TUESDAY
ISSUE
JULY 24, 2007
ISSUE 6, VOLUME 142
W E S T E R N
W A S H I N G T O N
U N I V E R S I T Y
Western provost resigns
Megan Claflin
THE WESTERN FRONT
NEWS
Larsen votes
for increase
in financial
aid, largest in
63 years
page 3
A&E
Hundreds
swarm to
Harry Potter
parties
page 6
Bellingham
discovers
the joys of
dancing
page 8
SPORTS
Western Provost and Vice
President of Academic Affairs
Andrew Bodman resigned July 17.
President Morse sent a campus
e-mail July 17, informing students
and faculty of Bodman’s decision,
but neither Morse’s e-mail nor
the attached press release offered
further
information
regarding
the circumstances of Bodman’s
resignation.
According to Bodman in his
letter of resignation, disagreements
over policy were affecting his work
relationship with Morse.
“I think it is vital for the
effective functioning of the university
administration that the president
and provost agree on major issues,”
according to Bodman’s resignation
letter. “I regret that I now find
myself at variance with [Karen
Morse] on a number of significant
policy questions. Accordingly, I feel
compelled to tender my resignation.”
Paul
Cocke,
director
of
communication at Western, acting
as spokesman for the provost and
president’s office responded to
questions from The Western Front.
Bodman declined to comment about
his resignation beyond his comment
in the press release and his letter of
resignation. Morse also declined
to comment on Bodman’s reasons
for resigning, saying she felt those
answers should come from him.
“Whatever policy differences
existed during the eight years
President Morse and provost Bodman
worked together, the university’s
academic programs and the overall
education offered to students has
continued on a steady trajectory of
excellence,” Cocke said.
Since Bodman’s appointment
in 1999, he has served on several
Western committees including the
Faculty Senate, the Strategic Planning
Task Force and the Academic
Coordinating Commission. Cocke
said Bodman was one of the leaders
behind the separation of the College
of Humanities and Social Science
and the College of Arts and Science.
Bodman also headed a committee to
redesign Western’s general education
requirements to be more flexible
and provide students with a more
comprehensive skill base.
Associated Students President
Ramiro Espinoza said Morse
informed him of Bodman’s decision
just before she sent out the campus
e-mail. Espinoza said he did not have
much time to get to know Bodman
because Espinoza was elected this
spring, but he holds Bodman in the
highest regard.
“Provost Bodman has been
fantastic as far as receiving student
input,” Espinoza said. “He has always
been very open and forthright with
Retired
Western
professor
loses fight
against brain
cancer
Sam McNeil
THE WESTERN FRONT
Dr. Andrew Bodman
the student board and appreciated our
input on the GUR reform.”
Morse said she is in the
process of searching for an interim
provost. Morse said she is talking
with faculty senate leaders, the deans
and the vice presidents to determine
possible candidates. An interim
will be chosen before fall quarter,
she said. A national search will be
conducted for a permanent provost,
but the president said she wants to
find an interim replacement before
she begins the extensive process.
Espinoza said he hasn’t received
any questions from the student body
regarding Bodman’s resignation, but
will be sure the Associated Students
Board of Directors has a say in
choosing the replacement provost.
“Finding a new provost is a huge
Dr. Kenneth Ray Hoover
died on July 14 at the age of 66
from aggressive brain cancer.
Doctors discovered the cancer
while removing a tumor from
his brain and gave Hoover a
short amount of time. With only
five weeks to live, Hoover began
organizing his memorial from St.
Joseph Hospital, calling friends
and family to celebrate his life.
A professor emeritus of
political science at Western,
Hoover left behind a loving
family and community in
Bellingham and an academic
legacy.
“We miss our friend Ken
and always will, but we can build
on his legacy,” said John Miles,
director of Huxley College of
the Environment and Hoover’s
longtime friend.
First Congregational Church
on Cornwall was packed July
20, six days after Hoover passed
see PROVOST page 4 u
Western
professor
wins nearly
$500,000 at
World Series
of Poker
see HOOVER page 4 u
Panel reflects on Murrow's accomplishments
page 9
OPINION
FRONTLINE:
Administration
should be open
when issues
affect campus
page 11
WEATHER
TUESDAY
o
73
HIGH
52o
LOW
WEDNESDAY
o
77
HIGH
55o
LOW
T H U R S D AY
79o
HIGH
o
55
LOW
source: National Weather Service
photo by Jake Vorono THE WESTERN FRONT
Nick Clooney (left) Casey Murrow and Rich Riski speak at a panel that discussed the career of Edward R. Murrow in front
of conference attendees and community members as a part of the 2007 Bellingham Visual Journalism Conference July
22 in Artzen Hall. “The Murrow Legacy: An Examination of Edward R. Murrow’s Heroic Career” panel was mediated by
Western journalism professor John Harris and highlighted many of Murrow’s ground-breaking programs and television
segments during the rise of television news broadcasting.
see full story
in News
page 5
The Western Front
westernfrontonline.com
Cops Box
Bellingham Police
» July 23, 3:30 a.m.: Police
arrested a 23-year-old man on
suspicion of burglary, assault,
and felony harassment on the
1100 block of Yew Street. Police
reported the man unlawfully
entered a house and threatened
to kill the resident before police
apprehended him.
» July 23, 1:00 a.m.: Police
arrested a 23-year-old man
on suspicion of possession of
marijuana on the 900 block of
22nd Street.
» July 22, 2:12 p.m.: Police
arrested a 21-year-old male on
suspicion of malicious mischief
in a domestic dispute on the 900
block of 22nd Street.
Campus Police
» July 20, 4:32 p.m.: Police
responded to an intrusion alarm
at a door to the steam tunnels at
the Performing Arts Center. No
one was found at the scene.
» July 20, 8:38 p.m.: Police
responded to an intrusion alarm
at the Fairhaven Recording
Studio. Police found no one in
the area.
» July 21, 5:58 p.m.: Police
responded to a fire alarm in the
Communications Facility. There
was no sign of fire and was
determined to be a false alarm.
» July 22, 9:48 p.m.: Police
responded to an intrusion alarm
at Parks Hall. Police determined
that the alarm was triggered
by an employee leaving the
building.
Compiled by Luke Widtfeldt
T U E S D AY
July 24, 2007
PAGE
2
>>News Briefs<<
Interim dean
appointed to College
of Business and
Economics
Brian Burton has been
appointed interim dean of
the
College
of
Business
and Economics at Western
Washington University, President
Karen W. Morse announced July
23.
Burton has been at Western
since 1995 and is acting as
associate dean for administration
and graduate programs in
the College of Business and
Economics. Burton was appointed
a two-year term, replacing the
now retired Dennis Murphy as
interim dean.
