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Diversity
Sports
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Opinion
Events
April 20, 2022
Vol. 122 NO. 3
By the students, for the students
Possible federal legalization of marijuana impacts students By Joshua Kornfeld Staff Reporter The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act) on April 1. The act aims to decriminalize the use of marijuana at the federal level. The bill requires passage in both the House and Senate and the president’s signature to be enacted into law. In the Senate, the bill requires to pass with 60 votes to clear the filibuster. Ninety-one percent of Americans believe marijuana should be legal for recreational and medical use in 2021, according to the Pew Research Center. According to CNET, 18 states have legalized recreational use of marijuana, and 37 states and Washington D.C. have legalized use of medical marijuana. Robert Claridge, senior lecturer of law and justice and former lawyer at the Florida Department of Health, said one caveat is just because the federal government has decriminalized cannabis doesn’t mean the states have to follow suit and decriminalize cannabis. “The federal government making it legal may encourage or inspire other states towards that direction,” Claridge said. Potential direct impacts of legalization With legalization of marijunana use, related businesses would be able to deposit money into banks with FDIC protections, Claridge said. Currently, all aspects of the business have to remain within the boundaries of the state to avoid violating federal law. Currently, customers can’t pay for marijuana products with credit cards for the same reasons, Claridge said. In terms of understanding federal and state land, Claridge said, “It’s really about the land ownership in terms of knowing that you have the
right to consume marijuana. The question under this law is going to be, am I standing on federal land?” Potential indirect impacts of legalization Lily De Young, a junior majoring in fashion, said, “There’s a lot of people currently locked up for possession when it’s legal in most places. It would make more sense for the whole nation to be on board with legalization.” Claridge highlighted additional impacts of the bill such as, “allowing schools like Central Washington University that are located in states that have legalized the use of cannabis, to really allow their students pursuant to state law to consume marijuana on their campuses.” Claridge said even though students may purchase cannabis products in one state legally, such as Washington, they can’t consume these products in other states where it is not decriminalized, such as Alabama. People may still face local restrictions and prosecution as local law can differ from federal law. Other aspects to consider This bill doesn’t impact or expunge any records for anyone currently federally incarcerated for possession of marijuana. “The real implications are the ways in which, in states where it’s legal like, Washington, in regards to retail and consumption of cannabis, processes are more streamlined, probably make the product more accessible and, hopefully, cost a little bit less,” Claridge said. Claridge said he predicts the federal government will still impose other restrictions around cannabis. “Students who are interested and excited about this change, have lots of reasons to be,” Cladridge said. “I do think these changes, the indirect effects, will really benefit consumers of cannabis.”
Editorial: University responds to removing copies of The Observer By Star Diavolikis Editor-in-Chief’ We received a lot of responses to our editorial last week titled “Censorship is alive and well: Business administration discarded The Observer.” This editorial discussed a situation involving the College of Business Dean Jeff Stinson and Associate Dean Keke “Coco” Wu throwing away our newspaper over a story we published in Issue One called “2023 budget projections reflect impending cuts.” We saw all the comments and how far the story went on social media, and it is greatly appreciated. I would like to let readers know that we are not dropping this story, and will be
following it. On Tuesday, April 19, Vice President of Public Affairs Kremiere Jackson provided a university statement. “Central Washington University supports student journalism in all its forms. The institution’s goal is, and always has been, to be helpful and transparent with the Observer, PULSE, and Central NewsWatch. The CWU administration does not censor the work of student journalists, and it has always been supportive of their constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” the statement read. The statement continued: “We acknowledge that the incident at Shaw-Smyser
Hall earlier this month could have been handled differently. CWU recognizes the value of student media and the important role ethical journalism plays on campus and in society. We encourage student media to adhere to best professional practices when requesting information and interviews with CWU administration, and we will accommodate those inquiries in a timely manner.” If you would like to comment on this situation or send a Letter to the Editor regarding the matter, please reach out to cwuobserver@gmail. com. Public voices are always appreciated, especially as a paper that strives to improve itself and support its audience.
Local Ellensburg botany shop wins best new business Story online Photo from inside of The Botany Shop, Photo by Megan Rogers/The Observer.
