AUGUST, VOL. 32 ISSUE 1
r a g u o C Van TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Baumann
LAYOUT EDITOR Megan Tuthill
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Sydney Brower
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MANAGING EDITOR Olivia Eldredge
WEB MANAGER Ethan Pongon
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The VanCougar, a student-run newsmagazine, informs and engages the WSU Vancouver community while practicing the highest standards of timely, ethical journalism.
REPORTER Arabelle May
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The VanCougar welcomes letters and commentary from members of the WSU Vancouver community on current issues. Letters must include the author’s full name, contact information and WSU affiliation: year and major for students, department for faculty and staff, degree and year graduated for alumni. The VanCougar does not publish anonymous letters. Send letters and commentary to van.vc.editor@wsu.edu. Once received, letters become property of The VanCougar and are subject to editing for length, clarity and style.
Corrections The VanCougar is a source of honest, factual information. If you see an error, we want to address it. Please contact the editor-in-chief at van.vc.editor@ wsu.edu for corrections.
on the
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CILA members, Annoreen Fitim and Faafetai Brown, connect students to campus as they participate in WSU Vancouver’s first in-person orientation since the pandemic. (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
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LaRonda Zupp, Access Center coordinator. (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
Kylie Sickles, OSI’s front desk intern. (Olivia Eldredge/The VanCougar)
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WSU Vancouver’s old 1990 campus location at Clark College. (Photo Courtesy of Robert Schimelpfenig)
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Psychology Professor Art Blume. (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
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Q + A: Advice from expert VanCougs
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Looking forward to fall semester
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A deep dive into WSU archives
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Professor research on substance abuse
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Cougar Bites: Local coffee shops
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For new and returning students, stepping foot on the Quad might seem like an overwhelming experience, considering in-person classes were put to a halt for the last year and a half. While some may have trouble switching from online to traditional education, The VanCougar asks student leaders and staff advice on how VanCougs can be comfortable in the classroom again.
CILA member, Faafetai Brown, at WSU Vancouver’s first in-person orientation since the pandemic. (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
Q+A:
advice from Expert VanCougs
EMILY BAUmann | Editor-in-chief
Faafetai Brown
Amanda Weingarten
Junior and CILA intercultural outreach and retention leader Major: Digital technology and culture Back to school item: Necessities such as paper, pens and a laptop
Student activities adviser Back to school item: Sticky notes for consistent reminders, and hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of germs
“I would tell them to stay connected and be involved on campus, you’ll make a lot of connections and networks. I think WSU Vancouver represents a sense of community so it’s good to get involved. [At the Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation] it’s an open space for any students to come in, hang out and study. We also post workshops throughout the school year to motivate students in participating on campus.”
Zach Suh Junior and peer mentor Major: Computer science Back to school item: Anything that helps bring focus, such as a fidget spinner “I feel like with the pandemic for some people it may have felt like lost time, or a huge pause button was pushed. However, I think if there was anything that you might want to try this school year and do something you’ve never considered before, then I would say just go for it. Even personally I thought there was no way I was going to be an orientation leader, but here I am being one. If you have doubts about doing anything, just consider it. Just consider doing it and give it a shot.”
As the pandemic surges on, playing a vital role in how WSU Vancouver reopens, VanCougs welcome new students with open arms, reminding us no matter how long we have been away, campus can still always feel like home.
“I would say to get involved if you weren’t involved before. Even with COVID-19, it’s never too late. We have a lot of seniors who are interested in getting involved and it’s kind of creating this connection to campus, which I think is really important and adds to the quality experience students get. Even though we don’t have residency, I feel like Amanda Weingarten, student activities adviser, says it’s never too late for stustudents find a sense dents to get involved on campus. of home here, and a (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar) sense of belonging. Whether that’s with clubs, classmates or study groups, I feel like it’s that home away from home. Even when students don’t live on campus, they get that feeling.”
LaRonda Zupp Access Center coordinator Back to school item: A planner for organization “College is a testing ground. You try things on and it’s a learning space and a journey of self-discovery. So, don’t feel like you have to have it all figured out yet. Go to your resource services and find out what’s accessible and available to you.”
