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3-1979

Klipsun Magazine, 1979, Volume 09, Issue 03 - March

Judy Gish Western Washington University

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Recommended Citation Gish, Judy, "Klipsun Magazine, 1979, Volume 09, Issue 03 - March" (1979). Klipsun Magazine. 46. https://cedar.wwu.edu/klipsun_magazine/46

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March 1979 Contents Vol. 9 No. 3 Editor: Judy Gish 19 Photo Editor: Murder Faculty see-saw Lori Caldwell I I arks the spot Women are surpassing minori­ Bigger is not necessarily ties in faculty positions, but Production Managers: better. Bellingham’s crime the balance could shift. by Katherine Johnson and rate is growing with its popula­ Susan Stauffer. Darrell Butorac tion. by ludy Gish and Gregg Olsen. Story Editor: Jessie Milligan 8 Office Manager: Ecological attitudes Matthew Sweeney Environmentalists have traded banners for briefcases but the Staff: movement is still alive and Jonathan Blair living in Washington, D.C. By Sue Borter Gregg Olsen Diane Brainard Calvin Bratt 12 Cheryl Brush Gwen Collins RARE Wilderness Leslie Hail Mount Baker could erupt into Dave Hatcher Whatcom County’s biggest John Hicks land-use controversy, by Dave Mark Higgins Hatcher 20 Susan Lynn Wild Rainier ads Audrey Martin Rick Newberg Who’s behind the commercials Gregg Olsen Pumping the past that have everyone laughing in his beer, bv Cheryl Brush Susan Olsen A vanishing species preserved Gary Sharp in photographs, by Jonathan Corrine Thomas Blair. Rox Ann Thompson-H arris Bus story Advisor: There might be an art to riding Carolyn Dale busses, but the wise traveler simply nods out. by Jessie Typesetting by Sharon K. Smith Milligan Inside photo by Lori Caldwell 24 Back cover by Darrell Butorac Anxiety Consultant: Gregg Olsen and academ The road to higher education is mined with psychological 16 bombs. Students beware! by Klipsun is a twice quarterly John Hicks publication funded with student Sex revolution fees and distributed without charge. Klipsun, Western Wash­ update ington University, Bellingham, In which the writer looks at Washington 98225. Published at the Print Shop, WWOJ, BeUing- people’s liberation and de­ Drug laws ham, Washington. Copyright © cides it might be easier to be a You are what you eat. by 1979. plant, by Rick Newberg Jessie Milligan.

March 1979 3 Crime: Bellingham grows up

by JUD Y GISH and GREGG OLSEN

It was the standard front page of a typical small town newspaper: one “national event” story, the outcome of a board meeting, the effect of the cold weather on food prices and . . . L.A. Strangler Task Force Here to Investigate Murder Suspect? The “what’s wrong” with this picture could not have been more glaring if a Norman Rockwell farm boy had been depicted humping a cow. Bellingham, a.k.a. a great place to raise a family, a place where “I don’t even lock my doors,” recently became a media starlet when a suspect connected with the killing of two Western women was linked to the Los Angeles “Hillside Strangler” case. Hardly a routine occurrence here in Our Town. And yet, Bellingham residents have seen five local murders in the news within the past nine months. Does this mean that murder and violent crime will now be a part of life here as they are in larger cities? Bellingham Police Chief Terry Mangan confirmed a growth in crime in the area. According to figures Mangan quoted, assault, arson, burglary, larceny, rape and homicide have all increased. For example, there were zero murders hend criminals escaping to Canada, unpredictable crime.” Mangan said. The two Western coeds might “Obviously our problems with the have been the victims of a psycho­ border are much greater than pathic mass murderer. That, too, Yakima’s,” he said. has no detectable “cause.” “There is Bellingham is also a haven for a statistical probability that a transients unable to cross the community will have something like border, he added. that happen to it,” Doran said. The new emphasis on tourism If an explanation would be more and conventions here is another comforting, Doran said “some reason Mangan cited. Other factors people even attribute it to the are labor problems, unemployment, phases of the moon.” and rapid development, Mangan Like industrial pollution, crime is said. now a part of Bellingham’s environ­ ment. As a sign of growth, the “Twenty years ago we chamber of commerce might boast, “We have an airport, a K-Mart, and didn’t have such violent we’ve had five murders in the last Deople up here. We didn’t year.” Kenneth A. Bianchi There seems to be only one way in 1977, he said, and aggravated lave a lot of dingbats. ’ ’ to stop it. A sheriff’s deputy offers assault has risen from 59 in 1977 to this solution: “If I had my druthers 91 in 1978. Burglaries showed the The last one seems to be the heart I’d put a big fence and guard around greatest increase, from 718 in 1976 of the issue. “The population has Whatcom County and not let any to 1058 in 1978. boomed in the last five years,” one else in.” Deputy Prosecuter Jim Doran, a Doran said. “For a long while it “hometown boy,” attributes this to hovered in the 33,000 area. the breakdown of community Suddenly we have grown to nearly relationships. In the past, he said, 50,000,” he said. “Violent crime more people knew each other. might be hard to predict,” he “There was an ethic of community added, “but burglary predictably morality. Now when you walk will rise with the population.” downtown, everyone’s a stranger,” Chief Criminal Deputy Martin he said. Baker of the Sheriff’s Department Engeborg Paulis, sociology and longtime Bellingham resident, professor at Western, agrees. She said he has seen the character of said the “restraints” against crime Bellingham change with the growth diminish when people have less in population. “Twenty years ago, contact with each other. If we we didn’t have such violent people had to deal with them every day, up here. We didn’t have a lot of “we’d be a lot less likely to bash dingbats,” Now it’s a “different people over the heads,” she said. breed,” Baker said. This reaction typifies many of He described the new strain: “It’s those questioned: inconclusive. mostly the longhairs, hippie types There are no clear answers. and dopers.” With the increase in While the reasons for the increase population, “it’s going to be a big in certain crimes can’t be de­ jungle out there,” he added. termined, Mangan specifically links Doran said he had no way to tell simple assault to Bellingham’s if murder would continue to accel­ location. On the weekends, erate at its current rate. Although Canadians as well as people from there appear to be flurries of rapes three other counties come into and deaths, “I don’t think there are town. These elements form an patterns related to violent crimes — unstable mixture and often ignite, it’s pure randomness,” he said. causing a high incidence of bar­ While murders don’t follow a room fights, Mangan said. trend, Mangan said socioeconomic Proximity to the border definitely conditions do play a role. “The use contributes to the city’s problems. of narcotics is significant in other The Bellingham Special Weapons cities, but there is no indication that and Tactics Team (SWAT) receive it is happening here.” about three calls a year to appre­ Mangan stated, “Murder is an

