Portland State Vanguard

VOLUME 68 | ISSUE 30

APRIL 15, 2014

A collective break down Systematic failure leads to Food For Thought's closure

NEWS

OPINION

ARTS & CULTURE

SPORTS

Portland State hosts events, creates mandatory module to raise awareness about sexual violence. pg. 4

If you’ve always enjoyed Dungeons & Dragons, maybe your next role-play game should be in bed. pg. 7

PSU wraps up its spring term MFA thesis exhibitions with the final series of solo art shows. pg. 15

A look at how the Blazers’ and Rockets’ starting fives match up in preparation for their playoff series. pg. 21

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NEWS

PSU addresses sexual violence Sexual assault awareness month marked by events, mandatory TRAINING MODULE Kennedy Martin

In observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Portland State will be holding a variety of events throughout April to raise awareness about sexual violence, in order to educate individuals and communities on the prevention of it.

Some of the events include workshops, readings, film showings and discussions on subjects such as gender and sexuality studies, self-defense and campus safety. The university has also created a mandatory online learning module titled “Creating a Safe Campus: Preventing Gender Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Assault,” which launched on Thursday.

The module was created to improve safety, as well as comply with recent federal legislation addressing increased sexual violence.

All PSU students will be required to complete the module along with a short exam on their Desire2Learn page.

After completing the 30 minute module, students will be informed of PSU’s policies and codes on sexual harassment, gender discrimination, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence and domestic violence. The module will also serve to make students aware of internal and external resources regarding sexual assault.

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The 2014 SAAM campaign is focused on young people and the provision of tools to promote healthy sexuality, as well as information on the prevention of sexual violence.

Some events that PSU will be putting on during SAAM will include “My Walk Has Never Been Average,” a staged reading that documents the struggle of tradeswomen in America, and Bike Back the Night/Take Back the Night, an event focused on speaking in opposition to the violence occurring against women in the community.

“SAAM is really about communities,” said Lisa FactoraBorchers, a Filipina-American writer, facilitator and editor of Dear Sister: Letters from Survivors of Sexual Violence, at a talk on April 1. “It’s not like survivors need a month to be ‘aware.’ It’s really about communities understanding their own capacities to support, uplift and believe in survivors.

That’s where the work is.”

PSU’s Women’s Resource Center has taken a lead role in promoting SAAM and is working with campus partners and student groups in order to offer classes and events that will be useful to the campus community.

“We are interested in events that stress the need for an intersectional approach to gender justice—one that incorporates work around race, class, sustainability, disability, etc,” said Jessica Amo, director of the WRC. “Sexual assault af-

PSU has rolled out a mandatory online training module that educates students about sexual harassment and violence.

ALEX HERNANDEZ/PSU VANGUARD

fects all communities—it’s not a stand-alone issue.”

At their events, the WRC will take an approach that encourages conversations to happen in different ways and different spaces, while also working toward getting everyone engaged in the creation of a safe, supportive community.

A full list of events and more information on SAAM at PSU can be found at pdx.edu/ sexual-assault/saam-events

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

The WRC’s goal is that by the end of SAAM, PSU students will have learned these important points: 1. “The only way to end sexual violence is for all students to take an active role in preventing violence before it occurs.

2. Students affected by sexual violence are much more likely to

start by talking to other students, rather than professional service providers. When someone tells you about being assaulted, your ability to provide a supportive, validating and informed response can

make all the difference in their ability to heal and get support.

3. There are lots of ways to get involved in the SAAM movement. Come to an event this month, and stay engaged all year!”

NEWS

ASPSU prepares for elections Applications now open for student government candidates

Colleen Leary

The beginning of spring term marks a new round of elections for the Associated Students of Portland State University. Each year students vie for student government positions, which come with one-year terms that start and end on June 1.

“ASPSU is about getting people and resources together, and doing what’s best for students. That’s why we’re holding these elections,” said current student body Vice President Tia Gomez-Zeller.

This election will fill four student government positions: senator, Student Fee Committee member, president and vice president.

This year’s election approach demonstrates differences from years past, when previous elections have traditionally turned out low

numbers. Last year saw only 571 students turn out to vote.

Gomez-Zeller is confident the 2014 election will top the low turnout from last year, as ballots will be electronic and highly accessible. “Students will be able to vote from anywhere they have Internet access,” she said.

The Judicial Review Board met on Thursday to discuss the upcoming elections and the plan to promote voter turnout this year. “Not enough people understand us.

More voters bring more legitimacy to the organization as a whole,” said Victoria Hutfilz, chief justice of the Judicial Review Board.

The board discussed ways to avoid voter fraud in the face of new electronic voting.

This responsibility also falls on the candidates. Accord-

ing to the ASPSU candidate campaign packet, “A successful election cannot happen without candidates actively campaigning and motivating the student body to come out and vote.”

Students interested in running for a governing position face an April 25 deadline for campaign packets. Candidacy is open to all students who meet the 2.5 GPA minimum and six-credit load requirement. After applications are accepted, candidates attend orientation and begin assembling a campaign team.

Hutfilz expressed that a campaign team is not a requirement, but has proven to be the key to candidate success in the past.

The president and vice president candidates run as a team, much like U.S. presi-

dential candidates. This team leads ASPSU and builds a team of students and staff to support the efforts of the organization. The elected senator position is an entrylevel role that introduces students to the inner workings of ASPSU. SFC members serve on an eight-member group that determines how PSU’s student organization budget will be divided. “SFC is the

single most powerful student group at PSU,” Hutfilz said. “They handle PSU’s 15 million dollar [student fee] budget, to which each student pays $400 per term.”

Also up for grabs are several board-appointed positions for director- and staff-level positions. Gomez-Zeller has developed a new position entitled international student affairs director. This position will be in place to wel-

come PSU’s international student component.

Current student government members are distributing campaign packets Monday through Friday between Smith Memorial Student Union and Neuberger Hall. Orientation for accepted candidates begins April 28.

The first week of May marks candidate debates, and voting will open mid-May at PSU’s International Night.

Harris Foster, ASPSU president, solicits interest for the upcoming elections at a table between SMSU and Neuberger Hall.

JACOB ASHLEY/PSU VANGUARD

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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NEWS

PSU celebrates the trees for Arbor Month Karisa Cleary

Whether Portland is experiencing rain, shine or everything in between, spring has officially arrived and Portland State will be welcoming it this year by celebrating Arbor Month with a day full of activities.

On April 19, PSU will be filling the day with treerelated events, which will be hosted by the Westside Portland Tree Guild’s downtown branch, the Downtown Tree Team.

“We really hope to be able to utilize this opportunity to start building our [Downtown Tree Team] volunteer base,” said Craig Loftin, a member of the WestSide Portland Tree Guild and the Downtown Tree Team. “We’re not only going to be planting at PSU,

we’re going to be planting all over downtown.”

This activity day is sponsored by several local organizations, including the Westside Portland Tree Guild, Portland Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry and PSU’s Campus Sustainability Office. “[PSU] sustainability actually designed the brochures and helped us arrange for the whole event to be housed at Hoffman Hall on the 19th of April,” Loftin said. “[At the event], we’re going to be doing everything we can to bring together PSU and the larger Portland community together on this.”

This connection between the Tree Guild and PSU was made by Megan CohenDoyle, a senior geography student at PSU.

“I took a class [at PSU] called ‘The Urban Forest’ through which I got the opportunity to volunteer at Urban Forestry,” Cohen-Doyle said. “And through Urban Forestry and their inventory I got in contact with Craig and everyone in the guild, and I joined in as well.”

PSU’s Arbor Month activity day will begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration and a book signing by Phyllis Reynolds, an arborist and author of Trees of Greater Portland, as well as tabling by the sponsoring organizations.

Shortly after at 10 a.m., Reynolds will lead a walking tour of the street trees around the PSU campus.

Following that will be a tree planting at 12:30 p.m. where attendees will help plant a

tree outside of Lincoln Hall near Southwest Broadway and Market Street. The Portland Tree Guild will donate this tree, although the species has yet to be decided.

At 5 p.m. Brian French, arborist and founder of Portland’s non-profit organization Ascending the Giants, will speak about his work in the organization, which involves climbing and documenting “champion trees,” the pinnacle of all trees in size.

After the discussion, French will present a screening of Ascending the Giants’ documentary Treeverse, beginning at 6 p.m. and followed by a Q&A. Arbor Month activity day is free and open to the public. For more information, visit westsideportlandtreeguild.org

AlEX Hernandez/PSU VANGUARD

CRIME BLOTTER

Week of April 7–April 14

Stephanie Tshappat

April 7

April 8

Theft

Arrest

Epler Residence Hall/King Albert Residence Hall Officer Peter Ward received a report from a student who stated between 9 p.m. on April 6 and 7:40 a.m. on April 7, her bicycle, which was secured to the bike rack between the residence halls, was stolen.

