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MAY, VOL. 32 ISSUE 10
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r a g u o C Van TEAM
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Baumann
PHOTOGRAPHER Rowan Segura
MANAGING EDITOR Olivia Eldredge
COPY EDITOR Gracie Newberry
LAYOUT EDITOR Megan Tuthill
REPORTER Arabelle May
ADVERTISING MANAGER REPORTER Bethanie Collette Jagger Norris WEB MANAGER Jessica Unruh
REPORTER Sarah Tuttle
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Alexis Schole
s r e t t Le
to the 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.vc.editor@wsu.edu. Once received, letters become property of The VanCougar and are subject to editing for length, clarity and style.
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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.vc.editor@wsu.edu for corrections.
ON THE COVER As the new leaders of ASWSUV, Jacob Boucher (left), president, and Kylie Sickles (right), vice president, are addressing student issues such as decreased involvement, lack of resources and more. (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
in this issue 4-5
Emily Baumann (left), editor-in-chief, and Olivia Eldredge (right), managing editor. (Rowan Segura/The VanCougar)
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(Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
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Roben White, a descendent of the Lakota and Cheyenne Tribes and member of the Native American Community Advisory Board. (Rowan Segura/The VanCougar)
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Chicken karaage from Super Bowl. (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
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letter from the editor
letter from the managing editor
'Necessity' film project
Q & A:
Jacob Boucher and Kylie Sickles
Year Recap:
Collective for Social & Environmental Justice
Cougar Bites:
Portland’s food trucks
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When I was a freshman, I never pictured myself as a leader. However, during student orientation, my biggest dream was to become a reporter at WSU Vancouver’s outstanding newsmagazine, The VanCougar. After some persistence, I was hired on and thrown into a chaotic newsroom consisting of deadlines, countless interviews and pulling flyers out of trash cans, but I definitely loved every second of it. After working my way through reporter and copy editor positions, I wanted to seek out big news for our small publication, which is why I set out to become editor-in-chief in 2020. During my first year, I faced challenges like no other — I confronted an exceedingly high turnover rate, and produced our publication remotely. However, I decided to stick it out, and I am so glad I did. This year, The VanCougar has grown from a team of four to 11 hardworking, compassionate and thriving journalists. My team challenged me this year by constantly asking questions and voicing their opinions, even more so if they disagreed with my own. Through this work environment, we were able to publish issues with incredible stories ranging from how the war on Ukraine is affecting students, to the lack of Indigenous presence on campus. Looking back, I used to believe a good leader made decisions and guided their team along the way. While this might be true to some extent, I think the best leaders encourage diverse perspectives and ultimately let the entire team craft our publication. I am beyond proud of the work I have done at The VanCougar, but I am even more excited to see what our future team does in years to come. Thank you for everything.