March 1979 5 6 Klipsun Karen Mandic went to her job at physically (medically) equipped the Fred Meyer department store on 6 6 to handle the added pressures Thurs., Jan. 11, as usual. She left the caused by sensationalism. store for her dinner break and never 2. Another’s having to move out of came back. A missing person’s report town because of harassment was filed that night. and personal threats made by Mandic and her roommate, Diane A man an over-zealous reporter want­ Wilder, were found on Fri., Jan. 12, ing the “inside’’ story, OR ELSE. strangled to death, their fully-clothed bodies stuffed into the back of Man­ If the newsmedia is concerned with dic’s 1978 Mercurv Bobcat. is innocent Bianchi’s right to a fair trial, why The police believe both women were then I ask, are they ruining his repu­ hired to “keep an eye on a house on tation before he has even had a Willow Road, according to an article until proven chance to stand up for himself? The in the Bellingham Herald. The two judicial system in our country is not drove to the house together and were without fault, this is true, but who somehow lured inside, separated, can come up with something better? and then killed individually, the The newsmedia? Certainly Not! Why police believe. not put some faith in the current A suspect, Kenneth A. Bianchi, system and let them do the investigat­ has been arrested and charged with ing? I’m sure they are better qualified the crime. He is currently awaiting in separating informant’s facts from trial in Whatcom Coirnty. fiction. Bianchi had resided in Bellingham for 10 months at the time of the mur­ I would like to see some responsible ders. Before that, he lived in Los reporting for a change, and I would Angeles. He was investigated there in like to see facts, not hearsay. The collection with the “Hillside Strang­ ing to find him a job? Because, cer­ only way this will be possible, will be ler’’ murder case involving 13 vic­ tainly with all the sensationalism in­ to attend the public trial, not in the tims, according to a police news volved in this case, that will be nearly papers or on television beforehand. release. impossible, here in Western Wash­ After all, isn’t a trial such as this Mandic, 22, was a business admin­ ington — in California — virtually the made public for the public. istration student at Western at the whole West Coast — and most likely time of her death. Wilder. 27, was a the East Coast too. Since finding a job student at Fairhaven. is highly unlikely, will the newsmedia In response to the articles in the be willing to help him relocate? To a Herald of Sat., Feb. 3, from Los place where he can find a job and Angeles (AP) entitled BIANCHI IN­ begin a new life, unharassed by FORMERS CONTACTED, I personaUy [Editor's note: Kenneth Btancbi's al­ newsmedia, treated as a human know the girl “who asked that her leged connection to the Los Angeles being? name be withheld.’’ Did the press “Hillside Strangler" slayings, in take the time to investigate any of which 13 women were killed, has re- How does the newsmedia feel these “informers’’ backgrounds who suhed in a deluge of adverse pre-trial about “getting the family’s point of know the “inside’’ story? No, they did publicity. The foUowing letter was view,’’ as they call it? I have been NOT. If they had, they would have written by the woman Bianchi lived harassed by reporters at my door, (in found that (in this particular in­ with prior to his arrest for the one case opening the door to a rolling stance) she is a very irresponsible Mandic / Wilder murder. She re­ camera), phone calls from the East person in both her personal and work quested her name be withheld.] and West coasts up until midnight on life. I won’t go into detail by giving A man is innocent until proven some occasions. My cars have been names, because I know what it’s like guilty. This is a constitutional Ameri­ broken into and the contents strewn to have your life exploited by can right, guaranteed to all Ameri­ about, nothing stolen, but I would “friends” and newsmedia. I have can citizens by the forefathers of our imagine someone was looking for in­ valid reaons for believing this girl nation. I’d like to know why the news- formation regarding my personal life. fabricated the “cache of marijuana” media believe they have the right to I have repeatedly told all that I have story. Most of the people who have condemn a man before he has the no comment This alone does not stop come forth and given interviews are chance to stand up for himself during some “investigative’’ reporters. I persons that myself and many others a public trial... Admittedly — the have had no comment in the past — I know would never choose as news-media — has not (yet) — before none at present EXCEPT what I am personal friends, most of them people the Bianchi case comes to trial, come saying now, and I will most likely not who enjoy the attention they have re­ out as actually saying the man is have in the future. ceived by doing so. guilty — yet — most articles I’ve read How does the newsmedia feel All newsmedia, I am sure, would have come across as saying just that. about upsetting a family to the point like to think of themselves as respon­ How will the newsmedia feel if the of * • . sible reporters. If they really believe man is proven innocent? (A possi­ 1. One family member has decided themselves as being responsible, bility I feel that most people don’t to retire before he had planned they’ll have to prove it to myself and even think about.) Will they be will- because he is not emotionally or the public. Enyironmentalism Building a new bureaucracy by GREGG OLSEN Graphic by Mark Kelly

Earth Day has gone the route of The movement simply has “here we were fighting a losing holidays like Columbus Day and changed. battle with industry holding the Arbor Day — near oblivion. Per­ Prior to 1965, if a person was upper hand.” haps it’s because merchants active in the environmental move­ The media picked up on it and couldn’t come up with the proper ment he was considered a “total environmentalists ceased being advertising campaign for sales or freak,” Ruth Weiner, Huxley total freaks and became “heroes.” It Hallmark was unable to design a College faculty member, said. was the environmentalists in white Holly Hobbie card line that would “No one paid any attention to hats and earth shoes against indus­ make Earth Day a lasting event. you. You got stepped on in the trialists in black hats and wingtips. Whatever the case, Earth Day, Halls of Congress. We were at the Wiener knew, she said, that the once “the” environmental media bottom of the heap as far as attention was not going to last event , will probably go unobserved pressure groups were concerned.” forever. next month. The demise of the That began to change around “We knew we had to get what we holiday, however, does not signal 1970 with the advent of Earth Day. could — fast. The day is coming the death of the movement. “All of a sudden,” Wiener said. when it’ll be over.

8 Klipsun “We were right. The day is here. have the combination of tenacity, The automobile, however, has It’s over,” she said. intellectual curiosity and drive to yet to be scrapped and (judging by The initial fervor of environ­ find their way through very parking lot 21-P) probably never mentalists has been expended, John complex issues,” she added. will. It is one of many dreams Miles, also of Huxley, maintains. Greg Hart, president of the local environmentalists like Wiener Some of the high media profile has chapter of the Audubon Society, shared. dissipated, yet the movement has said, “In the early ’70s and late ’60s “A lot of our early dreams for the never been stronger. the movement was a child and acted future of the environment and “More is happening now in 1979 like a child. Some of the dreams environmental education have not than in 1972. It’s just not on the and hopes were not really that well yet come to pass and never will,” front page as much,” he said. founded. Now we must take a Wiener said. A national trend toward con­ second look and compromise,” She cited resistance in the servatism has put the conflict of Hart said. academic world and questions social responsibility in perspective. The movement has “mellowed concerning student apathy as “Is it going to be eveyone’s air or my out,” Hart continued. “We’re not as possible reasons. job?” agressive about the issues. People In some cases, environmental are less interested in stirring up causes do put jobs in jeopardy. “It change and causing static.” ‘ ‘ There became more of an is an issue brought up by industry to attempt for students to try serve its purpose. It’s an argument The change in the political that they use to oppose something climate is the reason, he said. and keep their noses that will harm them economically,” “When things were more stirred up, clean. ’ ’ Miles said. the members of Audubon and other “They say that jobs are more groups reflected that.” The main years of student valuable than the environmental Audubon magazine reflects a support, according to Wiener and change in environmentalism also. Miles, were 69-74. And if those quality. They’re right for those Flip through the pages of an issue weren’t exactly the peak years of people in those jobs — it is more from 1976 and compare it with a student support then certainly they important for them to work. current one. The change? The were the years of student interest. “It’snot the big picture,” he said. magazine now courts advertising It was about 1974 when students A job? Clean air? What’s a new from the “enemy” — Gulf and started to ask the now almost conservative American to do? Arco. automatic questions: “How is this Miles has the definitive answer. Hart addressed the question of going to help me get a job? What “Because money in the pocket is why an environmental publication good is this degree?” more tangible than the lead in the would include ads urging the ex­ “There became more of an lettuce, the battle is sometimes ploitation of the environment rather attempt for students to try and keep lost.” than conservation. their noses clean” regarding “Money. It’s taking from the rich involvement in environmental “But in 1970, you could and using it for a greater cause: activism, Wiener said. conservation of resources,” he said. actually believe that there Above all, environmentalists Wiener dramatised a student’s would be no more free­ have learned that they no longer concern. “Suppose I went to G.P. ways . ’ ’ can maintain the “all or nothing” to get a job? Will they find out that stance of the past. Now they must I testified against them at a public compromise. Wiener takes a labor/ hearing?” The complexity of many of management dispute approach. But, in spite of mounting eco­ today’s issues is another factor in “You have to determine a posi­ nomic pressures, those who care the change of the environmental tion with which you go to the continue to fight with increasingly movement. Environmentalists must bargaining table,” she said. sophistocated tactics. Environ­ now know more than their counter­ That attitude is a fairly new one. mentalists are a political force with parts of a decade ago. Emotional­ Years ago, Wiener said she believed lobbyists in Washington “and every­ ism alone just doesn’t work that environmentalists would see thing,” Hart said. anymore. the end of the automobile. Not just Early movement purists might “In the early days of the move­ the big fuel wasters, but all cars. interpret this as going so far over to ment it looked a lot more simple “We know now that people aren’t the other side as to become indis­ than it was. That’s true for the anti­ going to give up cars. But in 1970, tinguishable from it. nuke movement now. Questions you could actually believe that Not true. Hart said. “It’s really aren’t simple ones. You have to there would be no more freeways. getting into the mainstream and know both sides of the issues,” Speeches were given calling free­ using the rules that have been estab­ Wiener said. ways ‘concrete monuments to man’s lished in order to get what you “The majority of people don’t stupidity.” want.”

