UOG Triton's Call Newspaper Issue 2, March 2019, Volume 46

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Fañomnåkan 2019, Vol. 46, Issue 2, March

Cancer Research Center promotes health screening

By Sophia Madlambayan Triton’s Call Staff The UOG Cancer Research Center displayed its inflatable colon, KULU, at the English and Communication Building atrium during the University’s 51st Charter Day. Visitors walked through the colon and had the chance to learn about colorectal cancer.

The name KULU represents a conch shell and depicts a call-toaction for individuals to get screened for colorectal cancer.

According to Maurissa Sayama, a community outreach core member for the UOG Cancer Research Center, colon cancer is the third leading cancer killer on Guam.

Normal colon tissue is smooth and pink. When growths or polyps start

Continued on page 7

UOG Cancer Research Center set up KULU, the inflatable colon, to teach visitors about colorectal cancer screening.

Photo courtesy of UOG

40th Annual Research Conference highlights students’ works

By Therese Martinez and Tahira Ewatel Triton’s Call Staff The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences held its 40th Annual Research Conference on March 8. This year’s conference saw a rise in the numbers of student participants, according to Sharleen Santos-Bamba, PhD, interim associate

dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

“We had many student presentations, and that is a highlight for me and many others, because students can use this as a platform to present and share the research they’ve engaged in,” Santos-Bamba said.

This year’s conference theme, “I Tano, I Tasi, Yan I Taotao Siha: Balance,

Boundaries, and Behaviors,” represented people’s ability to positively affect their land, water, and others around them.

Santos-Bamba, said she was thrilled with the number of attendees.

With about half of the presenters this year comprising of students, Santos-Bamba hopes that in the years to come, more students from different colleges

at the University will also participate in this conference.

Lei Bao, a presenter and adjunct faculty of Critical Thinking at UOG said: “It was a good opportunity for the researchers to join together and share their discovery. We really need the “party” like this for communicating and bonding with each other.”

Bao added that

it is a good idea to make presentations in different classrooms.

Students can choose the topics they are interested in to participate and listen.

“I think we can post the information earlier and ask the professors and instructors to announce to the students,” Bao said.

This year’s outcome Continued on page 2

University of Guam Triton’s Call, March 2019

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Non-functioning lights leave campus dark at night

By James Rupert Triton’s Call Staff Students have expressed concerns regarding broken lights on campus. However, repairs that would properly mitigate this issue don’t come as quick. “It is scary at night, we could use a lot more lights at the dorms,� said Betofina Kostantino, a UOG student. “It feels creepy walking home from class at night, but I just avoid those areas that make me feel that way.�

Frank Troy, superintendent of Building Maintenance, said his office is taking measures to address concerns regarding lighting. “Work orders constantly come in, we cannot get everything at once, but we’re doing the best we can replacing failed lamps with more energyefficient ones,� Troy said.

Repairs and other services are ordered at the Plant Maintenance building, shown above.

Photo by James Rupert

“Once we have the materials it gets done the assembly can continue retrofitting longer lasting LED lights for the students and it will allow them to concentrate on their studies,� Troy said.

Miranda Oderiong, Building Maintenance staff, said her office tries to maintain the buildings promptly and

professionally. “That is what we are here for, to give the students a good quality of space and the students appreciate it,�

Oderiong said.

Safety measures In light of safety concerns, there are various measures that UOG faculty, staff and students can adopt to minimize their risks.

The faculty has its own safety structure learned through experience, and it has developed specific procedures with the Plant Management division for emergency situations, as stated on the Plant Maintenance Standard Operating Procedures.

Students can take part in prevention courses and drills regularly to

practice safety.

Additionally, G4S security patrols the campus, with the Guam Police Department frequenting the University as well.

Use of technology Other universities have introduced extra systems such as emergency phones and university apps.

At UOG, the TritonGo app provides a platform for students to look up information about services, news and events.

The app also affords access to online forum social hubs, where students can voice their concerns and look through a directory of contact information for UOG employees and departments.

Creating a specific section on the app for risk mitigation, similar to campus safety apps like “LiveSafe,� would also give UOG students more reassurance about safety.

Students stay engaged in Annual Research Conference Continued from page 1 can also be linked to other events that were happening in conjunction with the ARC. The International Woman’s Day Celebration, coordinated by the Women and Gender Studies Program, held their event in the Humanities atrium.

