Food-service provider Aramark to take over as

WF
T h e
W e s t e r n
The Gist
Quote of the day: “Western needs
to offer programs outside of its own
sphere of relevance. There are things
that matter outside of Bellingham,”
Western senior Gianni Butler said,
regarding the proposed cut of the
Arabic and Islamic studies program.
See full story below the fold, page 1.
Food for
show
One Western student
takes a stab at the
Japanese grilling
technique hibachi Pg. 8
F r o n t
M a y 2 0 , 2 0 1 1 | Vo l . 1 5 4 | I s s u e 1 5
Sodexo’s out
By TJ Cotterill
Multiple employees of Western
received alarming and disturbing
emails that have recently escalated into
continued threats of harm, University
officials said Thursday, May 19.
Western is actively working with
local and federal officials, including
the FBI, to investigate the threats, said
Paul Cocke, director of University
Communications. The person is in
a country overseas, is in no way
affiliated with Western, and does not
pose an imminent threat to the campus,
Cocke said.
Soccer star: Western graduate
Gibson Bardsley
is playing
professionally for the Charlotte
Eagles in North Carolina. He is the
third Viking soccer player to move
on to the professional level. See full
story on page 10.
Community service award: Western
has been selected for the national
2010 President’s Higher Education
Community Service Honor Roll
with Distinction award, an award
recognizing universities that show
exemplary community service.
Alternative Energy Panel: The
Associated Students Environmental
Center will be partnering with Civil
Controversy to host an Alternative
Energy Panel 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 24
in Academic West Room 204.
Faces of campus
Continued on page 2
photo by Colin Diltz
FOOD SHAKE UP: Western students Felicia Drone, left, and Alicia Statler study in
Zoe’s Bookside Bagels, which is currently run by Sodexo. Aramark will be taking over
Sodexo’s contract in fall.
Food-service provider Aramark to take over
as university ends Sodexo contract 1 year early
By Kelly Sullivan
& Grace Moore
Aramark, a Philadelphia-based foodservice
provider, will be taking over Western’s dining
services in fall 2011.
The $12.6-billion company beat out
Sodexo, Western’s foodservice provider for
the past 50 years, in a bid for the 10-year
contract with the university. Until the contract
has been finalized, it will remain unclear how
much the university will save by switching to
Aramark.
“It was entirely a business decision,”
said Paul Cocke, director of University
Continued on page 4
Huxley map library evicted
By Marta Helpenstell
Check out a photo essay
tour of the people that
attend, live and work at
Western. Pg. 6-7.
Gateway
Pacific:
Bellingham
business owner Craig Cole will
discuss the pros and cons of the
controversial Gateway Pacific coal
terminal during his presentation,
“Gateway Pacific Terminal: A Case
Study” at 3 p.m. Friday, May 20 in
Communications Facility Room 125.
FBI called in
to investigate
threats against
Western faculty
The Huxley College Map Library will shut its
doors in Arntzen Hall and reopen tentatively in
Wilson Library this June.
Chris Cox, dean of Western Libraries, said
there is possibility a food establishment will
take the map library’s place.
“It’s all in response to budget cuts,” Cox
said. “We haven’t been able to hire much staff
and we’ve had to reduce hours (of the library)
at the Arntzen location.”
Map librarian Rob Lopresti said the core
part of the library would be moved to Wilson
170 and the everything else will be stored in an
undecided location off campus.
Cox said the rest of the library would go
into an off-site storage location, but it could
also stay in Arntzen, or temporarily in Wilson.
He said part of the collection included things
that might not be needed anymore or aren’t
Continued on page 4
photo by Sarah C. Richardson
MAPS: Freshman Katherine Murphy
reshelves atlases on Wednesday, May
18, in the Huxley College Map Library.
Students protest
proposed cuts
to Arabic and
Islamic studies
By Brian Corey
Students of the Arabic and Islamic
studies program, wearing “Save
Arabic” T-shirts, gathered to protest
the proposed elimination of their
curriculum Thursday, May 19 in
Red Square.
President of the Arabic Club,
junior Andrew Maxwell, said
Arabic students wanted to raise
awareness about the danger of the
program being cut. There are about
40 students in the upper-division
classes, he said.
Arabic language students and
others signed one of the T-shirts
and planned to give it to Western
President Bruce Shepard. It will
show him there is support of the
program from across the university,
Maxwell said.
“If the Arabic language
(program) is cut we will lose a
valuable part of what this university
is about,” Maxwell said, “which is
culture.”
Amid a 13 percent budget cut
from the state, Western officials are
planning to cut and merge many
different majors, according to a
May 4 email from Shepard and
Associated Students President Colin
Watrin.
Continued on page 5
2
| News
See more online at
westernfrontonline.net
Friday, May 20, 2011 | The Western Front
Cops Box
Bellingham Police
May 17
License to steal
A man was found in possession
of stolen license plates at 1:06
p.m. in the 100 block of North
Samish Way.