A LOOK BEYOND
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April 20, 2022
Beyond Our Coverage Local
National
Two runners local to Ellensburg ran in the Boston Marathon. Monte Thorn placed 3412th, and Joy Stenehjem placed 12506th, according to the Yakima Herald. The Ellensburg Farmers Market is returning soon, with opening day on Saturday, May 7. The Ellensburg Farmers Market will happen in downtown Ellensburg on East Fourth Avenue, according to the Daily Record. Interim Police Chief Brigit Clary becomes the first female police chief of Richland, according to NBC. Two men involved in the killing of an 18-year-old in Everett, Washington during 2002 have received reduced sentences. Their sentences have been reduced from 26 years to 22 and a half years because of their ages at the time of the killing, according to The Olympian. An urn was found on the side of I-90 between Kittitas and Ellensburg. The coroners found a metal identifier and are currently trying to locate the next of kin, according to iFiberone.
World
After a federal ruling in Florida regarding the legality of the federal transportation mask mandate, several airlines have dropped the inflight mask requirement, according to The Seattle Times. Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines are among the airlines that have dropped the requirement. Three mass shootings occurred during the Easter weekend, two in South Carolina and the other in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, according to AP News. Two minors were killed in one of the shootings. A federal judge in Florida ruled that mask mandates on airlines and transportation are illegal, according to ABC News. The judge declared the mandates as exceeding the authority of federal agencies even if public safety is in mind. A New York City mother was stabbed to death on Saturday and then left in a duffel bag, according to ABC News. Police believe she was killed in her basement and are currently talking to three suspects. Elon Musk is pursuing the ownership of Twitter, according to AP News. Musk has offered to buy Twitter for $43 billion for the sake of making Twitter a private company.
A rocket was fired from militants in Gaza following the tensions in Jerusalem, according to The New York Times. China completely locks down after a COVID-19 outbreak, according to The New York Times. The lockdown of the world’s second-largest economy suspended assembly lines, workers, truck drivers and others. Heavy rains and floods are impacting southern Africa according to CNN. The floods have killed hundreds while homes were damaged houses and roads. During renovations to Notre Dame, a sarcophagus possibly dating back to the 14th century was uncovered beneath the church, according to NBC. Catalan leader Pere Aragones accused the Spanish government on Monday of using spyware to infect phones belonging to Catalan pro-independence figures, according to Reuters. The “Pegasus” spyware was made by Israel’s NSO Group, which said the information about the allegations is false.
Compiled by staff
U.S. health officials are concerned a dip in the overall number of three common sexually transmitted diseases in 2020 was largely driven by a decline in screening and diagnoses, as resources were diverted and access to care was limited during the COVID-19 pandemic according to US News. SpaceX launched a secret payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. According to CBS News, SpaceX did not confirm any details about the launch, as it was classified.
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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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April 20, 2022
THE
DIVERSITY PAGE
Sharing perspectives
Supporting awareness
The history and impact of marijuana incarceration on minority communities By Morgana Carroll Staff Reporter “You aren’t going to go arrest the people on Wall Street for their powder cocaine; It’s done behind closed doors, and they can afford a good lawyer,” said Chuck Reasons, law and justice professor. “Much easier to crack down on the marijuana deals on the open street corner, and they can’t afford a lawyer,” said Reasons on the incarceration of marijuana users. The U.S. has the highest prison population in the world due to a sharp incline that started in the 1970s and skyrocketed in the 1980s, according to the World Atlas. The prison population grew to be, and continues to be, disproportionately non-white according to date collected by the U.S. Census and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Reasons said the steep incline in incarceration was due to the war on drugs, including marijuana. The history of the war on drugs Reasons said former President Richard Nixon’s administration began the war on drugs in order to target minority groups and demographics that could vote against him by putting them in prisons for drug-related offenses. Nixon first formally declared a war on drugs in 1971 and would
coin the term in a message to congress where he lined out his campaign goals, according to Britannica. Nixon said this campaign was directed towards eradication, interdiction and incarceration. Nixon would later form the Drug Enforcement Administration by merging several smaller cabinets that had been aimed at drug control, including the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and the Office of Narcotics Intelligence, according to Britannica. Nixon’s Domestic Affairs Cabinet Member, John Ehrlichman, said to Harper’s Magazine the Nixon administration had “two enemies: the antiwar left and Black people. … We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and Blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities.” Reasons said the history of drug criminalization to target minority communities in the U.S. can be tracked all the way back to 1914, when opium was criminalized to incarcerate Chinese immigrants due to fears they would take working class jobs. Reasons said around this time, marijuana was most often associated with Latin Americans and not with Black Americans. A shift occurred in the ‘60s and
‘70s where marijuana and general drug use became more associated with Black Americans, according to Reasons. Reasons said criminalizing marijuana and other substances prevalent in low income and urban areas would mean incarcerating people that could vote against Nixon, and later, Reagan. Prisoners cannot vote, and in many states, felons have their right to vote revoked permanently, according to Reasons. There are other liberties withheld from these groups after being incarcerated as well, ranging from welfare eligibility to the ability to possess firearms, according to Reasons. Reasons said another political benefit from the war on drugs was that it was an easy campaign issue. Reasons cited Nixon’s hot button issue on the topic during his initial campaigning, how Former President Ronald Reagan continued this by passing the Anti-Drug Abuse Act and how Former President Bill Clinton passed the Mandatory Minimum Act as examples of the continuity of presidents being hard on drugs at the end of the 20th century. Disparities in demographics Reasons explained the cause for the disparity in how certain drugs are enforced versus others is due to who is using them.
