WEEK OF MONDAY, DEC. 5, 2016 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • VOL. CXVIV, NO. 11
Overcome.
Marching to the beat of her own eardrum Being deaf has not stopped Hanna Royer from finding success on the field as a member of the OSU Color Guard, but she still faces challenges in other aspects of her life.
Page 3
NEWS: Sailing club sees success 6
•
SPORTS: Season preview of men’s, women’s basketball 10
•
OPINION: Movie review of “Arrival” 14
Community Calendar
IN THIS ISSUE
Happy holidays from the Baro and OMN!
MONDAY, DEC. 5 Forestry Talk
Led by Andrew Taylor and Major Professor Matt Powers. The presentation is titled, “Understory Vegetation Dynamics and Midstory Development Following Understory Release Treatments in the Northwest Oregon Thinned Douglas-fir Stands.” This event takes place in Richardson Hall Room 115 from 3 to 4 p.m.
TUESDAY, DEC. 6 Climate Change Seminar
Sihan Li will lead a seminar titled, “Correctly interpreting regional projections of climate changes using very large ensembles of regional climate model simulations.” This event takes place in Burt Hall from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7 Marine Biology Lecture
This lecture is titled, “Patterns and processes of fish dispersal and settlement along the Oregon coast.” This event takes place at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport from 9 to 10 a.m.
THURSDAY, DEC. 8
ARCHIVES | ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK Sydney Wiese blocks out against Concordia last season. Winter break is almost upon the OSU campus, but both the men’s and women’s basketball seasons are amping up.
3
NEWS: Hanna Royer is
4
NEWS: Fourteen-year-old
6
NEWS: OSU sailing club
10
SPORTS: Men’s basketball
11
SPORTS: Women’s
12
OPINION: Benny’s
16
News: Dealing with the
deaf and in the band
takes math classes at OSU
finding success, growing preview
basketball preview
Beginnings: Hut Shuttle
OSU athletic’s deficit
Pastega Holiday Light Display
Formerly the Pepsi Lights Display, take a drive through tour of plywood cutouts and holiday lights. This event takes place at the Benton County Fairgrounds from 5 to 10 p.m.
SUNDAY, DEC. 11 Winter term priority registration is available.
Corvallis, OR 973311617 Please direct news tips to: 541-737-2231 baro.news@oregonstate.edu Contact the editor: 541-737-3191 Business: 541-737-2233 On Campus: SEC fourth floor, Oregon State University
To place an ad call 541-737-6373 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Riley Youngman
baro.editor@oregonstate.edu
NEWS EDITOR Richard Steeves
MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Sluss
baro.managing@oregonstate.edu
NEWS/SPORTS CHIEFS Brian Rathbone Brenden Slaughter
newsblast1@oregonstate.edu WEB & MOBILE MANAGER GABRIEL SHIELDS omnweb@oregonstate.edu
PHOTO CHIEF Reid Dehle
omn.photo@oregonstate.edu
baro.news@oregonstate.edu
COVER: Photo by Reede Fisher. Illustration by Natalie Lutz.
2 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016
The Barometer is published on Mondays, except holidays, during the academic school year with additional content, including video available online.
and broadcast media operated under its authority for the students and staff of Oregon State University on behalf of the Associated Students of OSU.
The Daily Barometer, published for use by OSU students, faculty and staff, is private property. A single copy of The Barometer is free from newsstands. Unauthorized removal of multiple copies will be considered theft and is prosecutable. Responsibility: The University Student Media Committee is charged with the general supervision of all student publications
Formal written complaints about The Barometer may be referred to the committee for investigation and disposition. After hearing all elements involved in a complaint, the committee will report its decision to all parties concerned.
NEWS
REEDE FISHER | ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK
Hanna Royer standing in front of Reser Stadium. Royer is deaf and has performed with the OSU Marching Band Color Guard at every home football game this season.
Marching to the beat of her own eardrum
Hanna Royer is deaf and brings a “no excuses” attitude to the color guard
T
By Anthony Heatherly, KBVR-FM Station Manager
he Oregon State University Marching Band parades into Reser Stadium and emerges onto the field. The horns blare and overtake the roar of the spectators. The pop of the snares fill the cracks in the crowd’s voice and the bass drums demand attention; the marching band provides the rhythmic heartbeat of Beaver nation. Orange and black flags swing through the air in time with the music. The whole performance is tight, and well rehearsed. A good ear, some coordination, a sense of rhythm and lots of practice are what you need to contribute as a member of this team. The entire routine seems reliant on the tune. Take away the sound, and one might imagine the entire act falling into disarray. However, silence does not impede color guard member Hanna Royer, who is deaf. “It is just barrier in my life, but I do not let my deafness stop me from doing anything,” Royer said. Royer’s game day begins five hours before kickoff with a final practice, followed by performances for tailgating fans around campus. Royer’s journey with the color guard didn’t start with game days though; it started five years ago, and her history with music runs even deeper. Royer grew up in Albany and transferred to OSU this fall to study history. Hanna has been adapting to her deafness since she was young. Her mother, Nikie Strahan, learned of her deafness when she was just one year old, and it was a shock.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen to her, but it was very scary as a parent,” Strahan said. Strahan began learning American Sign Language as soon as she received Royer’s diagnosis, later teaching her and her brother Tyler. “It wasn’t until two and a half (years) that we were finally communicating with sign language,” Strahan said. Royer recalls early and constant support from her mother. “My mom always told me when I was growing up that I could do anything,” Royer said. “And my deafness should not stop me.” “I never told her no because whatever she went for, she succeeded in,” Strahan added. Royer was inspired to join her middle school band after her brother suggested deafness prevented her from playing an instrument. She wanted to prove him wrong and ended up playing the flute. She continued with band at Sprague High School in Salem, where her band director later encouraged her to join Sprague’s color guard. Jordana Buyserie, a friend of Royer’s, is also deaf, and joined the OSU Color Guard this fall. Color guard member Ryleigh Childers remembers when she first met Royer at band camp this September. “I was excited to see Hanna come in with interpreters, I was actually just excited to get to learn some sign language,” Childers said. Familiarity comes in handy in the color guard, she and her teammates have developed solutions for keeping time with one
another. Additionally, interpreters are on the sidelines during performances, helping keep time for Royer to ensure she makes every mark in sync with the team. “The interpreters count for them on the sidelines, but in spots where interpreters can’t get close to the drill, one of us will hold the flag in one hand, while counting off on the other,” Childers said. “It is a challenge,” added Royer. “But I have learned how to deal with it by having the color guard girls come up with some hints during performances so I can be on time with everybody else.” The team was enthusiastic when Royer joined the team, and developing on-the-field cues and hints has brought them closer. Royer has even taught her teammates some signs so they can communicate easier. Talie Oakley, another new member of the color guard, said adjusting the team’s communication style was relatively simple. “I wasn’t sure how to act at first,” Oakley said. “But learning sign language has been so much fun.” However, not all of Royer’s transitions at OSU have been so smooth. Royer mentions that the greatest difficulty so far at OSU hasn’t been in the classroom or on the field, but living with people she
See Royer, Page 8 WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 3
NEWS
Star student
REEDE FISHER | ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK
Collette Byrne sitting outside the Memorial Union. Collette has been taking OSU math classes for the past four years, and has been at the top of her class for every one.
