Grated metal covers guard the man holes which are visible nearly all over campus, including the sidewalks and Terrell Mall at Washington State University’s Pullman campus.
The underground layer consisting of dozens of steam tunnels that heat WSU’s building and sidewalks run under all of campus lures some curious students with a sense of adventure to confirm for themselves that the tunnels can be accessed with stealth and determination.
Fully aware of the harsh consequences that include expulsion, a senior WSU student who requested anonymity, decided to take his chances in order to explore the unknown underground.
“I heard about the tunnels my freshman year when I lived in the dorms and wanted to see underground for myself,” said the senior. “We got in through an unchained manhole near the Owen Science Library. There weren’t any signs posted not to enter.”
A few of WSU students who attended from 1994 to 1997 started an underground exploration group calling themselves MoleNet. The students broke into two separate groups; one above ground and the other below. Over their time spent at WSU they succeeded in mapping out the underground tunnels. The map illuminates tunnel paths, crawlspace and points of interest. Included in the points of interest are a bomb shelter below Bohler gym and a “pet cemetery” near College hall.
As alluring as the unknown underground world is, anyone who is willing to take the risk needs to be cautious and aware of the potential dangers.
A WSU graduate, Nick Lyon, went underground once during his freshman year with friends. His exploration was inspired by a rumor he had heard about students who lived in Gannon and Goldsworthy. The rumored students allegedly accessed a tunnel path near their dorm in which led them to the men’s locker room in Beasly Coliseum. Once the students popped up in the locker room they found some basketballs and proceeded to play on WSU’s basketball court.
“It was a giant underground system, not just one path,” said Lyon reflecting on his own experience. “We went down a man hole on the road north of Hillside dinning. The lighting sucked so we had to use our cell phones to not hit our heads on any pipes.”
Poor lighting, small crawl spaces and impeding pipes are a few of the known dangers of the unknown areas.
Graduating in a few days, senior Steven Houston contemplated giving into to his desire to explore the network of tunnels but withheld due to the harsh repercussions of getting caught.
“I have never gone underground, however I want to so badly,” said Houston. “I am so scared to get expelled considering I am graduating in a couple days and I don’t want anything to jeopardize that!”
Sources:
Nick Lyon (509) 385-9411
Steven Houston (360) 326-5416 *Face-to-face interview
http://silicon-arcana.com/molenet/
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Visual Storytelling Extra Credit
Torsten Kjellstrand -- Visual Storytelling
Friday April 23. 1 p.m. CADD 117
Torsten Kjellstrand began his lecture and presentation on Friday having the attendants state where they came from("I came from...").
Kjellstrand emphasised that pictures tell stories. He presented a Powerpoint slideshow of collections of pictures he has taken. One set of pictures were a narative art, in which told the story of two brothers.
"When you tell someone's story you validate that story, if you do it in the right way." said Kjellstrand.
Another story Kjellstand told through his pictures was of Celilo falls in Oregon. It showed the Native Reservation and its peoples in pictures of black and white and also in color.
Kjellstrand prompted the audience to think about whether or not color pictures vs. black and white made them perceieve the pictures/story differently.
Friday April 23. 1 p.m. CADD 117
Torsten Kjellstrand began his lecture and presentation on Friday having the attendants state where they came from("I came from...").
Kjellstrand emphasised that pictures tell stories. He presented a Powerpoint slideshow of collections of pictures he has taken. One set of pictures were a narative art, in which told the story of two brothers.
"When you tell someone's story you validate that story, if you do it in the right way." said Kjellstrand.
Another story Kjellstand told through his pictures was of Celilo falls in Oregon. It showed the Native Reservation and its peoples in pictures of black and white and also in color.
Kjellstrand prompted the audience to think about whether or not color pictures vs. black and white made them perceieve the pictures/story differently.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Who or Whom?
Who: Subject of the clause
Whom: Object of the clause
I hired him for the internship.
Subject: I
Object: him
Trick: Try substituting “him” or “he” into the sentence. If him (object) sounds right, you’ll know to use whom. If he (subject) sounds right, you’ll know to use who. (Works the same for her/she).
