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Articles by Morgana Carroll
I wish we didn’t need Transgender Day of Remembrance
Nov. 20 crept up on me this year. I opened up my phone this morning to social media posts about Transgender Day of Remembrance and the lives that were lost this year. This brought about a grim reminder of just how negligible the lives of me and my siblings are to some people and groups. Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to acknowledge and honor the memory of those who were killed each year by anti-transgender violence.
Interim Provost Kurt Kirstein gives an update on the search for a new provost
CWU is currently searching for a new provost, according to Interim Provost Kurt Kirstein. The position was listed as available on Nov. 1 and will remain open for the rest of the month. After that, interviews will be conducted with the candidates to narrow down the search. These interviews will be conducted remotely over Zoom and would ideally be done in December and January. Following that, in-person interviews will be conducted with the remaining candidates.
Morgana’s Complaint Corner: I’m mad at streaming services
In this last year I am more glad than ever that my mom has bought and hoarded DVDs and VHSs like a dragon on a pile of gold. As of late I have immediately gone to the boxes in our garage full of movies before I go to streaming services when I want to watch an older movie. I got tired of looking up where to watch a specific movie, and seeing that it was only available on Amazon, Vudu or Apple TV.
Q&A
Sydney Thompson is the new Dean of Libraries here at CWU, making her prior position of interim Dean of Libraries official. Sydney Thompson got her BA and MA in Psychology, but found her love of librarianship while working as a library student employee in New School in New York. Why did you choose this position? I served as the Interim Dean of CWU Libraries for the past year, and before that I was associate dean.
Wohlpart discusses successes and “roadblocks” the university is facing this year in presidential address
President James Wohlpart acknowledges high points and roadblocks that CWU is facing in his annual address to the university on Friday, Sept. 29. Enrollment and tuition During the financial portion of the presentation, Wohlpart put emphasis on the importance of enrollment. According to Wohlpart, enrollment in fall 2022 was at 9,395, having decreased each year since its 11,907 peak in fall of 2019.
El Safe Group de CWU celebra un foro abierto
Nueva formación de Voces para el Cambio propuesta por los estudiantes El Safe Group de CWU realizó un foro abierto el 15 de mayo para que los miembros de la comunidad de CWU revisaran las recomendaciones creadas por el grupo. La reunión del foro abierto sirvió como oportunidad para presentar las metas que el equipo había establecido y para recibir comentarios de los estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad.
Film students take risks with action for their short film final projects
Choreographed fighting sequences, arson, explosions and murder are major plot points in a few of the short films that film majors are working on for their final projects of the quarter in Production III. Junior film students Dylan Hanson, Amelia French and Dillan Ferguson detailed their film-making processes to The Observer. As the academic year draws to a close, film students begin wrapping up their film projects, ready to show the world what they’ve made.
Clarification: ASCWU responds to concerns regarding role of police on campus
The Observer posted an article on May 10 titled “Transgender students face uncertainty over whether preferred names will be allowed for commencement.” There were some inaccuracies that need to be addressed for clarity, and have been changed in the online version. Director of Executive Events Lauren Zeutenhorst’s name was consistently misspelled.
The ‘concerning’ and ‘traumatic’ experiences of a school lockdown
No amount of lockdown drills could prepare a student for the feeling that violence may be around the corner in a space that is supposed to be safe. The Ellensburg School District (ESD) experienced a swatting incident on May 10. The difference between this event and others that have occurred in the past is the level of knowledge going into the threat, according to ESD Director of Safety and Security Neil Musser.
CWU Safe Group holds open forum
CWU’s Safe Group held an open forum on May 15 for CWU’s community members to review recommendations created by the group. The open forum meeting served as an opportunity to present the goals that the team had created and get feedback from students and community members. The workgroup was established in response to student and community protests regarding instances of Title IX violations in late 2022.
