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Vol. 28 Issue 16
1k on their way 2018 commencement recap Steven Cooper, Editor-In-Chief “Each of us contributes something unique to this community, and together we are powerful beyond belief,” said Jose Scott, WSU Vancouver’s student government president, to his fellow graduates. On May 5, WSU Vancouver’s 2018 graduating class consisting of 865 bachelors, 125 masters and 24 doctorate degree recipients walked across the stage at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. After introductions and words of optimism and hope from Renny Christopher, vice chancellor of academic affairs, and Steve Horenstein, chair of WSU Vancouver’s Advisory Council, Chancellor Mel Netzhammer delivered his commencement address. Netzhammer began his speech by summarizing the most notable events of the past year. He recounted the more than 1,500 people who joined the solar eclipse viewing party on the first day of classes. He mentioned the continued work on the campus Master Plan that explores the possibility of residence halls on campus, and the work being done to design a new Life Sciences Building for the campus. With tongue-in-cheek, the most significant initiative of the year was “faster credit card processors in the cafeteria” said Netzhammer with a laugh, adding that he was only half half-jesting. He clarified that technology has been a significant focus for the campus this year; the school has improved Wi-Fi strength campus wide, added new loaner laptops in the library, and increased the use of online resources to reduce textbook costs to students. This was also the first year WSU Vancouver livestreamed the commencement ceremony. Netzhammer said that today’s graduates are in a unique position to leverage technology to create solutions for a host of new problems. He added that technology comes with additional responsibilities, “My wish for you is that you always have your critical eye open as you manage the cascade of information that flows across our screens every second,” he said. “For that is how we will make our community stronger. That is how we will engage as active citizens. And that is how we continue the lifetime of thinking and learning that is the hallmark of a university education.” Netzhammer concluded his speech by recognizing recipients of four Chancellor Awards. (See box) Jose Scott, 27th president of the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver began his commencement address by stating how he “never would have imagined” he would deliver a commencement address at a university. “As a low-income, first generation, black man, the odds were clearly stacked against me,” Scott said. He added that he and others who have overcome barriers have set a precedent for future generations. Scott also pointed to student led initiatives over the last year protesting the unjust shooting of unarmed people of color by police, projects bringing awareness to sexual assault and violence, and efforts to combat an atmosphere in the country “filled with hateful rhetoric and divisiveness.” Renny Christopher delivers the welcome address Quoting American author and social activist Grace Lee Boggs, Scott concluded “We are the leaders we have been waiting for.” on May 5. (Taylor Jones/WSU Vancouver)
Commencement award recipients
Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence Cheryl Schulz
Chancellor’s Award for Service to WSUV Vancouver Steve Horenstein Chancellor’s Award for Student Achievement Navaraj Lamichhane
The Washington Campus Compact Chancellors’ Leadership Award Diana Larson and Catherine Townsel Students’ Award for Teaching Excellence Dale Fortin (Photos provided by Adena Rose Wade/WSU Vancouver)
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February 5, 2018
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New interim president p.5 Campus 5k run p.7 Campus safety p.9
Candidates compete for student government positions p. 5 Travel Café p.7 Engineering a community for women p.9
August 21, 2017
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Vol. 28 Issue 10
Vol. 28 Issue 1
The Great American Eclipse p. 7
JUDICIAL RULING 2018 ASWSUV PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION INVALID. Special election to be held fall semester. pg. 5
Veterans Week p. 3
Campus Conversation
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Art by WSUV Alumna
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Legislative Town Hall
The fight for dreamers: Messages of hope in Vancouver
Local Artist Comes to Campus
“State of the Campus”
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Vets on campus
11 Resources on campus
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See what the Chancellor has been up to
Local Politics Update
Black History Month
Photo courtesy of Zeke Estes
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Grad school applications
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September 26, 2017
December 11, 2017
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Letters from the editors
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Vol. 28 Issue 3
Finals week
Dreamers on campus
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Inclement weather policy update p. 7
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September 7, 2017
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My mom has always taught me that everything happens for a reason. When I applied for the reporter position at The Vancougar last fall, I never would have imagined that decision would lead me to the editor-in-chief position less than a year later. Yet here I am! Working for this small news organization has been a highlight of my college career, and it just keeps getting better. I’ve learned more about myself, my campus and my peers than I ever thought possible. When your job is to be the voice of the students, you develop listening skills that open your eyes and ears to things you wouldn’t see if you weren’t seeking them out. I remember the proud feeling of picking up the issue with my very first article in it; I remember my first staff meeting where we discussed things happening around campus, potential story pitches and critiques of the last issue that was on stands. I remember thinking to myself, “Wow, this is really cool. How did I get so lucky?” And here I am asking myself again, how I got so lucky to now be in a leadership position with a team and organization I have grown to love. I’ve learned a lot and I still have a lot to learn. Lucky for me, I get to work and learn alongside talented reporters, editors, layout managers and overall good people. Steven Cooper, the outgoing editor-in-chief, has been a shining role model in my time at the paper. He encouraged me to get more involved with the team, help out on layout days, distribute
Vol. 28 Issue 2
Tech-fee-funded projects in the future p. 3
Letter from the Managing Editor p. 6
State budget delays campus project p. 11
Photo courtesy of Zeke Estes
April 2, 2018
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October 23, 2017
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Details of the Eagle Creek fire
Incoming Editor-in-Chief
Budget update
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Photo courtesy of KPTV
November 6, 2017
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new issues around campus, apply for the team editor position and ultimately the editor-in-chief position. At first, I thought no way! Editor-in-Chief? Me? That’s a huge deal! However, Steven Cooper, our managing editor Nick Freese, our advisor Raul Moreno, and all of my VanCougar team saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. They saw my passion for the paper. They saw my eagerness for change and a yearning for the highest quality product possible. If it wasn’t for them, I would not be where I am today with The VanCougar. This privilege is something I don’t take lightly. I cannot wait to get started on production for next year and building our team. I know that everything happens for a reason and I’m ready for whatever comes our way.