Reasons said that harsher laws and legislation are made for drugs such as marijuana because they are associated with the lower class. Drugs used by higher status figures like politicians, movie stars and executives have lower repercussions and aren’t enforced as harshly, and often had lower prison sentences in the event that a public figure was caught in possession, according to Reasons. Reasons recounted one instance where Nebraska, a state known for conservative views on drug use, amended the law so those caught in possession could get education rather than go to jail. While appealing in theory, this may have been done only for ulterior motives, according to Reasons. “It turns out that only happened because the state’s attorney general’s son was caught smoking marijuana, so again it’s about power and who’s using what drugs,” Reasons said. According to Forbes, there are approximately 40,000 Americans still in prison for marijuana related offenses in states where marijuana use is now legal. Despite a record high 68% of Americans supporting federal legalization of marijuana according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Reasons still thinks that federal legalization could be far away.
“I’d like to see it in my lifetime,” Reasons said. “I think, hopefully, that it could be 10 years out from now.” Going forward Reasons said that as marijuana use increases in popularity and becomes less stigmatized, marijuana criminalization seems like a thing of the past, but it still continues. According to the FBI’s Drug Bureau statistics, in 2018 there was a drug related arrest every 20 seconds. According to Forbes, there was a marijuana related arrest every 58 seconds, and 92% of those marijuana arrests are possession charges while only 8% of those arrests involve illegal trade, such as Reason’s example of growing without a permit. According to Reasons, “retroactivity” is a contentious issue in legal spaces. “Retroactivity” is pardoning those who have been convicted of a crime that is now legal, in this instance marijuana possession in states where it is now legal. “One argument against [retroactivity] is that you do the crime you do the time,” Reasons said. “These people did something illegal, and they need to serve their time. On the other hand, some argue this isn’t justice. These people are still being punished for something that we have decided was never wrong, and it isn’t just.”
Wellness Center honors National Sexual Abuse Awareness Month By Libby Williams News Editor Shirts with messages of, “stop the abuse,” “never lose your voice,” “no means no, not maybe” and more hang above the SURC’s dining area. This is in honor of sexual assault victims for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Wellness Center is spearheading events this month to raise awareness and encourage prevention against assault. “It’s really unfortunately common in society,” said Katie Parks, the health promotion coordinator at the Wellness Center. “Research tells us that about one out of every six American women has been the victim of sexual assault in their lifetime, and so that means that most people know someone who has experienced sexual assault.”
Parks said there’s plenty of events and programs, starting with the t-shirts that will remain up all month. “The shirts have messages of healing, hope and resilience,” Parks said. “That’s to let folks know that they’re not alone.” An event in this series will be on April 26, called Show Up, Speak Out. The event will feature survivors speaking about their experiences. The second half of the event will feature clubs and organizations speaking and teaching about the issue, as well as crafts, music and food. “The goal of the event is to show support for survivors,” Parks said. “[It’s] for the campus and the community to gather and to show their support.” There are year-round resources for students, both in and out of the Wellness Center, according to Parks.