Theft

Academic & Student Rec Center At 6:30 p.m. Officer David Baker received a report from a student who stated his bicycle was stolen from the northwest corner of the building between 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The cable lock used to secure the bike was found cut.

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Science Research Teaching Center Officer David Troppe, Officer Shawn McKenzie, and Officer Chris Fischer were patrolling at 4:39 a.m. when they observed non-student Edward Panice walking in above area with a bicycle over his shoulder. Due to recent bike thefts, the officers stopped and contacted Panice to confirm his ownership of the bike. Panice had a knife on his hip and Officer Fischer conducted a frisk for other weapons which resulted in locating a set of brass knuckles in Panice’s back pocket. Panice was discovered to have an outstanding warrant for trespass and a prior PSU exclusion and was taken into custody. Search incident

to arrest located a marijuana cigarette, a check made out to someone other than Panice, six counterfeit $20 bills and a baggie of methamphetamine. Panice was arrested on the warrant and charged with criminal trespass II, felony possession of a concealed weapon, possession of forgery tools, and lodged at Multnomah County Detention Center.

April 9 Arrest

University Center Building Officer Brenton Chose and Officer Baker were dispatched to a report of a male subject sleeping in the south stairwell alcove at 3:53 p.m. Upon arrival, officers contacted nonstudent John Saranova who initially gave a false name of John Vanhouten and was

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

visibly intoxicated, to the degree of being unable to care for himself. Saranova was arrested for criminal trespass II and transported to Multnomah County Detention Center. Upon arrival at the jail, Saranova’s condition deteriorated and he was refused admission to the jail by jail medical staff. Saranova was issued a citation in lieu of arrest for the trespass charge and transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

Unauthorized Entry into Motor Vehicles

Parking Structure Three At 11:33 p.m. Officer Brian Rominger, Officer Jon Buck, and Sergeant Robert McLeary discovered five vehicles that appeared to have been broken into via broken windows.

Several items were missing from each vehicle and some of this property was located in the other victimized vehicles.

Three of the five registered owners were successfully contacted. An additional registered owner contacted officers on April 12 advising property was found in his vehicle that didn’t belong to him.

April 11 Criminal Mischief

University Technology Services Building At 4:02 a.m. Officer Rominger was dispatched to a report of a broken window on the south entrance doors. Upon arrival Officer Rominger found the outer pane had been broken but was still intact with a spider web fracture throughout, ready to shatter. The scene

was taped off until facilities could arrive to place a wood plank over the door.

Exclusion

Millar Library At 12:50 p.m. Officer Gary Smeltzer issued an exclusion to non-student Katryn Kuzmich, who had been a disruptive yet elusive presence in the library on many prior occasions, to the point that library staff were instructed to call Campus Public Safety on her return.

Read the full crime blotter online at psuvanguard.com

OPINION

The lost art of traditional dating Against the Current

by Sebastian Richardson Dating is something that most college students will become familiar with one way or another. Whether such familiarity is achieved through firsthand experience or observational skills, the natural human desire for companionship does not go unnoticed.

When I first came to college, I had an overly romanticized view of what college relationships would be like. I assumed I might meet a few women, maybe fall in love and have a few heartbreaks, but I never looked beyond that. However, when the casual and more modern kind of dating failed me, I began growing fond of a more traditional outlook.

Now, when I say “traditional,” I don’t mean resorting back to the ways of ancient Greece where a wedding was a mere transaction and transfer of a woman from the father’s household to that of the groom’s. I simply mean a more morally conscious approach toward romantic engagements—one which reflects a person’s ultimate goals.

While this can take many shapes and forms, traditional dating sees marriage as the ultimate goal of a romantic relationship. It also usually includes such concepts as only having sex after marriage, a sense of respect toward each other and monogamy.

I myself was not brought up with a traditional outlook on dating. I was raised with a few traditional sentiments, but overall I was left to make such judgments on my own and was given the support and trust that I would make the right ones.

On campus, I was not really exposed to the traditional approach to dating until I began attending a church more regularly and started taking part in a faith community. Of course, I knew a few people who had been dating their significant others for a long period of time, but overall people seemed to approach dating in a fairly casual way.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about one-night stands, open relationships or cheap flings. I’m merely talking about the ambiguous nature of college dating, especially when people become, for the most part, exclusive.

People seem to be in the frame of mind that dating is simply a fun, exciting thing to do which can be enjoyable and pleasurable. Outside of my faith community, I rarely hear people discuss dating as a form of future investment or a precursor to marriage.

I am often tempted to begin a relationship just for the sake of having some fun and enjoying a person’s company. I can see how

appealing this noncommitted but sort of exclusive thing can be.

However, I maintain that the traditional approach to dating is a lost art form which exists in small pockets around campus.

Today, people interact with the opposite sex as if dating were some sort of complicated mind game that must be won.

Constantly, advice such as “be straightforward with them” or “make your intentions clear” is hardly given any notice or is often dismissed outright.

Quite frankly, texting someone to say, “Hey, wanna hang out sometime?” seems to be the only method used to engage with the opposite sex. However, there is no intention in that. Methods like Tinder, texting and casual hanging out only give unclear motives and mixed signals which lead people to overanalyze situations.

In traditional forms of dating, it’s necessary to make your intentions clear and concise. Maybe people are afraid of labels, but all too often I have seen people driven mad because they don’t understand how their relationship is defined.

Traditional dating holds you to a high standard and holds true to the notion that chivalry is not dead. Letting a woman know, “I think you are wonderful and enjoy your company, I would love to pursue a relationship with you,” is not a weak or bad thing. In fact, such comments could eliminate a lot of confusion in the dating world.

The concept of a “friend zone” seems to be absent in more traditional circles. The notion of the friend zone itself is maintained by this idea that every member of the opposite sex should be treated kindly and respectfully, but only for the sake of trying to have sex with them. In more traditional spheres, dating is done among those who are already familiar with each other, which allows for a relationship to grow and mature, instead of jumping into anything quickly.

People are often hesitant to date their friends for fear of ruining a friendship. This is not a fear that is without reason; I myself have hardly remained friends with any girl I’ve dated in the past. However, this is a reason traditional dating puts an emphasis on waiting until the relationship gets serious before engaging in sexual acts. This isn’t a restriction or a punishment, it’s a safeguard. I don’t know about most people, but I can remain someone’s friend after just a few dates. It’s hard to bounce back once a physical relationship has been established.

Traditional dating has a lot of benefits, but to some it may not seem favorable due to its perceived restrictions or expectations.

However, I honestly believe people could learn a lot about dating from those who don’t approach it so nonchalantly.

Overall, if you asked me what a traditional relationship seeks, I would definitely say it’s not the temporary warm feelings associated with spending time with a good-looking person that you share common interests with. Rather, it’s about finding someone who challenges you every day to be a better person.

It’s allowing the lessons you teach one other to help you grow and mature. It’s perfecting a friendship of selfless surrender, of oneself to the other which culminates in an outward promise that, for better or for worse, you will stick with each other. It’s seeking to love and appreciate the person in their entirety and

helping them become the person they were meant to be, and to pass on the fruits of such love to children and family.

That’s what traditional dating is about. Not the forbidding of sex or some system of patriarchy, but an intentional love that is devoid of games, uncertainty and manipulation.

Personally, I’m really tired of people describing their interactions with another person as having a “thing.” If that’s something that doesn’t bug you, then by all means go forth. I myself don’t like settling for that.

Christopher Sohler/PSU VANGUARD

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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OPINION

Role-playing games (in bed) The Cuddlefish

by Adam LaMascus Role-playing games are fun, and I’m not talking about Dungeons and Dragons (although I do like D&D). Rather, I’m talking about role-playing with your romantic partners.

Role-play opens up extra possibilities for fun, exuberance and novelty. It’s also an excellent way to indulge your kinky side. Should you feel the urge to be somebody new, there are several tips I can give you to help make your first role-playing experience more fun, less awkward and less stressful.

Because they tend to be more complicated and have a higher risk for discomfort, this article is heavily slanted toward preparation for

a kinky role-play. Obviously, they are not always like this. If your role-play fantasies are more along the lines of being ravished by a farmhand behind the silo of your parents’ apple orchard, hopefully this piece encourages you to play those out too.

