O c t . 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 vo l . 2 9 i s s u e 0 5
WSU ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
PAT CHUN brings Butch to Vancouver campus
“WE ARE ALL
cougs”
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October 2018
r a g u o C Van TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bailley Simms
LAYOUT EDITOR Marco Morales ADVERTISING MANAGER Kassidy Young SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER July Canilao WEB MANAGER Henry Holloway PHOTOGRAPHER Sydnie Kobza
COPY EDITOR Nikki Johnson
k up Linwith us
COPY EDITOR Randal Houle
/TheVanCougar
REPORTER Cameron Kast
@thevancougar
REPORTER Katherine O’Boyle REPORTER Sofia Grande REPORTER Anna Nelson
ADVISOR Raul Moreno
s terthe Letto editor 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.vancouged@ wsu.edu. Once received, letters become property of The VanCougar and are subject to editing for length, clarity and style.
@thevancougar
our
Mission
The VanCougar will strive to seek out injustices and present them in a balanced, accurate way—displayed fairly, without bias. It matters not whether the views of the issue are held by many or few.
Cor rections
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.vancouged@wsu. edu for corrections.
in
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October 2018
Issue pg. 8
pg. 13
pg. 14 pg. 6 pg. 4
Undocumented students still eligible for financial aid in Washington state
pg. 6
WSU Vancouver Post-Doctoral fellow receives $105k research grant
on the
Cover
pg. 8
pg. 12
pg. 10
pg. 13
A behind-the-scenes look at the WSU Vancouver Etiquette Dinner Cougar Bites: Fall spices means new vices
pg. 11
WSU Athletic Director Pat Chun, “We are all cougs!”
Opinion: An unqualified take on National Coming Out Day Julia Conrad reminisces time spent at WSU Vancouver Recreation Center
pg. 14
Vancouver Mayor says I-5 bridge lift costs commuters up to seven hours a day
During his visit to the WSU Vancouver campus on Oct. 5, WSU Athletic Director Pat Chun (left) brought a new WSU jersey with the number 12 and the name “Butch” on the back, representing the WSU athletics mascot “Butch T. Cougar.” Student Travis Toth (right) is posing for a photo with the new jersey after the event. (Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar)
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October 2018 Anna Nelson
Reporter
The fall season brings a time of joy, a time of planning ahead for college and a time of uncertainty for an estimated 45 students according to April Tovar, assistant director of Student Financial Services at WSU Vancouver. A likely 6,200 unauthorized immigrant students live in the Vancouver-Portland metro area, according to a United States Citizenship and Immigration survey. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides access to federal grants and loans available for qualifying students. FAFSA applications opened Oct. 1. Another form of aid, the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA), may not be as widely known, but also becomes available this time of year. WASFA provides access to state-funded financial aid for students who are not eligible for federal aid due to their immigration status. “Filing the WASFA can be scary for families because they are outing themselves and no longer staying in the shadows,” Tovar said. “While WASFA information is protected, it can be scary for students and their families to share
such personal information in a state government website.” Tovar added that the WASFA application can be challenging to complete, especially for students with limited access to computers or the internet. “This is why the weekly computer lab help we are providing the month of October is so important to help families complete their financial aid forms and not give up.” Gema Hernandez, an undocumented student at WSU Vancouver discussed the anxiety that comes with filing the WASFA. “Well, in my case, it’s kind of complicated because my parents don’t really know what FAFSA or WASFA is,” Hernandez said. She continued to explain that her parents were unaware of the opportunity for her to go to college, let alone financial aid for undocumented citizens.“They worry that [WASFA tax] information might get them deported,” Hernandez said. On Sept. 5, 2017 the federal government cancelled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which previously allowed undocumented immigrants to continue education in