1. Whom did you go to the game with?
2. She’s the student who writes the best articles.
3. Whom did you vote for?
4. We know who pulled that prank.
5. We want to know on whom the prank was pulled.
Whom: Object of the clause
I hired him for the internship.
Subject: I
Object: him
Trick: Try substituting “him” or “he” into the sentence. If him (object) sounds right, you’ll know to use whom. If he (subject) sounds right, you’ll know to use who. (Works the same for her/she).
1. Whom did you go to the game with?
2. She’s the student who writes the best articles.
3. Whom did you vote for?
4. We know who pulled that prank.
5. We want to know on whom the prank was pulled.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Collected Ledes
9. Their big round eyes, wagging tails and loving nature easily persuade college students to adopt a pet while they are trying to make it through tight financial times and balance a busy schedule.
8. Junior Cory Irwin sat mildly flustered and slightly embarrassed. Twiddling his thumbs and starring at the floor, he explained what happened on March 11th.
8. Junior Cory Irwin sat mildly flustered and slightly embarrassed. Twiddling his thumbs and starring at the floor, he explained what happened on March 11th.
Trend Story #5
Electronic cigarettes are becoming a popular device as an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. They don’t produce smoke, therefore can be used in anywhere from airplanes to bars. The E-cigarettes are being marketed as a safer alternative to regular tobacco cigarettes, and many E-cigarette companies are claiming that their product provides a more effective way to help consumers rid their smoking addiction.
Although much of the public who are aware of the E-cigarettes have accepted the idea of the less toxic nicotine alternative, the Food and Drug Administration are very skeptical. The FDA has not approved the E-cigarettes to be any less health harmful than tobacco cigarettes.
Considering the numerous manufacturers of E-cigarettes, there are many different variations of the product. The FDA explains on its Website that there is no quality control for the devices and that no tests have been submitted to the FDA that proves they are less harmful, or that they can help wean a smoker off of nicotine.
“Propylene glycol bas been found as an ingredient in the nicotine cartridges,” said Doctor of Pharmacology, James Knott. “There is a toxicity associated with propylene glycol. It is found in antifreeze and taking in too much can cause respiratory exasperation.”
Electronic cigarettes have been being sold in the United States now for approximately two years. They can be purchased in many smoke shops and malls throughout the country. The most abundant marketing and sales for the electronic devices are found on the internet due to the several different international electronic cigarette manufacturers. Free trials are offered through many online retailers, and curious potential buyers can test an E-cigarette at most smoke shops.
Dr. Knott noted that it may be very possible for someone who is interested in quitting smoking to be able to use this device to do so because of the option of different nicotine level cartridges. Gradually one could taper their usage rid the unhealthy habit.
The E-cigarette is a reusable gadget constructed of a battery, atomizer and a replaceable nicotine filled cartridge. The battery powers and LED light to emulate the burning tip and starts the atomizer that creates a vapor of the liquid nicotine contained in the cartridge that is then sucked through by the user.
“It is an unusual feeling at first because the tip is metal,” said Amy Hjelt after she tested an E-cigarette at a local smoke shop. “You have to inhale much harder, but the vapor doesn’t feel as harsh compared to actual smoke.”
Big Smoke smoke shop in Moscow Idaho has carried the electronic smoking device for approximately six months. An employee reported that they are not as popular as the traditional tobacco cigarettes but there is still somewhat of a demand for the electronic look alike.
Since the E-cigarettes do not contain tobacco there is no age restriction for using them. The replaceable cartridges come in a range of nicotine levels and are also offered in many different flavors, including chocolate, mint and pineapple. The issue of no restrictions and tempting tastes raises many concerns that minors will seek out the device that delivers the very addicting drug of nicotine.
SOURCES
Dr. James Knott (360) 428-2752 Face-to-face interview
Big Smoke Employee (didn’t want name included in story) (208) 882-7441 Face-to-face interview
Amy Hjelt (360) 708-6349 Face-to-face interview
www.FDA.gov
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm172906.htm
Although much of the public who are aware of the E-cigarettes have accepted the idea of the less toxic nicotine alternative, the Food and Drug Administration are very skeptical. The FDA has not approved the E-cigarettes to be any less health harmful than tobacco cigarettes.
