The Graduation Guide Congratulations, class of 2013—you did it!
NEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ARTS & culture............ 6 OPINION........................ 10 ETC................................ 13 SPORTS........................ .. 14
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Portland State University FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2013 | vol. 67 no. 66
For one grad, dreams come true College immigrant’s Republicans An story of hard and under fire work dedication Students clash over limits of free speech Ravleen Kaur Vanguard Staff
During the past few weeks, Portland State’s College Republicans student group has found itself at the center of a proverbial storm, freshly igniting time-tested debates about free speech at the university. In late May, the group sponsored two separate events that caused a stir: a talk by activist Nonie Darwish, who has been widely described as a vocal critic of Islam, and a screening of the documentary Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West. Several students at the events charged the film and speaker with promoting racist rhetoric. A video of the confrontation after the film screening has received significant online media attention, stacking up nearly 20,000 views on YouTube as of Thursday. “Both events made a huge distinction between the majority of Muslims and the radical strain,” said Julia Rabadi, president of the College Republicans. “[Darwish] said this isn’t about [Muslim] people, this is about an ideology.” Members of the Muslim Student Association, among others, spoke out against the events. “Islam is about mercy, peace, love, compassion. These words are the very opposite of what Nonie Darwish preaches and teaches others,” said member Sadaf Assadi. Tensions ran high in both groups. Some Muslim students were worried that the events could incite violence See conflict on page 3
Kaela O’Brien Vanguard staff
Graduating Portland State senior Faduma Ahmed-Ali will be accomplishing her dream this summer. She’ll return home to Kenya to help make the water in her country safer to drink. “I am a true believer [in] hard work, passion and dedication,” Ahmed-Ali said. Ahmed-Ali has seen firsthand the diseases caused by poor water sanitation. Now, along with PSU’s Sustainable Water, Energy and Environmental Technologies Laboratory, she will help implement and track a new hand-washing tool. “SWEETLab’s current primary focus is developing and implementing remotely accessible instrumented monitoring technologies designed to improve the collection of effectiveness evidence in global health programs,” assistant professor Evan Thomas, the head of SWEETLab, said in an email. They will work with Innovations for Poverty Action to install and test improved hand-washing stations, Thomas explained. The hand-washing stations will have SWEETLab-designed sensors attached that will return data on effectiveness and usage, Thomas said. Ahmed-Ali, who will graduate at the end of the term with a degree in public health, grew up in a Kenyan refugee camp with her family before getting a visa and moving to Beaverton in 2001. “I gained a passion for public health when I first [realized] there was a water sanitation problem,”
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Faduma AHMED-ALI, a public health major with a minor in sustainabiltiy, works in the SWEETLab.
she said. “I witnessed people dying of small infectious diseases.” In addition to poor water sanitation, lack of education is a very prevalent problem, Ahmed-Ali said. She will be the first in her family to earn a college degree. “Don’t let your past determine your future,” Ahmed-Ali said. Ahmed-Ali admitted that when she arrived in the U.S. and finally began her education, she encountered initial obstacles because of language and cultural barriers. “Struggle is a learning process,” Ahmed-Ali said. “But nothing is challenging until you put it in your mind as challenging.”
Inspiring innovation Nike global brand director shares company’s goals in innovation and sustainability Turner Lobey Vanguard staff
Tom Kelley remembers taking the 19-mile drive down Interstate 10 in Los Angeles to school at the age of 14. On the way, he would pass a giant billboard that hung over the highway promoting whoever it was that was renting the space. He remembers passing it one day and seeing the board had been filled with a Nike
advertisement featuring a fiercelooking Lester Hayes—then the cornerback for the Oakland Raiders. He remembers thinking how incredible it would be to grow up to be the guy who got to make those advertisements. Now, more than 20 years later, Kelley has become that person. He’s the global brand director of sustainable business and innovation at Nike, has worked in both marketing and advertising at Wieden+Kennedy and was involved in innovative marketing for companies like Livestrong and Rhapsody. On Monday at Portland State, Kelley lifted the curtain to expose the behind-the-scenes actions Nike is taking to inspire innovation and
sustainability both in its business and throughout the world. The presentation was the final installment of the Age of the Pacific Lecture Series this quarter, hosted by the Master of International Management program at PSU. “It’s rare for people in marketing to be so heavily involved in the world of sustainability like Kelley [is], and Nike uses that to their advantage. We’re lucky to have him here,” said Cliff Allen, the MIM academic director. Inspiring innovation was the key message of the night. “That’s really what we’re focused on. To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world— and if you have a body, you’re an athlete,” Kelley said.
The people she knew while living in Kenya motivated her to face challenges head-on rather than let them slow her down, she explained. At the end of her high school career, she received a full scholarship to PSU that was funded by both PSU and Beaverton public schools. “Life experience made me realize there are people still struggling. Just because I had the opportunity to get out doesn’t mean I just forget about it. I had an obligation to get my education, and I have an obligation to go back and help,” Ahmed-Ali said. There is a need for greater awareness of the struggles of developing countries such as Kenya, she
said. “I want to bring a voice to the voiceless.” While Ahmed-Ali is a strong believer in hard work and dedication, she is also grateful for the support she has received from family and PSU staff and faculty. “My mom is a huge inspiration. She inspires me every day to not forget where I came from,” Ahmed-Ali said. After taking a sustainability and design class with Evan Thomas, Ahmed-Ali expressed a further interest in the topics they discussed, and eventually became a member of the SWEETLab team.
At its essence, Nike is devoted to great athletes, great products and great stories, he said. It’s about putting ourselves in a place to be advocates for the underdog and the athlete, Kelley said. “My favorite product story is Michael Johnson and the golden shoes. The guy shows up in these glittery shoes…We wanted to make them lighter—and we did, they were 30 grams—but we took a brash point of view so people sat up and paid attention.” Apart from selling products, Nike has been heavily involved in creating and organizing programs aimed at engaging the consumer and pulling them into a physically active lifestyle. Programs like Run London, Run America and Nike’s Women’s Marathon are organized running events that unite thousands of runners from around the world. They’re aimed at encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle
and are “done in the spirit of getting people out there and doing something,” he said. In an ever-evolving world, business has reached the point where it can no longer operate the way it did in the past. A growing global effort to become more green and sustainable has driven Nike to transform the way it operates. “The reality is, everything has changed. Our business model has changed. We have to break from our scarce resources to do what we do now, just in a different way,” Kelley said. By designing product-creating processes that waste less and programs like Reuse-a-Shoe, which has recycled more than 28 million shoes and turned them into new shoes, basketball courts and other rubber products, Nike has taken strides to emphasize environmental consciousness in all of its business actions, Kelley said.
See Dreams on page 6
If Vanguard editors-in-chief and their staff members compose the soul of our organization, the paper's conscience, its institutional memory and its link between past and present for 18 years has been our beloved mentor and student publications adviser, Judson Randall, who is retiring after this school year.
With Jud's guidance, the Vanguard became more than just a student newspaper—it became a dynamic laboratory in which we experimented with the sweet science of journalism. No matter where we ended up after leaving Portland State or what careers we eventually pursued, we carry the Vanguard and Jud in our hearts.
We love you, Jud. CHEERS!
NEWS NEWSNEWS •NEWS • TUESDAY, TUESDAY, •• TUESDAY, FRIDAY, JANUARY JANUARY JUNE MAY24, 17, 1, 7, 2013 2012 • VANGUARD Editor: Deeda Schroeder news@psuvanguard.com 503-725-3883 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITOR@PSUVANGUARD.COM
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NEWS
Where can I find a job? PSU helps job seekers track down job leads Gwen Shaw Vanguard staff
After spending four or more years at Portland State, most graduates have an idea of the resources available to them. But what about leading up to graduation? Or after? Last year, PSU merged the Career Center and the Undergraduate Advising and Support Center to create Advising and Career Services. The school provides a job database called PSU CareerConnect, a web-based system for accessing many different types of jobs, including fulltime career-related positions for upcoming graduates and alumni. Information about on-campus interviews with employers recruiting seniors
and recent grads is also available. ACS also provides many workshops designed to help create efficient job search strategies. These workshops help with preparing for interviews and writing resumes and cover letters. A schedule of these workshops can be found on the pdx.edu website. Ann Mestrovich, employer relations coordinator at ACS, said that it’s very important for students to create a LinkedIn account. She said that LinkedIn is the electronic version of a resume and the professional version of Facebook. “LinkedIn lets you start thinking about your own branding, and how you want potential employers and other people you might want to network with, to see you,” Mestrovich said. LinkedIn gives you the ability to join different groups and like different organizations based on the field of work you are considering going into.
Mestrovich said that on the ACS website, there is a large list of different job search sites. Each link provides a description of what type of jobs can be found. These sites include Mac’s List, Oregon Employment Department, CampusPoint and other tips and resources.
“LinkedIn lets you start thinking about your own branding, and how you want potential employers and other people you might want to network with, to see you.” Ann Mestrovich, Advising and Career Services employer relations coordinator
To add to that list, Mestrovich suggested looking at the Portland Business Journal because it provides so much information about events going on around the city. The
Journal requires a subscription online, which she suggests may be worth it, but the ACS office also has them in the office for students to look at. Another important resource is your department’s advising office. Each major most likely has job opportunities posted, or at least different places to start looking. In a Monster.com article, “10 Job Search Mistakes of New College Grads,” the main concerns are not being proactive, setting expectations too high and failing to follow up with prospective employers. Finding a job can be easy or difficult, depending on many variables. Recent grads must to take advantage of the fact that they have many professors and college staff available to help them. Setting realistic expectations is important to keep in mind. Students need to be willing to broaden their interests at the start, because the perfect job may not come along immediately.
Internships are always a possibility and can be beneficial if they end up leading to a permanent position. A good thing to keep in mind is that, though summertime is approaching, these next few months are key to get a head start in the job search if you haven’t already. The internet is not the only way to go about searching. Make sure you look professional and start bringing resumes and cover letters to anywhere that interests you. Being proactive and persistent shows different companies that you really want to be a part of their community. Mestrovich said it’s important to have an “elevator pitch” ready for whenever you go to any function where you could meet new people. An example would be to introduce yourself, your major, your main interest, and one of the attributes you could bring to the table in a professional setting.
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DISTRIBUTORS Matthew C. Ellis Katie Hendricks The Vanguard is published twice weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Publications Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers, and do not necessarily represent those of the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. One copy of the Vanguard is provided free of charge to all community members, additional copies or subscription issues may incur a 25 cent charge. The Vanguard is printed on 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper. ©2011 Portland State University Vanguard 1825 SW Broadway Smith Memorial Student Union, Rm. S-26 Portland OR, 97201
conflict from page 1
Impromptu debate: The woman standing near the left of the frame called Obsession racist; the woman standing to the right believed the film made a sound argument.
