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ASOSU fires representative
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 • VOLUME CXVI, NUMBER 43
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West Hills road widened for safety n
THE DAILY BAROMETER
Former Associated Students of Oregon State University representative Todd Kim was recently asked to abdicate his position within the House. During Wednesday’s House of Representatives meeting, Speaker of the House Thomas Bancroft revealed that Kim had been “removed from this body” due to a failure to comply with ASOSU statutes. Kim’s actions violated statutes four and five of subhead A within section two of Title II. These sections deal with legislative meeting attendance and weekly office hours. According to the statutes, “absence in more than four regular meetings per term shall result in the absent member’s office or seat being declared vacant by the Speaker of the House.” Votes by proxy are not held against representatives. In addition, representatives must “hold office hours for three consecutive weeks or for four weeks in a single term.” This requirement excludes week 10 and finals week of each term. The vacated seat will not be filled, as per statutory requirements. managing@dailybarometer.com
House introduces new business n
Representatives meet quorum, conduct several legislative readings, move to vote By Tori Hittner
THE DAILY BAROMETER
The Associated Students of Oregon State University House of Representatives discussed three different pieces of new legislation at their meeting Wednesday night. Sixteen representatives attended the meeting, held at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Council Room. Congressional clerk Kate Virden conducted the first reading of House Bill 05.02, which concerns the salaries of SafeRide employees. The bill states that while “the statutes … dictate pay be made on stipend,” SafeRide employees currently work and receive pay on an hourly basis. If passed, the bill will revise the statutes to comply with the current pay system, a “much more adequate and fair salary system,” according to the bill. See ASOSU | page 4
Vehicles can legally park on shoulder along West Hills Road By Emma-Kate Schaake THE DAILY BAROMETER
Benton County has completed a road-widening project along West Hills Road, which added 10 feet of asphalt to the road, creating a shoulder of five feet on both sides. “The county has been looking at doing it for over 10 years,” said county engineer Laurel Byer. Benton County and the City of Corvallis are part of the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. The organization creates a priority list of public works additions and improvements and divvies out state funding for those projects. The project stemmed from resident and commuter transportation concerns citing unsafe conditions for See ROAD | page 4
Air Force veteran brings past experience to OSU n
Assistant VP of human resources, an Air Force veteran, follows his motto of ‘work hard and be nice’ By Sean Bassinger THE DAILY BAROMETER
Before David Blake came to Corvallis, he helped enlisted men and women get connected with the resources they needed during times of struggle. Today, he does the same for employees and student employees here at the university as the assistant vice president of human resources at Oregon State. “You deal with people who obviously face different challenges,” Blake said. Blake began his position at Oregon State just last year after working in administration for various colleges
such as the University of San Diego and National University. In addition to his work here and service in the United States Air Force for 20 years, Blake also volunteers for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. Blake and his wife knew they were ready for a more permanent location before making the final move to Corvallis. “If we moved one more time, it had to be to that place we knew we’d want to call home,” Blake said. While also focusing on his education, Blake joined the Air Force in 1978. Initially, he started as a medical technician, but instead switched to personnel services after showing more interest in human resources occupations. Since then, Blake has helped many See BLAKE | page 4
Sean Bassinger
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
David Blake obtained the rank of first sergeant before retiring from the Air Force after 20 years of service.
Psi Chi hosts grad night Wednesday, provides informational session n
International psychology honor society helps graduate students with the next steps By Courtney Gehring THE DAILY BAROMETER
The future may seem daunting and mysterious for psychology undergraduates inching toward graduation, but for those in Psi Chi, a hand is extended to help lead the way. Psi Chi is an international psychology honor society that flourishes throughout the United States. Recently at Oregon State, after years of ebb and flow, the Psi Chi chapter
is present and growing. Wednesday night, the group hosted their annual grad night, an event that is set up as an informational session for psychology students to learn how to take their next step into the future. Grad night included four different speakers: Head adviser for the School of Psychological Science Teri Duever, Oregon State University professors Kathleen Bogart and David Kerr and a recent Oregon State University grad, Samantha Place, who is now attending graduate school for psychology. Each speaker shed light on their own struggles and triumphs, as well
as providing tips and tricks as students embark on their future into the broad field of psychology. “We are motivating people in psychology to learn more about different avenues in psychology,” said Cassie Colton, Psi Chi’s president and senior studying psychology. The chapter meets bi-weekly and forms a network of support for one another as they endeavor on their different niches within the world of psychology. The chapter creates networks and supports for one another in a highly competitive industry. “We want our members to learn about what options they have,”
Colton said. “Were doing a lot of research work and getting students into labs. We have people who work in almost every single lab on campus.” The chapter has more than 20 members and others in the process of completing acceptance into the chapter. The chapter accepts new members year-round, but the process is selective. Only students who have completed 14 credits in psychology and have grade point average greater than 3.3 may join the chapter. Courtney Gehring Greek and club reporter managing@dailybarometer.com