“Here at Central we have P.A.T.H., which stands for Prevention, Advocacy, Training and Healing, and that’s located in the Wellness Center,” Parks said. “That is open to anyone who has personally experienced violence, knows someone … who’s experienced violence and looking for support.” There is a local resource called Aspen, located on Fourth Street in Ellensburg, according to Parks. They offer a “safe space for individuals who are survivors of violent crime, sexual assault or domestic violence to come and recieve services,” according to their website. There are also national resources like RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) and the National Domestic Voilence Hotline. Parks said she believes that programming like this on cam-
puses and in communities is helping prevent future abuse. “I have heard a lot of positive feedback about the clothesline project specifically and how it’s helped people become more aware of these issues,” Parks
said. “Having it right there in the SURC, front and center, does bring awareness.” If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, the following resources are available to you.
CWU Prevention, Advocacy, Training and Healing (P.A.T.H.): 509-963-3213 & PATH@cwu.edu CWU Student Counseling Services: 509-963-1391
WildcatCare365 (Virtual counseling): https://timely. md/schools/index.html?school=wildcatcare365&
Aspen Victim Advocacy Services: 24/7 Hotline (Kittitas County): 509-925-9384 & 24/7 Hotline (Yakima County): 509-451-9675
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 & live chat: www.rainn.org National Domestic Violence Hotline: 24/7 Hotline; 1-800-799-7233 & live chat: www.thehotline.org National Sexual Violence Resource Center: www.nsvrc.org/saam
MARIJUA By Issac Hinson and Jacqueline Hixssen Staff Reporters
Marijuana has long been banned for collegiate athletes. Marijuana is a legal drug in Washington, but the punishments a student-athlete would face makes the drug virtually untouchable for athletes. Logistics behind the policy CWU athletics participates in the NCAA and must follow their guidelines to remain within the organization. According to CWU’s Athletic Director Dennis Francois, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) and CWU ban marijuana for the better judgment of their athletes. CWU’s current marijuana policy for athletes has a three-offense approach. The CWU “Con-
“It’s nice to see change … to see more leniency on something that’s legal to these mostly of-age people. Anonymous student-athlete
sequences for Infractions of the CWU Substance Use and Personal Conduct Policy” was written by student-athletes from CWU in 2014, according to Francois. Former football and soccer players, as well as Francois, visited the Apple Conference, a program put together by the NCAA in California. The students put together a structured outline of all the things CWU needed to start developing, according to Francois. “It wasn’t us as an administration developing all of these policies and procedures and urging them to stick with them,” Francois said, “They [students] actually brought it back to the student-athlete advisory committee … They actually developed 90 plus percent of these policies.”
Policy offense guidelines If an athlete is caught using cannabis, for the first offense the athlete must have a meeting with their coach and Francois and possibly student conduct sanctions and participate in wellness education. If athletes get a second offense, the athlete must meet again with their coach and Francois. They then could lose up to 25% of the season, and per their coach’s discretion, write a letter of apology. If the athlete then gets a third offense, they would be
subjected to losing 100% of their season and could be dismissed from the program. “These are the minimums; we tell our athletes that your coach or your particular program can have higher standards, but they can’t have lower standards than these,” Francois said.
NCAA Policy Standards The CWU athletic program follows the NCAA in all their offense terms except for one. In an NCAA meeting in late February, the NCAA suggested all schools within their organizations update their penalty structures. On the third offense, the NCAA said, “No loss of eligibility if the school provides additional management and education and confirms the student-athlete was compliant with the previous two treatment and education plans. “However, the student-athlete must be withheld from 50% of regular-season contests if they were not compliant with the previous management and education plan.” Upon gaining knowledge of the NCAA’s updated marijuana regulations, Francois said that a tweak in CWU’s policy may be needed to be more in line with the NCAA’s 50% rule.
“I sent that [NCAA Regulations] to our senior staff yesterday and said, ‘With this information we probably need to revisit our policy,’” Francois said.
