I wrote and filmed this video as a final assignment for BIS 255 Critical Diversity with Dr. Jeff Murr during Winter Quarter 2024. I was so pleased with it, I decided to share it with others via the Campus Library Blog. This was my first ever self-video, so please forgive any production issues! Follow the links in the transcript below to view the books in our Campus Library catalog.
[Transcript]
Hello, and welcome to Basement Book Talk. I’m your host, Steve, and welcome to my library in the basement. For my first episode, I have a Top Ten List of books for social justice librarians, or anyone interested in celebrating and centering difference. This is a highly opinionated list of five non-fiction and five science fiction books that I think everyone should read at some point, or at least know about.
First and foremost is A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn. This is the book that changed it all for me. After reading the first few chapters for a class, I bought the book and read it over the summer of 1989 and it changed my life. This was one of the first books of what some call revisionist history, but more accurately, it’s real history as it tells the story of not just white European Americans, but everyone in the United States—hence the title “A People’s History”. Absolutely a must read.
Dovetailing perfectly with Zinn is my second book, A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki. I read several chapters for a course Spring Quarter 2023 and much like A People’s History, it is a narrative history of all people in the multicultural United States. Takaki specifically tells the stories of minority groups, such as Native Americans, Black and LatinX people and Asians, specifically Chinese, Japanese, and Arab Americans. Takaki is a wonderful storyteller, and this book is wonderful as well.
Third, Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire. I have known about this book for decades but did not actually read it until last year when I returned to college. One of the very first assignments was the chapter on “The Banking Concept of Education” and it blew my mind. It gave me a whole new way of looking at not just education but also society and the world in general. I feel like if I had read this when I was in my 20s instead of my 50s, my life trajectory may have changed completely.
Number four: Orientalismby Edward Said. Another book I’ve known about forever, but only read now that I’m back in college. If you’ve ever taken a class on ethnicity and race, global studies, or culture, literature, and arts, you’ve probably encountered this incredible book. What Zinn did for American history, Said did for cultural studies, looking at the relations between European and “The Orient” [air quotes]. Groundbreaking, foundational classic. It is the text that launched subaltern studies and is so important when discussing colonialism and imperialism in any context.
Number five and the last of the nonfiction is The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley. Like many other people, I was someone who thought I knew what Malcolm X was all about, but I discovered that you can’t really understand the real Malcolm X until you read and hear his own words. I read this a few years after the Spike Lee movie came out and it was so darn good. This is not just Malcolm’s life story but also what he believed in and what he stood up for. Even though he has been gone for decades now, his work and his ideas resonate to this day. This should be read by everyone, especially anyone who believes that Black lives matter.
On to science fiction. These may not be as directly related to social justice as the first five books, but imagining the future is an excellent way to shine a light on issues of the past and present. Some of these futures are positive, some are negative, but one can imagine and explore from there.
First off, number six: The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin. This is a utopian novel but not your typical dystopian novel like we have today. It contrasts two very different worlds: one very much like our own world with various nation states in conflict with each other, the other an exile community on the planet’s moon and the egalitarian anarchist society they’ve created. This book is incredible and so densely packed with ideas. You could read this for so many different classes: literature, political science, even Eastern philosophy, and physics! Honestly, you can read anything by Ursula K. Le Guin as it’s all great.
Speaking of other great authors where you cannot go wrong with anything they’ve written: number seven is The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. I read this shortly after moving to Seattle in 1995 and it was so good and so gripping, it drew me in, and I read it in one sitting. I’ve been meaning to re-read it for years, but the dysfunctional America portrayed in the beginning of this book is way too similar to current conditions we’re living in and that’s just depressing. However, there is indeed hope in this absolutely brilliant book. So many people acknowledge Butler and this book’s importance and I do, too.
Coming in at number eight is The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson. It asks: what if the Black Death had killed 90% of the European population instead of 50? With that vacuum, the centrality of power and civilization grows up outside of Europe, namely the Arab world, India, China, and Japan. It covers 600 years by moving through different periods of this new history and looks at what might have been with these cultures rising to prominence instead of a European based dominant culture. The last chapter, rather than riffing on our own history, steps a bit into the future and it is so revolutionary and hopeful. After I finished it, I had to just lie there for a good half hour thinking about it because I was so overwhelmed… but overwhelmed in the best way.
Back to a more negative, dark outlook for the future: number nine is The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi. This novel takes place in a world not too distant from our own today as it is post everything: post climate change with rising ocean levels, the collapse of the natural environment and commercial agriculture, beyond peak oil with the exhaustion of fossil fuels. It takes place in Bangkok Thailand, and I think it’s the first near-future book I read that did not have a white American or European as its main character. It is one of the most depressing science fiction books I’ve ever read, but it is so detailed and so insightful as to what may come to pass in our own world, that I have to recommend it anyway.
And finally, number ten! While it does not specifically get into issues of race, ethnicity, and gender that are at the forefront of social justice movements, it is still a very important book… and it’s also my favorite science fiction book of all time: Duneby Frank Herbert. This is absolutely incredible world building and a deep meditation on politics, ecology, religion, and the nature of power. I first read this in junior high and at this point, I’ve read it more times than I can count. Every time I reread it, I get something new out of it. If you’ve seen any of the movies, you seriously need to read the book! It fills in so much more detail about this amazingly crafted universe and the ideas within. And like I said, it’s one of my all-time favorites. 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this list and I sincerely hope you go to your local library, independent bookstore, or wherever you get your books to check out any or all of these titles I recommend as essentials for any social justice activist library. Regardless of what you choose to read, learn about the past and think about the future. Together, let’s create a more just and equitable world, here and now, today and tomorrow.