The first thing to remember is that you are trying something new. Something new that involves a bit of acting, no less. You’ll probably feel intimidated, awkward, silly or out of place. That’s completely fine. Actually, it’s more than fine, it’s expected and normal. Acknowledge this with your partner and everybody will be happier for it.

Like sex in general, you’ll get better and more comfortable as you go. Whatever discomfort or awkwardness you feel when starting out doesn’t have to get in the way, but everything will go much better if you acknowledge and plan around these feelings. With this in mind, don’t expect your partner (or yourself ) to be a perfect thespian the first time out.

The acting and scenarios will get better as you both get more comfortable, and that will happen a lot faster if the first experience is a positive one. This is doubly true if you or your partner is playing a dominant role for the first time.

When introducing role-play, it’s all about making everyone feel comfortable. Don’t hesitate to start small and leave the more extreme stuff for when you have some more experience.

There is nothing wrong with start-

RAchael Bentz/PSU VANGUARD

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Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

ing an otherwise “normal” sexual encounter with simply a moment or two of dialogue as average characters. Small steps to help you build things up. Now, onto more complicated stuff.

In any sexual encounters involving kink or role-play, a safe word is a good idea. I think that “red” or simply “safe word” are just fine for this. In all likelihood, if you are with a trustworthy person and you use good communication beforehand, you’ll never actually have to use your safe word.

I cannot emphasize enough that you should remember to talk thoroughly about what you both want first. Even though you may never use it, safe words are important because they make everyone feel secure. Knowing you have an emergency brake will help you relax into your scene. Don’t rush the planning part. Not only is it important for everybody’s mental (and sometimes physical) safety, there is the added bonus that the planning and anticipation phase is a great deal of fun.

You and your partner should also go in with the understanding that anyone can use the safe word, at any time and for any reason, without any negative reaction or disappointment from the other.

Related to the safe word, another really nice option is a “pause feature.” It’s really simple. Someone says “pause” and the scene is suspended for a few seconds to make minor adjustments: “Loosen the handcuffs a bit,” “Do more of that,” “I can’t breath when you’re on my chest like that,” “That was a little too rough,” “You can go a little harder,” etc. This is immensely useful for dialing the scene in or acting as a sort of checkup, especially at the beginning when you are still getting used to each other’s style.

Lastly, there are a couple things I wanted to say about planning role-plays and fantasies. First, be open minded and kind. Suggesting a scene can make people feel as shy or embarrassed as actually trying to act the scene out. As is the case with most things sexual, being open-minded, communicative and understanding is vital to this part. Also, figuring out what scenes tickle your fancy can be a lot of fun. Expand your horizons and try new things!

On that note, sometimes some discretion is recommended, especially when dealing with touchier topics—namely rape fantasies. A lot of people have these, and that’s perfectly fine. You’ll see no judgement from me here. You should also see no judgement from your partner. If you do, that may be something of a red flag. That being said, rape fantasies can be kind of heavy burdens, especially on people new to the relationship or to roleplaying. So, if you want to bring that up, I would suggest you wait a bit until you have been with your partner a moderate length of time. Even then, you might want to get a few coercion scenes under your belt before bringing up the justifiably scary r-word.

One of my friends was complaining to me over winter break.

He was on a first date with a girl, things were going pretty well and then she casually mentioned she had a rape fantasy where she wanted to be tied up, gagged and slapped around. It freaked him out something fierce, and there was no second date. Again, there is nothing wrong with having that fantasy, but for the love of all that is holy, don’t mention it on a first date. Save that little desire until you are established and comfortable with your partner. Unless you met your date through a kinky dating site. I’d imagine it would be OK then.

Graffiti art, the joke’s on us

OPINION

Global Thinking

by Derek Sun

Art and artists are like toilets. We all want and need them, and our lives would be disastrous without them, but few of us seriously want to work with them, learn much about them or have careers involving them. Declaring art as one’s university major conjures up visions of poverty, obscurity and a pointlessly highbrow culture—one that the average person neither cares for nor understands.

The rising social acceptance of graffiti, with early giants of the genre including Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, presents art consumers with a new genre. It is popular among the young and fashionable and has inspired many people to become more interested in art. The popularity of the genre, however, disguises the banal and bland messages it often communicates, the differences in privilege accorded to graffiti artists and the hypocrisy present in the lifestyles of these artists.

There are a few main reasons why graffiti art is so widespread today. It enjoys associations with products of urban culture such as rap and breakdancing. Many people find a thrill in consuming or participating in graffiti art because it is still somewhat illegal or taboo, and they think it communicates provocative and perceptive messages about our society.

By far the most successful graffiti artist working today, and one of the world’s most famous living artists, is British artist Banksy. Banksy derives much of his fame from his anonymous and irreverent persona. The mystique surrounding Banksy is partially why so many books, articles, documentaries and exhibits have emerged to understand and consume his work.

Banksy’s month-long trip to New York City last year, where he released and sold new works, was another major development for the artist.

Graffiti artists convey contradictory messages in their behavior. They frequently paint on public spaces and claim to uphold the belief that art should be allowed to exist anywhere, yet they cite copyright laws to maintain profits and control over their artwork. Virtually no artist has claimed to allow other artists to paint on objects they own. Graffiti art frequently scorns the conventional art market—with Banksy producing one work entitled “I Can’t Believe You Morons Actually Buy This S—,”—yet it still enthusiastically embraces commercialism and every other unsavory aspect of dealing art.

While famous graffiti artists are treated as celebrities and trailblazers, idolized by many fans and producers of art, ordinary people who produce graffiti still face punishment for

CHRISTOPHER SOHLER/PSU VANGUARD

their actions. The success of white graffiti artists like Banksy and Haring stands in sharp contrast to the ostracism and animosity experienced by blacks and Latinos who produce graffiti without any expectation of fame or fortune. Most people seem to have no problem praising famous graffiti artists while arresting obscure ones.

Behind Banksy’s anonymity and the enigma and rebellion of other graffiti artists, there is not much that is innovative or admirable about the genre. Like Bill Watterson and Daft Punk, graffiti artists have realized that it is prudent to remain shrouded in mystery and keep parts of themselves perpetually concealed so that the public will always want to learn more about their lives and work. Closer studies of certain works of graffiti reveal rather unambitious and conservative thoughts.

One of Banksy’s most recognizable images shows a man wearing a baseball cap and hood preparing to throw what appears to be a Molotov cocktail but is instead a bouquet of flowers. The implication is that we shouldn’t judge people by appearances, but this moral is painfully cliché and the accolades it has received are disproportionate to its actual value.

While works of graffiti art are supposedly created to make the art community more accessible and egalitarian, graffiti artists, unsurprisingly, are not opposed to selling their works for millions of dollars. They hire lawyers and publicists to prevent theft of their art, and they occupy the same privileged positions they frequently criticize. Over time every art movement,

no matter how avant-garde, becomes conservative and fails to live up to its ideals, ending up as a parody of itself. The same is happening to graffiti art.

It is curiously ironic that while Banksy commonly satirizes police, capitalism, consumerism and a host of other subjects, he neglects to consider that the messages he sends inevitably tend to be predictable and unwilling to really challenge popular opinion. Virtually all of Banksy’s works dovetail with the goals of Occupy Wall Street, the hipster pursuits of Portlandia characters and typical left-wing talking points. It comes as no surprise that Banksy has poked fun at ubiquitous British surveillance cameras, Israel’s human rights abuses and the crimes of corporations; it would certainly be more shocking if Banksy supported more conservative positions. If Banksy were not anonymous and white, it is highly probable that his works would receive far less fanfare, and he would not be held up as a role model and spokesman for art.

Graffiti, as a whole, has yet to shake off its reputation for vandalism and its status as something that only privileged people can really enjoy. While wealthy art patrons can see graffiti in a museum and find it charming, those who live in communities with graffiti or are punished for making graffiti, find none of the amenities that a few artists have enjoyed. Once again, critics and curators have been excessive in their praise of an art movement and its artists. We will need to wait to see if graffiti art really does have something new to offer to the world.

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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OPINION

Editorial

Vanguard editors call for transparency from PSU administration Vanguard editorial staff

As journalists, our obligation is to seek truth and report it. A healthy university community relies on its students and faculty having reliable information put in a meaningful context that allows them to make informed decisions. It is our responsibility to gather and verify the available facts, investigate them further, and present them in a balanced, reliable and fair fashion. To do this, transparency is vital.

In order to give Portland State students the information necessary to better understand their university, an open dialogue between students and the administration is crucial. It goes without saying that each group plays a fundamental role in life at PSU, and that both must be represented accurately to honestly capture the full scope of campus life.

