OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
The Daily Barometer
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DAILYBAROMETER
THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2015 VOL. CXVII, NO. 103
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Benny Beaver: behind the mask What it takes to be Oregon State University’s furry mascot
limited to only school functions. He can actually make appearances off campus if arranged through the proper channels. There are some fees and costs By Greg Germano associated with a visit from Benny, but THE DAILY BAROMETER Mascot Request Forms are available in “O-S-U, OREGON STATE, FIGHT, the Intercollegiate Athletics office in Gill FIGHT, FIGHT!” Coliseum. At every sports game, every fight “I actually went to a Trailblazer game song and for every chant, Benny Beaver once. I had a small slam dunk contest is in charge. He is responsible for keep- against the Oregon Duck at halftime and ing the school spirit alive. Benny can won! I was also invited to some youth be found roaming around campus football games in the fall,” Benny said. greeting visitors and Oregon State students; but Benny’s University job is not as easy as it On game days, I suit Intercollegiate may seem. Even on Athletics is in charge of the hot, sweaty foot- up about three or four all Benny affairs. Benny ball days, he is out is at every sports game, hours before kick-off. there for hours cheeras well as most major ing and pepping up It gets instantly hot school events. Benny the crowd. inside, but regardless can be seen wearing “On game days, I an authentic jersey for of the weather, I have suit up about three each sport he’s at. The or four hours before never been cold. jerseys are made cuskick-off. It gets tom for him. Macall instantly hot inside, Marstall, marketing Benny Beaver but regardless of the coordinator for Beaver OSU mascot weather, I have never Athletics, was willing been cold,” Benny to discuss what it takes to be Benny and said. “I try to take breaks whenever I what he is allowed to do. can, but I hydrate a lot before. I am also “Well, first of all, the number-one rule at all of the basketball games and soccer games. At baseball games I normally is no talking, and stay away from places just walk around because it is pretty with a lot of alcohol, especially on game days. Benny must always be energetic mellow.” It’s police that the identity of those and lively. He also has to be able to (be) who take on the role of Benny Beaver trustworthy when it comes to attending events, games and being around crowds. is kept secret. See BENNY | page 4 Most people think that Benny is n
Justin Quinn
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Benny Beaver enjoys Tuesday evening’s baseball game against Portland at Goss Stadium, where he roamed the stadium encouraging Beaver fans.
Washington grizzly recovery talks conclude n
Town hall follows racist incident at University of Oklahoma THE DAILY BAROMETER
First round of public talks on aiding North Cascades’ grizzly bears complete By Chris Correll
THE DAILY BAROMETER
A motion by the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to revive a dwindling Washington grizzly population has already begun. The only questions now are when and how the support will come. Grizzly bears once numbered around 50,000 in the continental United States, but human encroachment on their habitat has gradually driven the species to fewer than 2,000. Other grizzly revivals in Yellowstone Park and Northern Continental Divide have seen considerable success. Wildlife conservationists are hoping to apply similar methods to the figure in the Northern Cascades region of Washington, where there hasn’t been a documented sighting on the U.S. side of the border since 1996. A series of open meetings, which gave Washington citizens a chance to voice their opinions about the recovery process, were held
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Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
One of Montana’s grizzly bears overlooks its territory. There are more than 700 grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem of Montana, according to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks official website. March 3-11 in various cities across the state. Since a successful reintroduction will affect everyone, open forums are a way of keeping government action a “public process.” Chase Gunnell, communications director for Conservation Northwest, said “there’s certainly concern about grizzly recovery,” within some ranching and recreational communities, which
worry about the animals’ effect on livestock and potential “trail issues” for hikers in the area. Many Washington preservation groups are pledging their full support to the reintroduction of a native species. “Right now there are only a few left. If something isn’t done, they’ll be gone,” Gunnel said. See GRIZZLY | page 2
Final gymnastics meet at Gill concludes with success Sports, page 5
In the wake of a racially-charged incident at the University of Oklahoma, Oregon State University will host a town hall discussion in Gilfillan Auditorium Thursday, March 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. The event is open to the public, and organizers say it will provide a safe space for everyone to speak frankly about issues of race and discrimination. Organizers added that the meeting will focus on ways that Oregon State University can make campus a more inclusive space for students with diverse backgrounds. A video of members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Oklahoma allegedly singing a racist song has sparked national outrage. “We will take this opportunity to further our own efforts to bring together Oregon State students, who participate in our seven cultural and diversity centers and our many Greek fraternities and sororities,” said Steve Clark, vice president for university relations and marketing. “Our goal is to increase a sense of understanding, knowledge and an inclusive community between members of all groups and organizations.” Gilfillan Auditorium is located at 2601 SW Orchard Ave. in Corvallis. The Daily Barometer news@dailybarometer.com
Dr. Fit offers tricks and tips to supercharge during dead week Forum, page 7