Muslim students question motives behind events and were concerned for their own safety on campus. A few weeks before the event, one Muslim student was assaulted in Smith Memorial Student Union and her hijab was pulled off, according to several students. “We met with many of the people who were upset to let them know that we cannot stop an event because they find the content hurtful,” said Aimee Shattuck, director of Student Activities and Leadership Programs. Shattuck explained that Supreme Court cases have set a precedent that the First Amendment applies to student organizations. At the same time, the College Republicans said they felt unsafe at their own event. Group members described a climate on campus that was hostile to their viewpoints. “This campus is not tolerant of free speech if you disagree with the majority,” Rabadi said.
Free speech claimed by both sides Some individuals were asked by Campus Public Safety Office officers to leave the events, raising questions about the parameters of free speech and the principles behind public spaces. “The First Amendment is a very complex issue,” said Phil Zerzan, CPSO chief. “It’s a balancing act.” “We encourage people to have civil discourse, to talk about controversial issues,” Zerzan said. He explained that CPSO was within its rights to make a call on whether safety was being disrupted.
“This is a university, so we have control over the time, place and manner in which that happens.” While a number of students in the MSA agreed that the events were protected by the First Amendment, they spoke out against the tone of the messages presented. “The message that Ms. Darwish conveyed to students was that Islam is violent and if people do not leave Islam, then they don’t belong in this country,” said Aaron Morrison, vice president of the MSA. Rabadi disagreed, saying that Darwish’s talk targeted extremists. “The only way you would be offended by either the Nonie Darwish or the Obsession event is if you are a radical yourself,” Rabadi said. “If they are against the radicals, if they are against the hate, if they are against the horrible abuse of human rights, then we’re on the same side.” Some students called the College Republicans out for not wanting to engage in dialogue because the group did not schedule a question-andanswer session after the film screening. Rabadi explained that was standard practice for most of the group’s film screenings. While group leadership left after the film, others stayed behind for informal discussion. “There’s no proof that we don’t want to talk. Before each event, we always send an email to the opposing group,” said Rabadi, who provided the Vanguard with emails to various student groups. “We emailed the MSA asking if they wanted
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to do a debate. They chose not to respond.” Morrison said he was not aware of attempts to contact the group, but would welcome dialogue. “I believe it would have been good to have a discussion with the College Republicans after the film. [They] may have been able to clear up issues with the film that many students had,” Morrison said.
Emotions highly charged According to Rabadi, the College Republicans have been harassed on campus for years. Small but active, the vocal group receives a lot of backlash, group members said. “Ideologically, we are the minority,” said Renee Lang, a member of the group. Rabadi said she wakes up an hour early every morning to put up meeting and event posters. Hours later, most of the fliers are ripped and defaced, she added. In the weeks leading up to the two events, this escalated to another level. Throughout May, an anonymous protestor ripped down College Republican posters and replaced them with fliers that read: “Stop being racist, sexist, douchebags.”
Many in the group lamented those labels as misconceptions they face on a regular basis. “We walked into our meeting to these posters. It’s intimidation,” said group member Gretchen Holman. Working with officials on campus, the group caught a student on ripping down posters on camera. Conduct and Community Standards is currently investigating the matter; defacing posters is a punishable offense at PSU, Rabadi said. “At this point, all of our issues are being addressed in some manner. We just don’t know in exactly which way,” she said. Some Muslim students felt the administration had not done enough to address their concerns. “Free speech is one thing, but hate speech is a completely different matter,” Assadi said. “There are extremists in every faith, but they are not representatives of the religion. Extremists are given this title for a reason.” Assadi questioned the premise behind the events. “What in the world is the relationship between a group called College Republicans and events about Islam?” Assadi wondered.
“Our way of life encompasses individual freedoms and liberties,” Rabadi said. “A radical sect wants to implement an unjust system. We have to talk about it,” she said, explaining why the group held the two events. “As a Christian, I understand that any discussion of how a religion can be used by evil people is a sensitive subject,” said Jeremiah Scott, a College Republicans group member. Both events were held in the Multicultural Center, leading some on campus to question whether the event adhered to the mission of the space. “We are not a private space that can deny use of space,” said Cynthia Gomez, director of Cultural Centers. “We have a reservation policy open to all.” In response to the events, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Jackie Balzer sent a letter to student groups outlining the university’s commitment to protecting free speech. She encouraged opposing groups to handle conflict with civility. “There is always something to learn for next time,” Shattuck said. “But I don’t think that conflict can be avoided entirely, especially when people want to discuss such emotionally charged topics.”
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VANGUARD • FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2013 • News
Shirleanne Gahan, 26, a sophomore art history major, advised students to get real world experience such as internships. “Now it’s much more important to have that [in addition to] the degree since the job market is much more competitive…You need something to make you stand out more on your resume,” Gahan said.
Every week, the Vanguard interviews members of the Portland State community in the Park Blocks and asks them a timely question.
This week’s question:
Nicholi Khajavei, 34, a senior psychology and public health double major, advises students to stay on top of classes and register for required classes immediately. “Toward the end of the year, you might have some classes you can’t get into because some undergraduates registered [for them] because you failed to register on time. You’ll be sad that you can’t graduate when you anticipated graduating,” Khajavei said.
“With graduation coming up, what advice do you have for graduating students?” Austin Maggs Vanguard staff
Trevor Seal, 25, a senior film major, feels graduating students should keep the future in perspective if they aren’t sure what they want to do afterward. “It all depends on why you’ve decided to come to college in the first place…College in of itself is a huge undertaking, and if you try to take it all at once, you’re going to fail miserably…Take it one day at a time and worry about tomorrow when it comes,” Seal said.
James Crutchfelt, 28, a senior psychology major, feels graduating students should stay on top of job applications and talk to advisers as much as possible in addition to realistically thinking about the future. “Making decisions is really important. Not only making decisions based on your goals in the past, but also find[ing] a better goal that matches what you’ve learned about yourself and what you can do with your career,” Crutchfelt said.
Lauren Ogard, 19, a freshman graphic design major, advised graduating students to not slack off and to stay on top of their work. “I’m going through it myself, so I would just say keep on top of it and talk to your teachers,” Ogard said.
Beth Goldstein, 24, a senior health sciences major, advised students to have an idea of what they want to do after graduation to avoid postbaccalaureate status. “I took a couple of extra years in my undergrad just to make sure I knew exactly what I wanted to do, because I don’t see a point in coming back as a postbac and paying more,” Goldstein said.
Jeff Salata, 28, a computer science postbaccalaureate student, advised students to look for internships if they haven’t already done so. He advised this based on his experiences looking for a job without an internship. “It’s simply too difficult. There’s a lot of competition and not enough money…If you can get into something that has visceral application, then go there,” Salata said.
Theo Gonzalez, 25, a senior criminology and psychology double major, advised students to take the last year very seriously. “That’s what grad schools are looking for…If you don’t, obviously you’ll be wait-listed and take forever to get in[to] a grad school,” Gonzalez said.
Belinda Crowson, 24, a speech language pathology graduate student, advised students to take a long, hard look at what and who they value in life. “Just be honest with where your interests lie and what your values are and who you want to be, instead of how much money you want to make,” Crowson said.
Zoran Kesic, 35, a senior biology major, advised studying as much as possible. He gave this advice based on his reflections from studying geology and the history of national parks backto-back. “If you’re learning back-to-back, you can take out more knowledge from college than you had ever imagined,” Kesic said.
Correction Because of reporting errors, details in the June 4 Vanguard story titled “ASPSU hiring process raises ethical questions” were incorrect. The voter turnout for this year’s ASPSU election was 3 percent, not 1.9 percent. Dave Coburn, Thomas Worth and Ellie McConnell’s terms all ended on June 1. Their titles currently read as follows: former Legislative Affairs Director Dave Coburn, former University Affairs Director Thomas Worth and former Student Life Director Ellie McConnell.
Class of 2013, To you, and to your parents, families and friends: Congratulations! this year make this the largest class in Oregon history.
family to earn a college degree. Many more have done so while balancing demands of work, debt, family—even the distractions of living in one of the nation’s most vibrant cities. Together, as you receive your newly minted bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, you share a tremendous achievement. As you leave Portland State, you join a powerful network of PSU Alumni Association, giving you new opportunities to stay connected with your fellow Vikings. Best wishes to you, as you pursue new challenges and achieve new goals. We’re counting on the Class of ’13 to help build a better, more sustainable future for all. I look forward to conferring your degrees at our spring commencement ceremonies June 16.
Wim Wiewel President
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VANGUARD ••TThursday, FRIDAY, uesday, THURSDAY, TUESDAY, JUNE Jan. JANUARY OCTOBER Nov. FEBRUARY JANUARY 31, 7, 2013 8, 2013 2012 10, 25, •26, •2, 2012 NEWS 2011 ARTS •2012 ARTS ••&•OPINION OPINION CULTURE &ARTS CULTURE & CULTURE
PSU receives national Climate Leadership Award for innovation in sustainability Portland State received a 2013 Climate Leadership Award on Wednesday from Second Nature, a national nonprofit that works to create a healthy, just and sustainable society by transforming higher education. The awards are presented annually to institutions that have signed on to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment and demonstrated innovative and advanced leadership in education for sustainability and climate mitigation and adaptation. The award ends an academic year studded with sustainability accomplishments. PSU President Wim Wiewel received the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools President award, and PSU was listed in the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges for the fourth year in a row. PSU was also named a gold-rated Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists and was given the designation of “Changemaker Campus” by social entrepreneurship group Ashoka. Portland State was named a finalist for the Climate Leadership awards in January and participated in an online showcase of videos in April. The video highlighted PSU’s sustainability assets, including the Bike Hub, the Solutions Generator program and the school’s Climate Action Plan. (Video: http://bit.ly/ PSU-climate) “I think we will look back on this academic year as the time when Portland State
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Going Green: The Academic and Student Rec Center features a rooftop garden, one of many sustainable features found on campus. University raised the bar on sustainability,” said PSU President Wim Wiewel. “Innovation spans the campus from operations to the classroom, and our research and work in the community is supporting the region’s efforts to address the causes and mitigate the effects of climate change.” PSU is one of 10 institutions and one of three doctoralgranting institutions to be recognized by Second Nature for its climate leadership. “These exemplary institutions have shown us that bold action on climate is not only possible but pragmatic,” said David Hales, president of Second Nature. “Their
operational, educational, and community initiatives are fueling the thought behind what is both necessary and achievable in addressing climate change, and the labors of these leading institutions will benefit all of society.” Second Nature is the support organization for the ACUPCC. The ACUPCC is a partnership among 669 colleges and universities to accelerate education, research, and community engagement to equip society to stabilize the earth’s climate while setting an example by eliminating net greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations.
