OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
The Daily Barometer
DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 541-737-2231
DAILYBAROMETER
Cultural, support centers react to tabling of bills n
VOL. CXVII, NO. 79
@DAILYBARO, @BAROSPORTS
TEDx
Many cultural, support center students unaware of bills that would allocate ASOSU House seats to their constituencies
Talks explore new frontiers
By Hanna Brewer THE DAILY BAROMETER
Many participants, representatives and workers of the cultural and support centers on campus responded with confusion toward the tabling of the seven bills JB 06.04 through JB 06.10 in the Associated Students of Oregon State University House of Representatives. When questioned about how they felt after the bills that would have guaranteed a seat for each center were tabled, many of them were unaware the bills even existed, despite Speaker of the House at ASOSU, Saul Boulanger, reaching out leading up to the bills’ tabling. Cultural and support centers at Oregon State University include the Asian and Pacific Cultural Center, Etihad Cultural Center, Centro Cultural Cesar Chavez, Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, Eena Haws Native American Longhouse, Pride Center and Women’s center. Boulanger said it’s up to each cultural and support center to communicate with their students. “I have been working with the CRCs since fall and went to each one of them several times about the bills and gained the approval from leading
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015
Ticket sales explode for massive motivational speaking event Thursday, Feb. 12. n
By Chris Correll
F
THE DAILY BAROMETER
or the first time since 2012, Oregon State University is hosting its own TEDx speaking event, featuring prominent speakers from dozens of professional fields. TED — Technology, Entertainment and Design — is an international non-profit dedicated to spreading new and innovative ways of thinking. The theme of this year’s event is “Disruption,” which urges audiences to consider “revolutionary and influential ideas worth spreading.”
Courtesy of Oregon State University
(From left to right) Seniors Aaron LaVigne and Dustin Fernandes are part of a group that has made TEDx at OSU possible.
That’s exactly what three students did when they decided to bring TED to OSU. See TEDX | page 2
See ASOSU | page 4
International film festival brings world to Corvallis n
2015 Crossroads International Film Festival features international films throughout February By Abigail Erickson THE DAILY BAROMETER
For 46 years, the Crossroads International program has brought the world to Corvallis through various cultural programs and fundraisers, one of which is their annual Crossroads International Film Festival. This year, every Sunday in February, the Corvallis community can gather at the Darkside Cinema for screenings of films from around the world. Six films will be screened twice each over the course of the month. This year, they will show “Nothing but the Truth,” “Amreeka,” “Sita Sings the Blues,” “Instructions Not Included,” “I Have Found It” and “Boy.” “(During the festival) you get to see films you don’t see in big theaters,” said Darkside Cinema Manager Joey Bauer. “You also get a different world perspective through the different films that have been selected.” The brochure includes information about each of the films. The following descriptions are paraphrased from the brochure. “Nothing but the Truth,” a South-African film,
Nicki Silva
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
The Darkside Cinema, located in downtown Corvallis, will feature international films during the Crossroads International Film Festival. The festival runs throughout February. explores the relationships between those who stayed in South Africa and risked their lives against the apartheid and those who returned from living in exile. “Nothing but the Truth” will be shown Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. “Amreeka,” an American film, tells the story of a Palestinian Christian immigrant and her teenage son as they deal with cultural clashes in their new home in Illinois. “Amreeka” will be shown Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m. “Sita Sings the Blues,” from India, is an animated movie based on the ancient Indian tale
Women’s basketball prepares for return to Washington Sports, page 5
of the Ramayana, and mixes that with a modern tale of lost love and a 1920s American jazz soundtrack. A facilitated discussion will also follow the screening of this film. “Sita Sings the Blues” will be shown Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. “Instructions Not Included,” from Mexico, tells the story of an immature playboy’s search to find his daughter’s missing mother, and how both father and daughter fund an unlikely new life in film. “Instructions Not Included” will be See DARKSIDE | page 4
Column: Constructive criticism is the best way to go Forum, page 7
2•Friday, February 6, 2015
news@dailybarometer.com • 541-737-2231
Oregon House Rules Committee advances driver voting bill By Saul Hubbard THE REGISTER-GUARD
Wednesday, February 4
Vehicle theft An officer from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office helped investigate a theft that allegedly took place Sunday night. According to BCSO logs, the victim didn’t contact law enforcement immediately “since the items stolen were minor and no damage was done to the vehicle.” The woman allegedly told officers that her car had been unlocked and parked at her home on Northwest Highland Place. Stolen items included spare change and a window punch.
Bicycle violation A BCSO officer stopped two bicyclists on Southwest 3rd Street for failing to signal a turn. The officer logged that one of the individuals identified himself and allegedly admitted to being on felony probation for delivery of methamphetamine. The man allegedly admitted to carrying methamphetamine at the time and willingly turned over a bag of methamphetamine and a pipe to the officer. The officer decided to cite the man for unlawful possession of methamphetamine in lieu of taking him into custody.
Tuesday, February 3
Arrest warrant An officer from the Corvallis Police Department attempted a warrant arrest Tuesday morning after confirming that an individual he’d approached for dumpster diving happened to have an active warrant. The officer logged that the man initially gave false information, but the officer was able to get a confirmed identity for the man through a mug shot. The man allegedly maintained that he was not the man the officer allegedly confirmed him to be. The officer decided to take the man into custody and process the man at the Benton County Correctional Facility for his parole warrant and cited him for providing false information to the police.
Monday, February 2
Domestic dispute A CPD officer responded to reports of an alleged domestic dispute at a home on Northeast Oxford Circle. According to officer logs, when the officer arrived he found that the argument was purely verbal, with no apparent physical violence. However, he did identify one of the participants as a woman with an active warrant for her arrest. The officer brought the woman into custody and she was held at the BCCF. The Daily Barometer
news@dailybarometer.com
Need to Know
Implied consent:
According to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles, Oregon law requires drivers to provide a testable sample for a law enforcement officer in any incident in which the officer has probable cause to assume a driver may be intoxicated. This rule falls under Oregon’s “Implied Consent law,” which presumes that through the act of driving a motor vehicle, all drivers inherently consent to providing a breath, blood or urine sample when an officer requests a test. An individual is permitted to refuse such a test. However, doing so can be used as evidence against the driver in court. The Daily Barometer
news@dailybarometer.com
EUGENE — SALEM — Oregon Democrats on Wednesday advanced a bill that would create an automatic voter registration system — a key priority for them in the early part of the session after it narrowly failed in 2013. House Bill 2177 was passed out of the House Rules Committee on a party-line 5-4 vote. It now heads to a budgetary committee because of its estimated cost. Under the bill, the Secretary of State’s office would receive records from the state Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division in order to find and register all eligible voters among those who have applied for or renewed a driver’s license. Those individuals would be notified and given three weeks to opt out or to pick a party affiliation before they simply are registered as un¬affiliated voters. No other state has yet adopt¬ed an automatic voter registration system, although North Dakota doesn’t require voters to register at all. Unlike Oregon, a dozen states do allow voters to register on Election Day, however. Secretary of State Kate Brown, who has been lobbying for the change since 2013, said she plans to use driving records going back to that year. In the 2015 session, she also has added a clause to the bill that would keep private voter registration information for drivers younger than 18. Voter registration information is other¬wise public in Oregon and is used by political parties during campaigns. Brown estimated that the change immediately would add an estimated 300,000 individuals to the 2.2 million Oregonians on voter rolls now — a number that gradually would rise as more unregistered Oregonians sign up or renew their licenses. A total of 800,000 eligible Oregonians are not registered to vote. The policy does have partisan implications, however, because people not registered to vote tend to be younger and Hispanic — two demographics that are more likely to support Democrats, voting analyses regularly show. Additionally, Democrats and left-leaning inter-
TEDX n Continued from page 1 “What we’re hoping for these speakers is that they encourage students to think outside the box,” said finance senior Aaron LaVigne. “This event is encouraging the broader university to get students more engaged and reaching out to different disciplines. The reality is they’ll have to after graduation.” LaVigne, along with microbiology senior Dustin Fernandes and former OSU student Vinay Bikkina — were the ones who brought the idea to the deans of business, science, and engineering to promote better inter-department synergy at the university. The three of them worked tirelessly to organize an event on a much larger scale than the previous one, which legally could only be held for an audience of 100 people. TED offers a program allowing other organizations, such as universities, to hold their own independent talks under the special name TEDx, and with the proper certification, the 100-person limit is lifted. Thanks to College of Business Program Manager Dale McCauley, Oregon State can hold licensed TEDx events for the next five years. McCauley attended an official TED talk and went through training to conduct his own. He also led the 2012 project, which was a much smaller venue featuring mostly university staff. He said
Barometer
that this time they won’t face the “massive constrictions” they dealt with before. “It’s a whole different ballgame,” McCauley said. With the financial support and connections of three of the university’s colleges, he and his student team have gathered enough talented guests to make this the first true OSU TEDx. Thursday’s speakers are highly successful academics from all manner of professions. Some are known as much for their presence in media as their private achievements. Emily Calandrelli, a former employee of NASA and host of FOX’s “Xploration Outer Space,” earned her master’s from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and now works to promote women in STEM. Likewise, Michelle Lesniak surprised television viewers everywhere by overcoming her competition and winning the 11th season of “Project Runway.” A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she works as a key player in the Portland fashion industry. Others, like David Edelstein, have made extraordinary contributions to developing nations and businesses. Edelstein uses mobilephone based solutions to tackle practical problems in countries with unstable infrastructures and creates business plans that meet the needs of consumers and producers in new markets. One of them has even been featured at a TED talk before.