March 1979 9 Items Free speech for faculty In order to “speak more freely,” members of the Faculty Senate recently requested its meetings take place without the presence of University President Paul Olscamp and Vice President for Academic Affairs James Talbot. Faculty Senate President Ajit Rupaal said members of the senate felt meetings should take place “without image or input from the president and vice president.” “Some (faculty members) feel they can’t speak out freely in their presence,” Rupaal said. “It should be noted that the fear is of the office and not the man,” Olscamp responded. The Constitution doesn’t bar Olscamp and Talbot from meetings but request they not be seated as regular members. The Faculty Senate is a recently organized body to speak to faculty concerns. It takes the place of previous year’s All-University Senate of administrators, faculty, staff and students. Ferndale has an old flame An “eternal flame” burns outside wells were drilled in the area. head is probably rusted beyond any the city of Ferndale. It has been However, most of them were hope of capping, he said. burning for at least fifty years. shallow — about 175 feet or so — Naturally, the flame draws sight­ The flame is fueled by natural gas and ran dry within a short time. seers. At one time a through road that rises to the surface through a Not so the M&M well, as it was ran past it but it is now blocked on shaft drilled in the 1920s. Along locally known. It was drilled by a one end by a gravel pit. with the gas comes up salt water different company than the others “It got to be pretty well-known which forms a httle pool around the and was drilled much deeper, when they could drive through and flame. Lindbloom said. party down there,” Lindbloom said. “It always has been bubbling and The mixture of water with the gas Paul Westby, a sheriff’s deputy, as long as it’s bubbling, it will bum,” made it unfit for any kind of said the flame is an “attraction for Les Lindbloom, a lifetime Ferndale practical use, although rumor has it partygoers” but it causes few law resident who lives nearby, said. that someone once did try to use it enforcement problems except for “We never paid any attention to for home heating. “some kids driving up there, drink­ it. It was just a common thing,” he “There is not really enough there ing a bit, and leaving some litter.” said. to seal off and try to salvage,” “It’s pretty well harmless. I’ve In the 1920s and 1930s many gas Lindbloom said. Besides, the well taken my family up there,” he said.

KUpsun Addicts may flee strict B.C. law Heroin addicts from British The act won’t be in full force until McClelland said “The act takes care Columbia might find reason to cross July 1 when police can begin of people’s civil rights in every way the border this year to avoid sending those suspected of de­ . .. heroin addicts have no freedoms becoming subject to that province’s pendency to treatment centers, anyway because they are chained to mandatory narcotic withdrawal Greg Andrascik, of the B.C. the drug,” according to the program. Alcohol and Drug Commission, Canadian magazine. The Last Post. British Columbia's Heroin Treat­ said. Through the strictness of the act, ment Act allows Canadian officials Police will then be able to obtain the heroin market “is to be elimin­ to require addicts to spend up to a a warrant to hold suspected addicts ated by making the personal costs year of full-time detention at a for up to 72 hours for evaluation by so deadly as to effectively squelch treatment center near Nanimo on doctors. Medical or legal counsel demand,’’ The Last Post reports. Vancouver Island. The act is aimed are not given to the suspect during But the magazine also makes the at what one Canadian magazine evaluation, Andrascik said. prediction: “The most likely out­ estimates as 7,000 regular users in Once dependancy is established, come of compulsory withdrawal is the lower mainland. the Supreme Court of B.C. can the mass exodus of the heroin The treatment act, effective in commit the user to six months to a community” out of the province to January, takes the place of a year of detention and treatment, other areas, such as Washington voluntary methadone program that Andrascik said. where heroin users can voluntarily did not require detention. B.C. Health Minister Bob treat their addiction. Is there life after graduation? It is possible to find a job in Bellingham after graduation. About 240 graduates last June applied for positions in government through Western’s Career Planning and Placement. Of the total, 17 found jobs in Bellingham. Only 10 were placed in Seattle and five in the state capital. The three cities represent the greatest concentration of Western graduates hired to work in govern­ ment. About 210 graduates were placed in private business and industry; 34 were placed in Bellingham, 77 in Seattle and 20 in Everett. The majority of other graduates who found jobs in the private sector were placed in the Puget Sound region. The Career Planning and Place­ ment Center reported the 1977-78 placement year “was one of the most productive in recent history.”

March 1979 Mount Baker’s thermal activity in uses, primarily logging, under Carter’s formal wilderness 1975 sent the rotten-egg smell of “multiple-use” management. As a proposals are unlikely to reach sulphur fumes drifting for miles last resort, an area could be held in Congress earUer than mid-March over Whatcom County. limbo for “further study.” because of a routine review by the Recent recommendations by the RARE-2’s recommendations Office of Management and Budget. U.S. Forest Service on how to triggered expected reactions from manage the 275,000-acre roadless members of the opposing sides. “ The Forest Service has area around this gleaming, steaming Richard Whitmore, forester for never in the past given us giant has raised a stink all the way Alpine Logging in Bellingham, was to Washington, D.C. quoted in the Bellingham Herald: good wilderness. ’ ’ On Jan. 4, the Forest Service “There already is a large amount of dismayed conservationists and land in Whatcom County which is Forest Service officials also delighted the timber industry by preserved as wilderness. I don’t formally agreed to give Congress recommending Mount Baker be think we need any more.” until April 15 to do its own review opened for logging, mining and Ruth Weiner, professor of before areas proposed for multiple- other non-wildemess uses, along environmental studies at Huxley use, such as Mount Baker, would with 90 percent of Washington’s 2.1 College, was quoted as calling the become available for timber sales or million acres of roadless areas. recommendations “tragically short­ other development. Church Mountain, Twin Lakes, sighted, but not unexpected.” Although only Congress can Hannegan Pass, Baker Pass, “It shows the strong influence the classify federal land as wilderness, it Skyline Divide and Anderson timber industry has in this state,” is under no obligation to act at all Buttes may feel the sting of a she said. “But this (the recom­ on RARE-2’s recommendations. logger’s chainsaw or bulldozer’s mendations) is just the beginning.” Culver said, “Basically RARE-2 blade in the years ahead as a result Don Culver, planning staff officer recommendations go to Congress of RARE-2’s recommendations. for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie but what they do and how soon is National Forest headquartered in unknown to us.” RARE-2 (Roadless Area Review Seattle, said, “RARE-2 is just one Culver expects Congress probably and Evaluation) is the second key step in the land allocation will be receiving wilderness pro­ nationwide study on how much of process but is certainly not the end. posals from special interests and America’s remaining 62 million It’s not over by a long shot.” “there will be much more intensive acres of undeveloped national Indeed it isn‘t. RARE-2’s attempts to influence Congress than forests should be designated wilder­ recommendations are just us so far.” ness by Congress. suggestions forwarded by Secretary A Sierra Club spokesman had his Two other options were available of Agriculture Bob Bergland, who own recommendation: “Don’t get under RARE-2. Areas could be oversees the Forest Service, to despondent; get mad.” recommended for non-wildemess President Carter. “The Forest Service has never in