Dreams from page 1
Grad created a nonprofit “Thomas shared many resources with me. I asked and got the opportunity to gain [knowledge of] a technical aspect of public health,” she said. She believes that the gap between public health and engineering is too large. As the only public health student in the SWEETLab, Ahmed-Ali believes having an understanding of the technology that provides the solution is key. Ahmed-Ali also attributes her success to the guidance she received from Lorna Tran of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in science, technology, engineering and math majors. “Faduma is an incredible representation of the students we work with. She is a rising star,” Tran said. “We focus on academic success, creating a community and…[preparing] students through providing them with a variety of opportunities, such as internships,” she said. An internship that AhmedAli nabbed through LSAMP gave her the opportunity to live in Atlanta, Ga., in the summer of 2012 while working for the Centers
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for Disease Control and Prevention. One of only 10 interns chosen out of 410 applicants, Ahmed-Ali said that the experience was educational in more than just public health. “I didn’t think at first [that] I’d be accepted, but [I decided] I would keep trying. Rejection is not an option for me. But after I was accepted, it reassured me I have a place in this world to accomplish my dream,” said Ahmed-Ali, who took advantage of the internship by creating relationships and networking. After graduation, AhmedAli plans to take a break from school and work in her field. However, she does plan to eventually return to
college and acquire a master’s degree in environmental engineering. She hopes to one day either work for the United Nations or create her own business working to solve public health problems through the use of technology. Ahmed-Ali created a nonprofit organization aimed at helping refugees living in Portland prosper in their new community. For more information visit myvoicesomaliorganization.org. For more information on SWEETLab, visit sweetlab.org. The LSAMP in STEM majors is open to the 600-plus students at PSU who belong to an underrepresented minority.
Arts & Culture NEWS•T • uesday, FRIDAY,Jan. JUNE31, 7, 2013 • VANGUARD
Crime Blotter for May 28–June 2 Stephanie Tshappat Vanguard staff
May 28 Theft
May 30 Exclusion order
Exclusion order
Bike stable between Smith Memorial Student Union and Cramer Hall
Meetro Cafe
At 11:10 p.m., officers Brenton Chose, Baker, Murphy and Buck responded to a report of a suspicious person entering Ondine and then entering the men’s restroom in the first-floor lobby. Officers contacted nonstudent Kim Oviatt, who was issued an exclusion and escorted from the building.
At 6:31 p.m., Officer Jon Buck took a report of a bike theft from a staff member who stated that her bike and accessories, valued at $1,540, were taken between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Theft
Sgt. Robert McLeary received a report of a woman acting odd, attempting to steal a board game of no value and entering private offices at 11:54 a.m. McLeary contacted nonstudent Taysha Torrez and, after interviewing her, determined she was mentally unstable and off her medication. Torrez was issued an exclusion order.
Ondine Residence Hall
Urban Center Building, room 370B
Exclusion order
June 1 Exclusion order
Officers Gregory Marks and Brian Rominger took a report from a faculty member who stated his laptop was stolen from his open office between 10 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
South Park Blocks
Smith Memorial Student Union, second floor
Officer Murphy contacted and gave an exclusion order to nonstudent Glen A. Hathaway for having an open container of alcohol and being intoxicated. No further information.
Officers Nichola Higbee, Shawn McKenzie and Gary Smeltzer contacted nonstudent Nikolaus Manousos and issued him an exclusion order at 8:20 a.m. No further information.
Marijuana violation
June 2 Arrest
May 29 Hit and run Parking Structure 3, sixth floor
Stott Center, south side
Officers Marks and Rominger received a report from a student at 12:06 p.m. that she left her vehicle at 10 a.m. and returned at 12 p.m. to find her vehicle had been damaged along the rear driver’s side passenger door and the exterior panel of the rear driver’s side wheel well.
At 4:47 p.m., Officer Baker contacted a student for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. The incident was referred to Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.
Arrest
Officer Peter Ward located new graffiti.
Smith Memorial Student Union, first floor
At 3:02 p.m., officers David Baker and Denae Murphy contacted and arrested nonstudent John Baker, who had a current PSU exclusion order and an outstanding warrant. Arrest
Officer Murphy contacted and arrested nonstudent James Scott Haas for two outstanding warrants and issued him an exclusion order. No further information.
Graffiti University Center Building, east side
South Park Blocks
Officers Rominger, McKenzie and Buck contacted and gave an exclusion order to nonstudent William G. Brown at 11 a.m. for drinking alcohol on campus. Brown then left the park and sat on the bench on the northwest corner of Parking Structure 2. Brown was arrested for criminal trespass II and taken to the Multnomah County Detention Center.
May 31 Arrest
Criminal mischief
Honors Building, north side
At 7:22 p.m., Sgt. Michael Anderson discovered the locking mechanisms on two doors on the north side of Smith had been tampered with.
Officers Baker and Murphy contacted nonstudents Noah Whitewolf and Jacob Mason at 5:16 p.m. for having open containers of alcohol. Mason had two outstanding warrants and was arrested. Both subjects were issued exclusion orders.
Smith Memorial Student Union
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VANGUARD ••TThursday, FRIDAY, uesday, THURSDAY, TUESDAY, JUNE Jan. JANUARY OCTOBER Nov. FEBRUARY JANUARY 31, 7, 2013 8, 2013 2012 10, 25, •26, •2, 2012 NEWS 2011 ARTS •2012 ARTS ••&•OPINION OPINION CULTURE &ARTS CULTURE & CULTURE
Professor profile: Ben Anderson-Nathe
President invites all to year-end town hall Vanguard staff
On Tuesday, Portland State president Wim Wiewel is hosting his year-end town hall and reception for faculty, staff and students from 3–4:30 p.m. in the Smith Memorial Student Union ballroom. The event will include a recap of the academic year by Wiewel and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sona Andrews, as well as a brief budget update by Monica Rimai, PSU’s vice president for Finance and Administration. A question-and-answer session will be followed by a reception with food and beverages. Wiewel is encouraging everyone to attend. “We’ll be giving an overview of last year, talk about next year, and update everyone on the budget,” Wiewel said. “It’s also a chance to gather as a community and meet with friends and colleagues before the summer break. Did I mention there will be food and beverages?”
Gwen Shaw Vanguard staff
Ben Anderson-Nathe is an associate professor at Portland State and the director of the Child and Family Studies program in the School of Social Work. Anderson-Nathe was born and raised in the Portland area and went to Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. After earning his bachelor’s degree and working for a few years, he decided he wanted to experience true winters. He moved to Minnesota, where he lived for six years and picked up master’s degrees in both social work and public policy and a doctorate in community education and youth studies. When he was finished experiencing the Minnesota winters, Anderson-Nathe decided to come home, where he found Portland State and the Child and Family Studies program. He became an adjunct professor in 2004, started teaching full time in 2006, and became the director in the fall of 2011. Most of Anderson-Nathe’s background is in the field of youth work, mainly with young people who have not had a tremendous amount of adult support or self-determination. At PSU, he teaches mainly professional development in different fields, helping professionals who are present in the lives of young people. “What brought me to higher education and the university setting in the first place is that I absolutely love being with, learning with and being
cyc-net.org
challenged by students’ thinking,” Anderson-Nathe said. “I have really clear memories in my own educational biography of moments with faculty and with other people where I was just aware of my consciousness expanding and…thinking about new things and having my head hurt because the conversation…really pushed me in ways that I hadn’t been pushed before.” Anderson-Nathe said that he gets to feel like that every day in his job, and that fills his soul. He said he is “bent” by the wisdom of the students he comes into contact with, and being part of that process is the most affirming thing for him. He believes that PSU is a great university because it recognizes that students come from all kinds of different positions, locations and experiences. “We all kind of come together and try to figure out how to be better in the world than we were when we came
in,” Anderson-Nathe said. “That’s just amazing.” Outside of academics, Anderson-Nathe’s interests include traveling, hanging out with friends and family and being outside. “Not surprisingly, being an academic, I actually like to read. And I love to take my child out to a barn where she gets to ride a horse and be totally in love with it,” he said. Like most Portland natives, Anderson-Nathe loves hiking, being outdoors and sitting in pubs while having great conversations. Anderson-Nathe believes that the Child and Family Studies program truly prepares people to go into the world and change things. “We understand that the world as it is isn’t the world that it needs to be, and that students come out of our major with some real skills to help move [it] to where it ought to be,” AndersonNathe said. “And that’s so extremely affirming; I just love it.”
Waste Reduction Task Force builds ‘repurposed’ greenhouse Jesse Sawyer Vanguard staff
When one thinks about recycling, three words often come to mind: reduce, reuse and recycle. At Portland State, a project is underway to help us rethink the parameters of waste reduction efforts. The Waste Reduction Task Force, funded through the Sustainability Leadership Center, is working on constructing a greenhouse made up almost entirely of repurposed waste materials. The project is a part of a larger initiative to reduce waste campus-wide. Currently, PSU’s diversion rate—the rate of waste diverted from landfills—is 34 percent. This means that 66 percent of the waste generated on campus still goes to the dump. By partnering with the Campus Sustainability Office,
PSU Dining and the Village Building Convergence, the task force is hoping to divert even more. “There are important ways to use waste as a resource,” said Laura Kutner, a graduate assistant for the SLC and founder of the nonprofit organization Trash for Peace. According to a representative sample conducted by the CSO and Community Environmental Services, PSU generates more than 10,000 pounds of waste in a 24-hour period. Kutner explained that the greenhouse is an example of the many things that people on campus can do to reduce that number. She added that with a campus-wide waste reduction plan in place, there is the potential to bring the diversion rate up to nearly 85 percent. In order to reach this
potential, a number of reduction efforts will need to be coordinated. A key component in making this happen, Kutner said, is having the right infrastructure in place. Among other areas with room for improvement, she said, “composting is huge.” The amount of effort needed to reduce campus waste may seem daunting. However, Kutner stressed that, even though the road may be long, there are plenty of opportunities for the process to be both fun and educational. The greenhouse project is an informative one, but it also serves as functional art. Efforts toward waste reduction and repurposing on campus will vary, but Kutner described the greenhouse project as “a living representative.”
Now hiring designers for the summer! email the production manager at production@psuvanguard.com
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VANGUARD •• FRIDAY, THURSDAY, JUNE NOVEMBER 7, 2013 10, 2011 • SPORTS
Portland State 2012-13: The year in review
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s Portland State’s paper of record, we at the Vanguard bring you the stories, large and small, that compose the rough draft of the university’s history. Every story is a time-capsule, a snapshot of this moment in campus life. From budget cuts and student politics to campus safety concerns and high-profile scandals, we have sought to tell the narrative of the PSU community as it unfolds. The stories that made headlines this year have inspired and, at times, infuriated our readers. But we always approached each story with an eye toward the truth—playing midwife, as it were, to the information we felt our readers needed to know. Here are just a few of our clippings from 2012-13—yet another eventful, news-filled school year at our always exciting public university.
Chiron studies funding denied May 30, 2013
Governing the heart July 7, 2012 Former PSU student Samantha Berrier, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in social science in 2011, alleged that Oregon Rep. Matt Wingard, R-Wilsonville, made unwanted sexual advances on to her while she worked for him as a legislative aide in 2010. After Berrier—whom the Vanguard interviewed—came forward about the consensual relationship that resulted, Wingard declined to seek reelection to a third term.