MANAGING and NEWS EDITOR MCKINLEY SMITH 541-737-2231 news@dailybarometer.com ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR KAT KOTHEN news@dailybarometer.com
Newsroom: 541-737-2231 Business: 541-737-2233
SPORTS EDITOR TEJO Pack sports@dailybarometer.com
Memorial Union East 106 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-1617
Find Us Here…
Friday, Feb. 6 Events Poetry Interest Group, 7-9pm, Westminster House, 23rd & Monroe. Open Mic - Speaking out against torture and Guantanamo Bay remaining open. OSU Music Department, Noon, MU Lounge. Music å la Carte: OSU Voice Studios Recital
Monday, Feb. 9 Meetings Waste Watchers, 5:30-7pm, Gilkey 104. Weekly meeting - Help plan and get involved with waste reduction events, education and outreach!
Wednesday, Feb. 11 Meetings ASOSU House of Representatives, 7pm, MU Journey Room. Weekly meeting.
Events Waste Watchers, 5:30-7:30pm, 644 SW 13th St. (OSU Recycling Warehouse). Get your fix at the February Repair Fair! Bring your broken and damaged items and volunteers will teach you how to repair them!
Thursday, Feb. 12 Meetings Baha’i Campus Association, 12:30pm, MU Talisman Room. RacismAmerica’s Most Challenging Issue - A discussion.
Friday, Feb. 13 Events OSU Music Department, Noon, MU Lounge. Music å la Carte: David Rodgers and James Edwards, period music on original 19th Century guitars
Monday, Feb. 16 Meetings Waste Watchers, 5:30-7pm, Gilkey 104. Weekly meeting - Help plan and get involved with waste reduction events, education and outreach!
Tuesday, Feb. 17
The Daily
NEWS TIPS • 541-737-2231 FAX • 541-737-4999 E-MAIL • NEWS TIPS news@dailybarometer.com
est groups typically spend a significant amount of money during election season on voter registration drives. On Wednesday, Republicans cried foul over the speed with which the bill is moving. All four GOP committee members tried to propose amendments to the bill, including two sets that would have nullified the bill completely. “This is third day of session,” said House Republican Leader Mike McLane of Powell Butte. “How does someone from Ontario meaningfully participate in this bill? ... I think (the vote) should be delayed. Republicans also said the bill, as drafted, would be an “unfunded mandate” for county governments. HB 2177 would cost the Secretary of State’s office about $800,000 in start-up costs, some of which may be covered by federal dollars. Combined, Oregon counties would face $767,000 in new costs over the next two years, an amount that would increase as more voters are registered. But House Majority Leader Val Hoyle, a Eugene Democrat, said Wednesday that she expects the Legislature to cover those costs for counties, using state dollars. “We will get funding (for the bill) for timber counties, like mine,” Hoyle said. Rep. Carl Wilson, a Grants Pass Republican, said he didn’t like the state creating a “nonelective process” to register voters “casually” when they go to the DMV. “Effectively, the (registration) process has become a throwaway process,” he said. Rep. Phil Barnhart, a Eugene Democrat, countered that automatic registration is an alternative to allowing voters to register on Election Day. Oregon has a 20-day cutoff before an election for voters who want to register, and the state’s vote-by-mail system makes same-day registration almost impossible. Automatic registration “deals with a real disadvantage of the system we’ve adopted: that many voters are disenfranchised” by not registering to vote in time, he said. “It’s quite forward-thinking.”
Calendar
FORUM EDITOR CASSIE RUUD forum@dailybarometer.com
Contact an editor
COPY EDITOR JACKIE KEATING
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SEAN BASSINGER 541-737-3191 editor@dailybarometer.com
GRAPHICS EDITOR ERIC WINKLER PHOTOGRAPHERS JUSTIN QUINN NiCKI SILVA photo@dailybarometer.com
To place an ad call 541-737-2233 BUSINESS MANAGER BRENDAN SANDERS baro.business@oregonstate.edu AD SALES REPRESENTATIVES 541-737-2233 GUNTHER KLAUS db1@oregonstate.edu BETTY CHAO db2@oregonstate.edu KAMELYN BOVINETTE db3@oregonstate.edu DANIELLE BRIDGES db4@oregonstate.edu MANDY WU db5@oregonstate.edu LOGAN TAYLOR db6@oregonstate.edu
Hanson Hosein is a professional in business and education as well as a former war correspondent for NBC. His company, HRH Media Group, has produced multiple acclaimed documentaries. The youngest speaker is one of the university’s own students. Standing alongside these accomplished individuals, microbiology senior Matt Kaiser said it’s “very humbling” to be a part of TEDx’s lineup. “It’s very much an honor to be selected out of all the other students who I know would have been able to give just as good a speech as me,” Kaiser said. Kaiser is currently a research fellow at the Linus Pauling Institute, and is preparing a manuscript of his research on vitamin C and cancer. For his speech, he said he intends to address society’s response to rapid advances in technology and encourage students to “have an informed discussion about our future.” TEDx “Disruption” begins at 6 p.m. in the LaSells Stewart Center. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for non-students. Event organizers are expecting a sold-out venue and encourage interested parties to purchase tickets as soon as possible. Tickets will be unavailable at the event, so preregistration is required. Tickets can be purchased online through the OSU Alumni Association website. Chris Correll, news reporter
Events OSU Career Development Center, 2-4pm, MU Multipurpose Room. Speed Mock Interviews. Sign up on Beaver Careers to practice interviewing with Employers & Career Specialists! Bring resume.
Wednesday, Feb. 18 Meetings Gaming Club at OSU, 7pm, MU 206.
