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January 12, 2022
Vol. 121 NO. 1
Meet T André Feagin, the director of CWU bands
Courtesy of https://www.tandrefeagin.com/video, Meditation- Dwayne S. Milburn preformed by the CWU Wind Ensemble.
By Rick Keehart Contributor Surrounded by his students, colleagues, the mayor and the city council of El Paso, Texas on Nov. 1, 2011, T André Feagin stood in his bright orange blazer with a smile. As people spoke about his contributions to the University of Texas at El Paso marching band, the city’s local government sought to commemorate his work by declaring that day as “Professor T André Feagin Day.” Ten years later, Feagin is the director of bands at CWU. He currently administrates CWU’s three wind
bands as well as the school’s marching and basketball pep bands. He also serves as a member of the Leadership Cohort within the College of Arts and Humanities and the diversity and inclusivity committee for the university. As the first Black band director in the history of CWU, Faegin said he comes “into the job with a unique perspective because of who I am and because of who I am. The nature of my worldview on music is slightly different because I too have spent a great deal of my time invested in thinking about music and culture that was pretty narrow-viewed.” Before arriving at CWU, he
served as the Associate Director of Bands at Colorado State University. His secondary teaching experience was with Watkins Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Tennessee. Feagin received his doctorate in Musical Arts specializing in wind band conducting from the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music, studying under Professor Gregg I. Hanson. In a memoriam post on his website, Feagin stated that Hanson “saw me, he valued me, and heard me in a way unlike any other in my life.”
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CWU offers free COVID testing Student Health Services releases dates, gives omicron facts and tips By Star Diavolikis News Editor In an email sent to all students, Student Health Services (SHS) announced three free COVID-19 testing clinics scheduled for this week in SURC room 140. No appointment is necessary, however tests are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. Testing clinics are scheduled for Jan. 12 - 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. SHS interim Medical Director Kerri Larson said the new strain is more contagious, and symptoms of the omicron variant affect different areas of the person compared to delta or alpha strains. According to Larson, the omicron variant focuses more on non-respiratory symptoms rather than others, such as coughing or flu-like symptoms. Omicron symptoms that are more predominant include headaches, sore throat and so on. “This variant, the omicron variant, is definitely more contagious. You know, easier to get,” Larson said. “People still do get sick, and there are still hospitalizations, but it seems like the hospitalizations are more people who are unvaccinated than vaccinated.” According to the CDC website, the omicron variant is likely to spread more easily compared to the original strain, SARS-CoV-2, and it is unknown how the spread rate is compared to the delta variant. Larson said that the CWU institution had discussed precautions before returning this quarter and had many suggestions for students, staff and faculty. In regards to masking, it is recommended to use a N95 or KN95 mask rather than a cloth. However if wearing just a cloth mask, consider double masking. “I would recommend if you don’t have one of those [N95 or KN95 masks] available as
you’re going out, you can also double mask,” Larson said. “So a little higher masking is going to be helpful with this as far as that goes.” The testing and booster clinics held the first week of classes were an attempt to help minimize the spread after returning from break, and had a large outcome. Over the three days of testing clinics, 805 tests were given, and 105 had positive results, meaning 13% of the CWU population were infected with COVID-19 the week of the clinics. are, or were, infected with COVID-19. A booster shot clinic was held on Jan. 5, and 265 booster shots were administered. Larson said professors can continue to keep classes safe by enforcing social distancing, ensuring they are vaccinated and practicing good masking. These guidelines can apply to students in these classes as well. Good masking is considered when the person has the mask fitted well and over their nose, preventing their nose, mouth and chin from being exposed. It is recommended by the CDC to keep the mask on at all times when indoors and during crowded indoor or outdoor social situations in an area that could have a high COVID-19 presence. Larson said the SHS provides testing for students who are symptomatic or have had high exposure to the virus, as well as providing booster shots. Both services are available for students by making an appointment. The CDC website states that current vaccinations and booster shots are expected to prevent severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths from the omicron variant. The website does state that breakthrough infections in people who are vaccinated are likely to occur, as some treatments are more effective and less effective to the new variant.