This editorial staff has been in place since June 2013. During this time it has become apparent that transparency on an administrative level is lacking. While we greatly appreciate those administrators who have willingly taken the time to assist us in our pursuit of information, attempts to initiate conversations with top-tier members of the administration have been disappointing. President Wim Wiewel and others have been unwilling to engage with members of Student Media.

Instead of dialogue, we have repeatedly received formulated responses that more often than not simply recycle statements funneled through Director of Communications Scott Gallagher from PSU’s Office of University Communications. Gallagher was even present, unannounced, during a January interview with Honors Program Director Ann Marie Fallon. See our story “The Jenks case” for more information regarding this instance.

This is not a problem unique to the Vanguard. In “Trying to Talk to Your President Gets You Nowhere,” the Spectator recounts attempts to meet with President Wiewel: “I know it’s hard to fathom, but PSU President Wim Wiewel did indeed agree to a filmed interview with the Spectator. We had the date set for almost a month, and confirmed the date twice. Then, less than two days prior to the scheduled time of the interview, the administration cancelled with a phone call.”

In the context of the following story, “A collective breakdown,” the reporting editors made several attempts to open a dialogue with current and former members of the administration, many of which failed. Because of this, a few crucial voices are silent and some questions are left unanswered.

Additionally, the reporting editors met with Dean of Student Life Michele Toppe for a prearranged interview on her schedule, during which she expressed signs of irritation and inconvenience. At one point, nearly 15 minutes into the interview, she sighed, checked her watch and informed the reporters that she had another meeting in 15 minutes.

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The irony here is that the Dean of Student Life, who in part helps to dictate and define student life on campus, seemed bothered by the students she represents. This directly contradicts the letter written to students by Toppe on the Dean of Student Life website, which states that: “The Office of the Dean of Student Life is a resource for all students, faculty, and staff as they navigate Portland State. Our office serves as a reference point for those seeking to resolve issues of concern or advance initiatives designed to enhance the student experience. Additionally, our office provides leadership for designated student life services and programs. We warmly encourage you to visit the Office of the Dean of Student Life so that we can help you enrich your college experience and achieve your fullest potential.”

Other troubling aspects of our experiences with Toppe and others within the administration include advance requests

for interview questions prior to scheduled meetings. Unfortunately we consented to this with Toppe in hopes of obtaining our interview. For the sake of our integrity, this is a practice in which we will no longer participate. This is not a standard practice in professional journalism, and though we are student journalists, we hold ourselves to the same standards as any professional organization.

Our strength and integrity as an organization hinges on our ability to report all of the facts available. It is distressing when those facts are present but kept out of arm’s reach by an administration so consistently willing to stonewall student media organizations. If there is to be trust between students and the administration, both parties must be open and available for honest and sincere communication. Complete transparency depends on this foundation of trust between all involved.

“I have a few important questions for Wim.” “Nobody can see the president!

Not nobody, not nohow!”

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

BRENDAN MULLIGAN/PSU VANGUARD

COVER

A collective break down Systematic failure leads to Food For Thought's closure

Turner Lobey and Ashley Rask Portland State students seeking a healthy and environmentally conscious meal were met with a surprise upon arriving at the Food For Thought cafe on March 31. For more than a decade, Food For Thought had stood as a community space that provided sustainable and affordable eating alternatives at PSU. The cafe’s doors were closed and a flier posted

by Student Activities & Leadership Programs broke the startling news—Food For Thought had been closed indefinitely.

Composting the cafe Collective members (nonhierarchical staff) of Food For Thought were alerted on March 28 that they were temporarily suspended and that all orders for food and supplies must be halted. On the morning of March 31, members were gathered for an emergency meeting with members of the administration. There, the Food For Thought staff were alerted that the cafe would be closing and that the 25 employees would be out of work.

“We were all under the impression that the meeting that we had on Monday was to discuss solutions. At least that was my impression,” said Food For Thought collective member James Lopez.

“We knew there were issues and we thought it was a solution-based kind of meeting—that there was going to be an investigation or whatever you want to call it—but they sent out a press release before our meeting even concluded. That tells me that they knew well in advance that we were going to be terminated, but they decided to call for a meeting regardless.”

Members of the administration, including Dean of Student Life Michele Toppe, Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Conduct and Community Standards Domanic Thomas, Associate Director of SALP Katie Jundt, Coordinator of Student-Operated Services Angela Hamilton, Associate Director of Human Resources: Labor and Employee

Relations Roman Diaz, and HR Partner Cedar Lautt laid out the concerns over Food For Thought’s budget.

During the meeting, administrative members reiterated statements issued in a press release from SALP—that by the end of winter quarter, Food For Thought had accumulated a budget deficit of at least $102,599. If allowed to remain open, the deficit was projected to grow to $170,000.

“If they continued at the rate of labor expenses and revenue generation that they’ve been at, that’s where they would be at the end of the year,” Toppe said. “There’s a way the accountants figure out an anticipated expense using a formula for figuring out what’s happened up to this point.”

Members of Food For Thought contested the closure and attempted to detail their efforts to cut expenditures and create a profit, but those attempts were unsuccessful.

“We voiced disdain and basically tried to figure out what other options they had thought and kind of come up with, and it was clear they had no other plan B or C or any sort of ability to compromise on their decision and work with us,” said collective member Ethan Gardner.

According to a statement released by Food For Thought on its Facebook page on April 8, the extent of the deficit was never communicated to staff until March 31, the day that they were terminated.

“While we were in debt, the university’s calculations of our debt were inflated and inconsistent, and the figures presented to us often fluctuated,” the statement read. “Before being shut down, we were never communicated with clearly enough to fully understand our position.”

According to Krystine McCants, Student Fee Committee chair, one aspect that impacted Food For Thought’s 2013– 14 budget was $45,901 carried over from the previous fiscal year. According to McCants, this money was automatically carried over after Food For Thought failed to request an optional hearing at the end of the 2012–13 fiscal year.

At this hearing, student-operated services and student organizations have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness for any overspending and underspending. While the hearing

is not mandatory, debt is automatically carried over into the next fiscal year if staff or members fail to attend.

“I was made aware in October that Food For Thought hadn’t attended their overage hearing last spring. It definitely raised an eyebrow. That was a huge missed opportunity to start with a clean slate this year,” said Aimee Shattuck, the director of SALP. “It raised the other eyebrow when they didn’t attend budget school in the fall, essentially forfeiting their opportunity for a budget appeal.”

A Collective Breakdown According to Food For Thought staff, the $45,901 that was carried over is from a flood that occurred in Smith Memorial

continues on page 12

“It was clear they had no other plan B or C or any sort of ability to compromise on their decision and work with us.”

-COLLECTIVE MEMBER ETHAN GARDNER

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COVER continued from page 11

Student Union in September 2012. The flood, caused by a backed up sewer drain, forced the cafe to close its doors for several weeks, leading to a substantial loss of revenue. The flood occurred during the second week of fall term, a pivotal time for bringing in new customers at the beginning of the school year.

“We were paid back by the insurance for damages, so I don’t know how much of that Food For Thought really had to absorb…I think that it affected their revenue because they weren’t open right at the beginning of the year,” Hamilton, Food For Thought’s adviser, said.

Hamilton also mentioned that the cafe’s attempts to open a food cart over the summer impacted its budget.

Food For Thought staff members said they opened the cart in part to move some of the business outside during peak hours in the fall, and to make up for low revenue during the summer.

“Generally we try and stay open during the summertime, just because it helps the students that are on campus…there aren’t a whole lot of services offered during the summer to students. And that oftentimes will leave us financially unstable just because we aren’t generating as much revenue as we normally would,” Gardner said.

Food For Thought devoted significant efforts that summer to create a successful food cart in the Park Blocks at PSU, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

“It was completely a loss,” Hamilton said. “They discovered that [it] was going to be a large expense so they decided to cut their losses, from what I understand.”

“We did our best to try and bounce back to make [up] for those hours that we spent getting this food cart running, and that’s when we kind of realized that this was going to be a tough year because we weren’t able to generate that summer revenue,” Gardner said.

According to the SALP press release, another contributing factor to the budget deficit was excess spending on labor.

Hamilton said that during her time as coordinator, labor was difficult to track because collective members did their own scheduling and would frequently swap shifts with one another.

“To say that it is excess spending in labor doesn’t take into account that we’re paid all an equal pay, we don’t have

managers, we don’t have supervisors, we don’t take raises.

There’s the potential that we could get raises, but we don’t, we choose not to, to maintain the consistent pay for all of our employees,” Gardner said.