Provost Sona Andrews announced that Chiron Studies will not receive renewed funding from the Office of Academic Affairs. The program, which for more than half a century has allowed students to design and teach for-credit classes, was funded until June 2012, when former Provost Roy Koch discontinued it. Since then, supporters of Chiron Studies have lobbied Portland State’s administration to reinstate funding.
May 9, 2013 Philosophy Professor Peter Boghossian, in celebration of his upcoming book, A Manual for Creating Atheists, sat down with the Vanguard for an exclusive Q-and-A in one of our most-viewed pieces ever. Boghossian seeks to create a legion of reason leaders, aka “street epistemologists,” to help cure people of what he calls “the faith virus.”
Foster-Hernandez ticket wins, new constitution fails May 9, 2013
Fluoride debate simmers
Harris Foster and Yesenia Silvia-Hernandez were elected as student body president and vice president, respectively. The pair garnered 287 votes, or 50 percent of the votes cast. A new constitution, proposed by former Vice President Ethan Allen Smith, failed, with 47 percent voting against it, 28 percent voting in favor and 25 percent abstaining. The 569 votes cast in the ASPSU election represent a 3 percent voter turnout, down from last year’s 9.3 percent turnout, which one expert called “terrible.”
April 18, 2013
Armed campus police? Oct. 9, 2012 Should PSU’s Campus Public Safety Office have its own trained, sworn and—most controversially—armed police officers? While such changes would place PSU on par with other similar-sized colleges, critics of the idea say it’s merely about arming officers based on flawed research. Currently, CPSO operates under limited authority and does not have jurisdiction over buildings the university owns and controls. PSU President Wim Wiewel launched a task force in May 2013 to explore the matter.
Broadway residents live with tighter security May 7, 2013 From March 25 to April 2, CPSO received three separate reports of an unknown male who broke into dorm rooms at the Broadway Housing Building—rooms occupied by female students. In response, CPSO has been working with PSU’s University Housing and Resident Life to increase security measures at Broadway.
‘Faith is not a virtue’: a Q-and-A with Peter Boghossian
Portland remains the largest city in the nation that does not add fluoride to its drinking water. Before Ballot Measure 26-151 was soundly defeated by close to 60 percent in Portland’s special election, the Vanguard published an original Q-and-A featuring Dr. Virginia Feldman, a spokesperson for Healthy Kids, Healthy Portland who represented the pro-fluoridation group, and Antonia Giedwoyn, a spokesperson for Oregon Sierra Club’s Columbia Group who represented the anti-fluoridation group.
Portland State hosts nation’s first brewing industry program April 4, 2013 This fall, PSU will offer the nation’s first brewing industry certificate program, “The Business of Craft Brewing.” The 24-month program, hosted by PSU’s School of Business Administration, will focus on drafting a business plan and managing infrastructure for a craft brewery or distillery.
Is Aramark’s food local? Aug. 1, 2012 Aramark, the official provider of catering and dining services for PSU since 2007, is contractually obligated to purchase 30 percent of its food from local sources and to increase this percentage by 2 percent each year. But because the company had neglected to send its quarterly reports to the Campus Sustainability Office since September 2011—and because the office had not answered the Vanguard’s request for records from the periods before then—it is hard to say exactly how much local food is being served on campus.
Fighting for a chance (See story on page 22.) Ian Sluss was named FCS Linebacker of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards last season and graduated from PSU with a degree in social science. He tried out with the New England Patriots in April and was signed to a contract before being released after rookie camps. Sluss continues to work toward his goal of making the roster on an NFL team.
Wage fraud, nepotism alleged at University Place Hotel May 14, 2013 A group of PSU employees filed grievances with the university claiming that their bosses stole their tips, demanded kickbacks and practiced nepotism. Vietnamese housekeepers who work at the PSU-owned hotel reached out in March to the labor union that represents them and other service employees on campus, Service Employee International Union Local 89. The union began an investigation and filed the first of the workers’ grievances with PSU’s Human Resources Department on April 12.
Budget cuts for fee-funded programs and services March 14, 2013 Because of declining enrollment, a flat student fee and the creation of new fee-funded services and programs such as a Veterans Resource Center, the Student Fee Committee chose to decrease funding nearly across the board. Student leaders, such as publications editors and managers, will see dramatic pay cuts during the 2013-14 academic year.
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2013 • VANGUARD
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PSU’s Graduating Class of 2012-13: By the numbers Coby Hutzler Vanguard staff
Bachelor’s
Number of graduates
Master’s
Bachelor’s
Ph.D.
Master’s
Ph.D.
4,425 1,675 80 Degrees
Bachelor’s Liberal Arts & Sciences-Col: 55% Business Admin-School: 16% Urban & Public Affairs-Col: 14% College of the Arts: 7% Maseeh Coll Engr/Comp Sci: 5% Social Work-School: 3% Master’s Grad. School of Education: 28% Liberal Arts & Sciences-Col: 22% Maseeh Coll Engr/Comp Sci: 13% Social Work-School: 13% Urban & Public Affairs-Col: 11% Business Admin-School: 10% College of the Arts: 3%
68% 70% 57%
Portland State’s 2012-13 graduating class is one of the largest and most diverse the university has ever seen—and that’s especially true of the university’s departing undergraduates. The number of bachelor’s degrees awarded this year is almost 2 percent higher than it has ever been. And while growth in the university’s awarded master’s degrees was flat, Ph.D. graduates can easily claim their largest-ever graduating class this year. The whole of PSU’s 201213 class has students from 50 countries and 49 states plus
the District of Columbia. Delaware is the only state lacking representation in this year’s crop of graduates. Domestically, more outof-state graduates hail from Washington state than anywhere else, with California a close second. The bulk of the university’s international graduates this year come from Saudi Arabia, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam. International graduates are receiving nearly 5 percent of this year’s bachelor’s degrees, 11 percent of master’s degrees and 27 percent of the Ph.D.s awarded this year.
Diversity
Top out-of-staters
4% 4% 3%
Gender 54% Female
Declined
White
1%
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
4% 3%
Multiple
Hispanic/ Latino
Black or African-American
Asian
American Indian/ Alaskan Native
1% 1% 1%
3% 2% 2%
7% 4% 4%
8% 5% 4%
Ph.D. Liberal Arts & Sciences-Col: 37% Grad. School of Education: 26% Maseeh Coll Engr/Comp Sci: 20% Urban & Public Affairs-Col: 9% Social Work-School: 8%
63% Female
Age ranges
72 | 16 70 | 22 64 | 26
52% Female
Out of state Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D.
15% 19% 29% 27% Washington
20% California
6% Hawaii
International students
17% China 13% China 6% Thailand
21% Saudi Arabia
20% China
35% India
29% Washington
18% California
4% Arizona
6% Saudi Arabia 11% Vietnam
13% Thailand
23% Washington
15% California
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VANGUARD • FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2013 • ARTS & CULTURE
A fresh start in the arts What comes next for students graduating with degrees in the arts? Robin Crowell Vanguard Staff
“Well…what now?” is the question students of many disciplines will find themselves asking upon graduation. The Vanguard is here to help. Graduating college and going out into the real world can be a difficult time for a lot of students. New graduates often leave college and with bigger waistline and some student loan bills—they must also contend with fear and trepidation at not being able to find a job. Students across the board—communication majors, English majors, math, science, you name it—are likely to share this sentiment, but some who struggle the most are those emerging from college with degrees in the, shall we say, finer arts. For our purposes, arts can range from visual arts to theater to writing—essentially, creative endeavors that can fit under a broad umbrella of skills and, unfortunately for graduates, often rank as the lowest paying and least available jobs. Here are several avenues to pursue to continue being productive with the artistic disciplines you, as a recent arts graduate, have chosen.
Writing As the field is intensely competitive, many writers feel discouraged when they get those first rejection letters. I’ve been there, my friends have been there and it is likely that at one point or another, aspiring writer, you will be there, too. But not to worry! The Internet has made it possible for writers versed in many different arenas to get their hard work out there in the open. Although the pay may not be great, many blogs and websites of specialized interest are looking for new writers. If writing is your passion, contributing to a blog or online publication as a supplement to a “day job” can help you maintain your writing chops and get good clips, so that in due time you can transition from a part-time writer to a full-time one.
Visual arts The majority of people who graduate with degrees in the visual arts wind up working retail as their primary occupation, according to the Guardian. While the woes of retail are many, do not fret: An occupation in retail allows for plenty of
time to work on your craft and make a name for yourself. In a place like Portland, there are many cafes and local galleries that may be able to host your work. A friend of mine, for example, saved up some loot and was able to rent out a studio that also doubles as a gallery to show not only her own work but also the work of other local artists. She has a retail job on the side, sure—but she has plenty of free time to focus on what she really loves to do. While you may not see any money in return, many local organizations hold fundraisers in the form of art auctions to raise money for various causes. The Cascade AIDS Project and Basic Rights Oregon are just two of the many local organizations that do so. Getting work on display at events like these not only helps raise money for important causes, but the individuals who bid on and win your work take home a piece of art with your name on it. Word of mouth can be a powerful tool for making a name for yourself.
corinna scott/VANGUARD STAFF
Theater Arts Believe it or not, many businesses look for people with degrees in the performing arts because it teaches the skills necessary to effectively problem-solve, present material and think abstractly in various situations. Between auditions, many theater majors find themselves in technical positions because of the skills they have acquired. Writing, presenting, organization, communication—theater majors employ all of these skills. While a degree in theater may not appear to be fruitful offstage, it can be a great headline on an application for an office position.
miles sanguinetti/VANGUARD STAFF
Music First things first: Not everyone who graduates with a degree in music will have the door to the philharmonic opened for them the day after commencement—many musicians may find themselves lost at first. Many local bands are looking to expand their sonic horizons; you may be able to find one that would welcome you and whatever instrument you play. Some punk bands here in town use cello players and violinists to set their music apart. While drudging through that monotonous nine-to-five during the day, starting a band in your off time might be just the route to go. If you pursued a music degree out of passion, getting involved in music is not as hard as you might think. Friends of mine have played shows, booked bands and even started record labels,
miles sanguinetti/VANGUARD STAFF
jinyi qi/VANGUARD STAFF
simply because that is what they love to do. Like many other arts degrees, getting involved in music on the side while working a lackluster job can be an effective way to make that degree feel worthwhile. If all else fails, websites like eLance.com are always seeking creative individuals to carry out tasks. Some of this work includes graphic design,
writing, editing, jingles, ghostwriting—you name it, someone on eLance probably needs it. Graduating with a degree in the arts in any form is a notable achievement. Even if that dream job doesn’t pop up right away, hopefully these pieces of advice will be helpful in fostering that creativity that you worked so very hard to refine.