Friday, Feb. 20 Events OSU Music Department, Noon, MU Lounge. Music å la Carte: Left Coast Sax Quartet
Monday, Feb. 23 Meetings Waste Watchers, 5:30-7pm, Gilkey 104. Weekly meeting - Help plan and get involved with waste reduction events, education and outreach!
Thursday, Feb. 26 Meetings Baha’i Campus Association, 12:30pm, MU Talisman Room. Education is Not a Crime - A discussion.
Friday, Feb. 27 Events OSU Music Department, Noon, MU Lounge. Music å la Carte: Sunghee Kim, piano
Monday, Mar. 2 Meetings Waste Watchers, 5:30-7pm, Gilkey 104. Weekly meeting - Help plan and get involved with waste reduction events, education and outreach!
Wednesday, Mar. 4 Meetings Gaming Club at OSU, 7pm, MU 206.
news@dailybarometer.com
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER GUNTHER KLAUS klausg@onid.oregonstate.edu CLASSIFIEDS 541-737-6372 PRODUCTION baro.production@oregonstate.edu The Barometer is published Monday through Friday except holidays and final exam week during the academic school year; weekly during summer term; one issue week prior to fall term in September by the Oregon State University Student Media Committee on behalf of the Associated Students of OSU, at Memorial Union East, OSU, Corvallis, OR 97331-1614. The Daily Barometer, published for use by OSU students, faculty and staff, is private property. A single copy of The Barometer is free from newsstands. Unauthorized removal of multiple copies will be considered theft and is prosecutable.
Responsibility — The University Student Media Committee is charged with the general supervision of all student publications and broadcast media operated under its authority for the students and staff of Oregon State University on behalf of the Associated Students of OSU. Formal written complaints about The Daily Barometer may be referred to the committee for investigation and disposition. After hearing all elements involved in a complaint, the committee will report its decision to all parties concerned.
dailybarometer.com
news@dailybarometer.com • 541-737-2231
Friday, February 6, 2015•3
Blumenauer proposed federal gas tax increase PORTLAND TRIBUNE
PORTLAND — U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer has reintroduced his proposal to increase the federal gasoline tax by 5 cents during each of the next three years as momentum builds for doing something about the nation’s aging roads and bridges. Blumenauer, a Democrat from Portland, sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, the House’s tax-writing panel. Even though Republicans have majorities in both chambers of Congress, Blumenauer says the time is right to do something to shore up the nation’s surface transportation system. Blumenauer said in a statement on HR 680 on Wednesday: “There’s a broad and persuasive coalition that stands ready to support Congress, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, national AFL-CIO, the construction and trucking industry, cyclists, professional groups, numerous associations of small and medium businesses, local governments, and transit agencies. We just need to give them something to support.� The most recent increase
in the federal tax occurred in 1993, when it went from 14 cents to 18.4 cents. Two previous increases in 1983 and 1990 were passed by Democratic congressional majorities and signed by Republican presidents. Republicans have been divided over an increase. Some oppose an increase and say it’s time for the federal government to turn over more responsibility for highways to the states. Others say it’s time for Congress to authorize transportation spending on a long-term basis — it has continued since 2009 on a series of short-term extensions, the latest of which will end in mid-May — and that there is a shared responsibility with the states. Blumenauer says the current tax is not sufficient to replenished the federal highway trust fund, and Congress has transferred $65 billion from the income-taxsupported general fund to keep the highway fund solvent. “Every credible independent report indicates that we are not meeting the demands of our stressed and decaying infrastructure system – roads, bridges and transit,� Blumenauer says.
“Congress hasn’t dealt seriously with the funding issue for over 20 years and it’s time to act.�
Action in states Blumenauer’s announcement coincided with the release of a report by Transportation for America, a national group of elected officials, business and civic leaders, about successful efforts in 13 states since 2012 to raise more money for transportation work. Oregon and Washington are among a number of states considering their options this year. “Oregon has lots of company this year,� says Chris Rall, Northwest field organizer based in Portland for Transportation for America. “With infrastructure decaying with age, the long economic slump has left a huge legacy of unmet needs, even as federal aid has become less dependable. Metro regions battling congestion are queuing up for transit dollars and cities and towns are scouring for money to make walking and biking safer options. “No surprise, then, that no fewer than nine governors so far have called for raising transporta-
tion revenue in their state of the state speeches.� While Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber did not specify a financing plan for transportation projects in his Jan. 12 inaugural, he did refer to his support of the Oregon Business Plan, which does list money for transportation improvements as one of its three goals for the year. Although Democrats have majorities in both chambers of the Oregon Legislature, they will need at least one Republican vote in the House for the 60 percent required to approve revenueraising measures. Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, also says Republican support is vital to avert any attempt to force a statewide election on such increases. Oregon’s gasoline tax since 2011 is 30 cents per gallon. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has laid out a $12 billion transportation plan, to be paid for by new taxes on carbon polluters. The Transportation for America report lists seven common elements among the six states it studied for successful transportation financing plans. Those elements were local priority-setting, transparency and
Courtney, Kotek break silence on Kitzhaber troubles By Hannah Hoffman STATESMAN JOURNAL
SALEM — Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, and Speaker of the House Tina Kotek, D-Portland, broke the silence in the Oregon Capitol on Thursday afternoon regarding Gov. John Kitzhaber’s relationship to companies that have done business with his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, and his political future. Courtney issued this statement: “The governor is facing serious challenges and he’s hurting. I want to be fair. I want to be compassionate. I want to do my job the best I can. I will not speculate on his future.
“As legislators we need to stay focused on providing money for our schools, taking care of our seniors, tending to our state’s transportation needs and balancing our budget. We have a lot to do and we need to get it done before July. We can’t let anything distract us.� Kotek had this to say: “This session is off to a productive start. As the Oregon Government Ethics Commission does its job, we must remain focused on our job as legislators, which is to serve Oregonians by advancing policies that improve people’s lives and strengthen our state.� These are the first public
Classifieds Help Wanted
Recreation
SPRING BREAK WHITEWATER RIVER GUIDE SCHOOL Whitewater guide training, a true adventure of a lifetime. Summer employment opportunities. Details at www.HighCountryExpeditions.com / 541-822-8288.
Benton Brigade Hurling Club NOW RECRUITING Try this fun and unique sport. No experience needed All equipment provided More info at: www.bentonbrigade.com
Residential Skills Trainer ****WE ARE RECRUITING FOR OUR CORVALLIS AND PORTLAND CAMPUS**** APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDING IN THE BODY OF THE POSTING At Trillium Family Services, we believe that every team member has an integral role in the lifesaving treatment we provide. Trillium Family Services offers a great opportunity to be part of a dedicated team helping children and adolescents in psychiatric residential treatment. The Residential Skills Trainer is an entry-level, direct care position that helps provide innovative models of care and treatment for children and adolescents living with mental illness. We look to hire people who are passionate about working with our population and who are committed to improving the lives of those we serve through our trauma informed models of practice. Responsibilities include building rapport with clients and providing daily support and structure. We currently have availability for full & part-time day, swing and awake overnight shifts. We offer a generous benefit package to our eligible employees. Please note that not all positions are benefit eligible. ***TO APPLY: PLEASE click on the link below: https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=4716481 Trillium Family Services is a drug free workplace. All final applicants will be subject to a criminal record identification check pursuant to ORS 181.536.727.537 and agency policy as well as pre-employment drug testing. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider.
Services HYPNOTHERAPY TRAINING FOR NATIONAL CERTIFICATION. Basic thru advanced, $1500. (541) 327-3513 (Albany) for info, or enrollment. Dr. J’s Math and Electrical Engineering Tutoring. $30/Hour. Retired OSU Instructor. 541-758-9147 eggertonj@gmail.com
Buyer Beware The Oregon State University Daily Barometer assumes no liability for ad content or response. Ads that appear too good to be true, probably are. Respond at your own risk.
