CWU Observer Winter 2020 - Isue 4

Poet inspires others

CWU bounces back

CWU student Champagne Ryder Jr. uses poetry to tell his story at open mic nights

CWU Men’s Basketball defeated Western Washington University for the first time in two years

See Poetry | Page 6

Vol. 115 NO. 4 | Feb. 5- Feb. 11, 2020

See Wildcats | Page 13

cwuobserver.com | @CWUObserver

Coronavirus results coming later than expected Mariah Valles Managing Editor

Test results for the student being tested for the novel coronavirus will come later than initially expected. On Feb. 2 Associate Dean of Health and Wellness Shawnté Elbert sent a notice to campus, giving an update on the situation.

“Initially, we were told it would take approximately 48-72 hours for the results to be available,” Elbert said.

“However, we have since learned, re-

sults will be available 48-72 hours from when the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] starts its test, sometime this week.”

Test samples were collected and flown to the CDC on Jan. 31 according to Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) officials.

With more people being tested, CDC results are taking longer than when the virus first emerged, KCPHD Special Programs Coordinator Kasey Knutson said.

See Coronavirus | Page 8

Rodeo royal court crowned Phoebe Lai Staff Reporter

Cora Clift, a 17-year-old junior at Ellensburg High School, was crowned as Ellensburg Rodeo Royal Court Queen this year.

The pageant was completed in two days. The first competition day was on Oct. 19, 2019 at the Ellensburg Rodeo Arena. The second half of the pageant, the Royal Court Coronation Banquet, was held on Jan. 25 at CWU Ballroom. After the completion of the speeches, the 2020 Ellensburg Rodeo Royal Court queen and princesses were crowned.

Abigail Duchow Staff Reporter

Cora Clift

Clift is very grateful for winning this year. According to Clift, she has been working towards competing in rodeo over 10 years by volunteering with the Ellensburg Rodeo. Her family also has a strong connection with the Ellensburg Rodeo.

“My father is on the rodeo board, and my mother is in the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, so it’s been in my life forever,” Clift said. “I’m really just excited to share with Clara and Abbey and get the Ellensburg Rodeo name out there.”

See Coronation | Page 14

Josh Hibbard appointed VP of enrollment

Riel Hanson/The Observer

2019 Royal Court Queen Julia Wickerath (left) crowns this year’s queen, Cora Clift (right), at the annual Ellensburg Rodeo Royal Court Pageant coronation.

Josh Hibbard has been appointed as the new CWU Vice President of Enrollment Strategies. As VP of Enrollment, Hibbard will oversee financial services and enrollment for both new and continuing students. He will also oversee other programs such as Game On! and implement CWU’s strategic enrollment plan “Destination 2025.”

Hibbard has a Ph.D. in Higher Education and an M.A. in Social Sciences, both of which are from Azusa Pacific University in California. Hibbard also has a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Life Pacific University in California.

See Hibbard | Page 2

News 2

cwuobserver.com February 6, 2020

Editor: Nicholas Tucker

Josh Hibbard named enrollment VP Continued from Page 1

• Implement the university’s strategic enrollment plan • Implement financial aid policies

• Implement retention and recruitment programs • Oversee enrollment outreach, admissions and financial services

CWU

Josh Hibbard has been appointed as the new CWU Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management As VP of Enrollment, Hibbard will oversee financial services and enrollment for both new and continuing students.

He will also oversee other programs such as Game On! and implement CWU’s strategic enrollment plan “Destination 2025.”

Hibbard has a Ph.D. in Higher Education and an M.A. in Social Sciences, both of which are from Azusa Pacific University in California. Hibbard also has a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Life Pacific University in California.

Before taking this new role, Hibbard was the Associate Vice President for Admissions and Enrollment from 2017-19. Before his work at CWU, Hibbard was employed at Azusa Pacific University as the Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success. Before this, Hibbard was a professor at Azusa Pacific University. Hibbard taught bachelor’s level courses such as Organizational Analysis and Cultural Influences in the Workplace. He also taught graduate level courses including Motivational Psychology and Research and Assessment Tools for Leaders.

Some of what the enrollment department at CWU is responsible for is recruiting new students and representing the university to high school and transfer students. The department is in charge of the Ellensburg campus, as well as the satellite campuses. The enrollment department also processes applications to CWU and develops efficient ways to review all the applications CWU receives.

“Ultimately we’re focused on helping students succeed. Our divisional goal is to provide exemplary enrollment management services to prospective, new and continuing students,” Hibbard said.

Part of what Hibbard does to encourage students to pursue higher education is participating in the implementation of the after school program Game On! into communities.

CWU, Microsoft and the Real Madrid Foundation are all partners in creating the Game On! program. The program teaches soccer skills including leadership and teamwork, which is where the Real Madrid Foundation

Responsibilities of the Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management

comes into play. The program also teaches from the convenience of their dorm or anycoding skills, which is where Microsoft comes where else. This is a work in progress, and in. Game On! has been implemented into mul- phase one of the plan should be launched in tiple middle schools, high schools and a com- late spring. munity center.

The financial center is something Hibbard Game On! also talks to young adults is excited to implement. At some points in his about the financial aid process, the admission undergraduate career, Hibbard was working process, writing admission essays and other two jobs on top of attending classes to pay college related tasks. The for tuition. Hibbard felt there program is intended to enwas a lack of financial recourage kids to think about sources when he was going The goal is to to college and is excited to college and get excited about learning. The Game On! pro- create pathways help students now. gram is mainly based in the very excited that for students that I’m“I’m Yakima School District, and in a position now where I might not have a can actually influence what a is free for all students.

“The goal is to create clear pathway to university does in supporting pathways for students students in navigating that college. that might not have a perplexity,” Hibbard said. clear pathway to colLauren Hibbs, executive Josh Hibbard, lege,” Hibbard said. director of extended learning VP of Strategic Hibbard described how at CWU, has known Hibhe took a year in between Enrollment Managemtnt bard since April 2018. She high school and college to save up to pay works closely with him to identify the assets for school. He recalled the financial aid and opportunities in the communities CWU process as being complicated even when he is a part of. Hibbs and Hibbard work together was in school. This is part of why Hibbard to identify and achieve goals for student sucfeels a new financial center would be useful cess. Hibbs enjoys working with Hibbard. to students. The center would be located in “A great number of individuals are unBouillon Hall and would be an opportunity aware of the necessary components of a stratefor students to learn about the financial aid gic plan and what is required to implement and process, scholarships, paying for college sustain such a plan with fidelity,” Hibbs said. and more. The lessons about finances will “Hibbard demonstrates both a student-centric be broadcast so students could watch them and visionary approach to strategic manage-

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ment. As a CWU Alumni, I can share with confidence that we are fortunate to have such talent to enhance the wildcat way.”

Gregg Schlanger, chair of the art and design department, has known Hibbard since about when Hibbard started in 2017. Schlanger and Hibbard have worked together regarding recruitment, admissions and enrollment management. They have worked together on a tuition waiver committee and CWU’s strategic enrollment management plan.

“I feel like he’s really very inclusive in how he pays attention to a lot of people,” said Schlanger, “from the big picture to the smaller one, he’s one of the few at that level that I think really takes in and listens to people and ideas and puts together a plan that benefits everyone.”

Linda Schactler, the president’s chief of staff, was the chair of the committee that hired Hibbard. Schactler has known Hibbard for about six months, and has worked closely with him. Schactler said that Hibbard was the recommendation of almost the entire committee for the job.

“Josh is really strong in his familiarity with the data that forecasts enrollment, that informs marketing, and that really is the architecture for all of our planning for enrollment, and I don’t mean just recruitment, I mean sustaining a healthy and robust enrollment at CWU,” Schactler said. “He authentically is a smart, funny, high energy person and I know he’s going to do a good job.”

The Observer Staff Editor-in-Chief: Cassandra Hays Managing Editor: Mariah Valles News Editor: Nicholas Tucker Scene Editor: Amy Morris Sports Editor: Austin Lane Photo Editor: Téa Green Online & Opinion Editor: Nick Jahnke Graphic Designers: Aiden Knabel & Teagan Kimbro Editorial Policy: The Observer is a public forum for student expression, 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.