“Things like head cooks, sous-chefs, executive chefs don’t exist who are paid generally on salary for restaurants. So to say that our labor is over and that we are spending too much on excess labor is kind of ludicrous in my opinion,” he added.

“They made attempts to cut the hours…and I saw they were talking about decreasing the overall number of operational hours and so they had decreased that,” Hamilton said.

“However, when I did add up all the hours, the operational hours were only a portion of their hours.”

Hamilton said that Food For Thought staff also received pay for nonoperational work. Members participated in committees, which included work like sourcing, marketing, risk management and repairs. They were also responsible for food and supply ordering.

“What they’re probably referring to are those nonoperational hours, things like taking an hour every week to do product ordering and coffee ordering and things like that, which otherwise a shift manager would be paid on salary to do. None of us break the poverty line, that I know of,” Gardner said.

The SALP press release also credits the budget deficit to an issue of pricing not matching the cost of food. Food For Thought members credit that claim to the fact that they subsidize their food, selling it at a cheaper and more affordable rate to students.

“That’s also part of our mission statement, is to have food be accessible, and so we oftentimes subsidize our food,” said collective member Haley White.

An ongoing investigation One of the main contributors to the closure of Food For Thought was what SALP refers to as cash-handling anomalies. These anomalies are being investigated

by Student Conduct, Human Resources and Campus Public Safety.

Thomas, assistant dean of student life, was unable to comment on the grounds of an ongoing investigation.

One aspect of the investigation surrounding alleged cash handling is the acceptance of tips.

“That is one [of] the things that is problematic. Tips were being collected,” Toppe said. “There’s an investigation be-

(Left to right) Food For Thought collective members Ethan Gardner, Kashi Tamang, Lizeth Gonzalez, James Lopez, and Haley White outside the closed cafe.

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

CHRISTOPHER PERALTA/PSU VANGUARD

Angela Hamilton, coordinator of student-operated services, took over the position after Shannon Timm’s departure in fall 2013.

MILES SANGUINETTI/PSU VANGUARD

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repairs needed

MILES SANGUINETTI/PSU VANGUARD

COVER ing conducted now as to what was happening to tips once they were collected. None of those things are allowed as state employees.”

Liz Kvach, a collective member, explained that workers were not accepting large tip amounts each week and that tips aren’t outrageous when making minimum wage.

“We’re making a soy latte and somebody drops a dollar into a tip jar…We don’t make a livable wage,” Kvach said.

“And the tips weren’t egregious. I wasn’t walking away with $90 a night. I was getting maybe $20 every Friday—even less if everyone was working that week. It was quite literally pocket change and that’s why we’re unemployed.”

Some Food For Thought employees credit the cash handling anomalies to human error.

“As a human, there are errors that are made running a register,” Gardner said. “Things are run up too short, things are run up too much, things are lost, refunds are made…receipts not being printed.”

Gardner also pointed out that the cafe has had a history of internet and technology issues.

“When our credit card machines are down, we lose tons of business, and that’s due to the infrastructure of the building which is completely outside of our control,” Gardner said.

“The most we can do is make a phone call and hope they’ll come down and try and work it out.”

“I can count on more than both of my hands how many days I would go in and the Internet in all of Smith would be down…I’m sure little things like that were responsible for either overages or shortages,” Lopez said. “We’re not going to deny someone their cup of coffee in the morning because we can’t take a $2.50 swipe on a credit card. Most of our customers are regulars.”

SALP will lead an internal audit of Food For Thought’s budget to determine how the cafe ended with such a significant deficit.

Leadership struggles During the majority of Food For Thought’s budgetary issues, the cafe’s adviser was Shannon Timm. Timm worked with the cafe from 2005–2007 and 2010–2013. Fall quarter marked Timm’s departure, and Hamilton was hired as an interim until a permanent replacement for the student-operated service coordinator position could be found. Hamilton was permanently hired on March 1.

With Timm gone and budget problems looming, McCants and Hamilton met to discuss the issues and attempt to find ways to address it.

“It turns out the student member [who worked as an accountant for Food For Thought] was completely unaware of the overage existing, let alone what they ought to have done about it last year. I’ve gotten the impression that they were relying on what Timm was telling them, rather than what their SFC liaison was telling them needed to be done,” McCants said.

“They were just figuring Timm would do it, which is a concern that I had had when I met with Timm shortly before she left—was that she was creating kind of a firewall between students and the process. So when she left, all of this stuff started coming to light that students weren’t as informed as they had seemed in the process in previous years.”

Debt rolling over from the previous year came as a shock to Food For Thought staff. Many felt that the severity of budget issues were never made clear to them by Timm.

“I guess it wasn’t really clear that money was rolling over.

It wasn’t apparent to a lot of the people that were working.

I can’t really speak for everyone, but I’ve worked here for a while and I had a pretty good understanding of kind of what was going on, and I guess I just had no idea that amount of money was being charged to us as a deficit,” Gardner said.

This is not the first time Food For Thought has dealt with deficit issues. In the 2007–2008 fiscal year the cafe overspent by $11,286, in 2008–2009 by $27,409, and in 2012– 2013 by $45,901.

Timm declined multiple requests for an interview, but did respond with an email message: “While I appreciate the invitation to speak with you, I feel it would be inappropriate because I am no longer with the university in any capacity. Personally, working with Food For Thought was one of the more challenging and rewarding aspects of my career in Student Affairs. I wish the students all the best as they move onto their next steps, and I hope the university community can come up with an effective use for the space that engenders the same kind of environment for community, respect and growth that the cafe did.”

“We’re not going to deny someone their cup of coffee in the morning because we can’t take a $2.50 swipe on a credit card. Most of our customers are regulars.”

-COLLECTIVE MEMBER James lopez

continues on page 14

CUSTOMERS Returned dishware and utensils outside of the closed cafe.

year-end budget balances for Food for thought

over spent

under spent

2006–2013 -49k

CORRINA SCOTT/PSU VANGUARD

-28k -7k +7k +28k +49k 2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13 CHRISTOPHER PERALTA/PSU VANGUARD

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

MILES SANGUINETTI/PSU VANGUARD

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COVER THE CAFE’S CLOSED DOORS are covered in notes from students.

continued from page 13 An emotional response Since the cafe’s closing, the corner of SMSU that once housed Food For Thought has been flooded with banners and signs where former customers and passersby have left messages.

Some of the posters on the doors of Food For Thought convey messages of sadness and loss over the closing.

“We need our communal space!” states one message.

“For three years this was the only place on campus I could eat while recovering from cancer—this is the only place on campus with healthy, good food,” states another.

While a majority of the responses share shock or grief, or recount fond memories of the customers who would frequent Food For Thought, some take on a frustrated and aggressive tone, expressing rage over the shutdown.

“We will not be free until the last SALP admin is hung with the entrails of the last PSU bureucrat [sic],” states one of the more hostile notes.

The personal contact information for Hamilton was also written alongside messages urging readers to call and express their frustration with the shutdown of Food For Thought.

“I’ve only really gotten one call, so that was why I understand the emotional aspect of it. And because I only got one call, I didn’t go down and scribble it out. But it didn’t feel very good.

It’s on the big poster, you can see it down there,” Hamilton said.

“I think that’s a part of the student process. It went to voicemail, so the caller didn’t identify herself and said that she was concerned. And her question was, she would like information on why Food For Thought students were laid off before they could get unemployment, which doesn’t make sense because you can’t get unemployment until you’re laid off. So I didn’t call her back,” Hamilton said.

In an interview with the Vanguard, collective members of Food For Thought requested that the contact information of those involved with the decision to close the cafe be part of this story, including Shattuck and Jundt. The Vanguard declined to include this information.

In a statement released by Food For Thought on their

Facebook page, members included the office phone numbers of Shattuck and Hamilton, asking supporters to direct questions and comments regarding the closure to them.

Community space lost Emotions surrounding the shutdown run high, and many agree that the closing of the cafe signifies a loss of vital community space for the university.

“I’ve worked at PSU since 1995 and I was here when Food For Thought came to be, and I recognize what an important community space has been provided by Food For Thought over the years, and how valued that space is by students, staff and faculty,” Toppe said. “And I think we’re all very committed to figuring out how to make sure that the campus still has that resource” “For them to put this in a legal perspective and essentially cut the head off like the community foundation, that I would argue gives it that image, is plain hypocrisy,” Lopez said.

“Whoever makes those types of decisions doesn’t really understand the school and doesn’t even understand their own values as a sustainable school. It’s bullshit.”

Due to the ongoing investigation, the fate of the Food For Thought space is in limbo.

“After terminating us, they gave a vague kind of picture that we would have the opportunity to help rebuild Food For Thought, but not as employees, as volunteers, which directly violates our mission statement that we do not do unpaid labor because we think it’s unfair,” White said.

