Portland State Vanguard Volume 78 Issue 34

OPEN OPINION PLATFORM COLUMN FOR

STAFF

EDITORIAL

Kat Leon

MANAGING

Tasha Sayre

NEWS

Zoë Buhrmaster

Alyssa Anderson

Macie Harreld

Anish Kumar Arumugam

Cameron Rodriguez MULTIMEDIA

Sergio Cervantes

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Josi Struck

ONLINE AND PROMOTIONS EDITOR

Alley Henrici

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Aishwarya Suresh

COPY CHIEF

Isabel Zerr

CONTRIBUTORS

Amber Finnegan

Diana DeGroot

JJ Christensen

Lilli Rudine

Lucas Ethridge

Sarah Applin

Tayma Miguel-Reyes

Vaishnavi Srinath

PRODUCTION & DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Briana Cieri

DESIGNERS

Arianna Thomas

Haley Hsu

Abby Raymundo

Parker Patnode

TECHNOLOGY & WEBSITE TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS

George Olson

Hongzu Pan

Sara Ray

ADVISING & ACCOUNTING

COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA

Reaz Mahmood

SALP ACCOUNTANT

Maria Dominguez

STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR

Rae Fickle

To contact Portland State Vanguard, email editor@psuvanguard.com

MISSION STATEMENT

Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market.

ABOUT

Vanguard, established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com.

CONTRIBUTORS

Write. Edit. Photograph. Film. Design. Illustrate. Create.

WRITE: News, Arts & Culture, Science & Tech, Sports and Opinion

PHOTO & FILM: Create engaging content that captivates our audience in modern and creative ways

EDIT: Ensure precision, clarity and consistency in every article

DESIGN: Create impactful visual content that empowers, respects, educates, guides and shares truth

Learn skills, build a professional portfolio and make your own schedule. We are willing to train inexperienced applicants who demonstrate ability and a desire to learn the skills. Contributors are paid for published work.

SAFEWAY INSTITUTES NEW BAG POLICY

FOR STUDENTS THIS ‘ THIS SMALL CHANGE MAKES COLLEGE LIFE EVEN HARDER'

Backpack-donning students looking to shop at Safeway in between classes must make a decision: leave your backpack with security at the door, or come back later without it.

At the beginning of April, the Safeway on Jefferson Street introduced a new bag policy which bans backpacks and some other outside bags from entering the store. Upper store management implemented the policy to deflect the store’s ongoing issues with shoplifting, said a Safeway manager.

While the policy is specifically geared toward backpacks, security guards have the discretion to not allow other bags if said bags are already full. Empty, reusable bags are still permitted.

“So they cannot come in with their backpacks,” the Safeway manager said. “If they want to leave it at the door, [security] can watch for it. Or they can come back later without their backpacks.”

Many Portland State students who live on or

near campus rely on the Jefferson Safeway for groceries. PSU student Lily Rierson said the policy has drastically impacted when she is able to get her groceries.

“I used to go after class a lot, because I would already be halfway over in that direction,” Rierson said. “So I would bring my backpack because that’s what I carry my laptop and notepads and stuff in. Suddenly it’s inconvenient that I can’t go after classes, because I don’t want to not have my bag on me, and it was like my laptop in there, and I’m not gonna trust that with the security at Safeway.”

PSU student A.J. Odom is also a Safeway regular and also expressed how the policy has made getting groceries increasingly difficult.

“Both me and my roommate go to Safeway to get our food, but neither of us have cars so instead we take bags with us to carry everything back to our dorm,” Odom stated. “Safeway is the closest bulk food store near us.”

Many alternative grocery shops nearby have

too small a selection or are too expensive. The nearest fully-fledged grocery store to campus is a Whole Foods on Couch Street—about 15 minutes away via public transit—or Fred Meyer’s on 20th Place which is 17 minutes away via public transit. Those which are reasonably priced require a farther commute.

“There’s CVS, but they’re not really grocery shopping, and anything else is quite a distance away,” Rierson said. “I’d have to get on the Max [Light Rail] or something to go to Fred Meyer’s.”

Some shoppers have also noted more security during their grocery runs. Tamla Quipse—a student living on campus who shops at Safeway—expressed how the combination of security and the new policy has made the store feel unwelcoming.

“I think just entering a specific storefront with the immediate mistrust of everybody and kind of, you know, accosting you immediately makes me not want to go there at all,” Quipse said.

Students are not the only ones experiencing the effects of the new policy.

“As I was leaving the store, I got to experience how this change will impact the community as a whole,” Odom stated. “There aren’t just people like me who use our bags from home to carry food items back to our dorm, there are also people who are commuting and stopping in to grab something small and are turned away because they have their work with them. A man walked in and was discussing with the security guard that he had his insulin in his bag. They had to bring out the manager of the store to solve the issue.”

An official Safeway spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

“As small and inconsequential as Safeway’s change in bag policy sounds, this small change makes college life even harder,” Odom stated. “Students like myself, who are struggling to stay afloat, now have even more to worry about. The cost of living in Portland is already so high. The cost of living on campus is even greater. For students who are money conscious, we need every bit of control we can get.”