CWU Archivists and students search Washington land deeds for racial covenants
The Ellensburg Archive Center holds over 26,000 cubic feet of documents in their storage, and a group of researchers has taken it upon themselves to sift through them with a goal in mind. Assistant history professor Dr. Josué Estrada and a group of students have joined an effort to dig through Washington archives to find land and property deeds to determine how many Washington properties still have active racial covenants.
Breaking News: Ellensburg School District experiences lockdown after warning of “imminent threat”
News Editor Ellensburg High School (EHS) Principal Beau Snow made an announcement to students and parents over email that there was a lockdown in process on May 10 at 1:03 p.m. This was announced after KitCom, a civilian staffed 911 center, sent a report of an imminent threat at 12:28 p.m.. Ellensburg Police Department (EPD) sent an announcement on their facebook at 1:08 p.m. stating that as a precaution there would be a continued police presence for the remainder of the school day.
Transgender students face uncertainty over whether preferred names will be allowed for commencement
If you go to register for CWU commencement and graduation, you’ll see a few options on the form. You’ll see an option to explain how your name is pronounced. You’ll see the option to share the date with your friends and family. What you won’t see is an option to tell CWU Commencement that your legal name on file isn’t the one you want announced during graduation.
ASCWU responds to concerns regarding role of police on campus
ASCWU Vice President Brady Smith said he thinks the new police workgroup is the best way to handle the discussion of police on campus, due to the shared governance model that CWU shares with Ellensburg. “Within my duties as vice president, we are tasked with a challenging issue of representing 9,000 students, 7,000 roughly of which are on campus,” Smith said. “So we have a duty to represent all students, and every student has a different experience of the campus place.
Una coalición de representantes estudiantiles pide que haya menos presencia policiaca en el campus universitario
Translated by: Angela Gonzalez, Conchita Chinchilla, Josephine Scheopner Un grupo de representantes de organizaciones estudiantiles y cuerpos legislativos se reunieron en el salón de baile del SURC y formaron una coalición con los miembros de la Junta Directiva de la ASCWU, para discutir cómo incrementar la voz y el voto estudiantil respecto de la presencia de la policía en eventos del campus universitario.
Coalition of student representatives asks for less police presence on campus
A group of representatives from student organizations gathered as a coalition April 17 with members of the ASCWU Board of Directors in the SURC ballroom to discuss having more student voice and choice in the presence of campus police at campus events. The meeting came after an open letter, signed by six organizations belonging to the coalition and outlining their mission statement and demands, was sent to the ASCWU.
We need to do something about the transgender genocide in the United States
The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Daily Wire Host Micheal Knowles called for “the eradication of transgenderism” on March 6, as crowds of conservative supporters cheered in agreement. CPAC is by no means a small event; the largest names in American conservatism make an appearance, from journalists to talk show hosts to politicians to presidential candidates.
Ellensburg High School students speak out against LGBTQIA+ bullying at board meeting
Slashed tires, “f-slurs” and harassment; this is only a portion of what Ellensburg High School (EHS) students reported experiencing from their peers at the board meeting on March 29. EHS students Ashley Callan and Nina Gonzalez spoke at the meeting, and Callan gave an exclusive interview to The Observer about her experiences. At the meeting, Gonzalez said they are frustrated with the administration, and said for all 11 years of their education, they have been bullied both physically and verbally.
When personal information doesn’t stay personal: how your information ends up in someone else’s hands
When Deborah Wells was the president of CWU’s Ethical Hacking Club, she got a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft as she was wrapping up a club meeting. The scammer said that they could tell she was sitting at her computer and was calling because it was infected with a virus. This is a common form of scam call, where the caller pretends to remove a virus and then asks for payment information. Wells played along with him for a while until the bit ran its course.
Washington bill may extend statute of limitation on sexual assault lawsuits
Lawsuits for the sexual assault of a child must be reported within three years, meaning that a case must be filed within three years of the incident happening or within three years of when resulting harm has been discovered, according to wa.gov. House Bill 1618 (HB1618) was introduced in Jan. and would remove the statute of limitations entirely, allowing for suits to be filed any time.