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ARTS & CULTURE ETC. • Thursday, • FRIDAY, JUNE Nov. 8, 7, 2012 2013 • VANGUARD
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Look the part, get the job A style guide for grads Caroline McGowan Vanguard Staff
Graduation is fast approaching, so here are some tips and tricks for nailing the visual element of a job interview. After countless hours of studying, suffocating student loans and plenty of head-scratching over what the future holds, it’s safe to say that nothing is looking more fashionable for the class of 2013 than a cap and gown. All of the hard work and dedication poured into a lifetime of academia is about to pay off—just as soon as you find a job, that is. In this day and age, ideal jobs are not easy to come by. The interview process is more crucial than ever in making an impression, and it starts the moment you walk through the door. Whether we like it or not, what we communicate by our clothing is vital to presenting ourselves as the right candidate for the job. Employers are seeking someone who can deal with coworkers and the public, and handle themselves with high standards. It’s vital to reassure an interviewer that you know how to take charge, and that starts with picking the right shirt and pants. Once you land that job interview, make sure you do your research so you can communicate your professionalism. Portland State boasts a plethora of students with varying skills and talents who will be scattered across the world at companies with varying ideals and policies. This means that “professional” comes in all shapes, sizes and styles. Many factors contribute to how one makes an interview wardrobe decision, such as weather, demographics, geographical region and the company mission.
It might mean a full business suit, or it could mean sneakers and jeans. Always err on the side of conservatism when considering wardrobe choices, and keep in mind that it is better to show up overdressed than underdressed. Professionalism today has been redefined as it relates to uniforms, especially in the Pacific Northwest. We see a noticeably more casual work wardrobe than, say, on the East Coast. For gentlemen, a collared shirt and slacks are a good starting point for casual interviews. If you are looking to find a work home in a more structured environment, then a suit is important to show that you want to rise to the traditions that uphold the company or business you are pursuing. A few guidelines: Wear a collared shirt, nice pants and matching belt, socks and dress shoes; consider a jacket or suit and tie, depending on the job; aim for flattering and correctly fitted sleeve lengths and pant hems; and make sure your shirt is tucked in and not wrinkled.
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“Whether we like it or not, what we communicate by our clothing is vital to presenting ourselves as the right canidate for the job.”
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Ladies: I recommend a dress, skirt and blouse or slacks and blouse combination. The possibilities of self-expression are more plentiful than for the guys, which can be a blessing and a curse. Start out by identifying the look you want to achieve, and then
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build on that within workplace-appropriate guidelines. A few tips for women in job interviews: No cleavage, open-back blouses or low-cut pants; skirt hems should not be too short and pant hems should just hit the floor; try to avoid tootight clothing; if you’re wearing heels, make sure you walk well in them; close-toed shoes are standard; and, of course, no wrinkles. Communicate to your interviewer that you respect the job. It’s 2013, but many people running businesses today have been working for longer than recent grads have been alive: This means it is important to obey a workplace’s particular dress code. I also recommend that you get to know a good dry cleaner and tailor. But what will make you memorable out of an afternoon’s worth of interviews? Make sure to wear something that distinguishes you from the pack. Chances are an employer is going to seek someone who has a fresh personality. For women, this could mean wearing a piece of jewelry that is characteristic of your personality or choosing a memorably colored garment. Try to avoid loud and busy patterns, as
MENSWEAR 1. Pants: $70 kohls.com 2. Dress shoes: $70 stevemadden.com 3. Tan separates: $70 bostonstore.com 4. Tie: $95 farfetch.com 5. Bowtie: $55 brooks brothers 6. Shirt: $78 brooks brothers 2 polycore.com
they may distract from your conversation. One does not have to forgo the trends of today in order to be professional—a common misconception. As long as you avoid indecent exposure, the fit of your garment is flattering and the feel of the outfit reflects your personality and the job position you seek, the possibilities are endless. Men, I would advise eschewing assertive colors and embracing custom-tailored garments. Spending more money on a well-made wardrobe that can be worn routinely communicates efficiency and practicality, two important workplace characteristics. If you’re looking to add your own flair, consider details like a colored shirt, patterned tie or interesting cufflinks. Finally, a few fashion cliches that are actually important guidelines for dressing for success for any job applicant: You want to be the person in the outfit, you do not want the outfit to “wear” you; dress for the job you want, not for the job you have; and, as always, when you look good, you feel good. Congratulations class of 2013! Now go out there and get your dream job—or at least dress for it.
womenswear 1. Dress: $50 boohoo.com 2. Slacks: $19 kohls.com 3. Short sleeve blazer: $109 yoox.com 4. Blouse: $30 tillys.com 5. Jewelry: $12 callitspring.com 6. Shoes: $49 lord & taylor
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VANGUARD •Tuesday, FRIDAY, JUNE Jan. 31, 7, 2013 2013 •• ARTS SPORTS & CULTURE
A year of very special special sections A last look at the covers of our 2012-13 guides PORTLAND STATE VANGUARD
DINING GUIDE
HOLIDAY GUIDE 2012
2012
ASPSU FOR DUMMIES See p. 5
TIPS FOR LIVING OFF CAMPUS
VIKING GAMES See p. 18
See p. 12
PORTL
AT E AND ST 3
RD 201 VANGUA
PORTLAND STATE VANGUARD 1
PORTLAND STATE VANGUARD
Inside:
From Galaga to BioShock: Infinite— a journey... p.15
h t l a ex de 3 e H & S u i 201 G
What to do when your particular geeky interest is hijacked by pop culture... p. 16
Geek boutique... p. 22 1
ARTS & CULTURE ETC. • Thursday, • FRIDAY, JUNE Nov. 8, 7, 2012 2013 • VANGUARD
The worthy Marvel releases new Thor graphic novel Tristan Cooper Vanguard Staff
Thor is the next Marvel hero slated to hit the silver screen since The Avengers broke nearly every conceivable international box office record. Marvel Comics has taken advantage of the movie’s wild popularity with its Marvel NOW! initiative, which has seen the relaunch of almost all of their superhero books in the past few months. The new titles are aimed at bringing back lapsed fans who don’t know where to start as well as brand-new readers straight from the theater. A prominent part of the relaunch, Thor: God of Thunder is one of a handful of titles to earn the prestige of a hardcover. At least part of the credit goes to its strong creative team—writer Jason Aaron and artist Esad Ribic—who have come together in an unusually copacetic collaboration. The first new volume of God of Thunder centers on a murder mystery stretching across time and space. We start more than a thousand years ago with a young Thor, a brash and arrogant jock who swings an axe only because he is not yet worthy of his famous hammer. Between copious beers and coitus with human women, Thor discovers the butchered body of a god, the dead face frozen in fear. Jump forward to the present day: The Thor most readers are familiar with is on one of his
regular cosmic road trips when he discovers a dry, forsaken world. The weary residents claim they have no gods. Aghast at the thought of a godless world, Thor seeks out the planet’s negligent deities. In a deserted floating palace he finds a storeroom full of the world’s gods—all dead, slain by an unknown assailant. Their petrified faces trigger a memory from a millennia past. Gorr the God Butcher has returned, and he’s not known for his divine choice in prime-cut meats. We also get a glimpse of an old Thor in the far future, where the God Butcher has apparently triumphed. Thor is the All-Father of Asgard, but he rules a vacant kingdom. Everyone else is long dead, killed by Gorr’s shadow hordes. Though part of the story takes place on Earth, with the exception of a two-page Iron Man cameo this is a Thor-only tale. The God of Thunder considers this a personal matter, and would rather not involve his superhuman friends. “God business,” as Tony Stark puts it. Aaron deftly weaves the stories of the three Thors together. While Present Thor propels the story forward, Past Thor explores the backstory and Future Thor’s situation shows us what’s at stake. Apart from their appearances, the three Thors are also written well enough to separate them by personality alone. Future Thor is a stubborn, cantankerous coot; Past Thor is something of an insufferable prick; and Present Thor is headstrong and prideful. In comparison, the God Butcher is almost a disappointment. Aaron builds him up so well
early on—when we see only the the carnage left in his wake—that seeing the God Butcher in the flesh is inevitably a letdown. It doesn’t help that Gorr’s character design looks like a Voldemort that someone signed up for a 24 Hour Fitness membership. Underwhelming villain aside, Aaron moves the plot at a nice clip and has a real talent for punchy dialogue. (“I once tortured a god of torture. After an evening alone with me, he told me where his own children were hiding.”) The book is action-packed, but there’s a lot of inner monologue as well. At one point, Aaron overlays a pivotal fight scene with a thematically related anecdote about how he learned the difference between war and murder. I don’t know if it works—the brain wants the kinetic action to move forward—but it’s still an interesting composition. Ribic’s art does an exceptional job of selling Aaron’s story. Though his backgrounds are often sparse (or nonexistent), the figures and faces are so well drawn that the eye barely notices. In one scene reminiscent of the famous sword in the stone, Past Thor pulls on his fabled hammer Mjolnir with all his might, unable to lift it. Thor rears his head back, his veins bulge— but the hammer lays perfectly still. The background is completely blank, but the iconic image is stronger because of it. Apart from tight action sequences and dynamic conversations, Ribic’s real strength is in his sense of scale. Several times in the book, Ribic puts the reader behind Thor to witness some massive sight. This trick might get old in the hands of a less capable artist, but Ribic tops himself over and over again with scales that border on epic. Colorist Ive Svorcina gives Thor’s world much-needed depth. When Ribic’s backgrounds might otherwise be a little too spartan, Svorcina fills them in with gradients and fog in a way that looks effortless.
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At $25, the price is a bit steep for 136 pages, but all new physical copies of Thor: God of Thunder come with a digital copy for use on computers, smartphones or tablets. It’s a neat bonus that dulls the sticker shock a bit; at the very least, you could flip the code to a less-comics-inclined friend. Whatever the format, Thor: God of Thunder is a great place to start for new and lapsed comics readers, and is a fine choice for fans of good stories told well.