May 18
Stop and sniff
Officers pulled over a van at 10:34
p.m. in the 2800 block of Lakeway
Drive. A strong odor of freshly
burnt marijuana was emanating
from the van. Both occupants were
cited for possessing marijuana.
Tipped off
Officers are still looking for a man
who stole a tip jar at 8:40 p.m.
from a business in the 1100 block
of Railroad Avenue.
photo by Michelle Naranjo
KETTLE KID: Jeremiah Turner, 21, makes a fresh batch of kettle corn on May 19 inside the Wild West
Kettle Korn cart. Turner served bags of kettle corn to hungry Western students before the showing
of the movie “Tron: Legacy” on the Communications Facility lawn. The event drew more than 150
students who sat on a plethora of blankets as they enjoyed the film.
Downtown flea market moves AS considers
$2 increase
to student fee
By Richard Grunert
O’Donnell’s Bellingham Flea Market will
be moving from Cornwall Avenue to a new
location on West Chestnut Street May 23.
The move was triggered by the
expiration of owner Dan O’Donnell’s
lease, as well as rising rent prices at the
University official
says threats remain
under investigation
From page 1
The messages originally focused on
one Western faculty member and were
viewed as harassment. Cocke said the
messages recently became threatening
and have included other members of
Western’s staff.
“I can’t get into any further details
about the messages because we don’t
want to further victimize the victim,”
market’s current building.
With the move, he said he hopes the
new location will be cheaper and better
for business.
Its proximity to the Bellingham
Farmers Market should bring in more
customers, said Christian McDermott,
O’Donnell’s assistant manager.
Cocke said, “and we want to protect the
faculty member’s privacy.”
He could not specifically say how
many messages have been sent and how
long the victim has received them because
an investigation is still in progress.
He did say there have been more
than a few of the messages, and the
faculty member has received them for
an extended period of time.
Cocke said there is a gray area on
what sort of penalty the suspect could
face, but there are state and federal cyber
laws against sending such messages.
He said if anyone receives harassing
or threatening messages, that person
should not reply and immediately notify
the University Police at 360- 650-3555.
“Like”
WF Western Front
The
on
facebook
By Rachel Howland
The Non-Academic Building Fee may
be increased by $2 to fund the Viking
Union. The fee would be increased to
$39 by fall 2011.
The Non-Academic Building Fee
is paid by students each quarter. It goes
toward the maintenance of non-academic
buildings.
Last year the board raised the fee
from $35 to $37.
Associated Students president Colin
Watrin said the state does not fund nonacademic buildings such as the VU, so
the fee must be raised to help maintain
the building.
Watrin said funding for the VU
has been cut by the university, but the
operational cost of the building has gone
up. He said if the board did not increase
the fee, it would have to start using
reserve money to pay for the building.
Ben Brockman, AS vice president
for Business and Operations, was the
only member to vote against the fee
increase.
“I’m worried because this is an 11
percent increase over a two-year period,
when the inflation of money has only
been 5 percent,” Brockman said.
Brockman said the VU has also been
eliminating student jobs to save money.
He said he is worried because he does
not think this fee increase will reverse
the effect.
The board will vote to finalize the
fee increase in June.
WF
The Western Front
Western Washington University
Communications Facility 251
Bellingham, WA 98225
Editor-in-Chief
Benjamin Woodard
Managing Editor
Caleb Hutton
News Editors
Sarah Aitchison
Brianna Gibbs
Features Editors
Brianne Beets
Jonathan Kull
Sports Editor
Nick Schiffler
Opinion Editor
Amanda McIntosh
Online Editor
Celeste Erickson
Photo Editor
Colin Diltz
Copy Editors
Sarah Wehmann
Tyler Yee
Faculty Adviser
Jack Keith, [email protected]
Editorial Department
Newsroom: 360-650-3162
Communications Facility 222
Letters to the editor:
[email protected]
Send press releases to:
[email protected]
Advertising Department
360-650-3160
Michele Anderson, advertising manager
Alethea Macomber, business manager
The Western Front is published twice weekly in the fall, winter and spring quarters, and once a week in the summer. The
Western Front is the official newspaper of Western Washington
University, published by the Student Publications Council and
is mainly supported by advertising. Opinions and stories in the
newspaper have no connection to advertising. News content is
determined by student editors. Staff reporters are involved in
a course in the department of journalism, but any student enrolled at Western may offer stories to the editors. Members of
the Western community are entitled to a single free copy of each
issue of the Western Front.
NEWS |
westernfrontonline.net | Friday, May 20, 2011
3
Homelessness on the rise, shelters say
By Emma Chadband
Despite what the Whatcom County Health
Department said about homelessness
decreasing in Whatcom County, The
Lighthouse Mission Ministries has
recently seen an increase in the number
of homeless people it serves.