Fourteen-year-old has been taking math at OSU for years By Lauren Sluss, Managing Editor
REEDE FISHER| ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK
Collette laughing with her father Harry, who attends class with her due to her age. 4 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016
Out of the 36 students who took vector calculus II at Oregon State University over the summer, the student to receive one of the highest grades in the class was not only the sole female, but also still had four baby teeth. Collette Byrne, now age 14, has been taking OSU math classes since she was 10 years old. Collette has taken five math classes at OSU over the past four years, starting with college algebra at age 10 and completing vector calculus II at age 13. Not only has Collette passed every course, but she has been at the top of her class in every one, receiving four A’s and one B+. Collette is currently beginning her first year at Corvallis High School and is taking the year off from OSU. Being the youngest in a college classroom by about ten years proved intimidating for Collette at first, but she slowly acclimated to the college environment. “At first I was a little overwhelmed, like any normal 11-year-old would be. I’m in a room full of 20-year-olds, and they are all ginormous
compared to me. You might not see it now, but I was kind of a bean pole back then,” Collette said. “And then it faded away; it was just math. All those numbers and equations—nothing really special about it.” Collete’s college career began at Ashbrook Indepentent School, when the school didn’t offer college algebra for her to take. Instead of taking the year off from math, her father Harry Byrne enrolled her at OSU in college algebra, a class normally taken by college freshmen. Despite the larger workload than middle school classes usually entail, taking college courses have intensified Collette’s long-time fascination of math and science. “They (math and science) are just so neat, and everything just draws me in. I find it so interesting to find out how things tick,” Collette said. “Everything has an equation applied to it. Every social interaction, just a smile, a wave or a kind word can make all the difference between a bad interaction and a good one.” Although the subjects Collette is study-
NOW HIRING
NEWS
The best part about taking college classes is all the crazy stories I hear from the college students. Collette Byrne Corvallis High School freshman
ing are riveting to her, the most interesting part of taking classes with college students isn’t just what she learns from the teacher, but what she overhears to when the teacher isn’t paying attention. “The best part about taking college classes is all the crazy stories I hear from the college students,” Collette laughed. “I’m not an eavesdropper, but I hear things occasionally that are so random but hilarious at the same goshdanged time.” Taking courses with college students, although entertaining, has stirred up mixed emotions for Collette. “It’s half and half. One part of me wants to scream it out to the world and say, ‘Look at me, I am a genius,’” Collette said. “But the other part of me is like, ‘Bro, calm yourself. We’re not that special; there have been two-year-olds who have done calculus, bro. Learn your privilege.’ It’s hard to find the happy balance.” Because OSU students are required to be at least 14 years old in order to attend classes by themselves, Harry has accompanied Collette to every one of her college courses. Harry currently works at the U.S. Patent Office, and holds eight master’s degrees and attended a year of law school. His educational background has proved helpful while attending class with Collette. “I love going with her and being able to talk with her about school,” Harry said. “I have a masters in engineering so I have a different perspective to look at the problems at and help her with it. I may help her with just strategy, but she does all the work herself.” Having her father attend classes with her, although helpful, can sometimes be challenging for Collette. “It might just be my teenager speaking, and I love my dad to bits, but it’s a little embarrassing,” Collette said. “Having your dad show up to your classes is, well, it’s definitely different. I’ve gotten used to it by now though.” Despite the embarrassment, Harry’s constant support proved impressive for Collette’s vector calculus teacher, Hoewoon Kim. “Her dad really was amazing, he would always take care of her by giving her the constant support. This is amazing because for me, as a dad with two children, I would not have enough time to do that,” Kim said. Together, Collette and Harry have worked towards formulating a 17 year curriculum for Collette, hopefully ending in her getting a Ph.D. in physics and an M.D. as well. Collette believes this curriculum will set her on the best path towards success. “My dad really, really loves me, so he wants me to have the best possible education I can have,” Collette said. “This curriculum is going to prepare me for my dream job, which is to be someone who saves lives. I could be a doctor, or a surgeon. A lot of people do a lot of good, and I admire the strength of those who go out there and do the things that change people’s lives.”
Although this plan may prove strenuous, Harry believes Collette will be able to achieve it if she wants to. “I feel Collette is brighter than anybody,” Harry said. “I spent half an hour with Julian Schwinger, a nobel prize winner for quantum electrodynamics when I was a graduate student at UCLA. I still feel Collette is the smartest person I’ve ever met.” Collette’s presence in college classrooms has had an effect not only on her, but also on other students, according to Kim. “Having Collette in the class might have encouraged the other students to study more because she was in middle school, while they were upper level students. They were encouraged to be more active in the classes,” Kim said. Although Collette has become accustomed to being around college students, she still struggles with how her age and intellect influences how others perceive her. “I kind of hate myself and love my accomplishments at the same time. I’m so afraid that people will be jealous and upset with themselves, but it’s not their fault. They are in the same class with me, it shows they are smart too,” Collette said. “Most of the people I see in my classes are taking it twice-round, and it makes me feel bad. It’s sort of an internal debate, honestly.” Although Collette has spent a lot of time with college students, interacting with other middle schoolers has proven to be a challenge. “I find a lot of people my age kind of immature, and they don’t get me,” Collette said. “I do have two really good friends that are taking advanced courses in mathematics, and they are sort of my besties, if that’s the proper term.” Despite her college career, Collette still enjoys being a kid. Her and her friends enjoy going to Bimart and walking up and down the toy aisle, as well as delving into their love of the Japanese culture, especially fandoms. “I’m complete fandom trash,” Collette laughed. “I have sold my soul to so many fandoms. I don’t watch the anime, but I read the manga because I can go at my own pace and I read faster than the anime goes. Yeah, I’ve basically sold my soul to every popular fandom ever.” Collette is planning on taking applied differential equations and either linear algebra I or introduction to numerical analysis at OSU this summer. If her high school schedule allows, she may also take more applied differential equations and numerical methods courses at OSU the following year. Although Collette’s future may seem daunting to her, she hopes that as she grows up she can start to mature and affirm who she is. “As I get older, I’ll start to accept my mistakes a bit more,” Collette said. “I know eventually I’m going to have to—pardon my language—eat a shit sandwich, and I better hope it comes with an olive.”
