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By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

All content by Abigail Duchow
Seniors say goodbye: So long CWU, and thanks for the piece of paper

Seniors say goodbye: So long CWU, and thanks for the piece of paper

Abigail Duchow, Editor-in-Chief
June 2, 2021

My time at CWU was short and sweet. Any longer and I probably would have completely lost my mind along the way.  I did running start at Wenatchee Valley College and was able to get two years of college...

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Review: “Neon Genesis Evangelion” and “The End of Evangelion”

Abigail Duchow, Columnist
April 7, 2021

In light of “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0,” the fourth and final movie in the “Rebuild of Evangelion” series, being released in Japan, I decided to rewatch the original Japanese mecha anime series “Neon...

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Making a case against the holidays

Making a case against the holidays

Abigail Duchow, Columnist
January 12, 2021

I don’t think holidays are really as great as they’re made out to be by Hallmark movies. Holidays have become a commercialized plague of stress, money and health problems that include very little reward. Stress...

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City council subcommittee and SAAC talk racism and discrimination in Ellensburg

Abigail Duchow, Scene Editor
November 11, 2020

CWU students on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) described their experiences with racism and discrimination in Ellensburg to a subcommittee of the city council in a Zoom listening session...

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Jackson Stoffel starred in “The Three O’clock Hour: Premature Burial."

[Photo] Theatre’s tell-tale performance

Aeryn Kauffman, Copy Desk Chief/Opinion Editor
November 10, 2020

"The Five O’Clock Hour: Masquerade” was inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s story “The Masque of the Red Death.” The story is about partygoers catching a plague, or the “Red Death."

Theatre department brings Edgar Allan Poe paintings to life

Theatre department brings Edgar Allan Poe paintings to life

Abigail Duchow, Scene Editor
November 3, 2020

On Nov. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. the theatre department will be bringing Edgar Allan Poe’s paintings to life as a live art exhibit. Small physically distanced groups are invited to walk around the exterior of...

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National Transfer Student Week is a way that CWU assists people that have transferred from other colleges feel at home in Ellensburg.

[Photo] CWU welcomes transfer students with National Transfer Student Week events

Jayce Kadoun, Staff Reporter
October 20, 2020

National Transfer Student Week is a way that CWU assists people that have transferred from other colleges feel at home in Ellensburg.

The discussion feature was removed from CWU Connect app (above) after political arguments.

[Photo] Discussion feature removed from CWU Connect app following political arguments

The discussion feature was removed from CWU Connect app (above) after political arguments.

Christian Castilleja, treasurer (left) and Heidi Flores-Montiel, president (right) of the Environmental Club tabling at the club fair.

The club fair looked different this year

Abigail Duchow, Scene Editor
September 29, 2020

After checking in for contact tracing using their student IDs, masked students browsed the various clubs that were being tabled for on Chestnut Mall outside the SURC on Sept. 25. Students mingled with...

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Christian Castilleja, treasurer (left) and Heidi Flores-Montiel, president (right) of the Environmental Club tabling at the club fair.

[Photo] Chase what you love, don’t chase money

David Hartless, Columnist
September 29, 2020

Christian Castilleja, treasurer (left) and Heidi Flores-Montiel, president (right) of the Environmental Club tabling at the club fair.

Rally participants held up flags representing various things they believe in.

Locals hold rally in support of Trump and conservatives

Abigail Duchow, Scene Editor
September 29, 2020

A group of people supporting President Trump gathered on Sept. 25 at South Entry Park on the corner of Canyon Road and Mountain View Avenue. Onlookers in cars stared, honked and sped by. Some thrusted...

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The media: a vital part of democracy

The media: a vital part of democracy

Abigail Duchow, Scene Editor
September 24, 2020

For a while now I’ve seen memes floating around Facebook and Twitter saying we should “abolish the media” or “defund the media.” I would just like to say that is exactly the opposite of what...

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The air quality in Ellensburg has been unsafe at various times during the last several weeks causing the cancellation of events and classes.

CWU cancels events due to unhealthy air quality

Abigail Duchow, Scene Editor
September 24, 2020

Wildfires have been raging over the west coast for weeks now, and due to the poor air quality caused by them, several on-campus events have had to be canceled.  Assistant Director of Campus Activities...

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Casey Rothgeb

Campus complies with COVID-19 conditions

Abigail Duchow, Scene Editor
September 15, 2020

As schools reopen in the age of COVID-19, students are reacting to newly implemented guidelines on campus and in Ellensburg. The guidelines include things such as mask-wearing, social distancing and...

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Passing time in the pandemic

Abigail Duchow, Scene Editor
September 15, 2020

While young people in the late 1960s spent their time in the summer of love, young people in 2020 had to spend their time in the summer of COVID-19. Hanging out while social distancing, creating cocktails...

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https://cwuobserver.com/staff_profile/tiffany-tablang/

Student Welcomes help students build connections and communities

Abigail Duchow, Scene Editor
September 15, 2020

The student welcome events at CWU are organized to bring groups of students together. There are several student welcomes: an LGBTQ+ Student Welcome, Black Student Welcome, Latinx Student Welcome and Native...

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The street outside of Ellensburg City Hall where organizers plan to paint a Black Lives Matter mural.

[Photo] Organizers raise over $5,000 for Ellensburg BLM mural in one day

Mitchell Roland, Senior Reporter
July 18, 2020

The street outside of Ellensburg City Hall where organizers plan to paint a Black Lives Matter mural.

CWU international students cope with fast-changing ICE rules

CWU international students cope with fast-changing ICE rules

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
July 15, 2020

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DOH) recently released new rules about what qualifies nonimmigrant international students to hold a student visa...