A LOOK BEYOND
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January 12, 2022
Letter from the Editor Welcome to the first issue of winter quarter of The Observer! We are Central Washington University’s student-run newspaper printing weekly and publishing daily. The Observer has been publishing since December 1916 and we will be publishing in print every Wednesday this quarter. My name is Sean Bessette and this is my second quarter as Editor-in-Chief. This is my fifth quarter on The Observer and my seventh year doing student media, dating back to middle school. We’re looking to continue the same changes we put into place last quarter including the “Beyond Our Coverage” section, the five-column format and our recently redesigned back page. The staff puts a lot of time and effort into creating each issue so we hope you enjoy reading this edition and we hope you continue to pick up The Observer each Wednesday for the rest of the quarter. Stay tuned to our website (cwuobserver.com) and our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok! Thanks! Sincerely, Sean Bessette
Beyond Our Coverage Local
National
On Jan. 5, Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) recorded 160 positive COVID-19 cases in one day, a new record high, according to a press release from Jan. 10. KCPHD stated in the release that residents should utilize emergency services for emergencies only as there has been an increase in individuals using them to determine COVID-19 status. CWU received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine for the fifth year in a row, and for the seventh time in the last eight years, according to CWU News. CWU reports seeing a 9% increase in student diversity since 2016. With a goal of meeting its sustainability goals, CWU Police adds an energy-efficient Tesla to its fleet of patrol cars according to CWU News. While the cost was approximately $7,000 more than a gas-powered vehicle, CWU Police Chief Jason Berthon-Koch stated the department expects savings of about $18,000 over time.
World
Doctors at a Maryland hospital transplanted a pig heart into a human patient in a last-chance effort to save his life, according to AP News. As of Monday the hospital said the patient is doing well three days after the experimental surgery. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center say this shows a heart from a genetically modified animal will not immediately be rejected by the human body after transplant. Rising COVID-19 cases in Chicago have prompted teachers to refuse to show up for in-person instruction for the fourth day in a row, causing the cancelation of classes for about 300,000 students according to NPR. The Chicago Teachers Union has been trying to negotiate with the city to increase safety measures to prevent transmission of COVID-19 in schools, in which the city hasn’t agreed to all the demands as well as the call for remote schooling. The stalemate is entering its second week.
South Korea and Japan militaries report an apparent ballistic missile launch fired by North Korea into its eastern sea according to AP News. This launch follows a series of tests in 2021, however, the Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense stated it assessed no immediate threat to Guam after monitoring reports. According to CNN, leaked emails from British Prime Minister Boris Johnon’s office show his principal private secretary invited more than 100 staff members to a garden party in the midst of strict lockdown restrictions. Official guidance for workplaces stated in-person meetings should take place only if necessary, according to the article.
A fire engulfed a high-rise Bronx apartment building killing 19 people including nine children Sunday, according to AP News. Investigators say the fire started in a duplex apartment on the second and third floors of the 19-story building by a malfunctioning space heater.
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in which student editors make policy and content decisions. The mission of The Observer is two-fold: to serve Central Washington University as a newspaper and to provide training for students who are seeking a career in journalism. The Observer seeks to provide complete, accurate, dependable information to the campus and community; to provide a public forum for the free debate of issues, ideas and problems facing the community at large; and to be the best source of information, education and entertainment news. As a training program, The Observer is the practical application of the theories and principles of journalism. It teaches students to analyze and communicate information that is vital to the decision making of the community at large. It provides a forum for students to learn the ethics, values and skills needed to succeed in their chosen career. If you have questions or concerns, email us at cwuobserver@gmail.com.
