Western Washington University Western CEDAR

Klipsun Magazine Western Student Publications

5-1982

Klipsun Magazine, 1982, Volume 12, Issue 05 - May

Jenny L. Blecha Western Washington University

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Recommended Citation Blecha, Jenny L., "Klipsun Magazine, 1982, Volume 12, Issue 05 - May" (1982). Klipsun Magazine. 65. https://cedar.wwu.edu/klipsun_magazine/65

This Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Western Student Publications at Western CEDAR. It has been accepted for inclusion in Klipsun Magazine by an authorized administrator of Western CEDAR. For more information, please contact [email protected].

Bolen-Rubey

Becky

Duelin’ Presidents: Greg Sobel and Paul Olscamp are captured here during more friendly times. Both leave Western in June; Sohel for law school, Olscamp for Bowling Green State University to assume the school's presidency.

Editor: Jenny L. Blecha Managing Editor: Grace Reamer Photo Editor: Casey Madison Production Manager: Laurel Mooney Design Coordinator: Debbie Auerbach Staff Artist: Masaru Fujimoto Business Manager: Loren Landerholm Advisor: Gerson Miller Staff: Donna Biscay, Becky Bolen-Rubey, Connie Compton, Larry Flood, Darlene Harold, Dave Jack, Chuck Leach, Jo Lundgren, A1 Minato, Caron Monks, Sue Parrish, Jim Perkins, Donna Rieper, Greg Roth, Barbara Scabarozi, Nori Shirouzu, John L. Smith, Jim Springer, Mike Stoddard, Laurie J. Sturdevant, Ben Verkerk. Klipsun is a Lummi Indian word meaning “beautiful sunset.” Copyright Klipsun 1982. Kilpsun is a twice-quarterly publication funded with student fees and distributed without charge. Address all manuscrpts, photos and illustrations care of Klipsun, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington 98225. 676-3737. Printed at WWU Print Plant.

2 klipsun 12, Number 5 a magazine of student interests

4 Suicide Depression among students. Story by Ben Verkerk. Cast of “Buried Child, "see story page 18. 6 Not So Hot Springs Baker Hot Springs. Story by Connie Compton and Laurie Sturdevant.

7 A Sensual Thrill Story by Connie Compton and Laurie Sturdevant.

8 Robert Embrey: Photographer

10 Embrey Creates a Colorful Career Interview by Larry Flood.

12 Close Your Textbooks Fun with foreign language. Story by Donna Rieper. A visit to Arroyo Park, see story page 22.

14 Left Brain, Right Brain — Who’s in Charge. Story by Donna Rieper.

15 Protest of a Different Color El Salvador march. Comment by Jenny L. Blecha.

17 Solidarity Taking on the burdens of the poor. Comment by Dave Jack.

18 Behind the Scenes Western’s production of “Buried Child.” Story by Grace Reamer.

22 Trials of a Trail Recycle your waste, see story page 26. Arroyo Park revitalized. Story by Caron Monks.

25 The Interurban Connection Story by Caron Monks. Front and back cover photos of El Salvador march in Seattle by Dave Jack. 26 A Place for Waste AS Recycle Center. Story by Jim Springer.

29 Sobel in Transition Two years as AS president. Story by John L. Smith.

3 Depression an(

any individual feels he can in when someone attempted suicide Persons contemplating suicide often effect no substantial change in his and was brought to St. Luke’s Gen­ do not realize it is permanent. life, then suicide seems an active and eral Hospital’s emergency room, he Males tend to choose more “per­ logical alternative. said. manent” suicide methods, such as — an anonymous Harvard While Douglas may never know gunshots, hanging and automobile student on his suicide at­ about suicide attempts off campus, crashes, Spitzer said. Fehiales tend to tempt — he said he usually is made aware of choose drug overdoses or wrist-slash­ from Death and the College those that occur on campus. In addi­ ing, which are slower and easier to Student, Edwin S. Shneid- tion, faculty, resident aides and land­ stop. Consequently, while males man lords often notify him of students commit more suicides, females at­ Students have different ways of who seem suicidal. tempt more, he added. coping with stress and depression in Spitzer explained that students Douglas said this pattern applies the college environment. Some attempt suicide when they have lost to suicidal behavior among Western change their lifestyles to adjust to all hope for the future and see death students. “Women have significantly academic and social pressures. Oth­ as the only way to solve their prob­ outnumbered men in suicide threats,” ers turn to alcohol or drugs to get lems. It can become the logical and he said. them through a depression. A few single alternative to life if they think Drug overdoses seem to be the choose suicide — the ultimate solu­ they have lost control of their lives. most popular suicide method among tion to their problems. By choosing suicide, “they have some college students because of the illu­ Statistics from the American As­ control over some part of their lives, sion that they are an easy and pain­ sociation of Suicidology show sui­ even if it’s ending it,” he said. less way to die, Spitzer said. But cide is a leading and increasing cause Students can feel backed in a corner overdosing on drugs can be very of death among college-age youths in because of academic, financial or painful physiologically, causing res­ the United States. personal problems. Counseling Cen­ piratory failure or seizures, he ex­ Two Western students committed ter Director Sandra Taylor said. Sui­ plained. suicide this academic year, Dean of cide can be an escape route, or a Reasons for suicidal behavior at Students Tim Douglas said. Both “time out,” at least. Western usually reflect students’per­ suicides, however, occurred away It also can be an escape route for sonal problems rather than academic from school and during breaks. students seeking relief from the problems, Taylor said. The administration does not keep crushing pain of depression. By kil­ “Typically, there is a personal rela­ official track of the number of sui­ ling themselves “they hope to accom­ tionship that they perceive as having cides by Western students, but “it’s plish some way of stopping the pain failed at or having not turned out not more than one or two cases per and the hurt,” Spitzer said. right,” she said. Students may become year, if any,” Douglas said. He could Students sometimes attempt sui­ very depressed after relationships not recall a time in the past five years cide unsuccessfully, hoping they will end. Persons with low self-esteem or when a suicide had occurred on cam­ be caught and will receive help with low self-confidence may not be able pus or among students living off their problems. to deal with rejection, she continued. campus. “It’s a gesture to reach out to Depression also may result from The number of suicide threats and anybody who they think will under­ the loss of family members, boy­ attempts is much higher. Douglas stand,” Spitzer said. friends or girlfriends because of acci­ said he is informed of between one- Other times students may attempt dents. “Eight months is the normal and two-dozen suicide attempts each suicide to get back at others, usually grieving time” after such a loss, Spit­ year. those who have hurt or rejected them. zer said, but added “some people Richard Spitzer, a local psycholo­ “They have the irrational belief that never get over losses.” gist and member of the emergency they will be justified or vindicated if Students supporting themselves services team from the Whatcom they kill themselves,” said Haydon and those living away from home for Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic, Mees of the psychology department. the first time may be unable to accept said he sees an average of two West­ But viewing suicide in these terms the extra personal and financial re­ ern students each month who at­ — as an escape or a way of getting sponsibilities, which results in stress tempted suicide. He usually is called revenge — is short-sighted, he said. or depression in their lives, he said.

4 kl^psun aespalr cloud college life ty.

The social pressures of campus life More obvious still are signs such as also can create problems for students preoccupation with death or giving with low self-esteem and low self- away possessions, he said. confidence. Suicidal persons can experience Students who have socially suc­ many emotions of depression, the cessful parents may be pressured to most devastating of which are over­ be socially successful themselves, he whelming senses of helplessness and added. If they cannot fulfill their par­ hopelessness. “They are hopeless be­ ents’ or their own expectations they cause they see no resolution to the' may consider themselves failures. depression,” Spitzer said, “and they The same may be true of students are helpless because they feel they who cannot fulfill academic expecta^ don’t have the strength to turn it (the tions. depression) around.” Obsessively ambitious or perfec­ Other feelings include intense lone­ tionist students may set standards so liness, depersonalization and numb­ high for themselves they cannot meet ness. them, Taylor said. They may con­ Students should help friends, room­ sider failing one exam a failure in life. mates or others who exhibit suicidal Spitzer emphasized that for many, behavior. Suicides can be prevented “college is a make it or break it (in by reaching out to them, said Cecelia life) situation.” MacClure, program director for Students at colleges that demand Whatcom County Crisis Services. high academic performance often People should take suicidal talk suffer from depression because of the seriously and show their concern for academic pressures on them. “West­ persons by asking questions about ern does not really promote that cli­ their feelings. “Let them experience mate,” however, Taylor said. Such and express their feelings,” she said. pressures usually are more of an It also is important not to leave effect on suicidal behavior at larger them alone, she continued. and more prestigious colleges, she Finally, they should connect suici­ added. dal persons with others who can help Suicidal behavior is characterized them deal with their feelings. “Ex­ by a number of signs. plain that suicide is permanent and One is a general withdrawal from that counselors can find better solu­ social contacts. Students may stop tions,” she said. attending classes and not leave their “The suicidal condition is tempor­ homes, Taylor said. They may stop ary,” MacClure explained. If others communicating with others. can prevent persons from carrying They also may become preoccu­ out their self-destructive feelings until pied with things about themselves it has passed, chances are good they they do not like, she added. can be helped and suicide no longer In addition, a number of “vegeta­ will seem a viable alternative to living tive” signs can indicate suicidal be­ — it no longer will seem the ultimate havior, Spitzer said. Students may solution. not sleep well, awaking in the early morning hours. Appetite and energy may decrease. Students also may lose interest in the things that normally gave them pleasure, such as sports. >•••••«

