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On air:
SEX POSITIVE RADIO with DJ ROSE
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january 2019
r a g u o C n Va TEAM Link up with us EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bailley Simms
MANAGING EDITOR Kassidy Young LAYOUT EDITOR Marco Morales PHOTOGRAPHER Sydnie Kobza ADVISER Raul Moreno COPY EDITOR Nikki Johnson COPY EDITOR Randal Houle
COPY EDITOR Sarah Kaufman REPORTER Cameron Kast
REPORTER Katherine O’Boyle REPORTER Anna Nelson REPORTER Emily Baumann REPORTER Michael Kimball
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.
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/TheVanCougar @thevancougar @thevancougar
our
Mission
The VanCougar, a student-run newsmagazine, informs and engages the WSU Vancouver community while practicing the highest standards of timely, ethical journalism.
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.vancouged@wsu.edu for corrections.
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Students use degree to launch passion project
6 Wreckage Symbiotic photo wins Travel Cafe out of eleven 8 Four student elected senators remain education appears on 9 Sensation KOUG radio airwaves
10 WSU Vancouver history Wilson resigns as Student 14 SkyDiversity Center adviser
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new year from 16 Happy The VanCougar Resolutions actually 18 ArehelpingNewusYearimprove? One editor’s theory.
on the
Cover Issue 9.indd 3
KOUG Radio’s Sex Positive radio show host, Alec Roselle in the DJ booth. (Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar)
photo feature: Brady Lewis, founder of Norstar clothing brand. (Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar ) 1/3/19 3:06 PM
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Students use degree to launch passion project
Brady Lewis, Norstar founder and strategic communication major at WSU Vancouver. (Sydnie Kobza/ The VanCougar)
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Anna Nelson
Reporter
Imagine this; you have spent thousands of dollars to earn a bachelor’s degree. Then, while still in school earning that degree, you start applying the exact skills acquired in the classroom to launch a passion project that could very well prosper into a lifelong career. That is exactly what two WSU Vancouver students have done. “I don’t think we realize, right now, 2018, is the greatest time to make stuff, to be alive, to be successful,” said Brady Lewis, a junior integrated strategic communication major, minoring in film studies, who launched a clothing brand last November. The brand, Norstar, features t-shirts, crewnecks, socks and beanies influenced by Lewis’ creativity and technical skills learned at WSU Vancouver. Lewis said he had the idea for the brand four years ago and since then has built up capital to invest in his dream. He explained how in his first year at WSU he enrolled in random classes in hopes of finding an education direction. He learned storytelling in a film class and content creation in a communication class, both aiding him in establishing his brand. “Rather than [communications and film studies] to be my future, they assist in what I’m already doing (Norstar), which will help my future,” Lewis said about his classes helping him establish Norstar. The brand is named after Norstar Street in Ridgefield, Wash. where Lewis grew up. “I want to take something that is known, which is Norstar, the street I’ve lived on ever since I was a kid, and flipping it
c re a t ive l y, turning it into different things,” Lewis said. Briar Anderson, a senior digital technology and culture major was the first artist whose work was featured with Norstar. “I created most of the graphics [such as “Briar’s Collage” and “Lit Rose” design graphics] featured on the first batch of clothing items. I’ve gotten to work with Brady [Lewis] on conceptualizing ideas for clothes and help his vision come to life,” Anderson said. Anderson said her DTC coursework has helped a lot in her
Illustration by Briar Anderson.
role with Norstar. “I’ve been able to learn a lot of technical skills and programs like Photoshop and Illustrator,” she explained. “On a larger scale, the courses in my major have taught me a lot about how to complete big projects, collaborate and use creative ideas in practical ways, and I think I’ve been able to utilize all of those skills with Norstar as well.”