This post is written in English and Spanish, scroll down for the Spanish version.
Esta publicación está escrita en inglés y español, la versión en español está al final de la página
Pursuing a degree is no easy task, any college student would agree with this statement. However, what if you were pursuing a degree, in a language you are not fully comfortable with? Many students at UW Bothell and Cascadia College are conquering these challenges, and it is remarkable.
I’ve spoken with many students who are learning English while studying, and I notice a recurring theme; they feel isolated. As a student, I often overlook the privilege I have for my only struggle in courses being the content itself. It is one thing to struggle with the course’s content, but it’s another to also face the barrier of not fully understanding the questions or instructions being asked.
It’s important for one another to understand these difficulties, there are a substantial amount of resources and support available, both on and off campus. Students and staff are always willing to help any student, you are encouraged to seek support! If you or someone you know is an English language learner, below are some resources that may be helpful to you.
Library Books
UW Bothell and Cascadia College library offer a variety of resources for English language learners on campus, for any skill level. If you are someone who prefers studying on your own, our campus library provides nearly 300 books for readers wanting to improve their English skills. This collection is on the third floor of the library, the books are leveled from 1 to 6, and include a variety of topics with both fiction and nonfiction titles. To check out a book, simply bring your selected book and campus ID to the information desk on the first floor. A campus ID is important, as it is your library card! More information about our library collection can be found on the campus library website here. Additionally, you can speak to Chelsea, our librarian in charge of this collection. If you have any questions, or feedback about the collection, you are welcome to reach out to her at cnesvig@uw.edu!
Conversation Groups
If you are interested in practicing your English listening and speaking skills with other students at UW Bothell and Cascadia College, there is a quarterly conversation group! This is open to all students on campus and occurs five Thursdays each quarter. This is a great opportunity to practice your skills in a safe environment with supportive individuals. These sessions are hosted in LB1-205 on the second floor of the library from 1:15pm-2:15pm. Feel free to ask anyone from the information desk for directions! Link to the flyer provided here.
UW Bothell Writing & Communication Center
If you prefer working one-on-one for a more personalized approach to learning, UW Bothell’s Writing and Communication Center is for you! Located in Commons Hall in UW2-030, the center provides support for students of all abilities. Centered towards reading, writing, and presentation skills, peer consultants are eager to meet with students to practice their skills in a safe environment. You can set up a one-on-one meeting with a tutor on Navigate, which can be scheduled for in-person or on zoom. You also have the option to attend drop in hours on zoom, or communicate via email.
Bock Learning Center
Cascadia College has a similar resource called the Bock Learning Center, apart from general tutoring services, the learning center provides help with your writing. Writing tutors are available to work with you through appointments or drop-in hours. Cascadia students also have access to e-tutoring, which is entirely online.
Other On-Campus Resources
Pursuing a degree is tough, balancing coursework and other commitments can be overwhelming. Never feel like you cannot reach out for help, if you need to speak to someone or need any other forms of assistance, our campus has further resources.
Counseling Center
The counseling center located in the lower level of UW1-080 is open to both UW Bothell and Cascadia College students. The counseling center provides a variety of services such as in-person sessions with a licensed clinician, group therapy sessions, workshops, consultations, and more. Additionally, UW offers the HuskyHelpline to UW students, to receive free 24/7 assistance. Cascadia College students have access to MySSP which offers the same service.
HaWRC
Open to both UW Bothell and Cascadia students, the Health and Wellness Resource Center provides information to students regarding financial assistance, public benefits enrollment, and basic needs assistance. It is home to the Husky Pantry, a resource available for UW Bothell students that provides grocery items, hygiene, and toiletry products. Husky Pantry is located in ARC 120, the same office as the HaWRC. Cascadia students have a similar resource called the Kodiak Cave, located in LB2-006.
Local Resources
If you are far from campus or know any non UWB/CC students interested in improving their English skills, There are many resources available off-campus that are free of charge.
Seattle Goodwill’s ESOL Program (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Goodwill offers bi-weekly, 2 hour classes to improve your English skills. This program concentrates on practicing your English for future jobs and your personal life. The program is offered to residents of: King County, Kitsap County, Skagit County, Snohomish County, and Whatcom County. The program offers separate classes based on skill level, and classes tailored towards citizenship test preparation. More information can be found on their website.
Hopelinks English for Work program
English for Work is a free three-month program specifically designed to prepare for employment in the United States. The program focuses on writing resumes, practicing interviewing skills, and a successful job search. There are virtual and in-person options, with group and one-on-one instruction as well. Additionally, there are weekly assignments for further practice and preparation. The program then ends with a practice interview with local employers. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, check on the website for more information on how to register!
Conversation Sessions by Ladies Let’s Talk
Ladies Let’s Talk is a program for women to practice their conversational skills with other women in a comfortable and casual environment. Tailored towards individuals with intermediate to advanced English skills, the conversations are based on topics that are interesting to you. LLT is designed to feel like you are speaking to a group of close friends! The sessions are all virtual, the LLT website here has more information on dates and how to register.