Staff Reporters Della Babcock Taylor Clark Abigail Duchow Jake Freeman Harleen Kaur Photographers Riel Hanson Paneal Holland

Nikolai Kostka Phoebe Lai Tamara Sevao Bailey Tomlinson Copy Desk

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Editor: Nicholas Tucker

3

How to access the SMaCC Bailey Tomlinson Staff Reporter

Students are seeking out mental health services more now than ever before, with 69% of students reporting a perceived need for counseling services from 2016 to 2017, according to CWU’s The Healthy Minds Study. Several avenues for obtaining these services are available on campus, though with only 20% reporting receiving counseling in that same year, students may not fully know what resources are available to them.

The foremost of these resources is the Student Medical and Counseling Clinic (SMaCC). There are two different categories for processing appointments in the Counseling Center. The first is access, which is when a student originally reaches out to the clinic.

In fall quarter, the wait time for access appointments was 3.76 business days from the time somebody reached out to the time they were seen for a consultation appointment. If they reached out for a crisis appointment, the response time was less than a day. “I have ‌ worked to really decrease wait time for access,â€? Director of Counseling Dr. Cindy Bruns said. “I think it’s really important that when somebody gets brave enough to make that first call, whatever that first type of appointment is that they need from us‌ that people not have to wait for that.â€?

The second category of appointments is treatment, which are made for students who have already accessed the clinic and are now making ongoing appointments. This is where

students may begin to feel stuck, as treatment appointments over time form a waitlist. However, according to Bruns, that waitlist is not strictly in order of request once established.

It can be assigned degrees of urgency by factors like suicide risk, risk of self injury or risk of academic failure. Additionally, it does not persist from quarter to quarter. “At the end of every quarter, rather than continuing a waitlist, that waitlist goes away,�

Bruns said. “So we try to give the folks who were waiting, and we weren’t able to match, kind of the same shot at open appointments as we do anybody else.�

One of the reasons treatment appointments are prone to waitlisting is due to the types of services students are seeking. More traditional individual appointments are one of the most sought after services at the counseling clinic, even though other services, such as group therapy, skills workshops and drop-in sessions around campus are available. When students are put on an individual therapy waitlist, at least 30% are offered another service in addition to being waitlisted, according to Bruns. “Then it’s up to the student about whether or not they’re willing to accept that additional service. Sometimes students are very set on a modality of treatment either based on past experience or other kinds of considerations,�

Bruns said. “We do offer them a variety of other types of ways to meet their needs, rather than just assigning them to waitlists.�

Similar situations are being seen at various service centers that can provide stu-

TĂŠa Green/The Observer

The Student Medical and Counseling Center has helpful and healthful resources for students on campus, including mental health counseling and nutritional wellness.

dents with mental health support around campus, such as the Wellness Center. “We’ve seen an increase in the number of students who want to take advantage of [one-on-one coaching] specifically for mental health reasons,� Director of Health Promotion and Wellness Marissa Howat said.

The health coaching provided by the Wellness Center takes the form of personalised, individual sessions. These are appropriate for someone who wants to improve their mental health or wellbeing but may not meet the criteria to be consistent with ongoing therapeutic intervention services, according to Howat.

Each fiscal year, the counseling side of the SMaCC sees approximately a 2% growth in

the amount of students they see, according to Bruns. This year, should that rate continue, they expect to see about 12% of the entire student population.

Both Bruns and Howat said their departments were understaffed and lacked adequate space for the level of demand they receive, expressing a desire to see their services moved to a larger space more specialized for the kinds of work they do.

Brun has one dream in particular for these resources. “A coordinated student services space or health and wellness space where we could all be together and collaborate more closely,� Bruns said.

Graphic by Teagan Kimbro

Mental Health Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 SMaCC Medical: (509) 963-1881 SMaCC Counseling: (509) 963-1391

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Editor: Nicholas Tucker

Hotel Windrow now open

Jake Freeman Staff Reporter

After an eventful past few months, Hotel Windrow is open for business and is a welcome addition to downtown Ellensburg. Steve Townsend, the owner of Hotel Windrow, has had the vision of a hotel in downtown Ellensburg since he moved to the city in 2014. In 2018 he broke ground on the construction project and as of Jan. 17, Hotel Windrow is open for business.

Downtown Ellensburg has a history of hotels coming and going. The last two major hotels located downtown were the Antlers hotel and the Webster hotel. Both were built in the early 1900s. The Webster hotel was active until it burned down in 1980. Since then, there have not been any more hotels built and Hotel Windrow is the first hotel in downtown Ellensburg in 40 years.

Townsend has been involved in the community since he moved to Ellensburg in 2014. Shortly after moving to Ellensburg, the Ellensburg Downtown Association performed a marketing study which identified the need for a hotel in downtown Ellensburg. This realization inspired him to hire a company to perform a feasibility study on the potential for a hotel to be successful. According to Townsend, the study found that Ellensburg needed a hotel downtown. He then put into motion the first steps of building Hotel Windrow.

“Early on in my life I decided I wanted to be in the hotel business,” Townsend said. “Mainly my career has been working for companies that manage hotels and resorts in the Carribean, Hawaii and the South Pacific.”

Townsend has worked in the hospitality industry for his entire pro-

fessional life and has decades of experience working in hotel management.

He saw the potential for a hotel in Ellensburg since first arriving.

“There was a distinct need for a hotel in downtown,” Townsend said.

Hotel Windrow is the first hotel in downtown Ellensburg since 1981.

Looking into the lobby from the street, you can see this hotel has a unique style. The hotel was designed to fit in with the local culture and contains displays of local artwork. The centerpiece Photos by Riel Hanson/The Observer of the lobby is a large, curved staircase which Officially open for reservations this past weekend, Hotel Windrow is the second hotel to be opened in downtown leads up to the ballroom. Ellensburg and the first in 40 years. Connected to the Hotel Windrow is the new restaurant Basalt.

Below the staircase is Basalt restaurant and bar. is aimed at a high class consumer base, building was constructed and the inside According to Townsend, the hotel Townsend hopes it will be a popular of the hotel was being built, the hotel is designed to be modern with a clas- destination for parents going to visit was vandalized in a strange and costly sic feel. The hotel features brick walls their children attending CWU. manner. On the night of Oct. 27, 2019 the and wooden furniture in the restaurant “The university makes the town hotel was broken into from the ground as well as a custom windrows themed somewhat economy-proof,” Townsend floor and a sprinkler valve was opened carpet. The hotel was designed with the said. “When the recession hit it didn’t which flooded the basement as well as community in mind and the addition of affect this town nearly as much as it a stairwell, causing roughly $500,000 in the massive ballroom, which is from would some places since they keep damages and delaying the hotel opening the old Elks building attached to the building and attracting students.” for months. The hotel offered multiple hotel, is evidence of that.

According to a study conducted by rewards for the identity of the perpetra“We want to be the meeting destination Towards Data Science, college towns tor but there has been no progress made of this town.” Townsend said. “The ball- are less affected by economic recession in the ongoing investigation. room in the Elks is a spectacular ballroom.” than regular cities. The website used “I can’t even imagine why someAccording to a study conducted by housing cost as a metric to compare body did it,” Townsend said. “They Illinois Wesleyan University, college regular cities to college towns. This didn’t steal anything and they didn’t towns are better investment oppor- study concluded that the mean housing cause any other damage.” tunities than normal cities. CWU is a cost in college towns was more stable During the construction of the hotel last large part of what makes Ellensburg so during the economic recession. year, there was a delay of multiple weeks attractive to investors looking to build The opening of the hotel has not due to the unusual late winter snowfall. As things like hotels. Given that the hotel been without setbacks, though. After the of now the hotel is fully operational.

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Editor: Nicholas Tucker

5

Why students pay a grad fee Jake Freeman Staff Reporter

When applying for graduation there’s a $50 application fee. If a student applies for graduation and fails to graduate at the estimated term, there is a $20 fee to reapply.

This may be frustrating since any graduating student has likely been paying tuition and other fees every quarter for multiple years. Student Mikey Christiansen had expressed frustration towards the idea of a graduation fee.