BAROMETER & MAGAZINE WRITER Looking for a student with strong written communication skills. • • •
Gather, pitch, report, and write articles for The Daily Barometer, and Orange Media Network magazines, as assigned by editors. Subjects may include news, sports, arts, or other topics. Meet new people, tell stories and get your work published.
To apply, click on the Get Involved tab at:
OrangeMediaNetwork.com
NOW HIRING TV PRODUCER Looking for a student with strong leadership qualities to create live TV shows • • • •
Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to staff and encourage learning, student participation, accountability and media excellence. Produce half hour or hour live shows to air on KBVRTV. Ability to meet deadline. Application deadline 12/9/16.
To apply, click on the Get Involved tab at:
OrangeMediaNetwork.com WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 5
NEWS
OSU sailing club sets sails on Northwest, West Coast domination
COURTESY OF OSU SAILING CLUB
The OSU sailing club competing against the University of Oregon in the Outlaw Regatta. The club practices at Fern Ridge Reservoir just outside of Eugene. 6 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016
NEWS
Captain Michael Levy competes in nationals, hopes to see club grow By Ercoli Crugnale, News Contributor Looking at Oregon State University, one may not expect it to be a school that has a sailing team at all, let alone one that is growing so rapidly and hopes to eventually hang with the California sailing powerhouses. Michael Levy is the team’s captain, and recently represented OSU at the collegiate national sailing competition in Galveston, TX. Michael not only represented OSU, but the entire Northwest division of sailing as a result of him winning the Northwest Intercollegiate Sailing Association Singlehand Men’s Qualifier. Michael and teammate Quanah Green competed in the men’s singlehanded division in the competition in Washington, in which they received first and fourth respectively. “The northwest in the past hasn’t really showed up and done well at nationals,” Michael said. OSU’s appearance at nationals is huge for the team. The majority of programs who receive berths to the competition are elite, east coast schools with a storied history and wealthy alumni, while, Oregon State’s team remains a club team. “It’s kind of like golf,” Michael said. “The lowest score wins.” Michael won the NWICSA Singlehand Men’s Qualifier with a score of 5. The next lowest score was 17. Michael insists that it’s the team that deserves the lion’s share of the recognition. “It’s an individual sport, but it’s also a team sport,” said Hannah Levy, Michael’s older sister. “It’s not like everyone’s in tandem with each other, but you end up learning a lot about people. Sailors tend to be people who are very committed to their sport. There’s a neat culture around that.”
Michael has been sailing since he was in fifth-grade, and since then Hannah says that his rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Hannah said that Michael was sporty, but that nothing stuck for him until he discovered sailing. “There was this moment of, ‘Hmm, maybe this could be my thing’ that he had,” Hannah said. Living in Santa Cruz, smack dab in the competitive California sailing scene, Michael competed in the entire North American circuit his junior year of high school. In addition, he received an invite to the world Under 21 sailing competition, which he declined to focus on his freshmen year of college. “It’s his passion, it’s his life,” Hannah said. “He’s an all in person, he doesn’t take things partway. Michael is on the go, always. He’s always running somewhere, like literally running.” Michael said that, in the spring, the team will field multiple coed boats to go up against other teams in a three on three event. “The coolest thing about it is that it’s a coed sport. It’s an inclusive kind of sport, and it gets OSU’s name out,” said OSU sailor Andrew Wilkinson. The team is always eager to take on new members, even ones with little to no experience. All in all, Wilkinson thinks the team is very beginner friendly. “We’ll pretty much take anyone and teach them,” Wilkinson said. “We teach in a sort of low key race environment. It’s kind of the quickest way to learn how to sail.” Practice, on the other hand, can be an ordeal all in itself. Three times a week the team piles into vans and drives to Fern
Ridge Reservoir outside of Eugene at 3 p.m., and practices until sundown. The difficulty of the sport comes from the minute and maddening details, but Michael says that the joy of the sport comes from its’ delicate complexities. “Soccer, everyone has the same soccer fields, it’s very very similar,” Michael said. “Our playing field is always at least a little bit different. The wind changes, it’s based on temperature, it’s based on all sorts of things. It’s not a simple sport.” Despite the team’s growth, the school’s sailing team remains a club team. Due to this, they receive little funding from the school. Michael even purchased his own plane ticket to nationals, with no financial assistance. The team is so barebones that they don’t even have a coach; all practices and regatta travel are organized by the team’s leadership council. “We could be varsity,” Michael said. “Lots and lots of east coast teams are varsity. But no Northwestern team is varsity, and only two or three West Coast schools are. I’d love to be varsity.” “It’s a lot of work, and we don’t have the same resources,” Wilkinson added. “We run into different problems than a varsity program would run into.” Hannah doesn’t think sailing gets the same amount of attention as other sports. “It doesn’t get quite the same austerity that other sports do,” Hannah said. “It’s its’ own little niche.” Michael believes that, with an upgrade to varsity and the extra money and recruits that would bring, OSU’s sailing team could continue to grow and dominate the Northwest.
GET INVOLVED, TAKE A TOUR, AND MEET THE STUDENTS WHO RUN THE BAROMETER, KBVR FM, KBVR TV, DAMCHIC, BEAVER’S DIGEST, AND PRISM WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 7
COVER STORY
You make the call, We’ll make the pizza.
Menu and Coupons are located on website 1045 NW Kings Blvd. 541-752-5151 www.woodstocks.com
UP DATE D 2 B E D RO O MS AVA IL AB L E NO W ! D O N ’ T M IS S O U R W I N TE R TE RM MO VE I N PRO MOTIO N S! SCHEDULE A TO U R TO D AY ! ( 5 4 1 ) - 20 7- 2883 1335 N O RTH . N ET
1335NORTH
APART MENT COMMUNIT Y
1335 NW KINGS BLVD. CORVALLIS, OR 97330
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED BY: STERLING MANAGEMENT GROUP
Corvallis Brewing Supply & Packaged-Goods-To-Go!
