VOL. CXVIII, No. 91
DailyBarometer.com
Tuesday, february 23, 2016 Oregon State University
Student fees move to president ASOSU, SIFC come to agreement during fee mediation hearing By Marcus Trinidad Associate News Editor
Luke Francis | THE DAILY BAROMETER
The Eating Disorder Awareness Team theme for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is ‘three minutes can save a life’.
Eating disorder awareness Campaign focuses on body positivity, discussing image By Lauren Sluss News Contributor
different diets because you don’t have the perfect figure,” Anderson said. “It’s a good place to start to tell students that they are not alone and they don’t have to do this.” The national theme for the week is ‘Three Minutes Could Save a Life’, which is being promoted through Monday and Tuesday’s tabling events in the Memorial Union Quad. Students are encouraged to evaluate themselves using a SCOFF questionnaire, a five-question screening tool designed to clarify the suspicion that an eating disorder might exist, rather than to make a diagnosis. Along with SCOFF questionnaires, the tabling events include a positive postit campaign, encouraging students to write uplifting and supportive phrases on sticky notes, which will later be hung in the Dixon Recreation Center bathrooms.
“It’s a reminder to students that they are more than a number, to be happy and to just be themselves,” Nutrition and Dietetics Club volunteer Rebecca Butler said. “We’re hoping to turn someone’s day around with the positive messages on the sticky notes.” In addition to tabling in the MU Quad, NEDAW is hosting daily events throughout the week focusing on positive methods to aid those with eating disorders, all of which are open to students. These events will equip students with the knowledge to look for signs of eating disorders, according to Lee. “Throughout the week we are going to be promoting body positivity, while encouraging people to learn about eating disorders and look for signs in their friends, and even look to themselves if
Throughout the week of Feb. 22 through 26, members from four different on-campus organizations are banding together for one common goal—to destigmatize eating disorders and promote positive body images. Funded by Active Minds, Nutrition and Dietetics Club, CAPS and ASOSU, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (NEDAW) consists of a sequence of tabling events and educational opportunities to help bring recognition and support to those suffering from eating disorders. “This week is important because See NEDAW, Page 3 we need to start having conversations about mental health and eating disorders,” said Director of Wellness Affairs for ASOSU Rae Madison. “By allowing students to feel comfortable and see positive messages about their bodies, we can start coming to a stigma-free campus.” The inspiration for NEDAW stemmed from the lack of discussion surrounding eating disorders and its taboo nature, according to public relations officer for Active Minds Benjamin Lee. “People struggle with this by themselves and keep it as a dirty secret, but it’s not,” Lee said. “Those who do keep this secret don’t have a stable or constructive body image to make healthy decisions. We’re here to help them understand that society paints this unrealistic picture of beauty and health standards that aren’t healthily obtainable.” NEDAW has a great impact on the OSU community in particular, due to the fact that eating disorders have a higher likelihood of beginning during college years, according to Nutrition and Dietetics Club volunteer Christie Anderson. “College is a time where disordered Luke francis | THE DAILY BAROMETER eating starts, because you’re learning how to do your own meals, you might be The Eating Disorder Awareness Team gave students the opportunity to skipping meals or you might be trying write notes encouraging body positivity.
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A board of 15 members from both the Student Incidental Fees Committee and the Associated Students of Oregon State University convened Monday evening to mediate budget proposals for a potential increase in student fees for three campus organizations. The Student Sustainability Initiative’s proposed fee of $4.98 per student per term, which includes funding for the Night Owl service through the Corvallis Transit System, was passed with all members voting in favor, except for one who abstained. The Performing Arts budget again saw debate surrounding Mock Trial, but was passed 9-5. Both budgets were passed quickly, but ASOSU’s proposed fee, which included further funding for the SafeRide program was the most controversial topic of the night. The fee was debated first and later tabled to be voted on last. Almost an hour of the meeting was spent debating ASOSU’s budget. Once their budget was taken off the table it was immediately approved without any additional changes made from the original SIFC recommendation. The mediation board deliberated a potential $.67 cent increase in student fees for the ASOSU recommended by the SIFC. The proposed third decision package for ASOSU’s budget put the overall student fee increase near its 5 percent increase maximum that would force a review from the Higher Education Coordinating Council (HECC). ASOSU’s proposed budget increase included an addition of a sixth van and funding to replace the aging technology used with SafeRIde. Rafid Chowdhury, an SIFC member and the Memorial Union President, argued that ASOSU is mistaking needs for desires that are not necessary. “It would be nice to have technology that is up to date for everyone, but that is not possible. We are granting your needs (with the proposed budget), but what (ASOSU) wants is desired,” Chowdhury said. “We understand the value of the program, but we cannot fund everything you think is possible.” The SafeRide program itself currently demands a budget of about $450,000 per year. The iPads being used for SafeRide have a lifespan of one to two years due to the intense amount of use during work hours. iPads can be on for 70 hours in a single week as drivers use it to connect to the SafeRide app and GPS. A fully functional SafeRide van, including staff and technology, costs $61,180, according to student advocate Drew Desilet. The first decision package proposed by ASOSU included a four dollar increase in student fees which originally looked to include an eighth van as well as fund operational costs of the student organization in addition to ASOSU’s current budget of over $1 million. One of the main goals of SIFC according to SIFC Chair Claire McMorris is to consider the ramifications of what a budget increase for ASOSU could mean for students. “We need to make sure we are watching out for students. People do not want their fees to go up. SIFC wants to keep the burden low. We need to put all our efforts to make SafeRide the best it can be, and it is possible to do it without raising student fees,” McMorris said. During the meeting there was a motion to table discussion about SafeRide until the
See Fees, Page 3
Police Beat, NEWS, PAGE 3 Civil War, SPORTS, PAGE 5 OSU Pistol club, FORUM, PAGE 7