Changes in CWU Athletics policies The policy the athletes follow today is not the same policy that had always been followed. Prior to the 2014 Apple Conference, the department lacked policies altogether. Once marijuana started to normalize throughout Washington, CWU had to create and adjust its alcohol and drug policy. “About three years ago, we started looking at this a little differently,” Francois said, “We were missing the educational side of it … We changed our policy to have a better wellness education component.” Marijuana can be prescribed by a doctor to individuals to help reduce anxiety, inflammation, pain and more. Student-athletes must opt out of this type of treatment due to the NCAA guidelines, according to Francois. “In the NCAA eyes, [medical marijuana] is not on the table,” Francois said. “We make sure our student-athletes know even though it is legal in the state of Washington and or you may have a medical mari-
ANA juana card, it is a banned substance and not permissible.” There are 39 states including Washington D.C. that have legalized medical marijuana and 18 states including Washington D.C. legalized recreational marijuana. “Things are evolving, especially with the therapeutical use of CBD … They realize it is not necessarily a performing enhancing drug,” Francois said. “It is something we and the NCAA Sports Science Institute is paying attention to, but it is still not legal in every state or in a federal perspective.” Despite regulations, a large percentage of students use marijuana, according a study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The study had marijuana use among college students in 2020 at 44%.
A student-athlete’s experience “It really hasn’t taken any sort of toll on my ability to play,” an anonymous student-athlete said. “When marijuana is combined with the playing of a sport, obviously, you’re going to see some sort of complication … It slows your mind down … It takes away some ability to make split second decisions.” The athlete in question is a self-described “frequent” mar-
ijuana user and said they have never played a game while intoxicated, only attended practice. “You’re only going to see it if the drug is being used at the moment or immediately prior to play,” the student-athlete said. “You’re not going to see the effects of it if they smoke and they have a game a day later … As long as they’re not smoking excessively, there’s really no downfall … in the sense of a lingering negative toll on play.” As previously stated, the NCAA adjusted their marijuana
CWU athletics I N
related penalties. Athletes no longer automatically lose eligibility to play following a positive test, and the THC threshold to register a positive test was increased from 35 nanograms to 150 nanograms. “I definitely see it as a step in the right direction,” the student-athlete said. “I think the guidelines are good, it’s nice to see change … to see more leniency on something that’s legal to these mostly of-age people. People forget that they’re still people, you know.”
Marijuana is one of the drugs that the NCAA tests for in their drug testing policy. “It’s just a waste of time … It’s a continued step in the wrong direction,” the student-athlete said. ”You’re not gonna find any sort of success in testing for a drug that most adults, especially with the demographic of most professional sports players, is used very frequently. You can’t just take people and say ‘You need to be clean as a whistle’ … It’s something that’s legalized and it’s becoming more and more accepted.”
OPINION SPORTS
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Weedith and Ethel: Ask the Aunties By ‘Weedith and Ethel’ Columnists
Weedith and Ethel My friends smoke a lot of weed, and they are pressuring me to smoke with them, but I don’t want to. How can I politely, but firmly tell them no? Sincerely, James Bong Ethel: Peer pressure is always a tough subject to broach with friends. The best thing to do is to just mention the next time they bring it up that you are continually saying no, and that answer probably won’t change, but they will be the first people to know if you change your mind. Weedith: I cannot stand the smell of weed, it makes me feel icky, so it is an issue for me when my friends are getting high around me. Granted they are having a good time, I don’t want to deal with a headache while they’re vibing. Edibles, I mean… Go for it. Just don’t pressure me because they taste good and you know I love a good corner piece brownie. Ethel: Also, can we just talk about what a red flag it is when people peer pressure friends? I feel like “no means no” no matter what, and people who push and push when met with boundaries shouldn’t hold space in your personal circle. Weedith: Exactly. Boundaries and consent go beyond just in the context of sexual relationships. If I say no, don’t try to shove these in my face or even blow smoke in my face, it still means no. I went to a party on New Years Eve where somebody knew I don’t smoke for personal reasons, and they straight up blew smoke in my face after taking a rip from the bong. Yuck. Ethel: Gross. It’s never fun to be forced into anything, and ew, germs. Definitely tell people to keep that stuff to themselves. Anyways, if they still can’t take the hint, it’s time to be more firm. Weedith: Oh, for sure. I have no problem telling somebody to keep their fun time away from me. I’m such a grouch. Your boundaries and your level of comfortability mean more than the fun environment. Be upfront and honest! They may not take the hint! Ethel: And if they can’t honor your boundaries, time to distance yourself. As said before, people who disregard boundaries should disregard themselves. Subtract them from your circle, you’ll probably find less stress!