Emily Baumann, editor-in-chief. (Rowan Segura/The VanCougar)
Sincerely, 2021/2022 Editor-in-Chief Emily Baumann
MAY 2022 To the WSU Vancouver community, I am writing to you in this end-of-the-year “letter in review,” as we publish our very last issue to close out the semester. Stepping into the role as The VanCougar’s managing editor has been quite the learning experience for me, and it will be difficult to leave this position as the next incoming academic year approaches. Although this is the case, I am proud to announce that I will continue to serve WSU Vancouver in the fall as your new editor-in-chief – a role I have wanted to fulfill after writing my very first article as a reporter in 2019. I have learned from the best of the best, as my fellow coworkers and I have navigated difficult trials without the help of an adviser, something that has been extremely strenuous, but informative to say the least. Despite this, I would like to publicly implore the university to get its student media presence back on track by providing additional support, resources and avenues for encouraging student engagement. As someone who has moved through several job positions with The VanCougar, I have seen our determined team of people stop at nothing to keep our magazine alive and thriving amidst all the challenges we have faced. Throughout 2021 and 2022, I have learned the importance of transparency and hard work. I have seen my team ebb and flow by navigating seas of immense change, yet still persisting with level heads above stormy water even in the face of uncertainty — the mark of good, if not great journalism. My team and I have worked with what we have, and still managed to find the most amazing scoops on campus and around the community to share with all of you. I must commend The VanCougar reporters especially for writing about the issues that matter, including but not limited to – the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent war on Ukraine, climate change, mental health and major social justice issues. Even though the weight of the world bears down on all of us in this day and age, I can also appreciate the special moments we have had the privilege to share, as we still focus on the optimism and beauty that can be found on every corner of campus – the ways writing, arts and culture can change lives, where to find places to appreciate the natural world, reviews of recipes and restaurants to enjoy with those closest to you and perspective-shifting interviews. I am incredibly excited to lead such a special team of people next year, and cannot wait to see what kind of new and diverse stories we will publish. I can guarantee, as our mission statement implies, The VanCougar will continue to inform and engage with the community “practicing the highest standards of timely, ethical journalism.” With the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics in mind and an AP Style guide in my back pocket, I look forward to what next term has to offer. As always, we welcome constructive feedback, story submissions, op-ed pieces and letters to the editor sent to van.vc.editor@wsu.edu pertaining to our organization and affairs happening in and around the community — The VanCougar always wants to hear from you. We also encourage existing and incoming students to apply for our open reporter, photographer and social media manager positions over the summer on Coug Presence. We are eager to resume operations and see you all back on campus in the fall! Best regards, 2021/2022 Managing Editor Olivia Eldredge Olivia Eldredge, managing editor. (Rowan Segura/The VanCougar)
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ADVERTISE WITH US! VISIT OUR SITE: HTTPS://THEVANCOUGAR.COM/ADVERTISE-WITH-THE-VANCOUGAR/ OR, FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT VAN.VC.AD@WSU.EDU
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PROFESSORS AND ND ALUM ALUMNI Arabelle May | Reporter In April 2019, 11 climate activists were arrested and charged with criminal trespassing after building a small garden that blocked a Portland oil terminal running Zenith Energy oil trains. Three years before, an oil train derailment in Mosier, Oregon, prompted the halt of fossil fuel projects within the Pacific Northwest and motivated those in the community to become active members of The Thin Green Line. Generated from the precedence of local protests and bolstered by Indigenous storytelling, Jan Haaken’s film “Necessity II: Rails, Rivers & the Thin Green Line,” screened at Portland’s Hollywood Theatre on April 17, narrated the dangers of climate change. According to their website, The Thin Green Line is a group of people committed to documenting fossil fuel resistance in the Pacific Northwest. From covering climate change news to sharing resources, The Thin Green Line aims to uplift Indigenous voices in climate-related issues borne out of the colonization of their lands. “Necessity II” follows three intertwining stories, including the narratives of Cathy Sampson-Kruse — who laid on train tracks to protest Zenith energy — as
well as protests led by activist group Extinction Rebellion PDX, students, educators and local labor unions. Additionally, Haaken notes the combination of these narratives serves a bigger purpose of telling a congruent message. “Coming from both psychology and film, I’m interested in how communities can come together. Films often tell the story of a single person… [but] I think that there is a sturdy, strong thread that can be strung between different stories to show how we’re all connected,” Haaken said. Before beginning the film project, Haaken consulted a board of advisers to ensure the film was culturally appropriate, according to Art Blume, professor of clinical psychology at WSU Vancouver and adviser for the project. “I met Dr. Haaken before ‘Necessity’ was created. We had been working together and as allies supporting the camps at Standing Rock and Cheyenne River against the [Dakota Access Pipeline]. At that time, I was president of the Society of Indian Psychologists and we were providing support on the ground for mental health [for Native activists],” Blume said. “In Indigenous