With the cafe’s closure, SALP is rethinking the level of responsibility and oversight advisers have.

“In the past, the adviser has trusted the students to do the work and stay within budget. We have intervened when there were egregious policy violations, but otherwise Food For Thought was responsible for handling the budget, overseeing the cafe and handling internal issues. We are now rethinking that hands-off advising style and have learned a lot from this disappointing situation. In the future, we would trust the students, but be much more involved and engaged throughout,” Shattuck said.

MILES SANGUINETTIPSU VANGUARD

MILES SANGUINETTIPSU VANGUARD

THE CLOSED CAFE STILL STORES nonperishable food items. What to do with them has yet to be decided.

Pablo Fierro, a Food For Thought regular, leaves a message on the cafe’s door that reads “reopen please.”

MILES SANGUINETTIPSU VANGUARD

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Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

MILES SANGUINETTIPSU VANGUARD

ARTS & CULTURE

Masters in making part 2

Wesley Petersen sits on a pile of rubble, which he will carry across the Autzen Gallery over the course of his ‘TOIL’ exhibition.

spring show schedule finishes with second series of solo mfa thesis exhibitions Jeoffry Ray

Portland State’s Master of Fine Arts candidates are back with a second round of solo exhibitions to be displayed across campus. Through experimental and new media, these artists are bringing a host of questions to PSU’s galleries, as they reflect on identity, time and materiality.

The series of thesis exhibitions runs from April 28 to May 9, with opening receptions scheduled Thursday, May 1, running 4–6 p.m. Artists include Kaila Farrell-Smith and Katie Yancey, who will show in the Art Building’s MK and AB Lobby galleries, respectively, and Wesley Petersen showing in Neuberger’s Autzen Gallery.

Running concurrent with the exhibitions, the artists will lecture about their theses in the Shattuck Hall Annex on April 30 and May 6, at 6 p.m.

Works by Farrell-Smith and Petersen will both address identity, though each will tackle separate concepts using different methods.

Farrell-Smith, an indigenous student of the KlamathModoc tribes, will show a mix of paintings and handcrafted drums designed to explore heritage and postcolonialism. The show is titled S? aa Mak’s, referring to a Klamath word important to her thesis.

“It’s the word for our relatives and our relations,” she explained. “It doesn’t

necessarily just mean blood relations either. It can be a larger term.”

Key to the themes of FarrellSmith’s thesis, the hand drums will hang in the center of the MK Gallery. The drums are a product of a recent residency at The Evergreen State College won by the artist, which involved collaborative workshops with artists and faculty members of Native descent throughout Portland. FarrellSmith noted that she was inspired by the level of work and desire for community being fostered by contemporary Native artists in the city.

“With the drum project, I wanted to bring everyone together and have everyone learn how to make together,” Farrell-Smith said. “I have a much larger vision that this could be a traveling exhibition, with the drums and individual works everyone is making. I think the whole idea is to reclaim through art postcolonial spaces, especially in institutional and educational settings.”

Petersen, conversely, is a performance artist using acts of physical exertion to engage with blue-collar ideas relevant to his own personal background. Having grown up in rural Idaho, Petersen works to illustrate society’s detachment from physical labor. His thesis exhibition, titled TOIL, is the result.

JEOFFRY RAY/PSU VANGUARD

“I feel like we have this disassociation with our own bodies in a lot of ways,” he said.

“Especially a disassociation with what it takes to physically do blue-collar work. For this piece I’m drawing heavily on my own background and experience with work, and my blue-collar heritage.”

Petersen’s thesis will involve moving chunks of concrete rubble back and forth across the length of the Autzen Gallery for the length of the exhibition. With chunks ranging from 5–100 pounds, the exhibit will entail a visceral level of physical labor on the part of the artist. He will work from open to close, each day of the exhibition, with only modest breaks in between, reminiscent of a standard labor schedule.

“The idea is to do something that brings a lot of the elements of my body of work into simple

gestures that, when people are in proximity to me, those ideas of what it takes to move those things are sort of disrupted by the reality of it,” Peterson explained. “Instead of just having an idea of what it takes, they’ll be able to see it, smell it, hear it.

I’m hoping I can physically not break down during the show.

That’s the goal.”

Yancey, showing in the AB Lobby Gallery, will address time’s effect on material in her mixed media exhibition, Like One Each Another. She noted that she was thinking about the word “hardening” when considering her thesis.

“The word implies a state of fixity, but also of a physical process that changes over time, however slowly,” Yancey said in an email. “The title of the show is a response to this idea of language and the structure that communicates, and the

possibility for these rules to be unraveled or abstracted.”

Yancey pointed out an element of performance in her own work, which will display in both video and sculptural form. Previous exhibitions have utilized projection and green screen to layer video imagery over painted and sculptural surfaces. Her thesis exhibition will also include a book of prose, poetry and images to further tie together her installed work.

“I’m thinking a lot about natural processes, such as the hardening of clay or the growth of a plant, and how these seemingly uneventful processes relate to the concept of time within nonnarrative, digital formats, where there is a certain instantaneity or overwhelming sense of control,” she wrote.

“The work, as a whole, is to

be viewed as a sort of poetic composition, where the relationships between the works, the tying together becomes most significant.”

Though Farrell- Smith and Petersen are approaching their work from different backgrounds, their theses both advance critiques of Western contemporary art. Farrell-Smith pointed to the writing of the feminist professor and activist Andrea Smith as one influence over her current art practice.

“What she writes is that if people are engulfed in whiteness, then the colonial society ultimately becomes the inheritors of everything,” Farrell-Smith said.

“Right now, if you’re coming to look at my paintings, you’re viewing it through a

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

See Masters on page 16

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ARTS & CULTURE New historical exhibit examines the presidency of Abraham Lincoln

Masters Continued from page 15

Elizabeth Hendrickson

The Oregon Historical Society unveiled a new exhibit, 2 Years, 1 Month: Lincoln’s Legacy, on April 12. The exhibit focuses on honoring one of the most prominent figures in American history, Abraham Lincoln. It runs until July 4.

“There’s something fascinating about Abraham Lincoln,” said Brian Carter, museum director of OHS and curator of the exhibit. “Something about Lincoln has made him resonate.”

“I think that people can expect a unique interaction with Lincoln and his legacy.

He held one of the most important presidencies in one of the most critical time periods in American history, and what we would like to do is focus in on a particular period of his presidency,” Carter said.

The exhibit contains artifacts that were part of a local collaboration and features items from two significant years of Lincoln’s presi-

dency. This period of time includes the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the monumental passing of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

“We chose these two moments to look at a particular time when Lincoln really grappled with the dilemmas of the day,” Carter said.

The 2 Years, 1 Month: Lincoln’s Legacy exhibit contains an original copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, the House of Representatives’ copy of the 13th Amendment, and correspondence between several presidents of the time period. Civil War artifacts are also included.

“We’re taught certain things about Lincoln, like he’s a saint, but you’re going to see different sides of how he made decisions and why he made decisions,” said Denise Brock, the education manager at the OHS.

“At the end, you might change your mind on what did we really get from Lincoln, what is his legacy, and what did he leave us.”

It is through the insights of Carter and Brock that the Lincoln’s Legacy exhibit can appeal to a large range of people.

“Even though it’s not exactly in my area of expertise, it would still be really cool to learn more about Abraham Lincoln and his time as president,” said Morgan Stills, a freshman at Portland State majoring in speech and hearing science.

“I want [visitors] to feel like they’re in a space where they just want to stay,” Brock said, “where it’s comfortable, it’s engaging, and they’re not only learning something, but they’re also having fun doing it.”

More about 2 Years, 1 Month: Lincoln’s Legacy, other exhibits, and how to get involved with the Oregon Historical Society can be found at www.ohs.org

colonizing or white lens. You can’t look at Native art without that. It’s a binary, you can’t discuss Native art without it,” Farrell-Smith said.

Petersen’s critique of the art world stems from its inaccessibility at times to nonacademics and the working class. He pointed to occasions in which his previous performances incited conceptual discussion by friends and family who have little artacademic background. He hopes to continue driving conversation for people often left out of the artistic discourse.

“Through the process of being here I’ve really tried to

ARTIST LECTURE SERIES

April 28–May 9

Shattuck Hall Annex

Opening Reception Thursday, May 1 4–6 p.m.

Katie Yancey Like One Each Another AB Lobby Gallery Art Building, first floor

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

Kaila Farrell-Smith S? aa Mak’s MK Gallery Art Building, second floor

This Wednesday, April 16 KPSU presents Phone Call, Magic Fades, Rap Class and DJ Portia live at Holocene.