In search of Baker Hot Springs by Laurie Sturdevant and a Gortex raincoat. The blonde tiable. reporter is described as “a trouper.” Our driver, a macho business and Connie Compton The occasion: our second grueling major, tries to be impressive as he attempt to uncover the mythical hops behind the wheel and shifts into 9:40 a.m. Baker Hot Springs. four-wheel drive. A burst of power We’re drinking beer and heading Our editor assured us it’s there. We lunges the swampy-green vehicle for­ south on 1-5. Our driver, whose believed her. An amiable game war­ ward. mother hasn’t invited him home for den showed us a tiny dot on the map. But not for long. So, we walk. Easter since he expressed his views We still had faith. The proprietor of After all, it’s only three, or five, or 10 on religion, breaks out foil-wrapped Baker Lake Resort, a former journal­ more miles. chocolate eggs in honor of the occas- ism teacher, insisted it exists. We 12:20 p.m. sion. begin to have our doubts. A half-mile. One-fourth of our Our crew is an unlikely foursome We decide the elevation has gotten party thinks exercise means an occa­ thrown together by deadline pressure to them all. Ever-decisive, we crawl sional stroll to the refrigerator. Her and mutual insanity. The photo­ into the rain-soaked 1979 Toyota borrowed rubber boots are three sizes grapher, who could double for the Land Cruiser and suck down beers. too big and her sweatshirt looks like Marlboro Man, wears warm wool 11:15 a.m. a soggy lasagne noodle around her clothes and the right boots. The A three-foot wall of ice blocks the shoulders. brunette reporter wears threadbare trail to the Hot Springs. The rain is unrelenting, the other Levis over a Jed Clampett union suit; The hell with it. We’ll kick it down. hikers are unsympathetic. her hairspray crystallizes in the rain. Four sets of arms and legs flail 12:30 p.m. The driver looks as if he just walked through the snow with manic fury The beer is gone and so are our off the battlefield in camouflage pants until the snowdrift appears nego­ good tempers. One more hiker bids

6 to turn back, leaving the contest at a 2-all tie. The chasm widens when Mr. Wil­ derness suggests with a sneer that “those who can’t take it”are welcome to turn around. Newly invigorated, the sopping crew trudges on. 1:05 p.m. A sprawling red cedar barely filters the insistent shower of rain. Whim­ pering, the city-bred reporter rubs her calves as the photographer orates esoterically on the latest in world affairs. A theoretical discussion of Agent Orange and foot fungus is sus­ tained by six-percent sparkling cider. Unsure of our progress, we send a scout ahead. He returns, sodden and miserable, without a clue. Unanimous decision. We’re going home. 2:15 p.m. It’s all downhill from here. Our spirits lift as we justify heading back: We’re wet and cold. The park department maintains the Hot Springs have been closed since 1978. The game warden says at least they are boarded over. It’s too gray to take photos and too wet to take notes. And our editor will understand. We hope. 2:40 p.m. On the trail we meet a middle-aged couple on cross-country skis. They say with confidence they are headed for the Hot Springs. Aloud, we wish them good luck. Sensual but not sleazy, and a lot Kept scrupulously clean, the rooms Under our breaths, we think they are more accessible than their natural are scrubbed after each use and the fools. counterparts, are Northern Hot Tubs, tubs are drained and cleaned weekly. 3 p.m. The newly opened facility off State “It’s like a restaurant. You get On the way back to Bellingham, Street offers hot tubs with spa jets, good food and you keep coming stripped of our wettest clothes and of saunas, steam showers and friendly back,” Martin said, our gentility, the humor becomes service —all within walking distance Rates are $6 per hour per person obscene. of Western. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and $6.50 Pulled over on the freeway’s shoul­ “Business is great,” manager Pat from 6 p.m. to I a.m. No alcohol is der near Alger are two military men Martin said. “It’s been really popu- allowed. in fatigues. Peeing. Onto the tires of lar. It’s the first place we know of Children under 16 must be accom- their Red Cross truck. We explode around here.” panied by a parent but are admitted into hysterics. Each of six private rooms features free. Facilities for the handicapped 4:15 p.m. piped-in music, a cedar-decked jacuz- are available. One of us has pneumonia, two are zi hot tub, wet or dry sauna, shower Tubbing is gaining popularity in dog-tired and all four are soaked to and comfortable couch. Towels and Bellingham, Martin said, and busi- the flesh. It has been an Easter to soft drinks from the front desk may ness is jumping. Plans are underway remember. be ordered via intercom. to install eight more rooms in the fall. Or better yet, to forget. Azure water gently bubbles at a Martin described tubbing: “Relax- constant 104 degrees, creating a hyp- ing. Stimulating. You kind of just go notic environment for relaxation, off in your own little world.”

7

Progreso, ** left, was taken by Robert Embrey in Vera Cruz in 1977.

Robert Embrey

Embrey, 43, began teaching photography at Western in 1971 and currently is an associate professor. In 1975, he began his project, ''The Blue Door: Photographs from Mexico,*' from which "Progreso "is taken. He created these photographs with the dye-transfer method. The exhibit first was shown at the Seattle Art Museum that same year. Embrey continued to work in Mexico in 1977, 1979 and 1980. His work from Mexico was included in the July 1977 issue of Camera, "The New Generation of Color Photographers," and the 1980 special issue of Camera, "Color Works." In 1978, his "Blue Door”exhibit traveled to London, Canada and Cologne, where his work was shown at Photokina. He currently has photographs in four traveling exhibitions, two of which are in Europe. He recently was selected to participate in the exhibition curated by the International Museum of Photography, "Color As Form: The History of Color Photo­ graphy, "which opened at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C., last month. His work also was requested for the cover of the international anthology of photography, "Dumont Foto 2." In 1966, Embrey photographed in Guatemala, where he produced the exhibit, "Forms and Feelings of Guatemala, "and contributed to the book, "Terruno. "His work in Guatemala later became part of the circulating exhibit, "Three Masters of the New Generation," in 1968. A 1969 Ford Foundation grant led him to Japan to photograph and exhibit on the Shinto religion. His education includes bachelors*and masters* degrees in psychology and education from the University of Oregon. He taught in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1962 to 1963. Returning to school in 1965 to study photography at the San Francisco Art Institute, he took workshops from photography greats such as Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock and Brett Weston. Embrey has received the following grants and awards: Ford Foundation grant, project: "Shinto in Transition," 1969; Purchase Award: Pacific Northwest Annual Photographic Invitational, 1970; scholarship: School of Architecture and Allied Arts, University of Oregon, 1969; Faculty Research Project Support, Western, 1975. His work has appeared in numerous publications in the United States and Europe. Klipsun: You’ve done a lot of work photographing was there any special more interesting than just a single in Mexico and Guatemala for your person or event that influenced you image or two of a subject. Although, ‘Blue Door’ collection, why did you more than others? I don’t prfetend to say that my subject go there? Embrey: I was more affected by is a culture, it’s really better to say Embrey: I work in Mexico a lot Wynn Bullock’s work than others, these pictures are made there. I don’t because I like the potential of the but I wouldn’t say totally. In 1965 know if they are about Mexico or material. Since the raw material is there weren’t as many influences be­ not, because that is up to someone foreign or exotic, it gives me more cause the discipline of photography else to decide. They may not be. flexibility in the use of color relation­ in higher education hadn’t deve­ Klipsun: Why do you choose to ships. When working with unfamiliar loped. There wasn’t as much overall use the dye transfer method for re­ material, people tend to be able to see knowledge about the full range of producing your photographs? more clearly and quickly what you photgraphic possibilities. Embrey: That manner of repro­ are calling attention to, rather than Klipsun: Are you going to con­ ducing a color image allows a great locking into the world they know. tinue with your ‘Blue Door’ project? flexibility in color control, and color Also, I’m fascinated with cultural Embrey: I may continue with it for control is — technically speaking, in differences and human expression in awhile longer. I’m going to be doing terms of a reproduction process — cultures. I like to see how people some work in Central America in the related to the kinds of pictures I’m create environments. To that extent fall and will possibly do some work in making. you might call me somewhat of a Mexico again. Which comes back to the picture documentary photographer. I like the idea of collections of pic­ again. It matters very much where Mexico offers opportunities in the tures and exploring something tho­ each color is and the quality of each way colors are used indigenously. I’m roughly for many years. It could be a color in my pictures. So, it is the pro­ attracted by color itself, the possibili­ lifetime. You keep going back to cess which allows what you’ve seen to ties of color and light and color as something and it grows in richness reach the highest level of presenta­ light, are enjoyable. and variety. A collection becomes tion or perfection. Having these con­ Klipsun: When you first started more fascinating as time goes on . . . trols is crucial. You’re controlling