“I want to motivate those kids who have amazing passions, but just need a fire lit underneath them.” - Brady Lewis, Norstar founder
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for pop-up shops or selling in already existing stores in the future. Lewis explained how after visiting Currently, Lewis his grandmother in a retirement home, is the owner and only he heard countless seniors talk about employee of Norstar. Aside what they wished they had done when from the design work, done by both they were younger. After she passed Anderson and Lewis, Lewis executes away, Lewis said he the behind-the-scenes felt motivated to do business, such as something. planning collaborations “I want to with artists in other motivate those kids mediums, making who have amazing sure orders are filled passions, but smoothly and staying just need a fire lit up-to-date with the underneath them,” shopify platform. Lewis said. “It’s been a really Norstar’s mission great chance to get my is to motivate and name and my work out collaborate with there and to also show Illustration by Briar Anderson. creative minds. Lewis my support for such a said his inspiration for special, innovative and inspiring idea the brand also came from the potential and brand,” Anderson said. “Norstar is he sees in WSU Vancouver students and all about helping the small artist do big the resources offered on campus. things. All small artists like me have to “I want to use Norstar as a foundation start somewhere and Norstar is about so that [those motivated artists] can put giving the opportunity to get started.” their ideas out in the world,” Lewis said. Norstar brand items are sold To WSU Vancouver students, Lewis exclusively online at norstar.myshopify. said “You can’t just be PCP; parking com. Lewis said he will receive his lot, class, parking lot. You have to look business license in January and hopes around every nook and corner. Talk to to possibly hire people in the future. people. There’s so many people and Currently Lewis says physical store amazing stories.” locations are unlikely, but he aspires
Brady Lewis in Norstar snap back. (Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar)
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“Norstar is all about helping the small artist do big things.” -Briar Anderson, digital technology and culture major
Briar Anderson, contributing artist to Nortstar brand. (Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar)
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WRECK
2018 Travel Cafe winning photo, “Wreckage” by Bailey Granneman.
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CKAGE Symbiotic photo wins Travel Cafe Anna Nelson
Reporter
Off the shore of Oregon’s Astoria beach lays Peter Iredale ship wreckage. “I noticed how much smaller the ship was getting every single year and I just thought that it was interesting that something that is supposed to be so sturdy and so strong is meeting its demise from natural forces,” explained Bailey Granneman, the 2018 winner of the annual Salmon Creek Journal Travel Cafe. Travel photos taken by WSU Vancouver students turned the Firstenburg Student Commons into an art gallery on Nov. 28. Over 40 entries were displayed and voted on by students, faculty, staff and community members. Granneman, a digital technology and culture major, won first place for her photo titled “Wreckage.” Granneman said she considers herself a semi-professional photographer. She formerly worked as a photography editor for Clark College’s student publication, The Indy. Granneman entered two other photos including one from Papua New Guinea and one from Ireland. Her photo “Wreckage” motivated Granneman to pursue photography.
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Bailey Granneman holds her winning photo, “Wreckage.” (Sydnie Kobza/ The VanCougar)
“I just got my first DSLR before I took that picture,” Granneman said. She explained how she waited at the shore for about 15 minutes to capture the perfect wave. “As soon as I saw the picture on the screen, I knew it was the perfect picture. I was like, ‘this is it’” she said. Granneman explained how photography has always been a part of her life, adding that her mother was a photographer. She said her experience grew with her film studies class at Clark College and experience with The Indy. “I’ve just always appreciated the here and now and just learning to be at the right place at the right time,” Granneman said. She said her mother inspired her to get into photography, and that her husband supports her by pushing her to pursue photography further. “I always thought to myself that I want to be an artist and growing up I was told a lot that artists don’t make a lot of money,” Granneman said. She elaborated that photography, which has developed as her passion, was a good compromise for her to both be an artist and make money. “It’s just who I am,” Granneman said regarding her artistic nature. “Doing art is something that has always helped me focus on one thing at a time.” According
to Granneman, if she ignores her artistic perspectives or tendencies, she becomes unhappy. Granneman attended WSU Pullman for her junior year. She said that WSU Vancouver has helped her grow in visual arts, especially considering the campus’ location, and that WSU Pullman helped her grow her imaginative arts. “Being in this [WSU Vancouver] environment is something that I love – I love being able to see like, three mountains at all times. And that’s something that motivates me to appreciate where I am,” Granneman said. “Go back to the basics, and don’t overthink it,” is Granneman’s advice for other aspiring artists. She explained that it is important for artists to get more in tune with their senses in moments of chaos and to “step back” and use your surroundings to ground yourself. Granneman hopes to continue telling stories in her future, no matter what medium it is through. She wants to expand her visual perspective through travel and no matter where she goes, she hopes to remain in the “here and now” while capturing the essence of the moment with her photography.
