January 11, 2016
TheVanCougar.com
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Issue IX
Volume XXVI
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First Copy Free
SINCE 1994
•January 11, 2016• TheVanCougar.com
COUG DAY AT THE CAPITAL
STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE STATE CONVERGE ON OLYMPIA PAGE 2
REIMAGINED RADIO
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL" IS SECOND PRODUCTION IN SERIES OF FOUR PAGE 3
SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES FEES HOW STUDENT DOLLARS SUPPORT PROGRAMS ON CAMPUS PAGE 4
Julie Mercado becomes new ASWSUV vice president Move follows December resignation of Yesenia Herrera By: TERESA HOYT The VanCougar Just last month, former vice president of Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver, Yesenia Herrera, resigned. Julie Mercado officially became ASWSUV’s new vice president on Dec. 14 following a nomination from ASWSUV president Shain Wright and a confirmation by the Senate. Mercado will reign as vice president until the end of the academic year. Mercado is currently a junior at Washington State University Vancouver, double majoring in psychology and social science. Prior to attending WSU Vancouver, Mercado attended Clark College for two years. Prior to becoming the new vice president, Mercado was already involved in student government. Mercado was the director of student enrichment. In her prior post, Mercado was mostly involved with the students of WSU Vancouver. Mercado’s job included assisting students
in reaching their educational goals and directing students with resources and opportunities at WSU Vancouver.
I saw the opportunity come up and said, ‘yes, I can do this!’ Julie Mercado Being constantly involved in student government, Mercado always wanted to be the vice president of ASWSUV. Mercado said, “I saw the opportunity come up and said, ‘yes, I can do this!’” According to Mercado, when she first found out that she was the new vice president, she experienced a “combination of emotions.” However, the main emotion she felt at the time was happiness. In addition, Mercado told The VanCougar that she was very excited to start working with Wright and the rest of ASWSUV. During her term as vice
president of ASWSUV, Mercado really wants to represent the school. In addition with her desire to represent the school, Mercado is also planning on working on cultural awareness. Mercado said that she hopes to create more cultural diversity awareness among students, staff and faculty. Mercado also wants to improve accessibility to various resources on campus. According to Mercado, one thing that she wants the students to know is that they should not hesitate in reaching out to her. She “likes interacting
The open door policy that Wright has emphasized will continue into the new semester. directly with the students.” She reiterated that students have the option to drop by her office at the Office of Student Involvement within the Firstenburg Student
Vice President Julie Mercado | Photo Credit: Laura Dutelle Commons if they want to reach out. The open door policy that Wright emphasized will continue into the new semester. Students, staff, and faculty
who have questions can contact Julie Mercado by email at aswsuv. vpres@wsu.edu or can reach her by phone at (360) 546-9521. n
Week of Welcome volunteers help students ease into a new semester By: QUETZALI RAMIREZ The VanCougar During the week of Jan. 11-15, faculty, student and staff volunteers will be available to answer any and all questions for students on campus. Washington State University Vancouver’s Week of Welcome will help assist students by answering any questions such as where to pick up parking permits, where different buildings are on campus, or how to add or drop classes. Students can drop by the “Ask Me” table set up in front of the Library Building where student leaders wearing blue “Week of Welcome” t-shirts or crimson “Ask Me” badges can point students in the right direction during the
first week of the new semester. Spencer Vaughn, one of the Student Ambassadors, said “An ambassador should always be at the table for students, but we aren't the only ones who take shifts helping out. Folks from student government, as well as student media and the veteran’s center, all come out to help students no matter what they need.” Another Student Ambassador, Brooke Nuorala, also expresses that it is a great opportunity to get connected and meet people on campus. “[It is] the ultimate opportunity to get connected on campus in a really informal and easy manner. We say hi and welcome see "Week of Welcome," page 2
Ambassadors and students gather outside for a photo in the quad Photo Credit: WSU Vancouver Student Ambassadors
2 | CAMPUS NEWS
THEVANCOUGAR.COM
Coug Day at the Capitol sends students to Olympia
Annual event makes campus voices heard By: AMANDA FLYNN The VanCougar Each January, Coug Day at the Capitol sends students to Olympia to raise awareness among legislators for matters regarding higher education at Washington State University Vancouver. Cougars are given a unique opportunity to visit the capitol, and act as both a representative and lobbyist on behalf of WSU Vancouver. Organizers say that the main objective of the event is to encourage students to participate in giving financial issues a real voice. By bringing these issues to the attention of Washington legislators, Coug Day at the Capitol aims to improve the affordability of attending WSU Vancouver. Connor Haggerty, ASWSUV's director of legislative affairs, said that the event was
Last year, Govenor Jay Inslee visited campus to meet with student leaders | Photo Credit: Seamus Davis successful last year in lowering tuition costs at WSU Vancouver. Haggerty said, “Our lobbying was critical in achieving the broad tuition reduction that every [WSU Vancouver] student is enjoying this year. For months, we have been working with teams from other Washington State University campuses to
generate our legislative platform for the year, and believe that this will be a really great opportunity to showcase students and higher education to our state legislators.” Haggerty said that the event is a fantastic opportunity to meet and network with fellow students. Coug Day at the Capitol will be an overnight trip and
Welcome to Spring Semester! In response to requests from students the library now has extended open hours on Friday evenings. Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
@ the Library
TH E
2015
STAFF DIRECTORY
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY VANCOUVER The VanCougar is a student-run newspaper serving the students, faculty and staff of WSU Vancouver. The VanCougar is available at distribution sites in the lobbies of most WSU Vancouver buildings. The VanCougar may be viewed online at TheVanCougar.com.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Correction Policy
MANAGING EDITOR
ROB SCHUBERT . vancouged@wsu.edu
It is the policy of The VanCougar to correct errors. Please contact the editor via e-mail at vancouged@vancouver.wsu.edu.
