shania Twain, Alan Jackson, and
Garth Brooks. The play list also featured many
popular dance songs, including Thriller, The
Electric Slide, and The Macarena. Everyone
joined in, whether they knew the moves or not.
One of the students taught the group how to
dance The Electric Slide, which quickly became
the most popular dance there. The party even
broke out into a party train ending in a dance
circle featuring the best and weirdest dancing
of the evening.
KOUG Radio’s DJ Sarah Richards provided
the music for the evening. Richards is a new
member of Koug Radio and has her own radio
show on Mondays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
featuring both Country and Rock music. As
with every show that she performs, her work
at the Cougs and Cowboys was dedicated to
her older brother who is currently serving as a
soldier in Iraq.
Triana Collins/The VanCougar
Solve the COUGoku
HOW TO PLAY: Fill all the blank squares with the correct number. Every row,
every column, and every 3 by 3 square must contain a digit between 1 and 9. They
can be in any order, but must only appear once in each row, column, or square.
Jake Kleinschmidt/The VanCougar
 14 OPINIONS AND EDITORIALS
{
The VanCougar
The VanCougar is a student-run What’s the Controlled
newspaper serving the students, faculty
and staff of WSU Vancouver. Copies Substance Act, anyway?
of The VanCougar are available free of
charge every other Monday during the T o really put into perspective how un-free
school year. we are in this country, we must examine the
Editor-in-Chief
behavior of the government. Which is why I
am taking the time in this article to discus the
Doruk Senkal: Building robots that feel
Katie Wells Controlled Substance Act. The Controlled
Substance Act was enacted into law in 1970,
“You can’t put a giant robot in the the robot’s accuracy. The robot was completely
built and assembled in the WSUV mechanical
Managing Editor and has been amended numerous times since
dentist’s office,” Doruk said. “The guy is engineering lab.
Now Hiring! already struggling to see in that tiny mirror and He started learning English in middle school,
that date. It could be considered the ultimate
work around inside your mouth.” So far, most so he was already fluent by the time he entered
body of evidence for indicting government
Adviser hypocrisy, but I’m sure that there are plenty
medical robots have been too big for dental use, college. “All our classes were in English,” he
Dean Baker but the robot Doruk Senkal is working on may
of other examples so I won’t jump the gun.
change that.
The contents of the act should make for an says. “There’s some debate in Turkey over
Advertising Manager “These robotic devices already exist, but
interesting read for many of you, and hopefully whether classes should be taught in Turkish, but
they need to be smaller, so we’re working on a
Ben Ryan an informative one as well, so I suggest you the textbooks are in English, and all the online
technique that will change the strength-to-size
take the time to check out the lists yourself by resources are in English, so we really need to
Campus News Editor ratio, so it will have a very strong force, but be
going here: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ use English.
as small as possible,” he explains.
Jake Kleinschmidt schedules/schedules.htm “For me, English is not a second language,”
Doruk’s robot isn’t just small. It can also feel,
For those of you who don’t know how he adds. “Not because I speak it so well, but
ACE Editor using haptic technology. The word “haptic”
it works, there are five different controlled because without it you can’t do anything. If I
comes from the Greek haptikos, which refers to
Jess Davis substance categories. Schedule I (that’s the knew German or something, then that would be
the sense of touch.
worst of the drugs) Schedule II, Schedule III, my second language.”
Feature Editor The secret is in the use of an MR brake, which
Schedule IV, and Schedule V. In addition to He did study German and Japanese when he
uses a magnetorheological (MR) fluid which is
Danielle Tanner these very long lists of controlled substances was younger, but didn’t learn enough to speak
controlled electronically, to “feel” virtual walls
are regulated chemicals, Lists I and II, these now. He’d like to study Japanese again because
Student Involvement Editor that tell it when to stop. This “smart fluid” has
chemicals can be used in the production of he’s fascinated with Japanese culture, watching
the viscosity of motor oil most of the time, but
Randeep Shergill drugs. anime and reading manga.
when it’s subjected to a magnetic field, it has the
The schedules are explained below.
Student Government Editor consistency of peanut butter.
Schedule I.
The fluid is placed between two drums with Doruk Senkal: Quick Profile
Adam Fox (A) The drug or other substance has a high
a magnetic field, where it puts the “brakes” on
potential for abuse.
Sports Editor (B) The drug or other substance has no
the robot’s arm when the arm runs up against Born: Istanbul, Turkey
a virtual wall or barrier. The MR brake is
Erik Cummings currently accepted medical use in treatment in Came to the U.S: August 2007
controlled electronically by the user, who
the United States.
Web Editor (C) There is a lack of accepted safety for use
watches a monitor. Favorite Turkish food: Iskender kebob
“When the robot approaches a barrier,
Now Hiring! of the drug or other substance under medical (roasted meat, sliced and put on pita