Consejos para Navegar la Universidad como Estudiante de Inglés como Segunda Lengua (ELL)
Estudiar para conseguir una carrera no es fácil, cualquier estudiante diría lo mismo. Imagina estudiar en un idioma que no es familiar para ti. Hay estudiantes que están haciendo exactamente eso, y es fascinante.
He hablado con estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés mientras estudian y he notado una cosa: la mayoría se sienten solos. Como estudiante, a veces olvido el privilegio que tengo de solo enfrentar la dificultad de entender lo que están enseñando. Sin embargo, hay otra dificultad: entender las instrucciones y las preguntas.
Es importante que los estudiantes entiendan estas dificultades, hay recursos y apoyo por parte de la Universidad de Washington Bothell (UW Bothell) y el Colegio de Cascadia (Cascadia College), pero también recursos locales. Los estudiantes y personal siempre están felices de ayudarte, no tengas miedo de pedir ayuda! Si usted o alguien que conozcas está aprendiendo el inglés, aquí hay recursos que te pueden ayudar.
Libros de la Biblioteca
UW Bothell y Cascadia tienen una variedad de recursos para estudiantes aprendiendo inglés, para cualquier nivel. Si prefieres aprender a tu tiempo, la biblioteca tiene casi 300 libros enfocados en aprender inglés. Los libros están de nivel 1 a 6 y incluye una variedad de títulos. Para obtener un libro, solo tienes que llevarlo y tu identificación de escuela al primer piso, donde dice “Information”. Tu ID de escuela es importante; es tu tarjeta de biblioteca. Puedes encontrar más información aquí. También puedes hablar con Chelsea, nuestra bibliotecaria encargada de esta coleción. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, o comentarios sobre la colleción, están bienvenidos a mandarle un mensaje a cnesvig@uw.edu!
Grupos de Conversación
Si están interesados en practicar su inglés con otros estudiantes en UW Bothell y Cascadia College, hay grupos de conversación las temporadas de otoño, invierno y primavera. Esta es una buena oportunidad para practicar tú inglés en un espacio seguro. Estas sesiones van a estar en el cuarto LB1-205, en el segundo piso de la biblioteca. Están bienvenidos a preguntar a cualquier persona de la mesa de información para obtener direcciones. Puedes encontrar más informacion aquí.
UW Bothell Writing & Communication Center
Si prefieres trabajar solo con una persona para sesiones más privadas, el centro de escrito y comunicación en UW Bothell es perfecto para ti. Localizado en Commons Hall en UW2-030, el centro tiene apoyo para estudiantes de todos los niveles. Enfocado en leer, escribir y habilidades de presentación, los consultantes están listos para comunicarse contigo para practicar tus habilidades. Puedes comunicarte con los consultantes y hacer una cita a través de la aplicación Navigate. También tienes la opción de atender horarios de atención sin cita en las que puedes hablar con consejeros por videollama o por correo electrónico.
Bock Learning Center
Cascadia College tiene un recurso similar, aparte de soporte general, el centro tiene ayuda para habilidades de escritura. Los tutores están disponsibles por cita o en horarios de atención sin cita. Los estudiantes de Cascadia tienen acceso a tutoría electrónica, que está totalmente en línea.
Otros Recursos Parte de la Escuela
Conseguir un título es dificíl, tareas junto con la vida personal puede sentirse abrumadoras. Nunca sientas que no puedes preguntar por ayuda, si necesitas hablar con alguien o necesitas otras formas de asistencia, las dos escuelas tienen más recursos disponibles.
Centro de Asesoramiento
El centro de asesoramiento, ubicado en el piso de bajo de Founders Hall (UW1-080) está disponible para estudiantes de UW Bothell y Cascadia. El centro tiene una variedad de servicios como sesiones en persona con licenciado clinico, sesiones de grupo, clases, consultas y más. Los estudiantes de UW Bothell tienen acceso a la aplicación HuskyHelpline, que proporciona asistencia las 24 horas, los 7 dias de la semana, totalmente gratis. Los estudiantes de Cascadia tienen acceso a MySSP, que ofrece los mismos servicios.
HaWRC
Disponible para estudiantes de las dos escuelas, el centro de recursos de salud y bienestar proporciona información y asistencia en temas como ayuda financiera y beneficios públicos. En el centro, hay un recurso que se llama Husky Pantry, disponible solamente para estudiantes de UW Bothell, que provee artículos de alimentacion y productos de higiene. Husky Pantry está localizado en ARC 120, la misma oficina de la HaWRC. Estudiantes de Cascadia tiene un recurso similar que se llama Kodiak Cave, localizado en LB2-006.
Recursos Locales
Si estás lejos del colegio, o conoces a personas que no son estudiantes de UW Bothell o Cascadia pero desean practicar su inglés, hay muchas ayudas en las áreas locales que son gratis.
Programa ESOL de Seattle Goodwill (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Goodwill ofrece clases de dos horas, dos veces por semana para mejorar tus habilidades en inglés. Este programa se concentra en practicar tu inglés para trabajos y en tu vida personal. Este programa está disponible para residentes de: King County, Kitsap County, Skagit County, Snohomish County y Whatcom County. Hay diferentes clases disponibles dependiendo de tu nivel de inglés, y clases para prepararte para el examen de cuidadania. Más informacion está disponible en línea aquí.