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Four of eleven student elected senators remain Student appointed senators outnumbered by Senate appointed senators Kassidy Young
Managing Editor
From the presidential election getting invalidated last April, to the near impeachment of a senator last August, 2018 was an active year for the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver (ASWSUV) student government. Recently yet another occurrence had almost gone unnoticed by the student body. If you have found yourself unable to keep track of who exactly is on the student government senate this year, your confusion is not unfounded. Of the 11 senators elected by the student body in March, only four remain in the legislative branch. When a vacancy occurs, new applicants may apply and then the Senate may appoint, after an interview with the ASWSUV president, the replacement. The majority of the senators that sit at the Senate table currently were appointed through this very process, leaving student-elected voices in the minority. Under such circumstances, some students may question their say in the appointment of their student government leaders. The four remaining senators that were elected by students in March include: Maribel Garcia-Igueldo, Matthew Leeper, Gregory Olson and Colten Sullivent. Additionally, there have been conversations within ASWSUV of one of these senators possibly vacating their position in early January. Who is leaving has yet to be officially
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identified. However, if they do, this would leave the Senate with only three original members appointed by students during the elections. The most recent vacancy in the Senate (as of the writing of this article), Abigail Bambilla, exited with a resignation letter that provided insight to her experience in student government. The email containing her resignation was sent to all members of the Senate, ASWSUV Executive staff and The VanCougar Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor. In her email Bambilla wrote, “From my perspective, the present state of ASWSUV is one of political correctness and submission to authority, which ultimately renders it as a subject of the institution as opposed to a sovereign and self-governing body.” In the email, she also compared student government to an article titled “White Supremacy Culture” by Tema Okun. Bambilla wrote, “There are some interesting parallels between the points made in Okun’s article [White Supremacy Culture] and the current culture of ASWSUV. My hope is that systemic change begins to take place in the near future - for the sake of the students and the university.” Bambilla said in an interview after her resignation that she knows many s t u d e nt s enter student government
wanting to make a positive difference. She said she understands that going in, students mainly have good intentions of making change. “I was caught off guard by the systemic barriers that are in the way of making that change happen,” Bambilla said. “The culture is not one where students feel like they can make change or it’s not safe for them to go outside the box of what change might look like.” ASWSUV President Vincente Chavez offered his perspective on Bambilla’s resignation. “I think it’s important to recognize [Bambilla’s] experience and her perspective on Senate and student government, and make necessary changes so that people don’t feel the way she did.” With regards to the high turnover rate of the Senate as a whole, Chavez said, “I challenge the notion [of high turnover], because I have seen ASWSUV play out a few times and there is always senate turnover. I don’t believe it has ever been to this magnitude.” Chavez pointed to circumstances such as job opportunities, personal life issues and schedule conflicts, citing that it really comes down to a case by case basis. He also reference the close call impeachment earlier this year, which left Senate without two members. Chavez also recognized that he does have a responsibility to help foster a positive environment within the Senate. Chavez addressed the issue of persistent turnover, hoping to stop the cycle in the upcoming election. “One thing that this administration [ASWSUV student government administration] is doing is (asking) how we can get the current senators to interact with the individuals who want to run,” he said. A change that Chavez and Vice President Holly Ta are implementing is having current senators in the room when future senators go through orientation, as a way of showing candidates the everyday duties of their position.