the United States. Despite this, in the state of Washington, undocumented students are still able to qualify for stateaid if they meet the DACA standard or 1079 standard. Both the DACA and the 1079 standards require residency in Washington State prior to applying. Undocumented immigrants also have to sign an affidavit promising to pursue legal citizenship as soon as possible. According to Tovar, a total of 1.5 percent of WSU Vancouver students apply for WASFA, which accounts for approximately 45 students. With regards to resources for undocumented students on the WSU Vancouver campus, Tovar said “Student Financial Services tries to provide support for the Vancouver campus undocumented students by making sure they know of deadlines, scholarship opportunities and other campus resources, such as the Student Diversity Center, that are open to them.” She added, “The Student Diversity Center is trying to build support for campus undocumented students by providing a safe space and campus educational opportunities. In addition,
Undocumented students still eligible for financial aid in Washington state
October is the time to file for FAFSA and WASFA
October 2018
a student group just formally formed last year called the Crimson Group, who are made up of students who want to support undocumented students on campus, and many of the group are undocumented themselves.” In addition, Tovar mentioned financial aid resources also offered around campus, such as the A-Z of Paying for College workshop held throughout the year. “For the entire month of October, we will be helping students in VUB 202 complete their financial aid forms. This effort is part of a larger financial aid help program called College Goal Sunday. The program is called College Goal Washington in Washington State,” Tovar said. Scholarship 101 is offered annually, happening from 6 — 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 in VDEN 110. Hernandez expressed concern for scholarship availability for undocumented students. “When you start looking for scholarships, one of the requirements is to be a U.S. citizen or to have a visa that allows you to be in the U.S. It’s not that there are not as much resources [as documented
“Thirteen percent of our students still missed the FAFSA or WASFA priority deadlines. ” - April Tovar, assistent director of student financial services
students], they’re just harder to find,” Hernandez said. “If I don’t get [WASFA aid], then I’m definitely not going to go to college. There’s not a back-up plan, like ‘Oh I can get a student loan.’ Oh no, I can’t” Hernandez said. She continued, stating how “April [Tovar] is the person to talk to when you need help, regardless of your citizenship status. She is so dedicated and passionate in helping undocumented students at WSU Vancouver, it’s been amazing.” Hernandez offered advice to other undocumented students who may be
“If I don’t get [WASFA aid] then I’m definitely not going to go to college.” - Gema Hernandez WSU Vancouver student
WSU Vancouver student Gema Hernandez. (Anna Nelson/The VanCougar)
reluctant to file for financial aid saying “They shouldn’t be afraid, because the help is there and it’s safe.” She added, “They can come and get help from April [Tovar]. They can come to College Goal Washington; the help is there. They just need to reach out and get it.” According to Tovar, “Thirteen percent of our [WSU Vancouver] students still missed the FAFSA or WASFA priority deadlines. About six years ago that number was 33 percent! So we have halved the number of students who file late. However, I hope we can continue to lower this late FAFSA filer rate to single digits. A student who is eligible for a $10,000 State Need Grant will lose it all if they are late – even by one day!” Tovar added that filing for financial aid in October will ensure that the deadline is met. Federal aid is available for both documented and undocumented students. However to be eligible for priority status students must apply early. There are thousands of dollars set aside for students to pursue education, regardless of their status.