Trump indicted and charged with 34 felonies
CWU Political Science professor breaks down what this might mean Former President Donald Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records on Tuesday, April 4. Trump, who said 10 words in total during the entire proceeding according to AP News, pleaded not guilty. According to Reuters, all of the felonies combined could lead to a prison sentence of over 100 years for Trump. This is the first time a former president has been indicted and charged with felonies.
Anyone can be a woman
I am a woman. Femininity isn’t written in law, it isn’t written in biology, it isn’t written in the stars. It’s a code we write ourselves and adhere to personally. It’s something that’s different for everyone. It’s an outfit, it’s a mask, it’s a style and everyone’s femininity is unique in the way that they wear it. The distinction between sex and gender is worth drawing attention to when deliberating womanhood.
The wins and woes of being a successful woman
From Lois Lane of ‘Superman’ fame, to the First Lady of the Black Press Ethel Payne, to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, people love to see a woman winning. But, is this “girlboss culture” reflected in the real world? Michele Denbeste is the provost and vice president for academic and student life at CWU. Despite having such an esteemed position, DenBeste said she doesn’t consider herself a leader, and concedes it is because of how society has made her think about women and leadership.
The American healthcare system sucks
The American Healthcare System? More like the ‘America Doesn’t Care About Your Health’ System. If I were to suffer some sort of incident right now, like suddenly all my bones were to break or I went into cardiac arrest, I don’t know how I would pay for it. My insurance can cover some of it, but for the most part, I’d be screwed. I have no way to pay for it right away, I don’t make enough to pay it off any time soon, even before interest.
Mountains should be called by their indigenous names and not their colonized names
Mountains should not be called by their colonized names. We need to call them by the names the indigenous communities gave them, their original names. Natural landmarks have been called by many names over the eons. In North America, most structures have had two names, one given by the indigenous people who lived there, and the the other given by the people who later claimed the land as their own.
Editorial: Presidents Day? More like “Precedent for War Crimes Day”
America likes to fetishize the commander in chiefs we have had, and frankly, it’s disgusting. The farther back you go, the worse it is. Everyone loves the founding fathers, but don’t hold them accountable for their actions nearly as much as they would for any post World War II president. Everyone thinks of the founding fathers as such great men, but they really weren’t. They were all slave owners, and very few of them spoke out against slavery.
Dr. Lucinda Carnell to be appointed as interim VP of Diversity and Equity
Morgana Carroll, News Reporter It often feels like the word ‘belonging’ gets thrown around too much, but according to Dr. Lucinda Carnell, she truly wants to help students find a place where they feel they belong and where everyone feels valued. On Feb. 8, President Wohlpart announced that Dr. Lucinda Carnell would be taking the position of Interim Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She will be appointed on April 1.
CWU plans to invest in geothermal heating and cooling
A geothermal heating and cooling plant is a part of the governor’s proposed package to fund the construction of a new North Academic Complex. The Geo Eco Plant is a proposed building that will utilize renewable geothermal energy to heat the new North Academic Complex (NAC) that will be located in the plaza with the nations’ flags. The Geo Eco Plant is a part of Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposal, which also included funding for the NAC. The proposal will not be decided until April.
Es posible que el Centro para la Innovación Cultural reciba fondos
En su propuesta de presupuesto, el Gobernador Jay Inslee ha repartido 6 millones de dólares para la construcción del Centro de Innovación Cultural (CCI, por sus siglas en inglés) en CWU. Los Estudiantes Asociados de CWU (ASCWU, por sus siglas en inglés) dieron cuatro foros abiertos a principios de enero para informar al público y responder a cualquier pregunta que tuvieran los estudiantes sobre el progreso con respecto al CCI.
Poll finds CWU students have become desensitized to police brutality
A poll of 85 students taken on campus last week by The Observer showed that the majority of CWU students believe they have become desensitized to seeing news about police brutality. 63 out of 85, or 74.12%, of students polled said they feel they have become desensitized.