Western graduate
interns in Germany
Western graduate Devin
Paschke accepted an internship
with Adidas that will take him to
Germany.
Paschke, 23, graduated
from Western in 2006 with a
student/faculty designed major,
Human
Centered
Design.
Paschke’s studies consisted of
general engineering and design
that focused on biomechanical
movements typically required in
designing sporting equipment,
shoes and ergonomic designs.
The six-month internship
starts in September will consist of
product design and development.
Save a tree
westernfrontonline.com
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YOUR NEWS ONLINE
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Western Washington University
Communications Building 251
Bellingham, WA 98225
thewesternfronteditor@yahoo.com
Editor-in-chief:
Greg Applegate
Managing editor:
Jessica Araujo
News editors:
Maureen Tinney
Jaimie Fife
Photo editor:
Justin Steyer
Copy editors:
Sara Edmonds
Morgan Remenar
Features/A&E editor:
Kevin Diers
Sports/Opinion editor:
Aaron Weinberg
Head photographer:
Peter Than
Online editor:
Nick Rohde
Faculty adviser:
John Harris
The Western Front is published twice weekly in the fall, winter, and spring quarters and
once a week in the summer session. The Western Front is the official newspaper of Western
Washington University, published by the Student Publications Council and is mainly
supported by advertising. Opinions and stories in the newspaper have no connection with
advertising. News content is determined by student editors. Staff reporters are enrolled in
a course in the department of journalism, but any student enrolled at Western may offer
stories to the editors. Advertising inquiries should be directed to the business office in CF
230 or by phone at 650-3161. Members of the Western community are entitled to a single
free copy of each issue of The Western Front.
photo by Peter Than THE WESTERN FRONT
Leo, a six-year-old Australian Shepherd, leaps over trainer Aaron Abrahamson during a freestyle dog
competition at Lake Padden Park July 21.
Western Summerstock
performs production
of "The King and I"
“The King and I” will
have guest actor Eddie Webb
in the starring role. Webb is a
professional actor recruited by
Western Theater Arts department
chair Gregory Pulver.
Pulver returned from a trip
to Thailand where he researched
local tradition in preparation
for this performance. While in
Thailand he was also able to
bring material back to create the
costumes for the musical.
The show will be performed
at 7:30 p.m. from July 25 to 28.
General admission costs $16,
tickets for students and seniors
cost $14 and for youth, $12.
westernfrontonline.com
NEWS
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
|
Rick Larsen votes for financial aid bill
Students would benefit from proposed College Cost Reduction Act, taxpayers wouldn't pay more
Sam Vaughan
THE WESTERN FRONT
Rick Larsen voted for the largest increase in college
financial aid in 63 years on July 11.
The College Cost Reduction Act, which passed
the House of Representatives, will make college
more affordable for students without burdening
taxpayers further. Excess subsidies paid by the federal
government to lenders in the student loan industry will
be cut, according to the act.
The legislation will not incur any new costs for
taxpayers by taking money previously reserved for loan
industries and using it directly for scholarships and
grants, Rick Larsen’s Press Secretary Amanda Mahnke
said.
“Washington students and families have been
staggering under the enormous weight of tuition costs
and loan repayments,” according to Larsen in a press
release. “This bill would finally give them the relief
they need.”
The act will increase aid to Washington students
by $234 million over the next five years, helping them
afford a college education without accumulating more
debt, according to a press release from Larsen.
Western students can help this legislation pass
the Senate by calling senators’ offices or e-mailing
them directly to express their support, Western Vice
President for Legislative and Governmental Affairs
Erik Lowe said.
“Every student involved in this process helps
Western tremendously,” Lowe said.
If the Senate passes the legislation and President
Bush signs it, the most immediate changes will be a 50
percent reduction in interest rates for federal student
loans and an increase in the Federal Pell Grant
scholarship, Western Director of Financial Aid Clara
Capron said.
“Washington students and
families have been staggering
under the enormous weight
of tuition costs and loan
repayments. This bill would
finally give them the relief
they need.”
-according to House Representative
Rick Larsen in a press release
The Pell Grant Scholarship would increase from
$4,310, its maximum value in 2006, to a maximum
value of $5,200 in 2011, Capron said.
“The act has an effective date of October 2007,
[although] it is anticipated that a compromise bill will
be introduced by the Senate in the fall – therefore,
proposed changes will not take place immediately,”
Capron said.
The legislation would make student loan
payments more manageable for students by
guaranteeing that students will not have to pay more
than 15 percent of their discretionary income in loan
photo courtesy of Rick Larsen
repayments, and allowing students in economic House of Representatives for Washington State 2nd District,
hardship to have their loans forgiven after 20 years, Rick Larsen.
according to the act.
This act would also provide qualified
if they commit to teaching in public schools in highundergraduate students with upfront tuition assistance poverty communities, according to the act.
4|
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
NEWS
The Western Front
Bodman to teach geography at Huxley
u PROVOST from 1
process and one the students should be
involved in,” Espinoza said. “I am pushing
to make sure we are involved in the search
and I have no doubt that Morse will
communicate with us.”
Bodman left office July 20, and after
a sabbatical return to Western fall quarter
of 2008, as a professor of geography
at Huxley College of the Environment.
Bodman is well qualified for the position,
having earned a master’s degree and a
doctorate in geography at Ohio State
University, as well as a master’s degree and
a doctorate in geography from Cambridge
University, Cocke said.
Brad Smith, dean of Huxley College,
was unavailable to comment on Bodman’s
transfer to Huxley.
Bodman’s resignation is not the first
time he considered leaving his position at
Western. Since 2005, Bodman has applied
for positions at three state universities
including Ball State University, Eastern
Washington University and St. Cloud
University.
Bodman applied for the president
position at Eastern in Cheney, Wash.,
said David Meany, media and campaign
communications specialist for Eastern.
Bodman was chosen as a finalist for the
position, but revoked his application for
unknown reasons.
Morse said she was aware Bodman
was looking for other positions and said
she thought it was a normal progression of
any provost’s career to advance to a larger
university.
“When I was searching for a president
position I looked into provost positions as
well,” Morse said. “You make different
changes throughout a career.”
Despite the ambiguity surrounding
Bodman’s resignation, he has left his mark.
The accomplishments he achieved while
in office will continue to benefit Western,
Cocke said.
Former political science professor leaves legacy
and a critic of extremist ideologies, such as
unregulated capitalism and neo-Marxism,
away. Despite the rain, approximately 400 said Todd Donovan, Western political
friends, family and colleagues filled the science professor.
pews.