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America was built on looting and riots

Abigail Duchow, Columnist
June 9, 2020

Recently protests have sparked from the death of an unarmed black man named George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minnesota. Stemming from these protests, there have been instances of rioting...

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ASCWU election results are in

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
June 3, 2020

The 2020-21 ASCWU Executive Board has been officially voted for and results are in. Overall, there were 560 votes cast for the ASCWU elections.    ASCWU President: Mickael Candelaria The...

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New student orientation tentative plans for summer 2020

New student orientation tentative plans for summer 2020

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
May 13, 2020

Orientation is one of many campus activities impacted by COVID-19. To follow the Stay Safe, Stay Healthy guidelines set by Gov. Jay Inslee, CWU has had to create new plans for orientation. These new plans...

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Community holds birthday parade for Health Officer Dr. Larson

Community holds birthday parade for Health Officer Dr. Larson

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
April 29, 2020

Cars filled the parking lot of the church until the lot was nearly full. Children helped decorate their parents’ cars, and dogs poked their heads out of windows to excitedly look around at all the commotion....

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Animal Crossing: New Horizons game review

Animal Crossing: New Horizons game review

Abigail Duchow, Columnist
April 27, 2020

I’ve been putting major work into Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). More work than school? Maybe...but that’s not the point. This game has been super entertaining while being locked away in my...

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CWU implements pass or fail grade options

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
April 22, 2020

Due to all classes being taught online, CWU has implemented a system to help students succeed in a learning environment they may not be familiar with. The system CWU will be using for spring 2020 is pass...

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Virtual events to be hosted by CWU during spring quarter

Virtual events to be hosted by CWU during spring quarter

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
April 15, 2020

To keep students engaged and entertained, even while being at home, CWU is putting on virtual events throughout the quarter. Many of these events will be held via Zoom, a video conference app, and other...

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Virtual health services offered during COVID-19

Virtual health services offered during COVID-19

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
April 15, 2020

Many of the health services provided to students during the usual school year will still be provided virtually. These services include Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services, Wellness Center...

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COVID-19 changes impact education majors

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
April 15, 2020

Due to COVID-19, CWU made the decision for all classes to be taught online, and K-12 education is now closed for the rest of the school year. These changes impact education majors, as a lot of them need...

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SB 5395 mandates comprehensive sex ed in Washington schools

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
April 9, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill on March 27 requiring comprehensive sexual education to be taught in public schools in the state of Washington. The bill will change how sex ed is taught in grades K-12. Requirements...

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Graphic by Teagan Kimbro/The Observer

COVID-19 restrictions mandated but not enforced

Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
March 29, 2020

The “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order mandates that all people in Washington State must immediately cease leaving their home except to do essential activities like grocery shopping, getting medical services...

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Teagan Kimbro

Getting your money’s worth: why we should have less general education classes

Abigail Duchow, Columnist
March 11, 2020

General education classes (gen eds) seem like a waste of money. The classes could be removed, or at least reduced. According to the US Department of Education, the average cost of attending CWU is $14,382...

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Riel Hanson

Club Council discusses new elected position

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 11, 2020

New Position: Interclub Associate President The VP of Clubs and Organizations, Ashley Klippert, described the new position that will be replacing her current position. The new position is titled Interclub...

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Riel Hanson

Ellensburg blue agate unique to Kittitas County

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 11, 2020

Ellensburg blue agate is a gemstone that is unique in that it is only found in Kittitas County. It was discovered in 1905 by the first mayor of Ellensburg, Austin Miers. It has since become a staple of...

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Téa Green

Academic Affairs VP position gone

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 4, 2020

The senate discussed changes that are being applied to the ASCWU Constitution. The position of Vice President for academic affairs will be removed and replaced with the position of Senate Speaker....

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L&L building falling apart

L&L building falling apart

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 4, 2020

The representative for the History department, Björn Pellmyr, described one of his experiences with the elevator in the Language and Literature (L&L) building. He said a couple of weeks ago, a student...

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Téa Green

Wellness center seeks new space

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
March 4, 2020

“Students have no confidential space to discuss intimate partner violence, recovery, and mental health,” was the beginning to a resolution regarding the Wellness Center. The Wellness Center was a topic...

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Téa Green

Women’s Voting Rights Day introduced for February

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
February 12, 2020

On Feb. 3, the city council passed a proclamation that Feb. 14 will be Women’s Voting Rights Day. The proclamation was proposed by the League of Women Voters of Kittitas County. The proclamation was...

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Teagan Kimbro

Penalties for pushing paper products

Abigail Duchow, Columnist
February 6, 2020

Recently, CWU has switched to using only paper cups, and seems to be slowly replacing plastic straws with paper straws. The push for paper products is well-intentioned, but may not be the change the planet...

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Téa Green

Josh Hibbard: New VP of Enrollment

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
February 6, 2020

Josh Hibbard has been appointed as the new CWU Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management As VP of Enrollment, Hibbard will oversee financial services and enrollment for both new and continuing...

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Teagan Kimbro

‘Arts building’ controversy

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
January 29, 2020

A survey on CWU Ideas has sparked controversy among students and professors. The survey, created by a choral music education student named Andrew Gompf, pitches for a new arts complex. The survey says...

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Paneal Holland

ADA changes in Ellensburg

Abigail Duchow, Staff Reporter
January 22, 2020

One of the City of Ellensburg’s responsibilities is to make sure the sidewalks and buildings around town are up-to-date with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. The plan includes...

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