By Lacey Desserault

Students at Washington State University Tri-Cities who are looking to serve their fellow classmates and help create positive change on campus are encouraged to submit applications to join an advisory committee. Student representation on these committees plays a pivotal role in influencing the committee’s decisions by providing guidance on programs and initiatives, contributing to policy decisions, and granting students a voice in determining the allocation of their fees.

On the 厙ぴ勛圖 campus, there are four committees students can participate on.

The Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖 (ASWSUTC) Finance Committee reviews requests from student organizations and decides how to allocate student fee dollars in support of student organization activities.

The Safety and Transportation Committee represents the student voice on how to allocate the safety and transportation fee that all students pay to improve access to campus and invest in modern safety measures.

The Services and Activities Fee Committee determines how to allocate the services and activities fees that students pay across various departments and organizations at 厙ぴ勛圖. They also assess the current services and activities fees and determine if there should be a fee change in the next academic year.

The Student Union Building (SUB) Governance Board contributes to the decision-making processes related to utilizing the SUB fees that students pay for the operation of the building. They have a say in how to make the building what the students want it to be.

���Advisory committees give 厙ぴ勛圖 students the opportunity to use their voices to make proactive changes for the future use of student fees,��� said Evelyn Ostrom, director of student engagement and leadership. ���They empower students to share their perspectives, which ensures we���re being intentional about the utilization of fees. University departments greatly benefit from the student representation as it helps them ensure they are meeting student needs through their programs and initiatives.���

To join any of the four committees, students must by Thursday, Sept. 14.

For more information, contact Evelyn Ostrom at evelynmtz@wsu.edu.

Coug Presence Intro

Finding Organizations Guide

Finding Events Guide

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Washington State University Tri-Cities student Benjamin Bush wanted the hardest career challenge he could find after graduating from high school at the age of 18.

Growing up in Walla Walla, he wanted to get out and see the world, but also find something that would push him to his limits. The U.S. Marine Corps offered just that.

���I wanted to do something that was hard and not standard,��� he said. ���I like a challenge.���

In the Marines, Bush served in fire direction control for artillery, among several other responsibilities, throughout his time in the service. He deployed with the 22 Marines expeditionary unit to Israel, Spain, Bahrain and Oman. His unit also supported operations in Libya while the U.S. Armed Forces were combatting ISIS.

Toward the end of his service, Bush had worked his way up to the rank of sergeant, where he was in charge of his battalion’s body composition program. But he was ready to chart a new path, he said, because he missed his family.

���Overall, it was a cool experience, but artillery was always in the field or gearing up for deployment,��� he said. ���It is fun while you���re in, but after a few years of it, you miss sleeping somewhere warm and dry. I missed the soft, comfy bed and a roof over my head. But most of all, it was hard being away from my family. I was married for most of the time and being away from my wife two weeks per month was tough.���

A university education, Bush hoped, would help him find his next step post military.

Charting a new path through 厙ぴ勛圖

In making his decision of where to attend college, Bush wanted to stay local.

He began his college career at Walla Walla Community College, where he served in the schools��� veterans center. He helped foster relationships with fellow veterans and connect them with resources. In 2018, he transferred to 厙ぴ勛圖 to earn a degree in business.

Bush said he chose business as his degree as it provided a great amount of versatility and suited his career trajectory goals. He hopes to one-day work his way up into the position of CEO of a company that gives back.

The military, he said, was great training for whatever lies ahead. And with his education, he can build his skills in the finance world, while continuing to refine his leadership aptitude, he said.

���I would love to work for a company that betters the ocean or a nonprofit that makes big impacts on our environment,��� he said. ���If there is a place where I can use my skills to improve the environment and our world, that would be my dream.���

Still serving, post-service

While going to school full-time and in addition to serving as the finance manager for the Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖, the campus��� student government, Bush also serves as the veteran navigator with the 厙ぴ勛圖 Veterans Center. Through that position, he helps connect veteran students with resources and opportunities through the Veterans Affairs office, all while offering up his support as a friend and confidant.