“He has been one of the finest human
“For all the saints who from their labors beings I’ve met in academia,” said Ron
rest,” sang the congregation, a William How Kleinknecht, chair of Western’s psychology
hymn. “And when the strife is fierce, the department.
warfare long, steals on the ear the distant
Building on the case study work of
triumph song, then hearts are brave again, psychologist Eric Erikson, Hoover dissected
and faith grows strong.”
political ideologies with a theory of identity
Hoover came to Bellingham in 1988. he crafted.
He and his wife joined First
Hoover’s
theory
Congregational because they
measures
identities
“We miss our
were attracted to the church’s
and
ideologies
by
friend Ken and competence, commitment
concern for social justice.
Hoover flourished in the
community.
always will, but and
congregation, Upsahl said. He
Competence is personal
we can build on ability and skills and
presided over church meetings
his legacy.”
wearing a black bowler,
immediate relationships.
- John Miles,
raised money for extensive
Commitments
are
Director of Huxley
renovations and held seminars
“what you feel obligated
College of the
for members.
toward,”
said
Sam
Environment
“He had this wonderful
Affolter,
a
Western
ability of making complex
political science graduate
things clear,” Upsahl said. “Ken was deeply whose master’s committee was chaired by
involved in his congregation. He was seen Hoover. Community is social relations like
by everybody as the leader.”
neighbors, colleagues and parishioners.
Hoover’s legacy at Western can be
Erin said “Economics as Ideology” was
seen in the strength of the political science Hoover’s masterpiece. The book details the
department, which he chaired from 1988 to identity and ideological formation of the
1995, said Dr. Vernon “Damani” Johnson, a economists Harold Laski, John Maynard
Western political science professor.
Keynes and Friedrich Hayek, and the effects
Under Hoover’s watch, the department their individual psyches had on society.
drew talented professors, gained respect and
Ideologies like conservatism can
diversified.
organize positive actions, Hoover wrote,
“Now, except for a historically black but they also led to fascism's Final
institution in the South somewhere, I bet Solution, communism's purges, capitalism's
you that you can’t find a political science inequalities and wars.
department in the country that looks like
Hoover’s three C’s are a dynamic
this: six out of thirteen are people of color, departure from “nuts and bolts” political
and seven out of the thirteen are women,” science, Donovan said.
Johnson said.
Looking at Hoover with his own
Hoover was known internationally identity theory, he was certainly competent.
as a pioneer in the field of identity politics He wrote seven books, won distinguished
u HOOVER from 1
photo courtesy of Andy Hoover
Ken Hoover stumbles across his book while visiting his daughter, Erin Hoover Barnett, in
2003 during her Neiman fellowship at Harvard University.
awards and deeply affected people’s lives.
“Our sorrow is a reflection of the
gratitude of Ken’s life,” said the Rev. Tom
Hunter, speaking to the strength of Hoover’s
community.
Hoover’s commitments laid with the
common good and the common man, his
son Andy Hoover said.
Western political science graduate
Breanna Forni said she jumped on a
Greyhound bus in Chadwick, Mo. after
she heard Hoover died. Forni took the long
ride west to pay respect to the teacher who
helped her get a full scholarship to the
University of Maryland.
“He was my advisor and like my second
father,” Forni said.
Hoover helped many professors to
get published and succeed in academia by
asking them to co-author books with him,
Donovan said.
“He doesn’t need to do that,” Donovan,
who co-authored “The Elements of Social
Scientific Thinking” with Hoover, said.
“From his perspective it’s a mutually
beneficial collaboration but also a way
he thinks he can be generous and help
people out to get tenure, a promotion or
something.”
Hoover was a conscientious friend,
Johnson said.
Hoover’s death rippled throughout
Bellingham, touching hearts on campus,
in First Congregational and across the city.
Tears flowed and memories were stoked
as a man was celebrated for his intellect,
generosity, spirit, morality and optimism.
“Perhaps, if we understand the story
well enough,” wrote Hoover. “We can find
our way to better politics at the dawn of a
new age.”
NEWS
westernfrontonline.com
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
|5
Bellingham Visual Journalism Conference features Murrow panel
Mark Malijan
THE WESTERN FRONT
The Bellingham Visual Journalism Conference
concluded July 22 with a panel discussion on legendary
broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow, who grew up
near Chuckanut Drive.
The panel included Murrow’s son Casey Murrow,
who recalled memories of his father during his career
as a journalist. Joining Casey was Rich Riski, a
journalism professor at Peninsula College and who has
studied Murrow’s life, and Nick Clooney, a 73-year-old
journalist and father of actor George Clooney.
Participants gathered in Arntzen Hall to watch clips
of Murrow’s work, specifically the “See It Now” news
broadcast with CBS. Murrow was an activist, Riski
said.
A pioneer in his field, Murrow introduced his
viewers to the front lines of the Korean War and showed
the injustices of migrant workers on a Thanksgiving
broadcast. Utilizing the medium to his advantage
Murrow brought Senator Joseph McCarthy under
national scrutiny with a series of broadcasts.
The panel tied Murrow’s work on controversial
issues with what is going on today in the journalism
field.
“Murrow is more relevant now than in the past,”
Riski said.
The panel shared their thoughts of where journalism
was going and looking to the beginning, specifically
Murrow’s work, as a solution to today’s journalistic
problems. Journalism has lost its way and it is up to the
students who are here to change that, Clooney said.
“After the Berlin wall came down, journalists
became less serious,” Clooney said. “It was ‘fun and
games, let’s go start chasing celebrities.’”
The panel answered questions from the audience
about the direction journalism is heading and how
Murrow would handle it if he were here today.
“I have not a clue what’s coming up,” Clooney said.
“Everybody is getting their three minutes of fame on the
Internet.”
The panel closed with hopes that the next generation
will renew the journalism profession by utilizing the
new tools and technology responsibly.
Suspect identified using Stranger Rape DNA Project
Isabelle Dills
THE WESTERN FRONT
DNA led to the identification of
a suspect in a rape that occurred near
Western’s campus in late April, according
to police. The suspect, Charles F. Boome,
42, is also wanted on suspicion of burglary,
police said.
Police are not certain the same
person committed the rape and burglary,
Bellingham Police Chief Randall Carroll
said, although a national extradition
warrant has been issued for his arrest on
charges of burglary and rape in the 1st
degree.
The crimes were committed in the
late evening and early morning hours on
April 27, 2007, within the 500 and 600
block of East Maple Street. The victims
were females in their 20s.
Police suspect Boome is connected
to both crimes due to the timing and
proximity of the crimes, as well as witness
descriptions, Carroll said. According to
police, Boome’s DNA was discovered in a
sexual assault exam of the rape victim.