10 yipSMM Creates a Colorful Career

‘But it takes several hundred In the commercial world you really selves and to build upon that. I like dollars for a student to work in haven’t as many opportunities. You them to be as broad as possible and dye transfer for a quarter. I do work for others. Here, I could say, I here in this specific corner of the work for myself. In the commercial world you don’t see a lot. But, I do it because Fm crazy. ’ world, others give you a task, tell you think its important to share your pic­ one color at a time. You apply one what kind of pictures to make. The tures with students and I think the color at a time to the paper in the challenge is making it as creatively serious students always become aware daylight. and technically perfect as you know of what I’m doing. Dye transfer process allows a lot of how. Klipsun: Do you believe some pic- But, here, we work for ourselves. flexibility, in terms of watching what 'The combination of accident happens. Also, it is a great pleasure We give ourselves our assignments. to watch the combinations of colors This is the only place you can really and intent is very hard to des­ take place. It is not a darkroom do that. If you like doing that, that’s cribe. Asa photographer, you called the pursuit of ideas. It’s the process. know what you are after, in a But it takes several hundred dol­ pursuit for their own sake and the sense, and you are ready for it. ^ lars for a student to work in dye pursuit of imagery for its own sake. transfer for a quarter. I do it because How far can I develop myself to tures happen by accident? I’m crazy. create imagery, to become more Embrey: The combination of acci­ aware of the possibilities so it means dent and intent is very hard to des­ 'Teaching stimulates me. My a broad education for yourself? cribe. As a photographer, you know students often stimulate me, Klipsun: Why don’t you show your what you are after, in a sense, and pictures to your classes? and my presentation of the you are ready for it. That is intent. Embrey: Well, I believe it is a little When will it happen? It could be an material stimulates me to new overwhelming to bring your own pic­ accident if you are not ready for it. By thoughts about making pic­ tures into the class as if to say, follow virtue of your awareness of the pos­ tures. ' my example or something like this. sibilities, then it will never happen to Teaching is really about encouraging you by accident, probably. But if you Klipsun: Why did you go into each person to pursue their own way. have devoted much time in terms of teaching rather than into the com­ The development of individuality is thinking and making other pictures, mercial field of photography? essential. then you may be able to seize a piece Embrey: Teaching stimulates me. of luck. Something which happens My students often stimulate me, and 'Teaching is really about en­ very briefly and seems almost acci­ my presentation of the material couraging each person to pur­ dental is less accidental than it stimulates me to new thoughts about sue their own way. The devel­ appears because you were searching making pictures. opment of individuality is es­ for it. I would say that teaching is one of sential. You don’t know what’s going to the only things for photographers to ’ happen, that’s the thrill of photo­ do. It allows them the time, when Not that they would see my work graphy. You don’t know what’s going they can get it, to devote themselves as so wonderful to imitate... it’s just to happen when you turn that corner. to their own interests, which is what that students don’t have enough in­ That’s what’s fun, it’s like a hunt, a it is all about. fluences of varing kinds. When you search. If they follow their own interests are young, you are impressionable Also, that preparation has to do purely they have to answer to no one. and you need more influences. If you with being able to use your equip­ That is, they can make whatever pic­ get just one or two, those turn out to ment quickly when necessary, with­ tures they want. The only thing they be awfully big ones. out making a mistake. And automat­ have to do is give themselves up to I’d like my students to be thinking ically, without having to think very this pursuit. about what they want most for them­ much about what to do.

11 9ossy, rtow youJve ■ \ w M ------pous!>er CloseLearning You; a forei|

tudy this list of 30 French Certainly, Americans lag behind words for five minutes in any people of other nations in learning Sway you like,” the language professorlanguages. Enrollment in language instructed. “You will then be tested classes nationwide has dropped dur­ on how many you can recall when I ing the past 10 years. Western is one Vou^SHouv.r> uzT THv^ read the list in English.” of the 8 percent of U.S. colleges and JStrHT toe: Anxiety besieged the room, caus­ universities that require a foreign f V>EO ing sweaty palms and fluttering Soow language for admission. In 1966, 34 stomachs. With furrowed brows and percent had foreign language white-knuckled concentration, the requirements for admission. students studied the list of words, all Part of the unfortunate result are a unfamiliar. number of bloopers that gave our When tested, average retention for allies something to laugh about: two beginning French classes was Cars with interiors marked “Body Vien4oV less than half — only 43 percent. by Fisher” were advertised in Bel- The professor passed out another list of 30 words, but this time, each word was expressed in a cartoon. Studying this list, students sat back and relaxed. During the test, some couldn’t help smiling as images associated with the words came to mind. This time, students remem­ bered three-fourths of the list — 76 percent. The second test was designed as an experiment by Robert Balas, a French language professor at West­ ern. He has strong views on the tradi­ tional approach to teaching foreign languages. “The belief is, if you can deal intel­ lectually with the grammar and sent­ Robert Balas uses his own comic illustrations (left and right) as a new approach to teaching ence structure, you can speak a lan­ foreign languages. guage,” Balas said. “That’s wrong. You can know all that and still not be gium with the translation, “Corpse able to utter three sentences of the by Fisher.” language. In France, “Pepsi is the refresh­ “Language teachers are very ment of friendship” emerged from touchy about the fact we’re teaching translation claiming that Pepsi threw something at the college level that a cold water on friendship. The two-year-old can learn. So we’ve unamused company officials quickly made it (learning a language) a cere­ pulled the ads. bral, intellectual, linear apparatus,” The prize blunder was the one Balas said. Jimmy Carter made on a visit to Ur\ vet* Research shows foreign languages Poland. His wish “to learn your opin­ are some of the most anxiety-pro­ ions and understand your desires for voking subjects and appear to be an the future” came out, with the help of UT\ vcrr^ American phobia. a state department translator, as “I

I IAYi Vv/H<\T ^ A I ear’ Textbooks anguage can be fun cuielilli by Donna Rieper ir

desire Poles carnally.” would have enjoyed seeing more of Part of the reason for Americans’ that kind of thing,” Heberden said. ineptitude with languages may be the Teachers are exploring new ways poor instruction received, according to teach foreign languages that are to the Commission on Foreign Lan­ less stressful to the student, ways that guages and International Studies. use both sides of the brain. They Traditional training in foreign emphasize building a reality in the languages has been directed almost new language parallel to the one entirely to the rational, analytical left created when first speech was learned side of the brain. The traditional as an infant. methods of teaching do work if peo­ A variety of methods are being ple stay in a program long enough, used to accompish this. James Asher but they are highly stressful to all but of San Jose State University does the linguistically gifted. Roughly 98 away with traditional beginning lan­ percent of the beginning language guage classroom procedures of students do not go beyond their first memorizing word lists and learning two years of study. grammar, which involve only the left Language training presented in the brain, and substitutes direct classroom is not usually attached to commands. reality so it is not meaningful to the Asher’s commands, such as “Put foreign language students, Balas the chalk on your head and walk to explained. the door,” or “Louise, hit Robert “The more you can practice doing with the flower,” keep students’ something in a meaningful context, interest and involve them directly in the easier it will be to learn. Some the language. experiences can’t be brought into the To aid understanding of right- classroom, but an image can substi­ hemisphere teaching strategies, tute, giving the mind something to Asher compares them to what attach to, something to recall.” happens when a group of actors puts When learning a foreign language on a play. Actors do much more than — or anything else — memory is the read lines from a script. To make the key. Research shows the capacity of audience believe the characters, memory for pictures may be almost actors must use appropriate intona­ unlimited. Picture memory exceeds tions, body movements and cos­ word memory, in recognition as well tumes. In good theater, a relaxation as recall. Mnemonic (memory assist­ of the critical thinking in the left hem­ ing) techniques use these findings isphere of the brain and a heightened and attach words to visual images, sensitivity in the right occurs. The which improves recall of the word. audience then experiences the play Balas used his beginning French fully. language students as subjects for an In the same way, creating reality in experiment designed to test this the classroom through commands, theory. pictures, drama and other activities Marc Heberden, a senior at West­ that use the right brain helps students ern, recalled the experiment vividly. understand the language they are “On the test for the word list, I learning. found myself concentrating very As Balas put it, “Language is not hard. I found the picture list easier to just a discipline, it is an experience.” remember and more fun to do. I