© marvel
Marvel presents Thor: God of Thunder Vol. 1 By Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic $24.99 Available at bookstores and comic shops everywhere
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OPINION ETC. • Thursday, • FRIDAY, Nov. JUNE 8, 7, 2012 2013 • VANGUARD EDITOR: Meredith Meier OPINION@PSUVANGUARD.COM 503-725-5692
OPINION
Dominika Kristinikova/VANGUARD STAFf
Dominika Kristinikova/VANGUARD STAFf
Go east, young man/ woman/non-binary individual
When 911 calls go unanswered
College teaches nothing— get the straight dope overseas
Budget cuts undermine police ability to protect and serve
Deeply Thought Thoughts Ryan S. Cunningham
P
ortland State class of 2013: congratulations! You’ve navigated the byzantine web of university admissions procedures, student loan applications and degree course requirements! Exacting studies have given you the skills and habits of a Productive and Well-Informed Member of Society, and your four-year quixotic writingacross-the-curriculum University Studies slog proves your hard-nosed resilience! You’ve subjected your body to heroic helpings of sugar, caffeine and alcohol, and incipient signals of physical decay have convinced you to shelve your (not so) occasional dabblings in substances! Now go get paid. Wait, I done forgot—Great Recession. Graduates, it’s a tough world out there. The economy still sucks. Recent statistics indicate that 8.8 percent of recent college graduates are unemployed, and more than twice that figure identify themselves as underemployed. Your prospects are even more dismal if you chose as your major an already nonremunerative, starry-eyed humanities discipline like English literature. To add insult to injury, just a quarter of grads end up with a job related to their field of study. And don’t forget the crushing burden of student loan debt. The average student debt load per borrower rose to close to $24,000 last year, and now Congress is set to double the federal student loan interest rate. Generation Y, the dream you were sold is a hollow lie. A college degree is no longer an express ticket to a cushy cubefarm job, material comfort and the respect of your peers and elders. America is in the midst of its decadent post-hegemonic slide into cultural obscurity
and eventual collapse. Mass unemployment, myopic political deadlock and the existence of truTV— a television network devoted entirely to reality programming—can only indicate that the end is nigh. My advice: Pack your suitcase, kiss your sweetheart a tearful goodbye and decamp to East Asia for an exciting and stimulating career teaching conversational English. Native speaker of English? College degree? We’ve got a job for you! Blond hair? Blue eyes? Even better! The exciting promise of travel, cultural immersion and personal growth awaits you! Go. You’ll learn the most valuable lesson of all: College taught you nothing. At one time, I thought I was set when I graduated from PSU summa cum laude in 2011. I’d acquired two foreign languages, synthesized vast quantities of information about Cartesian dualism and the administrative practices of the Ottoman Empire, and perversely believed that I understood the work of Jacques Derrida. Nowhere to go but up! Right? Wrong. Teaching English to Japanese preschoolers proved to me that nothing in the liberal arts curriculum—not humanist inquiry, nor the power of reason, nor the meritocratic conviction that talent, hard work and a little social maneuvering will get you ahead—is useful in the School of Life. Lesson One: No one is obligated to care about you. You’ll find yourself alone in a strange and foreign culture. And the only way to alleviate this crushing aloneness will be to swallow pint after $12 pint of Guinness with a motley collection of other crushingly alone expatriates at your friendly neighborhood
Irish pub. This will temporarily ease your pain. Lesson Two: Finding a job is an exercise in willful denial. I sent out close to 40 unsolicited resumes to English schools in the greater Kansai area—which happens to be one of the world’s largest and most densely populated urban agglomerations. Each of my applications was matched against 50 others from individuals with long years of experience and much nicer, professionally retouched photos attached. I took the first job offer I got, from the scuzziest institution of learning in all of Western Japan. Lesson Three: Reasoned analysis of problems won’t get you anywhere. As a teacher I was confronted with the following problems: long commutes; crumbling facilities and overflowing toilets; students with the wrong textbooks; students with no textbooks; 4-year-old students whose idea of a good time was to depants and compare the respective elasticities of their foreskins; and pay withheld without explanation. I believed that these problems would be quickly resolved if I simply identified them to management. Little did I know that problems for which you aren’t responsible are actually your problems, thus yours alone to resolve. Graduates, take note. All of the best experiences of your young lives—losing your virginity, dropping acid, shaving your pubic hair into a legible transcription of William Butler Yeats’ “The Second Coming”—are long behind you, and nothing will ever again hit you with the same profundity. Resist the temptation to boomerang home, invest in a nice recliner, start mining bitcoins and never again leave your parents’ basement. Instead, escape the withering madness of Western civilization and make yourself a new start by following the sun east. You just might learn something.
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A Critical Glance Adam E. Bushen
G
ov. John Kitzhaber is mulling over legislation that would declare a public safety emergency in areas of Oregon where 911 calls aren’t being answered. Thanks to budget cuts, certain counties in Oregon haven’t been able to retain the necessary number of public employees to maintain a fully staffed emergency dispatch system. Calls to understaffed local police departments are transferred to the state police, but even this measure has proven ineffective. One Oregon woman whose 911 call went unanswered was eventually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. This is what happened: The ex-boyfriend approached her door. She called 911, but because the local sheriff’s department wasn’t fully staffed, her call was transferred to the state police. They told her they had no one to send. She could offer advice, the dispatcher said, but the caller’s best course of action was to deal with it on her own and basically “call the sheriff back tomorrow.” The dispatcher also “advised” the woman that if the man came into her household, she should simply ask him to go away. Unfortunately for the woman, asking violent individuals to go away doesn’t work. Astute police work, that advice. This is absolutely unacceptable. The credo of any police force is “to protect and serve.” This woman certainly wasn’t served in her moment of crisis when she made an emergency call to her local police department, nor was she served when the state police told her they had no one to send. She definitely wasn’t protected, either, which led directly to her assault.
Slashing budgets is supposed to keep departments afloat—but cutting budgets that provide the essential services of that department? Why not just shut it down completely? If these police departments are reduced so greatly that they are unable to afford to protect and serve their jurisdiction, then their existence is moot. At least without them there would be no false pretense of safety. There’s no justification for cutting any department that deals with 911 calls and public emergencies. Regardless of economic problems, you can’t leave people fending for or policing themselves. This failure is like asking criminals to act; it creates an open season for crime. Go ahead, draw criminals to the area! I mean, why not? They can “work” where there is little chance that the victims will be helped until well after the crime is committed and they’ve gotten away. Another negative outcome of this lack of emergency support is increased vigilantism. If the police can’t protect and can’t serve, people will begin taking drastic measures to protect themselves, their possessions and their loved ones. While there’s some charm in the notion of civilians trying to give the police a hand by combatting crime, taking
the law into your own hands generally leads to less-thandesirable outcomes. Vigilantes don’t have protocol, and a wrongful accusation won’t give you immunity from their “justice.” Unlike our judicial system, vigilante justice is subjective, which is never a good thing. Imagining 911 calls going unanswered creates images of victimized people being abandoned, but there are other terrifying outcomes resulting from this funding problem. Much of the press has ignored the implications of a medical emergency going unanswered. If an individual is seriously injured or has a stroke or heart attack while alone, a 911 call may be all that saves them. If their call goes unanswered, they might not survive. Even if the state police can notify the nearest hospital, the added wait could mean the difference between life and death. As we endure this era of the American recession and the sad result of sequestration, we must accept that concessions will be made. Budgets are being cut nationwide and across all industries and many government departments. However, cutting one of the most vital public services in order to balance a budget is morally abhorrent and inhumane. You simply cannot leave people to deal with medical emergencies and crime on their own. That is the definition of abandonment. Surely there are ways to cut costs that won’t put people’s lives on the line.
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VANGUARD •TFRIDAY, uesday, JUNE Jan. 31, 7,, 2013 2013 •• OPINION SPORTS
Preparing for the work world Is experience more valuable than a degree? Page by Page Brie Barbee
M
any of us already know how frustrating it is to apply for an entry level job only to discover that it requires two years of experience and a bachelor’s degree. We’ll get the degree (or perhaps already have one), but how are we supposed to gain work experience when the supposed starting point in most job fields requires said experience? It has to make you wonder if these qualifications are undermining the value of a college degree. More and more people are attending institutions of higher education, and societal pressures to continue education and training after high school are growing. Also, having experience in a related field is becoming increasingly important. The question remains: How are we students supposed to gain that experience? The lingering economic depression means that there are fewer jobs out there for graduating students. Competition is becoming fiercer, and companies are looking to hire those with the most experience who require the least amount of training. Fewer jobs and more competition make stepping out of university life and into the workforce a daunting notion. Yet it’s possible to make the
transition smoothly with unpaid work. Unfortunately, that may delay your ability to make any money at all, and for those who’ll graduate with a heavy burden of student debt it could be even more daunting.
A degree is vital, yes, but so is everything else you’ve done and learned as part of earning that degree.
But even unpaid work will improve your chances of getting a paying job once you graduate. What you may not realize is that when a job listing stipulates that a certain amount of work experience is required, it doesn’t necessarily mean work that you’ve been paid for. Work experience can include any position where you have used skills that could translate to a paying job. Internships, extra-curricular activities and even volunteer work can all provide
suraj nair/VANGUARD STAFf
experience for jobs you will apply for later in life. Most companies are willing to offer more unpaid internships or volunteer opportunities than paying positions, so the level of competition for this kind of work is significantly less, but it’s still a fairly tough market. It may not seem like the most glamorous type of work when you’re not reaping the benefits of the effort you’re putting in, but in the long run you’ll find that you are more qualified for jobs in your field than if you didn’t have any experience at all. Volunteer work and internships are an integral part of a university education. Like classes that you have to pay to take, internships require time and hard work—often on top of your course load. Still, like the courses you take to get a degree, internships provide you with the experience and knowledge that employers look for. Before you give up on the idea of ever finding a job after you graduate, it’s important to think of all the opportunities you’ve had—and could have— in school that’ll set you above the competition. It’s possible to possess all the qualifications for an “entry level” job before you graduate, though this may prove to be more work than it once was. Work experience doesn’t replace a college degree, though. While your previous work experience may influence the number of jobs that you’re eligible for, it’s more a matter of convincing the companies that you want to work for of the skills you possess. If you only list the paid jobs that you’ve had or the degree that you received on your resume, you’re leaving out the knowledge and experience you’ve gained in other ways. For example, if you record the research projects you’ve completed, your computer skills, the foreign languages you learned, and the grades and honors you received, you’ll suddenly stand out from the competition a lot more. A degree is vital, yes, but so is everything else you’ve done and learned as part of earning that degree: paid jobs, unpaid internships or volunteering, or even the classes you’ve taken. Ultimately, it’s about having the knowledge and the confidence to show others what skills you possess. Work experience is as necessary as a degree to securing a career after school. It might become more important in the future, but what you need to know now is that you can prove your skills to your employers regardless of how you obtained them.