Simultaneously, the Publisher Francis Dalisay, PhD fdalisay@triton.uog.edu Editors-in-chief Isabella Alvia Eliza Casimbon

History Program held a mini symposium, where students and faculty presented and used it as an opportunity to recruit new majors to their department. “I’m looking forward to celebrating research and connecting with the community in future conferences,� SantosBamba said.

Staff writers, copy editors, photographers Isabella Alvia Eliza Casimbon Tahira Ewatel Luke Scott Fernandez Sophia Madlambayan Therese Martinez James Rupert

Students during ARC, presenting their research “Physical Activity and Fast Food Intake Among University of Guam Students.� Photo by Therese Martinez

tritonscalluog@gmail.com tritonscall tritonscalluog tritonscall.com

By Isabella Alvia Triton’s Call Staff The University of Guam’s Women and Gender Studies program organized its first-ever Balance for Better Resource Fair on Friday, March 8. The event commemorated International Women’s Day, which has been celebrated for over 100 years and is recognized all around the world.

Women and Gender Studies Center adjunct faculty member Deanne Jessee-Jones, and several Sociology and Women and Gender Studies program interns, organized the Balance for Better Resource Fair to recognize women’s accomplishments and to provide various resources for those seeking help.

“It’s really thanks to the students that we’re able to put on this event,” Jones said. “They did all the leg work from calling agencies to coordinating and figuring out the logistics. I feel blessed that they were willing to put the work into it and

The Balance for Better Resource Fair held on March 8 at the HSS Atrium marks UOG’s first ever event to celebrate International Women’s Day. Photo by Isabella Alvia

were eager to help out with the event.”

CLASS student organizations, such as the Sociology, Psychology, and Political Science club, set up booths in the HSS Atrium.

Other organizations, such as Soroptimist Sigma Society, were invited to set up a table, as they support

empowering women in the business community.

Local community organizations that help women and children such as Salvation Army, Victims Advocate Reaching Out, OASIS, Red Cross, and Island Girl Power also set up booths at the fair, and provided students with useful information about volunteer opportunities.

VARO Crisis Services Supervisor and Victim Advocate Charlenne Quintanilla shared that outreach such as participating in the event is the organization’s best way of reaching out to victims.

Quintanilla said: “We were more than happy to help out and at the Balance for Better Resource Fair. We do

have Facebook and Instagram but outreach is our most effective system. Some people don’t even know we exist or that our services are offered and that it’s free and confidential.”

As UOG’s first-ever International Women’s Day event, the fair was held in conjunction with the CLASS Annual Research Conference.

In between presentation breaks, students were able to grab a bite, listen to live music, and learn more about various organizations.

“We were lucky and that it just happened to fall on the same day as the conference and the themes are very similar.

It all just fell together,” Jones said. “Hopefully it’s something we can continue in the future if everyone enjoys it.”

The event offered free food donated by Outback Steakhouse, and featured live entertainment from Friends With Instruments.

Organizers invited the public to attend.

Laundry issues at UOG dorms get temporary fix

By James Rupert Triton’s Call Staff Last month, Triton’s Call reported that UOG’s Residence Halls have been out of laundry services since the Fall/Fanuchan 2018 semester.

That issue appears temporarily resolved, as UOG’s Professional and International Programs, or PIP, committed to provide washers and a dryer to the dorms.

Noah Taitano, a resident assistant, said PIP temporarily provided five washers and one dryer to the Residence

Iya’hami Hall is located beside Gumata Hall. The University has temporarily provided washers and a dryer to the dorms.

The Residence Halls have been out of laundry services since last semester. Photo by James Rupert

Halls.

Lawrence F. Camacho, dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success, said the University is still working to get a contract

for full laundry services for students living in the dorms.

Former Residence Halls Director Johnathan Triplett no longer works at UOG because

his contract was not renewed. Triton’s Call attempted to contact Triplett for comment, but he could not be reached.

Other issues As Triton’s Call also reported last month, the dorms lack drinking stations.

“Plant Maintenance Office has been working on the dorms drinking water situation since last semester,” Taitano said.

Security has also been a concern.

“It is also a high priority to renovate the bathrooms, security lock repairs on doors

and facilitating more recreation initiatives in the future,” Camacho said.

Most dormitories can manage off what they gain from tuition costs, according to Forbes magazine but UOG has one of the lowest prices offered in comparison to bigger universities off island.

UOG Residence Halls host students from all over Micronesia, Asia and the U.S. It caters to students’ cultural requirements and necessities.