“We’ve already been paying to go here,” Christiansen said. “Why should I have to pay to get what I’ve already been paying for?”

On the registrar’s website there are instructions on how to apply for graduation through the MyCWU page. The form states there is a $50 fee to apply to graduate and if the student is receiving more than one degree there is a $12 fee per additional degree. According to CWU’s website, roughly 2,000 students graduate every year. Assuming none of them have to pay the extra $12 for graduating with multiple degrees, the school collects $100,000 in graduation fees. ASCWU Vice President of Legislative Affairs Zack Turner has been attempting to bring attention to this issue. “[The graduation fee] probably funds the registrar’s office.” Turner said.

Arturo Torres is the CWU Registrar, and spoke about where those fees are allocated.

Nicholas Tucker/The Observer

Grad fees largely pay for the registrar’s office, which otherwise gets its funding from the state and from transcript fees.

“The registrar’s office is a self-sup- make sure you do qualify. If you do qualify porting office. The only money we we move you along. If you do not qualify in get from the state are the salaries and that first review we notify you… so there is benefits for a large part a review that happens in of our employees but not that first process,” Torres all of our employees,” said. “Then when you Torres said. “Transcript We’ve already been get to that second term fees, which is one of our paying to go here. Why close to graduation, a larger pots of money, goes should I have to pay to second audit is done… to help fund the degree get what I’ve already you then graduate, so a checkout department.” process goes into posting been paying for?

Torres gave an in-depth your degree.” overview of the process inTorres said this proMikey Christiansen, volved with applying to gradcess is not free and it is CWU student uate. According to Torres, all more complicated than of the money collected with simply mailing a printthese fees goes to fund the registrar’s office. ed copy of a transcript. The school has to “When you first apply, we review it to pay for the special paper the degrees are

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printed on, the envelopes, printer ink, the printers and the postage. There are also employees involved in the review process who must be paid.

“Your $50 for graduation goes to fund that whole mechanism,” Torres said.

“Pretty much your whole $50 covers that administrative cost. But it’s still not quite enough so then we have to use funds from the other things that we charge.”

“The reason is: everything goes to a specific thing. There’s a tech fee, there’s a health and wellness fee. You don’t see no registrar fee.” Arturo said.

All of the money collected from the degree checkout process, as well as transcripts and other fees, funds the registrar’s office.

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6 Editor: Amy Morris

February 6, 2020

CWU student Champagne Ryder Jr. moves the members of his audience through his impactful poetry.

Photos by Paneal Holland/The Observer

CWU student uses poetry to tell his story Tamara Sevao

runner up, a finalist for Battle of the Word and he has been published twice by Train River Publishing Co. It is Open Mic Night and students are Competitions are typically structured waiting for the first performer. A male with with three rounds and three minute poems brown curly hair and glasses walks up to each round. Each slam setup is different and the microphone. After reciting an emocan eliminate a different amount of poets tion-filled poem, the audience can see his each round. Judges are random members of aspirations to be a poet. the audience, and they change each round.

The performer, Champagne Ryder Jr., According to Ryder Jr., the key to tries his best to be at every Open Mic event scoring well comes with resonating with to showcase his original poetry. the audience. Connecting with the audiHe chooses to write about impactful ence includes having to be transparent events in his life including his dad passing and open about stories that may relate to away last year, substance others as well. abuse, being bi-racial “If you’re not writing and dealing with both about a police officer killI hope Black and white struga black kid or social people can find ing gles.Ryder chooses not injustice to a minority peace in their own group or people of colto hold back when expressing himself through life by listening to or, then it sucks,” Ryder his poems.

Jr. said. “I mean, there’s mine.

“That’s one thing those rare exceptions but I definitely promised if you’re not talking about when I started to go mental illness or how you Champagne Ryder Jr., write,” Ryder Jr. said. overcame this or that then “I wasn’t going to write you don’t score well.” junior someone else’s story. I According to Ryder Jr., can’t be fake on stage because people won’t if he does not cry during the writing process resonate with it.” then he does not expect to make others cry.

Ryder Jr. has been writing poetry for While reliving his memories to write about five years and it all stemmed from his poetry is hard for him, he says that he original goal to be a rapper. Ryder Jr. has hopes to reach out to people like himself. taken up poetry competitively for the last He hopes to touch the people who feel like three years. odd ones out, the people who think they Ryder Jr. is a member of Rain City don’t fit in and the types of people who are Slam, a competitive poetry organization too afraid to speak about their own personbased in Seattle. When he can make it over al situations. to the west side, Ryder Jr. volunteers for “I hope people can find peace in their the organization and helps run their social own life by listening to mine,” Ryder Jr. media. Rain City Slam sends Ryder Jr. to said. “I mean, at the end of the day, it’s just competitions and even nationals, if qualifia mass healing session.” cations are met.

His poetry touches people every day, Ryder Jr. is the 2018 Hoodie Slam including freshman Trendon Phothivongsa Grand champion, Rain City Grand Slam and sophomore Jaelynn Tonder.

Staff Reporter

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“His words are so powerful. Everything he writes has some sort of meaning and the way he writes is so beautiful,” Tonder said.

“The way he speaks leaves such an impact on you, you’ll be thinking about what he said for the rest of the day.”

Ryder Jr. grew up in Skyway, Washington with his parents and older sister. During his senior year of high school, he went through some difficult times and was in danger of being kicked out of school. However, he overcame the situation he was in.

“I’m showing people you can come out the other side still strong, regardless of how you started,” Ryder Jr. said. “That’s why I write as much as I can, there’s still someone going through the fight, going through a struggle, who needs a glimmer of hope.”

Ryder Jr. has a clear confidence when reciting his poems, according to Phothivongsa. His message is clear and leaves listeners analyzing his poems.

“He seems to be abstract in the fact that we can’t do anything alone,” Phothivongsa. “We have to be vulnerable and build each other up. I also love how his poems all talk about breaking free from a shell of some sort, that nothing good came from being still.”

Ryder Jr. is a junior currently pursuing a major in information technology and administrative management with a specialization in cybersecurity.

With his social skills, he plans to one day be a cyber risk analyst. He currently works at The Porch and holds a second job in the CWU Wildcat Shop at CatTech.

Regarding poetry, he hopes to possibly get a book published and impact others through his work. For now, Ryder Jr. is enjoying the therapy that comes out of poetry along with the travel opportunities which allow him to connect with other people.

Scene

cwuobserver.com

Editor: Amy Morris

February 6, 2020

7

Living in America: A different perspective The Asia University American Program (AUAP) gives Japanese students the opportunity to study abroad and submerge themselves in the American culture. Mami Fujino, an AUAP student, talks about what she has learned from her time in America.

Amy Morris

nese students.

AUAP students also have International Peer Advisors (IPAs) which give For CWU student Mami Fujino, them information, help them if they are getting to study abroad in America was having problems with their roommate an experience that was life-changing. and assist them if they are sick or inThe Asia University American Program jured. Ireland Vass, a junior majoring (AUAP) gives students from Asia Uni- in Japanese, is one of Fujino’s IPAs. versity in Japan the opportunity to study According to Vass, IPAs are the bridge abroad at CWU. between American culture and Japanese “AUAP is not culture, and they help only about studying Japanese students get acabroad for improvcustomed to America.

AUAP has ing English,” Fujino Vass got introduced to given me the said. “It also helped being an IPA during the me become more inlast cycle of AUAP stuopportunity to dependent. Living in dents because there was do something a new place is chala deaf Japanese student, new. lenging but I overand Vass happens to be came this problem, fluent in American Sign met a lot of people, Mami Fujino, sophomore Language (ASL). The got a new perspecJapanese student was in tive and grew up faster.” the process of learning ASL, so Vass beFujino comes from a family of six and came his interpreter for the whole cycle. is from Chiva, Japan, which is a small, There are two cycles each school year peaceful town surrounded by nature, ac- where AUAP students come to CWU: cording to Fujino. She joined AUAP be- one in the fall and one in the spring. cause she wanted to learn how to speak “I was very confused as to what English. Fujino has cousins who only AUAP was but then once I got inspeak Filipino and English, and she want- volved I literally, absolutely fell in ed to be able to communicate with them. love,” Vass said.