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OPINION ETC. • Thursday, • FRIDAY, JUNE Nov. 8, 7, 2013 2012 • VANGUARD
Help me: I’m poor The cost of college means fewer opportunities One Step Off Emily Lakehomer
S
o it’s finally June. The end is nigh. Lots of people are graduating and getting ready to leave school forever, or continue on with grad school, or jobs, or travel…you get the point. But let’s face the facts: When we go, we’ve got six months to prepare for a lifetime of paying off our student loans. We all knew what we got ourselves into. When I was a wee child, the thought of leaving my parents’ house for this weird thing called “college” seemed like such a foreign concept to me. Now, here I am, three years into my bachelor’s degree. This time next year I’ll walk through commencement, receive an expensive piece of paper and have a degree in English. The stark reality is that I’ll be saddled with the task of paying back my student loans. Which brings me to the point: What about those who are too poor to pay for college? Lucky for us we’ve got financial aid. It comes in many forms: scholarships, grants, fellowships—and the dreaded loan. Financial aid is provided to students whose estimated family contribution falls into a certain bracket or brackets. Every year, after we fill out our FAFSA applications, our chosen school will tell us how much aid we can expect to receive for the following academic year. You might get grants from the state, or subsidized and unsubsidized government loans. Subsidized means the federal government pays the interest while you’re in school, leaving you responsible for the principle amount, and unsubsidized means that you’re responsible for the interest plus the principle, which leaves
you with a higher amount to pay back post-grad. Whichever you get, though, it’s still a loan. Last year The New York Times published an article on the subject of being too poor for college. The Times stated that education is playing a larger role in “preserving class divisions” than we give it credit for. Greg J. Duncan, a University of California economist, was quoted as saying, “Everyone wants to think of education as an equalizer—the place where upward mobility gets started. But on virtually every measure we have, the gaps between high- and low-income kids are widening. It’s very disheartening.” Granted, Duncan is talking about high school students prepping for college, but the same structure applies to all of us. At the heart, education is meant to be the great equalizer that Duncan mentioned. A college education is something that everyone should have an opportunity to get—if they have the desire to pursue it. That would be the case if we lived in a more idyllic society. However, unless you’re top of your graduating class, you’re most likely not going to get into Yale or Harvard unless your family has a lot of money, or you’re a descendent of a legacy family. Changes in the family structure partially responsible for the widening class divide. No longer do we buy into the idea of the nuclear family—we haven’t for a long time. The amount of low-income students living in single parent homes has grown substantially in the past few decades. When family income is lower, the financial aid is
higher, but because the majority of federal aid comes in the form of student loans, the amount of debt accumulated over the course of school is also higher. Expensive doesn’t even begin to describe college, and the fact that we treat it like a business rather than something that’s truly aiding people with higher education doesn’t help. Education is a beautiful thing, and we shouldn’t treat it as a privilege just for the elite and wealthy. And we shouldn’t have to compromise our education just because our family’s tax bracket is lower than others’. Higher education costs money, and a lot of it. We’re provided with this great opportunity, and the media and entertainment sells us the idea that we’re given the chance to change our fate, despite our economic backgrounds. The way things are right now, though, it’s impossible for middle and lower-middle class folks to get a college degree without some kind of debt. That sucks, but it’s a reality for a large percentage of college students right now. Other countries don’t seem to have this issue like we do. Then again, most developed European countries follow a more socialized education system, and much of the cost of higher education is either paid for by the government, or available to more people at a lower cost. So, there we have it. Most of us can’t afford college. There’s not really an easy solution to that apart from universities lowering tuition, and the government like, I don’t know, abolishing student debt? Wishful thinking aside, school should be more readily available for everyone, not just those who can pay for it out of pocket. The U.S. supposedly bases all its laws and practices on the idea of freedom, so how about we start acting like it in terms of education?
Editorial EDITORIAL STAFF
Nearly one year ago, in the very first issue produced by the 2012–13 Vanguard staff, we ran a last-minute AP wire story about Congress reaching a one-year extension deal that prevented the 3.4 percent interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans from doubling on July 1, 2012. And here we are, in our last issue before next year’s staff takes over, once again facing the daunting specter of a 6.8 percent interest rate, which would add another $1,000 of debt for each year of maxed-out loans. If lawmakers do not intervene by July 1, current and future college students can look forward to an even greater burden of crushing loan debt. Deja vu. Senate Democrats are currently pushing a bill that would keep interest rates at 3.4 percent for the next two years. House Republicans, on the other hand, recently passed legislation that would tie student loan interest rates to
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Avert disaster: Contact your senators and local representatives Student loan interest rates set to double July 1 10-year Treasury notes (i.e. market forces) while cutting off federal subsidies—a bill that President Obama has already threatened to veto. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has introduced a bill that would allow college students to borrow at the same interest rate that Wall Street banks currently enjoy from the Federal Reserve: a whopping 0.74 percent. Three partisan “strategies.” Zero bipartisan agreement. One unsavory consequence of inaction. Whether you support the Republicans’ characteristically market-based solution, the Democrats’ quick-and-easy political fix or Warren’s pipe dream, it’s unlikely that you support the doubling of interest rates on student loans— especially if you’re a college student and/or dislike the idea of indentured servitude. Fortunately, you have the power to make your voice heard. If you care at all about this issue, perform your civic duty and flood the phonelines and inboxes of your congressional
leaders. You helped to elect them (or you know someone who did), so give them a call and make them do something—anything—to prevent this worst-case scenario. We hope that by the time your new Vanguard staff publishes its first issue at the end of this month, Congress will have transcended its political deadlock and done right by us. The 11th hour draws nigh. (Also: Elizabeth Warren 2016.) Sen. Ron Wyden, Democrat Portland office: 503-326-7525 wyden.senate.gov/contact Sen. Jeff Merkley, Democrat Portland office: 503-326-3386 merkley.senate.gov/contact Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Democrat, 3rd District Portland office: 503-231-2300 forms.house.gov/blumenauer/ webforms/issue_subscribe.html
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Sports ETC. • Thursday, • FRIDAY, Nov. JUNE8, 7, 2012 2013 • VANGUARD EDITOR: MARCO ESPAñA SPORTS@PSUVANGUARD.COM 503-725-4538
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SPORTS
Morgan dismantles Team Canada Alex Morgan netted two quick goals late in the second half against Canada to extend the U.S. team’s unbeaten streak to 32.
© Tom szczerbowski/usa today
Pair of goals by Thorns forward lifts US to victory Matt Deems Vanguard staff
The U.S. women’s national soccer team trekked to a soldout BMO Field in Toronto
over the weekend for a contest with the Canadian national team. Each squad was headlined by members of the Portland Thorns, with Alex Morgan suiting up for the U.S. and Christine Sinclair answering the call for Canada. The meeting was a rematch of the Olympic
semifinal last summer, a fierce encounter that the U.S. won 4-3 on a header by Morgan with just a few seconds left in the match. The U.S. was playing without goalkeeper Hope Solo, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. But it didn’t affect the outcome as Morgan
delivered again on Sunday, getting two goals late in the second half to lead the team to a 3-0 victory. The American squad improved their unbeaten streak to 32 games. The friendly international game was a defensive battle in the first half. Each side came out focused and
intense, with neither team willing to give up any significant ground. Unsurprisingly, the Canadian team concentrated much of its effort on containing the speedy Morgan, and accomplished their task admirably to maintain a scoreless tie going into the locker room. The second half was a different story, however. The U.S. was relentless against the Canadian defense, working to create an opening for its dynamic scorers to break through. Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 70th minute when Abby Wambach, the 2012 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, booted a perfect pass to a streaking Morgan in the left side of the Canadian box. The Thorns forward slipped her defender and sent a low shot into the goal to put her team up 1-0. Morgan didn’t even give the Canadian team a chance to catch their breath after the score, striking again in the 72nd minute on a counterattack. With four defenders in tow, she caught a pass from teammate Tobin Heath. Morgan’s first
touch put the ball at the edge of the Canadian penalty box, and the second launched another low screamer past goalkeeper Erin McLeod. The goal that put the Canadian team away came from a fitting source. Forward Sydney Leroux, a Canadian-born American, has been the subject of much animosity in her native country for moving to the U.S. midway through high school after a promising youth career in Canada. The crowd was vocal as usual toward Leroux, but it didn’t seem to bother the forward, who put the finishing touches on the Americans’ win in the 93rd minute when she blew past the tired Canadian defense, side-stepped the advancing McLeod and placed the ball in the net to a roar of disapproval from the stands. Leroux replied with a flash of the American crest on her jersey and put a finger to her lips as her teammates cheered from the sidelines. The U.S. squad will now begin prepping for two matches on home soil against Korea this month: June 15 in Foxborough, Mass., and June 20 in Harrison, N.J.
Vinson leaves PSU on a high note Track and field standout wraps up career at national championships Alex Moore Vanguard staff
The school year is winding down, and for most of the athletes at Portland State, so are the spring sports. But for graduate student Joenisha Vinson, the biggest accomplishment of her career could be still to come. Vinson has been one of the most impressive Viking athletes on the track this season, turning in a series of outstanding results that culminated in a first-place finish in the heptathlon at the Big Sky Conference Championships last month. Her score of 5,488 was not only a school record but also ranked among the best in the nation this year. Since the heptathlon is not contested at regionals, Vinson’s win at the Big Sky meet booked her a spot at the NCAA Championships in Eugene this week. “She has shown me she has a will to win,” assistant coach Seth Henson said. “[This year] she started taking all the offtrack [training] really seriously. It’s stuff she has done before, but not with the focus she had this year. She’s always been talented, but she
karl kuchs/VANGUARD STAFf
Joenisha Vinson will compete in the heptathlon at nationals in Eugene.
dedicated herself on and off the track this year.” Before coming to Portland State, Vinson was a star athlete at South Mountain High School in Phoenix, Ariz. She spent most of her time on the track, but also played basketball. Her development as a multi-event athlete during her time with the Vikings is something her coaches have enjoyed witnessing over the last four years, and her positive
outlook and easygoing attitude have been a welcome addition to the team. “She loves to joke around with her teammates,” Henson said. “She laughs more than anyone that I have been around. But she’s also a great teammate, a great listener.” “It’s been an honor for me to coach her,” he continued. “We have both grown up and learned a lot from each other through this whole process.”
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VANGUARD • TFRIDAY, uesday,JUNE Jan. 31, 7, 2013 2013• •SPORTS SPORTS
St. Louis surges ahead of the field BETWEEN
Cardinals’ deep roster wreaking havoc on the rest of the league Gino Cerruti Vanguard staff
Can you believe that in a little more than a month we’ll be at the halfway point of the Major League Baseball season? The All-Star break comes in the middle of July, and every team in the league will get a well-deserved rest—except, of course, for those players who have distinguished themselves enough to earn a spot in the All-Star game. And if stats are any indication of aptitude, the St. Louis Cardinals have enough talent to take on the best of the American League all on their own. Catcher Yadier Molina is the star batter in the Cardinals lineup right now, and it’s not difficult to see why. Molina is hitting .350 this season and, unlike many of the top hitters in the majors, he rarely strikes out. If Molina continues his hot streak—and Minnesota Twins
catcher Joe Mauer doesn’t catch up to him—he’s a shoo-in as a starter in Queens next month. Although the National League is chock-full of incredible first basemen (e.g. Adrian Gonzalez of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds), the Cardinals’ Allen Craig is making a name for himself. Boasting a batting average over .300, Craig has become a clutch member of the Cardinals lineup. Craig has come to the plate more than 60 times with runners in scoring position this year and knocked in an RBI more than half of those times. The man standing next to him on the diamond is second baseman Matt Carpenter, who is also hitting above .300. And left fielder Carlos Beltran recently reached the .300 mark. Incredible. Let’s not forget about the pitching staff in St. Louis, recently featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Since players, coaches and managers decide who will pitch in the All-Star game (team affiliation isn’t much of a factor), there could be more than one Cardinal ace throwing pitches during All-Star weekend. As of now, there is no better onetwo starting pitcher lineup
yadier molina and the balanced lineup of the St. Louis Cardinals are creating problems for their opponents in 2013.