13 icture your brain — a gray, con­ Pvoluted mushroom of intellect cradled in a thin shell of bone. Left Brain A fissure runs from front to back dividing the brain neatly into halves — the hemispheres. Packed tightly together inside the skull, they are linked by several bundles of nerve Wlio’s ix fibers, which allow communication between them. The control of the body’s basic movement and sensation is divided evenly between the two hemispheres. Contrarily, the left half of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa. Although the halves of the brain appear symmetrical, evi­ dence accumulated in recent years shows that the left brain and right brain are different. Interest in the left brain and right brain was sparked by Roger Sperry’s work in the 1960s at the California Institute of Technology. His subjects were people with severe epilepsy who had undergone surgery to sever the bundles of nerve fibers connecting the halves of the brain. Surprisingly, the radical surgery did not interfere with the person’s ability to function normally, but did provide an opportunity for scientists to study the abilities of each hemis­ phere of the brain. Studies of split-brain patients show each half of the brain is capable of perceiving, learning, remembering and feeling independently of the other. Subsequently, researchers deve­ loped tests to discover if what they had learned about split-brain patients would be true for normal subjects. For example, the left half of a per­ son’s brain (controlling speech) was anesthetized and the person was given a hidden object, a comb, to feel with the left hand. After the anesthesia wore off and the subject was able to speak, he was asked to name what he had held. Even after considerable probing by the researcher, the subject was unable to do so. But when the comb was shown to the person, along with several other items, he recognized the comb im­ mediately as the object he had held. Apparently, the memory of the

14 ki^p&m comb held in the left hand was stored in the right brain and was not known Right Brain to the verbal left hemisphere. He remembered what it was, but could not say it. Since these early studies, countless o experiments have shown that, for charge By Donna Rieper most right-handed people, the left brain is busy with thinking logically and processing information in a se­ quential way. It is a practical brain —concerned with speaking, calculat­ ing, reading, organizing and timing. The right hemisphere appears to be responsible for recognizing things — the whole from fragments, faces, musical patterns and sounds. Its tasks are associated with creativity and the senses — intuition, touch, tone, color and rhythm. It doesn’t speak, but dreams and sees things in pictures. The relationship between the hem­ ispheres has been compared to a ver­ bal coach with a silent player. Right brain-left brain studies have provided a ready playground for researchers, but the brain is far too slippery and enigmatic to be pinned down to hard and fast rules about its functioning. The brain exhibits remarkable plas­ ticity. After damage, some recovery occurs over time, sometimes fairly dramatic recovery as the brain ad­ justs. A child whose left hemisphere is damaged may develop a new speech center in his right hemisphere. What about left-handed people? Early researchers thought left-handers would be the mirror-image of right- handed people and have the speech center in the right brain. Roughly 70 percent, however, pro­ cess speech in the left hemisphere, just as right-handers do. Those re­ maining are divided between those who have speech centers in the right brain and those who process speech in both sides of the brain. Studies designed to measure brain activity point to the involvement of many areas of the brain in even the simplest task, so one should not think that either side of the brain “turns on” to do a specific task all on its own.

Masaru Fujimoto

15 Dave Jac PROTEST OF A DIFFERENT COLOR by Jenny L. Blecha United States intervention in El Sal­ Salvador (CISPES). To make it vador. A handful were students. known that they oppose military in­ ^^^idday. A typical Seattle day last “The people united will never be tervention in Central America; that March 27 — overcast and cold. defeated,”a voice shouted into a mic­ they do not want the United States A man in a black leather jacket rophone atop a makeshift stage on providing military or economic aid stood apart from the crowd. A ca­ the back of a flatbed truck. The “pro­ to the ruling junta in El Salvador; mouflage sack covered his head. testors” whispered in subtle agree­ that they want the training of the jun­ Grey-haired women holding peti­ ment. ta’s troops at American bases stop­ tions huddled in small groups. Paun­ Red flags flapped in the wind. ped. They assembled to show how chy, 60-year-old men with daffodils Children cried. U.S. citizens feel about American dangling over one ear shakingly Musicians crawled on stage and intervention in El Salvador. brought cigarettes to their chapped filled the air with an eerie melody But apathy prevailed. lips. Multi-colored-haired punkers that swept over the crowd. But they As the people waited to march, turned up their collars and rhymthi- loved it. Cheering and applauding, chants rose and fell with equal fervor. cally shifted their weight from one the punkers prepared for a street “No draft, no war, U.S. out of El red sneaker to the other. Hippies, dance; the hippies twirled. Salvador.” remnants from the sixties, hunched “U.S. guns kill U.S. nuns!” the Bland expressions masked the faces their layered shoulders and braced voice screamed into the mic. The of protestors as they inched their way against the icy wind. Barefoot babies musicians left the stage. “Pick up a down Marion Street. Limited to one in backpacks nestled their cherubic sign with a slogan that you believe in lane, they moved slowly, or not at all. faces into their fathers’ necks, while behind the bandstand.” The voice “More jobs, less war, U.S. out of toddlers restlessly clung to mothers’ echoed off the Federal Building. El Salvador.” hands. Although only 500 people were They marched on, nibbling on cin­ Sporadic rain ultimately yielded to expected, more than 12,000 assembled namon rolls and apples, toward their sunshine as approximately 12,000 to cast their votes with the Commit­ destination — the U.S. Federal people gathered to march against tee in Solidarity with the People of El Courthouse.

16 kl^psm — V

Solidarity

^Jo be in solidarity with the poor us and reaching for those who can and oppressed is a whole new help us climb the ladder called suc­ affair for Americans. cess. It is a vicious vortex; there will For some it is the culmination of always be the fear of rejection from Momentarily detained by traffic weeks of work arranging, mailing, those above us because there will lights and baby strollers, the marchers phoning and lobbying to see that a always be others miles ahead. peacefully ascended the steps of the march will take place. For others it is Choosing solidarity is choosing courthouse. Anticipating speeches a beginning in understanding what not to run the race. It is breaking from half a dozen people, inlcuding the problems and the issues are in El down the walls of fear and recon­ Rep. Nita Rinehart (D-Seattle), some Salvador. And for others it is a game, structing our lives in love — a serious sought better vantage points by a party, a large crowd. kind of love that puts others equal to climbing leafless trees or perching on Regardless of its size or success, a ourselves. Being in solidarity with the nearby rooftops. The majority, how­ rally is only the smoke. It’s the fire people of El Slavador is letting them ever, sprawled on the sunny grass. that keeps one warm. teach us something about life, instead “Let it rain, let it pour, U.S. out of Doing solidarity work in a small of forcing our ways on them. El Salvador.” city, such as Bellingham, is much the Solidarity requires a conversion in Ballots were collected in round hat same as working for solidarity in the way we act, the way we think and boxes. The mobile stage had gone on Seattle. It is bringing to light the the way we respond to the people ahead and music once again was truths that so often are lost through sitting or standing next to us at every seeping through the crowd. The music government rhetoric. It is making moment of every day. Without this, stopped and speakers eventually came black and white the issues that are the mailings and the marches have forth, but barely were audible. grayed by those in control, confusing little, if any, effect. The marchers quietly disappeared. the public. — Dave Jack In 1967 some 140 demonstrators, It is generating the energy and Dave Jack rowdy remains of an estimated 55,000 ideas to teach people to think and see who had gathered outside the Pen­ the problems from the eyes of a Sal­ tagon to protest the war in Vietnam, vadoran, instead of always from the were carried off to jail. point of our secure and sheltered In 1982, outside the U.S. Federal lives. It is educating yourself beyond Courthouse none remained, rowdy the local newspaper, so you can or otherwise. answer peoples’ questions and excite Rinehart, toward the end of her them to want to know what really is speech said “Secretary of State Alex­ going on in Central America. This is ander Haig said we should not be a start toward doing solidarity work. listened to. But that is wrong. We will To be in solidarity with the poor be heard.” and oppressed is a whole new affair. We will have to speak louder. Solidarity literally means taking A small short-haired white dog on the burdens of these people, carry­ scurried across the lawn. The slogan ing the weight on our own shoulders. ‘U.S. out of El Salvador” was scrib­ For most this is an impossibility, for bled in red paint across his rib cage. we are controlled by fear. It drives us; He wasn’t barking. it turns us inward to examine our A man in black leather jacket every move, so no one will know our stood apart form the dispersing weaknesses. crowd. A camouflage sack covered Fear drives us to keep our social his head. And his mouth. standing high, rejecting those below