“There’s one thing that’s absolutely
certain,” Carroll said. “It is his DNA that
we took from the crime scene. It’s no one
else’s.”
A DNA profile was developed by a
private lab in Texas contracted through
the Stranger Rape DNA Project.
The DNA profile for the rape case
was returned from the lab within four
photo courtesy of Bellingham Police Department
Police said there is a warrant out
for the arrest of Charles Boome for
burglary and rape in the 1st degree.
days and sent to the state crime lab. The
suspect was found using the Combined
DNA Index System (CODIS) run by the
FBI, Carroll said.
Boome was the first unknown
suspect identified by the Stranger Rape
DNA Project using the CODIS system.
Boome’s DNA was in the CODIS system
because of a prior offense.
Boome was convicted of child
molestation in the third degree in 2001.
He failed to register as a sex offender
in December 2006 police said. Boome
was last known to be living homeless in
Snohomish County, according to police.
Project manager of the Stranger
Rape DNA Project Steve Whybark said
it can take eight months for DNA to be
identified due to the backup of DNA tests
at the crime lab. Through an agreement
with Orchid Cellmark, the Stranger Rape
DNA Project’s testing service provider,
results are returned within 30 days.
Funding for the Stranger Rape DNA
Project was requested in 2006 by the
Washington Association of Sheriffs and
Police Chiefs. One of the project’s goals
is to decrease the amount of DNA tests
at the Washington State Crime Lab by
sending the tests to private labs. The
project also aims to increase prosecution
in rape cases where the suspect is
unknown.
Whybark said police had a few leads
in the April rape, but Boome was not
among the suspects until a DNA match
was found in the CODIS system.
“It would be in Mr. Boome’s best
interest if he would just give us a call and
surrender,” Carroll said.
The longer he stays on the run,
the stronger the Bellingham Police
Department will push for penalties
against him, Carroll said. Boome has a
chance to mediate those consequences if
he turns himself in.
“We will find him,” Carroll said. “He
will go to jail.”
Carroll said the police have already
received a number of calls from people
who believe they have seen Boome. He
Anyone with information on the
whereabouts of Charles Boome
is asked to contact Detective
Hutchings at 360 676-6921 or
at 360 676-6941 after business
hours.
said he hopes to put up wanted posters to
help aid in the search.
“I want his face on everywhere that
we can get it,” Carroll said.
Sergeant David Garcia of University
Police said campus police have already
put out a community advisory. Garcia said
he could not recall the last rape case with
an unknown suspect that occurred near
campus because it happens so rarely.
“Overall, the university is very safe,”
Garcia said.
For students concerned about personal
safety, Garcia said to keep doors locked
and windows secured. If a student wants to
keep a sliding glass door or window open,
put a block in the frame of the window so
it can only be open a few inches, he said.
Carroll said Boome will probably try
to hide to prolong his freedom. Meanwhile,
Bellingham Police are determined to do
everything it can to bring Boome into
custody.
“If there’s any solace to this whole
tragic, brutal and violent event, it’s that we
know who to hold accountable,” Carroll
said.
The Western Front
westernfrontonline.com
Muggles gather for final ch
Thousands of Bellingham residents dash to purchase last installment of popular fan
Luke Widtfeldt
THE WESTERN FRONT
R
ain particles dance
to and fro as they
surrender
themselves
to the volley of the wind. The
grey clouds above the deserted
Fairhaven streets churn and
bubble threateningly.
The Village Green is
without movement as dusk
deepens the hue of everything in
sight. The lights along the roof
of the Fairhaven Inn cast a pale
luminosity in which silhouettes
can be seen slowly congregating
below.
A few at first, but as the
minutes wear on, more pour
from the neighboring streets
and alleyways. Each individual
dressed in flowing garments,
some donning wigs and beards,
others wearing round spectacles
with zigzag lightning bolts
upon their brows and still more
somewhere in between.
All gathered in the light
rain chattering excitedly about
the final book “Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hollows.”
At Village Books in historic
Fairhaven, staff members and
volunteers bustle through the
on-and-off rain, setting up
tables and hanging signs behind
the store, transforming the
Fairhaven Village Green into a
wizard carnival complete with
fire twirlers, fortune tellers, a
trivia booth, crafts and a “Butter
Beer” garden where guests
can enjoy a Muggle version
of the book’s popular wizard
beverage.
Village
Books
owner Chuck Robinson
looks admiringly at
the crowd as it begins
to grow larger, and
Robinson
seems
genuinely impressed by
the phenomena of the
Harry Potter series for
the last 10 years.
“It’s really amazing
to see something get
this
many
people
excited about reading,”
Robinson
said.
“Nothing like this has
happened since people
waited on the docks
for the newest Charles
Dickens book to arrive
from overseas.”
On
July
22,
millions around the
world waited for the
final installment of
the Harry Potter saga
to be released and
Bellingham was no
exception as people
gathered at Haggen,
Fred Meyer, Barnes
& Noble and Village
Books. A little more
than a decade ago,
Hundreds of Harry Potter fans wait in line for their copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows" at the Bellin
struggling single mother
and unknown author J.K.
and was translated into 64
hundreds of people flocked to
final release party. Desgrosellier
Rowling introduced the world
languages. The series has
the different booths provided at
helped run the trivia booth
to Harry Potter. Around Harry
spawned movies, collectibles,
the party.
where she attempted to stump
Potter, Rowling created a
clothing and a massive fan base
Western
junior
Nikki
fellow Potter fans.
magnificent world where magic
ranging in all ages.
Desgrosellier noticed the party
“It’s a lot of fun helping
and adventure flourish, mystery
Children’s book buyer
required volunteers when she
out with an event like this,”
and evil lurk and possibilities are
Sarah Hutton said Village Books
was pre-ordering her copy of the
Desgrosellier said. “I get to
only bound by the imagination.
expected 1,000 customers to
“Harry Potter and the Deathly
elaborate on the trivia questions
The series was met with
come in just for the book. The
Hollows” and decided it would
to see who’s a real fan.”
critical acclaim selling more than
numbers proved accurate as
be a fun way to experience her
Other volunteers made
325 million copies internationally
ecbaesbmef
Co-Op brings Bellingham together with 11th-annual comm
Linda Blake
THE WESTERN FRONT
photo by Linda Blake THE WESTERN FRONT
Western student and Co-op employee
Julian Rondello, takes time for a
bite of lunch in the Co-op produce
department while chatting with longtime Co-op employee Wynne Marks.