CLASSIFIEoDwADS are n
ON-LINE!
To place an online and/or print classified ad, go to dailybarometer.campusave.com Online Rates:
FREE to students, staff & faculty
statements from any Democratic leaders regarding Kitzhaber’s situation. Democrats have not defended the governor or issued any public statements of support regarding the Hayes situation. Republican leaders have questioned his and Hayes’ financial activity, but they have also not speculated about the governor’s future or voiced any support for the leader of Oregon’s executive branch. The Oregonian editorial board called on Kitzhaber to resign in an editorial published Tuesday, days after the governor told the media Hayes would no longer have a political or policy role in his office. At a press conference Friday, Kitzhaber said he had no knowl-
edge of Hayes’ tax filings, whose accuracy has been called into question recently. The couple files separately, Kitzhaber said, and he is not even sure if Hayes is considered a legal member of his household, although he claims her on economic disclosure forms. “I have nothing to say on the issue of Cylvia’s taxes,� he said. Hayes’ role in Kitzhaber’s office has been under scrutiny since the fall, during the governor’s campaign for a fourth term. The media and the public have raised questions about whether some contracts Hayes received from independent contractors in her role as an energy consultant while she was also working in his administration as a policy adviser.
this year or beyond, are doing so in expectation of ongoing federal support. “Governors and legislators have acted because states face growing needs and static or falling revenues. The situation has been made worse by federal funding that has remained flat as costs have risen, and could grow disastrously worse should Congress reduce federal support in the upcoming renewal of the national program.�
KICK BACK and sip hand-made COCKTAILS from our LIQUOR INFUSIONS.
214 SW 2ND • Behind Downtown Dream • 541-753-7373
Open Position for SIFC Member-at-Large Applications are located in MU 215. With application, include a resume and cover letter/ letter of interest. Applications are due on February 6th no later than 5:00pm. For more information, please see http://oregonstate.edu/sifc/ or contact Priscilla Macy at Student.Fees@oregonstate.edu
Today’s
su•do•ku
HIRING
Beat Reporters The Daily Barometer general beat reporter contributes at least three articles a week focused on a broad range of topics, shoots photos/videos on assignments and updates social media links to share stories. They are responsible for conducting themselves professionally: developing story/content ideas, dressing appropriately for the workplace, meeting deadlines, coordinating with photographers, supervisors and representing The Daily Barometer. The general beat reporter may coordinate with freelance writers and the associate news editor to cover stories.
Qualifications:
Required: - Must at least include: Must be a currently enrolled student at Oregon State University for at least (6) six academic credits, and be in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA). - Interest in journalism - Outstanding ethics and commitment to the truth - Training in journalism 101, offered by The Daily Barometer upon hiring Preferred: - Proficiency in proper spelling/grammar - Knowledge of AP-style grammar - Willingness to take on new challenges and engage as a leader in a team environment - Curious and self-motivated - Past experience working for a print or online publication Working conditions: - Open office/clerical environment in newsroom. Assignments may vary based on subjects and interview locations.
To apply, fill out the application available online at www.dailybarometer.com/site/joinus.html or pick up an application at Memorial Union East 106 in Snell Hall and return to the office with a resume and a work sample.
with onid.orst.edu email
$25 per ad per month No refunds will be issued. Print Rates: 15 words or less, per day – $3.75 Each additional word, per day – 25¢ 10 Days – 25% off • 20 Days – 50% off
accountability for projects, a fair distribution of money to cities and rural areas, support from the governor, broad-based coalitions, new revenue-generating mechanisms, and appropriate messengers and messages to the public about why transportation matters. But the report concludes that state action along is not enough: “It is important to note that all of the states that have acted thus far, and those working to do so
Pay Rate: $525 a month, approx. 15 hours a week Start Date: Feb. 15, 2015 Application closes Feb. 11 at 5 p.m.
To play: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved, just use logic to solve.
Yesterday’s Solution
By Peter Wong, Capitol Bureau
4•Friday, February 6, 2015
news@dailybarometer.com • 541-737-2231
Do you think there are party residence halls on campus?
‘‘ ‘‘ ‘‘ ‘‘ ‘‘ ‘‘ Amanda Barker
Junior, mechanical engineering
No, I wouldn’t really consider that. I think every dorm has their people that party, and that’s kind of just what happens in every dorm. There’s just the people that want to party and the people who don’t. Derek Evers
I don’t know about a specific hall. I think every one of them has their own parties. I just think it depends on who you’re around and who you choose to party with.
Yeah, I don’t live in dorms, so I’m not familiar with them. But yeah I do think they have parties at the dorm. Khulaifi Alkhulaifi
Sophomore, chemical engineering
Jacqueline Harris
Sophomore, exercise and sport science
This was like three years ago, so I know that some people would actually sometimes get crazy in Weatherford. If you get the right mixture of people, they’ll turn it into a party hall. Jesse Grow
Senior, public health
Freshman, exercise and sport science
Yeah, I think they do. I don’t know if it’s a particular hall that’s always been that way, but you know, we’re in college, so there’s going to be that. Especially the large universities, there’s going to be party halls no matter what, and maybe it’s just part of the college experience for some people.
‘‘
‘‘ ‘‘ ‘‘ ‘‘ ‘‘
I’ve always heard Callahan, but I lived in Wilson, in the engineering wing, so I didn’t quite ever do that.
Blake Johnson
Senior, digital communication arts
DARKSIDE n Continued from page 1
at 1:30 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. “Boy,” a film from New Zealand, is a comingof-age film that tells the story of a young boy as shown Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. he struggles to re-connect with his father who “I Have Found It,” also from India, is a recently returned to his life. “Boy” will be shown Bollywood interpretation of the Jane Austen clas- Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 1:30 p.m. The Darkside Cinema is located at 215 SW sic “Sense and Sensibility,” and follows the story of a single mother and her daughters as they lose 4th Street in Corvallis. their country estate and struggle to save the famAbigail Erickson, news reporter news@dailybarometer.com ily status. “I Have Found It” will be shown Feb. 15
Beaver Yearbook
Moving Sale
Hanna Brewer
The Centro Cultural Cesar Chavez is one of the cultural and support centers on campus that ASOSU is trying to accommodate by adding more seats to the ASOSU House of Representatives.
ASOSU n Continued from page 1
5 each
$
(picked up)
Subject to stock on hand. Available 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday in 210A MU East/Snell Hall. Additional $12 per book if mailed in the U.S. Questions? Contact Kami Hammerschmith at 541-737-6379.