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Sensation education appears on KOUG radio airwaves Cameron Kast
january 2019
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Reporter
“How often should I masturbate?” really questioned ourselves on and the taboos surrounding “What is ‘hookup culture’?” sex,” adding that he wants to “just eliminate those.” No topics are off-limits on KOUG Radio’s Sex Positive “A huge part of Sex Positive radio is comedy and lightradio show. The student run radio station features the sex heartedness,” Roselle said. “Talking about sex should be fun education show once a week, offering a fun but informative and silly. I don’t like talking so clinical about it.” take on all aspects of the sexual spectrum. “I’ve always Roselle, who takes a “lead by example” approach to wanted to have a platform for sex education,” said the show’s sex education, tries to persuade people to be “sex positive” host, Alec Roselle. “It’s kind in a fun and relatable way. of my dream job [to be a sex His listeners, known on the educator].” show as ‘sexperts’ are invited Roselle, a senior social to tweet him any questions sciences major, minoring during the show with the in women’s studies, who handle @Sex_PositiveXM for is known on his show as Roselle to answer on air. “DJ Rose” brought the idea “Keep the questions for Sex Positive radio to coming. Even if you think the KOUG Radio station they’re stupid, they’re not,” manager early in the fall Walz said. “Alec [Roselle] will semester. answer it to the best of his The show made its first ability.” radio appearance on Oct. 18, While fun and silly are with the topic of consent, incorporated into the show, and has aired at 7 p.m. on Roselle researches heavily Thursday nights since. The beforehand, double checking show adheres to KOUG sources to present factual Radio’s “after 6 p.m.” rule information to his listeners. and has lighter restrictions One of Roselle’s favorite than radio shows airing books to pull information during the day. These from is “The Guide to Getting restrictions, which are in it On” by Paul Joannides, a place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., psychoanalyst native to the limit the words a radio host Northwest. can use and the topics they “I try to look for the most Alec Roselle holds one of his reference books, “The Sex Issue: Everything can discuss. academic and professional you’ve always wanted to know about sexuality, seduction and desire” in “From my research, the KOUG radio DJ booth. (Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar) research sources,” Roselle no other station has even said. “I don’t like getting brought that up,” said Lisa Walz, a social and cultural books that aren’t super accredited. All of the books I have are anthropology major and KOUG Radio station manager when by doctors and physicians and sexologists.” asked about the after 6 p.m. rule. Roselle said he plans to continue the show next semester For Roselle, the goal of Sex Positive radio is not only with a focus on promotion, getting a soundboard (for sound education on subjects such as sexually transmitted infections effects) and playing more music on the show. Sex Positive and how to practice safe sex, but also a discussion of “owning will continue to air after 6 p.m. on either Wednesdays or your own sexuality.” Thursdays in the spring semester. Those interested in staying Roselle explains how there are “Misconceptions that tuned for updates from Roselle can find him on Twitter at @ we’ve become accustomed to, social constructs that we’ve not Sex_PositiveXM. Editor’s note: the reporter and photographer of this story currently host shows on KOUG radio.
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WSU Vancouver january 2019
FAST FACTS: Former WSU President Samuel Smith advocated for WSU to be on the Clark College campus, instead of the University of Washington. Back in the day, WSU Vancouver had just three parking lots. Two of the three were the orange lots closest to the current green lot. The other was the blue lot. In 1996 the option to buy a ten day parking permit/ scratch off card was first offered. WSU Vancouver Chancellor Mel Netzhammer said in the first years of the campus having classes there was a potential shooter lockdown. “It turns out someone was using a B.B. gun to get a cow off of campus,� Netzhammer said. Issue 9.indd 10
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1995 Faculty admire the new WSU Vancouver campus. Pictured is the partially constructed Student Services Building, now known as the Dengerink Building (right) and Classroom Building (left). Photo courtesy of WSU Vancouver archive.
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WSU VANCOUVER HISTORY Snapshots from the past Katie O’Boyle
Reporter
As WSU Vancouver students move into a new year, The VanCougar wanted to reflect on the campus’ history. We sat down with WSU Vancouver archivist and alumni, Robert Schimelpfenig for a campus history lesson, decorated with images from the infancy of WSU Vancouver. According Schimelpfenig, the land that the campus is on now used to belong to a man named Roy Darling. Darling was looking to sell the property, which at the time was a dairy farm, and WSU was looking to move from the Clark College campus and expand. When WSU Vancouver was at Clark College it was located in just one building called Bauer Hall, which is still there today. Schimelpfenig said “It was extremely overcrowded [in Bauer Hall]. People shared office space and closets were sometimes being used to sell cougar gear.” Once ground broke in Vancouver for the WSU branch campus, the five original buildings included the Library Building, the Classroom building, the Dengerink Administration Building, the Physical Plant Building and the Firstenburg Student Commons (FSC). According to Schimelpfenig, the FSC used to be the Bookie when it first opened. As time moved on, the campus grew. The next building that was added was the McCleary building and, according to Schimelpfenig, this building has
1994 Aerial view of WSU Vancouver in the early stages of construction. Photo and caption courtesy of the WSU Vancouver archive.