The
health
department
said
homelessness has declined by 18 percent
in a May 15 press release. But Aaron
Speyer, New Life Program Chaplain at The
Lighthouse Mission Ministries, said the
population at the shelter has doubled since
he started working there four years ago.
The mission continues to provide
free meals and temporary shelter to
the homeless in Whatcom County.
The mission also provides transitional
housing for those who are not using
drugs so they can transition to a more
sustainable form of living.
Speyer also said he attributes the rapid
increase in the number of people they serve
mostly to the economic downturn.
“We’ve seen an increase in people with
qualifications in the workplace,” he said.
The increase in shelter population
has been of people that have associate
degrees and job skills. He said there used
to be jobs available to these people, but
more people are applying for the same
entry-level positions.
The health department fanned out
across the county and counted each
homeless person it saw. Based on those
numbers and previous numbers, it
concluded that homelesness has decreased.
The county set a goal in 2008 to cut
homelessness in half by the year 2015.
photo by Sarah C. Richardson
A MEAL FOR THE NEEDY: Community members eat dinner at The Drop-In
Center at the Lighthouse Mission Ministries. The center serves 60 to 80 meals a
day to the homeless five days a week.
Ron Buchinski, executive director at
the mission, said the health department
may have seen a decrease in homeless
people at one certain time, but the results
do not necessarily mean a decrease in
homelessness overall.
“It’s like they’re just taking a statistic
from a certain guy at a certain place,” he
said. “Then going to that same place and
seeing that he’s not there, so he must not
be homeless.”
Buchinski said the count does not
take into account people who have left
the area or who have died.
The Agape House, also run by the
mission, provides shelter for homeless
women and children.
In 2010, the mission and Agape
House served about 117,400 meals to
homeless people.
Greg Winter, director of the
Whatcom Homeless Service Center and
Opportunity Council, said it’s possible
that specific shelters could have increases
in the number of people they serve. The
county's survery on homeless numbers
is intended only to be a snapshot of the
county’s homeless population at a certain
time, he said.
The council is one of 30 programs in
Washington.
Winter said it’s remarkable that there
has been a decrease in the number of
homeless people, despite the economic
recession.
“It used to be only five people
applied for a job at McDonald’s or
with a temp agency,” Winter said.
“But now 50 or 100 people all apply
for those positions.”
Federal funding to aid the homeless
has been cut drastically.
Whatcom
County
homeless
programs have found funding from other
services, including a $150,000 grant from
the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
to help homeless victims of domestic
violence find permanent housing.
Despite these new sources of
funding, data released by the health
department implies that people are
still struggling to survive on their own.
The number of people who have had to
move in with friends and family due to
economic hardships has increased by 24
percent, according to data released by the
county health department.
The unemployment rate in Whatcom
County has nearly doubled in the last
four years, from 4.9 percent in 2008 to
9.6 percent in 2011, according to the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
4 | NEWS
Friday, May 20, 2011 | The Western Front
About half of
map library
may be stored
off campus
From page 1
immediately relevant, such as government
documents.
Cox said because the room in Wilson
is a contained location, the library could
keep its identity as a collection of maps.
He said he hoped the move would
encourage more students to learn about
the library.
“Generally, the map library serves
students and faculty from Huxley,
geology and biology,” Cox said. “Regular
off-campus users include the Lummi
Department of Natural Resources,
Whatcom Environment Consulting and
the City of Bellingham.”
Founded in 1957 by Western’s
geography department, the Huxley
College Map Library is the second-largest
map collection in Washington, according
to Western’s website. Luke Jensen, a senior majoring in
geography, said he is frustrated the library
is changing locations.
“It’s going to suck because all of the
environmental classes are right next to it,”
Jensen said. “The Huxley major area is
there, too. It’s been nice to have that all
in one place.”
Ethical practices
not cited as reason
for termination
From page 1
Communications.
“The
university
consulted with professionals in the field.
With just one year left in the (Sodexo)
contract, the decision was made to take
advantage of the good bid environment.”
The university cut its current Sodexo
contract short by one year after making
the decision to open the bidding process
in April 2010.
Western made the decision to pick
Aramark in part because the company
plans to address themes important to the
university, including sustainability, local
partnerships and healthy food offerings,
Cocke said.
Local partnerships
Cocke said the future of partnerships with
local food providers will be determined
after the terms of the contract with Aramark
have been finalized.
Growing Washington, a local nonprofit
organization that provides produce from
Washington farms to Western’s dining
halls through Sodexo, was contacted by
Aramark before Western approved the bid
proposal, said Clayton Burrows, Growing
Washington’s executive director.
Burrows said Aramark wants to
continue the partnership with farms in
the area and increase the amount of local
produce supplied to Western’s dining halls.