ing the positions in ASOSU and even at the CRCs, so there are always communication cracks where information about this kind of stuff is lost,” Salgado individuals,” Boulanger said. “As of now, we have said. “Two-thirds of the staff are new to the centers no foolproof way to have a full-time presence in every year, so it’s hard to keep communication solid the CRCs with people who are in ASOSU, which is when you have to continuously brief everyone.” Ish Guevara, a junior in apparel design who is why we worked for these seats.” After the Senate tabled the seven bills Tuesday involved at the Pride Center, said that without seats due to wording inconsistencies and other con- in the House, “all the voices are lost.” “The cultural centers are not connected because cerns, they brought bill JB 06.11 to the House of they don’t have a voice together,” Guevara said. Representatives Wednesday for a vote during the Aisha Young, a senior majoring in sustainable last week possible for ASOSU to pass legislation. JB 06.11 adds 10 unallocated seats to the House and ecological horticulture production who is involved in the Pride Center, met of Representatives. These seats with Boulanger previously when are open to any student until he visited the Pride Center about ASOSU amends the bill or passes I think it’s a month ago to discuss the bills additional legislation to specify in question. important for the otherwise. “Advertising to the whole stu“The 10 general seats are a cultural centers to get dent body is hard because the compensation for the tabled those seats in order same demographic is being marbills, but they kind of take us back keted towards specific people, to square one,” said Haunani to have someone mainly Greek life,” Young said. Carvalho, a worker at the Native on the board who is “ASOSU already shows their American Longhouse. “I think support and we are appreciait’s important for the cultural knowledgeable tive of their involvement in our centers to get those seats in order to the specific cultural centers,” said Tus Henry, student to have someone on the board leadership liaison of the Native centers instead who is knowledgeable to the American Longhouse. specific cultural centers instead of a stranger. ASOSU plans to bring in new of a stranger.” legislation or amendments that ASOSU has been working to Haunani Carvalho will go off of JB 06.11. improve diversity in the House Native American Longhouse worker “Out of the 10 seats that have of Representatives. been added, we intend to allot “It’s great that there are 10 seats for the new bill, but there is no specificity or guidelines,” said Izzy one to each CRC,” Boulanger said. Other programs around campus that wish to Salgado, a senior majoring in entrepreneurship have a voice in the House will be given the opporwho works at the CCCC. Among members of the cultural centers, few tunity to fill the remaining three seats, according seemed to know that the bills were even up for to Boulanger. legislation. Hanna Brewer, news reporter news@dailybarometer.com “Every year there is a new group of students tak-
‘‘
‘‘
All 1908 – 2011 Beaver Yearbooks
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
The Daily Barometer 5 • Friday, February 6, 2015
Sports
Beaver Tweet of the Day “Life is waking up an hour early to live an hour more” @kgdriscoll12
Katelyn Driscoll
sports@dailybarometer.com • On Twitter @barosports
Beavers win close battle, remain perfect at home n
After tough week in desert, OSU men’s basketball bounces back, defeats WSU By Brain Rathbone THE DAILY BAROMETER
Trailing 44-43 with 6:41 left in the game, the Oregon State men’s basketball team went on an 8-0 run the next four minutes to pull ahead of the Washington State Cougars to stay a perfect 13-0 at Gill Coliseum in its 55-50 victory Thursday night. It was an off night shooting for the Beavers (157, 6-4 Pac-12), as they shot 38.9 percent from the field, and an uncharacteristic 21.4 percent from the free-throw line going 10-22 from the charity stripe. The Cougars (10-12, 4-6) had an equally bad shooting night, as they went 37.3 percent from the field, 21.4 percent from three and 50 percent from the line. “We didn’t shoot very well; we’ve got to find a way to get to where we start shooting it better,” head coach Wayne Tinkle said. “It was very atypical for us at the free-throw line as well.” While the rest of the team struggled shooting
Men’s Basketball
What: Oregon State vs. Washington When: Sunday, Feb. 8, at 1:30 p.m. Where: Gill Coliseum Air: FOX SPORTS 1
the ball, junior forward and sixth man Jarmal Reid had an excellent game, as he led the Beavers with 20 points going 8-12 from the field — while the rest of the team went 13-42. “I thought he was alright,” Tinkle said jokingly as he patted Reid on the back. “I’m going to give him really big compliments, he was really big for us in the first half.” The first half went about as bad as it could have gone for the Beavers. The Cougars opened up the game on an 8-0 run, while collecting seven offensive rebounds, which resulted in 12 secondchance points. With 7:28 left in the first half and the Beavers trailing 21-12, they went with a smaller lineup, See MEN’S HOOPS | page 6
justin quinn| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Washington State freshman guard Ny Redding takes a moment after physical play under the hoop knocks him down against the Beavers at Gill Coliseum Feb. 5.
justin quinn
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Junior forward Jarmal Reid lays in the reverse against the Washington State Cougars in Corvallis Feb. 5.
No. 7 Beavers to rematch Washington teams Beavers come out swinging n
Sophomore guard Gabi Hanson looks for an open teammate against the Trojans Jan. 31 in Corvallis.
Oregon State softball starts out season with back-to-back wins in Tempe
Softball
What: Oregon State vs. Indiana When: Friday, Feb. 6, at 7:15 p.m. Where: Tempe, Ariz.
By Josh Worden
As hot of an offensive start as it was for OSU, the Beavers would go on to The Oregon State softball team was score only once more in the game, but looking for a quick start Thursday the two runs were enough for a 2-1 to the 2015 season in the Kajikawa victory over Ole Miss. OSU went on Classic in Tempe, Ariz. A home run on to complete the doubleheader sweep the very first at bat of the season was with a 13-0 stomping of Pacific. the exact strong start that freshman Arriola’s homer was countered by shortstop McKenna Arriola and her See SOFTBALL | page 6 OSU team was looking for. THE DAILY BAROMETER
justin quinn
THE DAILY BAROMETER
n
Women’s basketball set to visit UW and WSU after narrowly beating them at home By Mitch Mahoney
Women’s Basketball
What: Oregon State vs. Washington When: Friday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. Where: Gill Coliseum
Three weeks ago, when the Beavers (20-1, 10-0) hosted the Cougars, the This weekend, the 7th-ranked Beavers miraculously fought back from Oregon State women’s basketball team a 16-point second half deficit to come is traveling north to play two teams away with the 73-70 victory. When they played the Huskies two that gave them trouble already this season. Those teams are Washington nights later, the score was tight the (16-5, 5-5 Pac-12) and Washington State entire 40 minutes and the lead changed hands a total of eight times. The Beavers (13-8, 4-6). THE DAILY BAROMETER
did eventually take the final lead of the game with 3:56 remaining, and they managed to close out the Huskies for the 75-67 win. “They did really well offensively in transition,” said senior guard Ali Gibson. “But we’ve cleaned up our transition defense, especially today in practice, so hopefully we can take shots away from them and be better on defense.” Washington features the leading scorer in the Pac-12, sophomore See WOMEN’S HOOPS | page 6
justin quinn
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Senior outfielder Kori Nishitomi prepares to step into the batters box against Arizona State in Corvallis March 16, 2014.
6•Friday, February 6, 2015
sports@dailybarometer.com • 541-737-2231
MEN’S HOOPS n Continued from page 5
justin quinn
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
“At their place we went small, with (Reid) at the four and Olaf at the five,” Tinkle said. “Coach Rupp reminded me of moving junior forward Olaf that tonight, so we put Jarmal Schaftenaar to the center in for Daniel (Gomis) and he position, Reid to the power got us going offensively in the forward, with junior guards first half.” Langston Morris-Walker, Gary During the second half, the Payton II and sophomore guard defensive intensity picked up as Malcolm Duvivier playing in the Beavers forced the Cougars the backcourt. into seven turnovers, while That lineup switch fueled holding them to 18 second half the Beavers as they attacked points — the fewest the Beavers the basket, which resulted in have allowed in a second half multiple and-ones courtesy of all season. Duvivier, Reid and Schaftenaar. As time kept ticking down, They closed the final seven both teams kept trading basminutes on an 18-11 run to cut kets, with neither team able to score and within three points the lead to 32-30 at halftime.
until 3:08 left in the game, when a Duvivier layup pushed the lead to five. “We just know in the last four minutes we’ve got to win them and it will put us over the top,” Reid said. “We have been doing that so far and it had been working.” With the victory, the Beavers move to 13-0 at home, their best start at home since the 1979-80 team. They will try and make it 14-0 when they host the Washington Huskies Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Gill Coliseum. Brian Rathbone, sports reporter On Twitter @brathbone3 sports@dailybarometer.com
Junior center Ruth Hamblin concentrates on securing the ball against a UCLA player in Gill Coliseum Feb. 2.
