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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2013 • OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
DAILYBAROMETER.COM
Patricia Bright’s OSU career close
VOLUME CXVI, NUMBER 82
Mod Pod
adds to local flavor
n
Downtown business sells colorful merchandise, offers fashionable design By McKinley Smith The Daily Barometer
McKinley Smith
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Jessica Klein, OSU alumna, owns and operates Mod Pod, located in downtown Corvallis, with her parents.
Like the Willamette River, Mod Pod’s eclectic style can’t be contained. The local business’ flavor is visible to all who pass by its Northwest Second Street locale from behind stylish metal doors and through gauze-curtained windows. “It is colorful and fun, some retro, some contemporary; it’s just kind of a mix of functional too,” said Jessica Klein. Klein, who graduated from Oregon State University eight years ago, owns Mod Pod along with her parents Heidi Henry and Paul Buchheit. Klein added, “The opportunity just came to open the store.” According to Klein, Mod Pod, which started in June of 2009, is different from other shops. She explains this as “the array of fun items ... you won’t find anywhere else in Corvallis.” Depending on the season, jewelry, artwork, pillows, and other merchandise from local suppliers are featured in the shop. From flamingos to pillows, cards to jewelry, furniture to lamps,
Black Cultural Center prepares for transitions The Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center talks through current challenges, heritage through Black History Month
tion rates of black students, provide a safe place for all students, develop and promote events where diversity is valued and the Corvallis community can discover black heritage. “The BCC isn’t exclusive to black students,” said Earlean Wilson Huey, By Ryan Dawes a member of Intercultural Student The Daily Barometer Services. “Anybody can use the cenOregon State University cultural ter. People can come here to use any centers provide opportunities for of our resources and to learn about individuals of diverse backgrounds black culture and history. It’s open and to mingle and learn more about each welcome to all.” other. For over 30 years, the Lonnie The BCC is hosting several events in B. Harris Black Cultural Center has spirit of Black History Month. Events played a large role in this endeavor. The BCC seeks to improve the retenSee BCC | page 2 n
Senate passes bills on first year experience, Federal Tuition Assistance n
The ASOSU Senate decided on two bills with Greek Life, military students lining the gallery The Daily Barometer
Last night, the Associated Students of Oregon State University Senate reviewed two resolutions for the First Year Experience bill, and for tuition assistance understanding with the US Department of Defense. The Senate barely made quorum. Senators Tyler Hogan, Madison Parker and Terra Setzler were at work in the Student and Incidental Fee Committee open hearing. Matthew Busse, Varsity House presi-
dent, and other students in Greek life asserted their support of the bill, calling for more discussions between ASOSU, Greek life and co-operative housing. During the Feb. 5 Senate meeting, Larry Roper, vice provost of student affairs, mentioned students who lived in residence halls have maintained higher graduation rates than those who did not. Busse followed up this comment, making a case for a first year experience in Greek life. “The reason for higher graduation rates in [residence halls] has been linked to a better focus on academic success and community,” Busse said. “Fraternities and sororities offer noth See SENATE | page 7
McKinley Smith
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Mod Pod sells an array of items including jewelry, artwork and pillows among other items.
Mod Pod
Where: 115 NW 2nd St Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Mod Pod has a variety of colorful merchandise. Even Fatboy beanbags are among the merchandise sold at the shop. The bags come in many dif-
ferent colors, and are small enough for dorm rooms. “They don’t shrink down in size,” Klein said. “They’re very sturdy.” The merchandise in the store is priced and scaled to “smaller-size living.” The shop caters to customers aged See MOD POD | page 7
Craft N’ Care event speads cheer n
Student organizations join to create and donate recycled crafts to local nonprofits By Lara von Linsowe-Wilson The Daily Barometer
Oregon State University Campus Recycling paired up with the Center for Civic Engagement Tuesday to host their Recycled Craft N’ Care event, a donation event for nonprofit organizations in the Corvallis area. The goal of the event was to teach participants the ways people can craft through reuse while giving back to the community, giving useful purpose to many items otherwise tossed in the dump. Although the majority of the crafts made were donated to local shelters, recycled cards and stickers were also available for students to decorate and take home to the people they care about. “The crafts made by the CCE are going to be donated to local organizations who have asked us to spread some cheer to their residents,” said sophomore Samara Rufener, internal coordinator for the CCE. This is Rufener’s first year working for the CCE, and she is currently in charge of planning service and care events for the group. Although many of the students involved with sustainability groups around campus are in environmental degree programs, there are also countless students from other interest areas who choose to volunteer as well. Steven Burress is an electrical engineering major who decided to help out at the Craft N’ Care event this week to earn extra credit for his 300 level geoscience class. “I decided to come support the event because I think it is important to reach out to the community and help the environment, and one way to do this is through recycling,” Burress said. The Corvallis Manor, Home Life Inc. and the Grace Center for Adult Day Services were among the organizations receiving the crafts, including handcrafted decorations for Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras and the Chinese New Year — all made from recycled materials. The Corvallis Manor is a local nursing facility sponsored through the Pinnacle Healthcare group that is committed to meeting the needs of their elderly residents and the families they serve each year. In addition to their Corvallis location, the organization also sponsors facilities in Eugene, Grants Pass, Medford, Roseburg and Woodburn. The second group receiving crafts, Home Life Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization which provides safe,
jackie seus
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Steve Burress, a senior in electrical engineering, creates a dragon made from egg cartons to celebrate the Chinese New Year. integrated community living services for purpose of enhancing the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities. Home Life Inc. has roots dating all the way back to the 1970s, and they have since grown to fill several properties and service centers throughout Benton County. The Grace Center for Adult Day Care operates under their mission to, “provide comprehensive quality services to meet the adult day care needs in [the Corvallis] community,” according to the organization’s official webpage. See CRAFT | page 7