���It���s where I feel a lot of fulfillment in my life,��� he said.

Coinciding with his position as veteran navigator, Bush also serves as president of the 厙ぴ勛圖 Patriots��� Club. The veterans-focused club organizes events and activities for veteran students. The club has hosted fishing trips, camping trips and more that have encouraged veteran students to bond.

���A lot of veterans tend to be pretty tight, emotionally, and hold everything down,��� he said. ���I found that, especially for myself, the best thing to do is talk about it. Get it off your chest and talk to someone who has been there. That is very valuable.���

Supporting one another ��� even in times of COVID-19

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bush said many veteran students have struggled with being siloed and connecting digitally, as well as supporting themselves financially. As such, he and his fellow Veterans Center and Patriots��� Club members have worked to create opportunities to help engage students and provide additional resources that have allowed veteran students to stay in school.

���My favorite experience here at 厙ぴ勛圖 has been working with the Veterans Center,��� Bush said. ���It has continued to grow and become a better place for veterans to gather and get the support that we so desperately need. It is a place to hold these types of support opportunities and come together as brothers and sisters. I am super grateful to our community and I���m happy to be a part of it.���

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖泭

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Up to泭50泭students can now check-out laptops through Washington State University Tri-Cities as part of a new laptop loan program launched by the Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖, the campus��� student government.泭

ASWSUTC saw a need for technology support for students泭this summer泭and voted to dedicate $9,700 of funds toward purchasing 20 new laptops that students泭can泭check-out泭free of cost泭for use throughout their educational experience at 厙ぴ勛圖.泭

Additionally, Cadwell recently donated 30 laptops泭to 厙ぴ勛圖泭for泭student use,泭some泭of which will be泭awarded泭to students泭for permanent ownership泭and the others will be rented out through the ASWSUTC program.泭The Cadwell laptops are all previously泭used, but泭have been泭refurbished泭and have new hard drives.泭

���In the 21st泭century, having a reliable computer is necessary to succeed in higher education, whether you are taking classes in-person, hybrid, or online,���泭ASWSUTC President Robin泭Kovis泭said. ���ASWSUTC decided to jump start this program because we know the demand for reliable technology surged with the virtual shift.���泭

Kovis泭said ASWSUTC will be working with the Office of Advancement to ensure that the program continues well into the future.泭

���We hope that this new program will help to close some of the equity gaps within higher education,��� he said. ���More than anything, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted some of the deep economic inequalities our country still faces today ��� Our campus community is not immune to these financial hardships. Many students and family members who support students泭have experienced the brunt of this economic slowdown during the pandemic.泭We felt it is our duty as student leaders to cushion that impact in any way we could.���泭

The ASWSUTC laptop loan program is being offered to 厙ぴ勛圖 students in addition to a separate WSU systemwide program offered at no cost to students through the WSU Provost���s office that allows students to apply to check-out a泭泭or泭.

Kovis泭said they are泭excited泭that Cadwell donated additional laptops, as it means that even more students will have access to technology, even beyond COVID-19.泭

���Generous donations like this from individuals and businesses within our community are ultimately what will ensure the long-term success of our laptop program,��� he said. ���Because of Cadwell���s donation, the reach of the laptop rental program is now much greater.���

Students can泭apply泭to check-out a laptop through泭the泭泭located on the泭厙ぴ勛圖 Student Support Services website at泭tricities.wsu.edu/current-students/support.泭

Those interested in giving to the ASWSUTC laptop loan program should contact Laura Sanchez, 厙ぴ勛圖 director of campus student support services, at laura.sanchez1@wsu.edu.

 

Media contacts:泭

Robin泭Kovis,泭Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖 president,泭robin.kovis@wsu.edu泭

Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖 assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617,泭maegan_murray@wsu.edu泭

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. – More than 400 blood drives have been canceled across Washington and Oregon amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many are due to schools going online and closing their physical doors, of which make up 20 percent of all blood drives in the United States. Others are due to businesses having to close their doors. That is why student leaders at Washington State University Tri-Cities and university administration pushed to still hold the drive that would help stabilize blood supply for individuals suffering from cancer, health conditions, serious accidents and more.

