Mount Hood

Super Bowl LVII

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

Super Bowl LVII kicks off this Sunday, Feb. 12, 3:30 pm PST, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. This year, the Kansas City Chiefs will be facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles for the Vince Lombardi trophy.

For uniform schemes, the Eagles are considered the “home” team and will be wearing their dark green “home” uniforms, since the National Football Conference (NFC) team is always the designated home team in odd-numbered Super Bowls.

This will be Kansas City’s third championship appearance in the past three years, with their last victory taken in Super Bowl LIV. They are led by longtime head coach Andy Reid and superstar quarterback Partick Mahomes.

The Eagle’s last championship victory occurred just two years earlier in Super Bowl LII. Since then, Philadelphia has acquired a new quarterback, Jalen Hurts, as well as a new head coach, Nick Sirianni, making them a far different team than before.

One of the biggest storylines highlighted in this year’s Super Bowl is the famous Kelce brothers going head-to-head. Travis Kelce is the starting tight end for the Chiefs and is a six-time pro bowler. Jason Kelce is the center for the Eagles and is a two-time pro bowler who is often considered the backbone of the Eagles’ star-studded offensive line. Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the brothers played football together at the University of Cincinnati and were drafted into the National Football League just two years apart. Today, the brothers co-host the “New Heights” podcast and are vocal about their sibling relationship.

The festivities for the Super Bowl have already kicked off, with media days having started Monday, Feb. 7. The highly anticipated Super Bowl Halftime Show will feature Rihanna. No matter the outcome, NFL fans are suspected to be in for an electric afternoon of championship football.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Recap of the 16th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

To honor and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Western and Student Engagement partnered with the City of Monmouth to bring a week of celebratory events to the community. This year, MLK Week marked the 16th anniversary of celebration at Western and ran from Monday, Jan. 16 through Friday, Jan. 20. 

On Jan. 16, amidst a three-day weekend, Western students were encouraged to appreciate and reflect on the efforts of the civil rights leader via participation in a day of service. The event was not specifically geared towards members of the Western or Monmouth communities, but for those wanting to give back to the elderly and/or disabled Monmouth residents through community service. Participants of the service day assisted in projects ranging from yardscaping, housework and graffiti removal.

Justin Sunada, Assistant Director for the Center for Professional Pathways, played a significant role in making the service event happen. According to Sunada, he had pitched the idea of a community service event at a monthly meeting for the Monmouth Business Association. Sunada, alongside City of Monmouth’s Director of Community and Economic Development, Suzanne Dufner, immediately began the process of brainstorming ideas for service projects.

Sunada states, “Doing more with the City (of Monmouth) and getting students off campus as much as possible has always been a goal for us so the timing was just right with this event.” 

Approximately 40 individuals — from students, faculty, community members and City of Monmouth employees — participated in the Day of Service, making it a successful first event to kick off MLK Week.

On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Black Student Union took over for the remainder of the week. Running from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., BSU invited students to join them in the creation of their very own dream board. The event participants explored individuality while reflecting on their own personal and/or professional dreams.

On Wednesday, Western students sat for a panel discussion led by Western Professor Mike Wilson surrounding the topic of some of Dr. King’s lesser known statements and aspirations. This event, titled “Sincerely: Reading and Discussion,” was hosted by BSU and was made possible by Maya Hopwood, Deshaun Stevens, Amari Hendrix, Dawn Johnson and Western Professor Mike Johnson.

On Thursday, Western and BSU had the honor of welcoming Dr. Lakeya Omogun as their 16th annual MLK Week keynote speaker. Dr. Omogun — a Nigerian artist, scholar, writer and speaker — gave a moving speech to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event took place in the Pacific Room of the Werner University Center and was free for all students.

“The turn out for the Panel “Sincerely” was way more than expected!” said Hopwood. “We felt that people appreciated hearing our views on MLK’s writings and I hope our main message of ‘it’s not over yet and it will take EVERYONE to lead this charge’ really got across.”