MICHAEL WILLIAMS . vancougme@wsu.edu
Representation
HALEY ELMER . vancougad@wsu.edu
The existence of advertising in The VanCougar is not meant as an endorsement of any product, service or individual by anyone except the advertiser.
Employment
Washington State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer.
Letters to the Editor
The VanCougar welcomes brief letters (250 words or fewer) 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. Letters and suggestions may be delivered to the Office of Student Involvement, the VanCougar office (VDEN 160), or e-mailed to Vancouged@ vancouver.wsu.edu.
ADVERTISING MANAGER WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, LAYOUT AND DESIGN EDITOR ERIK RINGEN . vancougso@.wsu.edu
TEAM EDITORS DAWN BAILEY REPORTERS JOHN COMBS AMANDA FLYNN TERESA HOYT
For more information about the VanCougar's policy on letters and other information, please visit the VanCougar policy section of TheVanCougar.com The VanCougar | Dengerink Administration Building (VDEN) Room 160 | 14024 NW Salmon Creek Ave. | Vancouver, Wash. 98686 | 360-546-9524
Washington State University Vancouver
will be occurring Jan. 24 and 25. Applications to join the trip have already closed, but students with questions or concerns about the event itself, or how to get involved without attending the event, can contact ASWSUV through email at aswsuv.cos@wsu.edu, or visit their website at wsuv. orgsync.com/org/aswsuv. n
AUZ BURGER MEGAN JOHNSON ALEXANDER PERU QUETZALI RAMIREZ GREGORY WALKER
Week of Welcome, continued from page 1 you with candy, warm smiles, college stories and information that will make you feel like you've got this and you're in the right place. We bring ourselves to the table ... in the hopes that you bring who you are too.” Students can also look to anyone wearing an “Ask Me” shirt for assistance, even outside of regular tabling. Even if they cannot answer a question, they can point you in the direction of someone who can. n
STUDENT LIFE | 3
THEVANCOUGAR.COM
The tradition of “A Radio Christmas Carol” continues
Theater hosts re-enactment of classic production By: TERESA HOYT The VanCougar On Dec. 16, “A Radio Christmas Carol,” returned for its third iteration. The production is a part of a project directed by John F. Barber, a faculty member in the Creative Media and Digital Culture program. The radio play was performed at Kiggins Theater, located on Main
Street in Vancouver. Admission to the event was free; however, it was highly encouraged that attendees of the event bring food donations for the Clark County Food Bank. Prior to the performance, the Hough Community Glee Choir gave the audience a preview of what was to come. Curtis Hanson starred as Ebenezer Scrooge, with Cynthia J. McGean, Alan King, Renee King, Christ Porter and
Sam A. Mowry also appearing. Not only did students of WSU Vancouver attend the radio show, but former students as well as other people in the community were welcomed. Silvia Dost, a WSU Vancouver alumna, told The VanCougar, “I think the community aspect of how much everyone gets involved was what I liked. I also liked the fact that it was at this wonderful
CAMPUS EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 11 n First Day of Spring Classes Welcome Back!