17 I?(i 18 ipSUM Behind the Scenes Digging up the details of ^Buried Child^

by Grace Reamer

Clockwise from top left: Leonard Fitzgerald, Tom Ward, Chris Newton, Ward and Fitzger­ ald, Richard McNeal and Fitzgerald, Bob Shelonka and Terry Fincham. Photos by Casey Madison.

tVs one thing to argue with idea he wanted to present and someone who has brains in interpret. He looked for a play in their head; it*s another thing to the vein of Tennessee Williams and argue with someone who's just not Eugene O’Neill where the characters there," the director explains to the are bigger than life; they have con­ leading actor during a break in an frontations rather than conversa­ intense rehearsal. tions, encounters rather than just The bearded, thin-haired director meetings. climbs on the stage — script in “It’s really crucial you get some­ hand — faces the dim, cavernous thing you can chew into with some theater and interprets the lines. The meat on it,” Ward said. “This play actor watches intently, frowning is beautifully written. The charac­ with concentration. ters are so clearly drawn.” '‘All right, let's take that much Ward slips off the high stool and again," the director orders, relin­ leans over the stage, elbows bent, quishing the stage to the actors and palms pressed to the stage floor, returning to his high-backed swivel pipe dangling from his mouth. stool parked in front of the "OK, now, we've had our first footlights. major shift in conversation," Ward “There’s a potential artistic says. "From what to what?" A few explosion within every one of these hmmmms follow the pause. people,” said Tom Ward, acting "Leonard, what you've done is coach of Western’s theater/dance you've led her into this trap and department, describing his cast. now you've got her where you want Directing Western’s production of her," Ward answers. Leonard Fitz­ “Buried Child,” by Pulitzer Prize gerald, who plays Dodge, the family winner Sam Shepard, is like explor­ patriarch, nods in agreement as he ing “what happens when people slouches on the faded maroon sofa don’t talk about things,” Ward said. studying his script. When the curtain goes up May "Thepauses. You've got to build 5 to 9, the audience will see a fin­ the pauses in here," Ward says. ished dramatic production, and, for Terri Fincham, who plays Dodge's a moment, they will be drawn away wife, Halie, steps out from behind a from reality into the world of the curtain — from the wings — and play. But behind the facade, months asks about the verbal trap in the of work have gone into perfecting dialogue. the details of the performance. "What are you getting at, Tom?" Early this year. Ward began "What Fm getting at is I think thinking about a play to direct for there's a build-up to this point that spring quarter. He looked for a we've been missing." challenging script with a thematic “Buried Child” concerns the dete-

19 Leonard Fitzgerald helps learning the cues for his speeches bolt together some scenery because “very few lines are con­ in the theater/dance nected” in meaning, Newton said. department’s scene shop on State Street. “When I start a play, usually what I do is see where the problems are going to be. I have to go through the script and see every lit­ tle thing. It’s sort of mapping out moment by moment, then just let go once you’re confident.” Ward stops the action of the scene, ''Hold it, ” and gestures with the stem of his pipe as he talks about some ideas in the script that go deeper than just saying the right words and moving in the right direction. "I think you may be jumping too far, too fast, ” he tells Fincham about her interpretation of a scene with Fitzgerald. "You\e got to establish the relationship with him first. ” Halie is going into a melodra­ matic speech about the tragic death of her favorite son, Ansel. The mother laments, "IVs not fitting for a man like that to die in a motel rioration of a family in the Ameri­ from Los Angeles. Vince is search­ room. ” can heartland. Dodge, formerly a ing for his roots — for his father, "It's embarrassing for her," Ward prosperous farmer, now is a semi­ Tilden, and his grandfather. Dodge. explains. He reads the line to give invalid, isolated on the shabby sofa But both coldly deny Vince is part Fincham an idea of what she should in the middle of an empty stage. His of the family. The play slips from convey to the audience. wife is a hypocritical socialite who reality into a nightmarish illusion as "Let's take it back at the begining has Dodge at her mercy. Tilden is Vance despairs at his lack of iden­ and run straight through," Ward their oldest son, a half-vegetable tity and bits of the past are dug up says, straddling the swivel stool and since he returned home after many from a rotting grave. folding his arms across the back. years away. “It’s so distorted,” said Fincham, The actors go to their places and “This is a family that has a secret, a junior theater major. “Initially, we pause, then Ward slowly describes like all families,” Ward said. “And were confronted with the language the curtain rising, the lights gradu­ the secret is like a cancer; it grows (of the play). Halie has a lot of ally coming up and the action start­ to control the individual, rather really short, brief lines and you’ve ing ... now. than the reverse.” got to figure out how they relate to This time, the actors put energy This idea is continued in the each other.” into performing. Dennis Fox, the design of the set, one of the first Rose Jimenez is going on stage stage manager, looks up from his things done after choosing the play. for the first time at Western as script marked with hundreds of The exterior of the house — the Shelly, the pretentious girlfriend notes. Each movement of an actor, porch that can be seen outside a from Los Angeles. each change in the lighting, each window at the back of the stage —is “It’s neat to be on a stage like this use of a prop and all the entrances clean and tidy. Inside, the dingy liv- in a theater this size,” Jimenez said, and exits are scribbled in his large ingroom — a battered sofa its only gazing at the expanse of bare stage three-ring binder. furnishing — reflects the deteriora­ and rows of empty seats in the Per­ More than anyone else on the tion of the family. forming Arts Center, Main Audito­ production team. Fox knows the Trying to give the actors a sense rium. “But when I get up there I details about everything that occurs of this internal corruption. Ward feel intimidated and I don’t talk as on stage and backstage. He organ­ told them to remember, “The family loud. I have to work on that.” izes the sets, the costumes, the that preys together, stays together.” Chris Newton, a senior theater props, and at each rehearsal, he The family’s terrible secret major, plays Bradley, Tilden’s one- makes sure the furniture is placed remains a mystery, unlikely to be legged brother, “a Snidley Whiplash correctly and folding chairs are set exposed, until Vince arrives at the character,” he said. The hardest up to indicate the stairway, the rundown farm with his girlfriend thing he found about the play was doorways and the walls of the set.

20 k'^psm Casey Madison Roger Germain adds details to his set design.