The Oregon State University Marching Band on the field before the Beavers football game
Royer
Beer, Wine, Cider, Sake and Mead
Continued from page 3
119 SW 4th St. Downtown Corvallis OR 97333 (541-) 758-1674 www.lickspigot.com email: joel@lickspigot.com
LOCAL BEERS AND GIFTS FOR THE BEER-LOVER IN YOUR LIFE
Yikes! I don’t have anything to eat back at the dam!
First Alternative NATURAL FOODS CO-OP
Fresh Local Organic Groceries Every Day We’ve got you covered, Beavs
NORTH CORVALLIS
SOUTH CORVALLIS
2855 NW Grant 1007 SE 3rd St
8 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016
Daily 7am -10pm www.firstalt.coop
doesn’t know well. “The people I live with do not know sign language, so we have to really work on trying to communicate with each other,” Royer said. Joining Royer in class are interpreters, who ensure she misses as little verbal content as possible. Deb Kropf, an interpreter from Disability Access Services, worked with Royer in two of her courses this term. She explains that the her job as an interpreter isn’t to be a personal assistant to Royer, as some mistakenly view her role. Kropf explains that her role is to interpret the content of the class or activity, specifically the lectures and conversations which Royer is a part of. “Really, I’m helping the instructor as much as I’m helping the student,” Kropf said. Her role is to act as a bridge between Royer, instructors and peers. Notetakers also provide her with resources to review and study. For Royer, deafness isn’t a disability, but a barrier that can be overcome. Royer doesn’t make excuses and she has become comfortable with many different methods for communicating with others throughout her day. When ordering food on campus, it can be as simple as writing her order down on her phone, or writing with pen and paper. With her cochlear implants, it isn’t always imperative to sign with people, and she’s spent practically her entire life learning to read lips. Royer’s “No Excuses” attitude is clear with even a brief interaction. “I admire Hanna’s patience, always doing her best
and putting in extra effort,” Oakley said. “If I were deaf, I don’t think I would have been able to persevere and overcome being deaf. Hanna is able to fight and succeed.” At this point, Royer has practiced enough that she knows precisely how to work with others to accomplish activities in the classroom, around campus and on the field. A couple of the interpreters at OSU worked at Sprague when Royer was in high school. Having this history with Royer helps in classes, as they can predict what she might say and are familiar with her signing style. The relationship between interpreters and deaf students can grow quickly, as it has for Royer and Kropf. “I appreciate her authenticity,” Kropf said. “She has a natural ease with people.” Occasionally, there are things that the team will find funny because of the signs, humor that wouldn’t land in English. “I’m sometimes surprised by the random things we connect together about,” Kropf said. “Like the humor we find in mundane, everyday things.” Royer loves performing for the fans as a member of the color guard, and the joy it brings to her life is impossible to miss. Royer’s love of music shines as well. Her favorite part of color guard is the drum line. “There are some times when I am very close to the drum line and I love it because they are very loud and the bass drums give out a lot of vibrations.” Royer hears music in a different way than many folks, but those vibrations are one thing everyone can feel. “Hanna has proved to me that if you set your mind to it, there is nothing you cannot do,” Childers said.
JOSHUA LUCAS| ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK
against Boise State on Sept. 24.
REEDE FISHER| ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK
Royer, and fellow deaf color guard member Jordana Buyserie in front of Reser. WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 9
SPORTS
New season, new challenges ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK ARCHIVES
Sophomore forward Drew Eubanks dunks during last year’s game against LMU. Eubanks has been averaging 13 points per game this season.
OSU is a different team this year, and coach Tinkle is working out the kinks By Josh Worden, Senior Beat Reporter
Wayne Tinkle is facing a different beast this season. The head coach of the Oregon State men’s basketball team is in his third year in Corvallis, and the 2016-2017 season— compared to last year and the team’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 1990—already has its fair share of volatility. OSU started 2-0, then dropped four straight games, including a home loss to Lamar despite being favored by 22. The Beavers went five games without sophomore guard Stephen Thompson Jr. due to a foot injury and still are without freshman forward Ben Koné, who is recovering from a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament from January. Junior forward Keondre Dew also sat out two games due to suspension. Most notably, sophomore forward Tres Tinkle broke his wrist in the closing minutes of OSU’s fourth straight loss against Fresno State on Nov. 25. Tres and his averages of 20.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game are expected to miss about three more weeks. Plus, there’s no more Gary Payton II, last year’s star player who graduated along with four other seniors, and junior guard Malcolm Duvivier is taking this season off for personal reasons. OSU is now 3-6 this season after a 69-66 loss at Charlotte on Saturday, a game OSU came in as 6.5-point underdogs but hung with the 49ers on the road until the final buzzer. So there’s the landscape for Tinkle, injuries and all. What will he do with this 2016-2017 team to continue OSU’s progress as a program? After all, last year’s squad earned a spot in March Madness. This year, however, is not the same. With the losses of Payton II, Duvivier and others, Tinkle notes, OSU’s inexperience will cause some bumps in the road. The Beavers have a lot of first year players earning big minutes, especially at the guard position. When Thompson Jr. was out, there wasn’t a single healthy guard on the roster who played for OSU last year: JaQuori McLaughlin is a true freshman, Kendal Manuel is a redshirt freshman, juniors Ronnie Stacy and Daine Mueller are transfers and sophomore Tanner Sanders was on the baseball team last year. “We talked about being an immature and relatively inexperienced group—they’ve got to learn how to take they way our staff coaches,” Tinkle said. “There’s times where we’re trying to send a message, there’s times we’re trying to see if the light is on up there, there’s times we’re just trying to get them going, get a reaction. This isn’t cupcake basketball in the PAC-12, and our guys are learning how to deal and respond to that. It shouldn’t scare anyone into not allowing them to play their