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d r a w r o f g n i k o o L uss c is d s n o ti a iz n a rg o campus n o t n e in m ro p e s e h T
Olivia Eldredge | Managing Editor As VanCougs worked diligently over the summer we take a very holistic approach, we want to months to create exciting events, WSU Vancouver is make sure students are doing successfully acaeager to make a fresh reappearance in students’ lives demically, and successful with their wellness.” again. The Office of Student Involvement, Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation and the AssociAs for OSI, they are responsible for connecting Vanated Students of WSU VanCougs, while promotcouver are ready to return ing several events as“I believe here at CILA, we take a very to campus with a positive sociated with different holistic approach, we want to make outlook when providing clubs on campus. Kysure students are doing successfully ac- lie Sickles, OSI’s front students with fun activities, while prepared to maindesk intern and an inademically, and successful with their tain the safety of students, coming sophomore wellness.” - Julie Mercado staff and faculty members. majoring in computer science, is responsible Starting with the Center for Intercultural Learning for organizing OSI’s operations behind the scenes. and Affirmation, there are several returning and new While Sickles’ freshman year was spent learning onevents planned throughout the year. This includes line, she is now looking forward to working with the popular Cultural Arts and Equity Hip Hop Series, the Student Activities Board to plan and host events which hosts several guest speakers and intercultural that even she will be attending for the first time. community healing workshops. Julie Mercado, CILA’s manager, says her goal will be to focus on build“I’m really looking forward to all the welcome back ing the community in an effort to provide resources things, like the welcome back BBQ. … I’m someone and a space to acknowledge the trauma students, who, in high school, was very involved and I love staff and faculty had faced during the pandemic. clubs and big events. Because my first year [at WSU Vancouver] was online, I never got to do “I think we have to really focus on acknowledgany of those welcome events, so it’ll be ing all the losses that happened during COVID-19. like I’m a freshman again,” Sickles said. So many students lost their loved ones, and even the losses for the incoming class from high school The Associated Students of WSU Vancouver are to college, they didn’t get to have a [normal] sealso organizing several events that some students nior year. … So our programs and activities are at might remember before the university shut down the very center of healing but also rebuilding last year and transitioned to online instruction. the community that we have. There will always be Armando Antonino, ASWSUV’s student body food, music and ways to reconnect the mind and president says he and his team have been body together,” Mercado said. “I believe here at CILA, working on organizing events around
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semester. ll fa n o rs e -p in g in pcom their plans for the u
Week of Welcome, including an all-inclusive job fair, scavenger hunt and other unique plans to enhance WSU Vancouver’s vital role in students’ first experiences on campus. “Something I think we’ve all sort of noticed after the year that we just had was the idea of being civically engaged, and taking ownership of what happens in our community. One [returning] event that I’m working really closely on with our internal director of legislative affairs is Floats for Votes, and it happens in October. We bring local politicians, advocacies and political groups from all sides in every spectrum to the Firstenburg Student Commons, and it’s really an opportunity to get to know your local community members who are running for elected offices,” Antonino said. “Due to COVID-19, we’ll see how the layout is, but just that opportunity to empower students to take charge of their communities and be more civically involved locally is super exciting.”
you are vaccinated or not, just so everybody feels invited onto campus,” Antonino said. Student organizations are all looking forward to what this academic year has in store, and as they continue with hope and confidence, the campus is sure to become alive again.
Among all the events and exciting new developments happening at WSU Vancouver, Antonino and other organizations are also keeping safety in mind. While attending classes in-person is likely to remain a static plan, there are still ways Antonino anticipates the university will preserve the health of staff, students and faculty when gathering together in person. “Making sure that we do what we need to do on campus is important, there’s been a lot of encouragement to create an environment where masks are the standard, regardless if
Kylie Sickles, OSI’s front desk intern, says she is looking forward to the Week of Welcome events at the beginning of fall semester on campus. (Olivia Eldredge/ The VanCougar)
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A deep dive into WSU Vancouver’s archives Olivia Eldredge | Managing Editor Robert Schimelpfenig is WSU Vancouver’s leading archivist, collecting and organizing every historical document, photo or object he receives. In his office, toward the back corner of the library, Schimelpfenig is surrounded by a vast majority of both physical and electronic archives he has maintained since 2006. Exploring his special interest in the university’s rich history, Schimelpfenig answers how WSU Vancouver made its mark on southwest Washington, and what unique items are hidden in the seemingly endless archives.
first five buildings on campus were constructed. Establishing a four-year university in southwest Washington was no easy feat, and in his article, Schimelpfenig says it has changed the area’s vital academic presence to this day.
