The Daily Barometer OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY • CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
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State House passes medical amnesty for minors n
Law grants medical amnesty for minors seeking medical help for alcohol poisoning By Sean Bassinger THE DAILY BAROMETER
Minors in Oregon who consume dangerous amounts of alcohol will be able to request medical attention without the repercussions of a minorin-possession charge. House Bill 4094, which passed Feb. 13 through the Oregon House of Representatives, will provide medical amnesty for any intoxicated underaged individual who dials 911 to seek medical attention. Minors who call on behalf of their friend will also not be charged. Members of the Oregon Senate continue to review the bill. Currently, 17 other states have active medical amnesty laws. Taylor Sarman, executive director of government relations with the Associated Students of Oregon State University, said Oregon laws usually allow the individuals to be cited with a minor-in-possession charge. Because of this, many minors never call for the help they need. See AMNESTY | page 4
Rest your case with Legal Services n
Students receive free on-campus legal consultation, help through student fees
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 • VOLUME CXVI, NUMBER 89
DAILYBAROMETER
Greek minorities fading into abyss n
THE DAILY BAROMETER
Multicultural and black Greek students are vanishing. Data collected over the past three fall terms suggest that historically black Greek chapters and multicultural Greek chapters are dwindling in membership or disappearing all together. In fall 2013, the multicultural Greek chapters represented 1.3 percent and the historically black chapters represented 0.06 percent, respectively, of the total Greek community. The Greek system at Oregon State University is organized into four councils with the addition of independents, which are Greek chapters that do not belong to one of the four councils. The Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils’ membership numbers Courtesy of Nina Nguyen dominate the Greek populous. The Members of the multicultural Greek chapters, which make up 1.5 percent of the Greek community, gather on remaining two councils include the
the Memorial Union steps for an evening event.
See GREEK | page 4
GPS: Salmon have an app for that Salmon navigate waters using magnetic fields 50 times weaker than a refrigerator magnet
Nathan Putman, postdoctoral research scholar in the department of fisheries and wildlife at OSU, and his research team were seeking to understand how it is possible for the salmon to find a location that they have never visited before. By Dacotah-Victoria “How do they know where to Splichalova go?” Putman asked and sought to THE DAILY BAROMETER answer. Without ever having migrated Based on Putman’s recent results before, juvenile Chinook salmon studying juvenile salmon, it looks innately know where to go. like magnetic fields are quite an An Oregon State University important cue for the fish. researcher revealed that salmon It certainly has been one of those have a sort of built-in GPS system, things that has gone unnoticed — it which allows them to strategically appears to be a major part of their locate their position by swimming sense of direction and location, in accordance with the earth’s See SALMON | page 4 magnetic fields. n
By Tori Hittner
See Legal SERVICES | page 4
Retention rates show multicultural, black Greek chapters’ membership declines By Courtney Gehring
THE DAILY BAROMETER
With many students already thinking about future living accommodations, rental agreements and deposits, these become a major issue of interest this time of year. Such topics can be legally confusing and frustrating, particularly when placed in the context of a struggling landlord-tenant relationship. Student fee-paying members of Oregon State University have an array of legal services at their disposal through Access the Law, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping protect the rights of OSU students. “Our ultimate goal is helping those who really would not have access to services (otherwise),” said Marc
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Community Outreach offers hand up to those in need
Dacotah-Victoria Splichalova
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
OSU researcher Nathan Putman holds a hatchery fish in his hands. He and his team have found that salmon navigate using the earth’s magnetic field.
Mid-Willamette Valley shelter, programs gives aid to homeless, veterans, families, young adults
What began as an LSD rehabilitation facility for Oregon State University students in 1971 evolved into the largest facility that offers services and shelter to homeless people in the By Emma-Kate Schaake mid-Willamette Valley. It is also the THE DAILY BAROMETER only family shelter for Linn, Lane and For more than 40 years, Community Benton counties. Outreach has been dedicated to helpCommunity Outreach offers case ing the homeless in the community management, mental health and medby giving them the tools they need ical services, meals, childcare and for success. showers, which are open to the public “We are a hand up, not a handout,” as well as transitional and emergency said Community Outreach executive See OUTREACH | page 3 director Kari Whitacre. n