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October 2018
WSU Vancouver Post-Doctoral fellow receives $105k research grant
Alumnus Jordan Blacktop maps new area of the human brain Sofia Grande
Reporter
Jordan Blacktop, a WSU Vancouver post-doctoral fellow This identification led Blacktop to research more into received a $105,000 research grant to study reward behaviors why the PNNs were activated in this region of the brain. with addictive behaviors. Blacktop discovered that certain “We ended up finding that this area has a high brain structures link reward behaviors to addictive behaviors, concentration of perineuronal net… these are connected to uncovering a new area of the brain thought responsible. drug-related memories and reward behaviors,” Blacktop said. Blacktop’s research began in the WSU Vancouver The finding led Blacktop to start pursuing neuroplasticity research labs almost five years (the brain’s ability to change ago. and associate functions within “I had to do my postit’s different locations) and doctoral research and addiction-reward behaviors could go with San Diego or in the LHAad as his postWashington State [University doctoral research. In the time Vancouver] with Barb [Dr. since his finding, Blacktop Sorg]. She came highly has published various journal recommended so I went to articles about his findings. [work] in her lab,” Blacktop “What we are doing said. is trying to get a better Barbara Sorg is the head of understanding of these the Neuroscience program at high-density perineuronal WSU Vancouver and focuses net areas and their relation her research on perineuronal to drug-inducing addiction nets (PNNs). Perineuronal neuroplasticity,” Blacktop nets are structures that explained. Simply put, the can strengthen long-term research would explain the patterns in the brain. While changes in brain function working in Sorg’s lab, pathways due to drug Blacktop encountered an area addiction. Blacktop added, of the brain where in-depth “and we are doing that by functions were previously isolating this subregion and undiscovered. Blacktop has measuring the behavioral since identified the area as changes.” the Anterior Dorsal Lateral Blacktop said the hardest Hypothalamic Area (LHAad). part of applying for the grant This led him to apply was “Finding the right people. WSU Vancouver alumnus, Jordan Blacktop. (Sydnie Kobza/ and recently receive a grant I have multiple mentors… Dr. The VanCougar) from the National Institution Barbara Sorg here at WSU of Health: Pathway to [Vancouver], John Williams Independence for approximately $105,000 to continue his and Susan Ingram [at OHSU].” research. With hopes that his research will contribute to broader Discussing his research, Blacktop said how “This area studies in the scientific community Blacktop’s two year plan has only ever been identified anatomically. This was the first includes developing his research further to discover advanced research to identify it by the presence of [perineuronal nets].” knowledge of the effects of addiction in the brain’s function.
October 2018
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October 2018
A behind-the-scenes look at the WSU Vancouver Etiquette Dinner The VanCougar gets a backstage pass to the nine-month-long dinner features a four-course meal production for students and local employers Anna Nelson
Reporter
Interviews over dinner can pose an uncomfortable dilemma to students and recent graduates. Proper manners or conquering a difficult-toeat dish takes practice. The annual WSU Vancouver Etiquette Dinner allows students to practice interview manners over dinner with fellow students practicing as well. The
like C.H. Robinson and Hewlett Packard. With a large attendance and keynote speakers, a lot goes on behind-the-scenes to plan this event. Nolan Yaws-Gonzalez, assistant manager of the Student Resource Center supervises the eventplanning. According to YawsGonzalez, WSU Vancouver Career Counselor Tina Harney has planned the dinner the past two years. “Etiquette Dinner to me has always been a super important thing because everyone, in any field, could potentially be asked in an interview setting to go have a meal, go have a snack, go grab a drink – anything like that. So I think it’s really important to know how to handle yourself professionally in that type of situation,” Harney said. Harney handles most of the planning and Yaws-Gonzalez
Dinner place settings await students and employers at the 2018 WSU Vancouver Etiquette Dinner. (Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar)
