Western Front - 2006 April 7

              BYKSTRA FIRST DIVISION II ATHLETE TO WIN V FOUNDATION COMEBACK AWARD, mm
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2006
MATT VOGTV THE WESTERN FRONT
Protesters gathered outside the Federal Building on Magnolia Street to oppose an immigration bill cur­rently
before Congress. The rally lasted from noon to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Students,fiiculty, eoMnfyresidents carry
signs fromRed'Square to Federal Building
BY SHAWNA WALLS
The Western Front
The usual lunchtime mix of students milled around Red
Square at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, lazing in the bright sunshine.
Fifteen minutes later, a crowd of hundreds had formed,
chanting and carrying signs opposing a bill before the U.S.
Senate that would make illegal immigration a felony.
The Western chapter of the Chicano Student Movement
of Aztlan, or MEChA, a human rights organization focusing
onChicano issues, organized the class walkout and rally, but
more than one-third were residents from around Whatcom
County. Protesters ranged from parents carrying infants on
their shoulders to senior citizens. Students carried signs
see BARRIERS, page 5
ISSUE 3, VOLUME 137
AS vote keeps
• * •
BY JEFFREY LUXMORE
• ^
The Associated Students board of directors voted 5-2
Wednesday to prevent a transportation referendum from
appearing on the student ballot later this month at their
weekly meeting in the Viking Union.
If passed, the referendum would have appeared on the
spring elections ballot. Students could have voted on the
referendum that proposed a student transportation fee of
$19 be added to student tuition each quarter.
The fee would have provided every student with a bus
pass and the university with at least $40,000 for bicycle
and pedestrian paths around campus. The additional
funding would also allow Western to contract additional
late-night bus service from the Whatcom Transportation
Authority.
AS president Western senior Shannon Hutchinson, said
she voted against the sustainable transportation referendum
because she didn't see the value for students who don't
use the buses frequently. Hutchinson said she uses the bus
onceaweek.
"I'm thinking about 13,000 students and the ones that
haven't been admittedyet and whether thatfee can pro vide
a benefit," Hutchinson said.
Gene Myers, an associate professor at the Huxley
College of the Environment, said he disagreed with
Hutchinson's rationale.
"To be a valuable public good, you don't have to
demonstrate (individual benefit)," Myers said. "This was,
in my opinion, a really good benefit at an excellent value
that the board failed to present to students."
Myers said the Student Health Center and its fee are
see BUS, page 6
Workers cut down tree near Old Main
BY BECKIE ROSILLO
The Western Front
If a tree falls on campus, would anyone hear it?
One fallen tree has left a resounding echo in its
absence. An American Elm tree on north campus has
drawn student and faculty attention since its removal
Wednesday
Facilities management cut the tree down during
spring break because it was a safety hazard to students,
utility worker Duane Beltman said.
The wood was so soft Beltman said he could bend
and break it in his hand. From the stump, die rot was
approximately 5 feet deep, outdoor maintenance
utility worker Josh Intveld said. When the men arrived.
to remove the remains of the tree Wednesday, a sign
reading, "This tree was murdered," was taped to the
top of the stump.
Facilities management lead gardener Randy
Godfrey said the tree was one of many planted during
the original landscaping at Western more than 100
years ago.
Intveld said the tree was rotting, which mean it
has a greater chance of breaking, especially in heavy
winds or rain.
"There was bracket fungus growing at the bottom
of the tree and that indicates an advanced state of
decay," Godfrey said.
The tree was near several walkways on the lawn
behind Wilson Library, next to the Humanities
Building and Old Main.
Intveld said the nearly 2-foot-wide tree had a five-inch
ring of live wood in the outermost part of the
stump when they cut it down.
The inside core of the tree was a soft, crumbly
substance of dead tissue, Godfrey said.
see HAGGARD, page 6
BECKIE ROSILLO / THE WESTERN FRONT
Utility workers Josh Intveld arid Duane Beltman mix roots from
a tree they removed into the soil between Wilson Library and
Old Main Wednesday.
'HAM BANDS
Bellingham bands will take the
stage in the Asking Union Multi­purpose
Room April 14.
ACCENT, PAGE 9
SCRUM DOWN
Western's men's rugby team
prepares to switch leagues
next season.
SPORTS, PAGE 13
CRYING GAME
Although often equated with
weakness, crying may hold hidden
health benefits.
OPINIONS, PAGE 14
WEATHER
Saturday: Rain
Hi: 57 Low: 42
Sunday: Showen
Hi: 55 Low: 40
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