The Daily Barometer
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
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DAILYBAROMETER
MONDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2015 VOL. CXVII, NO. 80
@DAILYBARO, @BAROSPORTS
The fate of the health fee n
SIFC, ASOSU consider transferring health fee from student and incidental fees to mandatory fees By Kat Kothen
THE DAILY BAROMETER
Courtesy of Rachael Meader
Ashley Moore poses on horseback for DAMchic, a studentrun fashion magazine at OSU.
DAMchic eyes Portland n
Student-run fashion magazine DAMchic prepares for expansion, new wares, sponsors By Chris Correll
THE DAILY BAROMETER
What started as a difficult class assignment has rapidly become a widespread success among style and clothing enthusiasts in the Corvallis area. Capitalizing off what they’ve accomplished so far, the student publication DAMchic is looking to broaden its horizons. See DAMCHIC | page 4
Decisions made in the next few weeks could change how the budget for the health fee, required of all students, is determined. There is currently a push to explore moving the health fee, which includes fees for Student Health Services and Counseling and Psychological Services, from being a student and incidental fee to a mandatory fee. This change will mean that the Student and Incidental Fees Committee will no longer govern the health fee body; instead, it will be the University Budgeting Committee. Among those supporting the change is Priscilla Macy, senior in natural resources and chair of the SIFC. “It’s a major conversation that is not finalized by any means,” Macy said. “We want to do this the correct way.” Macy said that the move from SIFC budgeting to UBC budgeting would allow the budgets of both SHS and CAPS to reflect the long-term goals of these organizations. Sherm Bloomer, Oregon State University’s director of budgeting and fiscal planning, agrees that this move would allow for better long-term planning. “What’s really important is getting the process right for the long-term,” Bloomer said. Bloomer said the UBC, which budgets tuition and the mandatory fees, look five years into the future when planning the budgets. The proposed switch would mean that SIFC would lose their role in budget recommendations for the health fee, so those involved are making sure all questions are answered before any decisions are finalized.
Library apps streamlines study groups Finding friends in library made easier by Find-a-Friend app
finish it, new students took it on. The new students were employees in the Valley Library’s Department of Emerging Technologies. They worked By Courtnee’ Morin mostly on tweaking the code and making THE DAILY BAROMETER what was there more efficient, as well as At the beginning of winter term, adding onto the functhe Oregon State tions of the app. University Valley “I hope that it’s a I hope that it’s a way way that students can Library launched a website appli- that students can ease ease communication cation called study groups, as communication with with “Find-a-Friend.” there is a lot of probThe idea for the study groups, as there lems with assigned application came study groups moving is a lot of problems from another camor miscommunicawith assigned study tion,” said Helena pus with a similar app, and OSU librarBales, a sophomore groups moving or ians noticed students in computer science. miscommunication. spending a lot of time “There are email looking around for updates if the study people in the library. Helena Bales creator has changed The app started as Sophomore, computer science the meet up place a computer science or time. If you’re in capstone project, with seniors working on it last year. When they were unable to See APP | page 4
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“What’s the benefit?” asked Taylor Sarman, Associated Students of Oregon State University president and junior in political science. “What’s the cost to student autonomy?” For Sarman, a voting member of the SIFC, these are questions that need to be answered before any changes are made to the health fee. He said that if the health fee budget were moved out of the hands of SIFC, then ASOSU would most likely never be able to switch the health fee back to being budgeted as a student
incidental fee. His main worry is the potential loss of student voice. Ultimately, to begin the switch, SHS and CAPS need to support it. This decision lies with their respective student advisory boards. According to Ryan Boone, chair of the Student Health Advisory Board, SHAB has already voted yes to exploring the option of changing to the mandatory See SIFC | page 4
Robots compete in FIRST Tech Challenge n
Middle, high school students compete to design best robots By Courtnee’ Morin THE DAILY BAROMETER
Courtnee’ Morin
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Students’ robots navigate timed challenges during the FIRST Tech Challenge, hosted by OSU Saturday in the Kelley Engineering Center.
Women’s basketball gets a win and loss in Washington Sports, page 5
Saturday, Feb. 7, FIRST Tech Challenge returned to Oregon State University for its annual qualifying competition. This is the first of four competitions for the first run of Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program. ORTOP and its Oregon affiliate partners run the tournament with help from OSU. The building of the robots starts in the beginning of September, and then teams enter competitions. Middle and high school teams compete in the competitions. Those who qualify will move onto the superqualifying rounds. Half of those teams will go from there to the state See ROBOTICS | page 2
Column: Sweet Cakes case verdict and what it means for equality Forum, page 7