game, it should fire them up.” Tinkle made similar statements about his team the last two years. It’s not uncommon, after all, for 18 and 19-year-old freshman to arrive at college and struggle to handle the tougher coaching, harder workouts and increased competition for playing time. Tinkle says players are meshing pretty well off the court, though. “The one thing that stands out is our overall team chemistry is pretty good,” Tinkle said. “At times because we have a lot of young guys and fresh egos, things can crop up. But overall, they’ve got each other’s backs and they enjoy being around each other. It wasn’t divided in years past, but you had the little groups. But these guys all enjoy hanging out with each other, and that’s nice to see.” “I feel like this year is going to be more of a team effort than last year,” added sophomore forward Drew Eubanks. “Obviously last year we had Gary, and he covered up a lot of things that we didn’t do well as a team, but this year we have a lot of young guys. We have a lot of talent, too, but we have to figure out how to put it together.” As for the post players, Eubanks has solidified a big role in OSU’s front court. He’s already made a leap from last year, when he became the first OSU true freshman to start a season opener since 2006. This season, he’s again commanded a massive role in OSU’s front court; besides Tres, no teammate has half as many rebounds as his 77 this year and he’s averaging 13.0 points per game, also tops on the team outside of Tres. As Gottlieb points out, Eubanks’ work ethic in the offseason has prepared him for the task of handling a big step forward in responsibility on both sides of the court. “Drew has improved tremendously. I think for any kid, you usually make your biggest jump from your freshman to sophomore year,” Gottlieb said. “He’s really taught himself how to work hard. He’s learned just going to the gym and working out is one thing, but having a plan is another. We’ve seen that from him, and his development has been tremendous. I think the big thing for him is, when we have limited depth, he’s got to make the most of his fouls.” Plenty of responsibility has fallen on point guard JaQuori McLaughlin to handle the ball offensively; he has started the last seven games, averages 2.3 assists and 10.2 points per game this year. “Definitely I feel like I’ve adjusted pretty well,” McLaughlin said of the transition from high school. “Teammates
10 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016
have helped me, coaches help me and people from around the community.” “He has a really mature approach for a kid his age,” added assistant coach Gregg Gottlieb. “We saw that in him when we recruited him.” If there’s one play that defines McLaughlin’s talent—and some of OSU’s struggles this season—it came in the season opener against Prairie View A&M. Coach Tinkle drew up a play for the last shot of the first half, but after McLaughlin dribbled to the wing to start the play, everything broke down. With no one to pass to, McLaughlin took a contested, step back 3-pointer at the buzzer and made it, but Tinkle was not pleased with his team. “JaQuori went the correct way but the other guys didn’t, so it left JaQuori no option,” Tinkle said. “He did the step back and made a great shot. He’s capable of doing that, but we got on the other guys for focus. And it happened [the next game versus UT San Antonio] a couple of times right out of time outs that we didn’t execute the play that we showed them. I think that’s due to being the early part of the season and being a relatively young team, learning to do those things.” Tinkle still is in the process of developing consistent focus in his players, but he’s handled plenty of issues like that since his hiring in May 2014. First it was taking over an 8-10 PAC12 team that seemed to be on the downswing, losing nine players from the 2013-2014 roster due to transferring, graduation or heading to the professional ranks. The Beavers went 17-14 that season despite being picked last in the preseason conference media poll. Last year’s expectations were much higher, but things weren’t always smooth. The Beavers had to weather a number of injuries as well as a three-game losing streak in January, starting the conference schedule at 2-4. OSU finished the regular season strong and ended a 26-year NCAA Tournament drought. This year OSU’s had injuries, growing pains and a losing streak already. The Beavers also have plenty of games left on the schedule for getting healthy, building maturity and improving their 3-6 record. “Since the beginning of the year, we’ve learned a lot, we’ve gotten a lot better and more mature,” Eubanks said. “We’re not anywhere near where we need to be, but its come a long ways.”
SPORTS
Women’s basketball finding new identity After losing key players, the team is looking to rebuild By Kalib LaChapelle, News Contributor After a one-point loss to Marquette on Nov. 22, head coach Scott Rueck believes the Oregon State University women’s basketball team is “finding their identity.” “We learned a lot about ourselves and that we are going to be a tough out every single night just like we always have been,” Rueck said. That game marked the first loss of the season for the No. 22 OSU women’s basketball team and made their record 3-1, something that didn’t happen until the ninth game of the season a year ago when the team made it all the way to the first ever Final Four Appearance for OSU. However, it came against a team that will be a tough contender for the rest of the regular season, and possibly into the tournament. “I thought our identity started to form as a really gritty team,” Rueck said. “I think this will be another really good Oregon State team.” The Marquette Golden Eagles were coming off of a win against No.23 Arizona State during the weekend, and had received a close loss to OSU last season where they held the lead in the fourth quarter. The somewhat inexperienced Beaver roster put up a lot of fight throughout the game even when faced with eight to ten point deficits at times, but as Rueck put it, “They (Marquette) just scored once more than we did.” “We need to learn from all positions what we need to do better to get better as a group,” said senior guard Sydney Wiese. “I think this game was a blessing for us and we will use it going forward.” The Beavers have faced challenges in finding a new identity for the team after graduating key players last season. After losing three starters and an important role player this season, they are looking for players to step up and take the team to that high level. However, the way the team plays is changing in the process. The Beavers are playing with more grit this year especially from players like
junior center Breanna Brown and freshman guard Mikayla Pivec. The Beavers are forcing loose balls and then following them on to the ground or out of bounds in an attempt to keep plays and fast breaks alive and keep their team fighting. “We had a lot of new people on the floor down the stretch,” Rueck said. “There are three significant people that were not out there that have been out there in the past, so this is all new.” One of the major contributors to last season’s team was center Ruth Hamblin. Hamblin set the Pac-12 record for career blocks during her senior year and was a consistent scorer in the middle of the court as well as a dominant rim defender during her time at OSU. Stepping in to fill her shoes are junior center Marie Gulich and Brown. Gulich has taken over as one of the Beaver’s go-to scorers posting double digits every game this season, and Brown has been a dominant shot blocker in her minutes on the court. “It was awesome to see (Brown) and (Gulich) call for the ball, to really demand it,” Rueck said. The team is planning on using that loss to really push themselves moving forward. With major players like Hamblin now missing from the lineup, a tough late loss like this to a good program could be a catalyst for small improvements. “The fire is fueled now,” Rueck said after the game. “Those kind of things (close losses) can be wake up calls,” said Gulich. “There’s a lot of stuff we need to get better at.” The common theme for Rueck is that he is happy with seeing how much “grit” his team has been putting out this season. Whether it has been diving over chairs, forcing jump balls, getting steals, or getting big blocks around the rim, OSU has been playing with fire throughout the first four games of the year. “We just have grit,” Rueck said. “I love the way we fought.”
