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Mount Hood

The college loneliness thing

A photo of empty chairs in the Hamersly Library. | Photo by Moth Martinez-Faccio

Feb. 25, 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

The male loneliness epidemic, parasocial relationships, social media, dating — being a college student at this time is a cultural complexity. In a world of screens and partner priorities, growing and maintaining lifelong friendships is difficult.

A Trellis Strategies report indicated this month that around 57% of students in college report loneliness and a lack of a flourishing social life, despite being surrounded by likeminded people close in age. Queer students came out on top in the study, with 74% identifying as being sometimes or always lonely.Ěý

The National Library of Medicine conducted a study in 2022 that found widespread loneliness in the college students it evaluated. It even reported that college students are more likely to face loneliness, and that students struggle with the transition from high school to university, as well as the loss of friends following the shift and the need to replace them.Ěý

Unfortunately, common reports of loneliness are associated with larger mental health problems, such as depression and suicidal ideation, and, without support, those students may receive lower grades, fail classes, leave school altogether or worse.

I don’t personally have a best friend. That’s been hard for me, not having one person like everyone else to hold onto, talk to and laugh with. But I do have some people, lesser-level friends from classes I was required to take, people I was forced into closed spaces with for long enough that we identified common threads. That’s all friendships really are: proximity and linked interests.

There are 8 billion people on the planet, 18 to 19 million people in college in America and Western has more than 3,000 undergraduate students. So why does it seem like I relate to more people on this topic rather than less? Shouldn’t we all have close ties to people, online friends, someone to call whenever we want? Instead, it’s partners, siblings, parents — but what if those aren’t options?

We can’t simply wish to fruition a great circle of friends or a best buddy. Instead, we have to try and fail — as many times as it may take. We have to go out of our way to make connections, and know that when they fade or dissipate, we shouldn’t use that as evidence that we are unlovable or unable to make meaningful relationships. Everyone’s lovable and capable of friendship. We’re just also victims of the cruelness of life, the push and pull of relationships and the conditional nature of friendships.

So, if you can find someone whom you are able to access and who you relate to, there you go: a potential friend. Be kind to yourself, be kind to others. And if you do feel lonely, please reach out for help.

 

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@wou.edu

Student Press Freedom Day

A photo of The Western Howl Editor-in-Chief doing routine edits at production. | Photo by Moth Martinez-Faccio

Feb. 25, 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Student Press Freedom Day is a country-wide day of action — themed “Resilience in action” for the ninth annual event this year — honoring student journalists and supporting their needs in the face of adversity, funding access and restrictive barriers that censor and diminish student press.

The event is directly made to support student journalists and advocate for them as limitations only increase. There are very real risks: censorship, budget cuts and limited funding, poor advisors, administrative limitations, restricted access to public information and a lack of legal support. According to the Student Press Law Center, student journalists are left without as many rights and protections as professional journalists.

In Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, a high school newspaper challenged its 1988 censorship for covering teen pregnancy and the impact of parental divorce on students. The Supreme Court ruled that a school-sponsored newspaper could be censored, and today, student newspapers, especially in high school, face further scrutiny, censorship and advisor intervention. Legal protections are minimal for student publications, and the 1988 ruling is still used today to justify the censorship of students.

College presses are often limited from accessing public information and face stonewalling. In fact, I recently received an email from the University of Oregon’s student paper, inquiring if we were also struggling to obtain public records from our college.

This week, from Feb. 23-27, it’s also Scholastic Journalism Week, more centered on high school publications but encompassing the same values and importance as Student Press Freedom Day.

Everyone is encouraged to celebrate Student Press Freedom Day, and over here at The Western Howl, we certainly are. For us, it’s about honoring our ability to gather, write and publish. Additionally, we’ve been able to add more roles as a student-run newspaper and expand our staff; notably, for the first time ever, we have Spanish translators to grow accessibility and our potential audience, and we’re hosting a Spanish release party on the same date as Student Press Freedom Day.

We’re super lucky to be here and uplift student voices. And, hey, we’re looking for more students to join our staff — check out our roles on Handshake or send an email for more information.

 

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@wou.edu

Letter from the Editor

A photo of Editor-in-Chief of “The Western Howl,” Hannah Field. | Photo by Hannah Field

Oct. 8, 2025 |ĚýHannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Hey, you — yeah, you. Thanks for making it this far in “The Western Howl.” I know, it’s been a long first two weeks, with new classes and new people. Maybe you’re new here, maybe you’re not. I don’t know what exactly brings you here, to us and to Western, but thanks for being here. “The Western Howl” is one of Western’s longstanding traditions, established in 1923 and seeing many, many different names, writers, designers and Editors-in-Chief.

I have no way of knowing exactly how many Editors-in-Chief there have been, but I’ve had the absolute privilege of filling that role for the last year and continuing it in this one. It has been the most eyeblinding whirlwind — hey, West Albany — schedule, and by far the most demanding work I’ve ever contributed to. Producing this newspaper, running a team and trying to maximize the potential of both have been incredibly taxing and rewarding.

The joy of putting pen to paper — keys to Google Docs? — and watching it print is unmatched. I watch new writers every year grow in their skills, gaining confidence and a paycheck, and sitting in a room with them every Tuesday evening is truly my favorite part. These designers, editors, managers and translators all work incredibly hard to add to “The Western Howl,” and I’m glad they’re here.

Just like I’m glad you’re here, seeing hours of work come to life, and hopefully you’ll see it next week, and the week after that, and the week after that.

“The Western Howl” is a great place to look into your community, your peers and academics. To know what you’re missing on and off campus, written by reputable, unbiased sources you might see on the way to class. If you couldn’t tell by now, our newspaper is written by students, student-led and for students, funded by the Incidental Fee Committee at Western. If you’re not sure where we’re located, that’d be Terry House on the far side of campus next to Campus Public Safety. Student Media includes “The Western Howl,” “The Northwest Passage” and KWOU, Western’s radio station and podcast studio available to students. I love receiving emails and news tips, which we also have a section for on . I ask that you do not hesitate to drop off a story tip, whether it’s something that is affecting students or just your really cool friend and their interesting job.

I also ask that you take a deep look into the importance of media. We attend a relatively small college, and when something happens here — big or small, good or bad — you’re more likely to hear it through whispers in your dorm hall than by checking local news. But I want you to be able to check the campus newspaper. We don’t know what’s happening, however, if nobody tells us. So, please tell us.

And maybe, we’ll have news for you that you haven’t heard. Do you know about Western’s budget deficit? Or last year’s lawsuit? Did you know that Western is the first public university in Oregon to join the Tri-Alpha Honor Society, or that Monmouth is one of the safest cities in the state? Western is the second cheapest public university in Oregon; Western is also the only place on the West Coast where you can receive a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language. And if you love to climb, Western has a very well-maintained indoor rock wall, the second tallest in Oregon.

If you did know all that, that’s awesome, you’re well-informed about your school. If you didn’t, now you are.

I promise you, I knew nothing before coming here, not about Western nor any university at all. I have never experienced another college. I’ll be honest, I spent my first year here commuting to class four days a week and failing to make a single friendship across all three terms. It wasn’t until I became the news editor at “The Western Howl” that I made my first college connections, suddenly coming to the understanding that university was supposed to be about more than just your degree. It’s about your peers, the time in between classes and, most importantly to me, understanding your individuality: your goals, your plans, what you need, how you thrive.

If you had asked me four years ago if I knew what I’d accomplish at college, I’d have answered, “Probably my degree?” I didn’t anticipate running the newspaper; managing a local business on the side; taking six classes; waking up early, going to bed late, finding my groove in adulthood and growing discipline as a skill; finding pride and confidence in every facet of my life.

I walked into college with no idea who I’d be at the end. And I don’t think that’s just my story. The injustices students suffer, the relationships that end and that are forged, waking up in your childhood room and, years later, falling asleep in a dingy apartment with no air conditioning. I’m probably not the only one who felt out of options when graduating high school, that college was the next step without knowing why. If that’s you right now — here out of obligation, confused, lost, lacking discipline or otherwise trying to find your footing — I was right there, and I can tell you, it changes. Find a job, join a club, keep working. Spend too much money at the grocery store because you don’t know how much food you need for a week. Butcher your recipes because you didn’t learn how to cook when you lived with your parents. In some way, most of us, if not all of us, are baby adults. Even the editor of the newspaper and the president of ASWOU — sorry, Morgan — and your very accomplished, working-multiple-jobs, multi-major peers.