Taking a peek into the library’s archives can transport a curious onlooker back to the late 1800s. Containing mostly primary historical artifacts from areas near Vancouver and around Washington state, Schimelpfenig says WSU Vancouver’s archives have existed since the 1980s, but many collections are dated farther back.
“Through a long and sometimes entangled history, the perseverance of individuals and collaborative efforts of higher educational interests in the region helped build toward the success of southwest Washington’s university. With the launching of its strategic plan in 2016, identifying goals towards research, student success, growth equity, diversity and community, WSU Vancouver is poised to continue its contribution to southwest Washington for years to come,” Schimelpfenig notes in the article.
“Archives are really about primary source materials and records, and that’s what historians use to interpret the past. What we’re really collecting now is for the future. … Our mission here is to help preserve the history and culture of the campus. When I come to work and specifically think about the archives’ collection, I have to think 50 years ahead of everyone else, when things are donated, how would someone 50 years from now perceive the material or these records? Does it have an enduring historical value?” Schimelpfenig said.
Not only does Schimelpfenig keep a vast majority of physical documents and artifacts, but the archivist has multiple technological tools used to keep a sea of digital records. Additionally, he constantly adapts to new methods of preservation and record-keeping while technology evolves over time. Many of these technologies might be used for transferring physical documents or photos, but some items need to be placed in the digital archives because they come from existing electronic material.
As for Schimelpfenig’s fascination in WSU Vancouver’s past, the archivist wrote an article in 2018 for the Clark County Historical Museum titled “The Birth of the Four-Year University in Southwest Washington,” which details the university’s long-awaited establishment in the region, as well as how “public education paved the way.”
“We’re using scanners, flatbed scanners, slide scanners, VCRs, tape decks to capture some of that digitally from the analog technology. Those are digital surrogates, the other one that’s a little bit trickier is the Born-Digital, and those are the things that are not originating from paper, but from electronic media,” Schimelpfenig said. “There’s different layers to the digital technologies that we’re using. … We started preserving archives on multiple external hard drives, and now they’re getting into a different environment, not a stable environment because technology is unstable, that’s the nature of it. So it’s evolving.”
The existence of the university was debated over 150 years ago with the passage of the Morrill Land Grant College Act of 1862. This bill authorized federal land grants to create colleges across the state stretching all the way to WSU Vancouver’s establishment at Clark College, to 1995 when the
Commenting on the importance of the archives,
Kerry Hodge, the library’s technical services supervisor, says the preservation of artifacts, documents and other records is essential to preserving the past, and provides accessibility to analyze archives in the present and interpret them in the future. “That’s what preservation is for, to help show us what our past was, so that we can have that knowledge, that working knowledge. That’s really important for not just our campus, but for everything because history is so valuable,” Hodge said. The archives have a significant presence independently on campus, but Schimelpfenig is expanding toward other historical organizations in the community. Some such as the Clark County Historical Museum, the Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal, the Lelooska Foundation and even Washington State School for the Blind, all of who currently have access to WSU Vancouver’s archives. “The mission of the archives is really three-fold. [First,] we collect records of primary sources to help preserve the history and culture of the campus. [Secondly,] we collect history from alumni who have made a significant impact on southwest Washington. The third aspect is that we partner with numerous historical organizations in southwest Washington to help them find funding for projects, and help preserve their collections,” Schimelpfenig explained. “We’ve only been here for 30 years on this campus, the archive has been around for half that, so our campus history isn’t that extensive. … But we want to expand our collections to help other organizations.” For students who are interested in visiting the archives, Schimelpfenig is available by appointment for archival tours. Students and staff can also go online to the library’s Archives & Special Collections website page, which will grant access digitally to all available online collections. In 10. 2010, the 2006
freshman class were the first students to graduate since WSU Vancouver became a four-year university.
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Over 150 years ago, the Morrill Act of 1862 authorized federal land grants for agriculture and mechanical arts colleges. Clark County was selected, but funding was not approved by U.S. Congress.