Tuesday, Jan. 12 n State of the Campus Address 4 p.m. VDEN 110
Friday, Jan. 15 n Club and Cougsync Orientation 4 - 6 p.m. VUB 207
Monday, Jan. 18 n Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday: Campus Closed n Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 8:30 a.m. RSVP Online
Wednesday, Jan. 20
n Making Your Competition Irrelevant 8:30 a.m. Burgerville Center For Responsible Community Leadership 1602 W. Main St. Vancouver, WA $10 per person in advance $15 at the door Register online n Involvement Fair 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. FSC
Monday, Jan. 25 n VanCougar Issue 10 on Stands!
Saturday, Jan. 23 n College Goal Washington 1 p.m. VUB Open to all
Want your event featured here? Email details two weeks in advance to vancougme@vancouver.wsu.edu
(Above) The Hough Community Glee Choir performing. (Below) The cast prepares for their performance Photo Credit: Teresa Hoyt
theater here. It brings you a warm feeling inside knowing that everyone is from Vancouver.” Eli Campbell, a current Washington State University Vancouver student, told The VanCougar that her favorite part was, “The live foley, the amazing
costumes, and the wonderful professional voice acting cast.” There are two more productions still to come. First, two suspense-filled dramas by Lucille Fletcher, “Sorry, Wrong Number” and “The Hitchhiker,” will take place on Mar. 23.
Episodes of “Gunsmoke” and “The Shadow” are scheduled for May 4. Students, staff, and faculty can contact Barber for questions about getting involved with next year’s “Radio Christmas Carol” by email at jfbarber@wsu.edu. n
ARE YOU USING THE FASTEST WSU VANCOUVER WIFI NETWORK?
WSUV WiFi certificates for students expired January 6, 2016. WSUV WiFi provides secure and fast access, 10x faster than the unsecure WSUV Guest WiFi network.
If you haven’t renewed your certificate yet, renewal is EASY!
1. 2. 3. 4.
Temporarily connect to the WSUV Guest network Visit: vancouver.wsu.edu/wifi Click on the red “Connect to WSUV WiFi” button Simply follow the instructions
If you have any trouble renewing or accessing WSUV WiFi, please contact the IT Help Desk.
WSU Vancouver IT Help Desk
360-‐546-‐9770 Email: van.evita@wsu.edu Walk-‐in (VCLS 219): Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm After-‐hours phone support available: Monday – Thursday, 5pm – 8pm Washington State University Vancouver
4 | EXTRAS
THEVANCOUGAR.COM
Services and activities fees: follow the money around campus
By: ALEXANDER PERU The VanCougar Services and activities fees are derived from Washington State University Vancouver student tuition. For the 2015 fiscal year, full time students paid $263.50 per semester in S&A fees. Allocation of S&A fees is determined by a board composed
of students, administrators and faculty. In January, the ASWSUV president recommends students to serve on the board. The office of academic affairs approves faculty members for the board. These recommendations are then sent to the chancellor for approval. Student organizations create budget proposals that are submitted to the S&A fees
board during spring break. Representatives of the organizations then go before the board for a proposal hearing. The committee reviews these submissions, and decides how to allocate the fees. The
board recommendations are sent to the chancellor, then to the university president, and finally to the university board of regents for final approval. The board meets in February for preliminary meetings, and
proposal submissions open in March. Submissions are finalized in early May when WSU's Board of Regents convenes. n Infographic by Erik Ringen
STEP UP
BE AN AMBASSADOR
2016/2017 applications are due Monday, Feb. 1, 2016. Apply online at vancouver.wsu.edu/amb. What is the Student Ambassador Program?
What are the duties?
The Student Ambassador Program is a group of outstanding students who are selected to represent WSU Vancouver in many capacities, including to prospective students, their families and the community at large. Student Ambassadors are key to the successful transition of new students to our campus.
Student Ambassadors represent WSU Vancouver both on and off campus. They provide campus tours, serve as orientation leaders, promote student involvement opportunities and advance the ideals of higher education. Review specific time commitments at the website listed above.
Who are the ambassadors? The most qualified and diverse students from a variety of majors will be chosen to work together to build on WSU Vancouver’s outstanding reputation and bring future Cougars to our campus. Students must anticipate a graduation date of May 2017 or later and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative gpa.
What are the benefits? yy yy yy yy yy
Develop valuable leadership and communication skills Make meaningful connections with new and prospective students Work closely with faculty and staff Earn an hourly wage of $11 per hour (also eligible for work study) Enhance your personal resume
QUESTIONS? Contact Nikki Hinshaw at nikki_hinshaw@wsu.edu or Curtis Burge at curtis.burge@wsu.edu.
Washington State University Vancouver