TLDR; “The Western Howl” serves you. We stand for student voices above all else. We support you, encourage you to stand and speak. And if you don’t know yet where you’re going, maybe you’ll be in my chair in three or four years — not sure how you got there, but knowing it was worth it.

 

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@wou.edu

Thanksgiving Controversies: An Opinion on Sarah Miller

Hannah GreeneĚý |Ěý Sports Editor

From the get go, we are told that Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together, have quality time, catch up and eat a lot of food. Sounds like a solid plan, but this plan was based on false customs and false history. Meeting up with family and friends to cook together and enjoy each moment can be a beautiful thing — so why do we only “celebrate” this once a year? Why aren’t we making a Grateful Holiday to be a few times a year? The world may never know.

According to the History Channel, the “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated ages ago in 1621 where Native Americans joined the Pilgrims for their first harvest, which lasted three days during October. Thanksgiving became a national holiday during President Lincoln’s time in office, that was to be held every November. The original story presented throughout adolescent education makes the holiday seem bright and cheerful, but in reality it masks the bloodiness of the time between the Native Americans and the settlers.

This day was constructed on lies and stories of “positive” exchanges of pilgrims and Native Americans. The pilgrims learned from the Native Americans about growing crops, harvesting those crops, how to hunt and fish from the foreign land and “became friends” with each other. Though the settlers did learn — quite a lot — from the Native Americans, it is in fact “false,” in the voice of Dwight Shrute, that these people were friendly among each other. What the bright, happy story covers up is the bloodshed, battles, rape, murder and disease the pilgrims brought upon the Native people.

Rather than celebrating a holiday based on the pain and suffering of people native to this land, let’s acknowledge what our past pilgrims have done, how the Native American people helped propel us to where we are now, and have rememberance in the destruction of the Native American culture and the taking/raping of their land and women. By turning a blind eye to these events, without respecting the Native American people, we continue to be those same selfish pilgrims.Ěý

Enjoy the food, create new memories, try to not let Suzie bring up politics and RECOGNIZE what our forefathers did and how this affected Native Americans then and continues to today. Mourn for the fallen, for the raped, for the murdered and give thanks to selfless acts of the Native Americans in aiding the new settlers on this land and teaching them their ways of survival.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Is Jar Jar Binks Secretly a Sith Lord?

Rachel Hetzel | Designer

Jar-Jar Binks is one of the most hated characters of not only the Star Wars franchise, but of the movie industry in general. It’s understandable; he’s a failed attempt at a comic relief character — clueless, cowardly, idiotic and impossibly lucky. Or is he? Because, as Obi Wan Kenobi taught us in “A New Hope”, “In my experience, there is no thing as luck.” So perhaps it’s not luck. If not, the only logical explanation is that Jar-Jar is a member of the Sith.

There are many theories surrounding the enigma that is Jar-Jar Binks. The most agreed upon theory, started by Reddit user Lumparoo in 2016, is that Jar-Jar is a powerful Force-user conspiring with Darth Sidious. In addition to this, some believe he either trained, or was supposed to become Supreme Leader Snoke, or that he is a reincarnation of Darth Plagueis.

There are a lot of things to take into consideration when discussing this theory. One of the main problems concerns the Rule of Two — there can only be two Sith at a time, a Master and an Apprentice. The Rule of Two was put in place by Darth Bane, and it ensures that only the strongest Sith survive. The apprentice will eventually attempt to kill the master, and then train their own apprentice.

According to this rule, if Jar-Jar was a Sith along with Sidious, then Darth Maul, Darth Tyrannus and Darth Vader should have never existed. Sith, of course, operate on lies and deceit, and this rule has been broken before… so it’s possible Jar-Jar could be a “secret” Sith.

Darth Plagueis was devoted to discovering the power to cheat death and create life — he also wanted to put an end to the Rule of Two. Sidious, however, killed him in his sleep before he could discover this secret… or did he? Darth Plagueis could have been successful, and learned Ěýhow to harness the power of the midichlorians to manipulate life, and somehow attached his life-force to the weak minded, easily corruptible, Jar-Jar Binks. Sith expect their apprentices to kill them, so by not revealing his success, Plagueis could have resurrected himself after Sidious’s inevitable betrayal.

Many fans were expecting “The Force Awakens” to reveal Jar-Jar as Supreme Leader Snoke. Obviously, that was not the case. Jar-Jar could have trained him, though. The book trilogy “Aftermath” goes over events that took place between “The Return of the Jedi” and “The Force Awakens”. In these books, Jar-Jar meets a “disfigured orphan” whose “scar tissue runs up from his jaw, over the hole that used to be his ear, and to the scalp.” Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

So, let’s get into the most agreed upon part of the theory: Jar-Jar and Sidious were conspiring together. For a bumbling fool, Jar-Jar had way too many major plot influences. He is the reason Senator Palpatine rose to power in the senate, and later gained the emergency powers that allowed him to destroy democracy and bring the Galactic Empire to life. The two are practically inseparable throughout the prequels — Jar-Jar is constantly at his side, convincing others to give him more power.

It’s also important to note how Jar-Jar uses hand movements and can be seen mouthing words during key conversations with characters, much like Jedi do when using their mind tricks. Now, why else would Sidious keep such an embarrassment around? I mean, come on — they’re even from the same planet, Naboo, and considering the size of the Star Wars universe, that can’t be a coincidence. Perhaps Jar-Jar was the Phantom Menace the whole time?

Jar-Jar can also frequently be seen using the Force during combat. Reddit user Lumpawarroo has done some thorough analysis of Jar-Jar’s fighting style. It’s very similar to Zui Quan, a style used by Shaolin Monks — which is what Jedi are based on. Throughout the prequels, Jar-Jar performs several Force jumps, including a perfect 20-foot twisting somersault — a type of stunt only Force-users are ever seen doing. He takes down a battle droid tank by himself, and multiple droids with a blaster tangled around his ankle.

If that’s not enough evidence for you, George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars franchise, and several actors have pretty much confirmed that there is more to Jar-Jar than what was revealed. Lucas wanted the prequels to mirror themes of the trilogy.

In the documentary “The People vs. George Lucas”, Lucas explains his inspiration for Yoda, saying, “Yoda really comes from a tradition in mythological storytelling — fairy tales — of the hero finding a little creature on the side of the road who seems very insignificant … but who turns out to be the master.”

I, along with many others, believe that Jar-Jar was supposed to be Yoda’s equal opposite, and that Yoda was supposed to fight Jar-Jar in “Attack of the Clones” instead of Count Dooku. Count Dooku was a hastily-written, last-minute character thrown into the plot to replace Jar-Jar.It’s widely believed that Lucas worried that revealing Jar-Jar as the main villain was too risky, because of the backlash and hate from fans. Lucas was even quoted saying “Jar-Jar is the key to all of this.”

Ahmed Best, the actor who portrayed Jar-Jar, confirmed the theory on Twitter and during an interview. Addressing the Darth Jar-Jar theory, Best tweeted “I will say this, it feels really good when the hidden meaning behind work is seen.”

During an interview with Jamie Stangroom, Best said “…there’s a lot about it that’s true … Because of the backlash, and rightfully so, Lucasfilm backed off from Jar-Jar a lot.”

Best also confirmed the existence of a deleted scene where Palpatine confides in Jar-Jar his plans to “wreak havoc,” saying that it “would really give great credibility to the Darth Jar-Jar theory.”

In 2017 The Star Wars Show live streamed a Star Wars celebration, during which Liam Neeson, who played Qui-Gon Jinn, also confirmed the Darth Jar-Jar theory, saying “(Jar-Jar) did go to the Dark Side.”

As Yoda once said, “fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering”. Suffer no longer, don’t let your hate of Jar-Jar cloud your judgement. Use your feelings, and accept the truth of Darth Jar-Jar.

Contact the author at rhetzel18@wou.edu

Illustrations by Rachel Hetzel

Straight From The Source:

Screen Shot 2015-11-01 at 6.48.01 AM

By: From the desk of The Journal Editorial Team

As more accessible and innovative means of technological communication and research become better developed and implemented into mainstream use, it can be easy to get caught in the vices of factual inaccuracy.