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psychology… we feel very strongly that our psychological health and wellbeing is inextricably tied to the health and wellbeing of the natural world. We cannot separate those things…. Psychology is a science of human behavior, and human behavior is behind the environmental degradation related to climate change.” Encouraging dialogue surrounding the impact climate destruction has on marginalized communities is the film’s main goal. Sarah Summerhill, production assistant and social media manager for “Necessity II” says the film captures the story of resistance in the Pacific Northwest and much more. “I’m inspired by the resilience of people who have been in this fight for so long and inspired by seeing people wake up and make climate change a part of their daily conversation.… I think [it’s important to] let yourself be inspired by the stories of activists in the film, and know that you can get involved at whatever level you’re comfortable with,” Summerhill said. Being educated is the first step to taking action against climate change and fossil fuel industries. Viewing and sharing “Necessity II” and other resources, are just a couple of ways to cultivate immediate support in your community. As stated on the film’s website, a few other ways to become involved are: joining activist organizations like Columbia Riverkeeper, supporting frontline communities, holding policymakers accountable and supporting environmental justice media. “Necessity II” weaves together narratives of community-centered activism with Indigenous thought to tell the story of climate activism in the Pacific Northwest. The film shows that immediate action against fossil fuel companies is not only urgent, but necessary to the restoration of the health and wellbeing of our environment and community.
Premiere poster for "Necessity II: Rails, Rivers & the Thin Green Line." (Photo courtesy of Sarah Summerhill)
“Coming from both psychology and film, I’m interested in how communities can come together. Films often tell the story of a single person… [but] I think that there is a sturdy, strong thread that can be strung between different stories to show how we’re all connected.”
– Director Jan Haaken
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Q&A
JACOB BOUCHER
AND KYLIE SICKLES are changing student government
Elected as president and vice president, these two students are stepping up to the plate to lead the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver.
Sarah Tuttle | Reporter Editor’s Note: The quotes in this story have been edited for clarity, length and style. Newly elected president, Jacob Boucher, junior psychology major, and elected vice president, Kylie Sickles, sophomore computer science major, have been chosen to lead the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver for the 2022-2023 academic year. The pair aim to increase the visibility of student government at the university, hold more campus-wide events and address student issues through their shared commitment to student involvement. Q: What motivated you to run for student government? A: Boucher: I've been in student government for three years. I started in the senate, just as a regular senator, and then I came back to the senate and became senate chair pro tem, the leader of the senate. One of my best friends was on the senate, and she recommended it to me just as a good way to get involved on campus. I jumped to executive staff as internal director of legislative affairs because I'm passionate about politics and getting people civically engaged. I decided to run for president because I have a lot of ideas and I know how to enact them. Having been in government for so long I just thought I was a good option to help lead the organization. Sickles: I've always been passionate about student involvement, so when I was a freshman I got a job at the Office of Student Involvement with the front desk,
and from there, I learned about student government because the offices are in the same building. Then there was a special election the next year, which meant I got to run for senate. I wanted to connect students more to their school. I think having that connection to your place of learning makes it a better environment for you, and it gives you a purpose to be here other than just going to classes. Q: How have your prior experiences prepared you for this upcoming year? A: Boucher: Having been in the senate, I got some familiarity with elections, and I oversaw appointments to the judicial board. I have a lot of familiarity with the legislative branch, how it operates with the bylaws and how they interact with the budget. Then, finally, I made the jump to the executive branch and saw how that works from the inside…. [Additionally, I’ve been] working closely with our current president [Armando Antonino], he's bestowed upon me a lot of wisdom about the role. Sickles: [OSI] was the starting point of all of my involvement here at WSU Vancouver. [That played] a pretty crucial role because it allowed me to get to know a lot of students on the ground level – I could hear about their needs, what they think about student involvement and what they think about events. That has been immensely helpful in gauging the general student population and what their interests are and what we need to do.