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In 1979 Clark College cooperated with The Evergreen State College- Vancouver (TESC-Vancouver) to provide upper-division courses for non-traditional students, its course catalog focusing on liberal arts education.
In the 1960s, Southwest Washington was reconsidered, and the Washington State legislature felt the region needed access to a fouryear university.
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The Joint Center moved to Clark College in 1986 where WSU shared building space with Evergreen State College. The advisory council pushed for state funding to create a WSU campus in Vancouver.
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The first official commencement ceremony happened in 1990 at Bauer Hall in Clark College, 38 students graduated.
The early 1980s brought Robert Schaefer, a former Washington State representative, to establish the Southwest Washington Joint Center for Education, supported by Clark College, Evergreen State College and Washington State University Pullman.
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With Senate Bill No. 6095 the Washington State legislature granted WSU Vancouver as an official branch campus on May 10, 1989.
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Student organizations developed soon after, student life improved, and enrollment grew fast, causing an increase in funding in 1993 for more degree path options.
In 1994 the new campus, located in Salmon Creek, “broke ground” and construction ensued through 1995 where the first five buildings were The timeline information is sourced from built. Schimelpfenig’s article “The Birth of the FourYear University in Southwest Washington.”
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Substance abuse: Impacts on students of color While drug and alcohol abuse remain a consistent problem within universities, psychology professor, Art Blume, shares what information might be missing in key racial demographics.
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Emily Baumann | Editor-in-Chief ith addiction and binge drinking increasing at a rapid rate, alcoholism has become a serious concern among U.S. college students. Analyzing substance abuse statistics and connecting them to various demographics, one WSU Vancouver professor suggests why these numbers might not be so consistent across the board between different populations. Psychology Professor Art Blume has been working at WSU Vancouver for 11 years, and currently researches how microaggressions, prejudice and discrimination impact People of Color’s increased substance abuse, specifically within American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Blume says his research derives not only from a professional standpoint, but through personal interest, noting his origin being from a family background of substance abuse and addiction. “I came from a family where substance abuse was pretty common, and I am American Indian, so there’s a natural gravitation in that way too,” Blume said. While traveling to multiple reservations in Washington, and out of state, Blume collects data by performing mixed methods of both quantitative and qualitative research. Additionally, an important aspect of his testing is utilizing community-based participatory research, a model allowing scientists to engage with communities and help them become more involved when bettering the mental and physical health of their residents. “[Community-based participatory research] is a real focus on engaging community partners as equals, and the kind of research that we carry out.
Those particular methods try to prevent the ethical violations that have occurred in the past and work with these particular populations that tend to be more vulnerable,” Blume explained. Spending significant time interviewing and receiving self-reports from Black Indigenous People of Color, Blume discovered microaggressions and anxiety symptoms serve as a substantial link for the causes of increased binge drinking with Indigenous students. According to the American Addiction Centers, additional factors of excessive alcohol use among Indigenous people could pertain to using drinking as a coping mechanism for economic disadvantages, cultural loss and historical trauma, which in turn corresponds with Blume’s findings. “There are a lot of environmental circumstances in society that negatively affect BIPOC individuals. Racism is obviously one, and xeno phobia is another. Racism is expressed in a var-
iety of different ways. … That’s what we are seeing in the study related to microaggressions,” Blume stated. “Another formula is stereotypes and stereotype threats that actually impact people’s drinking behavior. [Additional research looks] at how racism was linked to people’s overdrinking and consequences related to that. For Native Americans there is a very clear relationship between experienced racism and triggers for more significant drinking events.”
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With conclusions being drawn from his studies on addictive behaviors, Blume hopes these findings help psychologists develop practices for improved treatment and appropriately service Indigenous communities based on their beliefs and customs. “What we focus on is how we can improve the culture of treatment and prevention. … [We look at] whether there are appropriate culturally relevant resources in those environments that make clients feel welcome [and if] there are ways that can address the microaggressions of people’s experience and treatment, so that those are reduced over time,” Blume said. Similarly to incorporating these attitudes within healthcare, Blume suggests allies adopt these strategies when returning to campus. By making students of color feel welcomed and calling out racial discrimination and hate crimes when present, he expresses bystanders can make a huge difference towards the campuses social climate. “The pandemic has generated a great deal of hate behavior. In some cases, it’s been record levels of hate behavior, hate crimes and discrimination towards others. So, as we gather for the first time collectively this fall, one thing that would be helpful as for white allies is when they see acts of discrimination towards people of color on campus they stand up for those people,” Blume explained. There is no one answer to ending the epidemic of binge drinking amidst college students. However, Blume advises peers, staff and faculty to pay more attention to campus culture and foster a safe environment for demographics that are ignored among the existing problems tied to racism and addiction. Continuing to celebrate diversity within the WSU Vancouver community holds immense importance and, according to Blume, a huge factor in sustaining our campus’s well-being.