The Community Food Co-op of
Bellingham will host its 11th-annual
Community Party from 12 to 6 p.m. on
July 29 at Boulevard Park. The party will
provide a day of food, music and dancing.
Other activities include magicians,
jugglers and a Recycled Arts Station
sponsored by the ReStore.
Co-op administrator Jean Rogers said
Western students should put this party on
their calendar to partake in the traditional
2-Buck Burritos, some of the best local
bands and tabling by local non-profit
organizations.
at the CoThe Co-op is well
op
seems
known for its support of
to
reflect
community
awareness
the openand the party is a thank
m i nd e d
12 p.m., June 29
you for Co-op members
attitude of
and the public at large.
Bellingham
Boulevard Park
At the same time, this
residents.
Free
gathering
can
give
“ Eve r yone
Western students the
here wants
chance to network with
to help out
local organizations for employment or internship
if you need it,” Sandberg said.
possibilities, Rogers said.
Kit
Hughes,
member
Alec Sandberg, a Western geology major
outreach facilitator at the Coand Co-op employee, said the work atmosphere
op, is the volunteer and events
Co-Op Community
Party
T U E S D AY
July 24, 2007
hapter
ntasy series
PAGE
7
Marrowstone Concert Series
brings young musicians to Western
Yuki Nakajima
THE WESTERN FRONT
photo by Mark Malijan THE WESTERN FRONT
ngham Barnes and Noble July 20.
themselves busy helping
guests make owl puppets
out
of
paper
bags,
entertaining by spinning fire
or performing magic tricks,
handing out root beer floats
Talented artists from all parts of the country
will come together at Western, as young musicians
ages 13 to 25, and faculty of Marrowstone will
perform orchestral and chamber music at the
Performing Arts Center (PAC) from July 26 to
Aug. 5.
Marrowstone is an intensive two-week
residential summer orchestra and chamber music
program presented by Seattle Youth Symphony
Orchestras. It started as a summer camp in
1943 and moved to Bellingham seven years ago.
Since then, all students use Western facilities
to practice. One hundred seventy five selected
students and 22 faculty members from around the
country will attend the program this year.
Derek Campbell, 17, is one of the
Marrowstone members. This year will be his
fourth year of getting involved in the program.
He said he started playing violin when he was 9
years old.
“[Marrowstone] is lots of fun,” Campbell
said. “They get really good instructors. It’s
amazing.”
Marrowstone spokesman Josef Krebs said
admission to the Marrowstone summer music
program is competitive. Applicants need to submit
an audition CD and a letter of recommendation
from a private teacher or school music teacher.
They also have a concerto competition. Krebs
said the orchestras only admit students with a
high degree of excellence.
Western
faculty
Grant
Donnellan,
Marrowstone student when he was in 8th grade,
joined Marrowstone as a faculty member four
years ago. He said it’s a good opportunity for
students to play with others from different regions
photo courtesy of Andrew McIntyre
Two muscians blow into their bassoons as they perform onstage for Marrowstone.
and states.
“Because the students are
auditioned nationally, we can form
very high level groups with very high
playing quality,” Donnellan said. “It’s
a chance to perform in the group that
is working in a high level.”
One of the best things about
Marrowstone is the finest faculty
members from North America play
chamber music concerts, Krebs
said. They play ensemble and teach
universities, such as the Chicago
Symphony,
Seattle
Symphony,
Oregon Symphony, the Empire Brass,
the University of Michigan and
the University of California, Santa
Barbara.
Dale Clevenger, principal horn of
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, supported
Marrowstone for 18 years. He played
horn as a soloist for the first time and
decided to come back every year.
“I liked it so much and I was willing
to come back,” Clevenger said. “I think
this festival is one of the extremely good
festivals for the city of Bellingham and
the university.”
Marrowstone provides different
concerts including concerts for student
orchestra, student chamber music and
faculty chamber music. This year, they
have a new chamber orchestra made up
of teachers, interns and some of students
who have high skills. Their concerts are
free and held at 7 p.m. on July 27 and
Aug. 3.
see POTTER page 8 u
fbz
munity party
coordinator,
administers
the Community Shopping
Days Event and is this
years
Community
Party
organizer. Hughes will also
plan community outreach
for the second Co-op store
opening in the Cordata area of
Bellingham.
“One of the best parts
of my job is bringing people
together to celebrate common
values,” Hughes said.
photo courtesy of Andrew McIntyre
Dozens of young musicians perform together for the Marrowstone Concert Series. Marrowstone will hold their concerts July 27 and Aug. 3.
The Western Front
WesternFrontOnline.com
T U E S D AY
July 24, 2007
Busting a move
Partner dancing provides classic alternative to today's norm
photo by Jacob Vorono THE WESTERN FRONT
Jade McEwghain, 14, and Dan Bostrom bust out some swing dancing
moves July 22. The dance sessions cost $3 for members and $5 for
non-members; all age and ability levels are welcome.
Devon Fredericksen
THE WESTERN FRONT
Boogie back an era or two
and dancing the individual freestyling way would render one
the odd man out on the dance
floor.
These days, dancing solo
has become the popular norm,
both on-screen and off, in
music videos and in local clubs.
It wasn’t until about 15 or 20
years ago that partner and line
dancing became styles of the
past.
Past fashions have a way
of re-surfacing. In Bellingham,
partner dancing, such as swing
dance and salsa, and line
dancing such as contra dancing,
are becoming increasingly
popular past times.
Marlin
Prowell,
an
organizer for contra dance
sessions, said people are
discovering dance is a way to
socialize with other members of
the community.
“One hundred years ago, a
community would get together
to hold a dance,” Prowell said.
“These days, people get together
and have a dance and then form
a community out of that.”
Prowell helps organize
and instruct contra dancing
events held the first Friday and
third Saturday of every month,
September through June from 811 p.m. at the Fairhaven Library
in historic Fairhaven.
“It’s not a bar scene,”
Prowell said. “I’d dare you to
do this stuff when you’ve had
something to drink.”
He said the steps are easy to
learn, but since contra dancing
is a group effort, everyone
needs to pay attention.
Western alumna Alissa
Jones said one of the reasons she
became interested in dancing
was getting to meet new friends
and dance with people instead
of solo.
Jones joined the campus
group Swing Kids after she took
a social dance class at Western.
She said she loved the music
and the supportive, friendly
environment.
“When you partner dance
you have the social aspect. You
share a connection with another
person,” Jones said. “It’s like a
conversation—your partner’s
body does something and your
body has to respond accordingly
to move smoothly across the
dance floor.”
Jones said in the four and a
half years she has been involved
with Swing Kids, she has never
been to a session that hasn’t had
a new person trying out swing
for the first time.