“If it’s on the Internet, it must be true” is a sarcastic saying that has somehow found its way into the minds of individuals that are seemingly more willing to accept a claim as fact if it is placed in the foreground of a picture featuring a well-known political figure or a celebrity.

For example, in the past few weeks, a picture of a decades-younger Donald Trump has made the rounds on social media with a quote that makes the attention-seeker seem even more flamboyantly outspoken than he already is.

The quote is claimed to have been sourced from a 1998 interview in People magazine, and says, “If I were to run [for President], I’d run as a Republican. They’re the dumbest group of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox News. I could lie and they’d still eat it up. I bet my numbers would be terrific.”

While the quote fulfilled its intended goal of stirring the liberal pot and further fueling their disdain for Trump, the fact remains that the quote is entirely made up. Trump never said anything of the sort during his interview with People magazine almost two decades ago.

Such pictures and quotes can be powerful tools for furthering political ideology, especially on social media sites like Facebook where people can press the “share” button and spread the message in a matter of seconds, or on Twitter where the retweet option has turned into an almost subconscious reaction.

This can become a very slippery slope as more and more people share these ignorant/factually inaccurate posts to validate their existing biases; they accept statements as truth when said statements further their own ingrained beliefs without fact-checking them for accuracy.

It does not matter if we agree with a statement or not; the focus of our efforts should be to fact-check everything we see on the Internet.

In a digital age where it is incredibly easy to create and send messages through multiple mediums of communication, we need to be especially cautious when we take someone’s word on a given subject.

Besides, what does it say about our own ideology if it is founded on falsified statements and inaccurate claims?

It says that we are easy.

It says that as a society and as a community, we have drifted from searching for the best information available, to simply searching for the information that suits our needs for the situation.

There is a term used in psychology that perfectly describes this trend: confirmation bias.

Simply put, confirmation bias is the tendency for people to recall or prefer information that supports their viewpoint, and to discount or pay less attention to information that doesn’t.

Confirmation bias, combined with an out-of-control attitude towards compromise has created a wealth of misleading memes, blurbs, and faux inspirational fodder on both sides of the aisle.

In our fast-paced world, surrounded by the incessant want (or need) to instantly share our views with the world, it is imperative to check the facts before the share button comes into play.

After all, your “real world” views are more important than the views you typed up for your last paper, so why use less rigorous standards when analyzing your “real world” sources?

Where is the information coming from?

With the prevalence of background organizations like Super PACs in the American political process, memes and blurbs are often originally shared through profiles linked to shadow organizations.

Try to find out who initially made the post and understand that all organizations are only going to cultivate content that supports their candidate or their viewpoints. This is not dissimilar to researching the background of an author on an academic source.

If the author of a research paper conducted the vast majority of their research at a private, mainly religious college, their findings will naturally be influenced by their surroundings, and must be viewed in that context. It is no different for social media sources.

Can the quote be verified?

A cursory Google search of the terms “Donald Trump” and “People Magazine Interview” revealed that the Donald Trump meme was not an actual quote. The search pulled up the original article, in addition to several news stories about how it had already been discovered to be a false attribution.

The internet is forever, and in most cases (especially when dealing with recent quotes), the original source is easy to find.

That doesn’t mean you will be able to find the appropriate sourcing all the time, but obvious mistakes like the Trump incident will become immediately apparent.
Does it really need to be meme?

Recently, the Internet’s intention for creating memes has shifted to sharing shortened version of more detailed communication. In the beginning, however, memes were mostly limited to inconsequential communications like jokes, and pithy inspirational quotes.

Shouldn’t we be striving to take the memes out of the political sphere (unless it’s a well crafted joke)? Shouldn’t we hope that our political views are more impressive and complicated than two sentences?

Memes simply provide another way for us to further chunk up our politics into sound bites, but the sound bite culture removes any sense of context, background, or viability. It cheapens our incredibly complex system of democracy, and it makes it entirely to easy to polarize our fellow citizens.

So the next time a Donald Trump or politically related meme spreads across the internet, take into account the context and credibility.

The trend towards immediate assumption of internet truths into our personal viewpoints is dangerous. Never take something as a fact, or share your support, without assessing the evidence first.

The military experience

Written by: Michael Hager | Freelancer

Very few people know you can serve your country while getting your degree, and good old Uncle Sam will cover your tuition. I joined the Oregon Army National Guard four years ago when I was a junior in high school, with the intent to go to college and pursue a degree.Ěý

Like a lot of people, my family could not afford to send me to college. One of my high school coaches was a Master Sergeant in the Army and also led the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps — JROTC — program at my school. He told me how the National Guard would pay my tuition, and there I was, 16 years old, with a decision to make.

I always kinda wanted to be in the military — my grandpa was a World War II veteran, my uncle was a veteran and one of my cousins was already in the Guard. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school, but my parents wanted me to go to college. I ended up choosing the best of both worlds.Ěý

I met with a recruiter and he explained that once I turned 17, all I would need was my parents’ consent, and I could join the National Guard on a six-year contract. This would cover my last two years of high school and four years of college at any school in Oregon I could get into.Ěý

After trying to convince my parents, almost exactly a month before the pandemic, I signed a six-year contract with the Oregon Army National Guard. I was able to have an older cousin swear me in, which was pretty cool.Ěý

I was sent into the process of split training: Basic Training one summer and Advanced Individual Training — AIT — the next, instead of the normal One Station Unit Training — OSUT — that everyone else would do. This meant that I would go to Basic Combat Training in the summer between my junior and senior years, at the height of the pandemic.

My Basic was supposed to only be 10 weeks but, since it was in the height of the pandemic, we had to quarantine in our barracks for two weeks. I was sent to stay with 40 strangers and the only time we were allowed outside was to get our food. Once we were all clear, we began trainingĚý

10 weeks later. A few weeks before my senior year started, we graduated from Basic Combat Training. I completed my senior year through Zoom in 2021, and I officially graduated from both high school and Basic. By that time, I had a good idea of where my unit was going to be, and I knew I wanted to be close to my unit while I went to college. That is why I chose Western: my unit is located in Salem.Ěý

After graduation, I was all set to come to Western in the Fall of 2021, and I went back to complete AIT with all the same people I did basic with, plus another company who also did the same as us.Ěý

At first, it was hell. We had all gone back to high school and lost all our discipline, so the first week or so was Basic all over again.Ěý

Eventually, we completed AIT, and we were officially Military Police Officers, which was our Military Occupational Specialty. A couple of weeks before I graduated, myself and two others were told that once we went home, we were being sent to the border by former Governor Kate Brown. The state governor is the Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard.Ěý

The plans I had of attending college in the fall were over, and I was on a year-long mission. In October of 2021, instead of getting ready for my freshman year of college, I was sent on my mission, but it wasn’t to the border. Much worse, I was sent to the middle of Indiana in the winter to help process and protect the Afghan refugees that President Joe Biden sent over.Ěý

There were around 20,000 refugees who needed to become citizens, and we were projected to be on this tiny base with nothing but a Subway and a cafeteria 10 times worse than Valsetz.Ěý

Luckily, we were able to go home six months later in the middle of what would’ve been the spring term of my freshman year. I was able to register for the following fall semester, which puts me one year behind my peers.Ěý

I started going to Drill, which is where we meet up one weekend a month and train for different things. I started school and continued to go to drill once a month, and then I joined the Men’s Rugby Club.Ěý

My drill schedule interferes with matches and tournaments, but I can work it out with my coaches, and I’m still playing. Drill, for the most part, doesn’t affect my school work except during finals week.Ěý

As a student in the military, I also have access to the Veterans’ Resource Center on campus, which connects me to other military students and resources I can use. On Veterans’ Day, they hold different events I can participate in; one such event is the annual 5K military run, which I won last year.Ěý

This is my journey through the military, and it varies for everyone across the branches.Ěý All in all, the National Guard is a great way to make connections, gain experience and get college paid for.