JJ CHRISTENSEN

ASPSU PASSES RESOLUTION TO DIVEST FROM BOEING

STUDENTS AND FACULTY EXPRESS SUPPORT

ALYSSA ANDERSON

On May 13, the Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU) passed a resolution calling to discontinue Portland State’s affiliation with the weapons manufacturing company Boeing. This resolution was authored by the current ASPSU President Yousif Ibrahim, Vice President Ulfet Tayba, current ASPSU Senator Michael Jones and the Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights (SUPER). Similar resolutions calling for the divestment from companies that profit off war have passed at other universities, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Chicago, the University of Oregon and Harvard University.

The Student Advocacy Committee, Operations Board and Student Fee Committee also contributed, as well as several other student and faculty organizations: MECHA PSU, DisarmPSU, the Muslim Student Association, the Arab Student Association, the Association of African Students, Las Mujeres, the Somali Student Association, the Arab-Persian Student Organization, the Black Student Union (BSU), Cuba Solidarity, Faculty & Staff for Justice in Palestine, the Cambodian Student Association, Dream PSU and PSU Kaibigan.

The resolution urges the PSU Board of Trustees to “pass a resolution to terminate current partnerships and relationships with Boeing, and other companies complicit in genocide and prevent future partnerships and investment into the aforementioned company.”

“This company’s operations have been linked to significant ethical and humanitarian concerns, particularly in the realms of war, violence, and human rights abuses,” stated the resolution. “Portland State University must reevaluate and ultimately sever its ties with Boeing to align its practices with its core values of sustainability, equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

This is the third resolution passed by ASPSU which calls for PSU’s divestment from Boeing. The previous resolutions were passed in 2016 and 2021, though the administration ultimately dismissed them.

The current resolution urged the PSU Board of Trustees to “pass a resolution to terminate current partnerships and relationships with Boeing, and other companies complicit in genocide and prevent future partnerships and investment into the aforementioned company.”

Boeing is the fifth largest military company in the world, and the resolution explained how Boeing designs, manufactures and sells military weapons such as combat aircraft, bombs, missiles and other weapons technology. Boeing has been a crucial supplier to the Israeli military, with their ties going as far back as 1948 when the state of Israel was founded, causing the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians that continues to this day.

According to Amnesty International, U.S.-made bombs produced by Boeing were found directly responsible for the deaths of 43 Palestinian civilians in Oct. 2023. Amnesty International said this action could qualify as a war crime.

According to PSU President Ann Cudd , Boeing donated $150,000 to name a classroom in the Karl Miller Center and provides $28,000 a year for scholarships and emergency funds for students. Cudd also said that PSU has no direct investment in Boeing, but she mentioned that an executive from Boeing currently sits on the advisory board for the School of Business, and hundreds of alums from both the School of Business and the Maseeh College of Engineering work for Boeing.

This resolution draws upon PSU’s purported values of sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion. According to the resolution, partnerships with companies like Boeing go against these

values as such companies participate in destroying natural resources and harming diverse populations.

“We must continue to foster a safe, inclusive, and sustainable campus environment that embraces the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion that Portland State holds at the center of its mission,” stated the resolution. “We must engage in ethical practices for students, faculty, and staff. This resolution in no way promotes hateful rhetoric or ideologies against our Israeli and Jewish communities at PSU, but rather calls for separation from a company that contributes to multiple human rights violations, profits from war crimes, and manufactures machines that are being used to claim innocent lives.”

Many PSU students and faculty testified about the university’s relationship with Boeing. Stephanie Wahab—a professor in the School of Social Work—said she supports the resolution.

“Severing our university’s relationship with companies that benefit from apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide is a practice of hope as it makes clear a different relational reality is possible for the university,” Wahab’s testimony stated. “Severing these ties also enacts PSU’s value that we ‘accept challenges and embrace change.’”

Theodore A. Khoury—a first-generation Palestinian-American professor of management and strategy at PSU—also wrote in support of the resolution and described it as a proud moment for him as a professor.

“With over 35,000 civilians now dead, nearly 11K missing, abducted or buried, over 78K seriously injured and over 1.7 Million displaced from their destroyed homes, Israel’s project was and (as I write this, still) is being accomplished through various Boeing technologies,” Khoury stated in his testimony. “Whether it be the F-15 fighter jets, the Chinook and Apache attack helicopters, the unguided small diameter bombs (SDBs), or joint direct attack munition (JDAM) kits that convert these bombs to precision-guided munitions, Boeing is front and center in enabling genocide and ASPSU is simply recognizing the sheer conflict between the values PSU promotes versus what it actually models.”

PSU student, member of SUPER and first-generation Palestinian-American Natalie Khalil explained in her testimony how Cudd’s decision to pause donations from Boeing until the situation can be properly debated is not enough.

Many protests on campus have called for PSU to divest from Boeing

“Pausing to then have a debate about ethics is a slap in the face,” Khalil stated. “The very fact that you are even posing a debate about ethics when my home is destroyed, when there are students that attend this university that have lost family members, when Arab/Muslim students at this university have been assaulted on this campus, when we as [Indigenous] people have lost everything, I was raised by a refugee that cannot return to his homeland, they took our homes.”

