The Daily Barometer OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY • CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 541-737-2231
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013 • VOLUME CXVI, NUMBER 31
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Turmoil threatens stability of EECS n
Announcement of EECS head’s termination stirred reaction from faculty, staff, students By Sean Bassinger THE DAILY BAROMETER
Faculty and students became furious because of last month’s unexpected termination of popular department head Terri Fiez. Fiez has served as head of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science for nearly 15 years. But on Sept. 5, College of Engineering Dean Sandra Woods notified Fiez that she would be removed on Sept. 30. After students, staff and faculty expressed a unified fury toward the decision, Woods decided to let Fiez finish out the academic year. Since then, EECS faculty has formally proposed that Fiez be reappointed for no less than a five-year term. Woods declined to comment on the decision because it is a “personnel issue,” but said she is listening to faculty and student concerns regarding the decision. Fiez also declined to comment on this issue, but said she’s never seen a group of people pull together like this. “We really are more like a family,” Fiez said.
Senior faculty and representatives from top technology companies in Oregon have more than made up for Fiez’s silence.
The department fights back Professor Karti Mayaram said he was shocked when he first read the Sept. 5 email about Fiez’s termination. Mayaram was even more befuddled by Woods’ lack of interest at including the faculty in such a transition decision. “She takes away the most important person from the unit, and says, ‘Fine, let’s move forward from here,’” Mayaram said. Mayaram said the 70 staff and faculty members within EECS were uniformly angry about the decision. Mayaram outlined projects Fiez contributed to, including a new one-year online postbaccalaureate program in computer science and constant relations with technology industry professionals to get more students more jobs. “Even if the dean wanted to make the change, it can’t happen like this,” Mayaram said. “She’s the most outstanding leader I’ve seen at this university,” said John Wager, an EECS professor who has been at OSU for 29 years. “She’s one of Neil Abrew | THE DAILY BAROMETER the most creative, clever, hard-working, Kelley Engineering Center houses many offices and projects for the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer See EECS| page 4 Science. The school has been in an uproar since department head Terri Fiez’s termination was announced.
Art impresses onlookers with detail, color Become a whale-trained expert n
By Kaitlyn Kohlenberg THE DAILY BAROMETER
Soon Yi Oh spent eight months living and exploring the beauty of Corvallis’ nature before presenting her collection, “Sounds of Nature,” in Fairbanks Hall. Oh was born and raised in South Korea. After losing both of her arms at a young age, she learned to use her feet to complete day-to-day actions. As a teenager, she discovered watercolor painting as an artistic outlet and went on to receive her master’s and doctorate degrees, in Oriental Landscape Painting, from the China Academy of Art. Visitors at the gallery were impressed by Oh’s attention to detail. “The attention to detail is breathtaking,” said Jasmine Hart, a junior in graphic design. “It’s got that real tactile feel to it. ... It’s wonderful the way she’s done it. It’s not like your average watercolor painting.” Others enjoyed her use of color and contrast. “It’s like she wants to reveal the sounds of nature through the colors,” said Diness Dimilisna, a second-year graduate student in public policy.
OSU whale expert to conduct trainings on whale watching in December, March 2014 in Depoe Bay on the Coast
Whale Watching Spoken Here program and become whale-watching specialists. Bruce Mate, an expert on whales and director of the Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute, will conduct the trainings. By Dacotah-Victoria Splichalova Each year, peak migration times THE DAILY BAROMETER along the Oregon Coast coincide The Oregon Coast offers year- with people’s vacation times. round whale-watching activities, The Whale Watching Spoken Here with gray whales being the most program takes advantage of this commonly seen whale. coincidence with two weeks of Trained whale-watching experts assisted whale watching: One trainare on hand to share their whale ing is the week between Christmas wisdoms. and New Year’s and the other is The Oregon Parks and Recreation during the last week in March 2014. Department is now seeking whaleSee WHALES | page 4 lovers to sign up to participate in its n
Korean artist, visiting scholar Soon Yi Oh presents Corvallisinspired art at Fairbanks Hall
Kaitlyn Kohlenberg
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Soon Yi Oh, a Korean artist, is a visiting scholar. Her art on display this week in Fairbanks Hall represents her view of Corvallis’ landscapes. “You can see the green colors here and the pink colors and the colors of the mountains — it is like they are talking to each other, like conversation.” Oh’s artist statement explains her inspiration for the collection. “The artist listens to the essence of nature and her inner self, and imbues the paintings, via a traditional ink wash technique, with her ideals of the changing seasons,” the statement reads. “By drawing upon the differ-
ent shapes and colors of the natural landscape, the artist expresses the sounds of nature that were invoked in her inner spirit.” Oh is at Oregon State University as a visiting scholar, working on her gallery and offering occasional lectures on traditional Oriental painting styles. Her collection in Fairbanks Hall will be on display for two weeks. Kaitlyn Kohlenberg Campus reporter managing@dailybarometer.com
Dacotah-victoria splichalova
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Nearly 20,000 whales migrate southward past the center, which is located in Depoe Bay, from mid-December to end of January each year.