WOMEN’S HOOPS n Continued from page 5 guard Kelsey Plum, who is averaging 24.1 points per game, making her the third-highest scorer in the nation. “She’s a great shooter,” Gibson said. “She plays both ways, she creates shots for herself and she’s able to get herself to the free throw line, so we just need to do a good job not fouling her, but still battling her.” In its first meeting, OSU did well to slow her down. Plum shot 3-for-16 from the field and scored a total of 10 points. “I didn’t think it was a great defensive performance for us in a general sense,” said head coach Scott Rueck. “We did a really good job on Plum to limit her, but we let other people go.” One of those players was junior forward Talia Walton, who scored a team-high 22 points on 8-of-20 shooting. However, Walton was outscored by OSU junior guard Jamie Weisner, who went off for 26 points. The Huskies elected to double-team junior center Ruth Hamblin, and that opened up space along the perimeter for the team’s shooters, including Weisner. Two days prior to that game, when the Beavers played Washington State, the Cougars elected to guard Hamblin one-on-one. Hamblin proceeded to set a new career-high in points with 31. “With our inside-outside game combination, if you take away one you’re giving up something else,” Hamblin said. “We’re a really hard team to
defend when we’re playing right.” The statistics support that. The 6-foot-6 Hamblin averages 14 points per game while shooting 62.5 percent from the floor, which is the second-highest field goal percentage in the country. Similarly, Weisner averages 44.8 percent from long range while sophomore guard Sydney Wiese averages 43.9 percent. Those rates are first and fourth in the Pac-12, and are part of the reason why OSU is the best three-point shooting team inconference along with Stanford. With the variety of ways the Beavers can score, it’s up to each team to decide how it wants to guard OSU. “It’s just what each program feels is their best opportunity,” Rueck said. “Every coach has that decision, and it’s probably based on a lot of factors. One is who they think is dangerous for us. Another is what each team is capable of doing.” Washington State is not typically a team that doubles a defender, so doubling Hamblin would have been an adjustment for it. As for Washington, it fit its defensive scheme to throw a second defender Hamblin’s way, and it did. “Who knows what they’re going to do this time? That could flip and they could come up with a different scheme,” Rueck said. “That’s something that we’re prepared for every night, and we just adapt as we go.” The Beavers play at Washington Friday at 7 p.m. and Washington State Sunday at 2 p.m.
justin quinn| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Junior guard Gary Payton II walks off the court and heads towards the locker room during halftime against Washington State Feb. 5.
Mitch Mahoney, sports reporter On Twitter @MitchIsHere sports@dailybarometer.com
justin quinn
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Senior outfielder Dani Gilmore flashes a smile before stepping up to the plate against Washington April 25, 2014.
SOFTBALL n Continued from page 5
For event details or disability related accommodation requests, call 541-737-7294 or email us at Romeo.Lopez-Gonzalez@oregonstate.edu
an Ole Miss score in the bottom of the third inning, but another OSU solo home run — this time by senior center fielder Dani Gilmore — in the fifth inning was the difference maker. The Beavers will take on Indiana Friday at 7:15 p.m. before closing out the road trip with games against Wisconsin, Nevada and Cal Poly. OSU’s offense came alive in the second game, complementing an even stronger defensive performance than in the 2-1 win over Ole Miss. Junior pitcher Beverly Miller started in the opener and senior Melanie Dembinski started against Pacific. Both tossed complete games, though Dembinski only needed five innings for her first win of the season as OSU’s 13 runs incited the five-run mercy rule. Freshman left fielder Lovie Lopez led the Beavers against Pacific offensively, despite going 0-for-3 against Ole Miss. She came back against Pacific with a 3-for-3 performance, includ-
ing a two-run home run as part of a four-run second inning. That homer was the first hit as a Beaver for the freshman from Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Lopez, ranked the 40th best recruit of her class by studentsports.com, ended with four runs batted in. The disparity of offensive performances in the two wins was clear: the Beavers recorded only four hits against Ole Miss and 13 against Pacific. However, the one home run from Lopez was the only one for OSU against Pacific, while it was two solo homers against Ole Miss that led the Beavers to victory. The trend in both games, though, was strong pitching. Dembinksi allowed just two hits while Miller struck out 10; Dembinski threw strikes on 52 of 79 pitches while Miller didn’t allow any extra base hits. Pitching was a major need for the Beavers after losing senior Amanda Najdek from last year’s squad. Dembinski was expected to be a major part of the 2015 squad’s rotation, while Miller is in her first year with OSU after transferring from Monterey Peninsula Junior College in
Monterey, Calif., where she was named the Northern California Pitcher of the Year in 2014. Miller and Dembinski were helped out offensively by their teammates, of course, with just enough production against Ole Miss and an excessive output versus Pacific. Fellow transfer Sammi Noland, a junior coming off two years with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, went 3-for-4 in her second game with OSU, doubling twice and scoring twice. Arriola, fresh off her game against Ole Miss with the home run, went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two walks against Pacific. She and Gilmore combined for six hits over the two games and were the only players to get at least one hit in each game. Senior catcher Hannah Akamine, after recently transferring from Tennessee, and freshman first baseman Alysha Everett both ended the day with one hit, both firsts of their OSU careers. Josh Worden, sports reporter On Twitter @BrightTies sports@dailybarometer.com
The Daily Barometer 7 •Friday, February 6, 2015
Editorial
Yeas & Nays Y
ea to slightly warmer weather, regardless of the copious amounts of rain and fog. Nay to Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog predicting six more weeks of winter. Nay to getting way too fixated on superstition. We should probably just keep let our climate decide what it wants to do for the next six weeks. Yea to 10 additional seats being created within the Associated Students of Oregon State University House of Representatives. Nay to the fact that this technically changes little in terms of a more diverse House. Seats allocated specifically to cultural and support centers should continue to be a priority. Yea to improvements in communication. We do appreciate ASOSU reaching out to us when we do have questions or concerns. Yea to programs such as Discovery Days getting younger generations interested in science. Nay to the ignorance surrounding Objectivism, and others who often seem to discount said sciences. Vaccinations only keep us from getting sick. Yea to the pending conclusion of flu season. There’s nothing worse than getting ridiculously sick right before a midterm or project due date takes place. Yea to Oregon State University’s women’s basketball players Ali Gibson and Jamie Weisner reaching score of more than 1,000 career points. Nay to tough times on the road for OSU men’s basketball. At least they’re still rocking at home. Yea to OSU President Ed Ray taking the time to speak with us about the university, his salary increase and what he expects in the future. Yea to speaking up about what you believe in. This goes for any discussion, letter or comment we receive at any time. We want to hear from people. Nay to being told you’re wrong about something only to wait a week and find out you were right. They say hindsight is 20/20. Yea to discovering how glorious fajita vegetables can make a burrito bowl taste. Nay to the “what do I do with my life now” feeling after consuming any mass quantities of food. Yea to eating food that’s not ramen or pizza for a change. Sometimes we forget what actual food tastes like. Yea to all the “left sharks” of the world who deviate from the norms. Your bravery will not go unnoticed. Nay to the societal expectations of perfection those “right sharks” continue to impose on us all. Sometimes you just need to shuffle to the side a bit. Yea to being halfway done with the term. Spring break, we have our eyes on you. Keep on singing, Corvallis. t
Editorials serve as means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board’s majority.