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submit your questions to cwuobserver@gmail.com (all questions will remain anonymous)
April 20, 2022
Opinion: Marijuana should not be allowed on campus By Libby Williams Columnist While I believe people have the right to use marijuana recreationally on their own property, I do agree with the school’s policy to keep it off campus. While recreational use of marijuana is legal in Washington, like most colleges, CWU does not prohibit any possession of cannabis on campus. According to the school’s alcohol and drug policies, “Central Washington University is required to adhere to all regulations set forth by the DrugFree Schools and Campuses Act. Annual distribution of drug-free campus and workplace information to students and employees is required by federal law.” Firstly, some people simply don’t want to be exposed to marijuana smoke. The smell and potential secondhand effects are things I’ve heard peers be vocally upset with. Furthermore, this rule is fairly commonplace; most jobs
won’t let you come in under the influence of marijuana or alcohol. I think school falls under that same category, especially higher education. Something I do think should be discussed is allowing medical marijuana on campuses. According to Harvard Health, the most common use for medical marijuana in the U.S. is pain control. The site says, “It is quite effective for the chronic pain that plagues millions of Americans, especially as they age. Part of its allure is that it is clearly safer than opiates.” It can also be a substitute for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for people with kidney issues or ulcers. Based on this site, medical marijuana use is more common in older adults. It also needs to be approved and planned by a doctor. If a student could provide proof of need, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to use marijuana medically on campus.
I also believe there is a lot of stigma surrounding marijuana use. I think the university reserves the right to pro-
hibit drug and alcohol use on campus, but what people do responsibly in their own time is their own perogative.
Photo courtesy of pexels.com
Satire: Put this in your pipe and smoke it By Katherine Camarata Columnist We’re all smokin’ the devil’s lettuce, whether we admit to it or not. Ever since legalization, I feel like I can’t walk two blocks without catching a whiff of somebody throwing their life away. That being said, I can’t blame those pot-smoking philanderers. Look at the state of the world and tell me sobriety sounds like a more viable way to cope than dope. In honor of the most important holiday ever celebrated, I’m going to let you know my unadulterated thoughts about every which way one might kick back, spark one up and destroy a few brain cells or opportunities. Joint: This tried and true method is like the burrito wrapper of smoking; it tastes like paper, so if you were into making spitwads in middle school, this is the method for you. The only time a crutch is a good thing is when it keeps you from eating grass like some livestock just trying to live. Blunt: A thick blunt is like the brown paper bag of smoking methods. It tastes like a cigar
with none of the pizzazz but hits you in the face like a taco truck. Pipe: Whether it’s glass or metal (and you’ll want to use glass because metal pipes heat up faster than your uncle on Christ-
accidentally eat when the hole in a pipe is too big to function, because Zoinks! They sure are nasty for something called snacks. Bong: This is like the beaker of smoking accouterments, but
Photo courtesy of pexels.com
mas Eve), this trusty modality is a great way to smoke some trees in a tree. Just make sure you keep the cherry going and use a screen so you don’t get Scooby snacks, those little bits of burnt weed you
the only experiment you’ll be conducting is how many handfuls it takes to get to the center of a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos bag. Vape Pen: This goes out to all the people that like sucking
through straws when there is only ice left in the cup, however it’s the most covert and smellfree way to smoke. Nothing spells adulthood like smoking vape juice that tastes like Skittles and regret. Volcano Vape: The microwaved popcorn of weed-smoking modalities; if you have ever been called a bag of hot air, this is the machine for you. Apple: The most versatile of the smoking methods. It can keep doctors away, you can eat it as breakfast, you can shell a couple holes in it with an old ballpoint pen and roast one down, you can plant it in the ground, you can drop it over somebody’s head out of a tree so they think they discovered some law of nature or something… The options are endless with Washington’s most beloved fruit. Knifers: A splendid way to ruin your silverware and the only reason having old coiled burners on a stove is useful. There you have it folks, no stoner has been left unturned during this in-depth analysis that you absolutely should not use as rolling paper. Remember, don’t try this at home.
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April 20, 2022
SPORTS
Long snapper recieves first team honors
Colson Brunner sheds light on overlooked position By Chase Beyer Staff Reporter Quarterback and wide receiver are well-known football positions, but freshman Colson Brunner hopes to put one particular position on the map: long snapper. Brunner, the long snapper for the CWU football team, received first-team All-Conference Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) honors last season. “People are realizing that ‘Hey, we’re a real position,’” Brunner said. “We’re not just some [offensive] lineman that throws the ball through our legs.” Brunner said he was surprised the GNAC had long snappers on the first-team to begin with. “I was shocked. Are you kidding me?” Brunner said. “I was excited and immediately screenshot it, sent it out to all of my family and everyone was excited and hyped up for me, but I was really surprised.”