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WSU Vancouver’s first home, Bauer Hall on the Clark College Campus in 1990. The building was named after Al Bauer, a Washington State Representative who largely supported legislation for WSU’s Vancouver branch campus. Photo and back story courtesy of the WSU Vancouver archive.
always been where the daycare is. After McCleary’s construction the Science and Engineering Building, near the orange lot, was added, followed by the Multimedia Building. One of the first five building’s on campus, today, the Library building houses more than just books; it now has the Writing Center and classrooms as well. “Back when the Library building was built, they originally had designed it for the
Library to take up both stories, but it was needed for classrooms as the campus enrollment got larger. The offices upstairs were also different and this was before we had the writing center,” Schimelpfenig said. Every once in awhile, typically when there is a renovation, Schimelpfenig said there has been sightings of bats in the Library. “I am not saying we have a bat problem or anything, but
Hal Dengerink, WSU Vancouver’s first Chancellor, observes the Classroom Building under construction in 1995. Photo and caption courtesy of the WSU Vancouver archive.
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Schimelpfenig explained the building’s history, january 2019 saying how “WHETS, Washington Higher Education Telecommunication Systems, was in here [the Classroom building], and it was one of the major things for WSU Vancouver at the time.” He added how this meant the campus was able to “telecast courses that were being taught in Pullman to here [Vancouver], before the internet. Now they have Academic Media Services (AMS), which is similar to WHETS in the Science and Engineering building.” “The Classroom building is also the same building it was in 1996. The room that is now the Veterans Center used to be so many different things, it was even The VanCougar at one point,” Schimelpfenig said. With each new year, the growth of WSU Vancouver continues to rise. With only 38 people to graduate from WSU Vancouver in 1990, to over onethousand graduates in 2018, the campus continues to flourish. Conversations and master plans now question the logistics of student housing on campus to accommodate the ever increasing enrollment rates and new programs and degrees. A look at the past reminds us of the potential of the future here at WSU Vancouver.
The gely ry
it is now kind of a running joke around here,” said Schimelpfenig. The Dengerink Administration building used to be mostly student services. “They always had administration upstairs and they shared upstairs with Student Services. Admissions was where Human Resources is now and the Cafeteria was always
there,” Schimelpfenig explained. Now, similar to the Library, the Classroom building holds more than just classrooms. The public safety office, Student Wellness Center and the Veterans Center are all under the Classroom building’s roof. This building also houses computer labs and the Carson College of Business.
Classroom Building, 1996. Photo courtsey of the WSU Vancouver archive.
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A hot air baloon rises from behind the Library Building during a community open house and tour of campus in 1997. Photo and caption courtsey of the WSU Vancouver archive.
Former Student Services Building, now VDEN, under construction in 1995. Photo courtsey of the WSU Vancouver archive.
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Sky Wilson resigns as Student Diversity Center adviser Posters bring campus hiring process into question
Sky Wilson introduces Massamba Diop at event on Sept. 12, 2018. (Laura Dutelle/WSU Vancouver)
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Cameron Kast
Reporter
ky Wilson, the adviser of the WSU Vancouver Student Diversity Center, announced his resignation on Dec 14. The direct reasons for his resignation remain undisclosed. In the resignation email, Wilson stated “I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work with some really amazing people during my time at WSU Vancouver. My last day on campus will be Monday, December 17th.” Prior to his resignation and as Thanksgiving break came to a close, posters appeared around the WSU Vancouver Student Diversity Center asking, “Where’s Sky?” The posters and buttons, which were reportedly put up by students and not the Diversity Center, questioned the campuses current hiring process for the Director of Student Equity and Outreach, a currently vacant position on campus. Wilson, who had been the Diversity Center adviser since 2017, said in an interview with The VanCougar on Nov. 30, regarding the posters, “I believe that [the posters] was more of a commentary about the process of hiring the new Director of Student Diversity and Outreach, rather than commentary on me.”