This year, Western hoped to raise a total of $2023 in fundraising, which would directly benefit Abby’s House’s Basic Needs Fund and Care Cupboards — a free service available for students, providing snacks, school supplies and menstrual hygiene products. 

There were three ways students could raise money for Abby’s House, one of which was by making a donation directly through the WOU Foundation page. Students could also raise money by participating in pay-to-play table carnival games or through participation in the “Pie Your Professor” event.

Although the initial goal of $2023 was unmet, Western was able to raise $1283 towards assisting and meeting students’ basic needs. 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Western’s Athletics Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Title lX

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

On Jan. 28, Western’s athletic teams celebrated the 50th anniversary of the long-standing federal civil rights law, Title IX.

For those unfamiliar with the law, Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits sex-based discrimination — including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation — in educational institutions that receive federal funding. In 1972, Title IX was enacted as part of the revised Education Amendments, which acted to update the previous Civil Rights Act of 1964 which contains no mention of educational discrimination.

The opening of the Title IX text is as follows:

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, approximately 44% of student athlete opportunities go to women. This is a significant increase since pre-Title IX, a time where only 15% of college athletes were women. 

The 50th anniversary celebration was held in conjunction with Western’s women’s basketball game against Saint Martin’s University. 

As a reminder, Western holds its own policies and procedures regarding sexual harassment and sexual misconduct under the guidance of the Title IX team. 

All students who witness or become subject to sexual misconduct or harassment are thereby required to report all information to the Title IX coordinator. Students can file a report related to sexual harassment and/or sexual misconduct with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Western Oregon University turns 167

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

On Jan. 18, Western celebrated its 167th birthday with a small commemoration on the second floor of the Werner University Center.

A table was set up from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., complete with cupcakes and a poster board where students could share a thing or two on what they love about their campus. 

In 2022, Western’s mascot, Wolfie, made his debut appearance at Western’s birthday celebration after having undergone a serious makeover. The change in appearance was enacted in order for Wolfie to more accurately mirror his look in Western advertisements and merchandise.

Although Wolfie could not make it to the event this year, students were nevertheless invited to have their photograph or polaroid taken by a photographer in front of a balloon backdrop.

For a brief history of Western, it was Jan. 18, 1856 — 167 years ago — when 11 Disciples of Christ pioneers signed the charter that established Western Oregon University, then Monmouth University. The founders of Western continue to be honored today; a plaque depicting their image hangs in the lobby of Campbell Hall.

Western’s birthday also brings remembrance to the 24 Presidents in Western’s history, many of whom’s memory remains in the buildings and establishments on campus.

So far in Western history, this is the second birthday celebration hosted by Student Engagement, with more to come in the future.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Campus Job Posting

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Having a tough time finding job opportunities? This winter term, Western is offering various job and volunteer opportunities for students. Full position descriptions can be found in their respective applications. 

Paid Positions

Copy Center Student Employee

Employees answer print requests, prepare print materials for Western community and faculty and provide customer service to patrons. The application can be found on HandShake.

Pay Rate: $13.50/hour

Application Deadline: Jan. 30

Campus Dining Barista

Campus Dining is seeking students to work as cashiers and baristas for The Press and Caffé Allegro. Barista experience is preferred, but not required. The application can be found on HandShake.

Pay Rate: $13.50/hour

Application Deadline: Feb. 1

Leadership Positions

To apply for all four positions, visit https://forms.gle/8w6SocJE1nRREsL78

Campus Ambassador

Campus Ambassadors work directly with prospective students and their families, providing tours and hosting panels, as well as working on Western’s Preview Days. Ambassadors receive spring term training.

Pay Rate: $13.50/hour

Application Deadline: Jan. 31

Destination Western Peer Advisor

Peer Advisors welcome new students to campus through a summer live-in orientation program. Advisors receive spring term training and summer training. The program runs from Sept. 4 to 15. 