indicated by a CT scan of the patient, it sets up
supervision
Staff Writers Schedule II.
a force feedback to the surgeon’s console that with yogurt and a topping of butter and
locks its action,” Doruk explains. “Without this
Louise Wynn, Matt Hunter, Amy (A) The drug or other substance has a high
sense of feel, it’s like the surgeon is operating
pepper sauce)
Thielen, Rup Brar, John McNett, Alex potential for abuse.
(B) The drug or other substance has a
with numb hands.” Favorite food in the U.S: Chinese
Giebelhaus, Sally Thrall, Chau Nguyen, With dental implants, for instance, this
Joey Hollibaugh, and Triana Collins currently accepted medical use in treatment
can help the dentist avoid drilling into the
Favorite musical group: Blind
in the United States or a currently accepted
medical use with severe restrictions.
mandibular nerve, thereby causing the patient Guardian
Photographers to lose feeling in the jaw.
Joe Creager, Mark Balyshev, Joseph (C) Abuse of the drug or other substances
Some computer and video games already
Favorite color: Midnight blue
may lead to severe psychological or physical
Tiegs, and Katie Anderson
dependence
use haptic technology, but it’s not as refined as Favorite comic strip: PhD Comics
Doruk’s robot must be: if a player misses, he/
Location: Schedule III (http://www.phdcomics.com/)
she just loses points, not the life or future smile
(A) The drug or other substance has a
VCLS 212 of a patient. Spare time: Skiing, hiking, any outdoor
potential for abuse less than the drugs or other
14024 NE Salmon Creek Ave. Doruk is working on his M.S. in Mechanical activities
substances in schedules I and II.
Vancouver, WA 98686 (B) The drug or other substance has a
Engineering under the direction of his advisor,
Phone: (360) 546-9524 Dr. Hakan Gurocak, who is director of Indoors: Produce Row Café (especially
currently accepted medical use in treatment in
engineering and computer science at WSUV. the jazz on Mondays)
the United States.
E-mail the Editor-in-Chief (C) Abuse of the drug or other substance may
Doruk heard about WSUV’s robotics program
and Managing Editor: through a professor at Middle East Technical Coffee or tea: Tea, loose, from Turkey
lead to moderate or low physical dependence or
vancouged@vancouver.wsu.edu University in Ankara, where he earned his B.S. Favorite anime: Spirited Away (Hayao
high psychological dependence
He had always had a fascination with
Schedule IV. Miyazaki)
robotics, but, he says, “As an undergraduate,
E-mail the Section Editors: (A) The drug or other substance has a low
you’re taking so many classes, and you don’t
vancoug@vancouver.wsu.edu potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other Best advice: “It never works the first
get to do the fun stuff.”
substances in schedule III. time. So it is best to not give up on the
One of the things he enjoys about his robotics
(B) The drug or other substance has a
Advertising: currently accepted medical use in treatment in
research is that he can combine mechanical first try, because eventually it will work.
vancougad@vancouver.wsu.edu engineering principles with electrical work and
the United States. This is true not only for engineering
computer programming. “I’m doing multiple
We are hiring! (C) Abuse of the drug or other substance
may lead to limited physical dependence or
things, so it never gets boring.” problems but for anything that is
We are always hiring. No experience is necessary; With Dr. Gurocak’s help, Doruk has built
we will provide all the training you need in psychological dependence relative to the drugs challenging enough to be significant.”
a proof-of concept design for dental surgery.
journalistic style, photography, and digital print or other substances in schedule III
He’s currently working on experiments to test
making. E-mail us at vancouged@vancouver. Schedule V.
wsu.edu or visit our office in VCLS 212 for more (A) The drug or other substance has a low
potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other
information.
substances in schedule IV.
Letters to the Editor (B) The drug or other substance has a
We encourage letters to the editor. Please include currently accepted medical use in treatment in
your full name as part of the letter, and a phone the United States.
number or e-mail address for confirmation follow- (C) Abuse of the drug or other substance
up. Letters must be by a student, faculty, or staff may lead to limited physical dependence or
member. E-mail to vancouged@vancouver.wsu. psychological dependence relative to the drugs
or other substances in schedule IV.”
edu
If you don’t know what a substance on this
Advertising queries list is, I suggest you Wikipedia it and read up
Advertising information and rates can be found on it. You should be able to find some pretty
on our web site at www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ss/ interesting inconsistencies by following this
vancougar. E-mail vancougad@vancouver.wsu. process. For instance I’m sure you have all
edu for quotes. heard of GHB, gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid,
also known as liquid ecstasy. It is known as a
Corrections policy date-rape drug and it is a Schedule I substance,
It is our policy to correct errors. Please contact however there is a pharmaceutical known as
the editors by e-mail at vancouged@vancouver. Xyrem, which is produced by the somewhat
wsu.edu ironically named Jazz Pharmaceuticals that is
regarded as a Schedule III substance. That drug,
Xyrem, is the exact same thing as GHB.
}