supervises, but student involvement is key in the nine-month-long preparation process. Student interns for Career Services, also known as career peer educators, help market the event. The Cougar Center handles ticket payments and the Student Resource Center (SRC) front desk registers students for the event. The first step in the event planning process starts with securing the speaker. This year Jodie Blackwood, of Etiquette Awareness, returned as the keynote speaker. “She’s phenomenal” Harney said. “We’ve taken into consideration comments from those who have attended the event and taken our survey to make sure we have the best event for what the students are looking for,” Harney added. These considerations include the possibility of music, the layout of the event and how it can improve each year. The second step involves campus room reservations (and making them as early as possible). “In past years we’ve had typically about 40 to 50 students and then we have the employer sponsors,” Harney said. During the summer, Harney worked on increasing the attendance of the event. “We wanted to grow, so this year we have about 76 student spots and we’re going to use the entire Firstenburg Student Commons.” Catering preparations also began in the summer. “We want to make sure we’re friendly for those with dietary restrictions. We typically have a vegan soup, a salad with a vegan dressing [and] some sort of entrée that is difficult for folks to manage, because you never know
October 2018
what you might be served in an event. Then a dessert as well,” Harney said. The entrées are purposely made to be difficult to manage so students can master polite eating in a professional setting, as that is the entire goal of the event. Past meals have ranged from chicken on a bone, to spaghetti and even salad with cherry tomatoes. Beyond the food selections, SRC Marketing Intern Betsy Hanrahan worked on advertising the event, making the menu and matching name tags and table numbers for all attendees. At other universities, etiquette and networking dinners generally have a high-cost of attendance. At WSU Vancouver, Yaws-Gonzalez was able to bring the cost down to just $5 by implementing employer sponsors, an idea adopted from University of the Pacific. The sponsorship fee is $350.00 for employers (which funds the event), who can then send a representative to dine with students at the event, according to Yaws-Gonzalez. This year there were six employer sponsors, which is one more than last year, according to Harney. In response to picking the sponsors, Harney said “We try to make sure we have a variety of employers… We really just want them to be open to hiring our students, to really be there to provide them with some professional guidance and feedback.” “We mainly reach out to employers and organizations who have participated in the fall and spring Career and Internship Fairs, as we know these organizations are invested
Keynote speaker Jodie Blackwood (left) and Tina HarneyWSU Vancouver career counselor (right). (Sydnie Kobza/TheVancougar)
in the success of our talented students and alumni,” Yaws-Gonzalez said. Harney said that students have returned post event to express relief over understanding table etiquette during an interview. “It’s not a career fair, but we have had students in the past who have obtained internships which led to full-time jobs from speaking with the employers [at the etiquette dinner],” Harney said. My My Lê, a finance major at WSU Vancouver has attended the event multiple times. Lê said, “It was a really good experience, for sure. You get to do networking...you might get an internship or job after this dinner.” Attending the dinner for the first time, digital technology and culture major Andrew Nevue said he was hoping for, “Some awesome networking and learning proper dinner etiquette.”
During the event, Harney said that behind-the-scenes is generally calm, with most of the action being focused on the catering. After the event Harney sends handouts from the speaker to students with a feedback survey link. The feedback is carefully discussed between Harney regarding the speaker to help improve next year’s event. As the event ends, Harney will soon begin planning next year’s etiquette dinner.
“
Entrées are purposely made to be difficult to manage so students can master polite eating in a professional setting.”
-Tina Harney,
WSU Vancouver career counselor
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COUGAR BITES
October 2018
Fall spices means new vices A changing season is great for many things such as holidays, cold weather clothing and my favorite, food. From soups and stews to squash and potatoes, fall offers wonderful new flavors for your taste buds. Here are my two fall favorites.
Cameron Kast
Reporter
cipe e Chili re s u o h e ir F r, Rob orite, this firefighte v d fa n l a a d n n o s ie ot, A per a family fr and a slow cook p y b e m to ts was given simple ingredien hili. h it y hearty c tl W c fe r e p Moon. this an make you too c
Firehouse Chili
Ingredients: • 1 lb ground turkey • 16 oz can black beans • 16 oz can kidney beans • 6 oz can tomato paste • 4 oz can chopped green chilies • 2 cups chicken broth • 1 medium onion • 1 tablespoon ground garlic • 1 tablespoon cumin
Start by browning the turkey and onion in a saucepan. Once cooked, add the black beans, kidney beans and tomato paste into a slow cooker pot. In this same pot, add the can of chopped green chilies, chicken broth, tablespoon of ground garlic and cumin. After that, salt the chili to your prefered taste and get ready for a nice warm bowl of hearty fall deliciousness.