We need to learn from all positions what we need to do better to get better as a group. ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK ARCHIVES
Senior guard Sydney Wiese gets ready to shoot during last year’s game against Concordia. After key players graduated last season, the Beavers are looking for other players, including Wiese to step up and fill their shoes this year.
Syndey Wiese Senior women’s basketball guard
WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 11
OPINION
Going home for the holidays Hut Shuttle provides OSU students transportation services to Portland International Airport By Sarah Berge, Benny’s Beginnings Blog Manager
Benny’s Beginnings is one of the six blogs launched this year on orangemedianetwork.com, and focuses on student life on the OSU campus. SARAH BERGE | ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK
Founded in 1973, the Hut Shuttle picks students up from the Native American Longhouse on campus and drops them off at PDX. The shuttle runs every two hours. 12 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016
OPINION
O
f Oregon State University’s students, 12,390 (40.8 percent of the total enrollment) are not Oregon residents, according to OSU’s fall term enrollment summary. As soon as students finish their last exam, hand in their final project and determine fall term officially over, there will be a huge need for these out-of-state students to get to the Portland airport—everyone runs away as fast as they can. It’s crazy. For many students, actually getting to the airport can be quite the challenge because they do not have cars or other reliable forms of transportation to get them all the way to the airport with their luggage in tow—believe it or not there’s only so much you can do with a bike or razor scooter. However, the HUT Portland Airport Shuttle, which operates to transport people from Corvallis, Albany, Eugene, Salem and Woodburn to Portland International Airport and back again, is just the solution students need. “If you don’t have a car, it makes going home really easy because it drops you off right out front of the airport,” said Gio Fiorenza, an OSU student from Walnut C re e k , C A . “ You don’t really have to put out any effort to get to Portland. You just show up, put your stuff on the bus and it’s a b o u t t wo hours, so it’s a little bit longer trip than it would be just driving, but it’s just super easy.” Founded in Salem in 1973 by George Hutmacher, the HUT Shuttle has remained in the family ever since. The shuttle first began transporting OSU students after buying Anthony’s Airporter, a Corvallis based shuttle service. Now, the HUT and OSU’s schedules are locked together and the business is thankful to the college for it’s continued loyalty and support, according to Operation’s Manager Eric Maddux. The HUT Shuttle runs 11 times per day, which is roughly a bus at each stop every two hours, 365 days of the year. A basic oneway ticket for an OSU student leaving from campus costs $45. However, the rates and times of available tickets depend on the time of year, location and person. They offer discounts for students and seniors, but also charge different rates for each city and extra for special circumstances, like extra baggage or pets. With two pickup locations on OSU’s campus, one at the Native American Longhouse and the other at the Hilton Garden Inn, the shuttle’s busiest times of the year tend to line up with breaks in the school year—before and after Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring and Summer breaks. In other words, when all of us are fleeing as fast as possible or returning as last minute as possible. “We go in all weather when the interstate is open,” Maddux said when explaining that there are few circumstances—snow, ice and traffic—which could potentially influence the
shuttle’s tight schedule. Although the HUT shutt l e i s n o r m a l l y o n t i m e, t r a f f i c can cause tardiness. “We are pretty much always on time, but there are a couple of runs a day that aren’t on time because of the traffic,” Maddux said. If you’re traveling in Portland’s rush hour, we get stuck in traffic too.” Because of this, I recommend you pick a shuttle that’s a little earlier than necessary no matter what time of day it is. If it is during busy traffic times, it is an especially good idea to be on the earlier edge of things. Of course, they do everything they can to keep to their schedule, even during the holiday season when traffic throughout Portland is particularly bad. For OSU senior from Ontario, OR Garrett Kitamura, the shuttle’s speed surprised him, despite heavy Thanksgiving traffic. “It only took them three hours to get there, which for a holiday is not horrible,” Kitamura said. “ They were calling in the whole time about traffic congestion so they could work around it.” Students hoping to catch a flight once finals are over might want to start reserving a seat for when they need it to ensure their swift escape. “The earlier you book, the better chance you have,” Maddux said. “We’ll take walk-ups on every run if there’s an extra seat, but the people who have reserved get seated first.” On the ride, the shuttle does their best to make the trip as comfortable as they can for their passengers. They are big, roomy buses with good sized seats. Plus, they make it possible for you to do work or remain otherwise connected to the world while on the bus. “There’s free Wi-Fi on all of the buses, so feel free to bring a laptop, listen to a book or whatever you want to pass the time,” Maddux said. I wrote an essay the last time I took the shuttle—but be careful! Just because there’s Wi-Fi doesn’t mean you can’t still get car sick if that is something you have to worry about, as I was quick to learn. The HUT Por tland Airpor t Shuttle is an excellent option for students needing a ride to the airpor t in the coming weeks. “For what it’s worth, I feel very safe with these drivers, too,” Kitamura said as he reflected on his trip in the shuttle through holiday traffic. “I’m grateful to have these guys driving, not me.” Specific rates and times can be found at the shuttle’s website, or by calling in to their 24/7 reser vation line at (541) 926-2525.
To read Benny’s Beginnings or other Orange Media Network blogs, use Snapchat or QR reader to access more content online!
It makes going home really easy because it drops you off right out front of the airport.
NOW HIRING
Gio Fiorenza
Fifth year kinesiology major
TV REPORTER Looking for a student with strong writing and organizational skills. • • • •
Gather, pitch, report, and create news stories for Orange Media Network news blasts and the web site. Story topics may include news, sports, arts, or other topics. Write scripts, shoot and edit video. Ability to meet deadline.
To apply, click on the Get Involved tab at:
OrangeMediaNetwork.com WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 13
OPINION
541-754-6222 1505 NW Harrison Corvallis valleyeyecare.com
Like us on Facebook
Pint Night
Wednesday, December 7 7 p.m., 9 p.m. & 11 p.m. Featured brew from:
Sierra Nevada
Keep the logo pint after first purchase 1501 NW Monroe • Corvallis 541-758-4452 • Clodfelterspub.com
While supplies last. Prices may vary.
THE RECREATIONAL SPORTS ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting on Monday December 5 at 5
DIXON RECREATION CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM The Recreational Sports Advisory Board makes budget recommendations, reviews programs and more, for Recreational Sports
For additional information please email rec.advisoryboard@oregonstate.edu
DailyBarometer
@DailyBaro and @BaroSport
Player Orange is one of the six new blogs launched on the Orange Media Network website this year, and focuses on video games and media.