Local vendor Tony’s Coffee said it has
not been contacted by Aramark about next
year’s contract.
“We love supplying food to Western,
photo by Sarah C. Richardson
MAPPING IT OUT: Dennis Matthews, a Wilson Library employee, and freshman Katherine Murphy, work in the Huxley
College Map Library on Wednesday, May 18. Matthews has worked for Western’s libraries for 16 years and is temporarily
filling in for the map specialist, who was let go in December.
Cox said he has been working with
Huxley to keep the collection going, he
thinks the move will be beneficial.
“There will be better hours and more
staff on site to help run the library,” Cox
said. “There is a better level of service in
Wilson (than) Arntzen.”
Margot Meuleman, a senior majoring
in environmental studies, said she is
indifferent about the move.
“I already spend a lot of time in the
library, so I’m just glad the resources
will still be available,” Meuleman said.
“Maybe this way more students who
didn’t know it existed could check it out.” and we like working with the students,”
said Matt Bunn, director of sales at Tony’s
Coffee. “We were told that the contract
was changed, but we haven’t been given
any other information.”
for human rights violations.
TransAfrica Forum, a social justice
advocacy group, released a report this year
voicing concerns of Sodexo employees in
more than five different countries.
According to the report, Sodexo
hires poor, under-educated workers
who are often geographically isolated.
Workers interviewed in the report cite
alleged human rights violations, such
as docking the payroll of employees for
meals they are not given time to eat and
denying worker breaks during the day.
Other complaints mentioned in the report
include forced pregnancy tests before
renewing employment contracts, no free
speech rights, and wages that are much
money and had nothing to do with student
protests.
Emilia Sternberg, one of the students
arrested, said her group saw Western as
an exemplary university for severing its
contract with Sodexo.
“We thought if Western can
drop their contract, why can’t we?”
Sternberg said.
Aramark has also been criticized for
labor wage issues and food quality over the
last decade.
In 2008, cafeteria workers employed
by Goldman Sachs, partial owner of
Aramark, marched on Wall Street to
protest low wages. The average Goldman
Sachs employee made $660,000 a year,
while the average Aramark cafeteria
employee made $21,000 a year, union
President Bruce S. Raynor told the New
York Times. Aramark settled with the
unionized workers in February 2008.
Aramark signed a fair food agreement
in October 2010 with a Florida-based
organization that focuses on workers’
rights. Aramark agreed to increase how
much they pay for tomatoes by one penny
per pound, which directly increased
workers’ wages.
The agreement came after the group
partnered with a student-run organization
that rallied university students to put
pressure on Aramark to improve the working
conditions of their tomato suppliers.
Aramark was included on the
2010 list of the world’s most ethical
companies, compiled by the Ethisphere
Institute, a research organization focused
on business ethics.
The only other company to make the
institute’s list under the “food service”
category was Sodexo.
Additional reporting by Samantha
Wohlfeil.
Jobs
Aramark’s 10-year contract states that all
current non-management dining services
employees who wish to continue working
in their position must be kept on staff for a
six-month probationary period, according
to a university press release.
Rob Bialek, a student employee for
University Dining Services, said full-time
employees have been talking about the
possibility of losing their jobs.
“
We thought if Western can drop their
contract, why can’t we?
“I don’t think any students will really
have to worry about losing their jobs,”
Bialek said. “It’s mostly people who are
making policies and people in managerial
positions that might be affected.”
Sodexo employees received an email
this week from Dining Services asking
those who wish to return to fill out a
survey. The email explained that although
Sodexo will not be their employer next
year, current student employees will still
be given priority for student shifts.
Company controversy
Sodexo has long been criticized by activists
Emilia Sternberg
University of Washington student
lower than those reported by Sodexo.
Students across the United States have
protested against Sodexo’s alleged human
rights violations. Twenty-seven students at
the University of Washington were arrested
May 11 for protesting Sodexo’s presence
on their campus.
“The result of the bid should not
detract from the fact that Sodexo was a
strong partner in advancing our dining
services program at Western with quality
personnel,” Cocke said.
But Cocke said the switch from
Sodexo, a France-based international
food service company, was mostly to save
News |
westernfrontonline.net | Friday, May 20, 2011
5
Students consider
Arabic program
too good to lose
From page 1
According to the proposed academic
cuts, one reason for the consideration to
eliminate the program is because no major
or minor is offered in the Arabic language
program.
But a major is available in Arabic
studies, said Gianni Butler, a declared
Arabic and Islamic studies major.
The degree is a student and faculty
designed degree through the department
of liberal studies. Butler declared his
major two years ago. He has also helped
many other students design and declare
their degrees in the same concentration.
“In order to stay relevant,” Butler
said, “Western needs to offer programs
outside of its own sphere of relevance.
There are things that matter outside of
Bellingham.”