Continued on p. 15

10/7 Students will be assessed a 7% late payment penalty for unpaid tuition - 10/9 Deadline to apply for Undergraduate and Graduate Degree
 OPINIONS AND EDITORIALS 15
unfocus for a few minutes. When you’re feeling better, gradually dial your attention
back, and the rest of the day will go better.

Aries (March 21-April 19): Did you see that Newsweek article about the “myth”
of exercise? Hunh! That article is mythical. Exercise does help, and it does not make
you go out and gorge on cupcakes later --- if you don’t let it. YOU are in charge, not
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Why exercise? It improves your mood, lowers your blood
some reporter who can’t think up a real story.
pressure, helps you manage hunger and keep your weight down, boosts your energy
levels, and helps you sleep better at night. What’s stopping you?
Taurus (April 20-May 20): Did you know that we have some great exercise facilities
right here on this campus? So even on those rainy days, you can go to the fitness
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): Do you ever worry that you’re not getting enough
center from 6:30 in the morning until 9:00 at night. You can even get a 20-minute
sleep? Most people, even college students, really do need a minimum of 7 or 8 hours
session with a personal trainer.
of sleep every night. If your homework is overwhelming you, get some help. WSUV
has a personal counselor, Dr. Will Meek (http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ss/pc.htm).
Gemini (May 21-June 21): Want to know more about all kinds of exercise and
fitness? Check out this WSU Web page: http://exercise.wsu.edu/. And if there’s
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Is it your social life that’s keeping you awake all
something you’d like to know more about, but can’t find at that site, you can submit a
night --- and keeping you from getting all your homework done? Madame L doesn’t
request for the info to be added to the page.
want to sound like your mother, but if that’s what you need: “Do your homework
first, and THEN socialize.”
Cancer (June 22-July 22): Not into strenuous exercise, but want to stay flexible?
Try a yoga or Pilates class. Classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:00, and
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Did you realize that the semester is already one-third
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00, in room 20 of the Clark building. Call (360) 546-
of the way through? Do you feel okay with how you’re progressing? If you want to
9271 for more info.
improve on study skills or tone down your test anxiety, you could attend one of the
academic success skills workshops (http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ss/dnloads/src/
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Did you know that dental health is one of the most important
src-successskillsworkshops.pdf).
things you can take care of now, to prevent future health problems? Poor dental
health is associated with heart disease, problems in pregnancy, and diabetes. So,
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You know that old wives’ tale about splashing cold
brush and floss!
water on your face to feel fresher? Turns out it’s a good idea, as long as the water
isn’t too cold. The cold water tightens your pores and increases circulation, and
Virgo (August 23-Sept. 22): Are you one of the many students without health care
generally makes you feel better.
insurance? Then it’s particularly important for you to take care of yourself: Eat your
fruits and veggies, cut out fats and sugars, and exercise. Yeah, I’m talking to you!
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Need a quick calming technique? Whether you’re
religious or not, meditation or prayer can bring relief from stress and tension. Start by Madame L
sitting, relaxed, in a quiet place. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and let your mind Staff Astrologist