By the fourth week of rehearsal, a of the set. fresh corn. series of unfinished, sloping plat­ “You get some really interesting More volunteers helped lighting forms were set up so the actors departures in line,” Germain said, designer Lee Taylor aim hundreds could get used to the raked floor of pointing out the intersecting diago­ of stage lights, plug them into cir­ the livingroom set. After the rehear­ nals and angles, the high, stark cuits and dimmers and frame them sal, the platforms and furniture walls and the floating cornice on with colored gels to achieve the were stacked backstage to make the model. “It’s obvious in the right lighting effect for each scene. room for another production script that something’s out of kilter And most got college credits for the rehearsing in the Main Auditorium. here,” something he tried to reflect late hours they worked; it is a learn­ The various pieces of the set — in the design, he said. ing experience. walls, stairs, platforms, a door, a The planning stages were easier The actors take a break from window — will not be erected per­ for costume designer Vic Leverett. rehearsal, sprawling casually on the manently until a few days before He has vast stores of every kind of meager furniture of the set or on opening night. costume and accessory at his dispo­ the dusty stage floor. The director The last-minute things were frus­ sal; however, he pulled only a few glances through some notes and trating for Roger Germain, the set items from the racks for this pro­ brings up some new ideas. designer, who was drawing plans duction. Several new pairs of jeans **There's something very natural­ and constructing sets for three pro­ solved half the costuming problem, istic about this play," Ward says. ductions at the same time. Exacting he said. Theater students helped put ''There's also something very bru­ floor plans, detailed front-view together the rest of the simple tally new about it. drawings and intricate models of outfits. "I want to see how much you can each set clutter Germain’s office in In fact, students in theater classes hurt the other character. Hurt them the basement of the armory on did much of the work in the weeks — or help them, encourage, entice State Street, the scene shop. before opeing night. In the scene them. You've got to create this Germain’s design for “Buried shop, the stagecraft classes cut the world where people respond to you Child” does not exactly follow the plywood platfoms, nailed them to by what they believe." description in the script. The stair­ frames of two-by-fours and bolted Heads nod slowly. Pages of worn way was moved to the opposite side on the legs. The make-up class was scripts flutter. The actors glance at of the stage and designed backward busy in the dressing room applying each other, preparing to put some­ — the steps go up toward the pancake make-up, shadow, high­ thing new into the scene. audience instead of away. lights and age-lines to the faces of "Now, let's see how alive you can After making some initial youthful actors. Other students make this. OK. Bottom of 49. Let's sketches, Germain and Ward dis­ were rounding up and storing props cussed relating some of the — a supply of empty bottles, a “oddness” of the play to the design bouquet of roses, an armload of

21

Trials of a Trail Arroyo Park blossoms along Chuckanut Creek by Caron Monks wide gravel pathway and Someone’s struggle to retain a ham, littered with old refrigerators, overgrown private lanes branching tennis shoe from the nearby bog is water heaters and rusty cars. The off are the only remnants of the molded in gooey, viscid mud. Al­ trail through the area was cleared once-thriving Interurban Railroad, though the trail isn’t completed yet, and laid with gravel in 1979, begin­ a vital connection between Bel­ some people use it, as a variety of ning construction of the Interurban lingham and the rest of the world at shoe-sole patterns imprinted in the Trail. the turn of the century. mud proves. The park virtually was left to na­ Now, only the memory of the The trail, however, is mostly ture’s ravages until early this year train accompanies travelers along vacant now. A couple hikes past, when the city, state and Bellingham the Interurban Trail, enshrouded exploring the trail’s new addition, School District organized a crew of with trees limbs. Even on a bright, they say. Two dogs accompany special education high school stu­ sun-blessed afternoon, the trail is their masters farther along the dents from three schools to con­ dark with shadows. route, excitedly snuffling their way. struct the bridge across Chuckanut Nettles and fallen tree boughs The footprints also could be Creek in Arroyo Park. Until then, smother the old, unused lanes from those of busy workers at Arroyo only a log traversed the swiftly homes along the trail, making them Park, their recent visit revealed by moving, mucky water, said John indistinguishable from the other the dewy sap of newly sawn logs Ivary, operations manager of the growth surrounding them. and a 30-foot bridge spanning Bellingham Parks and Recreation The trial connects grassy Fair- Chuckanut Creek. Department. haven Park, with its rose gardens The bridge is part of the revival “At the time work on the bridge and footbridges, with Larrabee of Arroyo Park, a recently finished began,” Ivary said, “the mud was State Park. Larrabee offers a rocky wide spot on the Interurban Trail, up to your ankles and the kids had beach on Wildcat Cove, an abun­ which follows the east side of to carry deck lumber weighing sev­ dance of picnicking spots, camping Chuckanut Drive for seven miles. eral hundred pounds down to the and hiking. Between the two, The trail is a cooperative project of job site, and you know, that creek is Arroyo Park is nestled in the city, county and state parks down in a steep valley. Chuckanut Creek ravine, thickly departments. “They had to sandbag the creek wooded and left predominantly in Arroyo Park previously was a out of the way so they could work on its natural state. dumping ground for south Belling- the bridge. The creek was at flood Left: Cary Black balances on a log over Chuckanut Creek. Right: Western students Cary Black and Betty McNamara wander across the new bridge at Arroyo Park.

23 Mike DiMuccio

Stage then after all the rain — the ting the boards down as a base, eve­ the project done,” DiMuccio said. highest it’s been in 50 years. They ryone got their chance to do it and The students not only learned carried 100 sacks of sand down to learn how to hammer and nail it about the problems of a group the site.” down right. We took turns as a working on a project, but they also The bridge-building task would team, doing each thing. If someone learned things about themselves in be grueling for anyone, but enthusi­ got tired, we’d ask someone else. It the process. astic workers with little or no pre­ was easy. No problem.” This complements the ultimate vious work experience completed Adams explained students used goal of the Redwood School, which the job with gusto and few com­ teamwork to maneuver heavy is to teach students skills for func­ plaints, Ivary said. wheelbarrow loads of gravel down tioning as independently as possible One of the students from Red­ the precipitous slope of the ravine on personal and occupational lev­ wood School, Audrey Adams, 18, to resurface the trail. els, Kigin said. said, “Some didn’t want to stop. “Two people worked on helping. The Arroyo Park project helped Some wanted to keep going. They One’d take one end of the wheel­ the students realize their skills and didn’t even want to eat their lunch. barrow, one would take the other abilities, and it gave them the Tom would say, ‘Come on you so it didn’t go off the edge — the chance to work for a paying guys, it’s time for lunch. I know you side of the hill,” she said. employer, he explained. guys work too hard.’” The students also cleared the trail Through their trials, the students Tom Thacker, their supervisor and completed necessary drainage learned not only their physical abili­ from the State Parks Department, and repair work, Ivary said. ties and realizations about their in­ said the students composed one of Achieving their goals was a major terests, but they also learned per­ the best crews he had ever worked consideration for the students, said sonal fears, dislikes and strengths. with, according to Tim Kigin, voca­ David Drake, 20, and Mike For DiMuccio, a tough part of tional counselor for special services DiMuccio, 18. the job was realizing that he could in the Bellingham School District. “The toughest part of the bridge not learn a task automatically, and “We worked as a team,” said 16- was getting it started,” Drake said. had to ask for help. year-old John Scarberry of Sehome “I learned how to do a bridge, “I had to tell the person (in High School. “When we were put­ and I felt good about it...that I got charge) it was hard to do the work.

24 kl^psun V The Interurban Connection Tpie construction of the Interur- *ban Trail, a corridor between Fairhaven Park and Larrabee State Park, has been a long and arduous process, but the end now is in sight. The seven-mile trail follows the route of the old Interurban Railway, the lifeblood of early Bellingham. Then it’s tracks lay just east of Chuck- anut Drive. The cooperative project began in 1972, initiated by Carl Prince, envir­ onmental planner at the Whatcom County Parks Department. Prince sent letters to the City of Bellingham and Washington State Parks and Recreation Departments, suggesting they work together on the project. To allow construction of a trail along the old railroad, easements through private property had to be obtained from landowners. Puget Power, which owns 90 percent of the land, cooperated with the county On the hammering, every time I hit parks department, which is responsi­ the nail, it would bend over and I’d ble for the actual trail construction. have to straighten it up.” The other 10 percent of the land, The students all said they were however, is privately owned, and glad to have worked on the Arroyo four of the 13 landowners are reluc­ Park and bridge project for the tant to give easements through the community. land without compensation. “It felt good knowing that some­ The Whatcom County Parks De­ one else is going to use (the bridge) partment hopes to settle the matter for what it’s there for, instead of out of court, but will take it to that destroying it or something else. I extent if necessary. Prince said. just hope it lasts for a long time,” The predicament has postponed Scarberry said. completion of the trail, leaving it These students have left a part of usable but disjointed and confusing themselves in the Interurban Trail, to travelers unfamiliar with the route. and when it finally is finished, all In some places, users must walk the planners and workers will have along the road until they meet the made their mark in the trail, like trail again. Rock slides during the tion, said the city has plans of its own the footprints in the mud. winter obstruct the path in places, to extend the trail through Fairhaven The trail is alive with bold signs compounding the problem. to Boulevard Park, about a mile of the arrival of spring. Sword ferns Despite setbacks. Prince said the north. Long-range plans are being abound, duelling for space, and on county plans to complete the trail by formed for an intercepting trail to every bush and shrub, buds are the fall of 1982. The finished trail will Lake Whatcom also. sprouting. Vivid, fresh flowers grow accommodate cyclists, joggers and The city is responsible for creating alongside fading, moss-encrusted horses. and installing trail symbol signs along trees, reminders of the perpetuity of John Ivary, operations manager the route. Ideas for those symbols are life, and the trail. for Bellingham Parks and Recrea­ shaping up now, Ivary said. ^

