Recreation
Backcountry Squatters’ plans derailed by COVID-19
By Talus Lantz | May 7Eva Copley just wanted to hang out with a bunch of other women, outside, exploring the backcountry around Bellingham.
Western
Environment
Campus is seeing more scavenging than studying lately
By The Front | May 6Saving baby raccoons, controlling bats in residence halls and taking in orphaned kittens are all a part of the job for Western’s pest biologist, Sarah Neugebauer.
Administration
BREAKING: Western will require vaccines for fall quarter
By Emily Bishop | May 5Western Washington University will require COVID-19 vaccinations for students, faculty, and staff returning to campus for the 2021 school year.
Campus
Are Western students ready to return to campus in fall?
By Hannah VanO | May 5As Whatcom County moves into Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan, restaurants open up to 50% capacity and Western plans for in-person classes starting fall quarter.
Campus
WWU QueerCon turned into video game
By Cameron Martinez | May 4WWU QueerCon held their annual art convention on April 24 on the online platform Gather. This is their fifth convention and the second one to be held online.
Campus
Students with small businesses share their art
By Brianna Poulos | May 3Western Washington University students have turned their art and passions into small businesses, working from their homes to create imaginative and ambitious brands.
Campus
Ridgeway dorms: from party zone to isolation
By Cameron Martinez | May 3Western Washington University’s student housing requires that students diagnosed with COVID-19 live in isolation in the Ridgeway residence halls during a 10-day isolation period. This area of campus that was once home to parties is now an isolation zone.
Campus
Western postpones forum on fall return, citing rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation
By Nate Sanford , Caroline Brooks and Kelton Burns | April 29Citing Washington’s rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, President Sabah Randhawa announced Thursday morning that Western Washington University will be postponing a Q&A forum on fall reopening until further notice.
Culture & Religion
Coast Salish style longhouse to be built on Western's campus
By Nicola Wasmuth | April 28After the Native American Student Union made demands for a Coast Salish style longhouse to be built on campus five years ago, Western Washington University confirmed a proposal in August.
Health & Wellness
Should Western require the COVID-19 vaccine for fall 2021?
By Torie Wold | April 27After a long year of remote learning, Western Washington University students are eager to get back into the classroom. As vaccinations continue to roll out across the country, returning to normal routines feels closer than ever. But not if everyone doesn’t do their part.
Health & Wellness
Outdoor center expands offerings amid pandemic
By The Front | April 27By Rowan Forsythe
Campus
Concerns raised by students of color loom as WWU’s Honors Program becomes an honors college
By Zoë Parker | April 26As Western’s Honors Program begins the transition to being called the Honors College, expected to finalize in fall 2022, honors students of color remain concerned about diversity, equity and inclusion moving forward.
Recreation
It’s sunny again; here are some local resources to help you make the most of it
By Hannah VanO | April 26It’s been over a year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, and hiking trails and parks are starting to get busier.
Administration
Q&A with Joyce Lopes, Western’s new VP for business and financial affairs
By Zoë Parker | April 26On April 3 President Randhawa announced the hiring of Joyce Lopes as the new vice president of business and financial affairs. Lopes will assume her new role on July 1.
Campus
Exploring Western at virtual Admitted Student Day
By Brianna Poulos | April 23Virtual Admitted Student Day is on April 17 and is being hosted via Zoom to welcome incoming freshmen, transfer students and their families to Western Washington University.
Campus
New enrollment for fall 2021 hold stake in budget planning
By Zoë Parker | April 21The results of new student enrollment numbers for fall 2021 impact budgeting and financial prospects for the upcoming biennium. The effects of enrollment are expected to be better understood in May, as students across the country commit to colleges and universities.
City & County
Western’s newest admit: a murder hornet
By Cameron Martinez | April 21Western Washington University has become the first university in the United States to obtain an Asian giant hornet. The hornet is from a radio giveaway on Bellingham’s classic rock station 92.9 KISM.
Administration
Student trustee seat open
By Jason Upton | April 19Western Washington University’s Board of Trustees have begun their selection process for the next Student Trustee, a job crucial to having student voices heard by the university.
Campus
In a time of increased anti-Asian hate, Asian students gain new networking space
By Jacob O'Donnell | April 19Content warning: This article contains language and stories about incidents of violence and assault against racial minorities.