Letters
Letters to the editor are welcomed and will be printed on a first-received basis. Letters must be 300 words or fewer and include the author’s signature, academic major, class standing or job title, department name and phone number. Authors of e-mailed letters will receive a reply for the purpose of verification. Letters are subject to editing for space and clarity. The Daily Barometer reserves the right to refuse publication of any submissions. The Daily Barometer c/o Letters to the editor Memorial Union East 106 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-1617 or e-mail: editor@dailybarometer.com
Forum
Editorial Board
Sean Bassinger Editor-in-Chief McKinley Smith Managing and News Editor TeJo Pack News Editor
Cassie Ruud Jackie Keating Eric Winkler
Forum Editor Copy Editor Graphics Editor
forum@dailybarometer.com• 541-737-2231
Moral responsibility wins out A
fter last week’s column, which responded to a reader’s question about cheating in Baccalaureate Core classes, I received a variety of inquiries about academic integrity, one of which I will address today. Dear Dr. Ethics, My professor entered a grade that’s better than what I scored on the assignment. Should I tell her? — Feeling Guilty Dear Feeling Guilty, Professors, just like all humans, are fallible. Sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes work in your favor. The moral tension in this situation is the conflict between two
Dr. Stephanie Jenkins
Ask Dr. Ethics factors. First, there’s your desire to protect your grade; if you tell your instructor, she might take away your unearned extra points. Who doesn’t love free points that could possibly make a difference in a borderline grade at the end of the term? However, as your signature suggests, you feel a bit guilty about taking the first course of action. This brings us to the second factor: your moral obligations to be honest with your professor and to not gain an unfair advantage over your peers.
Email questions for the column to forum@dailybarometer.com, with the subject “Ask Dr. Ethics.” Your name will not be published.
These are the same duties that morally prohibit cheating and justify the enforcement of academic honor codes. What differentiates your case from common forms of academic misconduct is that it requires you to weigh the ethics of an act of omission. “Doing nothing” might result in a higher grade, but it’s the result of See Jenkins | page 8
Ryan Mason is a Senior in graphic design
Food safety should be top priority I
s our food safe? Well I have talked about outbreaks of disease and illness and how international imports are often sources of tainted food. I also pointed out that buying food locally helps to prevent disease outbreaks, while helping the farmer feed his or her family. So what is the government doing to protect our food? We currently have two government organizations that oversee food safety: the U.S. Department of
tecting our food and preventing outbreaks. Over the last decade, we have had hundreds of foodborne illness Gregory outbreaks involving millions of sickened Americans. Many of these translated to Cultivating Innovation changes in the food handling, Agriculture and the Food and Drug preparation, transportation and Administration. For most people, growing techniques. the USDA and FDA are just a part Without the FDA and the USDA, of the “alphabet soup” that makes we would very likely have had three to five times the number of up the federal government. However, both organizations outbreaks. See CHRISTENSEN | page 8 play an important role in pro-
Christensen
Travis Chambers
The Satire Express
Vaccinations likely cause of increased Objectivism
T
he media and politicians may be worried about the negative influence of the antivaccination movement — a group responsible for the recent resurgence of measles in the United States —but the people of this group are not monsters to be vilified; they are concerned parents with legitimate and understandable questions about the effects of vaccinations on their children. There are sinister forces in the world that think nothing of preying on children to further their greedy ambitions, and it is the responsibility of every parent to use every bit of discredited pseudo-science they can get their hands on to defend their children. It is also the responsibility for notreally-journalists such as myself to keep parents informed of new threats and generally spread misinformation and speculation that feeds into the engine of panic and fear that powers these movements. The dangers of the MMR vaccine may be “questionable,” “disproven” or “the paranoid fantasy of a privileged generation that never had to suffer through these diseases as a result of the success of vaccinations,” but there are still other vaccines parents should be terrified of. The influenza vaccination is particularly concerning. The CDC praises the effectiveness of this vaccine by pointing out how it can reduce the risk of the flu — a disease that killed more than 1,500 in the U.S. alone last year — by 50 to 60 percent. The FDA has even released a statement saying that it is among “the safest and most powerful disease prevention tools available.” But this “safe” vaccination has been linked to a profound mental effect characterized by a lack of empathy, paranoid delusion and decreased cognitive ability. I am, of course, talking about Objectivism. Objectivism is a defined by a belief in “ethical egoism,” “rational selfishness” or “acting like a spoiled child.” Objectivists suffer from the delusion that they are a special snowflake that never received help from anyone and that they would not die cold, starving and alone if not for the collective support of society. Other symptoms of Objectivism include believing that the genocide against the Native American people was justified, supporting institutional discrimination against minority groups and playing EVE Online. Objectivism was first observed in writer Ayn Rand — best known for her work as an extra in Cecil B. DeMille’s “King of Kings” — who expressed the foundational elements of the philosophy in her novel “The Fountainhead.” The novel was published in the year 1943, only a year after the influenza vaccine began testing in the United States. Sales of the novel were slow at first, but the novel finally managed to reach No. 6 on the New York Times best-seller list in 1946. One year after the influenza vaccine was approved for public distribution. Coincidence? And is it coincidence that the rise in sales of Ayn Rand’s novels parallels the rise in vaccinations? In 2008, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recomSee CHAMBERS | page 8
8•Friday, February 6, 2015
forum@dailybarometer.com • 541-737-2231
I
n today’s world, people love to criticize. I criticize the actions and ideals of others on a daily Jesse basis — mainly through the opinions articulated in my articles. Is this a bad thing? However, as a student who Well, it depends. has served as proxy for the When used properly, criticism can be a beneficial and often ASOSU Senate a multitude of necessary expression of one’s times, I can confidently say that perceptions, especially in a pro- I have yet to see more than a fessional or educational setting. total of two students attend one More commonly referred of the Senate’s regular Tuesday to as “constructive criticism,” meetings, nor provide any galthe assertion of one’s opinions lery comments. Therefore, it astounds me through a positive and helpful manner can promote alterna- that students continue to tive thinking, and often inspire actively criticize the actions and decisions of ASOSU when change. This method of criticism is they fail to take advantage of a valuable and greatly desired their right to attend weekly communicative tool that many ASOSU meetings and provide people nowadays unfortunately actual solutions to the problems they are lack. addressing. Instead, it To furis becoming ... the issue of ther prove ever more noticeable destructive criticism my point, it was not that the peoextends far beyond until about ple of today’s society would our campus to both two weeks ago that rather sit back a global and the ASOSU and criticize national level. Senate and for the sake House of of criticizing, rather than actually make an effort to induce the change Representatives had the times and dates of their regular meetthey wish to see. One example of this is the ings listed on their website — an recent heat that the Associated issue brought to light by the Students of Oregon State editorial “ASOSWho?” published University has been taking from in the Daily Barometer on Jan. a number of students across 28, 2015. Due to this criticism, which campus. As students of Oregon State discussed the need of listing University, we are not only these meetings times for stuentitled to our own opinions, dents to voice their opinions but it is our responsibility and and urged ASOSU to “create our right to share our thoughts a place where students can and ideas with our student gov- come and provide their voices ernment — something ASOSU to the proceedings,” ASOSU attempts to actively encourage. was motivated to take action.