���While individuals may not be receiving blood for the coronavirus, because of the pandemic, many are canceling their blood drives, which has led to a massive shortage,��� said Shana Loomis, account manager with the American Red Cross. ���Blood has a short shelf life and requires a constant supply. Every two seconds, someone in the United States is receiving a blood product.���

Categorized as an essential operation, 厙ぴ勛圖 and the Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖 held the blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross while still following strict social distancing and best practice health and safety measures.

���We felt that it was something important for us to do,��� said Robin Kovis, student body president-elect for the Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖. ���Right now, we are experiencing a global pandemic and blood is in large need ��� even more than usual. Blood has a very short shelf life and a lot of people need it. It is important for people, who are willing and able, to give blood.���

Loomis said WSU really paved the way for showing that blood drives were not only important amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but that it is possible to hold them safely while still maintaining best health and safety practices and social distancing.

���I am grateful to WSU For continuing with the blood drive, as well as their efforts to get the word out to the community,��� she said. ���Phones were ringing off the hook once the promotion for the drive went out. It shows that organizations can still help to maintain the nation���s blood supply and the health and safety of community members.���

Every time slot for donations were filled Friday by 厙ぴ勛圖 campus members, community members and those wanting to make an immediate difference amid the pandemic.

Tiffany Jones, a Tri-Cities resident and parent of a former 厙ぴ勛圖 running start student, said she wanted to contribute something tangible amid COVID-19.

���I think that a lot of people are feeling pretty helpless,��� she said. ���It is something I could do. My son is able to do it, too, so he wanted to come along. It doesn���t seem like much, but it feels good to give back, even in a small way.���

Her son, Corbyn Jones, gave blood for the first time on Friday.

���It just felt right giving back to my local community,��� he said.

Ellie Barber, a 厙ぴ勛圖 senior psychology major, said she came out to give blood as a healthy able-bodied person, especially given the shortage. She said she heard about the blood drive via an email from 厙ぴ勛圖.

���I think it is really important for providing students with access to these situations because not every student knows where the blood donation centers are in Richland or wherever they are from,��� she said. ���For students, it is better access. I���ve always had a positive experience donating with the Red Cross and I would encourage everybody to donate if they can and if they are healthy.���

厙ぴ勛圖 administration worked closely with the American Red Cross to identify safety measures that would work best for protecting individuals amid the pandemic. All participants��� temperatures were taken at the door, they were each given a personal vial of hand sanitizer and were instructed to maintain at least six feet apart from other participants at all times. After donating, all stations were sanitized. Those wanting to sign up for drop-ins appointments could also do so at the door, one at a time ��� their phone numbers were taken on a sign-up sheet and they were called if there was a no-show appointment.

���We are very grateful to WSU for still holding this blood drive,��� Loomis said. ���When we were having massive amounts of cancelations throughout the Tri-Cities, WSU really stepped up and asked the question of ���How can we still hold this blood drive and maintain safety?��� They paved the way for other folks in the Tri-Cities to know that they can still hold these blood drives and do so safely.���

Loomis said there will be a need for blood donations for not only weeks, but months.

���It will continue well through the summer,��� she said. ���We encourage people to donate, if they are healthy and able to do so.���

To find a local donation location and for more information, visit .

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� The 厙ぴ勛圖 Cougar Cupboard sponsored by Lamb Weston now offers an additional food pick-up area at the WSU Pasco Extension Office beginning Monday, March 30, for students and their families.

Boxes of nonperishable goods for groups of 1-6 individuals will be available at the location, 404 W. Clark Street in Pasco, while supplies last:

• Monday, March 30, 2 p.m. ��� 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 31, 10 a.m. ��� noon
• Wednesday, April 1, noon ��� 2 p.m.