Center for Cultural Innovation to possibly receive funding
Gov. Jay Inslee's proposed budget has allotted $6 million for the construction of the Center of Cultural Innovation (CCI) at CWU. The Associated Students of CWU (ASCWU) held four open forums at the start of Jan. to inform the public and answer any questions students had about progress on the CCI.
Caminos congelados afectan la accesibilidad en el campus
Morgana Carroll, Editora de noticias Cada octubre, los Servicios para Discapacitados se comunican con los estudiantes quienes se han registrado con una discapacidad que afecta su movilidad. Los Servicios para Discapacitados juntan la información que los estudiantes les han dado para priorizar los caminos que usan los estudiantes discapacitados cuando es tiempo de remover la nieve.
Existen buenas probabilidades de que los edificios de L&L y Farrell Hall sean renovados, una vez se apruebe el presupuesto propuesto por el Gobernador Inslee
Varias renovaciones al campus de CWU fueron incluidas en la propuesta de presupuesto presentada en diciembre por el Gobernador Jay Inslee, las que abarcan: un nuevo Complejo Educativo Norte que reemplazará el edificio de Lenguas y Literatura y el edificio Farrell Hall; el inicio de la fase de diseño de un nuevo edificio de Psicología; la fase de prediseño del nuevo Complejo Académico de Arte; y, además, el aumento en los salarios del personal.
CWU student passed away in residence hall
According to an email sent by President Jim Wohlpart on Jan. 18, a CWU student passed away the previous night in a residence hall due to natural causes. In the email, Wohlpart said he had contacted the student’s family. Wohlpart urged community members who need it to utilize Student Counseling Services at (509) 963-1391 and said that employees that need it can contact the Employee Assistance Program at (800) 777-4114. On Jan.
CWU COVID-19 procedures remain the same as influenza cases rise
Medical Director of Student Health Services June Bredin said that CWU has seen low numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in the last two years, and said accessibility of at-home test kits may be the reason for lower cases. “Most people are testing at home … all of the public health data is saying we don’t know how this correlates to the total numbers,” Bredin said. “We don’t have an accurate count because people are either not even bothering to test or they’re testing at home.
L&L and Farrell Hall to possibly see new construction after Gov. Inslee’s proposed budget
The governor’s proposed budget introduced by Gov. Jay Inslee in December will include the following renovations to CWU: a new North Academic Complex to replace the Language and Literature Building and Farrell Hall, beginning the design stage for a new Psychology Building, the pre-design phase for the new Art Education Complex and increased staff compensation. According to President Jim Wohlpart, the largest request that CWU made this year was for $103.7 million to build a North Education Complex.
Frozen walkways affect accessibility on campus
Every October, Disability Services reach out to students who have registered that they have a disability that affects their mobility. They compile the information given by students in order to prioritize the walkways that disabled students use when it is time for snow removal. “Snow and ice make it more difficult for everyone to safely navigate campus,” Student Disability Services Manager Wendy Holden said.
The art of protest in Iran
The expression of revolution and the display of the oppressed Protests aren’t always done through the usual means of marches and cheers, according to Professor of History of Art and Architecture at the University of Massachusetts, Dr. Pamela Karmi. Art has been used as a form of protest in Iran since before the ‘80s.
Students vote among increase in youth voting
Political analysts across various TV networks and their claims of an imminent “red tsunami,” plagued the airwaves months prior to the 2022 midterm elections. A “red tsunami” is when the Republican party gets a large increase in votes. The results of election day subverted those expectations, and those same analysts said this was largely due to the demographic of 18-29 aged voters.
Bert and Ernie celebrate their 50th anniversary
Streamers lined the SURC as a banner with the words “Happy Anniversary Bert and Ernie!” scribbled on it was hung from the ceiling to celebrate CWU alumni Bert and husband Ernie’s 50 years of marriage together. Bert graduated with a degree in bird watching in 1965 and would meet the then boy next door Ernie at his new Sesame Street apartment after leaving his hometown of Ellensburg. Bert proposed four years later at the Stonewall Riots.