Considering the numerous manufacturers of E-cigarettes, there are many different variations of the product. The FDA explains on its Website that there is no quality control for the devices and that no tests have been submitted to the FDA that proves they are less harmful, or that they can help wean a smoker off of nicotine.
“Propylene glycol bas been found as an ingredient in the nicotine cartridges,” said Doctor of Pharmacology, James Knott. “There is a toxicity associated with propylene glycol. It is found in antifreeze and taking in too much can cause respiratory exasperation.”
Electronic cigarettes have been being sold in the United States now for approximately two years. They can be purchased in many smoke shops and malls throughout the country. The most abundant marketing and sales for the electronic devices are found on the internet due to the several different international electronic cigarette manufacturers. Free trials are offered through many online retailers, and curious potential buyers can test an E-cigarette at most smoke shops.
Dr. Knott noted that it may be very possible for someone who is interested in quitting smoking to be able to use this device to do so because of the option of different nicotine level cartridges. Gradually one could taper their usage rid the unhealthy habit.
The E-cigarette is a reusable gadget constructed of a battery, atomizer and a replaceable nicotine filled cartridge. The battery powers and LED light to emulate the burning tip and starts the atomizer that creates a vapor of the liquid nicotine contained in the cartridge that is then sucked through by the user.
“It is an unusual feeling at first because the tip is metal,” said Amy Hjelt after she tested an E-cigarette at a local smoke shop. “You have to inhale much harder, but the vapor doesn’t feel as harsh compared to actual smoke.”
Big Smoke smoke shop in Moscow Idaho has carried the electronic smoking device for approximately six months. An employee reported that they are not as popular as the traditional tobacco cigarettes but there is still somewhat of a demand for the electronic look alike.
Since the E-cigarettes do not contain tobacco there is no age restriction for using them. The replaceable cartridges come in a range of nicotine levels and are also offered in many different flavors, including chocolate, mint and pineapple. The issue of no restrictions and tempting tastes raises many concerns that minors will seek out the device that delivers the very addicting drug of nicotine.
SOURCES
Dr. James Knott (360) 428-2752 Face-to-face interview
Big Smoke Employee (didn’t want name included in story) (208) 882-7441 Face-to-face interview
Amy Hjelt (360) 708-6349 Face-to-face interview
www.FDA.gov
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm172906.htm
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Math quiz
From the Poynter Institute's Math Test for Journalists
1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?--$7,885
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed? --83%
3. The former assistant manager was demoted to sales clerk. His pay was cut from $8.04 to $4.02. What was the percent decrease?--50%
4. Bruce Springsteen was born on Sept. 23, 1949. How old will he be in May 2016?--66yrs.
5. One out of 12 students at WSU are in the Greek system. What percent are in Greek system?m --8%
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase? -- 10.6%
7. Joe Smith wants to build a 2,500-square-foot house for him. The builder tells him it will cost $65 a square foot to build. How much will the house cost? --$162,500
8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get? --3 slices.
9. The Poynter Institute’s budget for computer programs jumped from $5,500 to $7,300. By what percent did it increase? --32.7%
10. Checkers at a grocery store earn the following salaries: $10,000, $12,500, $5,890, $16,453, $14,000. The median salary is:--$12,500
1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?--$7,885
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed? --83%
3. The former assistant manager was demoted to sales clerk. His pay was cut from $8.04 to $4.02. What was the percent decrease?--50%
4. Bruce Springsteen was born on Sept. 23, 1949. How old will he be in May 2016?--66yrs.
5. One out of 12 students at WSU are in the Greek system. What percent are in Greek system?m --8%
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase? -- 10.6%
7. Joe Smith wants to build a 2,500-square-foot house for him. The builder tells him it will cost $65 a square foot to build. How much will the house cost? --$162,500
8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get? --3 slices.
9. The Poynter Institute’s budget for computer programs jumped from $5,500 to $7,300. By what percent did it increase? --32.7%
10. Checkers at a grocery store earn the following salaries: $10,000, $12,500, $5,890, $16,453, $14,000. The median salary is:--$12,500
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