12 Klipsun ir

the past given us good wilderness. Without a local congressman’s “It is a very complex question,” Wilderness has always been pro­ approval. Congress won’t establish Pettus said, “and it is difficult to get tected from the wreckers by hard a wilderness area in his district, answers. You almost need an work and love. That’s what it still according to “Washington Wild­ economic study to get the truth. takes,” wrote Dennis Baird, Sierra lands Tool Kit.” There are lots of opinions.” Club’s National Wilderness Com­ “I wouldn’t want to go running off mittee chairman, in the Jan. 19 Drew Pettus, legislative assistant to Congress with Mount Baker,” issue of “National News Report.” for Swift in Washington, D.C., said Charlie Raines, a wilderness co­ “Put RARE-2 and all its stu­ Swift has agreed to accompany ordinator for the Sierra Club in pidities aside. Remember what we conservationists this spring to areas Seattle, said. “Mount Baker isn’t stand to lose, and get to work in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie ready for a congressional writing letters, getting slide shows National Forest that were not campaign.” together, and organizing to protect recommended for wilderness. We don’t have facts or answers the wild places we all love and Swift’s campaign statements are to questions over timber or mineral need,” Baird said. “not his last words” on the subject, resources, he added. Pettus said, but “he is leaning in Congressmen are shying away “Swift . . . said enough that direction.” from RARE-2, Raines said. “They land already had been know it is a hot item. Swift won’t be According to Pettus, Swift is taking the lead on it.” designated as wilderness. ’ ’ concerned about “environmental Drew Pettus said, “My personal value versus jobs.” Swift sees a need opinion is that if we see any action Loggers coveting Mount Baker’s to get down to hard facts — will this year. I’ll be amazed. Maybe not timbered slopes, however, have an there be an impact on jobs? Are in tWs Congress at all.” ace up their sleeves: Congressman there alternatives to the impact of A1 Swift. wilderness classification? Persons wanting more information As a general rule. Congress relies In the Aug. 16 Bellingham Herald on this issue can contact: heavily on local congressmen’s the timber industry claimed views about a proposed wilderness “11,000 jobs and ‘job opportunities’ CITIZENS FOR WASHINGTON in his district. will be lost if it can’t start cutting WILDERNESS Mount Baker roadless area is in now roadless national forest land.” 4512 University Way, N.E. Swift’s district but unfortunately for Seattle, WA 98105 conservationists, he said he was In the same article, environ­ opposed to any more wilderness in mentalists said their proposal to WESTERN ENVIRONMENTAL his district during his campaign in designate 1.8 million acres of TRADE ASSOCIATION November. wilderness in Washington would (opposes conservationist’s He said enough land already had reduce the state’s supply of proposals) been designated as wilderness or available commercial timber less 1200 6th A ve. national parks in the 2nd District. than 5 percent.” Seattle, WA 98101

DEFINITION OF WILDERNESS IN 1964 preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; WILDERNESS A CT: and [^] may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, science or A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where historical value. man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN USES: man himself is a visitor who does not remain, A n area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this Except as specifically provided for in this A ct, and Act an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining subject to existing private rights, there shall be no its primeval character and influence, without commercial enterprise and no permanent road permanent improvements or human habitation, within any wilderness area designated by this A ct which protected and managed so as to preserve its and, except as necessary to meet minimum natural conditions and which generally appears requirements for the administration of the area for to have been affected primarily by the forces of the purpose of this Act [including measures required nature, with the imprint of mans work substantially in emergencies involving the health and safety of unnoticeable; [2] has outstanding opportunities for persons within the area], there shall be no temporary solitude ora primitive and unconfined type of road, no landing of aircraft, no other form of recreation; [2] has at least five thousand acres of mechanical transport, and no structure or land oris of sufficient size to make practicable its installation within any such area.

March 1979 13 The gas station, as we know it equipment. today, will not prevail much longer. “When it comes to collecting,” by The cumbersome, traditional old Willson said, I have no sense of pumps are being replaced by tech­ balance or proportion and desire JONATHAN BLAIR nologically advanced models. none. I am driven by desperation to Pumps have changed dramatic­ accumulate and preserve.” He said ally since the 1930’s; from the 10- fire, vandals and time are his foot giants, pumped manually by enemies; they work 24 hours a day the attendants, to the silent, against him. canonical college administration chrome-plated models of efficiency The museum is not an entity as not to ignore the beauty of the old we see today. one would expect. It is strewn pumps. David Willson, curator of the almost randomly between the Willson contends the artifacts are W.C. Darcy Memorial Museum in shelves, book cases and aisles of the a symbolic representation of the Auburn, Wash., is an avid collector Green River Community College “power age,” vestages of the past, of the old pumps and other gas library. not be forgotten or ignored. station memorabilia. Among the Willson is head reference “The pumps are lined up chron­ collection are porcelain signs, oil librarian. Intelligent and persuasive, ologically to show evolution of cans and every imaginable piece of Willson convinced an apprehensive. design. There are no labels on any

14 Klipsun of the pumps,” he said. “Labels too often blind the viewer to the object and negate its authority and dignity.” He said placing the pumps in a library acts as a shock technique to raise people’s consciousness. “If people walked past one of these pumps in a junk yard, it is more than likely it would not register consciously that they’d just seen a gas pump,” he said. Willson said the glass cylinder- top pumps from the 20s and 30s are the most desirable to any collector. He has noticed at least a dozen business establishments in Seattle alone that display an old pump as part of the decor. One pump he cited was 11 feet tall and sported a family of gold fish swimming around in the lO-gallon glass top.

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wrest the pump free of charge from its owner, $25 to $250 is paid, depending on style and condition. The glass top pumps are the most revered by the collector, Willson said. If the glass is broken it cannot be replaced. If this is the case, the most desirable pump becomes almost worthless, he said. The Smithsonian has only eight Willson’s interest in the pumps pumps on display, Willson said. started about 25 years ago in White Other items, such as sewing Pine, Montana. His uncle Lyle machines, are much more abun­ owned and operated a station there dant. The Smithsonian displays 300 for more than 30 years. Willson typewriters and 700 sewing returned to White Pine some time machines, he said. ago to try to retrieve his uncle’s old Retrieving the pumps from the pump. The property had changed field is the most exciting part of hands over the years and he was collecting, he said. “When I spot a met by an unsympathetic occupant pump I want, I move fast.” If who only allowed him to take Willson’s eloquent manner cannot photographs of the old beauty.