Programa English for Work de Hopelink
Este es un programa de tres meses designado para prepararse para trabajos en los Estados Unidos. Este programa se enfoca en escribir resúmenes, practicar entrevistas, y cómo buscar trabajo. Hay opciones de tomar las clases en persona o por línea, con sesiones de grupos o a solas. Adicionalmente, hay tareas cada semana para poder seguir practicando y preparándose para las siguientes sesiones. El programa termina practicando una entrevista con un empleador local. Si esto te suena interesentante, encuentra más informacion para registrarte aquí.
Sesiones de Conversación de Ladies Let’s Talk
Ladies Let’s Talk es un programa para mujeres para practicar sus habilidades conversacionales en inglés con otras mujeres en un espacio comodo y seguro. Designado para individuos con habilidades de inglés más avansadas, las conversaciones son de temas que tu encuentras interesantes. Este programa es para que te sientas como si estubieras hablando con un grupo de amigas cercanas. Las sesiones son virtuales, para más informacion de como registrarse aquí.
As I am a senior and graduating this quarter, I wanted to give back by sharing all of the knowledge I have gathered about the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College during my time here. In this blog post, I will provide a complete overview of essential services, ways to get involved, things to do, and helpful tips to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. I loved being on this campus and hope that you can takeaway some of my advice, so that you can also have the best college experience!
Where can I find…
Homework Help
University of Washington Bothell
If you are a UW Bothell student in need of help with your assignments, you will likely want to visit the Academic Learning Commons in UW2-030.
It is home to the Quantitative Skills Center (QSC), which offers FREE academic peer tutoring both drop-in and online. They tutor in most STEM courses/majors, such as Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, Math, or any other course that requires quantitative reasoning. They also offer support in using different software and technology, test preparation, and test anxiety.
The QSC also provides a range of different equipment for students to check-out, including calculators, textbooks, molecular modeling sets, whiteboards, and more. Just be sure to bring your Husky Card!
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Also in UW2-030, is the Writing and Communication Center (WaCC). If you’re looking for assistance writing a paper, creating a presentation, or writing a personal statement, this is the place to go. You can make an appointment via the Navigate Student app, their appointment form, or drop-in online through Zoom. The WaCC is super helpful and will provide you with feedback on your work no matter what stage of the writing process you are at!
Another resource on campus is the Open Learning Lab (UW2-140). Not only is this a space for all students to access and use computers (both Windows and Apple) with pre-installed software, such as Final Cut Pro, Adobe, ArcGIS, and more, but the Open Learning Lab also provides drop-in tutoring on all of these tools listed, as well as general digital media software help.
And, one last tip – don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors for help on your assignments. Take advantage of their office hours to go over the homework or ask questions. Remember they are here to teach and support you!
Cascadia College
For Cascadia students, you will want to visit the Bock Learning Center (CC2-060). There you can get free in-person and online tutoring, computer services, calculator rentals, as well as general workspace. This is also where you can acquire your Cascadia student ID card. Tutoring is available in subjects, such as math, chemistry, writing, and even public speaking. You can also print and scan documents here.
Photo credit: www.cascadia.edu
Career help
University of Washington Bothell
Are you looking for an internship, job, help with your resume / cover letter, or interview prep? Visit Career Services in UW1-160!
Career Services aims to guide Huskies in their career journey by empowering them in their interests, helping them build their skills, and connecting them with professionals and employers. They offer appointments via drop-in and online in a variety of areas, such as resume/cover letter review, mock interviews, LinkedIn profile review, job/internship search strategies, and graduate school application prep.
I personally have submitted my resume for review at Career Services when I was in the process of applying to internships and they provided valuable feedback in under 2 days. One time a Career Services staff even came into one of my classes to do a workshop on salary negotiation, which I learned A LOT from. They gave our class so many tips and actionable items that will help us now and in the future, so I definitely recommend checking out their services.
Career Services also provides a schedule of career-related campus events. They host workshops, career fairs, and information sessions that you can attend to build your professional skillset and network. I recommend taking advantage of the career fairs, which are hosted each quarter, because there is no better way to get your name out there, connect with employers, and explore different companies all in one place! They typically have a general career fair, a STEM career fair, and sometimes virtual fairs.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Cascadia College
For Cascadia students, you can visit the Career & Transfer Office (Kodiak Corner, CC1). They offer assistance with planning for your future careers and with the transfer process. The Cascadia College “Career Exploration” website also has a page for all things career-related, such as job searching, career assessments, major info sessions, application help, and any upcoming events. This is a super helpful resource and includes a lot of useful information and tips for students who are currently looking for jobs or want to build the skills needed to pursue a certain career.
Photo credit: www.cascadia.edu
Study Spots
Campus Library
Though I may be a bit biased because I work at the library, I think one of the best study spots on campus is the library! It has three levels worth of study area for students – the first floor is best for group collaboration and zoom calls (normal chatter level), the second floor has lots of comfy chairs as well as bigger tables for group work (lower chatter level), and the third floor is perfect for quiet studying with many individual study carrels, study rooms available for reservation, and our silent reading room with a beautiful view of the wetlands through the floor to ceiling windows (quiet-silent chatter level).
I really like using the study rooms when I need a quiet space to call into a Zoom meeting or want to study with friends. The study rooms can be reserved online for up to two hours. You can only have one active reservation at a time and you can book two weeks in advance. Each study room contains a projector/TV, whiteboard, scratch paper, and writing utensils.