25 AS Recycle Center Coordinator Paul Schissler encourages recycling, Casey Madison.

by Jim Springer Recycle < problem into a profit ^mmericans have long accepted the where a truck loads it up and carries concept. In nature, where waste is notion that garbage is a normal it away. But as natural resources and unknown, everything is part of a con­ by-product of living. We empty bot­ space to bury trash become scarcer, tinuous cycle and humans would do tles and cartons, read newspapers dumping habits of Americans may well to emulate this ideal. For this and magazines, use grocery bags and become as outdated as pull-tab beer reason, and because it makes eco­ paper towels once and then toss them cans. nomic sense, waste recycling will into the trash can. On the average, we The throw-away attitude prevalent become increasingly necessary in the produce about four pounds of house­ in this country is being challenged by years ahead. hold waste per person every day. many people who believe it is wrong The energy-saving benefits of re­ The extent of responsibility for our to generate large amounts of trash cycling are well-known. Collection refuse has been to take the garbage and simply send it off to be buried in and disposal of household waste ac­ can out to the curb or alley each week a landfill. Waste is strictly a human counts for 10 percent of the energy

26 kiipsHH Schissler said the center has potential cans as a way to make money. Three The recycling of aluminum for growth. He is developing a paper dorms on campus now are doing saves from 95 to 97 percent recovery system for campus adminis­ their own recycling of aluminum and of the energy required to trative and academic buildings, and glass and they have made profits. produce it from ore. is cooperating with the Whatcom Michael Strip, a regular user of the Solar Association on a neighbor­ center, recently dropped off a few consumption of the United States. hood recycling plan in the Birch- things. He recycles everything he can The recycling of aluminum saves wood district. and it takes only a few minutes a day from 95 to 97 percent of the energy The Birchwood pilot project began to separate the recyclables. required to produce it from ore. For in March and has been very success­ “The way I look at it, it just makes plastics, the energy savings is from 90 ful, Schissler said. Participants in the sense to use things over again if you to 95 percent and for steel, 50 to 55 project segregate their recyclables can,” he said. “It’s not like we have an percent. Glass recycling does not and place them out for collection by endless amount of open space to put save a large amount of energy but is volunteers. Two trucks from the re­ our garbage. If we want to preserve a desirable because it produces less air cycle center assist in the collection certain amount of open space and pollution than the production of process. A recent collection brought natural beauty, then obviously we glass from sand. can’t go on digging up minerals. Participation in recycling projects 7 avoid plastics — plastic “Too many things are not bio­ is growing. In 1970, a group of West­ trash-can liners are despica­ degradable. These things are just ern students started a recycling pro­ going to be staying around. They’re ject on campus. The project began on ble. If people want clean just going to be buried in the ground a volunteer basis and now is the trash cans they should wash so we might as well use them again. Associated Students Recycle Center. them out. We’re getting lazy. ’ “I try to avoid non-returnables. I Employing eight full-time students, it reuse most glass and recycle what I handles about 25 tons of recyclable in about four tons of material. can’t reuse. I avoid plastics — plastic materials every month. Located on Schissler said the project may gener­ trash-can liners are despicable. If the south end of campus, the center ate enough surplus income to allow people want clean trash cans they takes all types of glass, paper pro­ the neighborhood to purchase should wash them out. We’re getting ducts, metal and motor oil. It is able garden equipment or perhaps a cider lazy.” to fund itself through the sale of these press. Western student Christina Lobo materials to industries and other re­ Schissler said the Birchwood pro­ uses the recycle center because she cyclers. Paper, for instance, is sold to ject has the potential to expand to the said she thinks it is senseless to throw Georgia-Pacific Corp. for $50 per rest of the city, but it will depend on away valuable materials. ton, and glass is sold to Northwest volunteers starting their own projects. “I am not a rabid environmental­ Glass Co. in Seattle for $48 per ton. The recycle center would be happy to ist. The things I believe in I do About 10 tons of paper are recycled cooperate with such projects, he said. because they make sense,” she said by the center each month. He encourages dormitories to organ­ after depositing a bundle of paper Recycle Center Coordinator Paul ize a collection system for bottles and into a large bin at the center. “We

27 ‘Recycling is an attitude and have a responsibility to take care of form of freight rates favorable to you can’t expect the nation the disposal,” she said. shipping of raw materials, favorable to change if people’s atti­ Her husband, Joseph, also a lease arrangements of public lands to volunteer at the center, said it is eco­ virgin materials companies and tax tudes don’t. ’ nomically feasible for industries to advantages such as depletion take so much out and put so little recycle, but that it requires a willing­ allowances. back it’s a shame. ness on the part of people to bring Tax credits often are responsible “People shouldn’t use non-recy- things to the recyclers. for more than 50 percent of the prof­ clable things. I despise disposable “There is money to be made in the its of virgin material oriented com­ things. Disposable razors drive me recycling business, whereas there is panies. Government support of the up the wall,” she said. only money to be spent in garbage use of raw materials tends to make Mary Anne Romfh, also a West­ disposal,” he said. recycling less economical than it ern student, saves newspapers and He gains personal satisfaction really can be and results in an unne­ bottles in order to recycle them. She from recycling because it is doing a cessary amount of environmental does it because “it is one of the free small part to help the environment disruption. things we can do” to improve the and because it may influence others Recycling potentially could reduce environment, she said. by providing an example. the demand for newly mined ore and Marjorie Plewinski is a volunteer Despite the benefits of recycling, the volume of solid waste. The suc­ at the center and she donates her help the government subsidizes the use of cess of the AS Recycle Center is three or four times a week. virgin materials at a rate of between proof that recycling is feasible today. “Recycling is an attitude and you $20 and $30 per ton, or about 10 With a favorable government stance can’t expect the nation to change if percent of the cost of the materials’ in support of recycling, it could be a people’s attitudes don’t” she said. “It production. These subsidies take the tremendous boon to the American is partly a matter of education. If economy, creating jobs and freeing people were taught from a very ‘There is money to be made resources for the needs of the future. young age that waste should be min­ in the recycling business, imized it would go a long way toward whereas there is only money keeping the planet clean. “The people that produce the pro­ to be spent in garbage dis­ ducts that are not recyclable should posal. ’

28 kiipsHH by John L. Smith You can’t do everything. mStSrnsSSm But you couldn’t tell it from the iviHnniSM^raEJSI way Associated Students President ii iMni MKr^ .aiigg^- Greg Sobel ran around his office. It was after 6 p.m. and he had just returned from an interminable Ser­ vice and Activities Fee Split Com­ mittee meeting. He also had learned

^^SBSS/SBBB I^inj-Jlfilft HI liMJimamr .....* 'iillPPil'ill ’V ^ that his car had been towed earlier in SH^mi!SS®S ■■Bi3 ^^srr>' the day, an incident that made his llMlllllll^^ memmmrnmm ■—-■ jg^ff cool blue eyes twitch with irritation. fBSlMWi««ai ■■ “I thought I was parked in an area that didn’t require a permit,” Sobel said, shaking his head. He wore a checked wool cabby cap, a blue Cor­ tex raincoat and straight-legged Le­ vis. “Just yesterday I was talking to someone about attacking the towing policy again.” He looked mad. “I’m not angry. I think it’s amusing because I made the motion to autho­ rize security to tow after three tickets,” he said. It was the second time in little more than a year that his blue Toyota Corolla has been hooked and hauled across town. This time it cost him more than $60 to release it from impound. “I also requested that the towing contract go to the company with the lowest bid per impound,” Sobel said, explaining that “higher-ups” in the Business and Finance Committee, and other administrators “like Jack Cooley, Don Cole and R.G. Peter­ son, witheld support of the second motion and let the request die.” On the way to the Mexican Village for dinner, in the reporter’s car, Becky Bolen-Rubey Sobel continued. “I’ve been told there were kick- backs paid from the towing company Sobel in to security people working at the time,” the 24-year-old Sobel said, quickly adding that no evidence of wrong-doing ever has been found. Transition You hear a lot of rumours of scan­ dal and corruption as Western’s stu­ dent leader. You get the chance to A President in pursuit change a few things, too. The past two years have changed Sobel, almost as much as he has changed the of power and perfection university. An AS president can improve conditions on campus, with a great deal of work, but he can’t fix every­ thing. That bothered Sobel when he became Western’s student president