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Q: What are your goals as president and vice president? A: Sickles: Some of our current goals are based on coming back after COVID. We've had a lot of struggles this past year getting students to attend events, just because it's so difficult when you could be on Zoom and not come to campus. It's hard to connect with those communities when you're just not physically there. So we are bringing back a lot more events in a very safe way, we're going to gauge this based on how things progress with COVID-19. Our job is to make sure that students are connecting to us, and making sure they know how to contact us. We are their advocates, and we want to hear from them. So our job is to open those lines of communication. Boucher: I have a document that's getting full of things I want to do as president. This includes looking into getting better cell service on campus. It would be very expensive, but it's something we want to start looking into at least, we don't want to just hear ‘that's too much money.’ We want to see, if we were to do this, what would we have to do? We're also going to prioritize laying the [metaphorical] foundation for a student union at some point down the line. It's really important that students have a dedicated space on campus and right now the Firstenburg Student Commons just doesn't cut it. We need a space that works well for clubs and different student events, and that is honestly just a better environment. Additionally, we want to look into getting a better cafeteria.
Q: What advice do you have for your fellow students going into the 2022-2023 school year? A: Sickles: I would say get involved. Finding that community, and creating those new connections. Making those new friends on a college campus is so important because it allows you to engage more with your academics. Joining clubs and getting into student government is also a fantastic way to get involved on campus. Boucher and Sickles are excited to embrace their new leadership positions and act as the driving force for student voices. Boucher encourages students to share comments or concerns with ASWSUV regarding campus life — Boucher can be reached at aswsuv.pres@ wsu.edu and Sickles at aswsuv.vpres@wsu.edu.
Q: Are there any current ethical problems at WSU Vancouver you want to address? A: Boucher: Kylie and I are looking into the results of the climate survey that is conducted by the vice chancellor for the diversity, equity and inclusion office. We were troubled by how, especially, the staff and faculty responded to some of those questions. Many of the staff and faculty don't feel that WSU Vancouver is very good at retaining diverse staff and faculty, which comports with my experience too. Early in the year, we lost the international students coordinator and the Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation adviser, which is troubling, and I worry that's more indicative of a longer-term experience…. We'll be partnering with staff and faculty to understand exactly how WSU isn't really fulfilling its mission and being diverse, welcoming and equitable.
Elected president Jacob Boucher (right), junior psychology major, and elected vice president, Kylie Sickles (left), sophomore computer science major, begin their journey leading ASWSUV for the 2022-2023 academic year. (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
Ask a Senator! Did you know our campus has its very own student senate? Here, the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver’s senators will answer all the questions you submit concerning student involvement, student government or anything else related to WSU.
Since the 2021-2022 academic year is wrapping up, what was your favorite on-campus event this year? Quynh Tran, junior and data analytics major: I loved all the events that we and other student organizations put on. I liked the movie night events hosted by the Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation where the movie was played in their office space with a sofa and bean bag chairs. The back-to-school barbecue hosted by the Office of Student Involvement and the Student Activities Board at the beginning of the academic year was also my favorite.
What are your favorite ways to de-stress? LaShay Wesley, senior and digital technology and culture major: One of my favorite ways to de-stress is doing mediation for either 5 or 10 minutes. Another way for me to de-stress is by taking a walk around campus with a friend to vent, journaling or doing a quick workout on YouTube.
Have a question for us? Submit anonymously at the form below!
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YEAR RECAP : TH OF WSU S VAN E ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR SOCIAL COU E E V I T C V E E AND R ’ S C O LL C I T S JU E N VIR L Involving goals A T N E ONM of inclusivity and equity, CSEJ discusses its projects and aspirations to better the campus community.