Western also has a 28 to 30 credit
minor in Arabic and Islamic studies,
according to the department of liberal
studies’ website.
Western officials want to make the
program sustainable, graduate student
Whitney Frazier said. At this point, that
would ultimately lead to the demise of the
program, she said.
The rebasing proposal also stated that
attracting qualified faculty to teach Arabic
studies has been problematic.
Arabic professor Linda Istanbulli,
the only current teacher of the language,
is leaving Western at the end of the
photo by Michelle Naranjo
SAVE ARABIC: Western junior Cory Atkins spray paints a piece of cardboard on May 19 in Red Square during a protest
to save the Arabic program at Western. The Arabic program is one of the many programs currently being affected by
Western's ongoing budget cuts.
academic year on her own terms. She was
present at the protest to show support for
the students, but she declined to comment
on the matter.
Students within the department are
hopeful of finding a qualified replacement
professor, Frazier said.
The program is one that should be
expanded, not cut, Frazier said. Culture,
history, religion and a more intricate language
program should be introduced, she said.
Current events constantly put
Americans into places where this
language is spoken, Butler said, noting
the Middle East.
Butler said other languages should
be considered for cuts before Arabic.
Mongolian, Italian and German are
languages he said are less influential on
current world affairs.
“I acknowledge the history of
Mongolia is important,” Butler said.
“But in today’s world, what do you hear
in the news? Not Mongolia.”
6|
Friday, May 20, 2011 | The Western Front
Features
westernfrontonline.net | Friday, May 20, 2011 |
7
CAMPUS AWAKENS
Photos by Michelle Naranjo and Sarah C. Richardson
S
unshine, an escape from the treacherous winter weather, is beginning to break through
at Western. Students and staff alike start to enjoy the first glimpse of summer. From
breakdancing to baby-sitting, making coffee to bringing a lovable pet to school, these activities
are what make the Western community diverse.
BREAK IT DOWN: Western junior Jonathan Thomas, top left, breakdances on Wednesday,
May 18, in Red Square. Thomas has been breakdancing for three years and said once he
started, he couldn’t get enough of it. “My friend said to come with him to a practice, and I just
got so into it,” he said. Thomas said breakdancing is a great way to express yourself, but it’s
important to be safe and know your limits.
BALL O’ BUNNY: Western junior Rachel Bellamy, above, holds her bundle of a bunny
named “Moose.” Bellamy brings Moose to campus during the springtime and has even
taken him to places like Mallard Ice Cream, Costco and the Woods Coffee. Bellamy has
never gotten kicked out of a location because of Moose, because most of the time people
just get overwhelmed with how cute he is, she said. This year, Moose’s birthday fell on
Easter and Bellamy put bunny ears on him for the occasion.
A LATTE FUN: Kim Masser, bottom left, is the mohawked, mocha-making supervisor at
the Underground Coffeehouse. Masser's bubbly personality and amusing anecdotes make
students’ coffee runs to the Underground a little brighter. Creating a killer playlist for the
coffeehouse is one of Masser’s favorite things to do.
NANNY TIME: Western junior Mekenzie Sutton, left, baby-sits 11-month-old Natalie between
classes on Wednesday, May 18. Last quarter, Sutton baby-sat Natalie every day. “I’ve always
liked kids. They’re so fun to play with, and you get to be a kid yourself,” she said.
8 | features
Friday, May 20, 2011 | The Western Front
Thrills on the grill, hibachi style
How one Western senior and chef
pays the bills by playing with food
M
By Richard Grunert
eat sizzles on the
large, flat- top grill in
the center of the table.
Western senior Reed Miller
tosses an egg into the air and
breaks it in half as it lands on the
sharp edge of his spatula.
He cuts an onion and stacks
the pieces into a mountain, then
pours in vodka.
Miller uses his finger to
ignite the mountain of onions
into a ball of fire as onlookers
laugh and clap.
For Miller, this is a typical
part of his life. Miller works
as a hibachi chef at Kyoto
Steakhouse in Bellingham.
These performances are a
common sight in any Japanese
restaurant that offers “hibachi”
style cooking.
Hibachi, meaning “fire
bowl” in Japanese, is a style of
cooking where a meal is prepared
directly on the customer’s table
and is usually accompanied by
a show, consisting of cooking
tricks, by the chef.
The style originated in
Japan in 1945. Its popularity
grew after it was introduced to
the West by restaurant chain
Benihana in 1964.
Miller started at the
steakhouse bussing tables in
2009. But when a friend told him
there was an opening for a chef
position, he took it.
Charlie Kang, owner of
Kyoto Steakhouse, said when it
comes to finding his next hibachi
chef, he looks for people who are
not only skilled and entertaining
cooks, but who can also put on
a show.
“I like Reed,” Kang said.
“He likes to joke around and
take care of the customers. Some
people here are very good cooks
but are really quiet and shy.”