Arrival succeeds where it subverts COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Leading female character defies traditional gender tropes, adds complexity to male dominated genre By Gareth Baldrica-Franklin, Player Orange Blog Manager
T
he recently released movie “Arrival”, from Paramount Pictures, relies on the idea that the mystery of aliens can be scarier than their appearance–and nothing is more mysterious than the appearance of a dozen floating alien monuments that appear randomly across the world. The movie revolves around Dr. Louise Banks, played by Amy Adams, a linguist who is recruited by the government in attempt to communicate with the aliens. Communication is at the heart of the film, and it also explores the disturbing level of public paranoia that accompanies both the alien’s arrival and the government’s secrecy regarding the matter. But more importantly, the film serves as a triumph for well-written female characters, and highlights gendered communication differences. It accomplishes this in a rather unexpected way: by surrounding a female character with men. It sounds strange doesn’t it? It’s no surprise that many movies follow the same pattern–including one or two female characters in casts that are otherwise dominated by men. Usually, female characters in these movies are either wholly insignificant, or encompass the ‘strong female character’ trope. This is different than saying a female character is strongly-written, rather, it refers to a brand of female characters that are defined in relation to the men that surround them.
14 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016
You don’t have to look far to see what I’m talking about. It’s a badass woman who is sexually promiscuous, loud-mouthed and packs a hell of a left hook. Trinity in “The Matrix”, or Lara Croft in the “Tomb Raider”series. Or it’s a dedicated professional who has to suppress all of her emotions due to the rigors of her field, and is serious and humorless as a result. Claire from “Jurassic World” serves as a good example. Either way, these ‘strong female characters’ embody traditionally masculine character traits. There is nothing inherently wrong about this, and it’s important to ensure that all types of women are represented. However, a lot of the time, female characters are given masculine traits in addition to being flatly written. Perhaps they are the only woman in a group of five men (like in “The Avengers”). A nurturer or trainer that remains static throughout the narrative while male characters around her grow. The problematic assumption with the ‘strong female character’ trope is the idea that a female character with masculine traits is inherently interesting. The reality is that male characters are often just more complex, and the stereotypical traits that get transplanted to female characters do nothing on their own to complicate character. As a result, ‘strong female characters’ often lack agency and independent goals–important characteristics for good characters.
In “Arrival”, Dr. Louise Banks is placed in a situation where she is surrounded by men. And not just everyday men, powerful men. Colonels and CIA agents. The maleness of the U.S government is on full display here, as well as the male fragility that accompanies it. Where “Arrival” succeeds is making this the story of Louise Banks. She is one of the smartest, most independent characters I’ve ever seen (regardless of gender). Additionally, she is regularly emotional, alternates between humor and humorlessness, disobeys the orders of her superiors, and reflects on motherhood. She a is melting pot of traits, emotions and ideas. I can’t say it enough: she is a wonderful character. Many of her traits, while not all specifically feminine, are antithetical to the dripping maleness of the army camp around her. In this case, the resolve of her character is strengthened by her proximity to the many male characters of the film. Don’t get me wrong, other good characters exist in the film, but Louise Banks effectively outsmarts them all. Representation has always been an issue in Hollywood, but efforts to solely satisfy representation have often resulted in tokenism. It is movies like “Arrival”, existing in traditionally male-dominated genres, that are required to subvert the classic misrepresentation of women.
S U D O K U
OPINION
Letters to the Editor
LEVEL 1 2 3 4
The importance of history Take a fun class, and you too can “do history” (but it’s hard work). Director of the School of History, Philosophy and Religion, Dr. Ben Mutschler, teaches a fun class every fall quarter called The Unknown History of OSU. This student, taking the class last fall, was searching through the SCARC archives on the trail of one Ulysses Grant McAlexander, (known as The Rock of the Marne for his World War I exploits) and found that during his time here as Professor of Military Science and Commandant of Cadets he brought the campus to national prominence for the excellence of its military establishment. Oregon Agricultural College, as it was then known, was ranked the top of all Land Grant colleges, on a par with the top two national universities, which, of course, it was not yet. This is unknown today. This student also recalls that another student in last fall’s class—Luis, who works up at SCARC on the fifth floor of Valley Library—was researching Linus Pauling. Luis found Pauling had written that he had come to the college a
Submitting letters to the editor
baro.editor@oregonstate.edu
socially awkward young man only interested in his science studies. Thinking about the problem analytically—a profound skill of his—he decided to join a fraternity to remedy the situation, which he did, and soon found himself accepted and easily gaining prominence for his science. I think this is also unknown today. What happens to history when it is forgotten? Is it merely unseen, a sort of unremembered, silent oversight, or does it go into a sort of active remission, like a neoplasm now shrunken to insignificance, but ready to spring back to life at first conscious thought? Does not being remembered mean not existing? Maybe so. In any case, SCARC holds countless memories in this suspended animation, not really existing, but ready to exist, and just waiting to. And Dr. Ben’s HST 407/507 class is hard work, but good hard work, resurrecting forgotten OSU history and bringing it back to life.
