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OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
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Town hall takes on war n
Corvallis community, OPB gather for panel discussion on war, current events THE DAILY BAROMETER
Amidst the smell of deli sandwiches and the hustle and bustle of people trying to find seats, more than 100 Corvallis community members listened intently as “Think Out Loud” host Dave Miller posed a question: “is the U.S. at war?” The School of History, Philosophy, and Religion at Oregon State University hosted a town hall event at Old World Deli as part of its “Citizenship and Crisis” initiative. Oregon Public Broadcasting’s “Think Out Loud” radio program recorded the event. The event, which was open to the public, drew attendance from a wide range of Corvallis community members and OSU students. Four panelists, each with a different perspective on war and the U.S., spoke about the issue. For the duration of the “Think Out Loud” broadcast, Miller asked each of the panelists questions regarding war and the U.S. and opened the floor to questions and input from the audience. As the broadcast kicked off, Miller addressed the audience. “How many of you think the U.S. is currently at war?” Miller asked. While the majority of the attendees indicated they believed the U.S. was currently at war, a few audience members indicated otherwise.
Donors, coordinators help out during winter term blood drive By Courtnee’ Morin THE DAILY BAROMETER
Oregon State University is hosting its second studentrun blood drive of the year Feb. 16-19 at the Memorial Union Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The opportunity to give blood continues into Feb. 20 at the United Methodist Church on Northwest Monroe Avenue, also from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “I enjoy helping out in any way I can with my community, and giving blood helps me do that,” said Jacob Fincher, a freshman computer science major at OSU, as he was donating blood. This is one of many blood drives OSU has hosted for more than 60 years. According to a news release
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Students from any major have opportunity to conduct undergraduate research By Courtnee’ Morin THE DAILY BAROMETER
Nicki Silva
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
“Think Out Loud” Host Dave Miller, Oregon State University Assistant Professor of History Christopher Nichols and Director of the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University Ron Tammen sit on a panel Monday night at Old World Deli. Panelist Christopher Nichols, an assistant professor of history and director of the “Citizenship and Crisis” program at OSU, answered Miller’s question with what he called a “conditional yes.” “The U.S. is currently involved in
combat operations,” Nichols said. “U.S. troops, drones, etc. are currently in place around the world.” Ron Tammen, also a member of the panel and director of the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University answered
a definitive “yes.” “We could quibble over what the definition of war is,” Tammen said. “But the fact remains that war has become endemic to American See TOWN HALL | page 2
OSU community bleeds pints for blood drive n
VOL. CXVII, NO. 86
Undergraduate research, support available at OSU n
By Abigail Erickson
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2015
from American Red Cross External Communications Manager Jared Schultzman, OSU blood drives have steadily been among the largest Red Cross drives in the Pacific Northwest. “We’re trying to step it up here by having more blood drives to help make up for snow storms back east, for example Boston,” said Carolyn Leeper, the account manager for the Blood Drive Association at OSU. “Blood drives here will help the east coast; it’s kind of a trickle effect.” Leeper stressed that individuals intending to donate blood need to drink plenty of water at least two days beforehand and eat a good meal prior to donation. Identification is also required for the process. “Every donated unit of See BLOOD | page 3
Courtnee’ Morin
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Jacob Fincher, a computer science freshman, donated blood Monday at the Memorial Union Ballroom.
Out of the box Men’s basketball stats Sports, page 5
Oregon State University is a college known for its abundant research opportunities and the ability of undergraduates to participate in this research. Kevin Ahern, a biochemistry professor and the director of undergraduate research at OSU, wants students to know how easy it is to get involved. Undergraduate research is available to any major, not just those related to science. Many research opportunities occur during the summer, giving students an opportunity to get experience that doesn’t affect the fall-to-spring academic year. During the summer, students from all different majors can work on research-funded through grants. Grants such as the Undergraduate Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Creativity program, Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in science, Jacqueline Swint Scholarship and the Jaworski Fund for Undergraduate Summer Research Experience in Plant Science. The Honors College at OSU also helps fund research. Many programs require students to work under a mentor while completing research. With URSA, students can request to be added to a list to receive emails including different research opportunities, which faculty on campus convey to Ahern. Students can then apply for research positions. Also available on the URSA website is a video made by Ahern on how to get involved in research and best find opportunities that are of interest. Many students also go directly through Ahern to find research opportunities or meet with faculty who may have positions open. Students can also introduce themselves to faculty. “I cannot speak for all faculty, as some look at different things, but we want to see that (students) establish a good position at OSU, are good with their classes before trying to get involved,” Ahern said. “We want to see students who are responsible and have relatively good grades; some professors are more strict on this than others.” Ahern also pointed out that faculty know most undergraduates will not have had prior research experience, and that professors who do want more experienced students are not the majority. Students can also get involved with programs such as the OSU STEM Leaders Program or become a URSA ambassador to help represent and expand undergraduate research See RESEARCH | page 4
Column: Put education before politics and policy Forum, page 7