For his training, Miller
worked 20 hours a week for five
weeks without pay.
He would go to the
steakhouse between classes
and cook himself lunch while a
supervisor watched.
“I’d end up making my
lunch and then rushing to my
next class and just eating it
there,” Miller said.
Miller
developed
his
showmanship on his own time at
home and bought his own fork,
spatula and table knife.
For his shows, Miller starts
by introducing himself and
taking orders. After turning on
the grill, he begins by juggling
his spatulas before preparing
fried rice.
As he cooks the vegetables,
Miller performs the fiery onion
volcano trick.
When the main course
is finished, he cleans up and
juggles salt and pepper shakers
to end the show.
Emily Wiseman, Miller’s
girlfriend, said he will often
practice his show at home.
Miller said when he
approaches a table, customers
seem to be surprised at how young
he is, and that he is white.
However, it all depends
on his attitude, and most
customers quickly accept who
he is and have a good time,
Miller said.
photo by Sarah C. Richardson
FIRESTARTER: Western senior Reed Miller prepares meals on
a grill in front of his customers, a Japanese performance known
as hibachi, on Thursday, May 19, at Kyoto Steakhouse.
See more online at
www.westernfrontonline.net
Friday, May 20, 2011 | The Western Front
Frontline
OPINION | 9
Opinions of the Editorial Board
Western silent on ethics of Sodexo, Aramark
Ever since Western announced it would
be ending its contract with Sodexo,
we’ve been hearing the same thing from
university officials: Tearing up the old
contract is not about ethics.
It’s about money, they say. But it
shouldn’t be.
We would like to say that, in Western’s
decision to replace one food vendor giant
with another, we’ve chosen the lesser of
two evils.
Right now, we’re not sure if we can.
The two giants here are Sodexo, a
company perennially accused of violating
workers’ rights, and Aramark, a somewhat
smaller company with only somewhat
more appealing ethics.
They are two of the largest foodservice
companies in the world, employing
hundreds of thousands of workers. Both
have been criticized for underpaying
their workers and showing reluctance to
embrace worker unionization.
A press release from the UW Kick
Out Sodexo Coalition states that Western
ended its relationship with the company
“after an eight-month campaign by
students protesting the company’s human
rights record.”
And while factually it’s true that a
small but devoted resistance was actively
seeking to “kick out” Sodexo at Western,
it’s not accurate to say that Sodexo is gone
because of any resistance from students,
at least according to university officials.
So Western’s emphasis that its move
away from Sodexo is strictly motivated
by money reveals a convincing PR tactic.
If Western officials believe that Aramark
is more ethically sound, why not say
so? Instead we have seen them defend
Sodexo, thanking them for their decades
of service to Western.
There are some clear business benefits
to bringing in Aramark, both for Western
and the local economy. The company
seems set to bring more local food to
Western’s campus. And if the lowest bidder
was in fact the winner here, that’s a plus,
too. Of course we want to find ways to save
money; it would be an understatement to
say that Western’s budget is tight right now.
But we must be ethical.
And maybe Aramark is, overall, the
more ethical of the two. Sometimes, the
most sound business decision happens
to be the most ethical. But to see it not
played up as such is unsettling.
The Editorial Board is comprised of
Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Woodard,
Managing Editor Caleb Hutton and
Opinion Editor Amanda McIntosh.
The Front Porch
By Owen Whitcomb
Viking Voices
Opinions from around campus
How confident are you
about finding a job
after you graduate?
Joanna Owen
Junior
“It depends, because with
just a bachelor’s degree, I’m
not super confident. The
economy is bad, and if I had a
master’s degree, I’d feel more
confident.”
Jessie Wixom
Sophomore
“I feel very confident because
I’m an industrial design major.”
Compiled by Samantha Heim
Letters to the editor
Letter to the editor policy
The Western Front has the right to edit letters to the editor for style,
accuracy and clarity before publishing. Send 200- to 500-word
letters to [email protected].
Says more coverage should be given to campus events
I was happy to see your recent article on
Ryan Brown, “Aiming for new heights,”
highlighting a student who has worked
very hard at something that is not often
appreciated. It shows good reporting
skills, and I appreciate that the reporter
sought out someone like him to highlight.
However, this seems to be the main way
the Front reports on Western’s sports
teams, especially the cross country and
track teams. There have been articles
on individual athletes before, but when
15 members of cross-country went to
nationals, there was no mention of their
achievement.
Also, I am disappointed that the
Front reporters do not write more
informative articles. While I enjoy
reading pieces about Bellingham as
a city, I would like to see more about
what’s on campus as well. There have
been many amazing programs put on by
various groups this year that have not
received the recognition and exposure
they deserve. I feel that this paper,
instead of being influenced by curious
college students, is instead turning into
a carbon copy of every other newspaper
out there, where the majority of articles
only report typical stories and events,
and don’t strive to spark any interest to
learn more.