29 two years ago. point in his life, he said. He said he feels Olscamp, who Between bites of steaming, spicy “I worked for street people: scores leaves Western in June for Bowling Mexican food, Sobel talked about of men that desperately wanted to Green State University in Ohio, was how he survived two volatile years as work but couldn’t find employment; not attuned to the needs of students AS president, his political successes old people whose social security and was out for personal gain. and failures and his plans after leav­ couldn’t carry them through the end Though his opinion of the school’s ing Western. of the month; and crazy people who chief administrator has not changed Coping with the constant pressure were let out on the streets to fend for over the months, his working rela­ of the presidency was a problem for themselves. tionship has. Sobel, who ends his second term with “Even Ronald Reagan would “We decided there would be some a June graduation and a bachelor’s agree that these people were ‘truly benefit in not simply trying to get the degree from Huxley College of En­ needy,”’ Sobel said. He shook his other guy. There was a time when I vironmental Studies. By the end of head. “Well, maybe not.” tried to get Olscamp fired,” he said. his first term he said he seriously For every person he helped, a Sobel’s concentration changed last thought of resigning. Last fall he thousand more existed who needed fall when Gov. John Spellman and sought help in the form of counseling assistance, he said. “If I could help state legislators proposed sizable cuts from a local psychologist. effect social change my work would in funding for higher education. “Last spring (after the AS elec­ be more important.” “When we all got back to work in tions) I was tired and was thinking It was back then Sobel decided to the fall the most important issue was only of the negative aspects of the become an attorney, especially con­ the budget.” job. I have a tendency to accept centrating on environmental law. Not constantly battling Olscamp responsiblity for everyting that helped him in another way. comes along, personally and “It also helped lower my level of politically. stress,” he said. “Fighting Olscamp is “I think people have a misconcep­ a very stressful thing to do, particu­ tion about what it means to get help larly when you’re on your own. Forc­ for yourself. Counseling helped me a ing him out would have taken every lot. Many people are embarrassed ounce of energy we could have mus­ about it, but everyone needs some­ tered, and then it was questionable.” one to objectively listen.” Tenson between the two was most Sobel said he came to the realiza­ intense in early 1981 after the contro­ tion that he could not take care of versial dropping of six varsity sports eveything himself, and that one of his and the subsequent battle over stu­ major roles as president was to dele­ dent control of Service and Activities gate responsibility. fees. “I’m at times arrogant and head­ Although the Strain of the time has strong. I often feel I know the best subsided, he said, the bitterness and way to do things. I’ve had to learn to cynicism was revealed clearly in his let things go.” voice. Letting others perform tasks was In mid-January 1981, a report difficult at first, but he said he often released by an intercollegiate athletic has been pleased with the results. Sobel was attracted to Western task force, appointed by Olscamp, “Sometimes it works out better. because of his interest in environ­ showed that Western’s losing foot­ And what they learn in the process is mental studies — the specialty of ball program was neither economi­ invaluable,” he said, biting into a Huxley College. He hitchhiked to cally feasible nor desired by students. crunchy chip conceso painted with Bellingham in 1978 to see new coun­ The report, a culmination of more hot sauce. try and seek his degree. than nine months of public and pri­ The native of Baltimore, who des­ He plans to attend Northeastern vate meetings, interviews and survey­ cribes himself as an “organizer,” has University’s law school. The three- ing, stated that men’s and women’s been working for others since he year cooperative program features soccer programs would be less graduated from high school in 1975. four legal internships, something he expensive. The task force recom­ After studying economics and phi­ said makes the school even more mended that football be dropped and losophy at a Baltimore community attractive. the soccer teams be raised to varsity college, Sobel worked at a number of “I’ve always learned a lot more level. jobs, including as a community or­ from doing than from the class­ Olscamp rejected the first report ganizer for the United Farmworkers room,” he said. and requested a reevaluation of the Union during its boycott of scab One of the many skills Sobel said task force’s findings. In a revised grapes and lettuce during the fall of he honed in the past two years is how report published several days later 1975. He also helped in a ghetto soup to fight an often unsympathetic football was one of the sports re­ kitchen during 1975 and 1976. Western administration headed by maining at varsity level. The soccer Serving the poor was a turning University President Paul Olscamp. teams remained club sports.

30 klipsm “Basically he was calling me a liar. promises, his administration has ac­ That is characteristic of Olscamp’s complished a great deal in a relatively attitude toward the trustees and stu­ short time. dents. He denied something occured The Washington Student Lobby, even with four other people present.” an organization sponsored by state Sobel said he asked Quinlan and colleges and universities to commun­ Allen to admit they had heard the icate the needs of students to Olym­ comment made, but they said pia legislators, began on Western’s nothing and let the issue subside. campus and was organized by Sobel. “I’m not sure if I can blame them. “The organization is qute a bit bet­ Their jobs would have been on the ter and more efficient,” he said. “We line,” he said. Quinlan still has his have a stated set of goals and priori­ position at Western. Allen transfered ties. We never had that before.” to another department of the Attor­ “The WSL is not something you ney General’s office last year. can see on campus. In the long run What about Greg Sobel for uni­ the organization could have a tre­ versity president? mendous impact on the quality of “I’d like to get the job,” he said, education across the state.” only half joking. “Let’s see, I make Reorganizing a tangled and $ 1,600 a year and he makes 70-grand. twisted Associated Students bureau­ On Feb. 5, the Board of Trustees Oh, and I could use a big new table cracy is another accomplishment. voted and accepted the findings of like his.” He laughs, but it was a Expanding student control over S the revised report and rejected re­ laugh tempered with cynicism. & A fees, and, more recently, organ­ peated requests by Sobel and then He continued eating a spicy tos- izing students to fight state cuts in AS Vice President for External tada. The clatter of dishes and con­ education are other successes. Affairs Bob Jirka to postpone their versations filled the cafe. Sobel was Creating a used-book exchange, decision until further study could be thinking about the sports drop. adding a public information office, made. “We should have sued. I wish we improving handicapped access and Sobel claimed the trustees’ action could have that one to live over organizing students concerned about was illegal, basing his reasoning on again,” he said. He sipped coffee and a possible military draft are others. the university governance system and thought aloud. “In the long-run, it What has yet to be done? state legislation that makes it illegal might have worked out best the way “We’re still trying to place a stu­ to rule on any matter concerning Ser­ we handled it.” dent on the Board of Trustees,” he vice and activities fees (such as fund­ Instead of taking legal action, said. “That will be next year. I have ing for the football program) before a Sobel and Jirka helped initiate an faith.” vote of the student-majority S&A investigation of the trustees’ decision Leaving the cafe, in the reporter’s Fee Split Committee. by a legislative staff. The Attorney car, Sobel continued. A day later, Sobel, Jirka, Assistant General’s office also was called in to “We’re breaking down the stereo­ Attorney General Stuart Allen and review the matter. type of what student govenment is. Vice President for Student Affairs Football still is a varsity sport. The We’re making student government a Tom Quinlan met with Olscamp to soccer clubs have been raised to var­ place that’s attractive to people who discuss the matter. sity status, an action that many peo­ want to make change, not to future As if the incident was only hours ple acquainted with Western’s politi­ politicos and ego-maniacs.” old, instead of more than a year, cal scene attribute to a compromise And then there is the parking and Sobel retold what he and Jirka said between the Associated Students and towing policy. they heard in the meeting. the administration. “That’s a high priority,” he said, ‘T told him (Olscamp) we wanted “I don’t think they’ll try to pull this remembering his imprisoned car. to meet with the trustees,” Sobel said. sort of game again,” Sobel said. “I “Now I wish I could have pursued it “He said we could do whatever we think the board and president were further.” wanted by ‘they won’t change their embarrassed enough by the public Well, you can’t do everything. minds unless I tell them to.’ Everyone awareness of their antics that they’ll heard it.” see it’s not worth that kind of hassle. Shortly after the meeting Sobel “I think there’s a much higher level and other AS members scheduled a of respect for students, student rights press conference and retold what and student government than there they said they had heard. Olscamp was before we went through that published a press release in response conflict.” to the conference denying the state­ Sobel knows some compromise is ment had been made and calling it “a necessary when fighting for worth­ product of Greg Sobel’s overactive while causes. imagination.” Through the setbacks and com­

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