© brad mangin/ mlb photos
than Shelby Miller and Adam Wainwright. Both are sporting ERAs among the 10 lowest in the majors. In 11 starts, Miller has pitched three shutouts, two of which were one-hit ballgames, while Wainwright
has only allowed two home runs in 12 starts (that’s 89 innings) and has three complete games already this year. As astonishing as the Cardinals have been in 2013, they occupy the American League
Fighting for a chance
Central with two other fantastic teams—the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds—and are only a few games ahead of their divisional rivals. The team’s tremendous start has kept
them in the lead for now, but they’ll need to figure out how to sustain that level of success over the second half of a long season if they hope to still be playing in October. They seem to be on the right track.
The dream was deferred just a week later however, when the Patriots cut Sluss after rookie camps. But as he has demonstrated throughout his college career, a setback on the field isn’t enough to keep Sluss out of the game.
to show what I could do.” After a redshirt season in 2010, Sluss sat out the 2011 season opener with an injury but came back to appear in 10 games as a junior. He led the 2011 squad with 13.5 tackles for a loss, showing glimpses of his explosive potential. As injuries and graduations forced head coach Nigel Burton to play a slew of freshmen and sophomores during a trying 2012 season, it was Sluss who held the unit together with his onfield performance and his locker room leadership. His defining game came on Oct. 27 last year in a road matchup with the University of California, Davis. Sluss broke up two passes, recovered two fumbles and intercepted Aggies quarterback Randy Wright twice, returning one pick for a touchdown in the 49-21 victory. It was the breakthrough performance that showcased his knack for big plays behind the line of scrimmage and in coverage, and Sluss was declared the Sports Network FCS National Player of the Week as a result. Now, with school behind him, Sluss continues his quest to make it to the NFL, though he has also considered teaching, coaching or even following his father into law enforcement. Regardless of which field he ultimately settles on, though, Sluss has shown the type of perseverance that should serve him well in the future.
“When I came [to Portland], I felt this was the place for me. I was really grateful for the opportunity.”
karl kuchs/VANGUARD STAFF
ian Sluss was the anchor of the Viking defense last season, with four fumble recoveries, four interceptions and 104 tackles.
PSU linebacker Ian Sluss keeps NFL dream alive after graduation Zach Bigalke Vanguard staff
“I need a job ASAP,” former Portland State linebacker Ian Sluss recently lamented on
Twitter. After wrapping up his social science degree in winter term, Sluss is as uncertain about his future as many other graduates. As he assesses his options after PSU, Sluss continues to work toward a potential future in the NFL. Last season he was the leader of a young Viking defense, recovering four fumbles and nabbing
four interceptions to go along with his 104 tackles. Sluss earned second-team AllAmerican honors for his effort and was named the FCS Linebacker of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards. Though he was given plenty of accolades, all 30 NFL teams passed on Sluss in the draft this April. The 23-year-old
has spent the spring staying in shape and fighting to land a spot on an NFL roster. Sluss initially planned to go to Tampa Bay for a tryout with the Buccaneers but never made it to Florida for the mini-camp. Instead he went to New England, where the Patriots signed Sluss to a rookie free-agent contract on April 30.
Despite earning All-California Interscholastic Federation honors in his senior year at Rancho Buena Vista High School as the anchor of the surprise state finalists’ defense, Sluss failed to earn any scholarship offers from Division I schools. He then spent two seasons at the University of Redlands, earning all-conference honors in both seasons. Eventually, the high cost of the school combined with his belief that he was capable of playing football at a higher level caused Sluss to leave Redlands in search of a Division I opportunity. “It was risky deciding to leave school. I was very happy at Redlands. I had to take a semester off and didn’t much want to do that,” Sluss said in an interview on GoViks.com last October. “When I came [to Portland], I felt this was the place for me. I was really grateful for the opportunity
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VANGUARD •Tuesday, FRIDAY, JUNE Jan. 31, 7, 2013 2013 •• SPORTS SPORTS
International seniors share success A look at PSU volleyball’s Ellis and Kristinikova
Dominika kristinikova became a leader in the back row during her college career.
Rosemary Hanson Vanguard staff
The Portland State women’s volleyball team had an outstanding season in 2012, taking home the Big Sky regularseason title. This month, they’ll say goodbye to two graduating seniors: outside hitter Megan Ellis and setter Dominika Kristinikova. Both players crossed borders to get to the Park Blocks—Ellis is from British Columbia, Kristinikova from Slovakia—but they found a home on the Viking squad over the last four years, establishing themselves as leaders on a deep and talented roster. Ellis was a key attacker for Portland State, while Kristinikova was known for her serving and back row play. The pair wrapped up their final season in style, playing a crucial role in the Vikings’ run to the conference title.
Zach Bigalke Vanguard staff
Last week, as the wind whipped down the Park Blocks, I strolled up to a white Volvo and slid into the passenger seat. Behind the wheel was Paul Raglione, a 26-yearold junior at Portland State who walked away from the life of a major league pitching prospect with the Kansas City Royals five years ago. As we cruised away from the PSU campus into the Southwest hills, Raglione opened up about his past, why he left baseball and his desire to get a second chance at the pros. After spending time as a pitcher and shortstop at Grant High School in Portland, Raglione was selected in the 18th round of the 2005 MLB amateur draft. He struggled during that first summer, posting a 5.94 era over 47 innings with the Royals’ rookie league club in Arizona. “I was just used to throwing it as hard as I can, punching out 15 and throwing no-hitters and shutouts,” Raglione said. “I thought life was easy if you just throw 93 every time, but that was not the case.”
Friday, June 7
International Men’s Soccer
@ U.S. @ Jamaica National Stadium 6:30 p.m. Forecast: high of 89 degrees, isolated thunderstorms/wind
MLB
vs. all photos karl kuchs/VANGUARD STAFF
megan ellis was a key attacker for the Vikings over the last four years. Late-season struggles dropped the team into second place in the Big Sky standings heading into the final matchup of the year with the Idaho State University Bengals, but the first-place Bengals suffered a surprising upset in the penultimate weekend, which set up a match between the two schools to decide the regular-season title. Ellis and Kristinikova
came through in a big way for the team as the Vikings claimed a dramatic victory over Idaho State. Kristinikova tallied 13 digs in the win, including several critical saves, and Ellis completed her final season by closing out the match with a kill to clinch their third regularseason title together. “In the end it was a true team effort, with everyone
contributing to the win, and [it was] one of the most exciting games I can remember us playing,” Ellis said. Ellis wrapped up her three majors—supply and logistics, marketing and advertising management—in winter term, while Kristinikova will leave PSU with a degree in graphic design. They will walk together in the spring ceremony,
and both plan to continue their studies after graduation. They’ll take four years of memories with them. “I feel like this school was a great fit for me, and it was a wonderful experience,” Kristinikova said. “It will be hard to leave.” Ellis echoed the sentiment. “I will always consider Portland a second home,” she said.
Though the transition to the minors was a difficult one, Raglione’s expression changed noticeably as he discussed the breakthrough he experienced in his second season. “I made an adjustment and started throwing a sinker and a change-up…just working back and forth with those,” he said. “Me and my roommate [Brent Fisher] led the league in strikeouts, and I just threw that change-up all the time because they could not hit it.” But just as things started to come together for Raglione, he blew out his arm in the final game of the 2006 season and sat out for a year after having surgery. Raglione was further hindered by a shift in the organization’s philosophy on pitching development. “They made a rule that you couldn’t throw sinkers anymore, thinking it was too hard to locate,” he said. “That was frustrating....when they told me I couldn’t throw the sinker I didn’t have the feel for my change-up, either.” Discontentment continued to build in Raglione during the 2008 season as he tried to learn new mechanics. “I was out there with a straight fastball and a slider,” he said. “I had never pitched like that before, and it was the first year back from a Tommy John surgery. I felt like I wanted to do something and be someone, and they weren’t letting me be that someone.”
Seattle vs. New York Yankees Safeco Field 7:10 p.m. Forecast: high of 73 degrees, mostly sunny
Saturday, June 8
MLS
@ Timbers @ Chicago Toyota Park 5:30 p.m.
A personal victory Former baseball prospect Paul Raglione discusses college life and prepares for a comeback
Upcoming
Forecast: high of 68 degrees, partly cloudy
MLB
vs. Seattle vs. New York Yankees Safeco Field 1:10 p.m. Forecast: high of 73 degrees, partly cloudy
Sunday, June 9
NBA Finals Game 2
vs. © Scout.com
Paul raglione was drafted out of high school by the Kansas City Royals, but his transition to the minor leagues was a difficult one. The PSU junior is working toward another shot in professional baseball. Stopping the car for a moment, Raglione turned to me and admitted that it wasn’t just the issues on the field that led him to quit the sport. “I started smoking weed and fell in love with that,” Raglione said as he steered the car back toward downtown. “[The Royals] never knew—I never failed a test or anything like that....I was just always smoking. I knew it was only a matter of time before I failed a test. I wasn’t stopping…and even when I knew I wanted to, I couldn’t. So I was a pretty miserable person. “I never wanted to get sent home and have that on my name,” he continued. “But I knew that [getting caught] was inevitable and that played into me leaving, which is the worst, most painful part about it for me.”
Raglione did eventually kick the habit, and has been playing baseball again regularly and dreaming of a return to the professional baseball. He threw for the Boston Red Sox during the offseason in a private workout, doing well enough to earn an invitation for another tryout. Unable to pay his way to Florida this spring, however, he knows his best chance to achieve his goal is with the organization that drafted him eight years ago. “I’m just afraid of the answer they might give me,” Raglione said. “That’s kind of the only chance I have…or I’ll just have to live with the regret my entire life.” In addition to cleaning up his life, Raglione has learned more about himself during his sabbatical from the game.
“It did make me find out who I was without baseball,” he said. “Graphic design, branding, the creative side of marketing, music—that’s what I know I’m good at. I do drawing and painting; my portfolio is huge. It is the only thing I’ve ever gotten respect for besides baseball.” While Raglione hopes to find a way to merge his passions, he still longs to get back to the sport that has been a huge part of his identity since he was 12 years old. But he also knows that he has gained the kind of valuable perspective that could only have come from stepping away. “Ultimately, nothing good comes easy,” he said. “So I just started playing again, and wherever the chips will fall, they’ll fall. But at least it’s a personal victory not to defeat myself.”
Miami vs. San Antonio American Airlines Arena 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 11
NBA Finals Game 3
@ Miami @ San Antonio AT&T Center 6 p.m.
International Men’s Soccer
vs. U.S. vs. Panama CenturyLink Field 6:30 p.m. Forecast: high of 68 degrees, partly cloudy