Haley Rutherford
Western student
10
| SPORTS
See more online at
westernfrontonline.net
Friday, May 20, 2011 | The Western Front
Western soccer star playing in the pros
After excelling as a Viking, forward
Gibson Bardsley plays in Charlotte
By TJ Cotterill
From scoring the most goals in Mount
Si High School’s history to earning
the most points of any Western men’s
soccer player ever, Gibson Bardsley
has accomplished more than most ever
do in their soccer careers. But just
because his tenure as a Viking is over
doesn’t mean he’s ready to hang up the
cleats anytime soon.
Now Bardsley has added one more
accolade to his list of accomplishments:
becoming the third Western soccer player
to make it to the professional level.
Bardsley has taken his talents
to the United Soccer Leagues, two
quarters removed from his final season
as a Viking.
He signed a one-year deal with the
Charlotte Eagles and played his first
match against the Charleston Battery on
April 29 in North Carolina.
The transition hasn’t been easy.
Bardsley saw just 20 minutes of
action against Charleston, the only match
he has entered in the six the Eagles have
played. The only statistic he recorded
was a single yellow card, earned after he
took out a Charleston midfielder.
It’s a big change from his senior season
at Western, where Bardsley tied a career
record for goals (41), finished second
in career assists (18) and ranked second
nationally with 1.06 goals per game.
“It has been really humbling for
me,” Bardsley said in a phone interview.
“When you get to the professional
leagues of soccer, it’s tough to get in
because they want you to embrace that
rookie role; sit and do your time. The
style of play is a lot faster, and I still
have a lot of learning to do.”
With the help of Western coach
Travis Connell, Bardsley contacted
teams from different soccer leagues
hoping to gain more opportunities.
He spent time in the Premier
Development League playing for the
Abbotsford Mariners and the Washington
Crossfire.
He later tried out for the San Jose
Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.
“We worked closely together,
but I’ll tell you, (Bardsley) put a lot
of work into it,” Connell said. “He is
passionate about it, and he wanted to
play right away. He definitely had a
couple of opportunities to play closer
to home, but he wanted to play at the
highest level.”
After an eight-day trial, San Jose let
him go, but he later received a call from
Charlotte Eagles General Manager Tom
Engstrom.
“We were looking for a couple of
guys who could score goals,” Engstrom
said. “We looked everywhere. We
“
file photo by Jaynie Hancock
EYE ON THE GOAL: Forward Gibson Bardsley, center, scored 41 goals and
recorded 18 assists during his soccer career at Western.
His athleticism is probably the thing that seperates
him from a lot of the other players. He is so explosive,
so fast and so strong.
contacted (Connell) because we knew
that Bardsley had some very good
college statistics. We invited him to a
tryout and in the end we felt like he was
one of the guys we wanted on our team.”
Engstrom said some of the players
Bardsley competed against for a spot
on the Eagles’ roster included former
Major League Soccer players. In the end,
Engstrom said Bardsley’s energy and
willingness to improve stood out.
“We are really expecting him to
be a guy who works hard and gives us
everything he’s got,” Engstrom said.
“There are a lot of really good players in
the country and we had the opportunity
to bring in players from other countries
as well. You have to remind people that
just to make a professional team says
Travis Connell
Western soccer head coach
a lot.”
After the tryout, the Eagles offered
Bardsley a one-year deal. Engstrom did
not comment on how much it was worth.
Bardsley accepted it despite having
multiple offers from amateur teams
closer to home. He saw the opportunity
to play for the Eagles as a way to
get his foot in the door for a future in
professional soccer, making him the
third Viking player to reach that level.
Former Western goalkeeper Ben
Dragavon finished his Vikings career as
the school’s all-time leader in shutouts.
Dragavon played in Major League
Soccer for part of the 2009 season for
Seattle Sounders FC, where he was a
reserve goalkeeper.
The other player is former Viking Ian
Weinberg, who plays for the Tacoma Stars
in the Professional Arena Soccer League.
“We have definitely had a lot of
quality players in our program,” Connell
said. “(Bardsley) has raw talent, but his
athleticism is probably the thing that
separates him from a lot of the other
players. He is so explosive, so fast and
so strong.”
Bardsley said his greatest challenge
at the professional level hasn’t been on
the field, and that it’s the North Carolina
weather he’s most concerned about.
“I have been trying to get my body
used to (the weather), and I’ve been
struggling lately,” Bardsley said. “Down
in the South, it is really muggy and really
hot. It’s the biggest thing that I’ve been
trying to figure out.”
Bardsley hopes he can eventually
work his way up enough that he can
make a living from playing soccer.
“MLS would be amazing,” he said,
“and the European leagues would be a
dream come true. But I have to take it one
step at a time. I am focused on doing the
best I can do right now—doing my best at
this step so hopefully I can make that next
step to wherever.”