Paul Olmstead instructs
swing dance sessions at the
Firehouse Performing Arts
Center in historic Fairhaven
every other Sunday from 6:30
to 9 p.m.
“It’s great to see people get
hooked,” Olmstead said. “They
come and watch and say ‘Hey,
that’s neat,’ and then want to
join in.”
Olmstead
said
people
usually take a couple dance
classes before they attend his
sessions, but anyone is welcome
to come, observe and get
involved.
Classes in Bellingham are
offered at U & Me Dance at The
Majestic, which also hosts open
dance nights every Friday from
9 to 11 p.m. The fee is $10 for
students.
“It’s not just for stuffy old
people,” Jones said. “It’s cool
and it’s fun.”
PAGE
8
Harry Potter release parties
attract eager readers
u POTTER from 7
donated by Mallard Ice Cream
and Boundary Bay Brewery and
Food Pavilion donated doughnut
holes resembling the “golden
snitch” Harry Potter hunted on
his broom as he competed in the
wizard worlds favorite sport,
Quidditch.
In addition to receiving
donations from local businesses
to make the party the greatest it
could be, Village Books donated
$7.21 of every pre-sold book to
the Whatcom Literacy Council.
Using the almost $8,000 raised
by pre-sales of “Harry Potter
and the Deathly Hollows,” the
Whatcom Literacy Council will
continue to increase the literacy
rates in Whatcom County said
Whatcom Literacy Council
Executive Director Rachel
Meyers.
Though the excitement
about the release was tangible,
there was still a somber
overtone about the occasion.
Western junior and co-founder
of Western’s Harry Potter
Club Rio Correa said she was
saddened the book is the last in
the series.
“It’s tragic, I’ve been
reading these books since I was
13,” Correa said. “In a way I
feel like I’m saying goodbye to
a best friend.”
Sarah Hutton said she felt
dispirited by the finale of the
series as well, but is excited
future generations will get to
experience the books.
“It’s really sad to see the
series end,” Hutton said. “It’s
the end of an era, but as time
goes on, the series will continue
to garner new readers.”
As midnight loomed,
guests became antsy and
began to crowd around the
side garage doors where the
books would be distributed.
At 12:01 a.m. Village Books
employees began to call out
numbers designating groups
that could exchange their
vouchers for copies of the
book.
Many of the first to obtain
their copy quickly hid the
book in a coat or purse as if
fearing someone would steal it
from them. Others ran back to
the surrounding benches and
opened the book to the final
pages scanning diligently for
answers to the questions that
have been asked for 10 years.
Many girls screamed shrilly
when they finally got their
copies and Robinson smiled.
“Someone said earlier
the reactions to the book were
how people reacted when they
saw The Beatles,” Robinson
said. “Now I see what they’re
talking about.”
With books clutched
tightly to their chests
everyone began to head home.
Some parents carried sleeping
miniatures of Rowling’s now
immortal characters off to
bed while others appeared
determined not to sleep until
they had finished their last
adventure with Harry Potter.
Check out the
slideshow at
westernfrontonline.com
The Western Front
westernfrontonline.com
T U E S D AY
July 24, 2007
Professor places 10th in World Series of Poker
Garfinkle wins $476,926, will continue to teach at Western
Jeff Richards
THE WESTERN FRONT
The 2007 World Series of Poker began
with 6,358 people at the Rio Hotel and
Casino in Las Vegas. After six days and
more than 70 hours of poker play, Western
assistant professor Steven Garfinkle sat at
a table with the final 10 players on July 15,
one spot away from the final table and a
chance at the $8.25 million prize.
The short stack on the table,
Garfinkle went all-in and lost
to the three queens of
Raymond Rahme.
Finishing
in
10th place,
Garf inkle
settled
for
$476,926.
“ Eve r yo n e
was
playing
conservatively
at
that point,” Garfinkle
said. ”I got an ace, 3 and
didn’t have the luxury of
waiting for better. Everyone
folded and it just so happened
the gentlemen at the end of the
table had queens.”
Garfinkle said it had been more
than two hours since the eleventh man had
been eliminated and everyone in both the
stands and at the table were waiting for the
tenth before they could call it a day.
The main event of the World Series
of Poker is a game of no-limit Texas hold
‘em, where each player is dealt two cards
face down. After a round of betting, three
community cards are dealt face-up. This is
called the “flop,” which is followed by the
“turn” and the “river.”
Garfinkle said he plans not to splurge
his winnings, but to hold onto the money.
He said he also plans to remain at Western
as a professor.
“My dream job is teaching at
Western,” Garfinkle said. “I am fully
committed to Western students and the
community. As my wife put it, [poker] is a
really good summer job.”
Garfinkle is an assistant professor
of history at Western, specializing in
the ancient Near East and the ancient
Mediterranean. He has been at Western
since 2001.
Fellow Western professor of history,
Chris Friday, said poker seemed to be an
occasional hobby with Garfinkle, who
played games with retired and
current faculty.
“The important thing is
he’s a great teacher and a
fabulous scholar,” Friday
said. “[Poker] worked out
great, but his heart and
his talents are really
into teaching.”
Garfinkle said he
began playing poker
in college, but did
not really get into
it until about two
years ago when
he began to
study and learn
about the game.
It was at a preliminary
event to the World Series that Garfinkle
got his first taste of tournament play,
placing 58th in the no-limit event and
cashing in $7,418.
The buy-in for the main event of the
World Series was $10,000 and Garfinkle
said he decided to invest his previous
winnings into the world championship.
“I had high expectations,” Garfinkle
said. “But I think if I was being honest
with myself, I wouldn’t have thought I’d
make tenth place.”
On his final hand, Garfinkle went allin before the flop, which was a king, queen
and jack. He needed a 10 to get the straight
and win the hand. He said he couldn’t
remember what the final two cards were,
PAGE
9
Vikings hire
from within,
select Hynson
as offensive
coordinator
Jeff Richards
THE WESTERN FRONT
Western assistant professor Steven Garfinkle
only that they weren’t what he needed.
“The only time I had all of my
money in with the worst of it was on the
last hand,” Garfinkle said. “So I’m really
pleased with that.”
Garfinkle said it was a great
experience being able to play with all the
poker professionals and celebrities, plus
there were plenty of interesting people
involved in the event.
The last former champion to be
eliminated was Thuan “Scotty” Nguyen,
who is a professional poker player and was
the player knocked out before Garfinkle.
Garfinkle said one of his favorite
hands was bluffing Nguyen out of a pot on
the last day. Nguyen won the World Series
main event in 1998.
“It was tremendously exciting at the
table,” Garfinkle said. “So, you have to
remember to maintain patience and play
properly.”
