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

Aeryn Kauffman, Copy Desk Chief/Opinion Editor

Copy Desk Chief/Opinion Editor - Fall 2020

Copy Desk Chief - Spring 2020

Copy Desker - Winter 2020

Staff Reporter - Fall 2019

All content by Aeryn Kauffman
Jackson Stoffel starred in “The Three O’clock Hour: Premature Burial.

Theatre’s tell-tale performance

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

Theatre students performed live editions of popular works of Edgar Allan Poe, such as “The Raven,” “The Premature Burial,” “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Masque of the Red Death” on the...

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Benjamin ‘Ben’ Lee was encouraged by his mother to make origami in high school. It’s a habit he has continued for the past year, handing creations out in the SURC.

The origami elephant

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

If you’ve walked through the SURC on a weekday, you may have seen a student with glasses and a long, origami nose. He may have handed you a piece of origami in the shape of a heart, or a paper flower...

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From ‘Sandstorm’ to ‘Turn Down for What’: give EDM a chance

From ‘Sandstorm’ to ‘Turn Down for What’: give EDM a chance

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
September 29, 2020

Saying you don’t like electronic dance music (EDM) is like saying you don’t like rock, pop, rap or any other large, diverse genre of music. Whether you want to dance, work out, party or drive fast,...

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Demonstrators gather to raise awareness about climate change

Aeryn Kauffman, Copy Desk Chief/Opinion Editor
September 26, 2020

On the corner of University and Wildcat Ways, a small crowd of demonstrators waved at cars and displayed signs reading “Greta Thunberg,” “one planet” and hand drawn sketches of Earth on Friday,...

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Remote work? For the rest of my career? Sign me up

Remote work? For the rest of my career? Sign me up

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
April 22, 2020

Another day, another 24 hours of bare face and comfy clothes. I could get used to this. There’s nothing to do outside of the house, but inside, I couldn’t be busier. There’s more homework than...

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What to do with your stimulus check

What to do with your stimulus check

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
April 15, 2020

As tempting as it may be to spend your stimulus check on things you don’t need, refrain. For those of us lucky enough to get one in the next week or two, here’s what we should use it for. Hopefully,...

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Say ‘no’ to N-95s: donate your masks

Say ‘no’ to N-95s: donate your masks

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
April 9, 2020

The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus is to stay at home. If you aren’t in a position to do that, though, the next best way is to wear a face mask. On April 3, the Centers for Disease...

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Teagan Kimbro

Forget Facebook

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
March 11, 2020

I’m a little surprised it isn't a more widespread practice to delete Facebook. They’ve been pushing the limits for years, seeing just how much data they can take from us before we stop living in comfortable...

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In a stem world choose the arts

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
March 4, 2020

In a world with coding bootcamps for stay-at-home mothers, STEM schools for toddlers, and Ted Talk after Ted Talk with suspiciously happy speakers, it can be intimidating for a student with a natural interest...

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Teagan Kimbro

AP style is wrong. We should be using Oxford commas

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
February 26, 2020

After winning “America’s Next Top Model,” Jessica thanked her parents, God and Tyra Banks. I wish my parents were God and Tyra Banks. You can avoid an embarrassing mistake like this by using the...

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Teagan Kimbro

What it’s like to drive a Tesla

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
February 19, 2020

Think about how it felt the last time you rode a roller coaster: euphoric, surprising and a little dangerous. Now add an element of nonconformity and temporary transcendence to a socioeconomic status you...

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Teagan Kimbro

Become a technical writer

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
February 13, 2020

Technical writer. If that profession sounds too boring for you, you could also be called content developer, requirements analyst, documentation specialist or the mysterious, yet impressive, information...

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Teagan Kimbro

Meeting the meat tax

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
January 29, 2020

Our planet is dying, and it has been for a very long time. The Arctic Ocean will be ice free in 30 years, according to NASA. It’s time to stop ignoring climate change. The very least we could do is stop...

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Hungry? Get Food Stamps

Aeryn Kauffman, Staff Reporter
December 6, 2019

You shouldn’t have to survive on ramen noodles while getting your education. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also referred to as food stamps, gives students a monthly food allowance...

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Tennis club wraps up season at finals

Tennis club wraps up season at finals

Aeryn Kauffman, Staff Reporter
December 4, 2019

The CWU Tennis Club made the finals at the United States Tennis Association Pacific Northwest Tennis on Campus (TOC) League, held at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center in Beaverton, Oregon from Nov. 8-10....

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‘If hockey and football had a baby...’

‘If hockey and football had a baby…’

Aeryn Kauffman, Staff Reporter
November 19, 2019

The Water Polo Club is having a tournament on Nov. 23 and 24 at the CWU Aquatics Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m Water polo club member Jonah Kathlean said the team is preparing for the tournament with...

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Learn lifting and climbing at Ladies’ Night

Aeryn Kauffman, Staff Reporter
November 13, 2019

CWU Recreation is hosting an event specifically aimed at women who want to improve their fitness. Ladies’ Night will take place this quarter on Friday Nov. 15 from 6-8 p.m. in the Recreation Center....

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Fit the fit lab into your schedule

Aeryn Kauffman, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2019

Students can sign up for comprehensive fitness assessments in Purser Hall, free of charge. Qualified exercise science students conduct the assessments, and all Fit Lab staff are trained in this area. CWU...

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Climbing club honors late CWU climber

Climbing club honors late CWU climber

Aeryn Kauffman, Staff Reporter
November 1, 2019

There is a scholarship available for students in the CWU Climbing Club, founded in memory of Matthew Trinkle, a CWU student who passed away during a climbing accident. According to the Daily Record,...

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Kata forms and kumite kicks

Kata forms and kumite kicks

Aeryn Kauffman, Staff Reporter
October 24, 2019

Senpei and sensei are not just words in anime shows. They are distinguished titles given to karate black belts. When he is not in the classroom, CWU Professor of Biology Ian Quitadamo runs his own...

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Opinion: Don’t knock the soy boys

Aeryn Kauffman, Columnist
October 16, 2019

Finally, a documentary on plant-based diets that isn’t animal torture porn. “The Game Changers” (2019) was released in September, after a long production time which tracked the journeys of several...

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Cross country gears up for WWU Classic

Aeryn Kauffman, Staff Reporter
October 9, 2019

With a focus on hard training and team encouragement, several cross country team members are feeling particularly confident about the upcoming meet. The CWU cross country team is preparing for the...

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