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January 12, 2022
NEWS
Extreme snow causes pass closures By Libby Williams Scene Editor Record-breaking snow in Ellensburg led to two days of in-person classes being canceled and Snoqualmie Pass being closed, leaving many students still stranded on the west side after winter break. “It was forecasted to be heavy and this time the forecasters got it right,” the District Six Information Officer for the Washington State Patrol Trooper John Bryant said. He said that snow, ice, slush and avalanche risk all lead to Snoqualmie Pass being closed for a few days. “Several feet of snow up on the pass made conditions really difficult for the De-
partment of Transportation [DOT] plow drivers and those taking care of the pass to keep up with,” Bryant said. “Also, the change of temperatures has caused some other issues which are even more dangerous, that is, the possibility of avalanche(s) … That’s a big problem that they’re really worried about because it’s obviously dangerous for motorists to drive over, but it’s [also] dangerous for those who are going to clear the roadways and those of us like the troopers who are going to help disabled motorists out.” Bryant said one way the DOT handles potential avalanches is by knocking snow into the road and plowing it off before it becomes a hazard. He
said even a few feet of snow is enough to get a car stuck, so it was important they evaluated conditions before opening the pass to heavy traffic. “Everyone’s safety is our priority … because when it does open there’s a lot of traffic that’s ready to go both directions,” Bryant said. “Not just students, but people that work every day, a lot of commercial traffic. Junior physical education major Madi McAuliffe was stuck in Seattle due to pass closure before the winter storm and made it back to Ellensburg as the snow was starting. She advises those making the drive to proceed with caution. “Keep an eye on the weather and don’t take the risk of, ‘Oh, I can totally do it, it’s not that
bad,’” McAuliffe said. “It’s bad. There were so many cars in ditches, and it’s scary to see.” McAuliffe was able to get a ride from her uncle, and she advised that you go with someone when conditions are bad. “Trust your gut and don’t go alone,” she said. As of Sunday, the pass has reopened for travel with some restrictions. Trooper Bryant said there are lots of ways people can prepare to stay safe if something were to go wrong. “You want to have fuel to keep yourself warm in the car. You want to have lots of snacks, lots of water, something to keep you occupied,” he said. Bryant said it’s important to take it slow, as snow, slush, ice and standing water
are all hazards. And, if you see a plow working, try not to pass them. “That’s the best road there is, right behind the snowplow, you have a product and you have snow being pushed out of the way,” Bryant said. “Once you get ahead of it, you’re in unknown territory on the roads and you don’t know what to expect.” “The DOT has so many things going on, I check their website all the time,” he said. “It’s got cameras all over Snoqualmie Pass, so you can see ‘Oh the road looks like this, the road looks like that.’” He said the Washington DOT site will also tell you whether or not you need chains, if oversized vehicles are allowed and other information.
ter answering an ad seeking a cattle foreman. “I irrigated the land, I rode, I took care of horses and a cattle ranch,” Jampa said. In 1978, Jampa followed his lifelong dream and opened Four Winds Coffee, Tea and Books on Fourth St. in downtown Ellensburg. The shop operated for over twenty years. After a dark period of time and a battle with alcoholism, Jampa left Ellensburg and began learning from Sufi leaders of the Islam faith. At 55, he expanded his studies to Tibetan Buddhism because he said it always resonated with him. Jampa described Tibetan Buddhism as a mixture of practices called sutra, tantra and the teachings of Padmasambhava, a Buddhist Vajra master circa the eighth and ninth century. “It’s kind of shamanistic, kind of this Dzog Chen thing,” Jampa said. “Dzog Chen” means Great Perfection, according to Jampa. Jampa studied Tibetan Buddhism in Colorado at a retreat center called Tara Mandala under the leadership of Lama Tsultrim Allione, author of Tibetan bestseller Women of Wisdom. “My teacher wanted there to be equal footing for women in tantric Buddhism and not to have so much male domination,” Jampa said. “Having a teacher helps a lot.” Much of Jampa’s study occurred while secluded in a mountain cabin called Luminous Peak. He said that those who choose long retreats at Tara Mandala might spend as long as six months in solitude with
helpers bringing food to a space of isolation. “That part is very rigorously structured,” Jampa said. After studying at Tara Mandala for three years, he returned to Ellensburg with a new name given to him by Lama Tsultrim Allione: “Jampa Dorje,” meaning Indestructible Loving Kindness. Jampa has been auditing philosophy courses at CWU since 2015 to bridge the gap between his study of Eastern philosophies and the work of Western philosophers like Nietschze, Kant and Heidegger.
Each course that he takes is later turned into a “chapbook” that becomes part of his collection. “Whatever the class was about, I needed to turn it into my writing about how I was reimagining things that I thought I had understood from years ago,” Jampa said. Jampa’s art is available to view on his websites, www.dpress.net or www.capala.net. He is an accomplished poet, multimedia artist and philosopher who has left an impact on members in the community.