Western students and faculty will get
a chance to see Garfinkle at the World
Series of Poker when it airs 8 to 10 p.m. on
Tuesdays from Aug. 21 to Oct. 9 on ESPN.
Garfinkle will return to Western
in the fall to teach the undergraduate
classes History 312, History of Ancient
Greece and History 410, The First Cities:
Urbanization in the Ancient World.
After conducting a national search
for a new offensive coordinator, Western
football decided the best candidate was
already on the team, elevating last year’s
special teams coordinator and running
backs coach Kefense Hynson to offensive
coordinator.
It’s Hynson’s second year on the team.
He is replacing 14-year Western assistant
coach Eric Tripp, who announced May
12 he was leaving the team to accept the
position of athletic director for Meridian
High School in Laurel, Wash.
Hynson said he would like to one day
be a head coach, but for the moment he is
most concerned about putting points on
the board as offensive coordinator of the
Vikings.
“I’ve got a passion for offense,”
Hynson said. “It’s something I’ve always
wanted to do.”
Head Coach Robin Ross said they
decided to hire from within to maintain
continuity for the players on offense, and
because he was able to evaluate what kind
of coach Hynson is from last year.
“He did such a great job with special
teams,” Ross said. “[It] was the most
improved aspect of the team last year.”
In the North Central Conference
(NCC) in 2006, Western finished second
among nine teams in punting, fourth in
kickoff returns, fourth in field goals and
fifth in punt returns.
As running backs coach, Hynson
oversaw what statistics show to be
see FOOTBALL page 10 u
10 |
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
SPORTS
The Western Front
Women's basketball hosts high school camp
Twenty-four high school teams traveled to Western to participate in five-day camp
Megan Claflin
the western front
Western’s annual girls basketball
camp is aimed at teaching more than
offense and defense. From July 15 to 19,
24 high school teams from Washington,
Oregon and Alaska learned five themes
focused on basketball and team building.
Each day, a new theme was
introduced and teams heard speeches
from Western coaches about the
fundamentals of a good player and a
good team, said assistant coach and camp
registrar Stacey Turrell.
“The point is that girls take away
more than basketball skills,” Turrell
said. “We teach them the philosophy of
basketball.”
Scott Wilson, head coach for
Squalicum High School, said it was his
team’s second year at camp and he was
impressed by the mix of skill building and
values. Western coaches stressed positive
attitude and good communication skills.
The camp offered intense training in
ball handling and game play, Turrell said.
The teams spent the week in tournament
play, facing squads from different school
districts, even states, in real games to
determine the camp champion.
Taylor Ulrich, a sophomore at
Squalicum High School, said she was
intimidated at first by the number
of teams at camp, but soon saw the
advantage.
“It gives us the opportunity to play
teams that we don’t normally play during
the season,” Ulrich said. “That means we
get more experience.”
Portions of the day were devoted
to position training. Teams broke up so
the girls could work on their specific
defensive or offensive position. Western
players gave demonstrations and offered
coaches help in teaching specific skills.
Shane Wichers, head coach for
Nooksack Valley High School, said he
typically takes his team to Oregon for
camp, but he was impressed with the
coaching Western players offered.
“A lot of kids want to play basketball
at a higher level,” Wichers said. “It is
helpful for the girls to watch the Western
players and learn what they learn.”
The women Vikings are required
to participate and assist coaches during
the camp, Turrell said. Liz McCarrell,
Western senior and shooting guard for
the Vikings, said even though she wasn’t
able to practice much during camp, the
time spent teaching was still important
for the Western team.
“It is beneficial to us because it gets
our minds back on basketball,” McCarrell
said. “It helps our team get together over
the summer and to stay focused.”
The camp also assists the women’s
team financially. Each player pays from
$195 to $305, which covers a variety of
amenities including room and board
if the team is staying at Western. The
money raised from the camp will go to
the Western athletic department to cover
the cost of the camp and to assist the
women’s basketball team.
“The money helps us pay for shoes
and uniforms,” Turrell said. “Plus the
cost for us to travel, which can be very
expensive.”
Camp wasn’t all work though. Teams
spent five days together, giving players
time to build friendships and bond as
a team. Allison Johnson and Lauren
Ramstead are both new to the Nooksack
Valley team and will start their freshman
year of high school this fall. Both said
they valued the camp for the time it gave
them with their team before their hectic
high school schedules interfered.
“We focus a lot on team building,”
photo by Sam Vaughan THE WESTERN FRONT
A camp participant takes a shot during the
girls basketball camp.
Turrell said. “The teams are together
having fun, getting to know each
other and they learn respect and to
communicate as they play.”
Team hopes for smooth transition Tomsich named athlete of the year
u FOOTBALL from 9
at Boise State University in 2004.
Hynson said his most worthwhile
coaching experience came last year as
Western’s strongest unit in the 2006 Western’s special teams coordinator, a job
season, as the team finished fourth in he said may be the most difficult on the
rushing in the NCC. But the offense team.
finished last in scoring, averaging 18.5
“Nobody grows up wanting to be on
points per game.
the punt team or kick team,” Hynson said.
“It’s tough to win football games, “You really have to be a salesman.”
when you only average 18 points,”
Despite Hynson’s youth, Ross said he
Ross said. “First down offense needs did not factor age into his decision, instead
to improve, and we did not do a great focusing on ability and experience.
job of protecting the
Hynson said the job
quarterback.”
of offensive coordinator
After 15 days of
is another step in a
"He's really into
practice in the spring,
career path he loves, and
[football]; really
Hynson said he does
he is not concerned with
intense. He's fiery possibly moving up the
not plan on changing
much
on
offense,
and doesn't take a ladder too quickly.
adding some aspects to
“I’ve never looked
lot of B.S."
the running game that
at [age] as a reason that
- Adam Perry
suit his own style.
you couldn’t do this
Viking Quarterback
Ross said he hoped
or couldn’t do that,”
that by hiring from
Hynson said. “If you
within, the transition would be smoother score points and win games, people won’t
and the learning curve less extreme for care how old you are.”
both the coaching staff and players.
Under National Collegiate Athletic
But with only one year on the roster Association rules, coaches may not work
working with running backs and special with the players throughout the summer
teams, much of the offense does not until they report back for the fall on Aug.
have experience working with Hynson, 8. This leaves Hynson and the offense
junior offensive lineman Dan Trask said, only 25 days together until their first
though they have heard great comments game.
from other coaches and players about his
Until then, most of the offense
abilities.
must be content with what little they’ve
“It’s going to be something to explore witnessed of Hynson throughout the past
for all of us,” Trask said. “We’re really year.
eager to see what he’s got.”