In t
he m
Apple Pie Bites Ingredients: • 1 small Granny Smith apple • 1 teaspoon apple pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice) • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed light • 1/3 cup chopped pecans (walnuts work as well) • 1 (8 oz) can Original Pillsbury crescent rolls • 3 tablespoons melted butter
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While your oven is preheating, place a piece of wax parchment paper on a cookie sheet. On this wax paper, roll out the crescent rolls and generously spread the apple spice mixture over the top of them along with the pecans (or walnuts). Slice the Granny Smith apple into eight pieces and dip each slice in melted butter.
ood fo Thi s w eet? r some s re thin eigh cipe g t ap mak e ple s ro pie bite ughly s. Follow this up by placing the apple pie spice at the end of the crescent roll and rolling it up. Lightly spread the melted butter over the top of the folded crescent roll and bake for 9 - 12 minutes (or until brown). After removing from the oven, let the bites cool for five minutes. These bites are best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
WSU Athletic Director Pat Chun, “We are all cougs!”
October 2018
“
If you can achieve academically, you can have sustainable excellence.
”
-Pat Chun
WSU Vancouver Chancellor Netzhammer student Travis (center) and WSU Athletic WSU Vancouver Chancellor Mel Mel Netzhammer (left)(left) student Travis TothToth (center) Athletic Director Pat Chun (right). (SydnieVanCougar) Kobza/The VanCougar) Pat Director Chun (right). (Sydnie Kobza/The
Chun delivered a speech, along with a new jersey to WSU Vancouver Randal Houle
Copy Editor
WSU Athletic Director Pat Chun, the first Asian-American athletic director of any power five school, spoke with students in the Firstenburg Student Commons on the morning of Oct. 5. His visit came with the delivery of a crimson WSU football jersey with the name “Butch” and the number 12 displayed on the back. “Power five” is the name given to the collegiate leagues that comprise the largest athletic schools, with WSU being in the Pac12 conference of the power five. Two neighboring Pac12 universities include University of Oregon and the University of Washington. According to Sports Illustrated, among other sports news outlets, WSU athletics are on a rise. Chun’s parents immigrated to the United States from South Korea in 1969. He grew up in Cleveland, where cold winters from the “lake effect” and a high work ethic from his parents challenged him in his first job
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delivering newspapers while still in grade school. While at Ohio State University, Chun wrote articles as the campus paper’s sports reporter. “Writing opened me to the world of athletics,” he said. Chun expressed his goal of pulling the WSU Vancouver campus toward unity with Pullman. He praised WSU Vancouver Chancellor Mel Netzhammer, saying how Netzhammer can “bring Vancouver to Coug athletics.” Chun’s address to WSU Vancouver students and staff started by outlining that the entire WSU athletic program totals 45 wins and four losses. Since his appointment as WSU athletic director last February, Chun has experienced a 20 percent turnover of the WSU athletics staff. “Fiftyone percent of those vacancies are being replaced by women and ethnic minorities,” he said. “We’ve made a conscious effort to attract the most talented people…We know that in order to be our best, we need to look like our student body, which is diverse.” Chun said one of his favorite new hires, Lisa Waite, was recently named associate athletic director for emerging media/creative services. He cited her award-winning work with the Seattle Sonics, who moved to Oklahoma several years ago, as a factor
for bringing her on board. According to a news release on the WSU website, Waite, a WSU alumnae, won a Journal Record Beacon Award and several Graphic Design USA American InHouse awards. With Waite’s experience and others like her, Chun hopes to “do more with social media and bring more creativity.” Social media and creative platforms play a key role in reaching prospective 15-20 year-old WSU students. During his visit to WSU Vancouver, Chun challenged students to work hard and take advantage of their college years, which he described as the best years. “We are the only country in the world that co-mingles academics and athletics at the college level. There’s a reason why people thought long ago that that would be a good idea.” Early in his career, Chun worked with Ohio State football coach, Jim Tressel. Chun adopted Tressel’s methodology of “building up the whole person to get a better athlete, and if the athlete does not work out, at least you have a better person.” “Focus on academics,” Chun said. “If you can achieve academically, you can have sustainable excellence.” Chun wrapped up his talk by encouraging all WSU students, wherever they are, to celebrate Coug nation. “We are all Cougs,” he said.