Sports
westernfrontonline.net | Friday, May 20, 2011
| 11
Paddling around the bay
Whatcom County
is a kayak hotspot
they have some experience, they can go
out on the bay when the water is calm
and flat.”
By Nellie Metcalfe
Western students looking out over
Bellingham Bay from the Viking Union
may only see the dilapidated waterfront
of the city. But many local kayakers see
the bay as one of the many launching
points to their escape into the marine
world of the Pacific Northwest.
“The numerous sea kayaking
opportunities in and near Bellingham
have attracted scores of paddlers,”
said Ted Wang, president of Whatcom
Association of Kayak Enthusiasts.
Three years ago, after several kayak
trips to the San Juan Islands and British
Columbia, Wang moved to Bellingham
solely to live in “excellent paddle
country.”
After sustaining an injury while
whitewater kayaking, Wang started
looking for other ways to satisfy his love
of being on water.
“Some friends and I purchased sea
kayaks,” he said. “I’ve been hooked ever
since, about 15 years now.”
Destinations such as Lummi Island,
Larrabee State Park and Chuckanut Bay
are close and enjoyable, Wang said.
“Other great destinations are around
Cypress Island and the areas between
Orcas and San Juan Islands,” Wang said,
“as well as the area surrounding Matia,
Sucia, and Patos Island.”
The Cascadia Marine Trail is another
attraction for paddlers.
The trail is a network of campgrounds
throughout the Puget Sound, specifically
for kayakers and other human- or windpowered watercrafts.
No experience? No problem
Katy Howell, an employee of Western’s
Outdoor Center, said kayak excursions
are usually the most popular of the
student trips that the center has to offer.
The Outdoor Center has six
fiberglass kayaks — two doubles and
four singles — that are used for facilityled excursions and are also available for
daily or weekend rentals. Single kayaks
cost $20 per day, or $44 for a weekend.
photo by Sarah C. Richardson
ATTACK OF THE KAYAKS: Western students Chelsea Mahnke and Julie Koch
kayak in the sun on Saturday, April 23 on Lake Whatcom.
Easy kayaking trips
Bellingham Bay
One of the best places for a
short trip, offering great views of the sunset.
Chuckanut Bay
“The high cliffs of sandstone
and weathering of the rocks is really beautiful,” said
Western sophomore Jason Davis.
Teddy Bear Cove
A small, sandy beach. “You
can kayak into the cove and look at sea stars and palm
frond fossils,” said Katy Howell, an employee at the
Outdoor Center.
Cypress Island
Located slightly southeast of
Bellingham Bay. It is a paddle for skilled kayakers.
Double kayaks are $28 per day, or $63
per weekend.
Another option for people who want
to learn more about kayaking is to sign
up for a class through the PE department.
Classes including kayak touring, sailing,
racing and sailing instructor training are
held at Western’s Lakewood facility at
Lake Whatcom.
“The best place for beginners to
start is in lakes such as Lake Whatcom
or Lake Padden,” said Jason Davis, a
Western sophomore and an Outdoor
Center kayak excursion leader. “Once
Beyond sea kayaking
If gliding through calm water is
not exhilarating enough, the paddling
community in Bellingham offers more
variety than just sea kayaking.
A fairly large, informal group holds
weekly surf ski competitions during the
summer, Wang said. Surf skis are narrow,
light-weight kayaks. Unlike traditional
kayaks, surf skis have an “open cockpit”
that allows the kayaker to sit on top of the
kayak rather than inside.
The Outdoor Center offers a two-day
whitewater kayak excursion on Whatcom
Creek.
On the first day, participants start
out on a slower stretch of the river. The
following day will “fuel your hunger for
whitewater,” according to the center’s
website.
Western junior Julie Fix is a sea
kayak and whitewater kayak excursion
leader for the Outdoor Center.
“I love both sports, but they
are completely different,” she said.
“Whitewater rafting is a lot rougher, so it
might not be for everyone.”
Fix grew up kayaking and canoeing
in Texas, but never tried whitewater
kayaking until she came to Western.
“It is very male-dominated,” Fix
said. “It feels really good to be a girl
doing such a dangerous sport.”
Paddle safety
Kayaking conditions in the Pacific
Northwest are typically cold and
unpredictable, so safety should always be
a priority.
“If we lived where the water was
75 degrees or warmer, life would be
simpler,” Wang said. “But we don’t.”
Preparation is the important aspect of
safety when kayaking, said Wang.
“This isn’t intended to scare people
away from sea kayaking, but we do have
risks that need to be mitigated,” Wang
said. “For me, kayaking is a spiritual
experience. Being on the water, in the
way you are in a kayak, can be meditative
and a great way to decompress from
everyday stresses.”
12 | ADVERTISEMENT
Friday, May 20, 2011 | The Western Front