While known for an exciting indie rock scene, beneath the post-grunge malaise Portland is home to some truly vital R&B and hip-hop.

Here’s some more info on one of Portland’s best R&B acts: Magic Fades.

Wednesday, April 30 6 p.m.

Katie Yancey, Kaila Farrell-Smith Wednesday, May 7 6 p.m.

Wesley Peterson

Wesley Petersen TOIL Autzen Gallery Neuberger Hall, second floor

weekly missive

Magic Fades: Yes, but we wouldn’t say pure R&B. It’s

16

years of study, teaching and making. Yancey pointed out how her own work moved from digital collage to an increased exploration of technological mediums.

“Over the course of two years in the MFA program, I feel that my work has evolved immensely,” Yancey wrote. “In the MFA program, I have continued to develop this interest in the mediation of the image through technological methods that vary in the degree at which the body is involved, and I think that my art practice has become more rich and expansive as a result.”

Portland State MFA Thesis Exhibition Schedule

KPSU: We’re really excited to present this show at Holocene with you, Phone Call, Rap Class and DJ Portia. It definitely feels like there’s something of a scene coming together when it comes to R&B in Portland. Is that your sense of things as well?

Del Shawn Davidson/PSU VANGUARD

shed the academic background in art in favor of something that has the ability to connect with the rural, blue-collar audience,” Peterson said.

“I feel that if I can do a performance art piece that somebody from Idaho can look at and start discussing on conceptual terms, then I’ve successfully navigated that area for my audience.”

Each of the Masters candidates have mentioned both benefits and challenges in developing their art practice through PSU’s MFA program. In all cases, the artists have seen an evolution in their work through two

By Blake Hickman Assistant Promotions Director

more along the lines of electronic producers and songwriters who have R&B and hip hop influences.

KPSU: Any other dope Northwest artists folks should check out?

Magic Fades: Soul Ipsum, Vektroid, Moon Mirror, Virgin Blood, Concrete Floor, airsports, karmelloz. Not all of these people are really R&B, but good electronic producers and songwriters.

KPSU: Let’s say you could re-record, “Obsession” with a different producer: Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, or R. Kelly. Who would you pick?

Magic Fades: Definitely Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

They are Synclavier masters and basically defined R&B, and New jack swing/pop in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

KPSU: Whats your go-to Taco Bell order?

Magic Fades: Nacho Supreme, sub beans for beef, Baja Blast Mt. Dew, Supreme Chalupa, sub rice for beef.

KPSU: Whats the best way to stay relevant on Twitter?

Magic Fades: It’s impossible to predict. Sometimes a tweet which is like the dumbest thought you’ve ever had garners like 18 favorites, then you post your album and get like 5.

ARTS & CULTURE

Tales from the crowdfunding front lines Local artists, creators turn to the internet for support Brandon Staley

Finding an artist with a wallet that’s not always exclusively lined with sad moths is getting harder every day. As a result, many creative people are turning away from traditional income models and are instead looking to eke out a living through crowdfunding.

Kickstarter, one of the most widely recognized crowdfunding websites, lets users “back” projects by pledging to donate money if a reserve amount is met. The service often acts as a preorder for physical products or services.

Reward tiers, which offer perks beyond the scope of the initial project, encourage donators to pledge more.

Valerie Asbell, a Portland State alumnus, recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund her own stage production of Hamlet. If the Kickstarter is successful, Asbell will be staging the production through her own theatre company, Clever Enough.

Asbell said her production of Hamlet will focus on the political elements, an aspect of the play she said she feels is underrepresented. Asbell said she thinks theatre-goers will appreciate the parallels between the narrative of Hamlet and modern society.

“Ears are a theme throughout the play,” Asbell said.

“Claudius even kills King Hamlet by pouring poison into his ear.”

“It’s like nobody’s listening, and maybe nobody’s talking either.”

Asbell said one of the hurdles she encountered during

her Kickstarter was knowing how much information to disclose about her interpretation of Hamlet. Each staging of a play is different, and having a director’s take on the material revealed before opening night can be detrimental. But not revealing enough information can sometimes be worse.

“It presented a hurdle,” Asbell said. “How am I going to get people interested if they don’t think I have any original ideas?”

Asbell sought the feedback of theatre professionals. She reached out to former theatre professors and local actors.

“There’s a time to do the work yourself,” Asbell said.

“But there’s a time to let other people in, give them your trust and let them help you.”

Asbell said she had been kicking around the idea to start a theatre company for five years before she finally set aside her own doubts.

“There was [this] little voice in my head that said ‘no, get real, come on,’” Asbell said. “I think a lot of people might have that little voice.

I think it’s good to tell that voice to shut up.”

Asbell said her decision to start a theatre company stemmed from a desire for greater autonomy as a theatrical artist. She said that she found herself yearning to perform in plays that weren’t being staged locally. She reasoned that if she started her own company, she could act in whatever plays she wanted, whenever she wanted. Kickstarter was the best way to do that and stay independent.

Lucy Bellwood, a Portlandbased cartoonist and illustrator, launched a campaign on Kickstarter in 2012, when the website was less ubiquitous.

Bellwood asked for $1,500 to publish True Believer, a 36page comic about having the courage to do what you love.

The campaign was wildly successful. She received $11,658.

Bellwood said the comic’s rampant success was due in large part to Kickstarter’s crowdfunding model.

“A lower initial goal vastly improves your chance of having a runaway campaign,” Bellwood said. “People like to know they’re making a difference.”

Bellwood said that when she was planning her Kickstarter campaign she made sure to consider her audience.

“It’s helpful to have a fanbase,” she said, “and links to various online networks in place before starting the campaign.”

“One person can’t generate enough buzz to fund a campaign without help,” Bellwood said. “The wider your net, the higher your chance of success.”

Kickstarter isn’t the only crowdfunding website around, though. Another site, Patreon, has recently been making waves. Patreon allows users to donate to creators on a recurring basis, rather than as a one-time lump sum.

“You can’t really compare Kickstarter with Patreon,” said Kory Bing, a Portlandbased self-employed comic artist and creator of Skin Deep. “If Kickstarter is an easier way to do preorders, Patreon is an easier way to do a tip jar on your website.”

©2014 Kickstarter, Inc.

Like Kickstarter, Patreon also offers tiered rewards. Bing said the little extra goodies are more like the icing on the cake than the sole reason to donate.

Sfé R. Monster, a queer comics creator and illustrator from Halifax and creator of the ongoing comic Eth’s Skin, only just began using Patreon two months ago. It’s his first foray into crowdfunding.

Sfé said he chose Patreon because he has yet to embark on a project large enough to warrant a Kickstarter.

“Prior to Patreon I could only focus on one larger solo creative project [at] a time, while simultaneously juggling freelance and commission work in order to make ends meet,” Sfé said. “Now, with Patreon I’m now able to take on less freelance work and devote more of my time and energy to my own comics and projects that people want to see.”

While crowdfunding has made its mark on the artistic community, some concerns

about the sustainability and longevity of the business model remain.

“It does feel like at any moment the bubble could pop and this could all fall apart,” Sfé said. “But I’m really encouraged by conversations I’ve heard about people budgeting to support places like Patreon.”

“I really hope it sticks and continues to grow and we can see more people engaging with Patreon as both creators and supporters in the future.”

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

17

ETC

EVENT CALENDAR Tuesday, Apr. 15

Wednesday, Apr. 16

Beyond Self-Care: The Subver- Commuting 101 Noon–1 p.m. sive Potential of Care 5:30–8 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, room 23B 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 This conversation will discuss self-care and how it can be connected to the politics of colonization and capitalism.

Discussion will cover how care can serve as a repressive or revolutionary tool, and highlight the importance of health and subverting systems of power. FREE

Raphael Dagold Reading: ‘Bastard Heart’ 7:30 p.m.

The Waypost 3120 N. Williams Ave., Portland, OR 97227 Portland State’s Department of English and the Urban Honors Program partner with poet Raphael Dagold for a reading from his book, Bastard Heart. Dagold will be joined by David Biespiel, local author and founder of the Attic Institute, a haven for writers in Portland. FREE

PSU Bike Hub 1818 S.W. 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97201 Finding a way to get to and from or around campus can seem difficult. That is why the Bike Hub is offering this class that will work to answer all of your commuting questions.