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October 2018
OPINION
An unqualified take on National Coming Out Day A bisexual student’s view on the holiday To my fellow Students, Last Thursday, Oct. 11, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and more (LGBT+) community rejoiced as we celebrated the 30th National Coming Out Day. A day that celebrates ‘coming out of the closet,’ a way for LGBT+ people to tell their friends, family, or even themselves about their sexual orientation or preferred gender identity. But where does this historic holiday have its roots? According to the Human Rights Campaign (the largest LGBT+ civil rights advocacy group in the nation) on Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the national March on Washington D.C. for Lesbian and Gay Rights. It was the second demonstration of its kind in our nation’s capital. As a result of this event, two leaders of
“Ev
ery
one’s
not an issue. Unfortunately, that is not the case. LGBT+ individuals are still discriminated against everyday. Not just in the places where homophobia is more common, like the south, but also here in communities surrounding our campus. In 2018, the city of Vancouver received a 71/100 on the Municipal Equality Index, a national report by the Human Rights Campaign on how inclusive different city’s municipal laws, policies and services are of LGBT+ people who live and work there. The national average on this index is 55/100. Major Washington cities like Seattle, Olympia and Bellevue received a perfect score of 100. This score is based on Non-Discrimination laws, municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and relationship with the LGBT+ community. In contrast to Vancouver, Pullman, WA. (where WSU’s main campus is) received a score of 56/100. How are we supposed to
has the second-largest LGBT community in the country. The Saturday in the Park Pride happened in July, an annual event since 1994 for members of the community to come together and celebrate who they are. Even on our campus, the Pride Club is larger and more active than ever before, with two of their members, Colten Sullivent and Abigail Bambilla, currently holding positions in the WSU Vancouver student government senate. Everyone’s journey is different and it’s certainly not a straight line. It can take time, but you are allowed to overlap and even change your mind. It doesn’t matter your sexual history or your current relationship status. You don’t have to prove your identity to anyone, even if you don’t fulfill typical stereotypes of your sexuality/gender identity. You can be a transgender person who doesn’t feel the need to physically transition, or an asexual person who enjoys having sex. Or even a bisexual who is a serial monogamist (like me!). So don’t let anyone put conditions on your identity. If you aren’t hurting anyone, no one has any business telling you
When factors like these are taken into account, making the decision to come out is still very personal. It can feel isolating and for some people, dangerous. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 40 percent of the homeless youth served by agencies identify as LGBT+. The most frequently cited factor contributing to LGBT+ homelessness was family rejection based on sexual orientation and gender identity, leaving teens on the street after being forced out by their family. Even in the face of discrimination, LGBT+ members of the Vancouver community are still out and proud. According to TheStreet, an American financial news and services company, at 5.4 percent the Portland/Vancouver area
right and wrong about who you are. Whether you have been out of the closet for years, you are still in the closet or you are just beginning to question parts of your identity, there is a community out there who loves and accepts you. So never be ashamed of who you are and wear your true colors with pride.
journey is differe n t a n d i t’s ce the LGBT+ r tai community, Rob nly Eichberg and Jean O’Leary, recognized look up to our main not their community often reacted campus if they are not properly a st defensively to homophobic actions. representing the LGBT+ community in raigh t line.” The two were able to find a solution the their laws and policies? what is following year by creating a national day to celebrate coming out, which encourages those who may be hesitant, or ‘in the closet’ to embrace their true selves. LGBT+ leaders believed that homophobia was born out of a culture of shame and silence. These leaders believed if people could see that they have LGBT+ friends and loved ones, they would be less likely to discriminate against them. Thus, in October of 1988, National Coming Out Day was born, honoring the anniversary of the historic March on D.C. But what does this have to do with the WSU Vancouver campus? You may think that it’s not that big of a deal. That gay marriage is legal now, so it’s
Sincerely, Kassidy Young VanCougar Ad Manager Proud member of the bisexual community Trevor project lifeline for LGBT+ youth 1-866-488-7386.