University of Guam Triton’s Call, March 2019

Balance for Better Resource Fair recognizes women

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University of Guam Triton’s Call, March 2019

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ROTC Triton Warrior Batallion hosts annual race

By Isabella Alvia Triton’s Call Staff The University of Guam’s program in Military Science hosted its annual Run for Gold 2K/ 5K run and walk on Saturday, March 9 at the Chamorro Village in Hagatna. Runners of all ages and groups participated in the race.

The event was held to revive the annual 5K of the Army ROTC Triton Warrior Battalion and help showcase the presence of their program to the local community. Through this event, members strived to promote and encourage physical fitness on Guam.

Criminal Justice Major and Army ROTC scholarship recipient Lowella Di Ramos was one of three event chairpersons who helped organize the

Runners crossing the finish line at ROTC’s Run for Gold 2k/5k run and walk. Photo

by Isabella Alvia

event.

“My overall experience was a learning opportunity,” Di Ramos said. “The event made me learn a lot about the ability to lead, guide, and

relay on the team I worked with. Granted at certain situations it was difficult, at the end it was a team effort that came together to make the event happen.”

Criminal Justice

Major John Martinez is currently in his second semester in the ROTC program. He said participating in the event was a memorable experience.

Martinez assisted

in the event as he volunteered at the fruit booth- slicing, packing, and handing out fruit cups to the runners after they’ve crossed the finish line.

The event was a success as various students and the local community participated to support UOG’s ROTC program.

“Without the battalion, the event would not have been as successful as it was,” Di Ramos shared.

Aside from the Run for Gold 2k/ 5k race, UOG students will see more of the ROTC cadets, as they plan to expand their involvement with the community through participating in future color guard events, volunteering for various organization, and escorting dignitaries in events.

Students learn through “Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru” (CHamoru language competition)

By Luke Scott Fernandez Triton’s Call Staff The annual “Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru” (CHamoru language competition), took place at the University of Guam on Charter Day. Hundreds of students from the Marianas gathered to compete against each other in the different categories of storytelling, oratorial, singing, and poetry.

For more than 20 years, the Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru, has been a space for CHamoru speakers to gather in order to positively recognise and compete in CHamoru speaking and singing, according to Michael Lujan Bevacqua, PhD,

JQ San Miguel student compete in the singing portion of Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru. Photo by Luke Scott Fernandez

CHamoru studies assistant professor.

Bevacqua, co-chair of Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru, said that during competitions, each participant receives a certificate and the top three winners receive

medals. When funds are available trophies are given to schools that win in certain categories.

“There are not many places where students receive positive reinforcement for taking pride in speaking and

singing in CHamoru,” Bevacqua said.

“Competitions such as the Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru are important since they provide strong and tangible support for language and cultural revitalization movements,” Bevacqua said.

Fu’una Sanz Chamoru Studies student and former Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru participate, says that Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru allows students to understand the value of the CHamoru language.

“Many of students don’t practice speaking the language at home, competitions such as these create opportunities for learning beyond the classroom,” Sanz said.

“Competitions such as

these breathe new life,” Sanz said. Students who participate will see that the CHamoru language is not something that is only spoken by ‘manamko’ but a language that is relevant to their generation.”

JQ San Miguel CHamoru teacher, Señora Melissa Camacho, said that competitions such as Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru creates an extension for our students to practice and perpetuate the CHamoru culture.

“My students get to share their talents and knowledge as well as learn from other students,” Camacho said.

By Tahira Ewatel Triton’s Call Staff UOG’s Republic of Palau Student Organization, or RPSO, showcased the Palauan traditional ceremony called “omengat” (a hot-bath) at this year’s Charter Day. The “omengat” is an important Palauan tradition that honors a woman’s victory of birthing her first-born child.

For the Charter Day performance, UOG student Venaure Kanai represented RPSO and played the role of the mother.

“I want to thank my lovely RPSO to have the opportunity to showcase “omengat” on UOG’s 51st Charter Day, and I loved every bit of it,” Kanai said.

During the ceremony, “reng” (yellow ginger and coconut oil mixture) was rubbed on Kanai’s body. This gave her a glowing appearance.

Members of the Republic of Palau Student Organization showcase “Omengat” on Charter Day. Photo by Clint Ngemaes Jr.

Kanai dressed in her family’s traditional grass skirt, hair décor, and body accessories.

“I think the showcase was very beautiful,” said Harriencia Blesam, an officer of the RPSO Club. “It was a chance for Palau to showcase a little bit more of their

culture along with their canoe house.

Blesam added that the omengat showcase was a new experience for many people who attended the Charter Day. About the ceremony This ceremony is one of the important

markings in Palauan culture because of a legend that had changed the birthing ritual that Palauans had once practiced.