Bethanie Collette | Reporter The last three years have ignited a surge in activists calling out social justice issues on college campuses across the nation. Being a proponent for equity, WSU Vancouver’s Collective for Social and Environmental Justice is striving for a more inclusive future by establishing plans such as supporting the lives of Indigenous people and improving food insecurity for students. Founded in 2002, CSEJ attempts to expand equal opportunities within the community, and organize public events with a mission to promote “human rights and conflict resolution locally, nationally and globally. [CSEJ] brings WSU faculty, students and community partners together to foster rigorous analysis of social, economic, racial and environmental justice issues,” according to their webpage. Desiree Hellegers, English professor at WSU Vancouver and a founding co-director of CSEJ, has watched the development and growth of the organization over the last 20 years.
Roben White, a Cheyenne and Lakota tribal member, calls on the university to include more Indigenous academic teaching. (Rowan Segura/The VanCougar)
“CSEJ started as a dialogue between faculty in Vancouver and faculty in Pullman. We recognized we were doing work that coalesced around the issue of social and environmental justice, and we decided we would pull together our coursework and our research to create an interdisciplinary space that would help us explore social and environmental justice from multiple perspectives,” Hellegers said. CSEJ has not only implemented important curriculum within WSU Vancouver, but has also worked to foster an inclusive, community-based relationship amongst its employees. Current senior and English major, Catherine Vanderzanden, has been a clerical assistant for the collective since October 2021. “This is my first time working a job where everything I do, every event that we host, always feels rewarding because
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I know that I’m helping my community. I love working for CSEJ because everything we do is to protect the community, serve the community and support our community,” Vanderzanden said. “It’s based on hearing other people’s experiences, being empathetic and putting care and compassion into our interactions with others, no matter your background, orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, nationality, anything.” One of three major interdisciplinary initiatives set forth by CSEJ is the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Initiative, directed by English Professor Julian Ankney. Ankney is a member of the Nimiipuu tribe, also known as the Nez Perce tribe, and has been working to increase awareness of Indigenous issues within the WSU system. “[There is a] long-standing crisis of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and men. In Washington state, important legislation was passed to more effectively address these crises and locate these people much more quickly. We are trying to help educate faculty across the board about the crises and also the cultural underpinnings of this crisis,” Hellegers said. In 2018 and 2019, two pieces of Washington state legislation were created to address the overwhelming number of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Roben White, a Cheyenne and Lakota tribal member, long-time activist and keynote speaker for CSEJ, has worked tirelessly for over a decade to underline how the burdens experienced by Indigenous people will ultimately lead to a lower life expectancy. “Our people are dying. Until the university and other institutions change the way they do business and bring to light the importance of this history, they are aiding and abetting the deaths of my people. They need to do better in what they do and teach,” White said. CSEJ is also advocating to address the needs of WSU Vancouver’s student body, specifically, through the Food System Justice Action Research Project. Established in 2020, the project was a response to how the COVID-19 pandemic amplified food insecurity and systemic injustice throughout the community. “There was so much food dumping happening at the start of the pandemic as the corporate food supply started to break down. It’s a larger indication of the fragility of the global food
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system we have right now,” Hellegers said. “How do we think of food as an integral part of the campus? We need to make sure that our students and all of the members of the WSU community have food security. To meet their caloric needs and meet their cultural needs by having access to food that is part of their culture.” A main goal CSEJ has moving forward, as a part of the project against food insecurity, is to create a campus garden. Threats of food scarcity that arose during the pandemic demonstrated the importance of having a sustainable method of obtaining food. “Almost every university in the Pacific Northwest has either a learning garden or a farm. We’re a 325-acre campus — we have a lot of space to devote to cultivating food. Especially as we see the effects of the climate crisis, if you can’t predict the weather, the food supply itself becomes even more tenuous,” Hellegers said. The CSEJ will continue to grow stronger, enhance community relationships and advance its ongoing research on social and environmental justice issues in the 2022-2023 academic year. By fostering relationships within the campus, undergraduate and faculty members of CSEJ will continue to work towards a more inclusive future that values human happiness and equity.