Editor’s Note: For more information on how to receive help with substance abuse and addiction, please refer to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website, samhsa.gov, to find out available treatment options in your area.
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COUGAR BITES
Emily Baumann | Editor-in-Chief
Washington is branded as the birthplace of America’s growing obsession for caffeinated drinks. While establishments such as Starbucks and Black Rock offer quick service, and appear on almost every street corner, locals may want to visit these hidden gems that hold true to the Pacific Northwest’s coffee culture.
Gold Cup Coffee House
Roasted with love and care, Gold Cup Coffee lives up to its name. Conveniently located on Fourth Plain Boulevard, the shop has a chic white interior and is open every day from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is plenty of seating for guests to lounge and work as they enjoy one of the many beverage items listed off the menu. While Gold Cup Coffee contains standard drinks such as Americanos, Cold Brews and Chai lattes, their vegan and organic additives are what make this place worth visiting. Gold Cup Coffee contains several dairy-free options such as soy, almond, hemp, coconut and oat milk. Additionally, the establishment also uses Holy Kakow organic syrups, made locally from the heart of Portland, Oregon. Syrup flavors include an array of options such as lavender, vanilla, hazelnut and more to spice up your favorite cup of joe. Gold Cup Coffee is a friendly and quaint shop with a prime location for parking, and if you’re looking for somewhere to visit on your next social outing, you’ve come to the right place.
Relevant Coffee
Nothing says “jungle cafe” like Relevant Coffee. Built upon sleek hardwood floors and an impressive amount of indoor house plants, the coffee bar serves as an ideal place to connect for study groups or work meetings. Serving as a “proud community-focused coffee roaster and hospitality company,” Relevant Coffee is positioned on 1703 Main Street between Vancouver’s Hough and Arnada day neighborhoods, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to regular menu items, Relevant Coffee provides customers with staple drinks such as their Iced Ranger Mocha or Hot Lavender Earl Grey Latte. For those wanting a light to medium roast, or generally something sweet, Relevant Coffee surely won’t disappoint.
Thatcher’s Coffee
As customers are greeted with high ceilings and an open garage door on the side, Thatcher’s welcomes its guests to relax next to large windows that allow plenty of natural sunlight. Housed in a sophisticated brick building, located on the corner of the Grand Central Retail Center, Thatcher’s is open every day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to the rave reviews they’ve received on their baked goods, Thatcher’s has several notably high ratings on their drip Iced Lavender Cardamom from Thatcher’s Coffee. coffee and teas. (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar) For those searching for a more flavorful drink, one recommendation is the iced Lavender Cardamom which provides a bitter, but slightly sweet taste. With the shop sustaining its popularity after opening its doors in 2010, Thatcher’s Coffee is a must-try for all Vancouver residents and visitors. If you’re wanting a taste of Vancouver’s java lifestyle, we recommend trying out these neighborhood brews for yourself. As local cafes emerge with new flavors, accommodations and blends, it’s a sure guarantee there’s a drink out there for everyone.
August m a r k yo u r c a l e n da r . . . Live virtual campus tour MON.
23 TUES.
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10:00am - 10:45am First day of school
FRI.
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Live virtual campus tour 3:00pm - 3:45pm
7:00pm - 9:00pm
In-person campus tour
In-person campus tour SAT.
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Back-to-School Barbecue
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2:00pm - 2:30pm Drive-in Movie Night Orange Parking Lot 3
5:00pm - 5:45pm
WED.
Admissions 101
12:00pm - 12:45pm Live virtual campus tour 3:00pm - 3:45pm
11:00pm - 3:00pm Admissions 201 3:00pm - 3:30pm
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31
In-person campus tour 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Next issue of The VanCougar ships Sept. 7!