Brunner’s biggest line of support throughout the season came from his family. “[I’m] a real family based guy, through and through. My mom went to all the camps with me, and my dad was the one who caught all of my snaps,” Brunner said. “I have my sister Shelby, she’s the same thing, she’s the one who keeps it 100% real with me.” Brunner grew up in Cashmere, Washington working on a cherry and pear orchard. He started working out in the fields when he was eight years old. “I take really big pride in being from Cashmere because I know it’s a real blue collar community. It’s hard work. It’s closely knit,” Brunner said. “There’s so much support coming from Cashmere, and I feel that to this day and I’m gonna feel it for the rest of my playing career. So I take huge pride in being from there.” Brunner said he has a passion for the outdoors and most of his favorite activities stem from his childhood.
Sophomore Colson Brunner celebrating after a CWU win, Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson.
“I love hunting and fishing,” Brunner said. “That is something I enjoy. So like Cashmere, if it’s hunting season, you’re hunting. If it’s in season, you’re going bass fishing. In the winter time, go up to Fish Lake and go ice fishing.” With CWU moving conferences from the GNAC to the Lone Star Conference this upcoming season, Brunner has his eyes on much more than firstteam All-Conference. “The goal is first-team, that’s what my expectations are, to get first-team again and retain that award,” he said. “Then the next step from there is to get more
SERVICE. PURPOSE. OPPORTUNITY.
recognition and more awards that’s not just Lone Star, maybe an All-American.” Brunner said his expectations are high and so are the standards he sets for himself. “On the field, I’m a perfectionist. My job is to be perfect every time and if I get noticed, that’s a terrible thing,” Brunner said. “So if my snaps are not perfect, I don’t like it. I go through all of my film, even from practice and in games, and I’m like, ‘That snap was bad because I hit him left hip instead of right hip,’ It’s very minor details but it matters to me.”
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Sophomore Colson Brunner lining up his snap, Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson.
EVENTS
Page 08
April 20, 2022
Wildcat Words: What music genre do you not like and why?
Mona K.
Emma F.
Joshua B.
Maddie C.
Vanessa C.
Jr. Studio Art
Fr. Biology
So. Anthropology
Fr. Special Education
So. Law and Justice
“I don’t know if I don’t like it but it is definitely my least favorite. Country, I think I just didn’t really grow up listening to it.”
“I really don’t like rap too much. I like more of Rock and Roll or like ‘90s Hip-Hop.”
“I’ll have to say Pop because I’m not really interested in it. I’m more into other genres like HipHop and EDM.”
“I’m going to have to go with Country. I just wasn’t surrounded by it growing up, so it doesn’t really hold a lot of meaning to me compared to others.”
“I’m pretty much open to anything, but I guess the least that I listen to is Country. I’m used to hearing Banda music. Country is kind of similar to that, but in Spanish, but it’s like I enjoy it more.”
QA &
with
D R . S AT H Y RAJENDRAN
weekly events
21 THURS
22 FRI
Sathyanarayanan “Sathy” Rajendran has been named the new dean of Central Washington University’s College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS). Rajendran has a BS, MS, and PhD in civil engineering, and joined the CWU faculty in 2011 as a professor of Safety and Health Management. He was previously the department chair and a professor in Engineering Technologies, Safety and Construction (ETSC) before being named the new dean of CEPS. Q: What made you want to become a professor in Engineering Technologies, Safety and Construction at CWU?
A: I was born in Chennai, a cosmopolitan city in South India, and grew up in a neighborhood known for its socio-economic diversity. I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering. During my undergraduate years I had an opportunity to teach a course, and my friends brought up the idea of being a teacher and I would be great at it. Along with initial spark, I cannot think of a better career than higher education to make other people lives better. As a 20-year-old, less than a year after 9/11, I moved to the United States to pursue my graduate studies at Oregon State University. Despite facing financial hardships and personal adversities, I finished my M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering in four years. I strongly believe in hands-on experience to teach effectively in a professional program. Hence, I paused my pursuit of an academic career and entered the corporate sector, working for a billion-dollar construction firm for five years in different capacities. While I made a significant impact in many workers’ lives through my professional work, my calling was higher education. Having gained valuable professional experience, I joined CWU in 2011 as an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Safety and Health Management Program. Q: Why did you decide to interview for the dean of CEPS position?