“I am shy and I haven’t tried new In her spare time, Fujino enjoys dothings,” Fujino said. “AUAP has given ing photography, listening to music and me the opportunity to do something new.” playing the ukulele. Fujino has been Fujino is currently a sophomore ma- playing the ukulele for two years now. joring in urban development. A require- While in America, Fujino has been takment of her major was doing the AUAP ing travel pictures and pictures of naprogram. Fujino chose to major in urban ture. Fujino would like to travel more development because she is interested in globally and meet different kinds of people’s lifestyles. people. While in America, Fujino has Her goal is to create a city everyone visited Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, is satisfied with. According to Fujino, Washington D.C., Boston and New it is important to create diversity when York. Her favorite place she visited was building cities, and the AUAP program Washington D.C. because she got to has taught her about different cultures learn about American history and visit and has given her more insight to create different museums. better cities.

Fujino likes America better than JaAUAP students learn a lot of prac- pan because she thinks Americans are tical English in their classes for their easier to talk to than the people in Jaeveryday lives, according to AUAP in- pan. She said in America it is easier to structor Nicole Rehorst. make friends regardless of age. While in Out of the classes Fujino is taking, Japan there is more of a hierarchy when American Studies is her favorite be- it comes to acting a certain way towards cause she gets to participate and ask older people, according to Fujino. questions. In Japan, students just listen “If you study abroad, you can get a in class and don’t get to participate, ac- more different perspective,” Fujino said. cording to Fujino.

“A different way of thinking. Japan is Outside of classes, there are many small and America is more diverse.” volunteer opportunities that AUAP stuFujino came to America in September dents get to participate in. Brooklane 2019 and will go back to Japan in FebPreschool, Afterschool Safe Place, and ruary. Fujino starts school in Japan in Habitat for Humanity are just some of April and will finish up her junior year the many places AUAP students volun- in August. teer at, according to Nicki Kukar, the When Fujino goes back to Japan, she AUAP program director. plans to go job and internship hunting.

“I think [the AUAP program] is really She would like to work at the airport so important because it fosters cross-culture she can continue to practice her English communication and it helps Central stu- with international passengers. dents learn about another culture,” KuFujino will graduate from college in kar said.

2022 and plans to get a job but isn’t sure All the AUAP students live in dorms what career she wants to go into. so they can interact with American stuThrough the AUAP program, Fujino dents and be submerged in the culture, has gotten a lot of support which has inaccording to Kukar. AUAP students spired her to get a job where she also can host activities in the dorms, such as Ja- have a positive impact on people. pan Goes Central, where CWU students Before the AUAP program, Fujino learn more about Japanese culture. planned to stay in Japan and work after There are also in-classroom oppor- she graduated college, but now she wants tunities for CWU students to practice to work overseas. intercultural communication with Japa“The AUAP program has opened Scene Editor

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my eyes to many things I can do in the future,” Fujino said.

Fujino is interested in working in the Philippines as a study abroad c o o r d i n a t o r.

She has studied abroad in the Philippines before, so she already has some experience.

She is also considering teaching Japanese because her teacher inspired her to.Fujino expressed that her experience in America taught her to challenge Téa Green/The Observer herself.

Mami Fujino, a sophomore in the Asian University American Program, describes her experience in America as an It used to be opportunity to gain a different perspective and to expand difficult to speak her knowledge.

English for Fujiand is confident in herself. no but comes a lot “I learned it is good to try new things, easier to her now. She has also participated in many different activities through even if I [make] a mistake,” Fujino said. the AUAP program, which has helped “Mistakes are one of the experiences [of her grow. Fujino now feels comfortable growing] and AUAP encourages [stuteaching people about Japanese culture dents] to try new things.”

509-925-5442 1101 E. University Way

509-925-5542 1601 N. Currier

CORONAVIRUS

WHAT

YOU

Story by Mariah Valles | Design Aiden Kn

NEED TO KNOW

Continued from Page 1

Current statistics (Feb.5) The Washington State Department of Health told Knutson when the According to the CDC, as of Feb. 5 there are 11 confirmed cases of the virus was first unfolding in the U.S. results were taking 24-48 hours from novel coronavirus in the U.S. There have been 206 negative cases, with 76 when the CDC received test samples. still pending.

“It just depends on what the situation involves,” Knutson said. “[As] In Washington, as of Feb. 4 there is still only one confirmed case. There more testing is sent in then wait time can be extended. It’s just unfolding.” have been 18 negative tests with three still pending.

Knutson said the KCPHD was expecting a 48-72 hour turnaround, but Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, identified in there was confusion about what that meant.

2003, is believed to be an “animal virus” that first infected humans in China in “There was miscommunication as far as folks understanding the 48-72 2002. In 2003, SARS affected 26 countries and resulted in more than 8,000 hour window was when CDC received it,” Knutson said. cases that year. Transmission of the virus was primarily from person to person.

On Jan. 30 it was announced that a CWU student would be tested for According to the CDC, coronaviruses in general are “a large family of vithe novel coronavirus. KCPHD is not releasing specific details about the ruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, patient’s symptoms, but officials said the student returned from China on including camels, cats and bats.”

Jan. 6 and did not travel to Wuhan, the origin city of the virus.

The novel coronavirus is not the same as SARS, however the CDC reports Currently, the student is in voluntary isolation at the Kittitas Valley that, “genetic analyses suggest this virus emerged from a virus related to SARS.” Healthcare hospital, according to KCPHD officials. The student lives in The CDC reports the novel coronavirus is a rapidly evolving situation and on-campus housing and is in stable condition as of Feb. 3. information will be updated as it becomes available.

“I wanted to let you know that the CWU student under observation for The novel coronavirus virus is being possible coronavirus is in good spirits and tracked to a meat and seafood market in doing well so far,” Elbert said.

DEFENDING AGAINST Wuhan, China. Officials are comparing KCPHD said on Feb. 3 that nobody the outbreak to the 2003 SARS outbreak else is being considered for testing.

THE CORONAVIRUS due to similarities within the outbreaks Elbert said last week Dean of Student (symptoms, origin).

Success Gregg Heinselman met with em•Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least Globally, as of Feb. 5 there are 24,554 ployees and students who would have 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before confirmed cases, 3,925 new cases from likely come in contact with the student. eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Feb. 4 according to the World Health “We’ll be working with these employ•If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcoOrganization (WHO). There are 24,363 ees and students to respond immediately hol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always cases in China alone. Also in China, there if symptoms of concern arise,” Elbert said. wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. have been a total of 491 deaths, up by A Student’s Perspective 66 from Feb. 4. Outside of China, there •Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed Jane Pham, an international stuhas only been one death, being in the hands. dent from Vietnam, said she wished she Philippines on Feb. 1. The 44-year-old would’ve heard about the situation origiman was a Wuhan resident, The New York •Avoid close contact with people who are sick. nally from university officials, not news outlets.

Times reported.

Pham, concerned and upset about the In 2017, the WHO estimated between •Stay home when you are sick. situation, responded to President James L. 290,000 and 650,000 deaths occur Gaudino’s email to students on Jan. 31. each year due to the flu. These figures, •Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the Pham is upset the university was not the grown upon previous figures, are “based tissue in the trash. first to inform students and that she found on more recent data from a larger, more out about the student being tested from diverse group of countries, including low•Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces the media. er middle income countries, and exclude using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

“I guess it was not a piece of serious deaths from non-respiratory diseases,” information sent out by the superior of our Source: CDC.gov according to the WHO. school,” Pham emailed Gaudino. “They seemed not to care so much.”

Coronavirus Update CWU Chief of Staff Linda Schactler responded to Pham’s email of conIn the email Elbert sent, she included a document answering questions about cern later that morning. the novel coronavirus.

Pham provided The Observer with the emails.

The document states the CDC does not consider face masks to be respiratory “I’m sorry that the news media released this information before we were protection.