The BSU explained how the oppression of Black Americans is synonymous with the ongoing genocide in Palestine, and how this resolution would help bolster PSU’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“The response by this university has been subpar and has communicated to its students, Palestinian, Black, or any other marginalized group, that it prioritizes profit over them,” the BSU testimony stated. “This resolution would staunchly change that narrative and set the tone that PSU truly values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We, the Black Student Union, will always advocate for equal human rights and just treatment for everyone. We encourage our institution to do the same and cut ties with Boeing.”

In addition to urging the university to cut ties with Boeing, the resolution also urges for PSU to strategically replace the benefits derived from its partnerships with Boeing with alternatives that better align with the university’s ethical standards and values in a manner that minimizes disruption to students who benefit from this partnership.

The resolution also encourages the university to fund and support causes and projects which align with PSU’s values of antiracism and sustainability until it cuts ties with Boeing.

“This includes but is not limited to 1) New curriculums teaching methods to dissect Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, AntiPalestinian and Anti-Arab rhetoric,” the resolution stated. “2) Workshops catering towards safety for students on campus. 3) The continuation of the dialogue task force and its promotion. A student-majority committee should be formed and contribute to this process. We demand that our institutional funds are fully transparent and easily accessible and that students and the Portland State University community are given a voice in how our funds are allocated.”

EVA SHEEHAN/PACIFIC SENTINEL

HONG KONG STUDENT ASSOCIATION

TRYING TO BUILD COMMUNITY WITH LITTLE SUPPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION

MACIE HARRELD

The Hong Kong Student Association (HKSA) at Portland State is a cultural club open to all students interested in Hong Kong culture. The club seeks to organize events that educate the PSU student body about Hong Kong and foster connections between students with this shared interest.

“HKSA is open to anyone, even if you’re not from Hong Kong or [don’t] have any Cantonese background,” said Connie Tran, Co-President of HKSA. “My parents were from Vietnam. But their grandparents were from Guangdong, China, which has a lot of connection with Hong Kong culture. And I kind of associate myself with the Chinese-Vietnamese-American identity.”

“I generally just wanted to find a sense of belonging and community at PSU,” said Angela Le, the Public Relations Coordinator for HKSA. “As a Vietnamese American, I was just interested in Hong Kong culture.”

This year, HKSA has organized events such as a boba social, seasonal lantern-making and a Chinese calligraphy and painting night, as well as a learning Cantonese and Vietnamese event in collaboration with the Vietnamese Student Association. HKSA’s Annual Culture Show took place on March 2. It featured many local performing artists, such as the Mulan Drum Team from the Oregon Chinese Coalition and Taiwanese-American R&B artist Sunkis. Among these performers, White Lotus—the biggest team for lion and dragon dancing in Oregon—performed the Lion Dance at the celebration.

“We were a bit overwhelmed, because that was the first time we ever sold out,” Tran said about the Culture Show. Other Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) cultural clubs and local AAPI businesses were also involved in the HKSA Culture Show. HKSA seeks to foster broader community connections for multicultural students at PSU.

“The student [cultural] clubs work closely together,” Tran said. For example, HKSA hosted a Lunar New Year Celebration this February at PSU alongside the Cambodian Student Association, Korean Student Association, and the Organization of International Students. “Overall, there is this really nice and

beautiful connection that we all have with each other,” Tran said.

In April, HKSA organized a mah-jongg night, which served as an opportunity to snack and socialize over this popular tilebased game. “I think one of the biggest aspects of mah-jongg is that family bonding and that connection-building during mahjongg,” Tran said.

Despite the range of highly-attended programming put on by HKSA, the organization’s leadership expressed some shortcomings in the PSU administration’s support. One example is a struggle to secure adequate funding for events.

“Sometimes, for our finances, it’s a little bit difficult if we’re trying to hold big events,” said Anthony Phan, Co-President of HKSA. “We spent a lot of money on our culture show this year, because we wanted it to be big and kind of give back to the community, and [so] they can have an opportunity to watch performances from community organizations.”

Tran added that student groups are allocated an annual budget of just under $1,000 when they first start up. “For a student club to work with that budget can be very difficult, because food—at least for our events—costs already like $800 for just the one event,” Tran said.

Many student groups also face the challenge of procuring culturally-specific food for events. Tran explained how clubs are required to get a food waiver from PSU to host an event in Smith Memorial Student Union, but the waiver can often be declined.

“If they decline the food waiver, you have to get food from PSU Eats,” Tran said. “And the food isn’t, you know, it’s not up to cultural aspects, and oftentimes they don’t make that specific cultural food. So because of this it can be very difficult for the student organizations to get the food that is culturally significant to them.”

HKSA had this issue during their boba social, in which PSU determined that PSU Eats would provide boba for the event. However, this option was “a misrepresentation of how bubble tea would taste in Hong Kong,” Phan said.

“A lot of times—food-wise and kind of just their competency

and understanding—[is] why they shouldn’t be trying to make food for cultural clubs…” Phan said. “[It’s] to bring back that money to PSU, rather than supporting local businesses—that’s what we try and always do [is support local businesses].”

For AAPI students, this lack of representation can be felt beyond a limited availability of culturally-specific foods. It manifests in the lack of multicultural, AAPI and Black, Indigenous and people of color staff at PSU. “About first generation AAPI students, and ways that PSU can support them a little bit better, I would say hiring more staff that represents them,” Phan said.

“I think it’ll be better at retaining students, but also kind of be relatable, since sometimes it’s really hard to kind of support us in our needs or our experiences or accommodate our experiences,” Phan said.

The Multicultural Retention Services at PSU offers a program specifically to support AAPI students. Called the EMPOWER Scholars Program, first-generation AAPI students new to PSU are eligible for tuition remission, peer mentorship, early course registration and academic advising, according to the Multicultural Retention Services website.

“I think it would be super beneficial for first-year, first-generation students who are AAPI [and] who are just looking for a sense of belonging and community and some guidance around their first year at PSU,” Le said. “So I would say that certain programs like that would be great if they were more advertised, specifically for AAPI students.”

Phan was also a mentee and eventually a mentor in the EMPOWER program. He noted that, currently, there is a shortage of peer mentors relative to the number of mentees. He emphasizes that the program would benefit from greater administrative support to bolster its advertising and greater outreach to ensure its sustainability.

HKSA functions as a student-led campus resource for AAPI students, providing community building and cultural education. On June 4, HKSA will host a dim sum event. More information about HKSA can be found on its Instagram page.

“One of the biggest aspects of mahjong is just like that family bonding and kind of like that connection building during mahjong,” said HKSA co-president Connie Tran HKSA functions as a student-led campus resource for AAPI students, providing community building and cultural education

SERGIO CERVANTES/PSU VANGUARD

PSU ARTISTS CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ABOUT HOUSELESSNESS

ART-BASED RESEARCH PROJECT CONTINUED

Housing insecurity continues to be one of Portland’s most pressing issues. Not only does the structural change required to alleviate this crisis remain elusive, but those experiencing houselensess continue to face social stigma and a lack of compassion from broader society.

Tucked away in the Lloyd Center, far past the endless walkways, is an art exhibition called Epilogue: Changing the Narrative aimed to illuminate these issues. It was part of research week at Portland State, and was led by Dr. Kacy McKinney, a PSU professor and visual artist.

This exhibition is the second installment of last year’s Changing the Narrative project, which McKinney described as a “collaborative, community and arts-based research project that seeks to change the ways that we talk, think and teach about houselessness and poverty.”

Epilogue continued this original research project with eighteen new works which shared personal encounters with houselessness. The pieces vary across various mediums, including pottery, paper craft, textile art and a heavy emphasis on cartoon art. The art featured serves to carve out a path of accessibility and care within research about houselessness.

At the exhibition, research participants welcomed and opened the space to the public, happily engaging in meaningful conversations and willing to share even the most intimate stories.

While the project celebrates local artists, the show’s content is relevant far beyond Portland alone. “If you look at the stories, some of them aren’t even about Portland at all,” McKinney said. “Some of them aren’t even about PSU at all. It was never meant to be just a study of PSU.”

“It was meant to understand a range of experiences of people who are college students, and even college students experiencing

it [housing insecurity] before they were ever college students,” McKinney said. “And I think that’s an interesting thing. It’s like, how do people get here? What do they go through?”

The work of artist and PSU alumni Fran Powers was featured in the exhibition. Powers identifies as a queer, feminist, abstract artist and likes to talk about justice and access. At the exhibition, Powers shared what they went through, their life story and experiences.

“Have you ever had a conversation with a professor where you’re just like, ‘I have been in tears and I haven’t been able to use my words, but it is because I am stressed and hungry and afraid of failing?’” Powers said. “This is about equipping every person in the university with the skills to support students.”

According to McKinney, maintaining a strictly impersonal distance between faculty, staff and students can pose a barrier when it comes to being compassionate and understanding in a university setting. “We’re so often distancing ourselves and we’re taught to distance ourselves,” McKinney said. “And we teach our research assistants to distance themself and to try to be objective, which, as feminist scholars, we don’t actually believe in objectivity, right?”

“We’re all carrying our own baggage,” McKinney said. “We all have our own lens. We all bring our own background. We all have our own ways of seeing the world and knowing the world.”

For Powers, art itself is an opportunity for real, vulnerable connection in the world of academia. Powers spoke in support of the abundance of public art available to interact with at PSU and advocates for the integration and prioritization of art on campus—especially in places that are explicitly for students’ wellbeing—such as the Center for Student Health and Counseling and the Native American Student and Community Center.

“You know, I think that this just shows you how much art can happen through different types of departments, whether it’s public health, urban studies., etc., and you can totally take one of those and [then, with art], see authentic, diverse student experiences,” Powers said.

Epilogue achieved this goal for the city of Portland, creating an accessible art-centric space which permitted people to share their stories in the formats that suited them. “For me, [that’s why] Epilogue is particularly interesting and rare in that it’s like... let’s not just write about it with words, but let’s actually create art from the perspective and from the medium that makes the most sense to [those in the research]...” Powers said. “We have all of these different creative expressions of impact.”

Epilogue is rooted in collaboration, people and art. “It’s a totally unique approach to doing long-term research and coming back to the table after research has been done,” McKinney said.

“So often we do a project, we have participants, it ends and that’s the last event everyone sees of each other, but because the first project was so collaborative, it made so much sense to bring everyone back, to invite everyone back and be like, ‘what does it mean?’” McKinney said. “And ‘how are you using it?’ And ‘how did it feel?’”

For many students at PSU, projects such as these allow for community-building and intellectual growth. “Me going to Portland State University was for this,” Powers said. “It wasn’t about the degrees. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of something. This really goes to show how powerful the community of PSU can be.” While the exhibition closed on May 11, the book Epilogue: Changing the Narrative can be taught and made available by contacting McKinney.

SARAH APPLIN

Depicted is a “3-D collage made with mixed material papers, upcycled plastics, and love” by Kimberlea Ruffu. This project explores the meaning of home.

Digital drawing and comic by Valerie W. This comic explores themes of finding home and belonging in diaspora, and existing in-between.

SARAH APPLIN/PSU VANGUARD

Comic strip and textile piece by Gigi Woolery. Woolery uses discarded, found and scavenged materials in their art practice, out of respect for their family’s intergenerational resourcefuness.

THE TIKTOK BAN

A BASELESS OVERREACH THAT THREATENS FREE SPEECH

President Joe Biden’s move to ban TikTok is an overreach driven by unfounded fears. Banning TikTok paves the way for government control over online content, threatening free speech. This decision is not just about security—it’s a step towards censorship and an attack on personal freedoms.

In April, Biden signed TikTok’s death warrant. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, now has a nine-month deadline to divest from China.

Congress calls TikTok a Chinese weapon. In their view, Chinese authorities supposedly spy on the United States through their smartphones. Despite that, they have no hard evidence to verify these claims.

The faux concern over TikTok feels disconnected. If anything, this motion takes away a beloved app millions enjoy—all for a gut feeling that it could be spying on us. Never in its nine-year history did they uncover a leak. Ousting ByteDance from the picture gives them control. Approved content on an U.S. app, monitored by a firm authority—that’s the ideal it strives for. An ideal that blatantly and unashamedly works to control free speech. TikTok does more good than bad. Banning an app because it could pose a threat sets up a dystopian pitfall. We lose our freedom if we go by this what-if mentality. Realistically, any online platform can be weaponized and some already are. TikTok offers way more than entertainment. Its content provides cultural, commercial and educational value. Scaremongering detracts from the real problem at hand—censorship.

Youth across the U.S. find a voice on TikTok. TikTok’s short video format allows free discourse about ongoing issues. Other news outlets might ignore them. A network chooses what it airs, dramatizing certain events. Those supposedly unworthy stories thrive on TikTok because they resonate with that audience. Infotainment—aka broadcast material which both entertains and informs—has changed the news industry. GilPress at What’s the Big Data reported that Americans ages 18–34 watch their news on TikTok—more than a third of America tunes in—and 33% trust TikTok as their primary news source.

TikTok provides a reliable perspective on current topics. Young adults unite under a common banner. Activism is always trending in some capacity on TikTok. ByteDance’s unique position removes it from the U.S. influence. On TikTok, you see a side which usually goes unnoticed. Youth are talking about mental health, climate change and political injustice, envisioning the nation’s future. Young adults come from different identities. TikTok lets them express these diverse opinions, goals and values, potentially reaching international audiences. Other platforms like Instagram infamously limit free speech through content filters. Meta takes liberties with the First Amendment. Private companies decide what content stays online, but TikTok stands out. Often, TikTok helps raise awareness about social movements.

A recent study published by the Journal of Community Health on climate activism reinforces TikTok’s social leverage. Researcher Corey Basch sampled content across 100 accounts. Some videos covering natural disasters—like droughts, wildfires and hurri-

canes—gathered millions of views. Users on TikTok portray climate change as a legitimate anxiety. An average reel had over two million likes. Social media has an advantage over most publications. Worldly happenings can be updated within minutes. TikTok happens to be the proponent that attracts the most attention. The ban might seem like no big deal to some. Some members of Congress understand Tiktok’s importance as a sociopolitical entity. The imposed sale tries to make it theirs, because TikTok risks our domestic security, they tell us. They’re just intervening on your behalf, good Americans. Let’s imagine ByteDance does sell its shares. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew hemorrhages millions in fees. The legal battle cost them a fortune, so they sold it to a U.S. company, stated Meta. Would TikTok retain its intellectual integrity? Would it represent the interests of the people or the interests of the corporations and politicians?

TikTok’s opponents propose an illusive freedom. Any application can be blocked if it threatens U.S. sovereignty over tech. The national ban disarms free speech. A private company presiding over the app owns the playground. Any policy it makes could diminish the creative presence TikTok prides itself for. The uproar over data-theft slanders TikTok. Some leaders forget the recent past. Facebook has mishandled sensitive information before. In 2018, Meta—aka Facebook—became entangled in a scandal with Cambridge Analytica. Mark Zuckerberg compiled metadata from over 50 million different profiles. He developed a new application programming interface (API), measuring what content users liked and shared. For example, the API connected supporters with other like-minded people during the Barack Obama presidential campaign.

Games like Farmville would have tracked your friends. Zuckerberg colluded with Cambridge Analytica, the now-defunct political consulting firm. Cambridge claimed that data could be used to microtarget political messages. Then, the truth came out— a whistleblower exposed Facebook’s wrongdoing. Canada, India and the European Union investigated the case and enacted the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act. Cambridge Analytica shut down, and Facebook paid $5 billion in damages Tech companies mine our data. Every video or post we like gives them insight. Many companies monetize data by partnering with brands, advertisers and market researchers. The items you click on generate personalized ads. This year, Google and Meta made $140 billion in ad revenue

Big Tech’s monopoly over data presents an issue. Facebook has over two billion users on its platform. Meta collects input from 510,000 comments, 293,000 statuses and 136,000 uploaded photos every second. A user base this big could change minds. The Cambridge Analytica debacle exposed a lawless industry. Very few governments regulate internet privacy. The U.S. abides by a state and federal patchwork. U.S. companies have to provide a notice, letting you choose if it sells your data. Not all corporations want your blood. Data mining can also improve the app’s experience. TikTok’s algorithm adjusts your feed based on your preferences. Your likes and how long you

watch determines your For You page. TikTok’s privacy policy openly states that it customizes the content you see on the platform. Users find belonging this way. Every person, at some point, comes across their niche. TikTok’s vast user base lets you discover others with the same interests. Even students have an outlet. Students are losing an app that facilitates learning. TikTok gives us more than news, vapid dances and absurdist memes. TikTok’s developers have leaned into its academic appeal. Many college students—51% of them—use it for homework, according to Intelligent. Many young adults encounter the same problems, so they go to TikTok. TikTok gives them advice about most subjects—music, math, writing, science, language and business. Almost every major can fit into the conversation on TikTok. Recently, TikTok added the STEM section. STEM includes topics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Study-intensive disciplines can learn outside the classroom with this tool. English and creative writing majors have BookTok. Creators talk about various genres, mostly young adult genre fiction with fantasy and romance being the most popular. Often, these places have even smaller subcommunities. TikTok’s success comes from this dynamism.

Entire careers and businesses rise on TikTok. The app promotes by connecting them with specific demographics. TikTok then lets them sell their goods. Many small businesses would suffer if this ban went through. Sanctioning TikTok undermines any free enterprise this country talks so much about. Some companies realize the advertising power it yields, rushing after gold in the hills. Others would rather stamp out the competition.

Meta has notoriously lobbied against TikTok before. A recent record discloses that Meta Platforms spent $7.6 million on internet privacy and security. Meta’s sudden worry over U.S. welfare aligns with the government’s efforts to overtake TikTok. TikTok’s competitors know it dominates the market.

Even with the high threat purported by Congress, many of our leaders still engage their constituencies on TikTok. Some public servants ignore their complicity, trying to exploit TikTok’s potential. Last year, North Carolina’s Rep. Jeff Jackson earned a sizable following. His followers believed he spoke from the heart. He stayed honest when no one else would. Then he turned around, voting against TikTok.

Jackson faced the heat after his decision. Critics across the internet pelted him. The Biden campaignalso joined TikTok under the username BidenHQ despite banning it in the first place. Biden clearly needs the youth vote, yet his administration undoes itself by redoubling on legislation which silences young adults. TikTok would be no safer in U.S. hands. Seizing it would censor students and creators and squash independent businesses. We, as a people, would feel a heavy loss. Young adults move the country forward on TikTok. Turning out that voice not only reduces free thought, but nulls the rights our government guarantees us. Congress misreads the room when they forbid an app so integral to our lives. Our leaders should shift away from this witch hunt. Instead, we should preserve the free market.

LUCAS ETHRIDGE

ABBY RAYMUNDO

SURPRISING BENEFITS OF SWIMMING

LOW-IMPACT, FULL-BODY WORKOUT PERFECT FOR STUDENT LIFE

When it comes to choosing an exercise regimen, the options are endless. From running and cycling to weightlifting and yoga, each exercise has its own benefits and challenges. However, there’s one form of exercise that stands out for its versatility, accessibility and wide-ranging benefits: swimming.

As a full-body workout that is low-impact and highly effective, swimming offers a unique blend of physical and mental health advantages. It is also considered the sport with the most profound and superior effect on the lungs.

One of the most compelling reasons to take up swimming is its ability to provide a comprehensive workout. Unlike many land-based exercises that target specific muscle groups, swimming engages nearly every part of your body. “Swimming is a full-body workout,” said Atlee Elloway, head lifeguard at Portland State’s Campus Recreation Center. “Staying afloat and in-motion requires activation of the arms, shoulders, core, hips and legs.” This comprehensive engagement builds overall strength and endurance and enhances cardiovascular health.

Eric Ziegler—a PSU alumnus and commercial real estate manager—highlighted the versatility of swimming in complementing other forms of exercise. “It coordinates really well with weight training and running,” he said. “It’s nice to not have all that impact, especially as you get older.”

One of the standout features of swimming is its low-impact nature, which significantly reduces the risk of injury. This particularly benefits individuals with joint issues or those recovering from injuries. Samantha Schmitz— aquatics and safety coordinator at Campus Rec— emphasized this advantage. “Swimming, being in the water, takes the weight off your body,” she said. “You’re less likely to get the injuries you might see with running or weightlifting.”

For students with conditions such as arthritis, the buoyancy of water offers a form of exercise that minimizes joint stress while still providing significant health benefits. “You’re able to do similar exercises such as lunges or knee raises at almost 70% less of your body weight,” Schmitz said. This makes swimming an excellent option for maintaining fitness without exacerbating joint pain.

Beyond the physical advantages, swimming also offers substantial mental health benefits.

The rhythmic nature of swimming can be incredibly calming, providing a form of meditation in motion. “There is a sense of calm serenity that comes with being underwater,” Elloway said. This unique environment allows swimmers to focus inward, reducing stress and promoting mental clarity.

Ziegler agreed, emphasizing the mental lift swimming offers after a workout. “After swimming, you feel amazing,” Ziegler said. “You can think clearly and solve problems more ef -

fectively.” This mental clarity and reduction in stress are particularly valuable for students, who often juggle demanding academic schedules and personal commitments.

Swimming can also bolster your immune system, particularly when done in colder water. Cold water immersion has been shown to have a range of health benefits, including enhanced immune function.

Schmitz explained swimming in cold water can help regulate your respiratory rate and improve your body’s ability to handle stress—both of which are critical for overall health. “While you’re exercising in the cold water, even though you are sweating, you’re not going to feel like you’re getting overheated,” Schmitz said. This makes swimming an invigorating way to boost your immune system without the discomfort often associated with intense workouts.

One of the most significant advantages of swimming is its accessibility. Unlike many forms of exercise which require expensive equipment or specific physical conditions, swimming is accessible to almost everyone.

Elloway pointed out that swimming is especially beneficial for injured or disabled individuals who may be unable to participate in other forms of exercise. “Being in the water provides support for movements and reduces the impact on joints and natural gravity,” Elloway said. This inclusivity makes swimming a practical option for a wide range of fitness levels and physical abilities.

Swimming is not just an individual activity, it can also be social. Campus Rec offers a variety of swimming programs and facilities which encourage community engagement. “We have our adult swim clinics for anyone who maybe has never swam before and wants lessons or has swam and wants some further help on their stroke,” Schmitz said. These programs provide opportunities for students to learn, improve and connect with others in a supportive environment.

Additionally, swimming pools often serve as communal spaces where students can unwind and socialize. The presence of amenities such as hot tubs and spas adds to the appeal, offering a place to relax and decompress—especially during stressful times such as finals. “Even if you’re not exercising, that can be a really nice way mentally to come and decompress in the hot tub,” Schmitz said.

Swimming is an exercise which can be sustained throughout one’s life. Unlike high-impact sports which may become more challenging with age, swimming remains a viable option for maintaining health and fitness well into the later years. A study published by the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation shows that regular swimming effectively improves middle-

aged womens’ physical composition, physical strength and blood lipids.

For students at PSU, Campus Rec offers a wealth of opportunities to integrate swimming into their fitness routines. From swim clinics to exercise programs such as Swim X, there are numerous ways to get involved and reap the benefits of this comprehensive exercise. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced swimmer aiming to enhance your technique, the resources available on campus can support your journey.

Swimming stands out as an exceptional form of exercise which combines physical, mental and social benefits in a low-impact, accessible package.

With swimming, you can not only enjoy a dip in the pool, but can also tone your stomach and strengthen your core. Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve cardiovascular health or find a peaceful escape from the stresses of student life, swimming offers a unique and effective solution.

Local A&C Events

MILO LOZA

Portland Rose Festival CityFair

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

May 27, 2024

$12+

Carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits and entertainment

The Wallflowers

Aladdin Theater

May 28, 8 p.m.

$39+

See the iconic rock band perform their greatest hits live

Farmers Market

Shemanski Park

May 29, 10 a.m.

Free

Farm-fresh and locally-made foods under a lush tree canopy

Soldiers and Kings

Powell’s City of Books

May 30, 7 p.m.

Free

Jason De León discusses his book on human smuggling

The Cat and the Canary with Live Score

Portland Art Museum

May 31, 7 p.m.

$25

A classic silent horror film with a live musical score by Corey J. Brewer

Some Like It Hot

Hollywood Theatre

June 1, 7 p.m.

$12

A classic comedy featuring Marilyn Monroe, part of the Dress the Part film series

The Music of Dance

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

June 2, 2 p.m.