"This is my first time working a job where everything I do, every event that we host, always feels rewarding because I know that I'm helping my community. I love working for CSEJ because everything we do is to protect the community, serve the community and support our community.” – Catherine Vanderzanden
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AUTOGRAPHS
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COUGAR BITES:
PORTLAND’S FOOD TRUCK HUB flakey and crisp-coated dish. Super Bowl also provides delicious homemade soy sauce combined with chili and curry powder, perfect for dipping side dishes or main entrees. Pricing their appetizers, such as the karaage, from $5 to $8 and main entrees from $12 to $13.50, Super Bowl has an authentic take on East Asian foods, housed in the bustling streets of Oregon’s beloved city.
Bobablastic
Emily Baumann | Editor-in-Chief Surrounded with string lights, chimes of clinking beer glasses and the scent of countless foods, the small yet vibrant community found off Portland’s SE Powell Boulevard is home to various food trucks, ready to serve both locals and tourists who have a craving for adventure. If you are looking to try something unique during your summer outings in the city, we suggest these three businesses, all conveniently located in one spot.
Jojo Food Truck With an Instagram full of raunchy memes and a love for hulking fried chicken sandwiches, Jojo’s social media presence has been used to establish itself as a Portland food staple destination. Serving mammoth-sized cheeseburgers, patty melts, fried chicken and fresh-cut jojos, the food truck is best known for coating its food in smoke, sauce and spices. If readers are interested in visiting this addictive and belly-filling establishment, we recommend trying their classic southern fried chicken sandwich with added Nashville kick spice. Compiled in a soft bun with coleslaw, pickles, specialty house sauce and buttery chicken that is almost too hot to handle, this sandwich is perfect for a weekend reward – complete with a side of their seasoned jojos. Sandwiches and burgers range from $10 to $15, but we can assure you the portions and quality are worth the price.
Switching from foods to drinks, bubble tea has become a global craze and is expected to grow by almost $2 billion dollars by 2027, according to CNN. There is a reason why this drink is so irresistible, and Bobablastic is just the place to find out why. The truck serves hot, iced, creamy and blended teas with an array of flavors like chocolate, honeydew, lavender and much more. Additionally, customers get to choose from a wide range of tapioca balls to include in their drink, such as fun flavors like “Mango Jelly” to “Popping Peach.” Our favorite is Bobablastic’s iced creamy taro tea mixed with lychee jelly boba for extra sweetness. This option is ideal for those craving an eccentric treat that has the distinctive taste of Fruity Pebbles cereal milk. Bobablastic prices their drinks at around $6 and also serves food items such as chili cheese dogs, bananas dipped in chocolate and many other elaborate desserts. Delivering sweetness and quirky food items, Bobablastic adds to the greatness and exciting nature of Portland’s food cart scene. Businesses within the city are transforming, and in-person dining is no longer the go-to for a high-quality meal. This May, we encourage readers to explore the multitude of food options that Portland’s food truck culture has to offer.
Super Bowl Portland’s food scene has grown extensively, hosting a space for small business owners to deliver diverse items that offer more than your standard fast-food chain. Super Bowl is a delicious food truck serving Thai and Japanese street eats like pad thai, house curry and miso ramen. Attendees of the food truck hub seeking a quick bite to eat should devour Super Bowl’s chicken karaage. Battered and deep-fried in oil, karaage is a special Japanese cooking technique used for various foods – most often chicken – to create a
Classic southern fried chicken sandwich with added Nashville kick spice from JoJo Food Truck. (Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
May m a r k yo u r c a l e n da r . . .
THURS.
5 SAT.
7 SUN.
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Live virtual campus tour 3 — 3:45 p.m. Register online at https:// futurecoug.wsu.edu/portal/van-visit
2022 WSU Vancouver Commencement Ceremony 1 p.m. RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Mother’s Day
WED.
Final grades available on MyWSU
SAT.
Vancouver Farmer’s Market
11 14 MON.
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9 a.m. — 3 p.m. Downtown Vancouver
Memorial Day
See you next fall!
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