The many lives of Jampa Dorje
Photo courtesy of pictured, Jampa Dorje brings his knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism to Ellensburg
By Katherine Camarata Senior Reporter
From the streets of Berkeley during the postBeat poet era to the farms of Kittitas Valley as a cattle rancher to the mountains of Colorado studying Tibetan Buddhism, Jampa Dorje has lived many lives within the span of his well-documented existence. Students may recognize Jampa as the creator of the High Mountain Valley Local Authors Collection in the special works section at Brooks Library. The collection features published works by notable authors from central Washington. Jampa’s charming bungalow in the heart of Ellensburg is home to over 400 “chapbooks” he creat-
ed. “Chapbooks” are short books that he prints, sews together and fills with prose, poetry and the trappings of a life fully lived. Jampa’s journey began in 1941; he was born in Santa Clara, California and given the name Richard Lee Denner. While later attending the University of California, Berkeley, he met his mentor Luis Garcia who inspired him to write poetry as though he was a jazz musician. Jampa said that he focuses on a flow of words that sounds natural when read out loud. Jampa moved to Alaska in the early ‘70s and worked for the Ketchikan Daily News, dwelling in a fisherman’s cabin with his wife Cherie and their young son, Theo. He later relocated to Ellensburg af-
Photo courtesy of pictured, Jampa Dorje shares his poetry chapbooks all over Ellensburg.
Feagin continued from page 1
Courtesy of https://www.tandrefeagin.com/media, Photo taken by John Michel, CWU Wind Ensemble concert December, 2021.
PUSHING BACK AGAINST EUROCENTRICITY Courtesy of https://www.tandrefeagin.com/video, Meditation- Dwayne S. Milburn preformed by the CWU Wind Ensemble.
When Feagin first arrived at CWU, the students in the music department had recently begun discussions about the representation of marginalized populations in the repertoire they perform, as well as pushing back against the Eurocentricity of the music curriculum. Feagin agreed with those efforts. “What we need, period, are
things that are going to unite and connect us.” “Our country itself is an adaptation of Eurocentric ideas,” said Feagin. “It is not surprising— maybe even sometimes disappointing ... that we are who we are, because I remember where we came from.” CWU is a “very old institution,” but should be given
a “little bit of credit” as there have been some positive changes that emphasize diversity and inclusion. “I think let’s just call the elephant in the room,” he said. “I’m some of my students’ first Black teacher.” He said he hopes to “help the university in its mission of creating a welcoming environment for students of underrepresented
and other diverse populations.” After the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020, Feagin said he believes “we’re in a better place and space” to have “meaningful conversations and meaningful dialogue” regarding inequality and injustice. He said that he is glad that there are now more people “screaming from the mountaintops.”
“I think let’s just call the elephant in the room,” he said. “I’m some of my students’ first Black teacher.” He said he hopes to “help the university in its mission of creating a welcoming environment for students of underrepresented and other diverse populations.” T André Feagin Director of CWU bands
Courtesy of https://www.tandrefeagin.com/media, CWU Symphonic Winds, 2021.
Members of the CWU Symphonic Winds percussion section, after the concert.
AN OPEN PERSPECTIVE For Feagin, however, these conversations have never been in the background for him. “It has always been at the forefront of my thought process of inequality and injustice as it relates to not only policing and administration at that level, but the education system, societal norms,” he said. “All of those things have been uniquely, always at the front of my mind.”
Regarding his primary goals as a music educator, Feagin said that creating curiosity should be of the utmost importance, especially when preparing future music educators. He said he wants to challenge his students and himself to open up and celebrate the differences that “make us so much greater as a whole.”
“When I think about sitting here across this desk right now, thinking about how many Blacks in the country are teaching at predominantly white institutions in the position that I have, I can count them all on one and a half hands, and it’s 2021,” Feagin said. “And sometimes when these ideas are out of sight, they are out of mind. So, to some, I didn’t
exist. I didn’t see another me when I was growing up. And I certainly didn’t see it when I got to college.” Feagin is consistent with his own personal goals as an educator and his desires for the educators that he is preparing. “Push me out of an airplane, and I can go with a worldly open perspective,” Feagin said. “That is what I want my band students to experience.”
“Push me out of an airplane, and I can go with a worldly open perspective,” Feagin said. “That is what I want my band students to experience.” T André Feagin
Director of CWU bands
Courtesy of https://www.tandrefeagin.com/media, CWU Symphonic Winds during a rehearsal.