Continued from p. 14
Did you get that? Its the same thing, but one
is a Schedule I drug, which means it is addictive,
dangerous, and of no medical value, while the
other is a Schedule III drug, which means it is
considered safe when used properly. I hate to
say it, but what gives? There are a total of seven things that would
Our good friend Marry Jane finds herself make this campus much more enjoyable. Not to
in the same boat as her considerably more say it isn’t nice, but I think it could be better.
In Search of Dangerous Tea Partiers dangerous counterpart GHB. Marijuana in Here is the list.
1. Sports. Real sports. I know, we can’t have
its herbal form is also considered a Schedule
I substance, meaning that it is dangerous, them because Pullman has them, but I think we

Tea parties. In case you haven’t noticed,
this phrase has taken on a whole new meaning
during the last few months. Across the U.S.,
millions of upset Americans have turned out
to events to protest the Obama healthcare
plan, deficit spending, and basically every
other expansion of government that has been
proposed by the present administration.
These people come from a wide variety of
political perspectives, united by an intense
dislike for what they perceive as a dangerously
intrusive and expanding government.
The mainstream media’s response to these
gatherings has been at best patronizing, writing
off the protesters as uneducated misguided
closet-racists. More often, however, they have
not been so generous. .
But are these tea partiers really as vicious and
dimwitted as they are portrayed? To find out, I
went to a 9/12 rally in downtown Vancouver,
which coincided with the 1.7 million person
march that happened on the Mall in Washington
DC. An interesting side note is that the
inauguration of President Obama attracted 1.8
million people, and yet the 9/12 march in D.C
went largely unreported by the media.
The rally I went to in Vancouver took place
in a small amphitheatre by the Columbia River.
Around the amphitheatre were pitched the
booths of the various organizations that the tea
partiers had created. Most of them were very
young organizations, but many of them had
memberships in the millions.
The media’s opinion of these organizations
has been that they were organized by the
Republican Party or some very powerful
conservative organization. But often, the person
sitting behind the table at the booth was one of
the founders of the organization. One by one,
I questioned them as to how their organizations
came about, and all had the same answer. They
were a group of concerned citizens that wanted
to do something about government expansion
and decided to organize.
There wasn’t a single booth affiliated with
the Republican Party.
But what about the people at this rally?
Many of them had signs that concerned me at
first. “The Second American Revolution” and
“A Proud Member of the Angry Mob” were the
only two that I found questionable.
But I didn’t make a judgment immediately.
It was easy to tell that the people holding these
signs were not the revolutionary sort. They had
families, assets and (perhaps most importantly)
many of them seemed to be very well read
where American history was concerned. These
were not revolutionaries.
The speeches clarified the signs for me. The
“Second Revolution” sign was a reference to
the speeches of Bob Basso: a man who has been
speaking at dozens of tea parties across the U.S.
dressed as the American revolutionary Thomas
Paine. When he spoke later on in the event, he
made it perfectly clear that the second revolution
was one that would be fought politically not
violently. And I saw no indication that anyone
there believed otherwise.
Similarly, the “Angry Mob” sign was based
on the remarks of the Left concerning tea parties.
Slowly, I realized that the signs searched two
purposes. They were meant to explain the
protesters’ cause while thumbing their noses at
those on the Left.
But what of the argument that these tea
partiers are racists? I never heard a single
racial slur against Obama or anyone else from
the stage or in the audience. Indeed, it was
amazing how civil the tea party was given how
displeased those participating clearly were with
the policies of the Obama administration.
In the most extreme statement of the event,
the Thomas Paine impersonator called on the
audience to vote out the present Congress in
2010 and the Obama administration in 2012.
And this is extremism? What ever happened to
the Bush-era chant, “Dissent is the highest form
of patriotism”?
It is perfectly understandable that the media