Another great place to get work done is the ARC. The top floor (ARC Overlook) is a big open space filled with lots of tables and chairs, as well as a video game alcove and gaming tables if you ever need to take a break during your study sessions. This floor is also lined with giant windows, so you get some natural light and a nice view!
They also have meeting rooms available to students that are first-come first-serve if they are not already booked by student clubs/organizations.
ARC Overlook, Photo credit: scout.uw.edu
Zoom Pods
A new addition to the campus are Zoom Pods! There are several located in the UW2 building on the first floor near the cafe / Gold Brew. They are individual pods available on a first-come first-serve basis with a limited use of 90 minutes. These are a great option if you need to quickly jump on a call or join an online class.
Photo credit: Taken by me
Study Alcoves and Other Resources
Each building on campus has study areas and alcoves on most floors. I’ve used these spaces to do a little homework or review for an exam before my class begins. It is super convenient on days I have classes, because I don’t have to account for the walk time to the classroom after my study sessions.
UW1 Second Floor Lobby, Photo credit: scout.uw.eduDiscovery Hall First Floor Lounge, Photo credit: scout.uw.edu
Another really useful resource is the Scout website. It lists in detail every study space available at UW Bothell. You can scroll through each building, look at photos of each spot, and find where on campus works best for you!
Food and Drink
Terrace Dining Pavilion
Over the past couple of years, the campus has been undergoing many renovations and changes, one of which includes the construction of the new dining hall! This is super exciting, because the campus has never had an official dining hall before. It is located next to the new residential and dorm building on the north side of campus (near the bus stop). The dining hall has multiple spots for different types of food, lots of seating on both floors, and to-go and online ordering options.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
The lower level has FoodLab and Clean Plate, which are two a la carte options. FoodLab has a variety of to-go bowls that rotate each week. Clean Plate has acai and create-your-own bowls, and is great if you’re looking for a more allergen friendly option.
The upper floor has Urban Kitchen and Market Bar, which offers to-go burgers, flatbreads, and sandwiches, as well as “all-you-care-to-eat” options including a buffet and salad bar. There is also The Drop, which features burgers, chicken, burritos, and fries. They open in the evenings, so it is the perfect place to satisfy your late night cravings!
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
The POD Market
The Market is right next door to the Campus Library and sells a variety of small food items and snacks. They have candy, chips, refrigerated drinks, traditional household essentials, as well as Alki Bakery sandwiches, parfaits, and pastries. If you’re looking for something quick to eat or need to grab a little food in between classes, the POD Market is the place to go.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Gold Brew
Gold Brew is the campus cafe! It is located on the first level of the UW2 building. They serve Starbucks coffee and tea and Alki Bakery sandwiches and sweets. Gold Brew also has a selection of other refrigerated drinks, such as RedBull and juices. There is a lot of seating in the cafe area where students eat their lunch or study with a yummy drink in-hand! Fun fact: Gold Brew has microwaves that students can use to heat up their food.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Husky Pantry and Kodiak Cave
An amazing resource on campus for both UW Bothell and Cascadia students is the Husky Pantry (ARC-120) and Kodiak Cave (LB2-006, right next to Campus Safety), respectively. They are both food resource centers for any student facing food insecurity. Whether you’re in between paychecks or need a little extra help to get through the week, Husky Pantry and Kodiak Cave are there to meet your needs.
Husky Pantry offers grocery staple items, seasonal products, hygiene and toiletry products (all non-perishable). Kodiak Cave offers both perishable and non-perishable items, such as kitchen essentials, breakfast items, soups, frozen fruit, frozen and canned meat/proteins, dairy, and more. Both centers function as a “choice pantry,” so students can walk-in and pick the items they need.
For additional food and wellness resources or questions, visit the Health and Wellness Resource Center (HaWRC) in ARC-120 or view their website.
Getting Involved & Things To Do On Campus
Events
The best way to be more involved on campus and feel like a part of the student community is to attend campus events. There are not only educational events, such as career fairs, workshops, and seminars, although there are many available to students, but the campus also organizes fun recreational events, too. For instance, I’ve seen events for open mics, movie nights, and even prom! There is also a Welcome Week at the beginning of each academic year for both new and returning students to participate in fun games, win school swag and prizes, and meet new people. Usually, at many of these events they provide free food, as well, which you can never pass up!
Another great way to get involved is joining a club! UW Bothell and Cascadia have a variety of clubs in a number of different categories, such as academic, cultural, religious, political, recreational, and even some that might be related to your favorite hobby. For example, we have STEM clubs, business/marketing clubs, student associations, book clubs, dancing/singing clubs, gaming clubs, and many more.
If you don’t know what you’re interested in or want to explore more about the clubs on campus, a club fair is hosted every quarter where you can walk around to their booths and get to know what their club does. There is also fun activities you can participate in and swag you can win if you visit enough booths. Most club tables have some goodies you can take with you, too!
The clubs themselves host lots of events and meetings throughout the year that you can attend regularly. I think finding a community of people who share the same interests as you is the perfect way to make new friends and feel more involved.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
I have personally joined and am an officer for the Bothell Women in Science and Engineering Club (BWiSE) and love interacting and spending time with other students who have similar goals and passions. Although we all get quite busy with school, I think it is so beneficial to be involved in extracurriculars or dedicate some time towards things outside of classes as it will help you feel more fulfilled during your time at college and it allows you to surround yourself with people who you know will support you.