INCLUSION AND CURIOSITY “The one thing I love about being a musician and an artist is the idea that it is commonplace for me to invite cultures in, not to shut them out,” Feagin said. “And the idea that sometimes the curriculum, even by nature of it not been designed that way, will sometimes act as a model of exclusion instead of inclusion.”
It is clear that Feagin looks for curiosity and creativity over perfection. He asks what a curriculum can do to become a foundation that creates curiosity. Regardless of the position that Feagin is put in, he said that he will always bear the role of turning CWU into a “destination place for those underrepresented populations
while creating a culture of inclusion and belonging in this very building.” Feagin has traveled around the country, seeing a wide variety of different demographics and cultures. With this experience, he said he wants to set up his students to thrive in any community, regardless of how similar it is to their own culture.
“Whether I’m teaching in an inner-city school in Memphis, which I’ve been-theredone-that,” Feagin said, “or I’m teaching in the second largest Mexican American population in the United States, been-there-done-that, now I’m at a place where the population of my intersection is only 3.4%. The goal is that I can just teach anywhere.”
OPINION SPORTS
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January 12, 2022
Opinion: Wellington Wildcat Ask the Aunties spends three-night stint in animal shelter after lively night out Edith and Ethel:
By ‘Edith and Ethel’ Columnists
Dear Aunties, “How do I get my life figured out before graduating?” Sincerely, Panicking Patty
Edith: I mean, I’m supposed to graduate this summer and… I have no idea. I have a panic attack first, then it gives that clarity to sit and think sometimes. Ethel: I hate to break it to you, but there is no such thing as figuring your life out. You think you have it figured out and then, BOOM, something happens to sidetrack your entire life. And just when you think it’s all fine, and everything is back on track, it happens again. And again. And again. Edith: I mean, a basic outline of what you want to do would be the best thing you can do right now. I currently have a plan to come back to school, but I’m not sure whether it will be a bachelor’s degree in another field, or a master’s in my current field. From there, I’m hoping to plan for having a part-time job during this to save up to move out and find a full-time job after graduating again. This will be my time to save up for the future! Ethel: Basic plans are good, but also, be ready to change your plan. My life plan has changed at least five times. Always remember, it’s okay to change your mind and find a new path. It doesn’t make it wrong or strange, people do it all the time. Edith: Between the time we read this question and now, I have gone through multiple possibilities as to what I can do once I graduate. And I mean multiple. I was reconsidering what degree I come back for, if I should come back at all, should I stop and get a job with this degree or continue and get a job in the realm of the other degree... So many options. Ethel: I feel a bit fortunate right now if I’m being honest. Since I’ve been at CWU, I’ve known what I want to do with my degrees. Like, “no back up plan” known what I want to do with my degrees. If that plan goes sideways, I guess I’ll have to figure out my life again. Edith: So, you know what? Just go with what feels right. I suggest prioritizing your mental health, even if that means changing work or moving plans last second.
Write in!
submit your questions to cwuobserver@gmail.com (all questions will remain anonymous)
By Katherine Camarata Columnist According to an anonymous student source, CWU’s own Wellington Wildcat was spotted behind bars in the back of the Ellensburg Animal Shelter’s truck last Saturday at approximately 3 a.m., with bloodshot eyes and paws restricted by hard, metal handcuffs. The source said Wellington attempted to achieve the impaw-sible by unbolting himself from his regular position outside the SURC. A drunk and disorderly encounter with campus security ensued, much to the dismay of campus-dwellers. “It was equal parts horrifying and awesome,” a student eyewitness said. “It was like watching some bootleg, low-budget version of Night at the Museum, only instead of starring Ben Stiller, it starred the lovechild of a rabid animal and a tin can.” The source said Wellington became animated, dashed from his post into the entrance of the SURC, stole all the mangoes
from the smoothie stand and scaled the rock climbing wall with the attitude of an animal that expects to live nine lives. Campus security began a hot pursuit with reckless abandon, according to several student eyewitnesses. Wellington was heard shouting, “This school is MINE!” from the top of the rock climbing wall as he towered above the Recreation Center like King Kong on the Empire State Building. According to the eyewitness, Wellington scurried down the rock climbing wall and out the door once more, where another student source reported witnessing him race toward the football field. According to several members of the varsity football team, Wellington told the practicing cheerleaders he could do their job better than they could. He then did an inebriated back handspring, scrambled to his feet, chewed up one of the cheerleader’s pom-poms and coughed up a furball on the 50-yard line with seemingly no remorse.