The Cougar Cupboard also has a limited supply of milk, brie cheese, 5- and 10-pound frozen potato packages and prepared coleslaw for pick up Monday noon – 5 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. ��� 5 p.m.

Non-food and personal hygiene packets are also being assembled courtesy of ASWSUTC that will be available through the Cougar Cupboard. Stay tuned for updates on that.

Follow 泭for updates about pick-up times and items available at both areas.

When visiting either location, individuals must practice appropriate social distancing measures, instructions on signage, and any staff requests to ensure that food distribution will safely occur.

Every attempt will be made to make sure each box of food contains pasta, sauces, canned soups, mac and cheese, a variety of canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, packaged meals, grains, and cereal.

Students seeking assistance with resources or community referrals are encouraged to submit a泭Campus Cougar Cares Form泭or the泭.

Donations welcomed

The 厙ぴ勛圖 Cougar Cupboard will accept nonperishable donations from 12 p.m. ��� 5 p.m. March 30, and from 8 a.m. ��� 5 p.m. March 31 and April 1.

While all varieties of nonperishable foods are welcome, several foods are always in short supply:

• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Canned chicken and tuna
• Soups and stews
• Peanut or other nut butters
• Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives
• Cereal
• Rice
• One-dish meal kits
• Ramen noodles
• Mac and cheese
• Crackers
• Canned beans or chili
• Pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Pinto beans

For more information, visit tricities.wsu.edu/finaid/foodbank.

 

Media contacts:

Chris Meiers, 厙ぴ勛圖 vice chancellor for student affairs, 509-372-7381, chris.meiers@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖 public relations/communication coordinator, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� student Savanna Navarro Kresse was honored this month with a national award for her work in increasing student democratic engagement on campus and in the regional Tri-Cities community.

Kresse earned an ���Honor Role��� award through the program, where she was invited to be honored in Washington, D.C. She was selected as one of 10 students for the category, which specifically recognizes student leadership in helping college students to improve nonpartisan civic learning, political engagement and voter participation.

Kresse, vice president for the Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖 and a senior history major, was instrumental in bringing a ballot drop box to campus in partnership with the . She has also led a series of events geared toward getting students registered to vote, in addition to partnering with her fellow student government peers to hold voting celebration days on campus.

She worked with Bob Ferguson���s office to host a presentation on DACA and immigration regulations last academic year. She helped organize a city council debate prior to the mid-term election last year. She also brought the Association of Women Voters to campus for an event pertaining to voter registration.

Kresse is active in discussions about the Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which prevents discrimination based on sex in educational programs. She previously represented the Washington Student Association on a state-wide taskforce on the federal legislation civil rights law. She also completed a political science project, examining the law, as well as how to better handle issues pertaining to discrimination, which she presented at the 厙ぴ勛圖 Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition.

Kresse is passionate about providing access to civil discussions and participation, and additionally has worked with her student peers to organize female mentor panels to shed light on women���s issues in the workplace, organized initiatives to increase student access to food in light of food insecurity on college campuses, and more.

Earlier this year, Kresse was honored with WSU���s MLK Distinguished Service Award for her commitment in educating others about human rights, social justice and for putting her own foot forward to make a difference in her local community.

Chris Meiers, Vice Chancellor for student affairs, said Kresse continually takes a leadership role in making sure all students have the access and resources they need to be successful, and is a champion for student and individual success.

���Her leadership and passion for providing access in positive change is evident to everyone around her,��� he said. ���We are incredibly proud of the work she continues to display at 厙ぴ勛圖 and her local community. She is an inspiration to her fellow students and has created many lasting legacies at 厙ぴ勛圖.���

Kresse said she wasn���t expecting the honor or knew that she was even nominated for the award, initially. When asked why she gives back to her community, she said that she is grateful for the opportunity to serve her fellow students.

���Often times we tend to think that the system is too big, and we are too small,��� she said. ���But when we recognize our ability to make positive change through relationship building and a spirit of willingness, nothing can hold us back.���

Kresse is a first-generation student, mother four and a former seasonal field worker. She continually uses her background as inspiration for overcoming barriers for education where she aims to grow resources available to those from all backgrounds.