On the first and second floor of the ARC, it has a video game alcove, as well as games that students can get from the front desk to use. The library also has a selection of video games for multiple different consoles that students can check-out and play at the game alcove. It is a great space for socializing with friends and a fun activity that you can do while on campus!
Fitness Center and Classes in the ARC
The ARC also has a fitness center on the lower level with a bunch of different types of gym equipment. No need to pay for an expensive gym membership elsewhere – students can use the campus fitness center for free! It’s open 8am-10pm on most days.
They offer group fitness classes almost every day, such as yoga, pilates, indoor cycling, and more. This is definitely something to take advantage of while you’re a student here, so that you, again, don’t have to pay for those classes, and the location is also super convenient since you’re already on campus anyways and you could even sign up with one of your friends/colleagues here.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
To view all upcoming fitness classes, go to the ARC calendar.
Intramural Activities / Sports
Another thing that the ARC organizes is intramural activities, where students have the opportunity to gather and play traditional team sports or other leisure activities regardless of skill or ability at no cost. This includes leagues, play-offs, and tournaments. Some examples of the activities are basketball, flag football, soccer, card games, board games, and alternative gaming.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
This is a good way to be part of a team, meet new people, relieve stress, and even obtain leadership roles. To sign up for intramural activities, you can go to their website sign-up page.
Outdoor Wellness
UW Bothell and Cascadia have a super cool community group called “Outdoor Wellness.” They offer outdoor programs, events, and trips, including activities like hiking, indoor rock climbing, camping, snow sports, and many more! For information about their upcoming events, check this schedule.
Sunset on an Olympic Coast backpacking trip, Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Don’t worry if you’ve never tried any of these activities or feel like you’re still a beginner, because they have trip options for all skill levels. Also, if you don’t have your own gear or equipment, you can rent some at no cost at the Nest Gear Shop (lower level of ARC) for 14 days. They have a variety of gear, such as backpacks, camping essentials, clothing and footwear, climbing/snow/water gear, and much more. You can also use the gear for your own personal outdoor trips! It is first-come-first-serve, though, so be sure to plan in advance by contacting the shop early about gear availability. To find more information or view a comprehensive list of gear offered, you can visit their website.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Also related to getting outside, the campus has a beautiful wetlands that you can visit by walking along the paved sidewalk on the perimeter of the wetlands or go down the boardwalk into the wetlands (just be sure to stay on the path/boardwalk – you will need a permit to explore further). It is located past the ARC building and next to the sports fields (see map). Going outside and being surrounded by nature is the perfect way to clear your mind and de-stress, especially during the hustle and bustle of your school days. When visiting the wetlands, please remember to be respectful by keeping noise to a minimum, not leaving trash, and not disturbing the plants or animals.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
If you’re the kind of person who likes more of an exercise though, the same trail you cross to get to the wetlands is also called the North Creek Trail where people can bike, walk, and run. It is an easy route to follow and is usually very peaceful as you won’t encounter many other people. It is super accessible for those on campus and is a great place to take a break while getting in a little exercise.
Another cool space on campus that recently got renovated is the Collaboratory (DISC-152). It is a creative and open environment that provides a range of equipment and materials in which students can use to work on academic or personal projects, prototypes, art/design, and fabrication. They have machines, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, cricuts (computer-controlled cutting machines used for cutting paper, felt, vinyl, fabric, and more), button makers, modeling softwares, and more, as well as materials, such as printing filaments, woods, plastics, and metals. These resources are all free to students, however since they have limited materials they do ask that you try to bring in your own supplies after your first few visits.
Before your first visit, it is required that you complete their Collaboratory Orientation by filling out this form if you plan to use any materials from them. You can also go there in-person and speak to a staff member who can walk you through how to use the equipment – they are always happy to help!
Coming to the Collaboratory and getting creative is a great way to spend time on campus, especially when all the supplies are already provided to you. One of my coworkers made a beautiful personalized keychain with her own custom print and last time I was there I watched someone 3D printing a piece of their Halloween costume!
Photo credit: www.washington.edu
Visit the Mobius Art Gallery
Another wonderful thing to check-out on campus is the Mobius Art Gallery located in the CC3 building. There is always an amazing exhibition on display and they put out a new one every couple of months or so. Currently, an exhibition called “Where We Are” by Sarah Dillon is in the gallery with a theme of self-reflection, creativity, social analysis, and human interaction. To see information about the current exhibition, as well as previous ones, you can check out the gallery’s website.
Similar to being outside in nature, I think visiting the art gallery is a great space to find relaxation, inspiration, or reflection. I find that putting myself in a quiet, peaceful place and viewing art can help calm my body and mind. It is also fascinating how art can elicit different feelings and emotions, and even help in sparking creativity. The Mobius Art Gallery is definitely a must-see during your time here on campus!
Photo credit: www.cascadia.edu
“Did you know…”
The new STEM building, Innovation Hall (opened Winter 2024), is shared between both the UWB and Cascadia College campus.
The Campus Library doesn’t just have textbooks! They have a large selection of recreational books and other items available for checkout (fiction books, graphic novels, comics, video games, and more).
Students get 6 FREE 45-minute counseling sessions per academic year in the Counseling Center (UW1-080).
UW Bothell alumni within 3 years of graduation can schedule an appointment with a career coach at Career Services (UW1-160).
The WaCC doesn’t just offer services to current UW Bothell students, but also to anyone who is applying to UW Bothell or is a UW Bothell alumni.