A: While I am satisfied and challenged by my current appointments at CWU and the impact I make in student success through my leadership, the opportunities associated with this Dean position, and the broader impact I can make on CWU’s constituents, inspired me to apply. I am currently a full professor and in my fifth year as Chair of the Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction (ETSC) Department. I serve as the program coordinator for three degrees - the Safety and Health Management (BS) degree and the Risk, Insurance, and Safety Management (BS/BAS) degrees. During my ten years at CWU, I have gained a unique set of skills for this Dean position by experiencing and observing the university functions from multiple angles – faculty member, program director, leader of the Faculty Senate, and Chair of a large and complex department. With my personal, academic, and professional experiences in both private and public sectors, I will bring a broad perspective and successfully lead the CEPS team. As an authentic servant leader, it is all about the people I will serve. Q: How do you plan to provide a sense of belonging to students within CEPS?
A: I firmly believe that inclusive excellence is critical for institutional excellence in all aspects and to make the college of choice dream a reality. We will provide a sense of belonging to students through a culture of active care and respect. Humans are hardwired to belong; our primary and core need to be wholly accepted and included by people around us, whether family, friends, or colleagues. As a college of choice, CEPS will create an educational experience that is a model that identifies and eliminates barriers that prevent students from joining our community (access) or reaching their true potential once they join us. We will position our students to do their best work and become their excellent selves when they graduate both career-ready and life-ready. When you invest in and genuinely care about your employee’s well-being, they are more likely to go above and beyond to retain students and best serve them. As a person who is not afraid to be vulnerable, a servant leader with a strong commitment, self-education, and grit, I believe we can create a sense of belonging on our journey towards the college of choice known for inclusive excellence.
23 SAT
24 SUN
6-7:30 p.m. Plant Yourself in the Learning Commons @ Brooks Library 7-10 p.m. CWU Mariners Night p.m. Improv @10-11 T-Mobile StadiumNight The Hot New Jam @ Murder SURC 7-9:30 p.m. Hollywood Theater 210 Mystery Night @ SURC Ballroom 137A/B 8:30 a.m. to noon Yakima River Clean-Up @ SURC East Patio 7 -10 p.m. Live Music, Hoops & Comedy @ Old Skool’s on Main Street 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Yoga Hike @ Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals 4-6 p.m. Music & Autism: Piano, Percussion and Composition National Pickle Day Collaborative Performance @ McIntyre Hall 174
25
7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Monday Movie Madness: Spider-Man: No Way Home @ SURC Theater 210
26
4-7 p.m. Show Up, Speak Out @ SURC Ballroom 4-5 p.m. Culture Corner at the DEC @ Black Hall 105
MON
TUES
27 WED
4-6 p.m. OPR Weekly Fireside Chat @ Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals Patio 57-8 p.m. Word to the Wildcats p.m. Composition Studio Podcast YouTube Recital @ @ SLICE McIntyre Hall 174
Q: While being the dean of CEPS, what goal do you most want to accomplish?
A: My vision is to make CEPS the college of choice rooted in a culture of active care, respect, trust, inclusion, positivity, collaboration, excellence, and innovation. I want to foster a community within CEPS that is equitable, provides a sense of belonging, and promotes excellence in student success and engagement, teaching, and research that will draw students, staff, and faculty to the college. This thriving CEPS community will have engaged external constituents, including our alumni and friends of CWU. Q: What has been your most memorable moment at CWU?
A: I have many. My most memorable moment is like Groundhog Day - witnessing the student life cycle repeating. It is very fulfilling to see students go through the student life cycle from recruitment to graduation. I have met several students at the new student orientation for the first time and see them at commencement career-ready and life-ready four years later. It is memorable to see them come back and engage as alumni in the form of guest speakers, employers, and mentors; and give back as donors to positively impact their institution. Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I think I am still young. Anyways, I wanted to serve as a police officer. I come from a family of police officers. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all served as police officers. I rode in my dad’s police jeep as a kid and was always inspired. Well, mom said no. She was always worried about dad every day during his 37 years of service in the force, given the risks involved with his service. However, I am so honored to be in higher education to continue my family tradition of public service. Photo courtesy of Sathy Rajendran.
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Wildcat Words - Brevin Ross. Q&A - Crystal Clausen.
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