March 1979 15 Men are people, too

by RICKNEWBERG Photo Loriby Caldwell

16 Klipsun Excuse me. I’m sorry. Did I offend you? What did I say wrong? Are you mad at me? WHAT’S THE MATTER? No .. . don’t cry. I’m sorry. Please don’t cry ... that’s better. Just counting heterosexual re­ lationships, I’ll bet that conver­ sation has taken place in at least 1 million and 26 lover’s quarrels. Men have never really under­ stood women. Women have never really understood men. That’s the only thing everyone understands. But lately, with the sexual revolution, women’s liberation and rapid changes in traditional sex roles, both sexes seem to be understanding each other less and less. Back in the ’60s men who didn’t subscribe to the ideals of the women’s liberation movement (but loved the no-bra look) were called “Male Chauvinist Pigs.” Now

they’re called sexists or, in extreme Photo byJonathan Blair cases, sexist pigs. Everyone’s got a little bit of sexist in ’em. For instance, although I more privileges, while simul­ never said one way or the other, women’s liberation movement taneously gaining the freedom to be you probably presumed the first offers him. themselves: The freedom to cry if paragraph was a man talking and a Center coordinator Leo Griffin, a they want to, the freedom to woman crying. After all, men aren’t Fairhaven student with a self- vacuum the living room, do the supposed to cry, except during the designed major in human services, dishes, change diapers, watch soap National Anthem. Women are the said he feels the center will be a operas. Whatever their masculine emotional ones. good place for men to come and little hearts desire. talk about any problems they might But the old stereotypes are So where are we now in the changing. In the past men were encounter, from sexual problems to thought to be superior to women sexual revolution? It’s way past help with identity probes. and a special set of privileges time for Paul Revere to ride around “We want to help men be the real accompanied that superiority. The warning, “The Women are Coming! people they want to be and not to The Women are Coming!” The opportunity to get a fulfilling, do traditional male things just women are here. But where’s high-paying job was almost ex­ because they think they should,” everyone headed? Can you get clusively a male privilege. Women Griffin said, “and we’ll handle there from here? were just supposed to please their problems like, ‘My roommate’s man, do housework, and raise Like a fool I wandered around attracted to me and I don’t know children. Men could do almost the campus of Western asking that what to do’.” anything as long as it was mascu­ type of question. The usual line, so both sexes were bound to response was something like, “Gee, Right now the Men’s Resource their gender. I haven’t thought about it much,” Center isn’t much, just a small When everyone has the same accompanied by a “who-is-this- cubicle of a room dwarfed in size by rights and freedoms, privileges guy?” look. the Women’s Center. (Which isn’t a cease to exist. What fun is a But there are barometers. One is place where women sit around privilege if there is no one to have the establishment of a Men’s knitting sweaters, gossiping about privileges over? As women gain Resource Center on Western’s soap operas, clipping coupons and more and more rights, men lose campus. It’s not a place for men to doing each other’s hair.) Griffin is get drunk, gamble, smoke fat cigars just now looking for someone to run Rick Newberg has been studying and watch women jump out of the place. the opposite sex for many years and cakes either. It’s designed to help The creation of Men’s Resource has concluded he knows less now the thoroughly modern male Centers throughout the country than he did when he started. recognize the advantages the signifies the completion of one

March 1979 17 cycle in the sexual revolution. “People have to give up that myth from a bad place to a better one . .. We’ve come from women’s libera­ that you will achieve wholeness by but for some it will be a long lonely tion, to gay liberation to liberation joining with another person; it’s journey.” for the entity everyone’s been within oneself,” she said. Of course, all these notions are liberating themselves from, the She might be right. I can think of gross generalizations. As long as “Macho Male.” a few of my friends who were there will be Dallas Cowgirl-types But how many cycles are left until veritable human wastelands until running around there will be urban this revolution causes more under­ they met someone who brought out cowboys and other wild and crazy standing than confusion? This the best in them. Either these guys in close pursuit. spring, maybe even Valentine’s people couldn’t, or wouldn’t, do it Day, the sun will be shining themselves. Who knows? “Men are on a journey everywhere and everyone will Another person I spoke with, a from a bad place to a better wander dreamily out of their woman who recently married for houses, hugging each other, saying the first time at age 31, said, one . . . but for some it things like, “Now I understand,” “Women are starting to think that will be a long lonely “Whew, glad that’s all over.” “Boy, men aren’t essential to their life. journey. ’ ’ I’m liberated now.” Now it’s a matter of choice. You Hardly. don’t have to have a man to buy a H. Harris, Western anthro­ Even changes for the better tend home or even adopt kids. Now, men pology professor, said the old male to make people uncomfortable, at are desirable instead of necessary.” stereotypes are still being taught by least for awhile. As the plot The conversion from a necessity society. thickens, men are squirming in their to a luxury could be particularly “Boys are still raised with the idea seats, only halfway through a painful to some men but for those they have to be dominant, that you foreign film without subtitles. with the “balls” to handle the have to learn to fight. If you fail, Dorothy Riddle, a noted feminist situation, the end result should be you can always dominate a who visited Western last month, much more fulfilling. The changes woman,” Harris said, “and you find thinks things will get worse before should decrease a common problem women don’t want to be dominated they get better. in relationships, the feeling of being anymore.” Harris added that he has taken for granted. always been appalled at men who “Women are starting to Right now the figures indicate an feel the need to dominate women. overflow of struggling necessities So where are we now in the think that men aren’t and a scarcity of luxuries. In sexual revolution? Have women essential to their life. ’ ’ expanding numbers more people are really changed that much? If so, choosing to remain single. This has why didn’t men change right along “Right now we’re coming to the created what the media calls the with them? Will things get worse hardest part of the so-called sexual “Lonely American Male.” (Op­ before they get better? Is it really revolution. The increase in domes­ posite of Steve Martin’s wild and all that bad? What is truth? Why is tic violence, (i.e. rape) is an crazy guy.) there air? Are we being visited by indication of this,” Riddle said. Michelle Wallace writes in the ahens from outer space? Who “Men will have more confusion Oct. 78 issue of Ms. magazine, knows? about themselves.” “Nothing is going to work until men One thing for certain, women Riddle attributed part of the realize that things aren’t ever going won’t stop fighting for equal rights confusion to people’s miscon­ to be the way they once were. The until nothing is left of the ception of the reality of relation­ joyride is over.” male chauvinist pig — except the ships. She adds, “Men are on a journey squeal. Faculty balancing act by SUSAN STAUFFER

Like the different phases of the moon, the number of minority 1974 -75 1975 76 1976-77 1977-78 faculty members is waning while the women faculty membership is waxing at Western. Although constantly reminded of the hiring guidelines set by the Affirmative Action Office, Western has seemingly lost its equilibrium in an effort to be non-sexist as well as to have an equitable distribution of minority group members, veteran and handicapped individuals. Western’s hiring results of 1977- 78 have tipped the scales toward women and, although not inten­ tionally, the scales have slipped in the hiring of minorities compared to those hired in previous years. In non-faculty positions, however, minorities and women have increased their numbers. The white male has been and still full-time equivalent, FTE, faculty Compared with other Univer­ is the leader in faculty and non­ members at Western for 1977-78, sities, Western does not meet the faculty positions. about 18 are minorities, or 4.3 national average for minority or Of the decreasing minorities, percent, and nearly 77, or 17.5 women employment. Western lacks blacks especially have migrated percent, are women. about four persons to meet the away from Western during the past The decreasing level of minority average minority employment, and four years. Western administrators faculty members correlates with the 20 women to meet the average said. decreasing level of minority women employment. “Western hasn’t been an exactly students, James Talbot, vice Only two of nine at the executive- comfortable place for blacks,” Joan president for academic affairs, said. administrative-managerial level are Stewart, director of Affirmative “I don’t think we can separate executive women. Mary Robinson, Action, said. one problem from the other,” the newly appointed vice provost “With the phasing out of the Talbot said. for academic affairs, is one and College of Ethnic Studies some Stewart the other, Stewart said. blacks have either left or have The see-saw action of the de­ Three minorities are in that transferred to other jobs in clining minorities and rising of category, none at the executive Western,” Stewart said. women is reflective of the student level, Stewart said. Stewart said Bellingham’s low population, Talbot said. “We have realized the problem of percentage of blacks (less than 1 “Because 50 percent of the our low minority faculty member­ percent) also had discouraged student population are women,” ship,” Talbot said, “and we’re potential black faculty members Talbot said, “we should reflect the directing our energies to correcting from moving to Belhngham because student population as well as we can it. But we’ve got a long ways to go.” of a lack of social involvement for through hiring more women.” As a vice president, Talbot said their families. Fifty percent of the teachers are he urges department heads “to Women are fairing better than not women because of the compe­ make every effort to hire qualified minorities in terms of acquiring tition for them, Talbot said. women and minorities.” more faculty positions at Western Western frequently has been beaten Stewart said that President Paul because of their qualifications and at hiring women faculty members J. Olscamp also was encouraging availability, Stewart said, citing that by other universities. department heads to hire more 49 percent of the work force is now “We often can’t meet the salaries women and minorities, and a drive comprised of women. for women that other universities to do so would be pushed more To date, of the nearly 441 offer,” Talbot said. forcifully in the future.