Pay Rate: $13.50/hour; $14.18/hour for bilingual workers

Application Deadline: Jan. 31

PLUS Team Peer Advisor

The PLUS Team assists in Summer Orientation and PACK Welcome Week. Members receive spring term training, summer orientation and summer training. Peer advisors must be available during PACK Welcome Week, which runs from Sept. 17 to 23.

Pay Rate: $13.50/hour; $14.18/hour for bilingual workers

Application Deadline: Jan 31

Resident Assistant

Resident Assistants work directly with students to provide support and guidance, and are expected to have knowledge of campus resources, good rapport and the ability to work cooperatively with other members of the University Housing staff. Resident Assistants receive spring training and are expected to be available for pre-fall preparations.

Pay Rate: Room and meal plan, plus a stipend of $100/month 

Application Deadline: Jan. 31

Student Building Manager

This student leadership paraprofessional position manages the Werner University Center when Student Engagement professional staff are not present, supports the Student Engagement mission and supervises a number of other student employment positions.

Pay Rate: $14.25/hour

Application Deadline: none

Application Link: https://wou.presence.io/form/student-building-manager-application

Student Custodian

This position does non-technical, entry level cleaning in the Werner University Center.

Pay Rate: $13.50/hour

Application Deadline: none

Application Link: https://wou.presence.io/form/student-engagement-student-employee-job-application

Upwards Bound Student Tutor and Mentor

Upward Bound (TRIO) is a college preparatory program for high school students from low-income and/or first-generation backgrounds. Participants for the mentor program provide tutoring in general high school subjects and provide guidance, information and support to participants in preparing for college.

Pay Rate: $13.50/hour

Application Deadline: none

Application Link: wou.edu/upwardbound/studentpositions/

Volunteer Positions

Multicultural Representatives Mentor

As an MCR mentor, students will serve as a mentor and guide to new students from first generation, low income and/or underrepresented backgrounds. The mentorship position is for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

Application Deadline: Feb. 19

Stitch Closet Volunteer

Volunteers for the Stitch Closet commit to volunteering a minimum of three hours per week for a term. Volunteers assist in restocking clothing racks, keep storage areas organized and clean, helping coordinators process clothing donations and welcome students.

Discover Leadership Mentor

The Discover Leadership Mentor role is a volunteer position that focuses on providing support and mentorship to students enrolled in the Discover Leadership program. Mentors will receive training and must be available for mentor meetings, a Discover Leadership course and scheduled day retreats.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

The Press Resumes Operations

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Campus Dining’s The Press café is set to resume operations during the second week of winter term, according to Director of Campus Dining, Albert Worotikan.

The Press, a coffee shop located on the left side of the first floor of Hamersly Library, was shut down in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic — a time where social distancing, mask mandates and safety regulations were heavily prioritized. For nearly three years, the café had remained an isolated island in the Hamersly Library.

Similar to Caffé Allegro, which is located across from the Wolfstore on the second floor of the Werner University Center, The Press will function as a “proudly serving” Starbucks foodservice. This means that The Press will not accept Starbucks credit or the chain’s official foodservice app. 

Western has formed a rocky history with campus coffee shops over the last few years.

In February 2021, Campus Dining opened a new coffee shop in the backstage area of Valsetz Dining Hall to cater to students’ caffeine needs, after Caffé Allegro was opened and promptly reclosed due to low traffic. However, regardless of its popularity, Valsetz Café was shut down less than a year later. 

Shortly after Caffé Allegro’s reopening in late 2021, Western began to observe student displeasure over the lack of timely and available coffee shops on campus. Caffé Allegro — although located at the heart of campus — ran on limited hours, closing at 2 p.m.

To make up for the demand for afternoon coffee, The Press’s hours will run consecutively to Caffé Allegro’s. 

The Press will be open Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. while Caffé Allegro will continue to remain open and run Monday through Friday, 8:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. However, there is a catch. 

According to Worotikan, much of the equipment needed to make the high quality Starbucks beverages were not covered by Western’s budget. This includes the appliances needed to make blended drinks. Until further notice, The Press will only serve hot drinks. Though, students will still have the option to purchase snacks from the grab-and-go display.