Julia Conrad reminisces time spent at WSU Vancouver Recreation Center
October 2018
After 20 years at WSU Vancouver Conrad gears up for a new adventure Cameron Kast
Reporter
The heart of WSU Vancouver recreation resides in the Annex; a recently renovated building that used to be a farmhouse hidden behind campus. For the past four years, Julia Conrad, the WSU Vancouver Recreation Coordinator, led students on various adventures ranging from the Clackamas River Cleanup to the Mount Bachelor Ski Trip. Although she said she has enjoyed her time on the WSU Vancouver campus, Conrad will soon embark on her own adventure. This month, Conrad plans to relocate to the Oregon State University Bend campus, where she will work with the OSU Recreation program and network with other professionals. When asked about her relocation to OSU, Conrad said “I’ve been working in recreation for almost 20 years and Bend is kind of a recreation hub. I’ll be surrounded by more folks that also work in the industry. I think that support for me as a professional and in that area just fits really well in my goals.” In reference to the Annex, Conrad explained how, “Sometimes students will come down here just to get information. Like, if they’re planning a backpacking trip by themselves and need some maps.” She added, “We have awesome trees [ near the Annex]. I always tell folks they can borrow hammocks and hang them up.” “I think the Annex is a magical spot on campus,” Conrad said. Conrad, whose heart and specialty is in whitewater recreation, said she is excited to live in a recreation hub like Bend. “There’s a whitewater park right in the middle of town and Mount Bachelor and the Three Sisters,” adding how “It sounds like there’s lots of work that can be done there [OSU Bend] to get students involved in recreation. I think taking on those challenges and being a part of that in that environment is super appealing.” Conrad said the decision to leave the Vancouver campus has not been an easy choice and she has appreciated her time on campus. She said her interactions with students and staff was her favorite part of her job. “There’s so many good ones,” Conrad said when asked about some of her favorite memories at WSU Vancouver.
Julia Conrad, WSU Vancouver recreation coordinator. (Laura Dutelle/WSU Vancouver)
With memories ranging from trips she has taken with students, to interns working in the recreation center office with her, Conrad said if she had to pick a favorite memory it would probably be “some of the spring break trips or the Mount Bachelor trips, just because they’re pretty intense.” Conrad explained the spring break trips saying, “We go out with 12 students total and we spend a week together and 16 hours each way in a car. You really get to know people. You’re living together. Not taking showers, together. Cooking together. Camping together,” she said. “It’s a pretty cool bond. A bond you would get with those folks that many other people wouldn’t experience.” Regarding the students and staff on the WSU Vancouver campus, Conrad had nothing but good things to say. “The students on this campus are pretty fantastic and are a lot of fun. I’m very appreciative of my time here” she said. “This is a great spot. The annex is a pretty special place.”
“I’m very appreciative of my time here. This is a great spot.” -Julia Conrad
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October 2018
City of Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle (center) at the Oct. 1 City Council meeting. (Syndie Kobza/The VanCougar)
Vancouver Mayor says I-5 bridge lift costs commuters up to seven hours a day Mayor McEnerny-Ogle went in-depth with possible construction on the I-5 bridge Katie O’Boyle
Reporter
Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle says WSU Vancouver students “have a role” in the I-5 bridge discussion. Uncertainty surrounding the century-old bridge and its future impacts students commuting to the WSU Vancouver campus, said McEnerny-Ogle at the Oct. 1 Vancouver City Council meeting. With being in the very early stages of the most recent efforts regarding a new I-5 bridge, McEnerny-Ogle wants the governor talking about it. She said, “We’re looking at about two or three years out if we can get everything organized, we have the conversations and start preparing documents for each other and then ask the federal government. Then maybe we can start construction in five years and if everything goes well, we can be done in 10 years.” McEnerny-Ogle said, “The Columbia River crossing [study] is still useable, if we don’t move some of the underwater “pilings” then they are still good. But there’s a lot of work we don’t know.” She added that there is a possibility of tolls or user fees for crossing the bridge, considering previous bridge work discussions have also included this possibility. All things considered, the mayor’s main concerns with the I-5 bridge is safety and the bridge having a lift. The I-5 bridge is over 100 years old and the pillars holding it up are laying in mud, not bedrock, according to McEnerny-Ogle. “This bridge is floating, it’s not sound.”