Students and clubs march in opposition of Title IX violations
The sound of a dozen students yelling “C-what? C-won’t follow federal law!” pierced the cold morning air as a crowd of sign-bearing students marched across campus. An Instagram page called “Cats Against Assault” first posted on Oct. 20. On Thursday, Nov. 3, a protest coordinated by the Instagram page led students in a loop on campus that began and ended at the Wildcat Statue in front of the SURC. The protests started at 10 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m. The march went in 30 minute intervals.
Cryptocurrency and how it impacts the environment
Bitcoin, the first ever cryptocurrency, was established in 2009 has grown in value astronomically according to Forbes. Forbes estimates that if you invested $1,000 in Bitcoin when it first launched, it would be worth $41.5 million today. As Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have grown, environmentalists like CWU Biology Professor Dr. Clay Arango have voiced concerns about the impact they could have on the environment.“It’s a lot of energy,” Arango said.
History department shows Iranian horror movie amidst protests
Professor of history and Russian language Dr. Volha Isakava said she wanted to start a new tradition of presenting international movies, hosted by the History Department and Brooks Library. Isakava said that one of the reasons she wanted to show international movies was because it allowed the viewers to be immersed in that culture’s relationships and plights in a way that being a tourist could never allow.
Wellington’s Wildfire welcomes back alumni
The light of a single torch illuminated the night sky as it passed along from hand to hand of CWU alumni from as far back as the year 2000 before being used to light the stack of kindling in the firepit. The sound of applause overpowered the sound of the band playing CWU’s alma mater as the first sparks began to crackle. “To me [Wellington’s Wildfire] is a time where the wildcat family can really gather,” Director of Alumni & Constituent Relations Casey Ross said.
Students connect at Sharing the Abundance Fall Festival
The front of McIntyre Hall was alive with the sound of 88.1 the ‘Burg bumpin’ beats, students and attendees chattering to each other and organization representatives greeting students. The Sharing the Abundance Fall Festival is an event that gave students the opportunity to talk to organizations that offer resources for students. The event took place on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. on McIntyre Hall Lawn East and continued until the start of the Wellington Wildfire.
Honoring Heritage: Hispanic Heritage Month
Honrando la Herencia: Mes de la Herencia Hispania “It’s not a month to eat tacos or wear sombreros or promote Spanish-speaking tv shows,” world languages professor Andrea Herrera-Dulcet said. “It is a month to frame and discuss narratives and Hispanic heritage in the U.S. and its contribution.” Hispanic Heritage Month spans from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and includes the dates of multiple Latin American independence days and holidays. It started as Hispanic Heritage Week under Lyndon B.
Eighth annual museum archive crawl takes attendees on a trip through time
History and artifact enthusiasts gathered in the Brooks Library parking lot on the morning of Oct. 1 for the eighth annual Archive Crawl. This event offers a tour of the archives and museums in Ellensburg while attendees listen to archivists and curators share their collections. The event was sponsored by CWU libraries, the Museum of Culture & Environment (MCE), the Central Branch of Washington State Archives, the Kittitas County Historical Museum, and the Ellensburg Public Library & Archives.
CWU kicks off the year with 2LGBTQ+ Student Welcome event
The 2LGBTQ+ Student Welcome brought in groups of students to the President’s Lawn on September 20. These students were eager to connect with other queer students and engage with inclusive and diverse clubs and organizations.
ESC Block Party highlights identity-based clubs for students
As students walked out of the SURC on Thursday Sep. 22, they were greeted by the smells of pizza and popcorn, the sight of crowds of people going from table to table. The Equity and Services Center Block (ESC) Party was an opportunity for students to see what the identity and culturally based clubs and organizations at CWU have to offer. The ESC meets Friday at 1 p.m every week in Black 105.
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