Campus Safety offers safety escorts for anyone that ever feels uncomfortable, fearful or apprehensive about walking alone between points on campus.
Graduating from high school is a well-known life milestone. At this point in your life, one of the most frequently asked questions that you receive is “What university are you going to?” This question can be intimidating for many reasons. Some people aren’t committed to a university yet, some people aren’t pursuing higher education, and maybe some people are going to their family’s long-time rival university. For me, however, this question was intimidating because I wasn’t enrolling in a university: I was enrolling in community college.
For as long as I can remember, community colleges have been perceived as the schools for delinquent students who will end up working dead-end jobs. Upon further research, it appears that the media consistently portrays community college students as “mediocre, probably losers, and usually unsympathetic,” often making them the punchline of a joke (6). Because of the negative connotation latched on to the idea of community college, I became hesitant and embarrassed to share my post-high-school plans. When I would tell people about my plan, I would hastily add that I planned to transfer to UW Bothell after receiving my associate’s. Now that I have graduated from Cascadia College and am in my second year at UW Bothell, I realize that attending community college is truly nothing to be ashamed about.
One of the advantages of community college (and one of my main reasons for going to a 2-year institution) is that it is much more cost-effective. According to an article published by US News & World Report, the cost of tuition for community college is about ⅓ of the cost of tuition for universities (7). For example, the typical in-state tuition for Cascadia College is slated at around $4,678 while in-state tuition for the University of Washington is $12,224 (4). If you’re planning on transferring to a university after college, another advantage is that many universities have programs with community colleges that allow for easy transferring of credits. This type of education plan is referred to as the 2+2 model (3). Additionally, community college offers great experience and training for jobs. Martha Parham, the senior vice president of public relations for the American Association of Community Colleges, has stated that different career programs offered by community colleges have a “highly applied nature” that “prepares students for entering the workforce” (7).
Now having experienced community college classes and university classes, I can say that the quality of education between these two is the same. One of the other stereotypes of community college is that the classes are not rigorous or of good quality, however this is not the case. During my time at Cascadia College, the classes I took definitely required a great amount of effort, with the material being challenging and engaging. One of my worries upon entering UW Bothell was not being prepared enough for my classes. Because my foundational knowledge about biology was gained in community college, I felt that I would fall behind in the biology classes at UW Bothell. Fortunately, I realized that Cascadia did prepare me for these classes. Many of the topics discussed in classes had already been introduced in my previous classes, and I was able to easily comprehend new topics. Furthermore, the amount of homework between these institutions did not differ greatly, which was another worry of mine.
Despite my good experience with community college, I understand some of the discrepancies that people may have with it. For example, a study found that the percentage of community college students who did not earn a degree and that were no longer enrolled in community college was around 50% (5). That being said, more disenfranchised groups have a higher likelihood of attaining that bachelor’s degree (1). Additionally, a portion of funding for community colleges, especially in Washington state, depend on property taxes (2). As a result, the community college experience will vary depending on the location of the college. Because of this, I also recognize that my experience at Cascadia is not going to be universal for community college students everywhere. I do believe that many of the problems that face community colleges lies within a much larger conversation about federal funding and stigmatization.
In summation, community college has its own great benefits that should not be overshadowed by its 2-year institution status. The knowledge gained in community college has the same educational value as classes from a university. Many benefits can be gleaned from community college, such as work experience and lower tuition costs. While more work needs to be done in sufficiently funding community colleges nationwide and in removing stigmatization surrounding community college, there is nothing inherently wrong about attending community college.
Check out Cascadia College and University of Washington Bothell!
Have you ever looked at a car and saw a strange or funny face staring back at you? Maybe it looked like it was smiling, or like it was just really disappointed for some reason. This is the phenomenon known as “pareidolia” (par·ei·do·lia), and originates from the Greek combination of “‘para’ (para = beside or beyond) and ‘eidos’ (images, appearance, looks)”. (NIH) It is defined as, “the tendency for perception to impose a meaningful interpretation on a nebulous stimulus, usually visual, so that one sees an object, pattern, or meaning where there is none.” (Wikipedia) The term was coined by psychiatrist Klaus Conrad in his 1958 publication about the beginning stages of schizophrenia. He similarly defined it as the “unmotivated seeing of connections [accompanied by] a specific feeling of abnormal meaningfulness.” (Conrad) Whenever you recognize a face somewhere it shouldn’t be, you are experiencing a perfectly natural response to the world around you. And in fact, this human experience can be anywhere, and has some very interesting biases accompanying it.
“Your brain is superattuned to see faces everywhere,” says Susan Wardle, a neuroscientist who studies pareidolia (Wollan) and a name you will see often throughout this blog. Take a smiley face for example, it consists of usually only a couple lines as the eyes and a curved one as the mouth, and yet is widely recognized as the symbol for a happy face. “You only need this minimal information to see a face because it’s more adaptive to make a mistake and see a funny face in a cloud than to miss a real human face,” Wardle explains. Just like the smiley face, the same logic applies to cars, with the headlights (the eyes) and the grill (the mouth), a face is formed. As a car enthusiast as well, I strongly believe the “face” of the car is what makes so many car designs instantly recognizable. While cars are not the main focus of this post, I think they are a good jumping off point for those unfamiliar to pareidolia as they simply and effectively illustrate this common occurrence.
Let’s take a look at some car “faces” now.