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The signs, buttons and pins in the Diversity Center have since been removed and The VanCougar was unable to identify who made them. Manuel Avalos, a public affairs major at WSU Vancouver and active Student Diversity Center visitor said, in regards to Wilson’s resignation, “Management didn’t treat him [Wilson] how I personally believe he should be treated.” Avalos later added, “Sky [Wilson] was not considered for that position [Director of Student Equity and Outreach] even though in the opinion of the students, he is the best candidate.” Wilson, who has a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies, said, “My vision of this space [Student Diversity Center] is one that bridges the gap between the campus and the community.” Wilson
“My vision of this space [Student Diversity Center] is one that bridges the gap between the campus and the community.” -Sky Wilson, former Student Diversity Center adviser explained that he has worked in various diversity centers and that within those centers he “found a home.” In his role as SDC adviser, he said he wanted to create a home for students of color and students who are “historically underserved.” Wilson said he applied for the Director of Student Equity and Outreach position to “continue the work” he had been doing on the WSU Vancouver campus since 2017. Wilson later added, “The job description for that position [Director of Student Equity and Outreach] changed
between the time Anthony Kelley was the director and the new call [to fill the position].” The position, previously titled Director of Student Diversity (rather than “equity”) and Outreach, was first created in Feb. of 2004. The position was the only diversity position on campus until 2014 when the position of Student Diversity Center adviser was added. “Every time we hire someone new for a position, regardless of what the position is, we take a look at it to make sure the position is meeting the needs of students as well as meeting the needs of our unit and the university as a whole,” Helen Gregory, the administrative manager of Student Affairs and Enrollment at WSU Vancouver said with regards to the new position. “When somebody leaves, that’s when you want to take a look at the position and say ‘how has it changed in the time that this person has been here, what is being done effectively and what do we need to do to move forward.” According to the position description, the Director of Student Equity and Outreach has a multitude of duties, both on and off campus, ranging from increasing college access for lowincome and first-generation students to providing programming and leadership opportunities. Gregory said “Some students from the Student Diversity Center didn’t feel like we [the hiring committee] had considered Sky [Wilson], and we did.” Gregory said she hopes to have the position filled in January, however, due to the extensive hiring process, she expects the position to be filled later. In addition, as of Dec. 17, the position for Student Diversity Center adviser will be vacant. 1/3/19 3:06 PM
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JOIN THE VANCOUGAR TEAM!
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER WEBSITE MANAGER ADVERTISING MANAGER HOURLY PAY - RESUME BUILDER - FUN TEAM
Can we talk? Study Participants Needed! Take 1 hour and help with research. Participate in research on library study spaces.
FREE $5 PRINT CARD AND INFINITE RESEARCH KARMA!! Stop by the reference area in the Library or email: Yukiko.Vossen@wsu.edu Issue 9.indd 15
New mission statements proposed for three media organizations In accordance with the WSU Vancouver Student Media Board’s operating bylaws, the campus community is invited to review proposed changes to the board’s bylaws and policies at the following public folder in CougSync: http://bit.ly/wsuvsmb. Proposed changes include the following updated mission statements for The VanCougar, KOUG Radio, and Salmon Creek Journal. Revisions also include updated references to The VanCougar as a newsmagazine. The Student Media Board is scheduled to vote on the proposed changes at its next public meeting, 9-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, in the Firstenburg Student Commons. •
• •
The VanCougar, a student-run newsmagazine, informs and engages the WSU Vancouver community while practicing the highest standards of timely, ethical journalism. KOUG Radio entertains, inspires and engages through words and music. KOUG Radio is the voice of WSU Vancouver students. Salmon Creek Journal, a student-run media platform, encourages, publishes, and elevates the visual and literary arts of WSU Vancouver and the surrounding community.
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HAPPY january 2019
New Year!