For junior quarterback Adam Perry,
Hynson earned his bachelor’s degree who was named starter in the spring, what
in history in 2003 at Willamette University he’s seen so far has been quite good, he
in Salem, Ore., where he received his first said.
coaching experience as the wide receivers
“He’s really into [football]; really
coach.
intense,” Perry said. “He’s fiery and
Before coming to Western in 2006, doesn’t take a lot of B.S.”
Hynson worked as running backs coach at
The team opens the 2007 season on
Minnesota State University, Mankato in Sept. 1 at the University of California,
2005 and as director of football operations Davis.
Madeline Stevens
The western front
The Great Northwest Athletic
Conference (GNAC) named Western junior
and distance runner Anthony Tomsich track
and field male athlete of the year.
On May 5, Tomsich won first place in
the 1,500-meter run and second place in the
5,000-meter (5 km) run. It was his second
year competing in the GNAC since his
freshman year at Western.
“I was definitely pretty excited, it
means a lot to me,” Tomsich said. “It’s nice
to be recognized. There are so many events
and so much talent.”
Tony Tomsich, as he is more commonly
known, is from Fairbanks, Alaska. He
plans to major in accounting and minor
in German. He enjoys playing soccer and
Frisbee in his free time, in addition to
training for track.
GNAC eligibility depends on qualifying
times from races throughout the track and
field season, races that the Western team
competes in from March through May. The
meets take place throughout Washington,
California and Oregon. By racing in
the GNAC, a runner has the chance to
compete in the NCAA Division II National
Championship.
Western competes against nine
university teams in Washington, Oregon,
Idaho, Montana and Alaska at the GNAC
meet each year for both track and field as
well as cross country.
Winning the GNAC title came from
consistent training, running an average
of 12 miles a day for a total of 80 miles to
90 miles per week, Tomsich said. Tomsich
said he did not feel pressured or nervous
going into the GNAC meet. “I go out there
knowing I’ve worked all season. It’s kind of
a reward,” Tomsich said. “It’s a day to just
have fun.”
The annual GNAC meet took place
at Civic Stadium in Bellingham, where
photo by Justin Justin Steyer THE WESTERN FRONT
Tomsich competes in the 5000 meter run at
the GNAC championships at Civic Stadium.
Tomsich participated in his primary events,
the 1,500-meter run, the 5 km run and the
800-meter run.
Kelven Halsell, more commonly
known as Pee Wee, head coach for both
Western’s track and field as well as cross
country, will be going into his 21st year of
coaching next fall. Halsell was proud of
Tomsich after he won the GNAC title, and
thought he deserved it.
“He’s a quiet leader,” Halsell said.
“He’s a leader in the sense that people want
to train with him. He’s got that drive.”
Assistant track and field coach T.J.
Garlatz was instrumental during Tomsich’s
training, Halsell said.
“He’s just a phenomenal athlete who
works really hard,” Garlatz said. “Who
knows what he’s capable of doing?”
The Western Front
westernfrontonline.com
T u e s d ay
July 24, 2007
PAGE
11
Administration should be forthright with information
Campus administration:
amount of time.
we’re
not
conspiracy
Morse said she
nuts nor are we trying to
does not comment on
Frontline editorials reflect
the opinion of the
create news. But when key
personnel issues, and
editorial
board and not
information is withheld
legally she has the right
the staff or advertisers
from an important event,
to refuse comment.
of The Western Front.
we want to know why.
Bodman also has that
The campus community
right because the law
deserves more than a vague explanation only applies to public records.
for Dr. Andrew Bodman’s resignation as
In this instance, the administration
provost and vice president.
needs to look beyond what it is legally
As public officials, Western’s compelled to do and reveal more
administration has an obligation to be information.
forthright with information concerning
The public does not need to know
campus operations with the students who if Bodman disagreed with something as
pay thousands of dollars every year to silly as Morse’s hairstyle choice or any
attend the university.
personal issues between the two. But, the
Simply stating Bodman resigned administration has an obligation to inform
because of disagreements on “major the campus community if the two had
issues” is subjective and creates more different visions concerning Western’s
questions than answers.
involvement in waterfront development.
According to public records laws in
Not revealing these “major issues” is
Washington, information from public bad for the administration in a number of
employees can only be withheld if ways.
the information “(1) would be highly
By
declining
comment,
the
offensive to a reasonable person, and (2) administration leaves the reasons for
is not of legitimate concern to the public” Bodman’s departure to the imagination of
RCW 42.17.255.
the public. All we are left with is hearsay
The information is undoubtedly of and rumors, which creates unrest and is
legitimate concern to the public, because detrimental to all parties involved.
the resignation of provost will affect
When reporting news, The Western
campus operations for an extended Front’s goal is to have all questions
answered. When university officials
inexplicably withhold key information,
they make the situation more difficult for
all parties. In the end, any hard-nosed
reporter will eventually find the truth.
The most recent example lies in the
Dec. 8, 2006 issue of The Western Front.
In a story reporting a possible illegal
drug growing operation in Buchanan
Towers titled “Cops looking into possible
grow-op”, reporters were stonewalled by
university police, which refused to release
information from the police reports about
the case, such as the names and addresses
of the suspects, frustrating everyone
involved in writing the article.
Luckily for both parties, diligent
reporting led to the discovery of the
identities of the suspects.
When denied what appeared to be
basic information, the reporters and
editors working on the story naturally
thought ‘cover-up,’ and that may have
been what the public perceived if they
had read a story stating the police refused
to reveal the identities of the suspects.
Several months later we are
faced with a similar and questionable
circumstance. Again, university officials
have stonewalled a reporter.
To the university’s credit, when
Bodman resigned from his position
as provost and vice president, the
administration promptly sent e-mails to
all students informing them of the news.
The University Communications
Director was helpful answering questions
regarding Bodman’s accomplishments as
provost and other questions, such as the
hiring process for a new provost. Morse
also made herself available for a phone
interview, despite being in Vermont.
But that doesn’t make up for the
administration’s refusal to answer what
could be the most important question.
Bodman’s resignation matters to
the campus community, and as public
officials, the administration should
inform students and staff exactly what is
happening in the provost office.
Through public records laws and
good reporting, The Western Front will
eventually find the answers. However, it’s
in everyone’s best interest that the campus
administration be more cooperative
sooner rather than later.
The editorial board is comprised of
Editor-in-Chief Greg Applegate, Managing
Editor Jessica Araujo, Opinion Editor
Aaron Weinberg, advertising representative
Marie Davis and student-at-large Western
senior Graham Harrison.