With the I-5 bridge also being a lift bridge, meaning the construction of the bridge allows for it to stop traffic and lift the roadway to a higher elevation, it allows for the passage of cargo ships and sail boats to travel in the river below. This feature is known to cause heavy traffic, with numerous boats passing through each day. McEnerny-Ogle said that the bridge lift can cause “up to seven hours a day” of people waiting in traffic for the bridge to come down. Because of this, she wants there to be conversations about eliminating the lift feature of the bridge altogether. During the meeting she mentioned that she has taken this resolution to “sister cities” including the three ports, Camas, Washougal and Ridgefield, then to the county, asking for their considerations. According to McEnerny-Ogle the only city yet to respond is Battle Ground, with all of the others she has approached agreeing to pass the resolution. Within the same conversation, she said, “On August 6 the Vancouver City Council passed a very simple resolution, to ask the governor if he would put into his budget the money needed to open an office so that the Washington state Department of Transportation could start a new project.” Other issues discussed at the city council meeting included a proposed partial removal of a development agreement applying to five properties at 148th Ave and Mill Plain Blvd. The measure passed after a public hearing. Council members concluded the meeting discussing the success of the new downtown Vancouver waterfront grand opening. Council member Laurie Lebowsky said “One thing that struck me about that waterfront opening is that it is a good example of public infrastructure investment and how it can facilitate private development as far as are challenges right now such as the I-5 bridge.”
October 2018
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October
m a r k yo u r c a l e n da r . . . wed.
18 thurs.
19
Earthquake Drill 10:18 a.m. campus wide
Self Defense Class 6 – 8:15 p.m. VDEN 129 Free Cooking Demo for Busy Students 2 – 3 p.m. VFSC
fri.
Noche de Familia 2 – 7 p.m. VFSC
tues.
Red Cross Blood Drive 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bus Loop
20 23
wed. Salmon Creek Journal Poetry Slam (Free) 7 – 10 p.m. Angst Gallery 1015 Main St., Vancouver
24 sat.
27 tues.
30
Make A Difference Day: Volunteer tree planting 9 a.m. – noon Leverich Park shelter
Re-Imagined Radio: “War of the Worlds” 7 p.m. Kiggins Theater 1011 Main St., Vancouver
Issue no. 6 of the vancougar on stands oct. 30
Leaves changing colors on WSU Vancouver campus. (Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar)
Secure Network in 2 Easy Steps
Y ou guest! You’re a COUG not a guest! eless” Cougs useCoug “WSU Wireless” 16
October 2018
You’re a COUG not a guest! 1. Select “WSU Wireless” on your personal device Cougs use “WSU Wireless” 2. Sign-in with your Network ID and click “connect” (WSUV Guest WiFi is not secure)
Access and Only Access WSU Vancouver’s Fastest and Only Se Steps Secure Network in 2 Easy Steps
nal device 1. Select 1. Select “WSU Wireless” on your personal device
ck “connect” 2. Sign-in 2. Sign-in with your Network ID and click “connect”
Questions?: Contact the IT HelpDesk (WSUV Guest WiFi is not secure) (360) 546-9770 | van.evita@wsu.edu Classroom Building 225
ntact the IT HelpDesk Questions?: Contact the IT HelpDesk | van.evita@wsu.edu (360) 546-9770 | van.evita@wsu.edu assroom Building 225 Classroom Building 225