Contact the author at mhager20@wou.edu

Share your feedback

February 12, 2025

Written by: Daniella Dugan | Title III Coordinator

How do you honestly feel about being a student at Western? What would you change if you could? How has Western fallen short of your expectations? This is your chance to share what you honestly think about your experience at Western. The WOLF Student Experience Feedback form is Western’s first annual opportunity for students to give their anonymous feedback on all areas of student life. Academics, co-curriculars, on-campus dining, housing, employment, personal growth, sense of belonging and purpose — all of these topics and more are included. There is even an open comment section for you to talk about whatever specific issue you feel strongly about at the end of the form. The institution is eager to hear what is improving your experience, worth continued investment and what negatively impacts your overall satisfaction as a “Wolf.” 

The goal of the form is not only to give student voices a new platform to be heard, but to use this feedback to help make actionable change on campus. The responses collected will help guide revisions of programs, new services and student opportunities that you are asking for. There is often a large gap between the perceived needs of students and the actual needs of students — this is our chance to lessen that gap. While there may be efforts from your academic department to collect feedback and make improvements, this form is for the institution as a whole and aims to help guide high level decision making for various areas of the student experience, not just in academics. 

In addition to being part of the change you want to see, you’ll also be able to enter into a drawing for one of eight prizes, including two $100 Wolfstore gift cards. Depending on your campus involvement, you may be able to enter the drawing more than once. Once you make it to the end of the form, you’ll be led to a new page to collect your contact information and enter the drawing; this entry will not be linked to your form responses. If at any point in the form you have trouble answering or maybe don’t understand the question, just skip ahead. All sections are optional, so you can pick and choose what you want to respond to if you are short on time. 

The feedback form will be open during weeks seven through nine of winter term, Feb. 17 – March 9. It will not be open again until the 2025-26 year, so don’t miss your chance to inspire change at your campus.

Contact the author at dugand@mail.wou.edu

My Western experience

Written by: Taylor Duff | Lifestyle Editor

Western was founded in 1856 as Monmouth University, making it one of Oregon’s oldest public institutions. The school has a long history and a strong dedication to education dating back over 160 years, with Western Oregon State College being renamed in 1939, leading to Western’s formal establishment as a university in 1989. This rich tradition instills pride in the community, and I’ve always felt that as a student here. My experience at Western is probably similar to many others — the campus is smaller and only a few blocks long, yet it’s easy to become lost in the halls and classes, especially in the first few weeks. I’ve had my share of disorientation trying to identify buildings on campus or figuring out which direction to walk when I’m in a new area of the school. But, in other ways, the size has been a great thing as everything is nearby, leaving a comforting feeling from being in a location that’s easy to explore once you get the hang of it. 

What stands out the most from my experience at Western is the sense of community. The classrooms are small enough to build relationships with your teachers and fellow students, but large enough to provide a variety of ideas, viewpoints and interests. Compared to the big lecture halls I had seen in movies or heard about at other universities, Western’s classes felt much more personal and approachable. They were small enough that I felt at ease stepping in, knowing that I could have discussions with my professors and peers. It was simple to pick up a conversation with students, and I truly felt like I was a part of something more than simply a classroom, but part of a community.

Western’s dedication to diversity and inclusion contributed significantly to my sense of belonging. Western is extremely diverse, reflecting a broad variety of cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic origins. Western actively promotes diversity through a range of services, including community centers, multicultural student clubs and activities that encourage inclusiveness on campus. I felt Western was the right school for me, not simply because of its history or location, but because of its real commitment to accepting and giving respect to everyone.

I had a special connection to the university long before I became a student. I grew up witnessing my mom graduate from Western when I was 12 or 13, and the campus and buildings have always seemed like home. The familiarity of Western’s streets, the charm of Monmouth and the inviting attitude all helped me feel connected as a student. Coming back to Western as a college student meant more than simply continuing my education, it felt like coming full circle. When I reflect on my time at Western, I am extremely proud of the route I’ve chosen. From the first day on campus, I felt encouraged and advised, whether through academic advice or just knowing I could bring up concerns to my instructors. There was always a helping hand when I needed it, and I felt it throughout my journey. I’m happy that I got to experience Western for all it is and meet many other students on the way. 

My involvement with “The Western Howl,” the university’s student-run newspaper, was one experience that truly impacted my time at Western. I met other students who worked with me at the paper and it changed my college experience for the better. Initially, I came to Western to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English, but after being involved with the Howl and continuing my love of writing and collaboration, I changed my major to communications. The transition seemed natural, and looking back, it was one of the greatest changes I’ve ever made. Being part of the Howl allowed me to express myself in ways I had not before considered. Writing for the newspaper allowed me to not only show my talents but also to express myself on issues that were important to me and the campus community. It wasn’t just about producing articles, it was about the process, creativity and working with other students. The work I made with the Howl formed my interest in communications and helped me determine my professional goals in ways that no textbook or lecture could.

What distinguishes Western from other schools is its dedication to assisting students in discovering their interests and directing them to programs and opportunities that match their passions. Western provides a diverse range of academic programs and resources to fulfill the requirements of all students. Every department, whether you study education, arts, sciences or communications, fosters a culture of inclusion. The instructors are friendly and truly concerned about their student’s progress. The tools offered from student clubs to internships form an unforgettable network of support. 

I’m very grateful for the time I spent at Western. The experiences, friendships and mentorships have shaped me both as a student and as a person. Without the help of my classmates, teachers and most importantly the people I met at the Howl, I’m not sure where I’d be in my educational journey or my career ambitions now. The university, its tight-knit community and its range of viewpoints all combined make my experience at Western extremely memorable. As graduation approaches, it’s bittersweet to know that I’ll be leaving a place that has seemed like home for so many years. I will take the lessons, friends and sense of belonging wherever I go.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Winter resources

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

It has been reported that about 10 million American adults suffer from seasonal affective disorder — SAD — from mid to late fall through the spring season. Oregon, especially, is cold and wet during the cold season, with the sun setting early and the temperature staying chilly throughout the day, even at the peak of the sun.

Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression occurring during the colder months, the timing being the only difference between SAD and typical depression. It often returns annually for those who experience SAD. Explanations for why someone might experience SAD are still relatively unknown. The trigger, however, is a lack of light. The effects can be debilitating for some, and merely exhausting or tiring for others, meaning it varies from person to person.

Doctors make multiple recommendations for those who struggle with SAD. Studies state that proper sleep will elevate energy levels. If sleeping is a problem, doctors also recommend avoiding screens or other blue light before bed and creating a nighttime routine, something that promotes mindfulness and relaxation, ideally for a few hours leading up to sleep.

On the topic of mindfulness, many may benefit from meditation, yoga, pilates or other exercise or mindfulness practices to stabilize the mind and body. The easiest way to do this is to think of the moment — what is being done and how does it feel? Consider it “grounding.”

It is recommended to find everyday movement. To be clear, this does not necessarily mean exercise as in going to the gym or pushing yourself too hard, but finding time every day to walk, jog, step or play. Finding winter activities can assist, such as snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, sledding or even indoor activities, such as baking, cooking, reading, writing, crocheting and more. Creating things is good for the brain and brings feelings of pride and accomplishment.

And, although difficult, it is recommended to leave the house in one way or another, even when it’s freezing outside. Fresh air is good for the body and brain and leaving the house can stimulate, leading to better mental health.

Surrounding yourself with friends and family is a proven way to ward off the negative feelings accompanied by winter and is highly recommended. Being intentional with plans and self-care can help propel oneself into better health. Examples of self-care include forms of mindfulness as mentioned, cleaning, eating more healthily, exploring faith, self-reflection, practicing gratitude and more.

Artificial light is an alternative as well. Individuals may use sun lamps to replicate the light of the sun and using such light first thing in the morning has been proven to have positive effects. Studies also recommend taking media breaks, such as distancing from apps and social media. News, especially, can negatively affect mental health and during such critical months, access should be limited.

Having a clean, clutter-free environment may elevate moods, although the process is technically a chore. Doing the laundry, dishes and vacuuming can create comfort and remove at least a few tasks off the stressful weekly list.

Other resources, such as therapy, are recommended and can be easy to locate. Psychologytoday.com offers therapists from the area, virtually and in-person, and can point interested folks toward the right information to get set up. It often displays insurance information and sign-up material needed.

Antidepressants can also be helpful for those who suffer majorly from SAD. Meeting with your doctor can get this process started.

There are vitamins that individuals can take to promote health and well-being, such as vitamin D supplements — easy to buy from most local stores.

