OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
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Witham Oaks project appealed to state n
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Changes in store for Yearbook n
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JUSTIN QUINN
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
A stack of past Beaver Yearbooks is pictured. Soon-to-be Beaver Yearbook editor-in-chief Jodie Davaz plans to change the name and model the publication like a magazine.
From several thousand books sold in 1990 to roughly 200 sold so far for the 2013-14 school year, recent years have not been forgiving for the Beaver Yearbook. Kami Hammerschmith, the assistant director of student media, worked as the editor-in-chief for the Beaver Yearbook when she was a student in 1990. When Hammerschmith was on staff, the yearbook had 20-30 paid staff and was able to fulfill its needed budget on purely book and page sales. “It’s happening across the country,” Hammerschmith said. “As schools get larger and yearbooks aren’t able to cover the entire campus community, the sales have gone down. So we’ve been watching our local Beaver Yearbook over the last few years and gauging student interest.” Though student interest has been decreasing, several other Oregon State See YEARBOOK | page 4
May the odds be ever in your favor during Greek Week 2014 annual event has ‘Hunger Games’ theme, celebrates essence of Greek life
In total, 31 Greek houses are participating, which are divided into 10 districts with three to four teams each. Unlike most of the year’s activities for which the By Ria Rankine houses compete against one another, during Greek THE DAILY BAROMETER Week, houses work together within their districts. They compete during field day, during which teams Let the games begin. Greek Week, the annual celebration of being Greek, compete in activities like hot dog eating contests, tug-of-war and an Olympic torch relay race. kicked off Sunday with a “Hunger Games” theme. “It’s not philanthropies versus philanthropies,” The 2014 Greek Week began Sunday with a speech on leadership and unity, and concludes said Laura Steele, the co-head for special events with an award ceremony Thursday. This year, the of Greek Week’s committee and member of Kappa houses did things a little differently as they divided Delta. “You definitely build relationships (with other the teams into “districts,” based off “The Hunger houses). It breaks barriers.” The week’s celebrations work to settle outsider Games” series. n
RIA RANKINE
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
The Greek community gathers on 26th Street between Harrison Boulevard and Van Buren Avenue for a block party during Greek Week.
Baseball loses to Ducks in Eugene
Sports, page 5
Beaver Yearbook to be reworked as magazine with incoming editor-in-chief By Kaitlyn Kohlenberg
By Emma-Kate Schaake
See OAKS | page 4
VOL. CXVI, NO. 141
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Residents appeal decision of housing project to state’s Land Use Board of Appeals
In March, the Corvallis City Council approved a zone change and comprehensive plan amendment allowing a new student housing development at the Witham Oaks property. The saga is not over yet. Corvallis residents filed petitions with the state’s Land Use Board of Appeals against the council’s decision, which would allow the North Carolina student-housing company, Campus Crest, to develop on that land. “We received two notices of intent to appeal,” said LUBA executive support staffer Kristi Seyfried. Steve Kunert, senior instructor and undergraduate adviser in the School of Writing, Literature and Film, Corvallis resident and member of the petition team, said there were too many issues the City Council overlooked in its approval of the plan. “As a group, we are very disappointed,” Kunert said. A major concern for the appealers was the narrow margin by which the City Council passed the plan in a 5-4 vote in January, after hearing the recommendation from the Corvallis Planning Commission not to move forward. “The City Council overrode the city planning commission,” Kunert said. “The city planning commission said we shouldn’t allow Campus Crest to develop. It’s not a good fit.” The land’s use has been long contested, with seven annexation propositions denied by voters between 1978 and 2002. In 2004, Corvallis voters marginally approved the annexation of the land into city jurisdiction under low-density zoning. The council approval in January created a comprehensive plan amendment and changed the zoning from low to medium density, which allows Campus Crest to build an apartment complex. “The way this land was originally zoned was not for this kind of housing,” Kunert said. Because of that vote, Kunert and other petitioners believe the council not only went against the planning commission, but what the people wanted as well. Throughout the process of public hearings and meetings since the fall, many residents cited concerns of traffic problems from students commuting and the importance of preserving the integrity of the natural space on the land. “I believe that, environmentally, we should leave that place alone,” Kunert said. “I’d just like to see that land stay intact for wildlife and wetlands.” LUBA was created in 1979 with the exclusive jurisdiction to review all governmental land use decisions. It hears and then rules on appeals from decisions by local governments.
WEDNESDAY MAY 21, 2014
Scare tactics are unethical Forum, page 7
beliefs of house rivalries, according to members within the Greek community. During the week, unity goes beyond words; it’s an action. “My favorite part would be seeing how united the Greek community is and the Greek pride everyone shows just being a Greek member — regardless of the letter,” Steele said. The week’s biggest event took place with a barbecue block party Tuesday. “It’s just a giant Greek barbecue block party,” Tyler Schultz said. “We got permission from the city to shut down Greek row.” Schultz, a member of Sigma Chi, is one of two co-chairs on the Greek Week committee. The committee sold roughly 1,000 tickets Monday night for the block party, Schultz said. Tuesday’s festivities began with the traditional photo at the Memorial Union quad of every member within the Greek community. The party continued on 26th Street between Van Buren Avenue and Harrison Boulevard, otherwise known as Greek row, which was blocked off for the event. As the planning draws to an end, Schultz is excited to enjoy all the work he and others invested into Greek Week. “I’m really glad to get it over with and enjoy the flowers of it,” he said. The next big event is a softball game between the Greek community and the Corvallis Police and Fire departments, which takes place Wednesday at Chintimini Park. The game is a tradition between the Greek community and the police and fire departments. Last year there was a cancellation due to rain, but this year the Greek softball team is coming out strong. “The police and fire department came out and won the first two years,” Schultz said. “This year, the big deal is to even up the score.” The game begins with the national anthem at 6 p.m., followed by the first pitch from Bob Kerr, the coordinator for OSU Greek life. During the week, the houses will raise money for Jackson Street Youth Center in Corvallis, a See GREEK | page 4
Dr. Sex covers frequently asked questions
Forum, page 7