It also states the CDC says while hand sanitizer containing 60% able to contact students,” Schactler emailed Pham. “Unlike the press, we or more alcohol can help in the absence of soap and water, it will not cure or have to work with the local health authorities, the individuals actually inprevent viruses. volved, and others before announcing the situation.”

The document says the novel coronavirus is “moderately infectious” and is Shactler went on to say that CWU is taking the “challenge” seriously and similar to SARS. It also states it’s hard to know this early how deadly the virus is, that it’s following federal protocol set by the CDC and is working closely but that the fatality rate is “probably less than 3 percent, much less than SARS.” with local health officials.

There are currently no students traveling to China on CWU-sponsored events, The Observer received a press release announcing the student being but students may still be traveling there on their own. tested for the virus on Jan. 30 at 6:27 p.m. CWU officials deferred media “We will continue to monitor the situation and should we have a confirmed calls to KCPHD that night. On Jan. 31, CWU released a public statement case of the virus, we will take the swift and appropriate steps,” CWU Vice Presat 8:53 a.m. ident of Public Affairs Kremiere Jackson said on Jan. 31.

When Pham checked her email after the news broke and saw Gaudino’s Until test results are received later this week, the CWU student will remain statement, she said it didn’t come fast enough. in isolation.

“I felt like that is too late,” Pham said.

Pham said CWU should’ve informed students how to take precaution when the man in Everett, Washington was confirmed having the case. The Everett case was the first confirmed case in the U.S.

S

nabel

Sypmtoms of the Coronavirus

Potential Complications

Headache Fever

Pneumonia

Runny nose Cough or sore throat

Acute respiratory syndrome

Trouble breathing

Kidney failure

Complications can be fatal

Jurisdictions with cases confirmed as of February 5, 2020, 7:00 AM PST

1-9

10-99

100-999

1000 or more

24,559

Confirmed cases worldwide

492

Confirmed deaths worldwide

Source: CDC.gov

Scene

cwuobserver.com

10 Editor: Amy Morris

February 6, 2020

Are you having a hard time choosing a major?

Double majoring provides students the opportunity to explore two different disciplines. However, taking on two majors also comes with a heavier workload.

Harleen Kaur Staff Reporter

Finding the right major can be a challenge. With over 130 majors offered at CWU, some choose to double major. There are many options for majors to choose from such as liberal studies, public relations, computer science, business administration and more.

CWU has 9,250 students enrolled in Ellensburg and 2,019 students at satellite campuses and online. In 2020, there are 1,097 students who are double majoring, according to public records.

Jaidyn Alemazkour is a junior double majoring in psychology and public relations (PR). Alemazkour was originally only majoring in psychology but decided to check out PR after talking with a friend. According to Alemazkour, using her knowledge and skills from psychology will come in handy to communicate with clients and individuals in PR. The Affordable Colleges Online website states there are advantages and disadvantages to double majoring. The advantages include increased job prospects, higher earnings and better skill sets. The disadvantages are longer time spent in school, work overload and higher costs.

“It would be better to double major because [employers] look at your degrees rather than the classes you take,” Alemazkour said.

The downside to double majoring is an extra year of school for Alemazkour, though she hopes to add a triple major. Currently, Alemazkour has 98 credits and will need 250 credits to graduate.

Alemazkour is glad she decided to double major even though she is busier than her peers. Along with double

community college. The biggest reason Follett took up another major was because of the Medical College Admission Test.

According to Follett, it is a yearlong process to prepare for testing and applying for medical school in the spring. With all the extra time she had, she decided to double major in anything that would overlap into the medical field.

Follett has her plate full with keeping her GPA above 3.5, reTeagan Kimbro/The Observer searching in the lab and taking more than 15 credmajoring, Alemazkour is the secretary its. As of right now Follett has over 150 of the Psychology Club and the vice credits completed and is planning on completing 200 credits total. president of Students With a Purpose.

“I’m just overly stressed, but I’m not sitting around doing nothing with no goals. Any path that you have goals is a good path,” Alemazkour said.

Alemazkour recommends students consider double majoring in something they will enjoy.

“I am interested in the stuff [covered in both majors] and I think that all the work is worth it in the end,” Alemazkour said.

Rebecca Follett is a senior double majoring in biomedical science and biochemistry. Follett is spending an extra year at CWU to complete her degree and plans to graduate in 2021.

Follett came to CWU in 2018 after earning her associates in science at a

QUICK STATS

Follett chose the medical field after interacting with doctors and medical staff for her brother.

“My brother has diabetes and Graves’ disease. We’ve been in and out of the hospital a lot because of these two different hormonal conditions,” Follett said.

According to Affordable Colleges Online, it costs almost double the amount to complete a double major.

Since some students end up staying for an extra year like Follett and Alemazkour, there are other factors aside from tuition to consider such as rent, bills, books and other expenses.

Follett was fortunate to get scholarships for the year to help her cover the extra costs of double majoring.

She doesn’t have to pay for her tuition and rent.

For students who are having a hard time choosing a major because they are interested in multiple subjects, they have the option to double major or even triple major.

“Certainly think about the time and expense of it and talk to your advisors and make sure you actually have a plan,” Follett said.

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Opinion

cwuobserver.com

Editor: Nick Jahnke / Design: Teagan Kimbro 11

February 6, 2020

Time to bite the Bailey Tomlinson Columnist

The highly personalized, decorative pages have lost all semblance of the original goal of the practice. They can take hours to do, and if the intention is to use the journal as a weekly or monthly planner, the same templates will have to be hand drawn multiple times. There are services that allow the creation of personalized scheduling templates to be printed into formal planners, so this painstaking control over design cannot even be argued as stemming from a place of necessity.

They are handmade simply because they can be.

Bullet journaling has seemingly become a distorted reflection of itself, retaining none of the core idea and morphing into a trend that counters its cause. The supposed benefits of bullet journaling can’t begin until so much time has been invested into creating the framework that any usefulness derived from it is overshadowed.

A bullet journal can’t be utilized as a resource until the owner has put more time into crafting it than would ever need to be put into actually utilizing a printed version of the same tool.

With any other tool, this characteristic would seem absurd.

Add these considerations to the lifestyle of one of the most likely demographics to start a bullet journal: students, particularly students in high school and higher education. Students have a busy schedule and, at times, an overwhelming amount of work to do.

As a student myself, I know that cre-

ating journal spreads from scratch is something that I don’t have time to pursue, especially if doing so is a prerequisite to having a resource for keeping track of all my deadlines in. For the majority of people, it just isn’t reasonable.

So if starting a bullet journal is on your to-do list, you might need to reconsider. Bullet journaling, in the trendy form it takes now, is an interesting creative outlet and should be supported as such. However, there’s

“

no reason to believe that it’s more productive than a traditional planner or actually employing the Bullet Journal method.

“Productive means that we’re using our time wisely by focusing on what matters,” the Bullet Journal method website says. If somebody has a schedule busy enough to consider keeping a bullet journal, designing and hand drawing entire page spreads just isn’t covered by that definition of productive.

Bullet journaling has seemingly become a distorted reflection of itself, retaining none of the core idea and morphing into a trend that counters its cause.

“

Typing “bullet journal” into a search engine will yield photo after photo of strikingly detailed, hand drawn full page spreads. Things like ornate headers and doodled borders abound. They’re creative, they’re well executed and frankly, they’re a waste of time.

Bullet journaling didn’t begin as the Pinterest-savvy craft it is today.

Created by Ryder Carroll, a New York Times bestselling author, the “Bullet Journal method” originally began as a way for busy people to be able to keep track of their schedules with intention.

As a system, it’s downright minimalist.

Based around listmaking and symbol use, the Bullet Journal method’s website states, “it’s best described as a mindfulness practice disguised as a productivity system,” and utilizes what it calls “rapid logging” to do so.

The main point of the practice is to streamline information, tasks and reminders into an at-a-glance format.

The website even touts a side by side comparison of a page using the Bullet Journal method and what appears to be an average person’s to-do list, a small note under the photo claiming “60% less content!”

Bullet journaling in this sense, utilizing the method it was created to accompany, is a valuable exercise in condensing data and including mindfulness while scheduling. However, bullet journaling in the sense of the trend has devolved into is merely an exercise in procrastination.