Most of all, individuals should learn what they need to be healthy and prioritize their health. Western’s Student Health and Counseling Center offers resources, professionals to speak to and other help at /health/. “Wellness is a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential. We view well-being as a multidimensional and holistic process. The seven wellness realms we focus on, include: social, emotional, physical, spiritual, financial, environmental and mental,” says the center.

The website also provides graphics with more advice for handling poor mental health and finding a work-life balance. It recommends volunteering, maintaining relationships and adopting daily rituals. Figuring out what stress responses there are can be incredibly helpful as well, as each method can be remedied in a different way. Those who isolate may benefit from energizing activities, while those who grow angry or emotional may need to find a quiet, relaxing activity to recover instead.

Starting small with stress can make an impact, eventually snowballing into better coping mechanisms and skills. One conversation at a time opens the door for help.

The weather will, eventually, warm; the sun will return. Nobody should suffer alone. Merely having conversations about mental health can help destigmatize the concept of “winter blues” so that others can receive help as well, and feel less isolated in the process.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

KWOU

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

According to KWOU’s website, “KWOU is a student-run online radio station and has been the sound of (Western) since our humble beginnings in a closet at the Werner University Center in 2010.” Since then, KWOU has moved to Terry House, next to Public Campus Safety, to continue to “blast tunes” and grow their music library. At Terry House, KWOU has a “PAWDCAST” studio available for rent with professional broadcast equipment and soundproofing. Up to four people at once may use the studio.

KWOU has a radio station available for listening and is open for music recommendations. “The station exists to provide Western students, staff and faculty a chance to share their music and perspectives with the world online 24/7, 365,” said the KWOU website.

Molly Martinka, sophomore at Western, is station manager of KWOU for the 2024–2025 academic school year. “I do all of the behind the scenes work when you come in to use the podcast studio, I’m the one you’ll be communicating with in terms of reserving the studio and making sure that you’re all set up to record (for the PAWDCAST studio).”

On top of that, Martinka manages the scheduling if students are interested in DJing. She also oversees KWOU as a whole, making sure that anyone coming in to use equipment or get involved understands the rules so the whole process runs smoothly.

Martinka herself is in the music scene and devoted to KWOU’s mission. “I’m a singer-songwriter,” said Martinka. “I’ve just always loved music. I’ve grown up making it into a career for myself and I think radio is a big part of that, but there’s such a lack of radio right now. It’s very social media and streaming platform based, and I really think that student freedom of speech is very important.”

KWOU has an Instagram account as well as an email for contact — kwou@mail.wou.edu — as a means of getting connected and involved.

“I think there’s this idea that (KWOU) is an exclusive thing that you have to be a part of already, and that’s not the case at all,” said Martinka. “Any student can join, and any student can reach out and reserve the studio or become a DJ, or even if they just wanted to get involved and learn a little bit more about KWOU and Terry House.”

“We’re always looking for show hosts, music junkies, marketing-minded individuals, outcasts and anyone who can help make our station and our community a stronger, more connected one,” said the KWOU website.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

What does OSU have that Western doesn’t?

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Reser Stadium, packed to the brim with orange and black, was full for the 2024 homecoming football game — and as a Wolf, I had no business being in the stands, but I was anyway. A friend invited me at the last minute when she scored an extra ticket and needed someone to accompany her and I volunteered, despite not knowing much about football or Oregon State University.

I was, however, shocked by the stadium’s student section, a sold-out sea of color, all moving with one another. We weren’t jammed in with them — I’m not a Beaver — but instead by a lot of former alumni, also chanting in tandem.

The game proceeded with a marching band, the school’s chamber choir and fireworks — literal fireworks — exploding over our heads after the national anthem. I was dumbfounded by the extravagance.

The massive screen to our right flashed camera shots of the crowd, students I recognized and didn’t. As an Oregonian, born and raised, a lot of my peers from high school eventually moved on to Oregon State, and, before I found Western, I expected to as well. After all, my dad went here, his dad went here — where else would I go?

There were fog machines, giveaways during breaks, two mascots, a massive cheer team and an even larger football roster. I took a photo for the two men in front of me, father and son, excited to be back at an OSU game, and looked around as other alumni recognized each other and connected again after years. And, honestly, we had a great time. The crowd was wild, the lights were blinding and the game was fun to watch.

And I thought: why aren’t Western football games like this? Or, better, why don’t they feel like this?

There’s the obvious, the sheer magnitude of OSU students and seemingly endless funding. That’s not something we can put on Western, nor the city of Monmouth for its smaller infrastructure — in turn, Western gains a lot from its close-knit feel and walkable campus, as well as the safety aspect of the school, with Monmouth being one of the safest cities in the state.

OSU’s shiny football games are well-known and televised, often discussed in the area, and especially the known rivalry games between the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. If you grew up here, you’ve probably been asked: are you a Duck or a Beaver?

They’re undoubtedly entertaining and central to the OSU culture, which appears far different from our beloved Western’s — especially in regard to party culture. OSU’s rampant binge drinking standard at events is infamous and lethal.

Supposedly, OSU suffers from a lack of personal connection between not only students but professors and their classes due to class size. On top of that, it may be well-kept, but it’s not as easy to navigate or cross campus on time. I’ve also heard reports of mediocre professors, not even to mention the monstrous price tag tacked on tuition. One of my Beaver friend’s classmates recently admitted to dropping out of OSU due to the cost, something that no person should ever have to do when pursuing higher education.

It makes me feel immensely grateful for Western’s resources and high acceptance rate. I’ve been offered a lot of financial aid, as well as exceptional staff who have been nothing short of supportive and passionate. Some of my professors work two jobs — not because they need to, but because they love teaching at Western. Besides that, I love the campus, the red brick of the buildings, the squirrel epidemic and the small class sizes. I get to learn first-hand, I can communicate with professors who know my name and I get to work here, for the newspaper on campus. And, if I wanted to, I could ride a bike on campus and expect it to remain where I left it — unlike at OSU, with its theft and parking shortage problems. Oh, man, the parking over there — expensive, with poor parking services and senseless fees and parking zones.

The job opportunities at Western are endless, chasing ever-growing accessibility and promoting diversity in each department.

I adore my major in American Sign Language studies and love mentioning the program to students at other universities. That was the whole reason I came here, but it’s not the only reason I stayed. I tacked on communications as a major due to its flexibility and online class availability with the help of an advisor, finding my footing finally in my third year of college.

I once felt that Oregon State University was the only option. Western worried me; I was worried I wouldn’t make connections that last or “have fun” the way the student section did at the OSU homecoming game. But fireworks can’t cover up an insane price tag, non-learning culture or unbearable parking services, no matter how shiny.

We left at halftime, a little hazy from the extreme volume and a bit tired. I was glad to return home and to resume my classes the following week, at a college that was taking care of me as well as all of my classmates and their professors and staff. I shed my borrowed Beaver gear, handed it back to my friend and bid farewell to a school I was better off without.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu.

Domestic violence awareness

Written by: Taylor Duff | Lifestyle Editor

Content Warning: This article discusses violence, abuse, and sexual assault. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month — DVAM — which was established in 1987 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It is meant to raise awareness of domestic violence, assist survivors and push services and policies to prevent abuse. Educational activities, campaigns, ceremonies, fundraisers and collaborations between charities, local governments and communities are held throughout the month. Domestic violence became more widely recognized in the United States throughout the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to the feminist movement and the establishment of shelters for battered women. Domestic violence — DV — also known as intimate partner violence, is a pattern of violent behavior used by one person to gain or maintain control and authority over another in a relationship. It can happen to anybody regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Teen dating violence refers to intimate partner violence that occurs throughout adolescence. 

Approximately 16 million women and 11 million men who reported intimate relationship abuse said it started before the age of 18. 1 in 10 men in the United States has suffered contact sexual abuse, physical abuse or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lives, and have reported some type of domestic violence-related harm. People from marginalized groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities, are more likely to experience DV. 

Some stats that shine a light on how common DV is are:  

– In the United States, 1 in every 3 women and 1 in every 4 men may experience physical abuse, sexual assault or stalking from a romantic partner at some point in their lives. 

– 1 in every 5 women and 1 in every 71 men have been raped at least once in their lives, most commonly by an intimate partner. 

– In the United States, around 20 people are physically assaulted by their intimate partners every minute, resulting in over 10 million victims yearly.