Rick Miller
Graduate Student HSTS
New issue on stands January 13, 2017
The Baro 488 Student Experience Center 2251 SW Jefferson Way Corvallis, OR 97331-1617
HOROSCOPE
C R O S S W O R D Across
1 Poets 6 Ocean breaker 10 Former Iranian ruler 14 From another planet 15 Golfer’s club selection 16 Golfer’s target 17 What the star gets on a marquee 19 Express checkout lane unit 20 “__ Haw” 21 Contemptuous manner, in slang 22 “Pet” annoyance 23 Dejected 26 Wrap tightly, as in bandages 30 Poker holding 31 Charged atoms 32 Madame of physics 34 Guy’s partner 37 Level of optimal accomplishment
41 Bygone jet, briefly 42 Act with passion 43 Caution 44 Song at the Met 45 Like most peanuts 47 Meeting of world leaders 52 Name on rented trailers 53 Lane with a nose for news 54 Pasta suffix 57 Dirt road grooves 58 Honorable ... and like the starts of 17-, 23-, 37- and 47-Across 61 Emancipated 62 Pigmented eye layer 63 Watchdog warning 64 Part of NIMBY 65 Swiss capital 66 Foul, weather-wise
Down
1 It’s drawn in a tub 2 Natural skin soother
3 Unlike green tomatoes 4 Star of the ball 5 Tattletale 6 Witty Oscar 7 Astrological Ram 8 Maria __ Trapp 9 Subj. with grammar 10 Handheld riot gear 11 Marriott facility 12 Advil competitor 13 Macho guys 18 Tempt 22 “The Hunger Games” nation 24 Severe pang 25 Carnival 26 Drinks that make a drink last 27 Troubles 28 Vet sch. course 29 Disdainful click 32 Zagreb native 33 N.Y.-based educators’ union 34 Insect in a dusk swarm
35 Realtor’s lot unit 36 Allow to borrow 38 Danger 39 Give out 40 Tapered tool 44 Tickled 45 Less than 1%? 46 Give, as homework 47 Like the beach during a storm 48 “Star Trek” lieutenant 49 Alma __ 50 Rags-to-riches author Horatio 51 Lindsay who played Liz in “Liz & Dick” 54 Wedding promises 55 Mature eft 56 Relaxed way to sit by 58 O’Hare, for United Airlines 59 “__ been thinking ... “ 60 Org. promoting hunter safety
Today’s Birthday (12/05/16). Social connections and friends benefit you this year. Show up for your community. Shift your itinerary this spring, as your home blossoms. Try new communication tactics next autumn, before your educational adventure takes flight. Share resources, talents and love. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Review priorities. Keep old commitments today and tomorrow. Imagine a project completed, and notice logical precluding steps, to envision possible routes. Make plans and itineraries. Taurus (April 20-May 20)
— Today is an 8 — Hold meetings, collaborate with teams and have fun with friends over the next two days. Especially support elders and children. Send flowers and love notes. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Focus at work to navigate a professional challenge over the next two days. Verify the investment of time and money before committing. Track the numbers. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Wander where your curiosity takes you today and tomorrow. Travel and study reveal bountiful treasures. Set long-range goals and plan possible itineraries. Discover new tricks. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) —
New Issue: “the unsung intrinsic” on stands Jan. 13, 2017
Check out previous issues: OrangeMediaNetwork.com
beaver’s digest
Today is a 9 — Collaborate on financial administration today and tomorrow. Send invoices and pay bills. Review insurance, banking and investment accounts. Practical tasks keep your boat afloat. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Strategize with your partner today and tomorrow. Navigate a change in plans. Consider emotional, as well as practical aspects. Huddle, and then get in action. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Guard your health during a busy phase today and tomorrow. Act decisively and steadily. You have the necessary resources. Do the best job you can. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Relax and savor time with friends and family over the next two days.
Play games together. Seek out beauty and harmony. Romance kindles with a spark. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Domestic projects satisfy over the next two days. Get creative with color. Putter in the garden. Seek out stillness and peace. Beautify your space. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Communication provides solutions over the next two days. Emotions could run high. Address an uncomfortable situation head on. Use your words. Begin a fresh page. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Go for the gold! The next two days could get especially profitable. Stick to your budget. Avoid frivolous spending. Increase your financial security.
New issue on stands January 13, 2017
WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 15
NEWS
KALIB LACHAPELLE | ORANGE MEDIA NETWORK
Sherman Bloom, the director of budget and fiscal planning, presents to ASOSU the recommended plan the Intercollegiate Athletics Financial Sustainability Work Group came up with to manage the deficit athletics has been operating under in recent years.
Dealing with deficit OSU athletics has been operating in the red since 2014, but plans to balance the budget are being proposed By Kalib LaChapelle and Riley Youngman
PHI BETA KAPPA | THE OFFICE OF THE PROVOST
RACE IN AMERICA: Ta-Nehisi Coates and the burden of history One of the most original and perceptive intellectuals today, Ta-Nehisi Coates is a national correspondent for The Atlantic and author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller, Between the World and Me. Coates is also a foundation member of Oregon State’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
THURSDAY
FEB. 2 6 P.M.
The LaSells Stewart Center FREE and open to the public Doors open at 5 p.m.
Download your free ticket at communications.oregonstate.edu/events/coates For disability accommodations, please call 541-737-4717.
16 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • WEEK OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016
After running at a deficit since fiscal year 2014, the Oregon State University athletic department is seeking solutions to bring operations out of the red in the coming years. The Intercollegiate Athletics Financial Sustainability Work Group has been auditing past budgets and determining where the athletics department has been losing revenue over the last several years. Sherm Bloomer, the director of budget and fiscal planning for OSU, presented the draft report from the committee to the ASOSU House of Representatives on Nov. 30, with plans for further presentations for various groups in the coming weeks announced as well. It was explained that ticket sales, and with them gifts and donations, have been declining in recent years, among season tickets especially. While the committee points to several factors that led to the operating deficit overall, Bloomer said that the overall budget has not been mismanaged. “It wasn’t an issue with management decisions,” Bloomer said. “We lost the ticket revenue.” Some of the recommendations Bloomer and the committee have include a call for a reduction of athletic operations of at least $1.1 million dollars a year, for all new facilities to no longer be built on debt backed by the university, to renegotiate local media and TV rights and deals, increase ticket revenues by about $1 million and to possibly have more facilities be sponsored. One contributing factor to the deficit is the fact that OSU’s football team was on the decline through the same time frame. Football is the sport that allows all of the major Division 1 universities to have most of, it not all of their other sports operate in deficit, Bloomer said.
According to Bloomer, even in the worst year when OSU did not win a conference game, the football team still brought in over $15 million from tickets and television deals. However, enough revenue has been lost among all programs to bring the department’s operations into a deficit overall. Currently, OSU has 16 Division 1 sports programs. Pac-12 membership rules demand that a university has 15 or higher to remain in the conference. The plan did not call for the cut of any program, and Bloomer stated that athletics as a whole were an integral part of OSU. “Athletics has a role in the mission statement of this university,” Bloomer said. In addition to the university, athletics also play a large role in the surrounding community, Bloomer said. The coaching staffs’ pay for all sports is at or below the median level among the major conferences in Division 1, Bloomer said, and the overall expenses were in the bottom third of major conferences. Bloomer said that the OSU Foundation will need to get fundraising for athletics back to around $10.6 million, a level they have reached before. In addition to this, there is a need for OSU to contribute $8 million from the general education fund, twice as much as is given at this point to athletics in the next year. “There’s a logic in the $8 million number,” Bloomer said. This would allow for the university, including rec sports, to have more access to athletic facilities. Bloomer stated that he and the committee expect OSU athletics to be operating in the black within the next three fiscal years. The committee will meet with OSU President Ed Ray on Dec. 15 to get his final approval of the plan.
The Baro is continuing to work on this story, and will have more information in coming issues.