Hanson
‘‘
‘‘
We can now find all meeting times listed on their website. As mentioned earlier, I frequently criticize the behaviors and ideals of others, but I attempt to do so in a style that encourages reflection and offers credible solutions, similar to the above-mentioned editorial. It is for this reason that the Senate and the House of Representatives dedicate a portion of their meetings towards gallery comments — because they desire the opinions of students, which they need in order to accurately represent our student body, and ultimately our campus. Therefore, I encourage you to follow suit of the “ASOSWho?” editorial, and direct your criticisms and concerns to the ASOSU with potential solutions, rather than continue this purposeless trend of harmful criticism for the sake of criticism. That being said, the issue of destructive criticism extends far beyond our campus to both a national and global level. When we look back in history at figures that were truly capable of making an impact on society such as Martin Luther King Jr., we find leaders who not only had the courage to challenge fundamental views, but were willing to stand up and fight for their beliefs. Therefore, if we truly wish to see change in the world — big or small — one cannot rely on criticism alone, but must propose solutions that add to the validity of their argument and induce reform. t
Jesse Hanson is a sophomore in physics. The opinions expressed in Hanson’s columns do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Barometer staff. Hanson can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
Are You…
JENKINS n Continued from page 7
Of course, the stakes of your decision are not as significant as those in the examples I’ve inaction, rather than an active just given. Unless your professor has choice to lie to your professor made a particularly egregious or disadvantage your peers. error, the academic stakes are Hold on. This doesn’t mean you’re off fairly low. Even so, it’s worth considerthe hook. Inaction that results in harm ing the accumulative effects to others can be just as blame- these “smaller” choices have worthy as deeds that actively on your character and the development of moral skills perpetrate injustice. We often hold bystanders you need respond appropriaccountable for not inter- ately to future, more urgent vening in an ongoing vio- moral quandaries. For what’s it’s worth, when I lent crime, which is the juswas in college, I was presented tification for with a similar the existence situation. of “G o o d One of my We often hold Samaritan” philosophy laws and also bystanders professors t h e m o ra l accountable for mistakenly force behind awarded me not intervening in Obama’s an extra 10 recent “It’s an ongoing violent points on an On Us” camimportant crime, which is the paign to prevent sexual justification for “Good assignment. When I told assault. Samaritan” laws ... him, he — to He r e at my surprise Oregon State — changed University, the Philosophy of Human my grade. To be honest, I was irritated Rights seminar (PHL 399) recently focused on the eth- at the time. I suspect I was ics of inaction, debating the deploying a different method question: “If you knew that for preserving my self-interest; $200 could save the life of a I wanted “moral” credit for child somewhere in the world, doing the right thing withbut you chose to spend it on a out the penalty of losing the fancy dinner instead, are you points. In retrospect, my profesmorally responsible for letting sor taught me an important the child die?”
‘‘
CHAMBERS n Continued from page 7 mended all children receive the influenza vaccination and began a campaign that would lead to a 25 percent increase in influenza vaccination coverage. A year later, the annual sales of “Atlas Shrugged,” the Bible of the Objectivist movement, reached an all-time high of 520,000 copies. With numbers like these there should be some concern about the possible link between vaccinations and Objectivism, but to date no scientist has done a single study on the subject. Of course, I’m not advocating that the influenza vaccination be banned or restricted. I only believe parents should have a choice when it comes to administering life-saving medical care to their children. After all, according to the Constitution, parents own their children as property, so it is ultimately up to them to decide. I’m also not trying to disparage people who suffer from Objectivism. Many Objectivists have gone on to have very successful careers in their adult lives. The Koch Brothers, multi-billion founders
CHIRSTENSEN n Continued from page 7
Let your sweetheart know.
And the rest of us too with a Valentine’s personal ad.
Valentine’s Personals are only $3.75
(15 words or less; 25¢ for each additional word) Good for Friday, Feb. 13th, Valentine’s Personals section only. Go to dailybarometer.campusave.com and place your print ad under “Valentines” or stop by 117 MU East Ads must be received by 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 12th 117 Memorial Union East • 541-737-6372
‘‘
Criticism for the sake of criticism not useful
This Monday, President Barrack Obama proposed creating a new government agency to oversee food safety. If created, it would combine the food-safety responsibilities of the USDA and the FDA under one roof, along with a host of other agencies throughout the federal government. This new “Food Safety” agency would be a branch of the Department of Health and Human Services, where the FDA currently calls home. Additionally, it would coordinate with state and local health departments, a job that is now mostly handled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently, the USDA oversees the safety and inspections of meat and eggs while the FDA oversees safety of most other foods. The split oversight is often complicated, as the FDA would be responsible for the safety of a Hot Pocket for example, but USDA takes over if the Hot Pocket has meat in it. Now that might not be the best example, as Hot Pockets are probably not food sources outside of college campuses.
lesson about the relationship between moral action and motivation. At the end of the term, when I earned an “A” in an especially difficult class, I was able to be proud of my accomplishment without a small but nagging guilt that I didn’t deserve the good grade. You’re probably still stuck on my opening point about professors being human. Seriously, we’re not robots. Really. But how can you be sure your professor isn’t a covert robot overlord sent by aliens as part of mission to conquer planet Earth? Take PHL 251: Knowers, Knowing, & the Known to find out. Not sure about your roommate? We can help with that too. Maybe. Peace & Virtue, Dr. Ethics Are you curious about ethics and philosophy? Do you have a moral dilemma or want respond to this week’s column? Send your questions to forum@dailybarometer.com or use the hashtag #askdrethics on Twitter. t
Dr. Stephanie Jenkins is an assistant professor in the School of History, Philosophy, and Religion and co-director of the Phronesis Lab for Engaged Ethics. The opinions expressed in Jenkins’s columns do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Barometer staff. Jenkins can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
of the Cato Institute, Heritage Foundation, and Americans for Prosperity, are both openly proud Objectivists. There are even politicians like Steve King, Mick Mulvaney, Paul Ryan and Ron Paul who have all struggled bravely with Objectivism. However, I think we can all agree that the safety and health of our children comes first. We need to ensure the medicine we give our children is proven safe beyond any sort of rational doubt based on solid scientific documented evidence. And I would personally advise that everyone wait to vaccinate their children until the link between Objectivism and vaccinations is disproven to the satisfaction of all the antivaccination websites that alternative cures from large, poorly regulated nutraceutical corporations while denouncing the greed of pharmaceuticals companies. Because just like any other sane, rational and compassionate person, I would rather children become ill than risk the chance that they might become Objectivists. t
Travis Chambers is a senior in English. The opinions expressed in Chambers’s columns do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Barometer staff. Chambers can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
Anyway, today, the USDA inspects meat daily as it is processed, while the FDA generally conducts inspections every few years. The two agencies share inspection duties at the border. According to the White House, “consolidation is an essential step to reforming the federal food safety system overall.” “It’s not about tradition or turf, it’s about food safety,” says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We have a system that no one can contend is as effective or efficient as it needs to be.” “Turf.” Even USDA Secretary Vilsack can use Ag puns. Most everyone agrees that safe food is a fundamental requirement and that the government should have some oversight, but some are against the president’s ideas. Several Oregon State University agriculture students who I discussed this issue with felt the president and USDA had no business controlling the agriculture market or food safety issues. They argued that farmers, distributors and retailers already took the necessary steps to provide safe food to
the consumer — without government intervention. The changes are likely to meet some opposition in Washington, D.C. Many in the food industry have long opposed a shift, fearing increased oversight. Plus many food companies have powerful allies in the new Republican Congress. Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas argued, “in this tough economy, the last thing producers and consumers need is more red tape.” For the time being, and likely for the remainder of our country’s democracy, the government will oversee food safety, and that’s fine by me. This shouldn’t be an issue of politics and big government. Like the USDA Secretary pointed out, it’s about food safety. I enjoy knowing that because of government agriculture and food safety programs, I can eat without getting sick. t
Gregory Christensen is vice president of the agricultural executive council at OSU. The opinions expressed in Christensen’s columns do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Barometer staff. Christensen can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.