and the Left in general have no love for the tea
partiers. Nevertheless, it is laughably ridiculous
to call your opponents dangerous racist idiots
when they merely disagree with your ideology.
Indeed, this is a lesson everyone can learn from.
Refute the opposition with facts. Slandering the
opposition, however, will always come back to
bite.
addictive, and has no medical value.
Just to clear this up, I have two questions
for you. Have you ever known anyone that has
overdosed on pot and died? I’m actually died, not
“almost?” Also, have you ever known anyone
to do anything terribly morally reprehensible
just to acquire cannabis? For all of you I know
that the answer to the first question is “no.”
For almost all of you, I know the answer to the
second question is also “no.”
Now if cannabis has no medical value, why
is there a synthetic version of THC known as
Marinol or dronabinol, which is produced
by a pharmaceutical company, and listed as a
Schedule III drug? What is interesting is that
while not many definitive studies have been
done on marijuana (some would say none),
Marinol was thoroughly studied, and the
results are pretty interesting. For instance in
an open-label study, patients received Marinol
capsules for up to five months and did not
display any signs of abuse, diversion, or change
in personality. What makes this research even
more interesting is the fact that this study was
done with AIDS patients, and many of the
participants had a history of drug abuse. Studies
also showed that there was no carcinogenicity
associated with even high dose, continuous use
of THC. To view information on this study, and
to read up on Marinol go to: http://www.rxlist.
com/marinol-drug.htm
Marinol is listed as Schedule III substance,
which means it is safe when used properly. That
means that the government admits that THC,
the same thing in weed, is perfectly safe. If
this is the case, why the hell is pot still illegal?
Moreover, why is it listed as a Schedule I drug
along with heroin, coke, ecstasy, meth, and
GHB?
It seems to me that even the government
knows pot should be legal, and any right minded
individual should be able to see that Marijuana
should have no place on Schedule I. I hope
this has helped open your eyes to the hypocrisy
surrounding the marijuana prohibition. It is
time that everyone saw how backwards, broken
and biased the United States drug policy is.
To read more from The Ganja Guru go to
http://theganjaguru.blogspot.com
should just change the name of our university
and then start our own sports’ teams. We could
be the University of Vancouver and play against
Division II schools.
2. A racetrack. Every day when I get out of
my car in the parking lot, I see tons of Subaru
WRX’s. I think if we had a racetrack, it would
motivate those people to upgrade to STI’s. Not
only that, but we would constantly have the
opportunity to watch some drag racing. And
drifting.
3. A fire pit. At night time, nothing would be
cooler than going out and having a giant bonfire,
especially after midterms or something. It’d be
a great way for students to hang out without
spending a ton of money.
4. Sand volleyball courts. I’m addicted to
volleyball, and for my own personal benefit, I’d
like some beach courts out on the grass field.
Yeah, Washington is super rainy and horrible,
but having the beach on campus would make it
seem warmer.
5. Full Throttle. Thanks to long nights at the
paper, I’m re-addicted to those. Unfortunately,
every single machine on campus was sold out
of them when I was searching for one. Not only
were the machines lacking ‘canned sleep’, but
the cafeteria was also sold out. It might have
something to do with multiple tests happening
this week and students needing that extra boost,
but we should get rid of some pop and replace it
with Full Throttles.
6. A petting zoo. Where I can bring my
puppy. And leave him there. It wouldn’t really
be a petting zoo, it’d be more of an animal day
care. We could open it to the public and watch
everyone’s animals while they were working
or attending class. It’d be a really easy way for
the campus to make money too. And it would
provide student’s with jobs.
7. A nap room. Picture this: a giant room filled
with cots. You would bring your own blanket
and pillow, and pass out for up to an hour
between classes. It might be awkward sleeping
in a room with random people you don’t know,
but it’s not like you’d be on the same bed.
(425): So some girl kept staring at me and giving
me these weird looks. That’s when I realized she
could probably hear the Mulan soundtrack playing on
my iPod...