March 1979 19 Foster said. was, in the underbrush just ahead. by CHERYL BRUSH Terry Heckler, of Heckler He turned and saw us, sloshed, then What is seven feet tall, measures Associates, is credited with the charged. There was momentary 85 to 90 gallons and charges at nine original Wild Rainier idea, which he chaos as the net was tossed. The big miles an hour? A Wild Rainier, of said sprouted from the “Beer Rainier bobbed, evading the net. course. Crossing” commercial. Boone was able to get his opener on Numerous sightings of the Wild the cap for just a split-second, but it Rainier have been reported wasn’t enough. The MFR (Moun­ throughout the Northwest but none tain Fresh Rainier) fled into a has been captured as yet. thicket, and we had to resign ourselves to a plaster cast of a big, The search for the elusive Wild fresh footprint as a souvenir of our Rainier is just one avenue of adventure.” advertisement being explored by While some people think the the Rainier Brewing Company of commercials are completely Seattle. The company first started “wacko,” Heckler said they are turning out award-winning com­ actually “tightly designed” and mercials and gathering national “calculated to stimulate a strong fame in 1974. response.” He added that Rainier The humorous commercials were commercials tend to grab people’s Rainier’s bid to entertain viewers attention. while expanding the growth of the Foster said he has a “filing company and successfully com­ cabinet full of letters which are 99 peting with national brands with percent positive of Rainier com­ more resources than Rainier. mercials. People enjoy our adver­ Jim Foster is the man behind the tising; they don’t find it an in­ scene. Foster is president of trusion,” he said. Rainier’s in-house ad agency. One of the most recent com­ Marketing Communications. The mercials (called the most controver­ agency was started in 1974 because lames Foster sial and topical by Foster) depicts a “the profitability of the company To highlight the Wild Rainier woman calmly pouring herself a had sort of plateaued,” Foster said. idea. Rainier contracted Mickey beer and explaining that one “In order to compete and grow we Rooney and Boone Kirkman to needn’t be “macho” to enjoy beer. had to develop our own identity ... conduct a safari into the “foothills An offstage male voice yells for her our own style, and that’s what we and riverbeds of the Rainier’s to “Bring me a beer” and the set out to do.” Cascade habitat.” woman, formerly smiling and Rainier sought the help of Seattle In the advertisement Rooney demure, screws up her face and firms Heckler Associates and Kaye- explained their attempt to capture screams “Get it yourself. Bob!” Smith Productions to write and and taste the Wild Rainier: “Our The commercial was intended to produce the commercials. Since bearers were to trap the Rainier in be a parody of all the “macho” beer then success has been measured in their net, then Boone would employ commercials boasting big name large profits and in making the New his pugilistic skills to open the cap sports personalities, Foster said. Y ork Times with a picture of a case with a specially constructed giant “It’s a little bit of a poke at all the of Wild Rainiers running through bottle opener.” male-oriented, male-dominated Pioneer Square on Fat Tuesday, “Then . . . Wham! . . . there he beer commercials. Most beers are

20 Klipsun j

March 1979 21 after the male market. They feel tend to drink less beer. mercials, has won national awards that that’s where the business is and Parody is a major theme in many out of New York, Chicago and it really isn’t necessarily true,” he of the commercials and advertise­ Seattle. said. ments for Rainier. One poster is It costs Rainier, who leads the “But beer has a kind of a remake of the National Geo­ state in beer sales, around $1,2(X) to masculine image and light beer, graphies magazine cover, only now $1,5(X) to purchase air time for a because of its being lighter, tends to it sports a new title (National 30-second commercial, Foster said. have a little bit of a feminine image Beergraphics) and shows a Wild The Company spends in excess of or appeal; so they are trying to Rainier trying to escape capture. one million dollars in media in the counteract this by associating the Rainier even has Mrs. Olsen, of Northwest each year, according to a product with burly, heavy mas­ coffee fame on its side. As she company brochure. culine guys,” Foster added. explains in the commercial to a One commercial had the Rainier Instead of seeing the commercial young housewife: “It’s Mountain symbol, a large cursive ‘R’, made of as a bit of a poke at the big name Fresh, the freshest kind.” bottle caps that began to topple Uke brands and their macho com­ dominoes. It took 12 hours to set up mercials, Foster said some people Foster said Rainier has had no more than 3, (XX) bottle caps, are seeing it as a feminist approach. problems with copyright laws. according to a story in the Tacoma The latest commercial being “Parody is only illegal if you try to News Tribune, before six cameras, broadcast in the Bellingham area is pass it off as an original,” he said. filming from different angles, shot of a motorcycle traveling along a Another commercial shows an the scene in one take. country road which leads to a snow­ alpine lake scene, and the hills are With such a big play on the Wild capped mountain. The noise made alive with the sounds of ... frogs Rainier image, one might imagine a by the motorcycle has been adjust­ croaking “R-Rainier-R.” The frogs story on “The Three Rainiers” to ed to a subliminal “R-r-r-Rainier-r-” won a national award for their appear soon. .. . leaving the viewer wondering if effort. But , Foster said, “there are he is hearing things. Among the awards won by the certain things we can’t do because Heckler said radio advertise­ Rainier commercials is the Holly­ of their appeal to underage people; ments that have people off the wood Radio and TV Society- anything that is based on streets trying to growl Rainier in the International a nursery rhyme or form of a Harley Davidson, Broadcasting fable, we couldn’t legally Kawasaki and so forth are in the Award of 1976 do.” works. and a Gold Cre- It appears that Rainier The people involved in creating ative Award is just starting to explore the ideas for the commercials are from the Seattle the realm of amusing “really young” Heckler said. He Art Directors and imaginative com­ added that everyone keeps running Society. In ad­ mercials to tickle our lists of possible ideas. dition Kaye- funny bones . .. “Join us Rainier’s beer target is from the Smith, pro­ next week when we go “legal drinking age to 40,” said ducers of many after the elusive Tas­ Foster. People over 40, he added. of the corn- manian wombat.”

education major. Noren also produces “It’s like playing corporate and industrial all the time.” films for various major corporations in the Western grad Noren works Northwest. for Kaye-Smith Noren is excited about finds happiness Productions. his role in the future of The company Gary Noren Kaye-Smith. “Our in ‘reel’ life has filmed most of the Rainier future is looking more and more brewery commercials and won towards television production and several national awards doing so. corporate films, keeping in mind Shouldering the title of director- Asked if he drinks Rainier beer, that down the road a few years producer of the largest film pro­ Noren said, “Sure ... I get it free!” we’re going to expand into our own duction company in the Northwest Another Western VICOED grad entertainm ent films. We’ll be is something Gary Noren, Western of the same year, Mark Eguchi, is producing feature films out of the graduate of 1974, is glad to do. an assistant cameraman for Kaye- Northwest,” predicted Noren, “I just fell in love with making Smith. adding, “it’s a lot of fun ... I’m movies,” said the 27-year-old vico- Besides television commercials. having a good time.”

