Center for Cultural Innovation to possibly receive funding

go toward the CCI.

Klucking said they had started to consider this plan in March when the interest rates on construction were lower. Klucking said since then, the interest rates have increased, and while it isn’t as likely, it is still an option.

Morgana Carroll News Editor

Governor Jay Inslee’s proposed budget has allotted $6 million for the construction of the Center of Cultural Innovation (CCI) at CWU.

ASCWU held four open forums at the start of January to inform the public and answer any questions students had about progress on the CCI.

They were joined by Director of Capital Planning & Projects

Delano Palmer and Vice President of Finance and Administration Joel Klucking. Palmer and Klucking gave a presentation about the process of planning a building on campus and how they would attain funding.

According to Palmer, the state can only supply funding for academic buildings, which is why only $6 million of funding can be supplied by the state budget. According to Palmer, the $6 million would be used for making offices for diverse departments, such as African Studies and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies.

One proposed idea to fund the rest of the CCI is by refinancing the SURC, and taking out more bonds.

According to Klucking, this would mean reevaluating the current amount that CWU still owes to pay back the money it cost to build the SURC, and extending the time they would pay those monthly amounts while also using some of the money to

According to ASCWU Director of Equity and Multicultural Affairs Mariah Minjarez, there is not a finalized location for where the CCI will be, but options include a renovated International Building and a renovated Old Heat Building, among others.

According to Minjarez, the Equity and Services Council (ESC) and the Diversity and Equity Center (DEC) will be working with administration throughout the process.

“Those two are looking to start up that partnership because they have a shared mission and values of serving marginalized communities on campus,” Minjarez said.

According to Minjarez, CWU is aware that the needs of the students predate the completion of the CCI. Parts of Black Hall will be renovated to currently fit the needs that the CCI will eventually fulfill. What parts of Black Hall will be renovated has not been decided yet.

Jeffery Bousson joins CWU as new sustainability officer

Megan Rogers

Assistant News Editor

Jeffery (Jeff) Bousson joined CWU in December as the university’s new sustainability officer. As the sustainability officer, Bousson said he is developing projects, programs and initiatives related to sustainability.

Bousson studied political science with a minor in public administration at Eastern Illinois University then got his master’s in climate science and solutions at Northern Arizona University. After working in the sustainability field for a few, years Bousson came to CWU.

“I’ve been hired to lead the development and implementation of our first ever adopted campus-wide Climate Action Plan,” Bousson said. “Also identifying funding opportunities for landscape-scale or largescale commercial renewable energy projects, as well as transportation electrification and building decarbonization [opportunities].”

According to Bousson, the Climate Action Plan will serve as a blueprint for CWU to help the university achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goal. Bousson said this plan will also help increase engagement within the CWU community.

“We’re going to be reviewing what we’ve already done in terms of our energy, our buildings, our transportation, our food and dining, as well as how we incorporate sustainability within [the] curriculum and academia,” Bousson said.

According to Bousson, CWU wants to identify opportunities for decarbonization within every facet of campus.

“Potential electrification, potential green energy, waste reduction efforts, waste diversion, also, fully utilizing the Wildcat Neighborhood Farm which is a great resource for us,” Bousson said.

Bousson said that while these projects are not yet concrete, he also hopes to set up a sustainability newsletter and secure funding for potential geothermal and solar projects.

“We’re exploring opportunities to maximize our roofscapes in our property to see what we can do to decarbonize [and] how we power our electricity, but also decarbonize how we heat and cool our building,” Bousson said.

Bousson said he thinks sustainability is important on college campuses because it provides unique opportunities for collaboration.

“I think the kind of intellectual capital and the kind of enthusiasm that you can tap into on campus is really unique,” Bousson said. “Higher education is in a unique situation where we can be the leaders, and we’re already seeing that [with] other universities that are aiming to center equity within sustainability and climate change, and also equip and prepare our students for successful and meaningful careers.”

Bousson is originally from the North Shore suburbs of Chicago and what drives his passion for sustainability is the family camping trips he would take growing up.

“Having that exposure at a very early age, my sister and I were able to have a greater appreciation for the outdoors,” Bousson said.

Bousson said professors recognized his interest in the environment and nature, which helped him enter this field.

“We have a beautiful planet and I know that sounds kind of romantic, but when you go to national parks or national forests … it’s really easy to feel connected and that helps you press the proverbial refresh button in terms of whatever is going on in your daily life,” Bousson said.

OPINION AI art needs to go

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CWU student found dead in dorm identified

The CWU student who passed away in a residence hall on Jan. 17 has been identified as Gabriel “Gabe” Jungmann.

According to his obituary on DignityMemorial.com, Jungmann was a sophomore studying communication and film at CWU. The obituary said Jungmann “died from unknown causes the morning of January 17 in his dorm room.”

According to NBC Local Yakima, Kittitas County Coroner Nick Henderson said he completed the autopsy on Jan. 24. According to Henderson, the results of the autopsy were inconclusive, and the cause of death is still unknown. Henderson said he will be continuing further tests, which could take weeks.

The obituary said: “Gabriel was born May 20, 2002, in Everett, the youngest child of Conrad and Jennifer Jungmann … He loved hiking in the mountains, river rafting, playing video games with friends, taking road trips with his father, gardening with his mother, and cracking jokes with his brother and sister. Always quick with a quip, Gabe touched everyone he knew with his dry humor, broad intelligence, and sincere caring for other people.”

On Jan. 24, Chief of Staff Andrew Morse released a statement to The Observer:

“We are deferring to the medical examiner’s evaluation and will continue respecting the wishes of the student’s family regarding further communication about their life and the positive impact they had on their peers, community and all who knew them.”

According to a CWU News update by Wohlpart on Jan. 26, “While the Kittitas County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet determined Gabe’s cause of death, we continue to work with the Jungmanns on how to best communicate the details of their tragic loss with the CWU community.”

Wohlpart urged community members who need support to utilize Student Counseling Services by calling (509) 963-1391. He said that employees who need support can contact the Employee Assistance Program at (800) 777-4114.