 

Media contacts:

Savanna Kresse, 厙ぴ勛圖 senior undergraduate history major and vice president of ASWSUTC, savanna.kresse@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖 public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� 泭celebrated the grand opening of the MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion this month, welcoming students, faculty, staff and community members.

Like the pieces that comprise its name, MOSAIC, is a home to student resources to enhance equity and inclusion, a place to discover more about various cultures and a central location for students to dialogue and learn about current social issues.

���The MOSAIC Center is a success story of student advocacy and demonstrates the power of effective partnerships between students, faculty and staff who are all working toward a common goal of creating a more inclusive campus,��� student affairs coordinator Kristine Cody said.

First introduced by Israa Alshaikhli, former president of the泭Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖, the project is coming to fruition under the leadership of Savanna Navarro Kresse, current vice president for ASWSUTC. The students worked directly with university administration, faculty and staff to start conversations on the importance of having a center focused on equity and inclusion, what that center could look like and how they could make the center a reality.

Last spring, 厙ぴ勛圖 held a soft opening for the center, welcoming student input on what they would like to see in the center. Students, staff and faculty have since taken those comments to open a facility designed to be an open place for all. Based on this feedback, students will have access to workshops on social issues, a library on equity and diversity topics, book clubs, documentary showings on diversity-related topics, advocacy opportunities, celebrations and more.

���This is a place where no matter your race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexuality, or gender, you are fully welcomed,��� Kresse said. ���A place where we can feel comfortable conversing in our first language. A place where we can wear our traditional cultural attire without being stereotyped. This center is open to all students as a way to learn and grow together – a place where we can all authentically be ourselves.”

The grand opening featured opening remarks from Kresse; 厙ぴ勛圖 Chancellor Sandra Haynes; Jill Creighton, WSU dean of students and associate vice president for campus life; and Jaime Nolan, WSU associate vice president for community, equity and inclusive excellence.

Haynes said she is proud of the way students worked together with the faculty, staff and administration to make their center a reality.

厙ぴ勛圖 is the most diverse campus in the Washington State University system. The student population comprises more than 40 percent minority students and more than 40 percent of students are the first in their families to attend college.

���This is a space that will be representative of our student population and our 厙ぴ勛圖 community long into the future,��� Haynes said.

 

Media contacts:

Kristine Cody, 厙ぴ勛圖 student affairs coordinator, 509-372-7600, kristine.cody@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖 public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Regional community members, students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in a feedback session and workshop to identify goals for a new Washington State University Tri-Cities Center for Inclusion and Student Success from noon ��� 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, in Floyd 140.

During the whole event, individuals can drop by to share their thoughts on what inclusion means to them, what they want in an inclusion center, how they want the center to look and function, as well as what resources would allow for the greatest success for students and others who use the center.

At 1 p.m., 厙ぴ勛圖 Chancellor Sandra Haynes will provide a short presentation, which will be followed by remarks by Mary Jo Gonzales, WSU Vice President of Student Affairs, as well as student leaders with the Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖.

Lunch will be provided from noon-2:00 p.m. as part of the event.

���After over a year of planning and listening to the campus community, we are very excited to make the center a reality,��� said Chris Meiers, vice chancellor of student affairs. ���This is a great opportunity for both our general and campus communities to provide their feedback for the fall opening and to celebrate this milestone for our campus.���

ASWSUTC Vice President Savanna Kresse said the center will provide an immense resource for students from a variety of backgrounds.

���This is a way for us to grow inclusivity efforts at 厙ぴ勛圖 by having a space for students to authentically be themselves and to ensure that they get the resources they need,��� she said. ���The Inclusion Center also allows students to share and celebrate their diversity as well as connect with others who are both similar and different from themselves.���

The Center for Inclusion and Student Success is set to open in Fall of 2019.

 

Media contacts:

Chris Meiers, 厙ぴ勛圖 vice chancellor for student affairs, 509-372-7381, chris.meiers@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖 public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu