Portland State Vanguard May 14, 2013

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Portland State University TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 | vol. 67 no. 59

Wage fraud, nepotism alleged at University Place Hotel

A family-friendly graduation

Allegations raise oversight questions, concerns Coby Hutzler and Ashley Rask Vanguard Staff

A group of Portland State employees have filed grievances with the university claiming that their bosses stole their tips, demanded kickbacks and practiced nepotism—favoring family members for special treatment and advancement. Vietnamese housekeepers who work at the PSU-owned University Place Hotel reached out to the labor union that represents them and other service employees on campus, Service Employee International Union Local 89, in March. The union began an investigation and filed the first of the workers’ grievances with PSU’s Human Resources Department on April 12. At press time, 30 days had passed with no response from the university, prompting SEIU to “bump up” the complaint to the office of university President Wim Wiewel. “There’s a little sweatshop going on right in the heart of our university,” See hotel on page 5

kayla nguyen/VANGUARD STAFf

Cassie ArroyO will be getting her diploma alongside her daughters Lily (pictured) and Ava. Arroyo will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and human development.

Resource Center for Students with Children will make commencement a fun event Stephanie Tshappat Vanguard Staff

When Portland State student Cassie Arroyo graduates in June, her two daughters, Ava, 4, and Lily, 2, will be standing alongside her in their own caps and gowns at a special ceremony for student parents designed to be fun for kids of all ages. “When you have kids, I feel like they’re your biggest motivation to get done and finish your degree,” Arroyo said. “I felt it was important to have my daughters involved [in this

accomplishment].” She will be graduating with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and human development. Arroyo’s experience echoes that of many student parents—school has affected the whole family. “It’s been a really long road for me,” Arroyo said. “When my oldest was small, she would just sit with me and watch me do homework—but with my youngest, she would rip the pages of my books, [so I had to start doing] all my studying after she went to bed.”

PSU’s Resource Center for Students with Children is putting on its first family-friendly graduation event this year, with a theme based on the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Lisa Wittorff, the coordinator of the RCSC, said that involving children in their parent’s college experience increases the child’s success as well. “Studies have shown [that] when children are at college with their parents they have more success in [attending and completing college themselves],” Wittorff said. “[This event] honors graduates but also recognizes the contribution of the children. [Having a parent attending college] can be very hard [for them], especially for older children.” The graduation will be held on June 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Hoffman Hall. It

will feature a carnival atmosphere, with a bounce house for the kids, a disc jockey, a Mexican food buffet, VooDoo doughnuts and a photographer for family photos. The RCSC is also providing caps and gowns for the children of graduating students to wear while walking with their parents to receive their certificates. The RCSC realizes that PSU’s regular commencement can be difficult for students with children to attend—either they try to find child care for the event or bring their kids along. But the center wasn’t sure what sort of response to anticipate when they sent out the email announcing the event. “The event filled right up to capacity almost as soon as we sent out the See family on page 4

Dalai Lama enlightens Portland with wise words Spiritual leader addresses spirituality, the environment, global peace and activism Ravleen Kaur Vanguard Staff

“Looking at this tiny world from a distance in the galaxy…this is our only home,” the Dalai Lama said, gesturing eloquently with his hands. With humility and humor, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, spiritual and former political leader of the Tibetan people, addressed thousands of people gathered at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center. He spoke of the need to cultivate respect for others; genuine friendship across religious lines, he

said, is the key to building the kind of cooperation needed to tackle environmental crises. In a two-part event on Thursday called “Spirituality and the Environment,” the Dalai Lama sounded on themes of pluralism and harmony. It was the first public event of “The Dalai Lama Environmental Summit” held May 9–11 and was hosted by Maitripa College. The event was moderated by KGW anchor Laural Porter. “We are all the same human beings,” the Dalai Lama said, calling on people to look past religious, racial and national barriers. “This planet is a multireligious planet,” he continued. “We should not harm each other in the name of religion.” See TIBET on page 2

The Dalai lama visited Portland for a series of events last week.

jinyi qi/VANGUARD STAFf


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