“It was enough to turn me into a dog person for the rest of my life,” an anonymous member of the CWU cheer squad said. The head of campus security decided to call the local animal catcher when they realized that CWU staff was in over their heads. The animal catcher arrived on the scene just as Wellington sprinted toward Purser Hall, according to eyewitnesses. Ellensburg Animal Shelter catcher Harry Chaser said he hoped to corner Wellington by the pool so he would have no way to escape. Chaser lured Wellington into the Aquatic Center by attaching some catnip to a ten-foot pole and trapping him inside. With nowhere to turn, Chaser said Wellington scurried up the ladder of the high diving board. “You’ll never catch me alive,” Wellington said with gusto. Channeling the confidence of a creature that always lands on its feet, Wellington somersaulted off the diving board into the water. The catcher followed
him into the depths of the pool with a large fishing net in tow, according to an anonymous employee of the Aquatic Center. Chaser said he yanked Wellington out of the water and handcuffed him with the help of three other CWU staff members. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a crushed-up can of Four Loko tumble out of his pocket as he foamed at the mouth. “I’ve hunted plenty of dachshunds and chihuahuas before, but never a fully-grown metal wildcat,” Chaser said. “I’m proud to serve CWU and the broader Ellensburg community in crises like these.” Wellington was sentenced to three nights in the animal shelter without bail. Sources from the shelter said he learned how to fashion a shank out of his own whiskers and a harmonica, and that he planned to complete his GED with his newfound spare time in the little house. “You only get nine lives,” Wellington said. “I feel lucky I still have time to turn this one around before I reincarnate.”
Opinion: Ditch the New Year’s resolutions By Addie Adkins Columnist Every year, millions of people around the world participate in an ancient tradition that has since been transformed and mangled into something completely different: New Year’s resolutions. This practice, which History.com credits to the ancient Babylonians, first started as a ritual where people would make new promises to the gods to change habits, repay debts or resolve to be better in the future. Sounds familiar, sure, but especially in the U.S., New Year’s resolutions tend to look the same for everyone: lose weight and save money. I’ll be honest, these were my go to resolutions when I was still making them. It’s difficult not to default to weight loss and personal finance. Companies announce the newest weight loss programs they have around this time. People are feeling the extra weight from the holidays, and the general inactivity the winter
brings. The promise of beach days and summer bring with it a desire to look the best in that swim wear. A lot of people have to have extra spending money to travel to achieve those beachy dreams. But does everyone succeed? My personal success rate left much to be desired. I’m not alone. An article published by UAB Medicine states, “Less than 8% of people actually stick to their resolutions each year, according to some estimates, yet millions of Americans continue to set goals with high hopes of a better year ahead.” Let’s be honest, failing at attaining resolutions can feel pretty depressing. According to Psychology Today, many who fail at keeping resolutions end up feeling depressed or experience a reduction in self-esteem. A few years ago, I had to find a way to combat the defeated feeling I felt when I realized I forgot about my resolution and felt it was too late to start again. So, I decided I wouldn’t participate in the tradition. I didn’t succeed with my goals that way any way, and needed to
change how I went about goal setting. Now, I incorporate goal setting into my weekly planning. If I think about it less as setting a goal, and more of a “I plan to do this, and this is when it’s happening,” I find I have better success at achieving my goals. This can be something as simple as setting a habit to read or chunking out a time for some self-care. But I also have bigger long term goals that have a space in the front of my planner. Things like drinking more water, fixing my relationship with food, finding time to add movement into my day. These bigger goals get put in the notes section of each month. The habit goals, like drinking water and moving more, are the ones that get added to my weekly planning. Every Sunday, I sit down with my planner. I plan out when I will complete my assignments, and add appointments and other general life events. I add my short term goals to the notes section. If there is an action I can do to help me complete a short term goal, I add it into
my week, along with a reward for completing the action. It has helped me immensely to add in this small ritual. It allows me to focus on my goals, and it helps me put things into action faster than when I set annual resolutions. No more “I’ll wait until the first of the year.” Now when I think of a goal, I just make a plan and act on it. Just ditch them. It’s freeing, and bonus, your mental health will thank you.
