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

Astor Powell-Pedersen

Astor Powell-Pedersen, News Editor

News Editor - Spring 2024

Staff Reporter - Winter 2024

All content by Astor Powell-Pedersen
CWU Students at Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).(Photo courtesy of Rodrigo Renteria-Valencia)

Becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution

Astor Powell-Pedersen
April 18, 2024

The federal government defines Hispanic Serving Institutions, or HSIs, as accredited institutions of higher education where 25% or more of the undergraduate population are Hispanic, with at least 50% of...

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The Primary Elections at CWU

Astor Powell-Pedersen, News Editor
April 4, 2024

For many CWU students and college students across the board the 2024 presidential primary election was their first voting experience. According to CNN, primaries are “election[s] to select candidates,...

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Photo courtesy Yohannes Goodell

MEChA’s Week of Action

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Staff Reporter
February 29, 2024

MEChA, CWU’s Chicanx student organization, has undoubtedly been one of the biggest supporters of the Palestinian people here on campus. In the past, they have held demonstrations and educational workshops,...

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The Voting Crisis: Another thing to blame on young people

The Voting Crisis: Another thing to blame on young people

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Staff Reporter
February 23, 2024

Pretty much since the beginning of time, it's been popular to blame any little problem on the “younger generation,” be it social issues, economic crashes or your local supermarket not having the brand...

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Photo taken at Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Photo courtesy of Layla Taha.

Historical contextualization of the past and present Israel-Palestine conflict

Layla Taha and Astor Powell-Pedersen 
February 16, 2024

History continues to be written in Palestine. With the growing topic of conversation surrounding the Israel-Palestine War, the history that led to today is integral to societal understanding of the topic. The...

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The failure of University 101

Astor Powell-Pedersen , Columnist
February 8, 2024

It’s no secret to any first-year student here at CWU that the required University 101 course in the 2023 fall quarter was something akin to a trainwreck. At CWU, along with all of your other classes...

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What is an Honors Student?

Astor Powell-Pedersen , Staff Reporter
February 2, 2024

CWU has been home to the William O. Douglas Honors College (DHC) since 1977. According to its page on the CWU website, the Douglas Honors College “supports and encourages all students to find individual...

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Diverse Voices: Texas’s Ban on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Centers

Astor Powell-Pedersen , Staff Reporter
January 24, 2024

On June 14, 2023, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 17, which went into place Jan. 1, 2024. Senate Bill 17 requires that all state-funded colleges and universities close down their Diversity, Equity...

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Vandalism in the Residence Halls: It’s Not Just The University’s Problem

Vandalism in the Residence Halls: It’s Not Just The University’s Problem

Astor Powell-Pedersen , Staff Reporter
January 20, 2024

If you’re a student living on campus, then you’ve almost certainly heard about the regular occurrences of vandalism within the residence halls, if you have not seen it yourself.  Vandalism and...

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