This deep-rooted tradition honors the gift of natural childbirth.

The new mother drinks herbal medicines

to cleanse her body, giving her strength and vitality.

Each tribe is known to use various combinations of plants for herbs.

The process The mother first begins her “omesurch” (hot bath ritual) one to three months after giving birth, depending on her family’s tribe.

On the last day of this ceremony, the new mother goes through an herbal steam, “omengat.”

After the “omesurch” and “omengat” are completed, the new mother is prepared for presentation to her spouse’s family.

Her spouse’s family. attaches Palauan money around her neck.

The ceremony celebrates her transition into motherhood and represents the beginning of a bond between the two families.

Nursing students gain real-world experience through leadership program

By Eliza Casimbon Triton’s Call Staff The Nursing Leadership Program provides UOG nursing students with the opportunity to gain invaluable experience from Guam’s nurses.

Patrick Callang, a student of the Nursing Leadership class, first heard about the program during high school.

“Exposure to the work that nurse leaders take part in helps to make the concepts of nursing leadership that we learn about in textbooks more tangible,” Callang said. “Additionally, this exposure gives

us a glimpse of various leadership and communication styles that we can utilize when we work with teams in our practice as future nurses.”

Callang, who attends UOG on a Merit Scholarship, believes that the program can create change and make an impact on not just individuals, but the community as a whole.

Chloe Mortes, a graduating senior, also a current student of the Nursing Leadership Program, comprehends what the program is about now that she is experiencing it firsthand.

“I hope the Nursing

Leadership Practicum opens the eyes of future nursing students by enhancing their view of Nursing,” Mortes said. “Nurses act as leaders in many aspects.”

“The exposure I get from the nurse leaders allowed me to view nursing in another point of view, especially from a managerial standpoint,” Mortes said.

Both Callang and Mortes plan on taking the National Council Licensure Examination, which is the nationwide exam for licensing nurses, after graduation.

Patrick Callang and Chloe Mortes study for a nusring class. Photo by Eliza Casimbon

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Palau hot-bath ceremony performed in Charter Day

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TechFest features lightning talks, introduction of tech hallway

By Therese Martinez Triton’s Call Staff The University of Guam’s Office of Information Technology held its first TechFest on March 12 at the Computer Center.

The event featured activities and lightning talks hosted by various teams in OIT. OIT representatives spoke about programs they have been developing to match the University’s needs.

These include virtual reality and interactive games, which were available for students to try out during the event.

John Wiglesworth, a junior web developer, presented on behalf of the website programming team in a lightning talk presentation titled “Getting Started with Web Development.”

“There is an insane amount of information and knowledge

John Wiglesworth (foreground), a junior web developer at UOG, gives a lighting talk on his experiences in the IT office web development team. Photo by Therese Martinez

provided online, and classes and tutorials that can teach you how to web design for free,” Wigglesworth said.

New tech hallway OIT also introduced a newly renovated hallway located at the Computer Center.

This “Hallway of

Collaboration” is lined with four large monitors.

It is an area where students can rehearse their class presentations on large screens that operate like a normal computer.

The hallway is also designed for students to collaborate on shared

screens.

“This permanent hallway installation will be a great opportunity for students to engage and practice presentation with one another,” said Arnell Malabanan, a junior computer operator at the OIT.

Malabanan said OIT is still updating the hallway and has plans to add chairs in the future.

HDMI cables will be available from the OIT if students want to use their own laptops to display in the monitors.

University revitalizes Americorps program

By Sophia Madlambayan Triton’s Call Staff The University of Guam revitalized the Americorps program in August 2018, and since then, its volunteers have been lending their services to strengthen the local community.

The UOG Americorps Volunteer Center is a nationally funded program through the corporation for national and community service under the auspices of the Serve Guam Commission.

The organization works to promote academic achievement, behavioral change, improve

on environmental issues and provide companionship for our island’s elderly .

Volunteers have the opportunity to serve in one of these four sectors.

Volunteers fulfill one year contracts, with membership providing benefits to the island and the volunteers themselves.

“You’re tasked with meeting a 900 hour service requirement and after meeting that you’re eligible to claim a Segal Education Award,” said Travis Aguon, a UOG alumnus and current Americorps member.

Members may

Americorps member Travis Aguon facilitating a goals and motivation workshop. Photo by Sophia Madlambayan

use this award to pay towards any educational financial need in addition to receiving a monthly living allowance.

“It’s honestly not that bad. If you can volunteer four hours of

your time that would be great,” said Antonette Carlos, an Americorps member and secondary education student.