10/9 Deadline to apply for Graduate and Teaching Certificate - 10/23 Deadline to use a regular withdrawal to withdraw from a course; Undergrads only
 16 CALENDAR

Cardio and Yoga, Clark Cardio and Yoga, Clark
Center 20, 12:15 p.m. Center 20, 12:15 p.m.
Blood Drive @ 10 a.m. Strong Interest Inventory
near cafeteria @ 4 p.m. in VFSC 104.
Call SRC before to RSVP
Life of Pi presentation in
Grad School
Mayoral Debate @
3:30 p.m. in VADM 110
informational luncheon History club, Library,
@ 12 p.m. in VLIB 260 and Clark County
Network with young Historical Museum
professionals in Free Bowling Night present Andrew
VLIB 240 @ 4 p.m. Carnegie re-enactor;
@ 9:30 p.m. at
@ 10 a.m. in VADM 110
Crosley Lanes;
VUCB 125 @ 12 p.m. wear black and white

Paint the Swift House

National Dessert Day: @ 7 a.m. and noon;
Dirt: The Erosion of Human Development Flag Football @ 3 p.m. on
Free ice cream @ 1 p.m. contact Lea Pfau at
Civilization presentation Club Meeting @ 12 p.m. field; every Thursday until
in VFSC 350.546.9600
in VUCB 1 @ 6 p.m. in VMMC 219 November 12
Open gym basketball at Volunteer to maintain
Alki Middle School Battle Ground Lake State
@ 8 p.m.; every week Park @ 10 a.m.

Miniature golf passes on Blazer vs. Denver game Etiquette Dinner

Flag Football @ 3 p.m. on
sale; $5 in Rec Office tickets go on sale; $15 @ @ 4:30 p.m. in VFSC; $5,
field, every Thursday until
Student Services Cashier RSVP with SRC
November 12
Reading for Retention Cougar Networking Night
workshop @ 1:30 p.m. Indoor archery @ 7 p.m. @ 5:30 p.m. at the
in VFSC 104 at Archery World; $5 Club at the Historic Reserve

Portland Rock Gym Archery Tournament at Learn more from Lectures Flag Football @ 3 p.m. on Football party at
Indoor Climbing: Archery World @ 7 p.m.; Workshop @ 8:30 a.m. field, every Thursday until Big Al’s Bar and
sign up by Oct. 21 in $5 for students Open gym basketball at November 12 Grill @ 1:30 p.m.
Rec Office; $20 Alki Middle School
@ 8 p.m.; every week

Need a job?
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and volunteer on campus?

KOUG Radio needs Student Media Board needs Want to improve your resume
AUDIO JOURNALISTS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AND
****** STUDENT-AT-LARGE
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Record news reports
and broadcast Applications can be found
them over in the Office of Student
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by October 12.
Contact Triana at
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to learn more about kerry.mraz@email.wsu.edu
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