US2 0 2 1
RESOLUTIONS
Exercise/improve fitness Lose weight Save money Improve diet Career related More family time New hobby Less social media Quit smoking Feng shui or reno home Volunteer/charity work Raise money for charity Cut down on drinking Quit drinking Something else
50% 48% 44% 39% 21% 18% 14% 13% 10% 10% 10% 5% 4% 2% 14%
Data Courtesy of Statista
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January 12, 2022
SPORTS
First COVID cancelations within CWU athletics Basketball games canceled due to Health and Safety protocols By Jared Galanti Sports Editor CWU’s men and women’s basketball had their regular season games for Jan. 8 against Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) and Alaska Fairbanks University (AFU) canceled due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. According to CWU athletics, the men’s game was canceled due to health and safety protocols within the NNU program, while the women’s game was canceled due to protocols within the CWU program. Director of Athletics Dennis Francois gave a statement to The Observer regarding the news of the canceled games. “It is unfortunate to have to postpone these games as rescheduling becomes increasingly challenging,”
Photo Courtesy of CWU Athletics, First outbreak leads to two basketball games being postponed.
Francois said. “But the health and safety of our student-athletes and staff is
priority number one.” The Observer could not confirm if the cancelation
of these games were due to a positive COVID-19 test within the respective
programs or due to contact tracing protocols. After going all of fall quarter without having to cancel a single game due to COVID-19, CWU athletics has also announced that Monday’s Jan.10 game against Alaska Anchorage University (AAU) was also canceled. The Jan. 10 game was originally scheduled for Thursday, Jan.6, before being moved to Monday. No make-up dates for the three games that were canceled over the weekend have been announced at time of publication. Men’s basketball team (8-2) is scheduled next to hit the road to take on AAU (7-3) on Thursday Jan. 13. If women’s basketball team (8-4) clear protocols in time, they will travel to take on rival Western Washington University (10-0) on Jan.13.
Booster shot not required by athletics Athletics ‘definitely encouraging’ booster for all student-athletes By Jared Galanti Sports Editor The COVID-19 booster shot is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help protect against the new omicron variant. According to Director of Athletics Dennis Francois, while CWU is highly recommending it for all students including student-athletes, it has not been mandated. “We aren’t requiring it. We are definitely encouraging it for sure to make sure they are staying healthy,” Francois said. “We haven’t mandated it yet, but we’ve had a number of them … get the booster.” With many COVID-19 variants spreading throughout the world, the sports world has been hit hard. Many colleges across the country are dealing with outbreaks throughout their athletic programs, having to postpone games later in the year to allow teams to get healthy. In the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) there have already been over 20 basketball games post-
poned due to an outbreak among the programs. According to Francois, CWU didn’t have to postpone a game during fall quarter due to a COVID-19 outbreak within their program. This, according to Francois, might be due in part to CWU’s mandatory vaccine requirement for all student athletes before they were allowed to practice. According to Francois, all CWU student-athletes have complied with the mandate. Francois said if an athlete refused to comply they would still be on that team’s roster and would still receive their athletic aid. However, they would not get to travel with their teammates or practice. “They would not be able to participate in team activities,” Francois said. “So any in-person team activities they would not be allowed to be a part of.” Francois gave credit to student-athletes and coaches for following protocols put in place by CWU to allow the sports teams to compete through their entire seasons. “We still follow our protocols on campus, the things that we need to do to keep
Photo Courtesy of CWU.edu/vaccination-information.
each other healthy and safe and a lot of that credit to our student-athletes and how well they followed these protocols and it’s tough, year two of it,” Francois said. “It was a little bit different [this year] knowing we were able to compete. We were able
to compete for conference championships.” Some big moments from fall quarter included CWU football capturing it’s fourth straight GNAC title and making the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Women’s volleyball went to its ninth
straight regional tournament. This streak of no COVID-related cancelations came to an end this past weekend when two women’s basketball games were canceled due to health and safety protocols within the CWU locker room.
EVENTS
Page 08
January 12, 2022
Wildcat Words: What made you choose CWU?