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Veterans Week p. 3
Campus Conversation p. 7
November 28, 2017
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I am writing this letter as a graduate of only a few days. My time at this publication has come to an end. Only now am I able to truly appreciate the role this publication has played in my life. Nothing has impacted my educational experience more than my time at The VanCougar, and looking over the past year, I am amazed at everything this publication has accomplished. I began about a year ago as managing editor. I had no plans of ever becoming editor-in-chief, but things don’t always go according to plan. After producing only three issues in the fall semester, the publication faced major challenges, culminating in the previous editor-in-chief resigning. It certainly was not the easiest way to assume leadership, but with the support of the Student Media Board, I was appointed to the editor-in-chief role. Now, almost eight months later, I am enthralled with how far we have come. With additional training and support, our staff has produced relevant and impactful stories delivered in an engaging format. The majority of the credit certainly goes to my amazing staff. Nicholas Freese, the managing editor who filled my original position, has done an amazing job of recruiting skilled reporters, editors and managers, ensuring the inner workings of the publication function smoothly. Under the direction of our Layout editor Marco Morales-Mendoza, our print issues have departed from traditional copy-and-paste formatting to more unique and engaging layouts. Social Media Manager July Canillao has boosted our online presence from nearly nothing to thousands of views a week. Readership online now surpasses print. We also partnered with Koug Radio to produce a news broadcast every two weeks that coincides with our print issues. We even won 7th place “Best in Show” by the Associated Collegiate Press at its March convention in Long Beach, California. I have no doubt that The VanCougar will achieve even better things next year. Incoming Editor-in-Chief Bailley Simms has done amazing work in her time both as a reporter and as a team
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Legislative Town Hall p. 5
Local Artist Comes to Campus p. 7
Photo courtesy of Zeke Estes
January 22, 2018
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Stipends for student government p. 5
100s of photos create Cougar mosaic p. 7
Involvement Fair p. 9
September 26, 2017
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Dreamers on campus p. 6
Details of the Eagle Creek fire p. 8
Photo courtesy of KPTV
October 9, 2017
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Special iSSue correctionS and apologieS
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Best, Bailley Simms 2018-2019 Editor-in-Chief Apple Cup 2017 p. 3
Tech Fee allocations p. 5
Affordable Housing p. 9
September 7, 2017
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Vol. 28 Issue 2
Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Local Politics Update
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editor this year. She also has ambitious and well defined plans to continue and improve The VanCougar’s recent efforts to expand readership and improve quality. On several occasions I’ve heard her say, “Working at The VanCougar is a privilege.” From her own work ethic you can tell she believes it, and I know that that is an attitude and message she will continue to promote next year. I may no longer be editor-in-chief or a student, but you can be sure I will continue to be one of The VanCougar’s most avid readers. The VanCougar encompasses what I care about the most. Journalism ignited a passion in me for communication, reasoning, research and argument. For some journalists, the holy grail is publishing breaking news before anyone else. For me, the best stories are the ones that dig deep—stories that move aside the smoke and mirrors, reveal the facts and answer important questions. I start next fall as a student at the University of Oregon School of Law, and I thank journalism for getting me there above anything else. Communication, reasoning, research and argument are all essential skills for a lawyer, and journalism has given me both passion and experience in those areas. I am going to miss The VanCougar and everyone that works here, but I know it will be left in good hands. I also know that new and highly skilled people are regularly joining our publication. If you are looking for a job on campus, I highly encourage you to consider The VanCougar. Positions become available on a semiregular basis, and the publication is always interested in skilled students with a passion for journalism. But even if you only remain a reader, I encourage you to pay close attention to this publication next year. I see great things in the future.
Tech-fee-funded projects in the future p. 3
Letter from the Managing Editor p. 6
State budget delays campus project p. 11
Photo courtesy of Zeke Estes
October 9, 2017
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Special iSSue correctionS and apologieS
Apology from the Editor-in-Chief p. 3 Corrections p. 4 Letter from the Managing Editor p. 7
Photo courtesy of Zeke Estes
April 16, 2018
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Vol. 28 Issue 14
JUDICIAL RULING 2018 ASWSUV PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION INVALID. Special election to be held fall semester. pg. 5
January 22, 2018
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Sincerely, Steven Cooper 2017-2018 Editor-in-Chief
Apology from the Editor-in-Chief p. 3
Stipends for student government
Corrections p. 4
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100s of photos create Cougar mosaic
Letter from the Managing Editor p. 7
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Involvement Fair p. 9
Photo courtesy of Zeke Estes
September 7, 2017
November 28, 2017
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New interim president p.5 Campus 5k run p.7 Campus safety p.9
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April 2, 2018
December 11, 2017
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Candidates compete for student government positions p. 5 Travel Café p.7 Engineering a community for women p.9
Tech-fee-funded projects in the future p. 3
Apple Cup 2017
Letter from the Managing Editor
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Tech Fee allocations
State budget delays campus project
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p. 11
Affordable Housing Photo courtesy of Zeke Estes
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Black History Month
Finals week
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The fight for dreamers: Messages of hope in Vancouver
Inclement weather policy update
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“State of the Campus”
Budget update
Veterans Week Campus Conversation
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