CHECK OUT OUR RESOLUTIONS FOR 2019!
Kassidy Young / Managing Editor New Years Resolution: Taking more time for artistic endeavors. Cameron Kast / Reporter New Years Resolution: To discover, listen to and experience new music.
Bailley Simms / Editor-in-Chief New Years Resolution: Make time to read more non-academic books.
Marco Morales-Mendoza / Layout Editor New Years Resolution: Practice guitar for 30 minutes a day.
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Anna Nelson / Reporter New Years Resolution: Explore new places on the West Coast.
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Katie O’Boyle / Reporter New Years Resolution: Putting myself first when it comes to mental health and continue to push myself in academia.
Randal Houle / Copy Editor New Years Resolution: To have a resolution by March!
Sydnie Kobza / Photographer New Years Resolution: Continue to build my photography portfolio and push myself outside of my comfort zone in all aspects of life.
Michael Kimball / Reporter New Years Resolution: To dedicate more time towards leisure reading, if possible.
Emily Baumann / Reporter New Years Resolution: Write more music.
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Sarah Kaufman / Copy Editor New Years Resolution: To decrease my chips consumption and increase my sushi consumption.
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january 2019
Are New Year resolutions actually helping us improve? One editor’s theory. Kassidy Young
Managing Editor
As the new year is upon us, many people plan to make New Year resolutions. A typical resolution may include eating healthier, getting more exercise or saving more money. As inspirational as these goals may be, they hardly ever pan out. According to a study by The University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology, 39 percent of people in their twenties achieve their resolution goals each year. As one gets older, the chances of completing these goals decreases. Fifty-yearolds, for example, have a 14 percent chance of achieving their new year resolution. If so few of us are likely to succeed in these goals, why do we keep making them? Where does this tradition have its roots? The month of January is named after Janus, the two-faced Roman god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches. Believing that Janus symbolically looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future, the Romans offered sacrifices to the two-faced god and promised to be good for the coming year. Thus, the first day of the new year became an occasion for reflecting on the past year and promising to do better in the future. Today we make promises to ourselves that focus primarily on self improvement. While you may be
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motivated to achieve these goals at first, your motivation begins to crash and burn when you are unable to see any meaningful change. After all is said and done, we make the same goals for ourselves again the next year, hoping that somehow things will turn out differently. So how can we get out of this vicious cycle? Many New Year resolutions are centered around making new habits or changing old ones, something that is easier said than done, according to Susan Weinschenk, a psychologist at Psychology Today, an online literature magazine. Weinschenk said habits are automatic, “conditioned” responses. To change a habit, create a new one by following these three steps: picking a small action (ex: save five percent of a paycheck, as opposed to ‘save money’), attaching this new action to a previous habit, then committing to making this task manageable for at least the first week. Note that these steps are not specific to the start of the year. If you are looking at truly changing your ways, start the change when you are ready, instead of following along on the bandwagon, because that kind of goal rarely results in meaningful change.
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january m a r k yo u r c a l e n da r . . . fri.
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Last day to add a course on my.wsu MESA School Visit to WSU Vancouver 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Week of Welcome Breakfast for Dinner & Movie Night 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. VFSC 101/103/105
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Applying for Graduate School workshop 11:10 a.m. – 12 p.m. FSC 104
mon.
21
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Campus closed
sat.
12
Greater Portland Debate Tournament 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. VFSC/VLIB/VMMC
tues.
29
Red Cross Blood Drive 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bus Loop
wed.
Spring Involvement Fair 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. VFSC 101/103/105
wed.
Red Cross Blood Drive 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bus Loop
16
Creative Writers Speaker Series 5:45 – 8:15 p.m. VDEN 110
30
Creative Writers Speaker Series 5:45 – 8:15 p.m. VDEN 110
february issue of the vancougar on stands jan. 31
Issue 9.indd 19
1/3/19 3:06 PM
WSU Wireless Now faster & available in more areas of campus!
simple secure seamless
QUESTIONS? Contact the IT HelpDesk (360) 546-9770 VCLS 225 | M-F 8AM - 5PM Issue 9.indd 20
1/3/19 3:06 PM