Urge to live at

The Verge Taylor Clark Columnist

Deciding where to live, especially in Ellensburg, was stressful. Ellensburg offers lots of housing but not only that, Ellensburg offers affordable housing.

As I was looking for places to live, The Verge was one of the most common and popular apartment complexes that had availability. While you could live in a residence hall or even in a house with friends, one of the best options out there is to live at The Verge.

Lease The more I looked into The Verge, the more I fell in love with it. The complex offers things I didn’t even think about when I was researching living situations before coming here. According to The Verge’s website, their apartment complex offers both two bedroom as well as three bedroom apartments.

The pricing for either a two or three bedroom apartment is the same, ranging from $530-635 per person as well as per month.

As I continued reading, I came across what exactly The Verge has to offer and why the prices are the way they are. As I continued to browse The Verge’s website I found that the pricing of the apartments were great due to what they included. Granted, as soon as I saw the pricing, right off the bat I was concerned due to it being so high. Truth be told I didn’t read past the pricing so initially, I was worried.

Amenities The Verge’s amenities make the price beyond worth it. On The Verge’s website, it states the price per month is an accumulated cost of various different features. The price includes a private bathroom, private bedroom, your own walk-in closet, full kitchen, modern furniture for the whole place, washer and dryer (in your apartment), water, trash service, high speed in-

ternet and a premium cable package.

The Verge is also pet friendly. In fact, they encourage pets! Throughout the outside grass areas of the apartment complex, there are disposable waste bags to clean up after your animals along with a disposable trash can so the clean up is fast and easy. My roommate and I do have a pet fish which is very easy to care for and take care of but we never would’ve been able to do so without The Verge’s allowance.

Another thing that makes The Verge an easy choice when deciding where you want to live is that every individual in the complex has their own lease.

You, as a resident, are not responsible for anyone else due to the separate lease feature The Verge has to offer.

You are not responsible in anyway for your roommates and their possible living conditions and/or decisions.

Not only does the cost of your apartment cover the necessities within your complex but it also provides amazing amenities for its residents.

These include a computer lab, tavern-style game room, 24-hour fitness center, indoor tanning, a clubhouse, coffee bistro, outdoor grills, fire pits, a resort style pool, on-site parking, a basketball court and a dog park.

Living at The Verge has made me nothing but happy. The staff along with the fellow residents are very friendly and considerate, especially when it comes to anything with your living situation, maintenance within the apartment or other concerns. The Verge is located only a few blocks away from the university, making the commute to and from school fast and easy. The pricing is worth every penny, given that the apartments include everything needed for one to be comfortable and cozy.

Opinion

12 Editor: Nick Jahnke / Design: Teagan Kimbro

cwuobserver.com February 6, 2020

Penalties forpushing

Recently, CWU has switched to using only paper cups, and seems to be slowly replacing plastic straws with paper straws. The push for paper products is well-intentioned, but may not be the change the planet needs.

The reality of paper versus plastic is that while paper is a more biodegradable option, it also poses other problems for the planet. Paper production emits more pollution than plastic. According to the website How Stuff Works, paper production emits specifically 70% more pollution than plastic production. The site also points out producing paper creates 50 times the amount of water pollution made by plastic. Also, paper products take four times the amount of energy to produce than plastic products.

Along with these factors, it can be harder to recycle paper products. While many paper products are recyclable, paper products used for consuming food may not be. Many recycling facilities will not accept food contaminated products. Since paper absorbs liquids, there is a good chance many paper products are easily food contaminated. This means it is not a guarantee that these products will be recycled.

The 2007 Boustead Report done at Northern Carolina State University found paper bags used 3.4 times the amount of non-renewable energy than plastic. The study also found paper bags produced two times the amount of greenhouse gas plastic bags produced. Along with this, they found paper bags consumed 17.4 times the amount of water than plastic and generated 4.8 times more solid waste.

A report called “Revised Analysis of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Relating to Grocery Bags” by Use Less Stuff (ULS) found plastic bags generate 39% less greenhouse gas emissions than uncomposted paper bags. On top of this, they found plastic bags emit 68% less greenhouse gas emissions than composted paper bags. The report also states that after four or more uses, reusable plastic bags are superior to all types of disposable bags.

It seems producing paper products may be doing more harm than some people realize.

With how much more waste and greenhouse gasses paper products create, I think plastic may be a better option.

The problem is plastic bags aren’t recyclable at recycling centers. Recycling centers usually deal with rigid items rather than flimsy ones like plastic bags. However, people can recycle plastic bags without putting them in recycling bins. Many large stores such as Target and Walmart have bins for collecting people’s old shopping bags, a viable option for getting rid of the ones someone gets when they go grocery shopping.

Plastic bags can also be convenient to use as garbage liners, a personal favorite reuse for them.

Plastic straws are also not usually recyclable because they are small and flexible and can fall between the cracks in machinery used at recycling centers. However, there is a way to get plastic straws recycled. A 2018 blog post on the website Get Green Now described a loophole around getting plastic straws through the machinery. Straws are made out of polypropylene, or type 5 plastic. To prevent straws from slipping through the cracks in the conveyor belts used in recycling centers, put the straws in a bigger container made out of type five plastic, which is polypropylene. This way the straws make it through the machinery and get recycled, along with the container they are put in.

The best way to go about the paper versus plastic debate seems to be to use plastic, but use less. Along with using less, be responsible when using plastic. Plastic can be very harmful because it does not degrade like paper. However, it emits far less pollutants and is much more reusable. It does not tear or become unusable when wet like paper does. According to the University of Southern Indiana, the average person uses about seven trees per year in paper and paper products, which amounts to 2 billion trees per year.

Instead of using products from these trees to emit greenhouse gasses, we should be allowing these trees to clean the air. According to Science Focus, it takes about seven or eight trees to produce enough oxygen for a person for a year. Multiply this by the 7.7 billion people on earth as of October 2019, and that’s roughly 53.9 billion to 61.6 billion trees. In an interview with The Guardian, a Swiss professor named Tom Crowther stated that we lose about 10 billion trees per year. Instead of sacrificing more trees for paper products that actually aren’t much better for the environment than plastic, I vote we let these trees live.

Paper products really aren’t better than plastic products as far as eco-friendliness. Plastic products come with their own problems, but if recycled and reused properly they are much better for the environment than paper. I think using plastic or reusable products, and being smart about how they are handled after use, seems to be the way to go for sustainable living.

paper

products

Columnist

“

Paper

products

really aren’t better than plastic products

“

Abigail Duchow

as far as eco-friendliness.

Abigail Duchow

Sports

cwuobserver.com

Editor: Austin Lane 13

February 6, 2020

Wildcats sink Vikings fleet David Dick/CWU

CWU Men’s Basketball defeated Western for the first time in two years on Saturday. Brandon Rinta got his first win over the Vikings as head coach for CWU, with a final score of 82-60.

Austin Lane Sports Editor

730. That was the number of days since CWU Men’s Basketball last defeated Western Washington University (WWU) going into Saturday night’s home game against the Vikings.

Times were much different exactly two years prior when they last saw the win column over their rivals from Bellingham. The only player still at CWU from that 2017-18 season is junior forward Malcolm Cola. Even the coaching staff has been completely revamped since the win two years ago, with the

departure of head coach Greg Sparling after the conclusion of that season.

When current head coach Brandon Rinta started his coaching career at CWU, he took over a program that saw some players transfer just because Sparling wasn’t the coach anymore. In his first season (2018-19) CWU went just 5-15 in GNAC conference games.

With the win over WWU on Saturday night, and a win over Northwest Nazarene University on Tuesday, the team has bested their win total from last season and are now 6-7 with seven games left on the season.

The CWU defense came to play, al-

David Dick/CWU

Junior guard Xavier Smith finished the game with 25 points, his highest-scoring performance of the season.

Men’s Basketball Schedule

Feb. 4

NNU W, 64-59

Feb. 6

MSUB 7:30 p.m.

lowing just 24 points to the Vikings in the first half of the contest. CWU also forced turnovers throughout the game, stealing the ball nine times. CWU outrebounded WWU 35-29 on the night, with junior forward Kevin Baker accounting for seven of those rebounds for the team.