Carlos and Aguon both agree that volunteering brings positive change to the

community and to the individuals committing their time.

“One of the biggest benefits of doing volunteer service is that satisfaction after it’s all done. At least you can say you’ve engaged in bettering your community,” Aguon said.

The current goal is to reach 1,296 volunteers

by August 2019. Carlos and Aguon encourage UOG students to attend all future Americorps events to learn more.

“They’re really fun and engaging,” Aguon said.

By Eliza Casimbon and Luke Fernandez Triton’s Call Staff

Charter Day visitors got a chance to learn more about the programs housed at the Agriculture and Life Sciences building.

As part of this event, the Agriculture and Life Sciences Club’s Charter Day booth sold plants that they took care of a couple of months before Charter Day. Faculty, professors and members of the club provided the seeds.

The club’s members Jianna Soriano pictured at the ALS booth on Charter Day. Photo by Luke Fernandez purchased all the raw materials to help the The ALS booth also natural world to people. extension associate plants grow, like pots focused on informing Even if it’s the simple and ALS Charter Day and soil. the community about ornamental plants, chair, said what makes Zach Eldred, ALS nutrition. things that just look ALS different from the member, said Charter A “My Plate” nutrition nice or things that rest of campus is that it Day provides a space game was available actually produce stuff provides education to for his club to raise to play, which also that you can harvest youth and adults during funds by selling useful rewarded winners with and eat. I think it’s Charter Day. plants that people like. pumpkin seedlings. important to shed light “Our job is to teach “It’s a good Jianna Soriano, onto our generation and facilitate learning opportunity for us to sell tropical agriculture to be proactive as amongst the community things we are interested production major, and far as sustainability in order to bring people in, that we grow a lot president of the ALS and growing food for back to UOG,” Bamba of,” Eldred said.

Club, believes that ourselves.” said.

Edlred added that there is more to take The profit made from Robert Bevacqua, the plants they sell are away from their booth. the booth will go toward adjunct faculty of common on Guam.

Soriano said: funding the purchase of agriculture, said Charter They are the types that “Generally, I believe as sashes for graduating Day in the past was can typically be seen an agriculture major seniors and other about the celebration at local flower and and as a millennial, necessities for the club. and appreciation of our vegetable gardens. just to introduce a Jesse Bamba, an neighboring cultures in

the Pacific Region.

“What makes UOG unique is that our students come from different parts of the region and Charter Day assists in creating multi-cultural connects,” Bevacqua said.

Katrina Camacho, a UOG extension assistant said: “Growing up, I knew Charter Day to be celebration of the University’s importance in shaping Guam. Now, it seems, that it is about vendors selling food rather than actually telling people our story.”

Soriano felt the Charter Day activities at the Agriculture and Life Sciences building were successful.

“ALS is staying true to our roots of research, outreach, and education,” Soriano said.

Soriano also said UOG Charter Day has become commercialized, with vendors selling food and gadgets.

“It’s not about who we are as Tritons or what UOG has to offer potential students who want to come here,” Soriano said.

KULU the Colon visits UOG campus Continued from page 1 to develop in the lining of the colon and are left untouched, they may turn cancerous. Risk factors include poor diet and exercise, smoking and family history.

Screening methods include sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and fecal occult blood tests. These tests are good indicators

that will show if polyps are present in the colon.

Early removal is the best treatment and is recommended that individuals 50 and older or those who have a family history of colorectal cancer consider getting screened.

Sayama explained that you do not necessarily feel the polyps growing and they can develop without any secondary

symptoms. However, once symptoms appear such as stomach pains, blood in your stool or rapid weight loss it can become a more serious issue.

“The ultimate goal is to bring awareness of colorectal cancer and screening to the public,” said Tressa Diaz, assistant professor of social work.

Diaz emphasizes that these conversations

are important so that knowledge can be disseminated through individuals to their family members.

“Typically, people might not want to talk about colorectal cancer and the screening methods,” Diaz said. “I think it actually saves lives for colorectal cancer.”

Diaz added: “We’ve known people in our lives who have survived cancer

and also many who have not survived, that we sometimes feel ‘that’s it’.

But what we’re saying with colorectal cancer is, that’s not necessarily true.

If you find it early through screening your chances of survival are much higher.”

For more information go to www.guamcrc.org or visit the UOG Cancer Research Center at Dean’s Circle House 7

7 University of Guam Triton’s Call, March 2019

ALS exhibits its programs to public

University of Guam Triton’s Call, March 2019 8