– Every year, 1 in every 15 children are subjected to domestic abuse, with 90% of them witnessing it firsthand.

Further, DV is a contributing factor to homicide in America: 

  • 1 in every 5 homicide victims in the United States is murdered by an intimate partner.
  • More than half of female killings are perpetrated by a current or previous intimate partner, and this percentage increases if they are pregnant.

As domestic violence is so prevalent, raising awareness is the most important thing individuals can do. Domestic violence can take many forms. Physical violence includes acts that inflict bodily harm such as punching, slapping or choking. Harassment, threats, humiliation and ongoing criticism are examples of emotional or psychological abuse. Sexual abuse is defined as pushing or coercing someone into unwanted sexual activity. Financial abuse refers to manipulating someone’s finances to limit their freedom. Digital abuse is defined as utilizing technology to stalk, harass or take over a relationship. 

Individuals who are in abusive relationships often tend to stay within the relationship due to fear of what might happen if they leave, such as further abuse, isolation from resources such as family or friends, financial dependence they have on the abuser, uncertainties regarding child custody if they have kids and the abuser’s methods of manipulation used to control them, making leaving appear extremely difficult or even dangerous. It is believed that domestic abuse victims miss over 8 million days of paid work annually, costing the US economy more than $8 billion in missed income, medical care and legal costs. Worse, only 34% of those harmed by intimate partners obtain medical attention for their injuries. 

Domestic violence is a nationwide issue that was only identified as a societal concern less than 40 years ago. Since Domestic Violence Awareness Month was founded, several activities and organizations have raised awareness among the public. The purple ribbon is DVAM’s official symbol, reflecting victims’ strength, survival and hope. Developing healthy, respectful and nonviolent relationships and communities can assist in minimizing the prevalence of violence against partners. It can also mitigate the negative and long-term consequences of domestic violence on people, families and communities. 

Many events, such as community walks or runs, are organized to raise awareness and finances for shelters and services. Social media initiatives allow for the sharing of information and encourage discussion. Workplace awareness programs train employees on how to spot abuse and assist the victims. Many candlelight vigils promote hope for change as survivors of DV gather to mourn the memory of those who were lost as a result of domestic violence. Domestic Violence Awareness Month continues to be an essential resource for survivors and raising awareness about the ongoing issue of domestic abuse. The objective is to inspire individuals, communities and elected leaders to act together to create a society free of fear and abuse.

There are many programs and resources available for individuals who are seeking help.

If you or someone you may know is suffering from domestic violence please contact 

Center For Hope And Safety Hotline: 503.399.7722 | 866.399.7722 (toll free) Website:  

Polk County Victim Assistance Phone #: 503.623.9268 ext.3

Sable House Crisis Hotline: 503.623.4033 Website:  

National Domestic Violence Hotline  800.799.7233 or Text BEGIN to 88788 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Letter from the editor

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-chief

Western,

Welcome back, or maybe just welcome. Maybe you’ve been reading “The Western Howl” for years, or maybe this is the first issue you’re glancing at — either way, thank you. I’d like to introduce you to my wonderful team, whose names you’ve hopefully seen by now as you flip through, and the culmination of hours of hard work in this issue — our first of the school year — of “The Western Howl.”

We are a hand-crafted newspaper by students, for students. This year, we have more diverse perspectives than ever before, with sports covered by real student athletes, the news reported by an on-campus editor and the paper built by a team of devoted, passionate editors and designers.

This first issue, titled “Goal Season Incoming,” is, as you’ve likely guessed, representative of the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic school year here at Western. We hoped to encapsulate a winning season, not just for our school’s sports teams, but also for all students and staff who may be starting new things or returning to something familiar. We feel you, completely — we are trying to embrace the new and the old, to make something grand out of a historic school paper.

If you haven’t already noticed, the style of our front page is different. The design team and I scoured through nationally recognized publications as well as previous versions of “The Western Howl” — previously titled “The Lamron,” “The Western Star,” “The Journal” and more ridiculous titles — for inspiration. We wanted to draw attention to the heart of the paper — the writing and the creative mind of a designer at work — and offer a preview of what’s inside. A sneak peek, if you will.

So, expect change. Expect design elements you haven’t seen from us before. Look for new names, new faces, new stories, freelancers, photos and more. Maybe you’ll fall in love with our mock horoscopes, or maybe you’ll rock our new word search puzzles on our physical copies. Maybe you’re just interested to see what the college newspaper talks about — if that’s the case, I welcome you with open arms and invite you to stay tuned.

There’s so much we hope to give you this year.

If that sounds good to you, I’m excited to let you know we’re doing more printed issues than ever. This year, expect three printed issues a term, dispersed at campus and off-campus locations for your viewing pleasure. If you’re still dying for something to read, keep checking your email; you’ll catch our digital issues weekly. We have a website too — — where we post individual articles and issues.

As a student-led publication, we want to highlight student engagement and involvement. We could not be here, creating this paper, if it wasn’t for not only Western but the community the school has garnered. We are here because you read. We are here because you want to write. We are here because you care. And we’re here to talk about the things that matter and impact you.

Because of that, we’ve opened a “Submit News Tips” section of our website under “Contact Us.” We are so lucky to represent the student community here at Western, but to do that, we must be honest and true. So, please — if you have even the slightest hint of a story idea — I ask that you consider submitting a tip. We have pledged to uphold your voices, and this is our opportunity to pull stories from our readers. Of course, I cannot guarantee that we’ll cover your suggestion, but still, I implore you to submit it regardless.

This year, I have a few goals for the Howl: that the viewers will feel consistently represented and accounted for, the work will be done well and we will be proud of each and every issue that is released and that, just maybe, we will finally make zero calls to Public Campus Safety while at Terry House. No promises on that last one, though.

Thank you for reading this letter from the editor as well as this issue of “The Western Howl.” And, to Public Campus Safety, thank you for rescuing us from an ice storm, taking care of the dead mouse in the bathroom and letting us borrow your drill.

I’m incredibly thankful to spend another year at Western doing what I love — writing and leading — for an amazing, hardworking team of talented individuals.

Sincerely,

Hannah Field

Contact the author at howleditorinchief @mail.wou.edu

The benefit to understanding Myers-Briggs personality types

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

In a world consumed with Buzzfeed quizzes like “Pick Some Donuts and We’ll Reveal Your Personality Type,” it can be easy to forget that there are real resources available to help you learn more about yourself, and they aren’t concocted by random people online. Amongst these resources, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI, is a prominent and useful tool with the power to help people understand themselves and the ways that they interact with the world around them.

Being an advocate for knowing your MBTI type, it frustrates me to hear the way some people scoff at MBTI in a similar way that they might with astrology, since Myers-Briggs is determined solely by your self-reported psychological preferences, thereby serving as a descriptive tool and not a predictive one.

If you are interested in learning your MBTI type, there are a number of questionnaires online, which ask about attitudes and behaviors you have in different situations, that help to determine your type. In the end, the result will be one of 16 four-letter acronyms that stem from four letter pairings: Extraversion or Introversion; Sensing or Intuition; Feeling or Thinking; and Judging or Perceiving.

In my life, I have taken this test several times, and each time I have been categorized as an ESTJ — a type known for its dedication, honesty and organization, but also its stubbornness, difficulty relaxing and difficulty expressing emotion.

At first, I mostly thought, “Hey, that does sound like me. Cool,” letting the basic description of my type’s characteristics serve as the extent to which I used Myers-Briggs. In time, though, I found that the most fascinating part of this personality assessment for me was in learning more about the types of my friends and family.

The first people I made take the test were my parents, and it was enlightening to learn that my mom was the complete opposite type from me, being an INFP, but that my dad and I were both ESTJs.

Reading more about her type, a number of connections started to form in my head about why my mom and I approached things in such different ways, and it helped me put myself in her shoes in a manner I hadn’t before.

In alignment with my type, I am a realist — instinctively reflecting on things as they are, without putting a positive or negative spin on them… at least most of the time. On the other hand, INFPs are highly idealistic, so events normally impact people like my mom more deeply than they impact me. While I’m often inclined to laugh when someone posts a ridiculous opinion in social media, posts like this tend to affect her with more weight.

Once I realized that, I found it easier to be patient with both of us. We are wired pretty differently — but that’s okay.