Baker was tasked with defending 7-foot center Logan Schilder, who made his return after missing three games due to injury. Schilder came into the night third in blocked shots in the GNAC with 1.6/game and sixth in rebounding, averaging 6.8/game. He finished the night with zero blocks and seven rebounds on 10 points.

“It’s tough. He’s a really big dude, but I have help from my team,” Baker said.

“If I’m boxing him out they’re gonna try to tip the ball out from behind if I’m focusing on him. It’s a team effort to guard him because he’s so big.”

In the first half, freshman guard Micah Pollard hit back-to-back threes, playing a role in the Wildcats’ 21-3 run that gave them a 28-13 lead 14 minutes into the contest. Junior guard Xavier Smith had a breakout night, finishing with 25 points for the Wildcats.

“We all just played as a team, played with confidence, we played hard, and we really bought in on the defensive end,” Smith said. “We really wanted this win and we went out and executed.”

CWU controlled the pace throughout the game, especially at the end. With a 67-44 lead and under 10 minutes on the clock, CWU’s offense shifted into a time management game plan, draining the play clock down on nearly every possession.

That tactic worked for Rinta and the Wild-

Paneal Holland/The Observer

cats as they cruised through the final minutes of the game, securing Rinta’s first win over WWU as the head coach for CWU. “This is a special rivalry,” Rinta said.

“It’s changed a little bit over the years since [Western has] dropped football… the community knows about it and everybody that’s been a part of this program knows about this rivalry and so that makes tonight a little bit extra special.”

Women’s Basketball Schedule

Feb. 13 @ UAF 8 p.m.

Feb. 15 @ UAA 8 p.m.

Feb. 1

MSUB W, 71-62

Feb. 6

UAF 5:15 p.m.

Feb. 8 UAA 6 p.m.

Graphic by Teagan Kimbro

Feb. 13 @ SFU 7 p.m.

Sports

cwuobserver.com February 6, 2020

14 Editor: Austin Lane

Ellensburg Rodeo Royal Court crowns 2020 queen Continued from Page 1 Clift said she is very honored to be a part of the coronation. She said rodeo is a very welcoming sport and if you are not into it, everybody is willing to bring you in.

To Clift, rodeo is very important in her life since she has been riding horses since a very young age.

“I’ve grown up doing it my whole life. I started riding horses when I was three days old,” Clift said.

“That was just something I’ve grown up to, and it’s really a cool opportunity to show other people how different rodeo and different events all work if they don’t know how it is.”

Clift also mentioned, as rodeo queen, she will participate in more parades, other coronations, meet and greets and a lot of au-

tograph signings.

“We are another marketing tool to help get our rodeo’s name out there,” Clift said. “Wherever we can go to get the Ellensburg rodeo name out, that is where we are going.”

Clara Van Orman Another nominee, Van Orman, was up for rodeo queen and is a senior student majoring in nursing at Washington State University.

Van Orman said she grew up watching rodeo and that it’s been a family tradition for as long as she can remember.

To Van Orman, being a part of rodeo is very special. Van Orman said it is an extremely special and honorable decision to be a part of the rodeo to help carry on the legacy of the rodeo. She is looking forward to serving and giving back to the community as a member of the royal court.

Van Orman mentioned there are many events they will be a part of while on the rodeo royal court. She said they’ll still be at the Ellensburg rodeo and will attend many rodeo

parades around the state. She mentioned they will attend the events that help sponsor the Ellensburg Rodeo and events that are very meaningful to their community as well.

Abbey Roberts The last girl who was up for nomination was Abbey Roberts, a senior student at Ellensburg High School.

Roberts mentioned rodeo is important to her because it’s something she is very passionate about. It’s something she grew up around, and it runs in her blood. She wants to leave a legacy as her other family members have done for her.

Roberts mentioned she started competing in rodeo when she was 11 years old, and she’s 17 years old now. She said she feels very honored by having the opportunity to be a part of the rodeo.

“I feel very blessed that my family was able to put me in rodeo from a very young age, and I get to compete alongside a lot of my friends and rodeo families,” Roberts said.

Roberts also mentioned

some of the events and parades the girls will be a part of in 2020.

“We will get to go to some of the elementary schools and talk to the little kids. We will be doing meet and greets with the public and autograph signings,” Roberts said. “We will also get to go to neighboring rodeos and rodeos in Washington state.”

Common Goals Although they were competing against each other, they will all work towards a common goal, to promote the Ellensburg Rodeo royal court and get the name out to the world.

All three have a common tradition between them. Rodeo is a family legacy to them.

They all agreed, joining the Ellensburg Rodeo Royal Court is extremely important to them, and they feel honored being a part of the Ellensburg Rodeo.

Photos by Riel Hanson/The Observer

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Join CWU's Wildcat Battalion Army ROTC! Call (509) 963-3518 - email armyrotc@cwu.edu Stop by Lind Hall, Rm. 220 or visit goarmy.com/rotc/ahf7 for more information. ©2019. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.

Baseball Schedule

Jan. 31-Feb. 1 @ Stanislaus 0/3 games won

Feb. 7-8

@ Academy of Art 4-game series

Softball Schedule

Feb. 15-16

@ Corban 3-game series

Feb. 28-29

NNU 4-game series

Feb. 4

@ Dixie State 1/2 games won

Feb. 6

Hawaii Hilo / Colorado Mesa

Feb. 7

St. Mary’s (TX) / MSU Denver

Feb. 8

Western New Mexico

Sports

cwuobserver.com

Editor: Austin Lane 15

February 6, 2020

Track and Field takes dip in pool Taylor Clark Staff Reporter

CWU’s Aquatic Center, located on Walnut Street adjacent to the football field, is a facility that can be used not only by the students but the community as well. The pool is 10 lanes and is 4 to 15 feet in depth.

The track and field team utilizes the Aquatic Center as much as they can during this time of year given that the weather is colder. Head coach Kevin Adkisson is a firm believer in having his athletes utilize the pool.

“It turns out to be a really good training option for us,” Adkisson said. “Especially during the winter.”

Adkisson also said all the running, jumping and hurdling the team does is all high impact. He said coupled with the fact it’s a little colder outside it’s a bit harder to give 100% effort.

Gunner Vallatini, a sophomore on CWU’s track and field team, specializes in sprints. Vallatini is one of the athletes who use the Aquatic Center throughout the week.

“We usually do aquatic jogging,” Vallatini said. “[We also do] some kind of

Riel Hanson/The Observer The CWU Track and Field team uses the aquatic facilities during the winter, when it is too cold for the team to practice completely outside. Practicing in the pool offers the ability to train hard without being as harsh on your body.

circuit to get our heart rate up without the impact of actually running.”

Vallatini is one of many athletes who utilizes the time in the pool to train during the winter. Rachelle Hamilton, a sophomore who specializes in jumps, is another track and field athlete who uses the pool on campus.

“We do basically our warm up, but in

the water,” Hamilton said. “Sometimes we do relays and workouts.”

Hamilton said the team usually is in the Aquatic Center half an hour before the swim team comes in. She also said they usually only spend one day a week training in the facility.

There are many benefits to using the Aquatic Center during the winter sea-

son. Adkisson said you can work really hard in the pool, but instead of your legs getting beat down from a hard running workout, they actually feel better after.

He said this is due to the water being supportive and zero impact.

“It definitely helps break [the practices] up,” Adkisson said. “Gives [the athletes] that mental and physical boost as well as that recovery element to be able to work as hard as they want.”

Adkisson also said the sprinters and jumpers will do more shallow end plyometric workouts. He said the longer distance group uses the pool time as more of a recovery day. They are usually in the deep water with the flotation belts running underwater, Adkisson said.

The Aquatic Center is available for athletes as well as for other CWU students. The pool can also be accessible to other community members who are a current Recreation Center member.

For open rec swims, the pool is available from 7-8:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6-8 p.m. Friday and 5-7 p.m. on Sunday. There is equipment available for usage in the pool.

This includes kickboards, fins, water basketball and buoys.