A very happy Austin-Healey Sprite (Photo: Raphaël Labbé/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)
A tough looking Dodge Charger (Photo: Dodge/Chrysler)
A very suspicious vampire in the rear of a 1950s Chevrolet Impala (Photo: r/Pareidolia)
A smiling, shy Mazda Miata (Photo: Cars and Bids via Motorbiscuit.com)
Do you see the faces? It may be a little tricky at first, but even those unfamiliar with pareidolia can come to see what I mean when I say “cars have faces” if you look at it enough or in the right way. In David Robson’s BBC article on pareidolia, he quotes geometric morphometrics expert (learn more about what that is here) Sonja Windhager’s study about this phenomenon. Windhager found that, “[while she was traveling countries] questioning people on the roadside and in small restaurants [about whether they saw faces in the pictures she presented them], she was initially met with surprise. ‘They thought we were a little crazy,’ she says. But even though the Ethiopians had not been exposed to films like Disney’s Cars or The Adventures of Herbie, they soon understood the purpose of the study, and rated the pictures in much the way that Europeans do. For instance, cars with a big windscreen, round headlights and a small grill tend to be considered young and feminine …while those with flatter headlights and a bigger, squarer under-body are older and more masculine.” (Robson)
What’s more, this is further affirmed by the fact that people tend to buy cars with more “aggressive” faces. At least that’s true according to this slightly outdated article from 2008 by Live Science’s Jeremy Hsu, but I believe that still holds to the modern day. In fact, I think cars have only become more aggressive in styling, which reflects the evolution of general consumer interests clearly when comparing the current looks of many modern cars to their predecessors. My point is to say that not only do we consciously or subconsciously see these faces, but we can find ourselves more drawn to certain ones than others. I think new cars tend to radiate more masculinity with their “aggressive” looks than they have historically due to natural cultural shifts in what we perceive modernity looks like. To visualize this change, let’s take a look at the 2003 Honda Accord vs. the 2023 Honda Accord. Same make and model, just 20 years later. I think the 2003 version of the accord is more cutesy, and feminine than the 2023 – which tends to be the trend in many cars from the 2000s to early 2010s. Do you agree? Which of these two cars looks more feminine or masculine to you?
2003 Honda Accord (Photo: hondanews.com) vs 2023 Honda Accord (Photo: Marc Urbano, Car & Driver)
According to Robson, the 2003 version of the Accord is the more feminine car due to its small grill, and larger headlights. No matter how you answered though, gender bias actually seems to be ingrained in pareidolia, with people most often assigning cars and objects that are more “plain” or “aggressive” in design as male. In Forbes’ “Illusions Of Faces In Inanimate Objects Are Often Male” article by Eva Amsen, Amsen provides that, “It’s an interesting cognitive bias, and it’s part of a much larger phenomenon. In all of the most simple depictions of faces, the female version is usually shown as having something extra, like long hair, eyelashes, or lipstick. By extension, the basic face without those added features is considered ‘male’.” (Amsen) Looking back at the first set of car images, which cars did you count as masculine and feminine? Pareidolia and its gender bias extends to other things as well. It’s possible to see faces in anything! Take a look at a few more examples below. Here’s a strange bunch of faces in common, daily objects. Which ones do you count as male or female?
From left to right, top to bottom: A small appliance making a “ :o| ” face; angry and neutral wall outlets; a happy mug of coffee; a perplexed, dazed, or even hungry looking faucet; a “ : | ” face on a mailbox; and a silly-faced washing machine (Photo: Wardle, et al.)
A burger that somehow resembles Steve Harvey? (Photo: Twitter/@KNTYfemme)
A frightening (or frightened) tree trunk (Betty Rose Nagle, Ph.D. via PsychologyToday)
How about on campus? Are there faces here too? Yes! Take a look at a few of my own examples I’ve taken from campus… Do you see them? Do these faces have a gender bias as well? They may be a little bit trickier to see this time around.
A window with a sideways robot face
Trash cans with very pronounced cheek and brow bones
Our library book drop has a ” : | ” face on its slot
A tree that looks like an angry anglerfish
A penguin face in a space heater
Maybe these faces aren’t immediately apparent. I tend to see faces like these quite often so I’ve become a bit of a natural at it. Well, as natural as anyone can be when our brains are already programmed to make faces out of random things. Some websites claim that being prone to pareidolia may indicate you’re on the more creative side… Maybe that’s true, maybe it isn’t. On a personal note, I actually enjoy seeing these faces. Sometimes it brightens up my day to see a little happy face in my dishes, or be face to face with one on the front of a house – but I digress.
Continuing on, Susan Wardle in collaboration with other researchers, created a thorough study on gender bias in “illusory faces.” Below I’ve included the graphics that Wardle and her team created to compile their data and findings. Do you agree with the gender biases in these examples? What about the emotions that they are supposedly expressing, are these true as well?
(Photo: Wardle, et al)
Here’s more interesting data sets from Wardle, et al below. Take your time looking at these graphs. Once again, they confirm that objects with faces are overwhelmingly projected as male. But going into the social and cultural implications of that would be an entirely different can of worms. For now, let’s leave it at that. If you want to read Wardle’s study, I’ve linked it here. Now you know what pareidolia is and about its implicit gender bias, how exciting! Next time you see a face in your food or in your car, you’ll know that this is just your brain doing what it naturally means and wants to do.