In addition to the element of self-discovery, Myers-Briggs can also be helpful in trying to figure out what careers could mesh well with your strengths, or in evaluating relationships with friends and romantic partners. These things can be fascinating to ponder; however, I definitely wouldn’t suggest basing important decisions solely off of their insights.

One fun and easy way to get an idea of the personality types you naturally connect with is to create a list of friends and family’s types as you learn them. I have one that I add to regularly in my phone, and I’ve found that comparing people with the same types has helped me to recognize common characteristics of the different personalities.

With that in mind, there is certainly something to be said for the fact that there are more than sixteen distinct people in the world — no one is a stereotype, and I’m not suggesting that people be confined to their type’s typical qualities. Growth is always something that should be encouraged, but it can help to know where you’re starting.

At the end of the day, the most beautiful thing about Myers-Briggs is that it can be used in whichever of these ways are helpful to you.

Contact the author at bthompson15@wou.edu

Taxation is not theft

Lake Larsen | Digital Media Manager

It’s getting to be that time of the year again, everyone’s least favorite season: tax season. As your W-2s, 1099Ts and all sorts of other forms with seemingly random letters and numbers come in the mail, you might find yourself asking, “Why do I even need to pay taxes?” After all, you earned the money already — now the government is going to take it from you? Some people are so adamant about keeping their money that they adopt the slogan of “taxation is theft.” But in reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The simple notion that taxing citizens is thievery from the government is commonly perpetuated by individuals who not only don’t understand what taxes are but also what taxes pay for.

So what is a tax? In its simplest form, a tax can be thought of as a fee you have to pay to the government. The most common form of taxes you’ll see is income tax. Based on variables ranging from your filing status to how big the check is, you’ll have different amounts taken out. And these taxes pay for a large variety of things that are vital to the existence of a first world country.

So now that you know what a tax is, it’s time to learn why taxes are actually a good thing. Do you enjoy driving on roads? How about going to a public school? Are you a fan of hospitals? All of these things in one way or another are paid for by federal and state tax dollars. The money that is taken from your check pays for the police officers and firefighters keeping you safe, the teachers that helped you learn how to read and write, and if you ever get down on your luck, your tax dollars fund the social safety nets that will get you back on your feet.

It’s important to note that taxation isn’t designed to break the bank. What you make in a year isn’t the amount you get taxed on. If you have children or are married, that lowers your tax burden. If you pay back some of your student loans or are forced to drive around a lot for work, that also helps lower your taxable income. Moreover, if you buy a hybrid car then that also helps lower your income. There are countless ways the government helps to lower the amount you have to pay. But at the end of the day, it’s still important that you pay the taxes you are asked.

The most common argument about getting rid of taxes or implementing major tax cuts is the idea of privatizing sections of the government we pay taxes to. While this can lead to cheaper costs for consumers, it doesn’t always work. In the instance of space travel, privatization has led to SpaceX being able to develop a rocket for fractions of the cost of what NASA has been able to do. However, when the tax funded NASA sends rockets to space, it’s with the intent of conducting various experiments. Meanwhile, privately funded SpaceX sends rockets to space with the intent of making a profit off cheaper rockets.

However, privatizing schools has resulted in charter schools that have some of the lowest literacy and mathematics levels in the country. On top of this there are some sectors that no business would ever want to make private, like paving and maintaining roads for free for the use of everyone because there is no monetary incentive. Based off changes we’ve already seen, giving tax cuts in exchange for privatizing sectors of the government will only result in unhappy citizens with fractions of what used to be available to them.

Taxes are a vital and irreplaceable part of living in a first world country. They take money from all citizens and use it for the betterment of the country as a whole. Thinking that taxation is theft means you either don’t fully comprehend what taxes are or you refuse to indorse the basis of what a first world country is. So instead of seeing the government as taking your money, try to think of all the good your dollars do for everyone.

Contact the author at llarsen13@wou.edu

Photo by:Ěýoneohionow.org

How to handle rejection

Written by: Ruth Simonsen | Digital Media Manager

It happened again. Another ghosted date, another failed interview, another ruined friendship. It’s difficult to not let these situations affect you when they feel like a direct attack on your character. How could they have not fallen in love with you just after that one date? How could that employer not have hired you on the spot? How come your friend from high school now no longer follows you on Instagram?

These are questions that everyone has asked themselves at least once in their life. And, if you think you’re special because you haven’t encountered these thoughts yet, just be patient, your time will come.Ěý

Rejection is one of the few things everyone on this planet will experience at least once in their lifetime. Whether it is from a close partner or a coveted job, these feelings tend to find us when we’re least expecting it — leaving us shaken down to our core about our own sense of self. How could this person, who had once sworn that they love you, now pretend like you’re nothing but a stranger?Ěý

While it may be beneficial to ask yourself these questions, it is important to remember that not everything has to do with you. In our culture today, we have become so obsessed with ourselves that we make everything about us in every single way. We have two options we turn to: either blaming ourselves and beating ourselves up for nothing or putting all of our anger, hate and blame onto someone else.Ěý

These options are the easiest to turn to, though they may not be the healthiest for your mental state. Rather than creating blame and hurt feelings, try to first take a breath and a big step back from the situation. Imagine you’re just a bystander, looking in on a situation that does not concern them. Stay as unbiased as possible while contemplating.Ěý

What if it wasn’t your fault or their fault that the date ended poorly? Some people just do not click, and that is neither party’s fault. What if you didn’t get that job because a better one is waiting for you? Someday you’ll look back at that first rejection and be grateful it happened. What if that high school friend has just grown into a different person from who you once knew? Who’s to say you haven’t grown into a different person also? There is peace in knowing that not everyone that comes into your life is meant to stay forever.

Rejection can be a sign to reevaluate your current path, but it is never a sign to give up on your own journey of growth.



Contact the author at howldigitalmediamanager@mail.wou.edu

Empathy in education

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer

As individuals, there are many elements that affect our daily lives and further influence us as human beings. One element that every human has succumbed to in life is consistent trials and tribulations. As a society, we believe that education and schooling should help us learn and move away from these challenges, including those we face outside of these institutions. For some, this creates a disconnect between school life and home life — believing that a solution in one will fix the other. What our education system is currently missing, that will help this disconnect, is empathy.Ěý

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. This is not just having pity or sorrow for others as sympathy does, but rather, one truly puts oneself in the other’s shoes, viewing things from their perspective. For one to have a truly valuable education with others, it must also involve some form of empathetic learning.Ěý

Those with particularly consistent especially young students, face things like changing family dynamics. These include financial issues, sibling bullying, history of neglect or maltreatment and more, and are more likely to have struggles in school — leading to a greater chance of dropping out.Ěý

For many, it’s nearly impossible to disassociate the troubles they face at home away from their school life. It’s up to us, as individuals, to learn and encourage empathy — making everyone’s school environment as positive a place as can be.Ěý

Educators who use an empathetic approach to teaching and addressing classroom issues create an inclusive and open environment for students — encouraging them to build safe relationships with their teachers and peers. Empathetic learning and teaching also promote a positive learning environment where students feel valued and proud of their abilities.Ěý

Creating a safe and comfortable environment for students will allow them to enjoy school more, thus motivating them to stick with their education and make overall better decisions in life. Teachers lead by example, so if one is leading with an empathetic mindset, then that will create a community of compassion and a generation of caring students.Ěý

As a student, one can also promote empathy by showing compassion and kindness to their peers and teachers. You never truly know what is going on in others’ lives, so try to put yourself in their shoes. Showing care for your teacher and their life in or outside the classroom can show them how much their work is appreciated, encouraging them to continue teaching. Being empathetic with your peers will help you understand each other better, creating stronger bonds and deeper relationships, again, further creating a community of positive and caring people.Ěý

Empathy in education is not just the responsibility of teachers and students, but institutions as a whole can also promote an empathetic environment and learning. Many schools explicitly promote empathetic learning through social-emotional learning, or SEL, programs or character education.Ěý

Specific classes aren’t the only thing institutions can do to promote empathetic education. As an institution are they empathetic about their tuition? Empathetic about the types of classes they offer? Empathetic about deadlines and requirements for applying students? Empathic about those that need extra assistance, like disability accommodations? There are so many different ways to promote empathic learning and create an empathic environment as an institution — thus universities and schools all over should be looking at what their students need.Ěý