$40+

Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and Strauss’s Rosenkavalier Suite performed live

VAISHNAVI SRINATH

VAISHNAVI SRINATH/PSU VANGUARD

PARKER PATNODE

HALEY HSU

VANGUARD CROSSWORD

Answers in stories

MILO LOZA

Answers for 5/6 1) South, 2) Hood, 3) bullfrog, 4) Lan Su, 5) thirteen, 6) Vepudu, 7) Executive Cabinet, 8) blackberry, 9) ethics, 10) guitar, 11) endometrial lining, 12) Zither, 13) Zeta, 14) Multnomah, 15) ravine, 16) Chaat

5. A bodily defense system boosted by swimming, especially in cold water.

6. A popular tea-based drink that is served at HKSA events.

1. Government body at PSU that passed a divestment resolution, acronym

7. The name of the art exhibition in the Lloyd Center, part of research week at PSU.

9. Parent company of TikTok.

2. Insider who exposes wrongdoing, like the person who revealed Facebook’s data mishandling

11. Type of bag banned under the new Safeway policy, which is exclusive to the location near campus.

3. Major military contractor targeted by PSU’s divestment resolution

4. A quality of water that helps reduce stress on joints

8. Company that lobbied against TikTok and has a controversial history

https://crosswordlabs.com/view/2024-05-22-603

10. PSU club that promotes and educates students about Hong Kong culture through various events, acronym

1. Government body at PSU that passed the a divestment resolution.

2. Insider who exposes wrongdoing, like the person who revealed Facebook's data mishandling.

5. A bodily defense system boosted by swimming, especially in cold water

6. A popular tea-based drink that is served at HKSA events

3. Major military contractor targeted by PSU's divestment resolution.

4. A quality of water that helps reduce stress on joints.

7. The name of the art exhibition in the Lloyd Center, part of Research Week at PSU

8. Company that lobbied against TikTok and has a controversial history.

9. Parent company of TikTok

10. PSU club that promotes and educates students about Hong Kong culture through various events.

11. Type of bag banned under the new Safeway policy, which is exclusive to the location near campus

Community & Wellness Resources UPDATED WEEKLY

By Milo Loza

Happening Soon

Live @ Lunch

SMSU 101

May 28, 12 p.m.

Free for students

Live concert series at lunchtime where you can study and meet with local artists

3D Modeling Demo Workshop

SMSU M112

May 28, 2 p.m.

Free for students

Learn to create 3D models using Blender. No experience necessary.

Jazz Combo Night 1

Lincoln Hall Studio Theater

May 28, 7 p.m.

Free for students

Performances of jazz and contemporary music by student combos

University Band Concert

Lincoln Performance Hall 175

May 28, 7 p.m.

Free for students

PSU’s band presents their spring concert

The Wolves

Lincoln Hall Boiler Room Theater

May 29, 7:30 p.m.

$5

Experience a contemporary play about an indoor soccer team

PSU Choir’s Into the Light

First United Methodist Church

May 31, 7:30 p.m.

Free for students

An evening of performances by PSU’s choirs and guest artists

Resources

PSU Basic Needs Hub

SMSU Suite 435

Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Free for students

Helps students access resources such as funds, food, housing, employment, childcare and health support

PSU Food Pantry

1704 SW Broadway (temporary location)

Tues–Thur, 12–4 p.m.

Free for students

Access to free groceries in a welcoming, equitable, trauma-informed way. Must be enrolled in at least one credit for summer or fall

SMART recovery meetings

University Center Building 340 E Times vary

Free

In peer recovery, students with shared experiences connect to reduce stigma and build a campus recovery community

SHAC weekly online parent support group

Online

Thursdays 11 a.m. Free

Come together as parents in a relaxed setting to support each other, share ideas, collaborate and commiserate

Women’s Resource Center Online

Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free

Confidential advocacy services to students who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, violence and stalking

Oregon Energy Fund

Varying Locations

Mon–Fri, hours vary Free

Provides energy bill assistance to low-income Oregonians to support household stability

Wellness

SHAC Mind Spa

UCB Suite 310

Mon–Fri (by appointment)

Free for students

Solo space to experience biofeedback, light therapy, meditation, massages, relaxation and more. Must be enrolled in at least five credits for summer or fall

Opioid Overdose Reversal Training

SHAC, Suite 340E

Mon 10–12 p.m. & Fri 2–3 p.m.

Free for students

Pick up free opioid overdose reversal medication and get a 10-minute training on how to use it

Mindful Meanderings

Listen on Spotify

Available 24/7

Free

PSU-produced podcast about being mindful while outside, practicing gratitude, finding joy and being in the moment

Telus Health Student Support

Download on App Store or Google Play

Available 24/7

Free

Connecting students with free, confidential mental health and wellbeing support

Outdoor Workshop Wednesdays

Watch on Youtube

Available 24/7

Free

PSU Campus Recreation Center staff videos about topics ranging from Leave No Trace and plant identification to hiking spots and land acknowledgments

BORP online fitness studio

Watch on Zoom

Mon–Sat, hours vary

Free

Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program’s (BORP) virtual exercise classes for people with physical disabilities