The daily routine of a CWU Rugby athlete Della Babcock Staff Reporter

There’s more to rugby athletes than meets the eye. Although being a student athlete can be seen as something very glamorous, it can also be much more difficult with a variety of elements.

Both men’s and women’s rugby athletes are the only division one program at CWU. These athletes work day in and day out to achieve success in their sport.

Men’s Rugby CWU Men’s Rugby head coach Todd Thornley believes success comes through work ethic.

“I hope the perception of our program is, guys with high character who care about something bigger than themselves,” Thornley said.

The men’s rugby team has practices that are traditionally 80 minutes long, where athletes are required to be ready to go each weekday. Even though the practices differ each day, the themes for practices stay the same every week.

“Learn on Monday, train on Tuesday, compete on Wednesday,” Thornley said.

“Friday’s just confidence.”

The main focus of the men’s practices is to be intentional, according to Thornley. Whatever the theme may be that day, the idea of being intentional comes first and builds a strong foundation for each practice. Thornley discussed the idea of how being intentional brings forth the mentality of working hard, not only within this sport but in school as well, even if that means having to restructure priorities.

“Academics, athletics, and social,”

Photos courtesy of CWU Athletic Communications CWU Men’s Rugby (left) defeated the University of Arizona 32-28 on Feb. 1. CWU Women’s Rugby (right) had a tougher time in their recent outing, losing to the Seattle Saracens 20-43 on Jan. 25.

Thornley said. “You can have all three but they have to go in that order.”

Thornley talks to his athletes about their priorities to make sure they’re able to have a full experience, both in athletics and school.

One of the words Thornley used to describe the athletes on his team was “inclusive.” He also described them all as having a strong work ethic. Thornley said his athletes always respond well when being challenged. It is clear to Thornley these athletes do not wilt at challenges but come back and overcome them.

Thornley smiled when he discussed the athletes on his team and how they work as a tight knit team to reach their goals. Thornley said he’s proud of what the men achieve and how they go about achieving it.

Women’s Rugby The women’s rugby team is on a similar page as the men’s when it comes to work ethic and the mentality they must have to compete at this level. Head women’s coach Trevor Richards defined what it truly takes to live the life of these wom-

Track and Field Schedule

Feb. 7-8

@ BSU 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 14-15 @ UW 2 p.m.

en rugby athletes in a few words.

“Dedication and time management,” Richards said. “A drive and a work ethic.”

Richards expects a committed attitude in not only the sport but in school as well. Even though the standards are set high at practice and in games by Richard, he drives the idea that school is the most important aspect of being a part of this program.

“First and foremost, you are here to go to school and graduate,” Richards said. “We have a bunch of first generation college students. It’s fantastic to see.”

Richards was the assistant to the men’s team prior to becoming head coach of the women’s team. This gave him a broad perspective on what both teams focus on, which comes down to working hard in all areas, especially academics.

Both the men’s and women’s side have nothing but great support in putting their academics first.

The women have some big things to look forward to this season. Their team is going to be structured around leaving a solid foundation for the underclassmen to build off next year so they can

carry on the mindset of strong work ethics and drive.

“We’ve got a very solid group of seniors,” Richard said. “It’s their last hurrah, so [they’re] putting those pieces together so they can go out with a bang.”

Richards describes several things to be proud of when speaking of the athletes on the women’s team. There has been growth in their program and their athletes when it comes to their mentality.

It has set the pace for how well they do even when being demanded of high efforts every day.

Senior and team captain Suiluana Sooialo A’au said it can be difficult to manage time as an athlete who has to focus on both being an athlete and a student. However, Sooialo A’au said it’s all worth it.

“It brought me new opportunities,” Sooialo A’au said. “I don’t know what I would be doing if I didn’t play rugby.”

Sooialo A’au said she’s close with a majority of her teammates.

Even though Sooialo A’au has a very close bond with her senior class, as team captain, she finds a high responsibility in prioritizing building bonds with the lower classmen. Sooialo A’au hopes the senior class can help give the underclassmen the same good experience with the program as they had in the past. Sooialo A’au has a mass amount of love for her team as well as the game. She is hoping to continue her athletic career after CWU with the USA rugby team. Sooialo A’ua also has high hopes for this season, as she said some encouraging words.

“I hope the girls trust the program and the coaches,” Sooialo A’au said. “I have a lot of love for this team.”

Rugby Schedule Men’s

Feb. 21-22

GNAC Championships

Feb. 29

DII Last Chance Qualifier

Feb. 1

@ UA W, 32-28

Feb. 8

Gonzaga 1 p.m.

Women’s

Jan. 25

Seattle Saracens L, 20-43

Feb. 22

@ Lindenwood 11 a.m.

Engagement

16 Design: Teagan Kimbro

A

Camp C-Woo is Hiring Camp C-Woo is hiring! Apply to spend your summer creating a fun environment for kids while going on field trips and leading other exciting summer activities.

Hiring starts Feb. 1. For more info email campcwoo@gmail.com.

Register for Battle of the Bands Are you part of a band here at CWU? Interested in participating in Battle of the Bands? Register by Feb. 19.

Bands chosen will know by Feb. 21. Event is March 6.

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By unscrambling just a few words you could turn your boring night into an adventure

1. Go here to see local artwork layerlg eno

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ALL WEEK Call for Capital Submit your ideas for CWU’s next construction priorities. View, comment and vote on recommendations for future CWU capital and non-capital projects.

Visit cwu.edu/capital.

February 6, 2020

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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G

cwuobserver.com

2. One of the most popular hikes in Ellensburg tanhsamas dgrei

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6. 21+ year olds can do this on a Friday Night abr poh

3. Tour here to learn about sustainable energy lwid eoshr iwdn dna rloas ilifytac 4. A great place to play some volley ball and swim spopel’e nodp 5. A great place to go watch the sunset nosl’I kocr

7. Lore of a bottomless pit near Ellensburg les’m leoh 8. Go here to learn about the history of this area tsikaitt tnyuoc hsialrtcio uusemm 9. The farm animal who sits downtown eth lubl

THURS. FEB. 6 What is K-Pop? 5 p.m. • Samuelson 104 • Free Learn about K-pop, the South Korean pop music culture that is a global phenomenon. UCLA Professor Dr. SukYoung Kim will explore K-pop’s dynamic history, practice and cultural implications.

10. A quirky part home, part art installation kicd nda anejs’s ospt

“You” Screening: Stalking Awareness Month Series 7-8 p.m. • SURC 137B • Free Join the Wellness Center for a showing of Season 1, Episode 1 of “You,” followed by trivia that will help students to identify stalking behaviors and increase awareness.

Open Mic Night Signups at 7:30 p.m., Show starts at 8 p.m.

1891 Bistro • Free Sign up and perform, or just enjoy the show from the crowd! Hear from talented singers, performers, poets, musicians, and comedy acts.

THURS. FEB. 6 - SUN. FEB. 9 Short Works Festival 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6-8; 2 p.m. Feb. 9 McConnell Auditorium • cwu.edu/tickets $8 CWU student with ID, $12 Senior/alum/ student, $15 GA This perennial favorite features a number of short works written, directed, designed, acted, and produced by the amazing students of CWU Theatre Arts.

SAT. FEB. 8 - SUN. FEB. 9 Jeopardy Round 1: Feb. 8 • 12-7 p.m. • SURC Theatre Quarter Finals/ Semi Finals: Feb. 9 • 4-8 p.m.

SURC Theatre • Free, CWU students Campus Activities will be hosting a multi-day tournament with Jeopardy-style questions.

HOLIDAYS OF THE WEEK 02.06 02.07 02.08 02.09

National Frozen Yogurt Day “e” Day Laugh and Get Rich Day Chocolate Day

02.10 National Flannel Day 02.11 Extraterrestrial Culture Day 02.12 Hug Day

“

The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.

“

SAT. FEB. 8 Full Moon Ski 4-11 p.m. • Meet at OPR, Shuttle to Snoqualmie Pass $15/CWU students, $20 non-CWU students Cross country ski the Nordic ski trails near Snoqualmie Pass by the light of the full moon. Pre-registration and pre-trip meeting required.

W.E.B. Du Bois