Empathy in education will encourage a new generation of compassionate, caring and bonded individuals who will take their empathetic learning and apply it to the world. Empathy in education tells us that life is difficult, but you are not alone.Ěý

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Brainstorming for WNBA success

Written by: Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor

In the past year alone, an exponential increase has been observed in media attention for women’s collegiate basketball, prompted by athletes such as Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese. The nature of Division One college sports ensures that major sports will always have a sizable fanbase, funding and resources at the program’s disposal.Ěý

The situation for the majority of National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes has traditionally been to play for four to five years, either retire from the sport or attempt to pursue professional play, either in the U.S. or overseas. While many athletes have accomplished this feat, major discrepancies have been noticed in funding and fanbase potential for women’s professional sports, particularly basketball.Ěý

One factor that many people may overlook is the dedication being contributed, not towards basketball but towards volleyball. In the past two to three years, the U.S. has launched three new professional volleyball leagues — the Pro Volleyball Federation, Athletes Unlimited Volleyball and League One Volleyball, which will begin its inaugural season in January 2025.Ěý

In terms of promotion and social media, the Pro Volleyball Federation has made the most progress in establishing professional volleyball leagues in the U.S. Similar to this year’s WNBA draft, all three volleyball leagues have brought in Olympic veterans, freshly minted star collegiate drafts and a lot of fresh talent to their rosters.

While I believe the WNBA has had similar strategic attempts to garner support for the league, they have notably had to rely on the NBA to garner funding and have become somewhat encompassed in negative and lackluster media attention throughout the years.Ěý

A disproportionate amount of the negative public opinion surrounding women’s basketball, unsurprisingly, stems from sexist ideology and a lack of support for women’s sports in general. Hateful discourse includes the facts that the WNBA is consistently underfunded, relying on the men’s league funds to survive, and claims of unexciting gameplay and WNBA vets that “overstay their welcome.” The reasons behind the WNBA struggling to stay afloat are numerous, which makes it a complex and potentially difficult subject to discuss.Ěý

A multifaceted approach must be taken in order to make sustained progress for the WNBA. The recent boom in popularity due to high-profile newcomers may not be enough to simply “fix” the issues the WNBA has been facing for the last 28 or so years.Ěý

Female athletes are well used to the misogynistic rhetoric that discredits accomplishments and athletic ability — but that doesn’t mean we can place all of the blame on that rhetoric. There are things that must be done and changed by the association, public relations, event managers and even the players themselves to secure the future of the WNBA.Ěý

The first thing that I believe must be done is lowering the rim of the women’s net to nine feet. The rim is currently set at 10 feet, the same height as the men’s rim for the NBA. This is a highly controversial idea and was met with a lot of pushback when pitched by Shaquille O’Neal.Ěý

When asked about it, WNBA player, Diana Tuarasi, even stated that they “…might as well put us in skirts and back in the kitchen.” The idea, admittedly, would make any elite athlete feel somewhat inferior, especially when constantly compared to their male counterparts.Ěý

In my opinion, that feeling of inferiority is rooted in ego. As a volleyball player of 11 years, women’s nets have always been lower, and yes, it is irritating — but we need to recognize that we aren’t “making the game easier” by lowering the rim. We are actually creating a game situation that is proportionately fair for physical capabilities. Think of it this way: women have to put in twice the amount of effort and training in order to match their capabilities with male counterparts. So, setting the same standard, perhaps a 10-foot rim, and expecting the same type of athleticism from men and women would put women at an extreme disadvantage. That’s not to say women aren’t capable or that they cannot put in the work. It means that establishing the playing field as equitable, rather than equal, will allow women to showcase their athleticism more. Lowering the rim would allow for WNBA athletes to make explosive, more dynamic plays and to dunk as well.Ěý

There are many arguments against lowering the rim, with an author from ESPN calling it a “quick fix” and attributing the hateful rhetoric solely to “years of social conditioning.” Many would argue that the WNBA would get the same amount of hate if they did lower the rims. That may be true — but currently, we are limiting the amount of plays that female basketball players can make.Ěý

An example of how countless shows of athleticism are lost can be seen in the 37 dunks made in the entirety of WNBA history, 26 of which were made by Britney Griner. Additionally, it’s not just the athleticism that the public is missing out on. The lack of exciting gameplay creates a lack of media attention, even more negative public opinion and a lack of support, which, guess what? It means that 50% of the WNBA is owned by the NBA, which has to bail them out of bankruptcy every season. The fact that the NBA financially supports the WNBA is then just another piece of bait for misogynistic haters to grab onto.Ěý

Speaking of what teams can do in the WNBA to gain public support — once again, they could invest in more strategic movies for exciting gameplay. The NBA has famously publicized many feuds throughout the years, making the games not just another scoreboard but a story to be told.Ěý

When I talked to Jen Spicher, the CEO for the Pro Volleyball Federation, she told me that the people wanted a story to be told for the game. What I’ve learned throughout the years is that viewers want inspiration, drama and pure passion turned into athleticism when they watch a game. This is the reason Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese have gained so much attention last year during the NCAA championships.Ěý

As a female athlete, I have always been an intense and competitive player and have had coaches who prefer for female athletes to be controlled, calm and somewhat docile. Angel Reese is an example of what the media and public can do to a woman who isn’t complicit in toning herself down to seem more womanly on the court, and in my opinion, we need about 20 more of her.Ěý

I’m not advocating for fights or conflict for media bait, but coaches need to recruit and promote players who tell their stories and who hone in on that passion and make it evident throughout the game. The game doesn’t exist without the players, and the players control the narrative, pace of the game and how they want to tell their story.Ěý

It is the coach’s job to recruit and coach the game in the best way possible, but it is the team manager, public relations specialists and social media creators for the WNBA who are responsible for telling the stories of these athletes and making marketing decisions that showcase the most fierce, competitive and show-stopping parts of the WNBA that the majority of the public has yet to witness.Ěý

I, like many others, believe that the WNBA has limitless potential to become great, as well as financially independent. By allowing female athletes to make more plays by lowering the rim, raising the quality of the PR and social media outreach and realizing that the means to profit is demanding positive public attention from great plays and storytelling, the WNBA could eventually become an independent entity.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

A love letter…

Written by:ĚýLili Minato | Freelancer

The most underdog a wolf can get, Waldo, a.k.a. “Wolfie” was employed as Western’s mascot for only five years. While he looks like a vintage Build-a-Bear with his black and brown fur, his red eyes emit a feeling of danger.Ěý

His tongue falls from his mouth in a dorky fashion and a singular sharp tooth can be seen — Waldo seems to be the mascot equivalent of a chihuahua with no teeth. Waldo is a dog, not a wolf — and he brings a sense of pack comradery that only wolves know best.Ěý

Waldo is disliked by many. In Leanne Merrill’s “Math of Voting” class, he is consistently voted last compared to the 1981, 1988 and 2006 mascots. His head is left to gather dust in Western’s buildings, nobody leaves flowers and letters to appreciate him like he deserves.Ěý

Yes, some may describe him as “nightmare fuel,” but others consider him to not be threatening enough to defend Western sports teams. Is he too scary, or not enough?

Waldo is the best mascot because of his subjective ambiguity. A rival sports team may laugh at his awkward qualities, but once they go up and look into his eyes, they’re petrified.Ěý

Waldo is a guard dog in that way, he brings comfort and safety to his own while defending them against others. His heroic nature is not appreciated enough, because some may find him just a little too dorky to be intimidating.Ěý

This retired mascot used to bring joy to Western students, but now his head sits in a glass box, alone and unloved. Students walk past him each day without even glancing his way. We must end Waldo’s suffering by starting to appreciate him more.Ěý

We must support and love his lack of typical wolf qualities, as it makes him different and unique. His comically long tongue has value along with adding importance to his personality and character.Ěý

While he might not have many teeth, he sure packs a bite to battle off other intruding mascots. His fuzzy body invites comfort for those in need.Ěý

There is more to Waldo than what meets the eye. He represents Western to the fullest because of his uniqueness. People may see themselves represented in him, through his lovable and awkward qualities and mannerisms. All one needs to do is open their heart, even if it is to one of the uglier and goofier mascots that Western has to offer.Ěý

Contact the author at lminato22@mail.wou.edu

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