CWU Observer Winter 2017, Issue 5

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Fire rips through local apartment complex

BSERVER

VOL. 105 NO. 5 Feb. 9 -Feb. 15, 2017

editor @cwuobserver.com

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CAPITOL APPROACH Bryce Jungquist Xander Fu

CWU students and ASCWU members embark on a three hour trip to Olympia, Washington with the sun barely above the hills and temperatures below freezing. They had a clear goal in mind: to push legislators to back policies beneficial for CWU. Having lobbied in Olympia, Washington on Feb. 2 for CWU’s annual Lobby Day, students met with state representatives and advocated for student-related issues. Read more about CWU students and their trek to Lobby Day on pages 6-7. CWU student Yajayra Ramirez, speaks with Legislative Rep. Tom Dent about the bills proposed by ASCWU and the future effects of those bills on students.

Xander Fu/The Observer

CWU’s activities ace says good-bye Editor@cwuobserver.com

Editor’s Note: McKenzie Lakey also works as a media assistant in the Publicity Center, an office which collaborates with Campus Activities. As a young college student in the 70s, and known as one of CWU’s “Dance Kings”, Scott Drummond always knew that a piece of him was destined for a career that called for a spotlight. What he never knew, was how he could get there. But after a few years of what he described as “couch hopping and job hunting” in California, Drummond found his way back to his early roots of entertainment at CWU. Now, after putting on thousands of shows and training over 200 student programmers, Drummond is moving forward into his next act–retirement.

Key to Campus Life

The snow may have piled by the inches last week and the temperature sat well below freezing, but more than 50 staff members still gathered in the third floor

of the SURC on Thursday, Feb. 2, to celebrate Drummond’s retirement after 25 years as the director of Campus Activities. A handful donned their own khaki shorts as a nod to his unique 365-day work attire–just a small piece of Drummond’s big personality that he brings to the job every day. “Outside of work I think he’s the same, which is why I think people are drawn to him,” said Sarah Grant, Drummond’s daughter. “He’s not trying to put on a mask.” But as paper cutouts fashioned into masks that resemble Drummond’s wellknown smile made their way around the room last Thursday, the real Drummond was standing in a corner, watching the spectacle of his own party unfold before him. “I don’t know what to do at these things,” he said quietly, almost as though he was thinking out loud. “I’m always on the other side.” McKenzie Lakey/The Observer

- See full story on page 5

By Andrew Kollar sports@cwuobserver.com

news@cwuobserver.com | @CWUObserver

By McKenzie Lakey

CWU Athletics may soon face concussions head on with new technology

Scott Drummond plays with his grandson, Atticus, in the SURC Pit prior to his final concert as director of Campus Activities on Friday, Feb. 3.

Through the efforts of Chris De Villeneuve, the executive director of the Student Medical and Counseling Clinic, CWU has an opportunity to be on the cutting edge of diagnosing brain injuries at sporting events. The seriousness of head injuries in sports is just now being brought to light with the movie Concussion with Will Smith and doctors and scientists claiming that sports could have long term effects on the brain. The movie Concussion is about a doctor (Will Smith) who discovers that the NFL is to blame for players having brain damage called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Doctors and scientists have proved that head injuries lead to negative long-term effects on the brain. The link between football and brain injury is clear considering the Department of Veteran affairs found that 76 of 79 former professional football players had evidence of CTE. The potential for brain damage reaches further than professional sports. There is an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions related to sports and recreational activities that occur in the United States each year, according to Brainline.org. Although there is no way to eliminate concussions in sports, there is a way to diagnose concussions on the spot. Brainscope is a portable and easy-to-use technology that uses electrochemical reactions to detect even the smallest amount of bruising to the brain. The device uses a head-strap containing multiple sensors that connect to a device with similar dimensions to a smartphone. “It’s an amazing piece of equipment, not only will it give the first objective test for concussions but it’ll save lives,” De Villeneuve said. The product by Brainscope is called the “Ahead 300” and the cost, according to De Villeneuve, is expected to be around $7,500 per device. CWU is expected to purchase 10 devices, having multiple devices will allow for Brainscope to be available during all organized sporting events and intramurals. - See “Concussions” page 12

IN OTHER NEWS Marijuana plants the tourism seed

CWU’s maintenance clears the way

International Valentine’s Day

Men’s rugby on the pitch

In states where recreational weed is legal, marijuana based tourism, dubbed “Canna-tourism,” pulls in out-of-town travelers.

While Ellensburg endures winter weather advisories, campus groundskeepers suit up and embrace the cold to clear out the snow.

From homemade chocolates for friends, to a classic romantic outing, CWU’s international students discuss their own Valentine’s Day traditions.

After a solid season that led them to the semi-finals last year, men’s rugby is back and looking to claim the Varsity Cup this season.

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