The Daily Barometer OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY • CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013 • VOLUME CXVI, NUMBER 53
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Strategic plan’s third phase nears n
Final phase of Oregon State University’s strategic plan to focus on student retention rates; begins February 2014 By Sean Bassinger THE DAILY BAROMETER
Phase three of Oregon State University’s strategic plan to improve campus health, wellness and retention rates among students will begin as soon as February 2014. The third part of a series of plans in progress since phase I in 2004, phase III puts a heavy emphasis on improving student retention rates throughout the university to further reach goals toward Oregon’s 40-40-20 goal. Since the 2011-12 academic year, retention rates have increased from 81.4 percent to 83.3 percent, according to the OSU Office of Institutional Research. However, retention rates since the implementation of the strategic plan gone been up and down. When completed, phase III will assure both campus activities and organizations will contribute to the overall mission to provide a healthier student experience at OSU. Susan Capalbo, professor and department head of applied economics, will head a steering committee of 11 people, according to Sabah Randhawa, provost and executive vice president of OSU. Although the committee and administration
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College students: don’t let your eating habits catch you by surprise n
OSU researcher finds eating habits of college students are significantly influenced by perception, environment By Dacotah-Victoria Splichalova THE DAILY BAROMETER
College students across the country have heard of the “freshman 15,” in reference to the weight gain associated with the first six months to one year of arriving on campus. This weight gain demonstrates that changes in our immediate environment do in fact influence our eating habits. However, research studies show the “freshman 15” is actually much less than 15 pounds. According to Mary Cluskey, a nutritionist Dacotah-Victoria Splichalova | THE DAILY BAROMETER and professor within the School of Public Java 2, located within the Valley Library. Healthy food Health and Human Sciences, new students choices are available to students on campus, but may not gain around 3.8 pounds. Having the knowledge to make better food be widely known.
choices available within the college environment, students can make better choices. Cluskey’s research centers on promoting healthy eating by virtue of studying what influences student’s eating behavior and food choices. The most important aspect that influences students’ eating behaviors are their social groups, the immediate exposures to food and the availability of those foods, according to Cluskey. There are certainly cultural influences, such as food advertising, that also contribute to college students’ food choices. “You can’t motivate behavior choices until you understand the behavior,” Cluskey said. College students don’t have a consensus for what they consider to be healthy food, according to Cluskey’s research. See NUTRITION | page 4
Huber espouses deep investment in the Oregon State community By Tori Hittner
Dozens of community members voiced their opinion on Witham Oaks property; appeal to be postponed until January 2014 By Emma-Kate Schaake
See PLAN | page 4
Delta Delta Delta sorority, Huber stays busy and loves to immerse herself in all the comSophomore and political science major munities she is a part of. Huber calls Corvallis her “home away Cassie Huber has a penchant for brightening the lives of those around her — yet she from home,” hailing from the similarly small town of Turlock, Calif., which is east of the would be the last person to admit it. “My life is super boring,” Huber said. Bay Area near Modesto. “Everyone either knows Nor-Cal or So-Cal “School, sorority, work: That’s about it.” Huber’s idea of “boring” must be rather or the Bay Area,” Huber said with a laugh. “But there is a middle part.” unique. A California native and member of the It was in that small, little-known town THE DAILY BAROMETER
Council deliberates Campus Crest proposal
that Huber fostered her love for community involvement. “Back home, I am really involved with Key Club and Kiwanis Club and large corporations that help out specific things within the community,” Huber said. Delta Delta Delta provides Huber that same important sense of belonging and opportunity to give back to others. From living with her sisters to raising funds through See HUBER | page 4
Huber
The Campus Crest appeal proposal will be postponed until the City Council meeting on Jan. 6, 2014. Public testimony can be submitted until Monday, and Campus Crest has until Dec. 16 to submit final arguments. The appeal for a student housing development at the Witham Oaks property was originally denied by the Corvallis Planning Commission and then moved to appeal with the City Council. The Campus Crest proposal would bring the zoning from RS 6 to RS 12, which would create more open space, from 36 to 70 acres. Campus Crest appealed to the need for housing and included information from a safety and traffic analysis report. At the public testimony after the regular City Council meeting Monday evening, dozens of Corvallis residents spoke both for and against the appeal. Rachel Houseman, a senior in geology, spoke for the need for student housing. “Students do need better-priced housing, and the farther away from campus, the cheaper it could be,” Houseman said. Another community member, Peter Ramsing, was also in support of Campus Crest and the opportunity it creates for students. “This isn’t a solution for right now, but it is a great direction for the community, for students to have a place to live,” Ramsing said. Anne Brody, the president of the local League of Women Voters, represented one of the voices against the development, citing the lack of bike lanes and neighborhood family living in her testimony. “This development is not a desirable means of meeting the public needs,” Brody said. Community member Steve Kunke also spoke in opposition, explaining the struggle the annexation originally faced when it went to a public vote. Kunke voiced concern that Campus Crest would undermine the desires and needs of the community. During the regular City Council meeting, the council voted to uphold the Planning See COUNCIL | page 4