22 Klipsun Conversation stirs as the bus slows for the Mt. Vernon depot. Behind me I hear, “Come on. You*ll like it. You*ll do things in college you*ve never done before ... ** I Zen strain to catch the rest but its lost in the noise of air brakes. Eavesdropping might be the only and the art saving-grace for bus riders and its the only chance for human contact when your seatmate is asleep. of A condensed version of a sailor*s life story is filtering in through the depot noises. “After crossing the bus riding equator nine times I began to think I*d seen and done it all. And then ... ** I turned to look as the JESSIE MILLIGAN bus approached the freeway. The sailor rambled on about We were just approaching with tl bus. I*m sure more con­ exotic places and diseases the girl Everett when the drugs began to ventional pastimes exist. had never seen or heard of. I could take hold. Some people can read on the bus tell by the wow*s and really*s that At least they were for the people but I find the experience nause­ interspersed the conversation. in the seats in front of us. ating. Words swim on the page as “I suppose,** I told my sleeping “It’s the only way I can go Grey­ gears shift. companion,** there is really no way hound,** one of the smokers Sleeping is easy for people who of knowing if you*ve picked a muttered, as low-quality smoke, can cat-nap but intermittent free­ strategic seat for eavesdropping vaguely reminiscent of wet, way exits disturb a prolonged nap. until you*re miles enroute and then smoldering hay, drifted through the Besides, sleeping develops expecta­ it*s too late.** seats. tions. Every time you wake up My seatmate released a deep, The bus driver raised his micro­ you*ll think you*re at your destin­ artistic snore. phone and repeated “Cigarettes ation but really it is Burlington. This Both my feet are asleep as we only please.** The smoke ceased, is known as a rude awakening. near Bellingham. Two Canadians the smoker sighed, “Now I*m set for Long interstate miles loom across the aisle are watching people the trip.** ahead. I feel numb and tired, and a remove packages and luggage from “He*s right, you know,** my bit hard pressed about how to enter­ the racks above the seats. companion whispered, “There is an tain myself, just as if I*d watched “Can you tell me,** one said, “why art to bus riding.** three consecutive hours of T.V. everyone in Bellingham dresses as if An art? I flip through my mental game shows and can*t seem to find they*re going camping?** “It must be files and can find no reference to my way back to reality. because they live in such a remote bus-riding that is sub-titled “art.** My seatmate dozes with his chin comer of the states, eh?** the other Boredom, yes. Numbness of ex­ on his chest. I lean out in the aisle replied. tremities, definitely. But, art? to see if anything more exciting is I try to fathom the logic involved Doubtful glances breed quick going on in front. in that one and it brings to mind responses and my companion The view is obscured by a haze of other bus conversations I*ve heard. continued: “It*s simple. Bus riding cigarette smoke that, of course, What better place than a bus for is a means to an end, inexpensive, does not automatically disperse discussing cold realities too. If you expect to be enter­ when it reaches the last row of the divorces, crippled children, ships tained, you won*t. Don*t try ... smoking section. lost at sea, in fact, an enterprising relax, it*s the only way you*ll An old lady in front occa­ script writer for a soap opera could appreciate it all.** sionally turns and glares at the probably gather all his material on a The sun is setting, silhouetting smoke, as if to will it away. We lock bus. smoke stacks as we travel through stares and I put my cigarette out. It just might be feasible because Snohomish County. She has inflicted smokers guilt on bus passengers are really just a I turn to my seatmate but he*s me with just a glance. She must be mobile cross-section of middle sitting back, his eyes closed, softly someone *s grandma. America, and most of them love to mumbling “Ommmmmmommmm.** My seatmate shifts his position talk. The bus is going “Ummmrnnumm,** and begins to snore as the bus veers Unless, that is, you happen upon I was left to my own devices. He off the freeway. And he is the one one who insists it is an art and then told me later he had become one who thinks bus riding is an art. promptly falls asleep.

March 1979 23 Western is no exception to the career on the basis of what they influenced by factors like religion, nationwide trend toward more think is available rather than whafs parents, peers, or imagination,” he academic stress. right for them,” he said. “This can added. “Unfortunately, we all face Counselors dealing with troubled be scary for a student who believes realities as well, and the greater the students at Western identify the he will be stuck in an undesirable distance between students* expecta­ causes of stress as societal changes, but available job for the rest of his tions and what they can actually anxiety over the tightening job life.” achieve, the greater the resulting market, increased competition for Michael King, a counselor at the stress.** admittance to graduate school, center, agrees. He said students Mary Daugherty, director of the perfectionist syndromes, financial should assess themselves instead of Academic Advisement Center, problems, first serious encounters employment statistics. The methods explained a different type of with the opposite sex, the excite­ he recommends include analysis of expectation problem experienced ment and fear of being away from interests as they relate to a partic­ by students who never thought they home for the first time and other ular job, the suitability of person­ could attend college because of factors. ality types for various job roles and, their background. Arnold Chin, Counseling Center the most important factor, an “If a student is the first member director, said he and fellow honest appraisal of basic skill areas, of his family to attend college, he is counselors responded to about such as using words, employing seen by friends and family as 1,900 students experiencing analytical thinking, originality, and moving upward, and is subjected to problems last year, not the least of intuition. great pressure to maintain the which was academic stress. Within each of these skill areas. position,** she said. He said pressure at Western is King suggests an analysis of related Of particular concern to about par compared to other “subskills,” such as ability to Daugherty is the plight of minority schools. He identified pressure to research, evaluate, organize, and students at Western. declare a major and lack of feasible other activity which the basic skill “The lack of any real minority postgraduate plans as major sources would involve. communities is a unique aspect of of stress. ‘This system helps students Western,** she said. “The result is “Students hear opportunities are evaluate potential majors by having that these students don*t feel a part good in certain fields like business them assess whether their skills of the total campus community and and health science and, because of would be utilized,” he said. experience anxiety caused by the tightening job market, choose a “All of us have an ideal self. feelings of alienation and being

