VOL. CXVIII, No. 38
DailyBarometer.com
TUESday, NOVEMBER 3, 2015 Oregon State University
Inspiring change
Contributed by Hsiang-Nin Liao
Isamar Chavez, a liberal studies and education major, shares her concerns with ASOSU at the first WTFOSU session on Oct. 18.
Traditional ASOSU ‘Gripe Fest’ gets overhaul as ‘WTFOSU’ By Sean Bassinger News Contributor
Contributed by Hsiang-Nin Liao
Mariah Waite, a senior studying sustainability and sociology (top) and Kayla Kosaki, a graduate student in Student Services Administration (bottom), make suggestions.
IN THIS ISSUE >>>
WTF, Oregon State University? In the case of the Associated Students of Oregon State University events, the acronym stands for “What To Fix.” Known as “Gripe Fest” and “Dear ASOSU” in previous years, the sessions aim to gather information from students who have continuing concerns about issues such as tuition costs, equality and safety on campus. Traditionally, ASOSU held one event or series of events each year during spring term. The first annual Gripe Fest, which saw an attendance of more than 150 students in the Memorial Union lounge, took place in 2008. This year’s sessions will be split into five different sessions throughout the year, one of which already took place on Oct. 18. Rachel Grisham, director of operations at ASOSU, heads the project with a committee of other student leaders across campus. “In the past it’s been pretty internal,” Grisham said. “What I want to do is really make this a collaborative effort.” Partnerships in the event include OSU’s Center for Civic Engagement, Center for Leadership and Development and Diversity and Cultural Engagement and SafeRide, according to Grisham. “We’re really wanting to engage students,” Grisham said. The current goal between fall and winter events is to take the gathered input from students and forward the data to university administrators and the faculty senate by the end of winter term. Additionally, Grisham said the information will be available to all interested parties on campus. “There could be so much more done and so much more movement in our campus if we just moved it back,” Grisham said of creating fall and winter events. Grisham and other students from this year’s ASOSU administration also receives assistance from the Office of Student Life, which helps facilitate changes involved with the event and promotion. Angela Batista, associate vice provost
I think they really want to create an opportunity for more students to have a voice. We’re very supportive of that. Angela Batista Dean of Student Life of student affairs and dean of student life, works with the students to create an action plan in response to the most common student concerns. “I think they really want to create an opportunity for more students to have a voice,” Batista said. “We’re very supportive of that.” Tracey Bentley-Townlin, associate dean of student life, said the name change aims to help gather more of a concentrated response throughout campus and social media. “From my perspective, it was really trying to catch the eye of the students to just see it and be more apt to participate,” BentleyTownlin said. Bentley-Townlin has attended student government meetings and events herself since 2010, but had to take a break when she served as interim dean of student life. Though the student forums are one-time events, Bentley-Townlin encourages all students to visit the Office of Student Life if desired. “That’s what we’re here for is to support students and to hear what their concerns are,” Bentley-Townlin said. The next WTFOSU event, which focuses on the topic of safety, takes place Nov. 18. Additional dates and upcoming events can be found at asosu.oregonstate.edu. news@dailybarometer.com
Recession aftermath lingers, NEWS, PAGE 3 Gary Payton II talks practice, SPORTS, PAGE 4 A Mythed Opportunity, A&E, PAGE 8