In preparation for the coffee shop’s reopening, barista training for both new and long-time employees began the first Tuesday of the term, led by Starbucks representative and operations manager, Reid Van Ness. 

Campus Dining will also begin offering DaxBot delivery services and mobile ordering for Caffé Allegro the second week of the term. Although Caffé Allegro’s mobile menu is limited, individuals will have the option to choose from classic Starbucks drinks, such as blended beverages and iced refreshers.

As a reminder, students must have an active meal plan or Wolf Bonus account in order to place an order for DaxBot delivery.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

The Year in Review

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Content warning: contains mentions of distressing content

From the rising of prices due to inflation, to the onslaught of a major catastrophic invasion, 2022 has been a year plagued with tragedy and chaos. 2022 contained some of the most destructive events in recent history — a result of humanity at its lowest point. 

In early January 2022, it was revealed that the United States had reached a new record of COVID-19 cases. Omicron, the most prevalent COVID variant thus far, accounted for 95% of such COVID cases. 

However, it was not until Jan. 31 that omicron was officially declared a health emergency, forcing many countries to enforce restrictive steps.

February saw Russian troops entering Ukrainian territory for a “special military operation,” acting on orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Two days later, on Feb. 24, Russian missiles and airstrikes hit Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as well as several other Ukrainian cities. 

On that same day, Feb. 24, the U.S. and its allies came to the decision to impose strict sanctions against Russia — with the aim to cut off their economy from the world.

Frustrated with the results of their Ukraine invasion, Russian troops took to a different military approach— targeting civilian areas. As of early 2023, the conflict in Ukraine has yet to be resolved.

On Mar. 7, more heartbreaking news came to light. The global death toll for COVID surpassed six million.

In April, two years after the pandemic was originally declared, the U.S. finally left the pandemic stage. 

The month of May left millions across the country angry and heartbroken. On May 14, a gunman shot 13 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, killing ten and wounding three. Merely ten days later, a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 students and two teachers.

Then, just as the world began to feel the loosening restraints of the COVID pandemic, the United States saw prices hit by inflation, with food and fuel accounting for over half of inflation. Accelerating inflation was a tight labor market, a result of lingering COVID health risks. In June, inflation peaked at a record high of 9.1%.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade made history in June of 2022, reversing the landmark piece of legislation that guaranteed federal rights to abortions, and consequently creating a tremulous political and societal shift amid rising tensions.

In July, the World Health Organization, also known as WHO, officially declared monkeypox a public health emergency, leaving national media and the public in a state of panic. Later, the death of Al Qaeda leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri — who aided in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks —  was announced to the public. 

Former president Donald Trump was subjected to an FBI search of his Mar-A-Lago, Florida home on Aug. 8, seizing multiple boxes of classified materials. Meanwhile, in the White House, President Joe Biden announced his plans to forgive a large majority of student loan debt.

On Sept. 8, the death of British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II was announced, sending a ripple of shock both nationally and internationally. The Queen was 96 years old.

On Sept. 17, civil rights protests erupted in Iran as a response to the death of Masha Imini, a woman detained by Iran’s morality police after allegedly wearing her hijab in an “inappropriate” manner. 

In the midst of inflation and unemployment, October saw Elon Musk taking over Twitter, followed by a giant round of layoffs and societal backlash.

The small college town of Moscow, Idaho was left reeling after four University of Idaho students were found murdered in their home on Nov. 13. It would take nearly two months, on Dec. 31, for the police to identify and arrest suspect Bryan Kohberger and charge him with four counts of first-degree murder.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Western Oregon University

Facebook   Instagram   X  YouTube

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

Tools

Campus Maps
Canvas
Find People
Portal
WOU Email
Technical Support

Resources

A-Z Index
Accessibility
Academic Calendar
Class Schedule
Jobs at WOU
News
Explore WOU
Partnerships
Student Services
Freedom of Expression

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

Accessibility    Public Records    Privacy    Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.