24 Klipsun culturally out of tune.” asked to make abstract, discrim­ take science courses partly con­ “It’s rare these days for a student inant choices rather than explain sisting of math functions.” to go straight through school,” he what he knows about the subject Daugherty also said professors said. “Out of a freshman class of matter,” she said. “With the way should try to explain to students the about 1,500, only about 25 percent some profs word the questions, the relevance of the course to their will finish in four years without a tests tend to test I.Q.’s rather than academic pursuit and make them­ break, yet about 70 percent will knowledge learned in the course.” selves available to students by eventually receive their degree.” Besides giving more essay exams, observing regular office hours and Daugherty suggests instructors take offering appointments. “ Failure to meet expec­ measures to make students want to King agrees with Daugherty’s last tations . . . can cause learn, instead of relying on their suggestion and said the opportunity fears caused by feeling they have to for help is good at Western due to students to experience learn. nervous breakdowns, “It’s important for instructors to realize they’re teachers and not just inferiority complexes and lecturers,” she said. “A student even suicidal tendencies.” who’s encouraged to participate in discussion and other class activity According to King, job areas will probably acquire more of a with strong competition for grasp of relevant subject matter positions include journalism, than if he was simply trying to history, sociology, psychology, and absorb and later regurgitate a mass any of the other liberal arts. of material.” Currently, relatively easy areas to According to Daugherty, the fill include computer science, majority of student’s course accounting, and petroleum en­ problems stem from not knowing gineering, he said. class requirements. Both King and Chin said the “Every professor is supposed to problem is particularly aggravated have a syllabus in (Academic Vice by stiffer entrance requirements for President) Jim Talbot’s office, graduate programs. King cited pre- which lists class topics, grading med students as an example. procedures, test dates, and class “Students with plans for medical texts,” she said. “They (instructors) school often will major in biology, should pass copies out to students, and if they’re part of the 90 percent but many don’t.” of qualified applicants denied Daugherty insists lack of this type entrance to med school, they might of communication can instill a false not know what to do with the sense of security in students who biology degree,” he said. feel caught up with expected assign­ Chin said another detrimental ments, such as text reading, and factor is inadequate preparation for then have a term paper or some college in high schools. other unexpected task demanded of “Some high school graduates them. come here who have actually never Another area of concern to written a paper,” he said. “An Daugherty is students’ inability to academic quarter doesn’t allow properly assess their level of readi­ much time to learn the skill here.” ness for certain classes. An example The easiest concern for students she cited was the lack of a math at all grade levels to relate to is prerequisite for Astronomy 103. probably test anxiety. She said students tend to have Daugherty, with other staff problems about two-thirds way members of the advisement center, through the quarter due to the responded to over 1,000 students varying amounts of math required with academic problems last fall. by different professors teaching the She has definite views concerning course. teaching and grading procedures “It’s like a hidden prerequisite,” and shows little hesitancy in voicing she said. “We have about 300 them. freshmen each year who aren’t “We need to get away from these allowed to take math courses so-called ‘objective’ multiple choice because of previous math de­ type exams where the student is ficiencies, but who are allowed to

March 1979 25 the relatively small classes and lack emphasis on the impact of social The symptoms of academic stress of teaching assistants trying to fill change on school life, which she seem to have as wide a range as the the role of instructors. said has resulted in relatively new causes. Chin listed as obvious signs, He also said professors should try personal problems for students to depression, psychosomatic head­ to establish a rapport with students adjust to. aches and insomnia, and erratic to help them overcome inhibitions “Identifying sexual roles is harder behavior that, left untreated, can about speaking during class. now, and women must face new lead to a nervous breakdown. Another factor affecting class options consisting of career oppor­ More subtle symptoms include communication is the vocabulary tunities previously closed to them,” intentional and unintentional employed by professors, Daugherty she said. “It was easier in the past procrastination, he added. said, which often is aimed only at for women when they had their lives “It’s an avoidance reaction,” Chin students with wide word spans. programmed for traditional roles, said. “Students are afraid to One practice King spotlighted as such as that of the housewife.” confront real or imagined short­ particularly stress inducing is Daugherty also said material and comings in their abiUties, so they inflexibly grading on class curves, financial concerns add pressure to foster excuses not to.” which invariably results in the campus life that was much less Examples Chin cited include flunking of the bottom grade common in the past. students who aren’t in need of percent of the class. money, but work 20 to 30 hours per Ironically, the cause of academic week to justify their poor school stress that yields the most tragic performance, and those who results is also the one students have accumulate hundreds of unrelated the most control over. Failure to credit hours in order to avoid the meet expectations, whether self- stress of an academic committment. imposed or external, can cause King said stress can manifest students to experience nervous itself in altered eating habits and break-downs, inferiority complexes actual physical illness. and even suicidal tendencies. “The dechne of self-esteem can Unlike stress causes having to do also cause the student to withdraw with school policy and instructors* from social contacts, which leads to behavior, this factor is a product of an increase in brooding,” he added. the student’s mind and choice of While King said certain pro­ reactions to the expectations. grams, such as engineering, music, Obviously this is related to and and pre-med tend to produce more affected by other stress causes. anxiety than less competitive fields, While the consequences of stress the effects depend more on the can be devasting to a student’s individual. performance and career plans, “It’s a paradox. Often the type of academic results provide only part people who feel the most stress of the total picture. This aUment demand perfection of themselves affects, and is affected by, many because they associate this with sociological and personal aspects as success, which they wind up not well. attaining because of the ill effects of According to King, problems this syndrome,” he said. resulting from relationships with Students have had to live with families and members of the “In the fifties a student didn’t academic pressure since the dawn opposite sex, especially if it’s the think a car was necessary, but with of formal education. Traditional student’s first enduring relationship, today’s peer pressure it’s practically anxiety associated with school work can be a determining factor in a required,” she said. probably hasn’t increased at all on student’s ability to deal with “Students also became confused its own merit. The increase of academic pressure. by adjustments society is making to pressure clearly has come about as Chin agreed, comparing the age the environment, such as smaller a result of external factors in our span of 17 to 23 to other uncertain cars, and more confined, energy­ society which previous graduates transitional periods, such as saving houses,” she said. “They feel have failed to resolve. experienced upon reaching middle the things they are going to college Daugherty offered these age or retirement. to attain are being redefined and suggestions for students to deal with “When an academic burden they begin to question the worth of academic stress on a personal level: accompanies the stress of adjusting a college education.” “Seek help at the counseling center to this stage of life, it can be To alleviate the problem, she if needed; get a physical checkup incredibly hard for the student to suggests that a liberal arts education and exercise; form good relation­ deal with,” Chin said. should stress deeper values in life ships; and for crying out loud, have Daugherty placed particular than “discos and skiing.” some fun!”

26 Klipsun Agency prescribes new labels

by Jessie Milligan For decades, the American opium” off the market. reveals all, it won’t be necessary to public has been ingesting and Tum-of-the-century medications pay high prices for a well-marketed applying over-the-counter medi­ occasionally had ingredients that product that can be bought in a cations, often of unknown content could be more upsetting than the lower-priced form, he said. or medicinal value. original ailment. Tweit has one old Although the consumer will only prescription to reUeve “bladder be paying for ingredients that But this year, by a ruling of the disease and bed-wetting in “work,” he’ll probably also be Federal Food and Drug Adminis­ children.” Its main ingredient is paying for the cost passed on by the tration, manufacturers of over-the- “Spanish fly,” the rumored aph­ company to test effectiveness. counter drugs will be required to rodisiac that is actually just an The paperwork and cost could be prove the effectiveness of in­ irritant to the urinary tract. prohibitive to drug companies that gredients listed on their product’s Patent laws in the 1930’s required don’t do a large volume. Many of label, Gordon Tweit, Fairhaven drug manufacturers to list most the “marginal companies” could go Drug pharmacist said. ingredients. The laws didn’t require out of business, Tweit said. Products might change as manu­ ingredients be beneficial but did facturers drop any ingredients insist they be harmless. However, Although ingredients used for either not known to be beneficial or any of the firms established before scent, taste or as a base aren’t presenting too high of an invest­ the patent laws were not subject covered by the act, over-the- ment to prove effectiveness. and will just be coming into counter drugs could become quite “Not every ingredient (in medica­ conformance this year, Tweit said. similar. It’s probable there will be tions) has known medicinal value. The act might make some manu­ only a limited number of drugs Its ridiculous to take things we don’t facturers miserable but benefits to known to relieve a particular ail­ know much about,” Tweit said. the consumer could be many. ment, he said. In addition, the act requires all Side effects won’t be so likely Tweit points to one factor that medication labels to list all in­ once unnecessary ingredients are can’t be regulated — the psycholog­ gredients in the product. Most over- dropped, particularly suspected ical effects of taking medication. the-counter drugs do so already, carcinogins. Allergic reaction or a Whether the product has tested but it hasn’t always been that way. toxic mix of two prescriptions can ingredients or not “if you think it is The first food and drug act in be more easily avoided, Tweit said. helping you it will because that is 1906 took such items as “tincture of Furthermore, since the label when you begin to help yourself.”

March 1979 27 I- ^I.