Cr
y st
a l Fra n c o - B o u
re z
Sa n
d ra R i v e r a
M i a E ll i o t t
Fr. Chemistry
Jr. Graphic Design
“I visited Washington when I was little and I just thought it was so beautiful, I knew I wanted to go to school in this state.”
“It was close to my hometown and I have family in the area.”
weekly events 12 WED
National Hot Tea Day 3-4 p.m. How to Create Healthy Habits for Success in College @ Zoom
13
2-3 p.m. Neighbors 10-11 p.m. Notes ImprovtoNight @ SURC Pit (100C) The Hot New Jam @ 6-7 p.m. Center for Cultural SURC Theater 210 Innovation Open Forum @ SURC Pit (100C)
14
7-10:30 p.m. Rocket League Tournament @ SURC Theater 210 8-10 p.m. Noche Buena w/ LSO and MECHA @ Black Hall 105
THURS
FRI
15 16 SAT
National Bagel Day National Pickle Day Win12-5 p.m. 18th Annual terhop Brewfest @ Downtown Ellensburg
World Religion Day
SUN
17
No classes in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2:30-3:30 p.m. ASCWU Senate MLK Appreciation Celebration @ SURC 137
18
7-8 p.m. Composition 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ICA InvolveStudio Recital @ McIntyre ment Fair @ SURC 137 Hall 174 4-5 p.m. Day in the Life of an Amazon Security Engineer @ Zoom
MON
TUES
Z a i r e Ta y l o r
Pa
r ris
h W u n d e r li c
h
Fr. Computer Science
Fr. Business Entrepreneurship
Fr. Elementary Education
“It was close to home and it was one of the cheaper options.”
“Honestly it was the only school I was looking at. It’s close to home, but not too close.”
“I was choosing between Eastern and Central and ultimately went with Central because I’m from Cheney and Ellensburg was a new place to me. Also, the Elementary Ed. program is one of the best.”
QA &
with MARNA CARROLL
Meet Marna Carroll, the Director of American Indian Studies at CWU. Born in New England, she attended the University of New Hampshire for her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, then went on to receive her masters at the University of Connecticut. Her fields of interest and research lie in the intersectionality of gender, power and authority in proto-Contact Northeastern Algonquian societies. Q: What initially sparked your interest in American Indian studies? A: This is a big question! The simple answer is that American Indians/Native Americans were depicted in many history textbooks as obstacles to be overcome by the “hardy European settlers” or as helpfully melting away into obscurity as colonization and settlement stretched westward. They were/ are left out of having any role in American history beyond early colonization. The fact is that Native peoples/cultures contributed to what became American culture. American English took on a number of Algonquin words, reflecting a closer relationship than appears in textbooks Native American crops such as corn, squash and potatoes were adopted worldwide; corn is the largest agricultural crop worldwide, feeding billions of people. Q: In your CWU biography, you mention your interest in the decolonization of museums: How could this best be accomplished? A: One simple way is for the many museums holding Native American objects to properly research the objects and add the information to the exhibit labels. Too often, items will be labeled as “Indian Basket” with no notation of who made it, where it was made or what the significance of the design is. The lack of information does nothing to educate the museum goers about what they are looking at and implies that further information is unnecessary because “all Indian tribes are the same” –and they are primitive with their items holding no meaning or importance. The basket is a small example—a bigger one would be displays of Northwest Coast Native art and objects without listing affiliation to the tribes that created the specific objects, as if the objects just sprang up on their own. This all assumes that the objects in question do not fall under the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act as objects of cultural patrimony or grave items that should be returned to the tribes. Also, museums need to stop shunting all Native American exhibits and objects into the “Natural History” sections or displaying them only in Natural History museums. This is a colonialist presentation of Indigenous people as inseparable from the flora and fauna—not human and having no culture or art. This has been changing (slowly) in the last decade. Q: What are some of your favorite foods? A: Well, I love my pumpkin pie and pumpkin pie/spice lattes. I may be ‘basic,’ but this is my ancestral food (or so I will claim). And you can’t go wrong with dark chocolate (chocolate, another food of Native American origin). Q&A has been edited for length. Find the full interview at cwuobserver.com. Photo Courtesy of CWU Wildcat Words and Q&A reported by Stephanie Davidson
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