FREE

Latina Feminist Xicanisma Mujerista Fair Noon–3 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, Multicultural Center (228) 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 The Queer Resource Center and La Casa Latina will be sponsoring this event as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event will seek to highlight the experiences of Latina and Latino individuals within feminist movements, and feature groups who address Latina issues on campus. FREE

COMMUNITIES: Tales of Indigenous Sovereignty and Ecological Diversity

Asian There, Asian-American Here: Ethnicity in Southeast Asia and in the U.S.

7 p.m.

Lincoln Hall, room 75 1620 S.W. Park Ave., Portland, OR 97201

6 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, room 298 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201

Portland State welcomes French photographer Pierre de Vallombreuse to talk about his travels and the Indigenous people he met along the way.

Pierre will offer the stories of these people as well as a showing of his photographs.

Dr. Charles Keyes, professor emeritus in the Department of Anthropology and Jackson School of International Studies at University of Washington, will be at PSU to discuss the diversity in Northern, Mainland, and Southeast Asia and how it compares to ideas of ethnicity in the United States.

FREE

Thursday, Apr 17 Reflect and Connect: SelfAdvocacy 3–4 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, Multicultural Center (228) 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 The importance of self-advocacy should never be overlooked, but learning how to actively participate in the practice of this can be more difficult than it would seem.

Join the Multicultural Center in a presentation by guest speaker Nneka Hall that will help you get on the path to self-advocacy. Food will be served. FREE

FREE

Friday, Apr 18 Women, Gender, and Sexualities Studies Colloquium 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, room 327/8 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 This colloquium offers a series of presentations that highlight the ways in which PSU students engage with women, gender, and sexualities studies in a variety of ways. For more information, or to register for the colloquium, visit sites.google.com/a/pdx.edu/ wgsscolloquium2014/call-forproposals

FEATURED EVENT ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me’ Screening 7 p.m. Thursday, Apr 17 Smith Memorial Student Union, room 294 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 The Portland Center of Public Humanities, in collaboration with the Northwest Film Center and the School of Film, present a showing the epic prequel film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. A selection of light fare will be provided for attendees to snack on while they enjoy the film. FREE

Rock, Rage, and Self-Defense: Monday, Apr 21 An Oral History of Seattle’s Home Alive SHAC Anniversary: Health 1:10 – 2:30 p.m.

Services and Hand Washing Smith Memorial Student Union, room 327/8 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201

Two University of Washington graduates will be at Portland State to talk about the making of their documentary on Home Alive, the Seattle-based self-defense collective. FREE

Thai New Year 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, Ballroom (355) 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 You are invited to celebrate the Thai New Year at a celebration that offers Thai cultural performances, food, a fashion show, a raffle and more. Admission is free for PSU students with valid ID, $5 for the general public, and $7 at the door. To pre-order tickets, visit portlandstate.universitytickets.com/user_pages/event. asp?id=784&cid=33. FREE

Saturday, Apr 19

College Democrats of Oregon Spring Convention 2014 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, Parkway North 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 The College Democrats of Oregon will he hosting their spring convention at PSU. The convention will include a number of trainings in partnership with the Democratic Party of Oregon, various guest speakers, and keynote speaker, Secretary of State, Kate Brown. For more information, email psudem@pdx.edu.

11 a.m.

Student Health and Counseling 1880 S.W. 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97201 SHAC will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary by inviting students to come and learn about the services they have to offer. They will also be letting students get a look at their hands under a blacklight and with the tools needed to see what exactly is left on them before and after washing. FREE

Empire State of Mind: Race, Music and Democracy Promotion 5:30 p.m.­ Smith Memorial Student Union, room 238 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 Guest speaker Hisham Aidi is welcomed by PSU to talk about the intermingling between Islam and music in post-war America and music’s ability to shape identity, ideology and group solidarity. He will also spotlight government attempts to shape music flows as a way to homogenize mass behavior. FREE

Tuesday, Apr 22 PSU Earth Day Festival 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

South Park Blocks You are invited to help PSU celebrate Earth Day by participating in a series of discussions and enjoying live music and food in the Park Blocks.

Various organizations will also be tabling to help attendees connect with the local and global community over issues of environmental justice.

FREE

21+ ©New Line Cinema

18

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

PSU FREE OPEN TO PUBLIC 21 & OVER

ETC

Aries Mar. 21–Apr. 19

Gemini May 21–Jun. 20

It’s spring, and that means you’re out of excuses. You’ve let your responsibilities slide all winter long and now look at you. You’re a mess. But the sun’s out!

That means guns out, Aries—buck up and get yourself out of this clusterfuck sundae.

Leo Jul. 23–Aug. 22

Better buckle up, Gemini.

You’ve got a rocky road ahead this week and it will seem relentless. Make sure to have some down time this week to keep yourself grounded.

Hey Leo, knock it the hell off. You’re looking for answers in all the wrong places—starting with this horoscope. There’s a whole wide world out there. You won’t find life’s meaning hidden in this newspaper.

Cancer Jun. 21–Jul. 22

Taurus Apr. 20–May 20

To be frank, you’ve been putting your nose in places where it doesn’t belong, Taurus. You need to chill out or you’re going start pissing a lot of people off.

Libra Sept. 23–Oct. 22

The hardest thing about a new beginning is the pro-

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Capricorn Dec. 22–Jan. 19

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Creativity demands a muse, Pisces—if you’re a slacker. Just kidding!

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sider getting out of your own head. Fears that are currently weighing you down are mostly unfounded, and by that token they’re unnecessary.

A friend is getting on your nerves this week and you’re having a hard time keeping your cool. Be honest and tell them how you feel before it ruins your relationship.

Virgo Aug. 23–Sept. 22

Cancer, cancer, cancer.

You must be the sun right now because you’re on fire! You aren’t kicking ass and taking names because you’re too busy kicking ass. Keep that chin up and keep on keepin’ on. Way to be!

cess of starting itself. Congratulate yourself, dear Libra, for your initiative and drive are not unnoticed. Keep it up and continue to find joy in taking challenges head on.

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Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

19

SPORTS SCORES

UPCOMING

PSU MEN’S TENNIS

PSU MEN’S TENNIS

NORTHERN ARIZONA PSU

5 IDAHO STATE vs. PSU 2 SAT. 4/19 6:00 p.m.

CLUB GREEN MEADOWS | VANCOUVER, WA

Top Performers: Kacper Stelmaszak, 2–6, 7–5, 1–0 (10–5)

PSU WOMEN’S TENNIS

EASTERN WASHINGTON vs. PSU

PSU WOMEN’S TENNIS

3 4

WEBER STATE PSU

Top Performers: Sabina-Elena Preda, 6–1, 6–1

SUN. 4/20 10:00 a.m.

CLUB GREEN MEADOWS | VANCOUVER, WA PSU SOFTBALL

PSU SOFTBALL

PSU @ SACRAMENTO STATE

PSU NORTHERN COLORADO

FRI.–SAT. 4/18–4/19 | 3-GAME SERIES

Top Performers: Candice Orozco, 2–2, R

2 19

PSU TRACK AND FIELD

OREGON RELAYS FRI.–SAT. 4/18–4/19 | EUGENE, OR

PSU TRACK AND FIELD

SACRAMENTO STATE MONDO NBA MID-MAJOR CHALLENGE LA CLIPPERS vs. PORTLAND Men’s Team: 3rd Overall WED. 4/16 7:30 p.m. | MODA CENTER

Women’s Team: 4th Overall Top Performers: Nevin Lewis won the decathalon with 7268 points.

MLS

PORTLAND @ REAL SALT LAKE

NBA

SAT. 4/19 6:30 p.m. | KPTV FOX 12

GOLDEN STATE PORTLAND

Top Performers: LaMarcus Aldridge, 26 points

WHL PLAYOFFS

VICTORIA PORTLAND

117 119

WHL PLAYOFFS

PORTLAND @ KELOWNA FRI. 4/18 7:35 p.m. | KPAM 860 AM AFL

Top Performers: Chase DeLeo, 2 goals

Winterhawks advance, face WHL’s top foe

1 5 SAN JOSE vs. PORTLAND

FRI. 4/18 7:00 p.m. | MODA CENTER

Joel Gunderson

It may not be the matchup everyone hoped for, but it promises to be nothing less than spectacular.

On Thursday night, the Winterhawks completed their five game series over the Victoria Royals with a 5–1 victory, solidifying their fourth straight WHL Western Conference finals appearance.

With that comes a date with the top team in the league— the Kelowna Rockets, owners of the best record and most points in all of the WHL. It’s a battle of the top scoring teams (118 total points for Kelowna to Portland’s 113), the best records (57–11–0–4 for Kelowna, 54–13–2–3 for Portland) and two rosters loaded with NHL talent—but it’s not Portland-Seattle that fans were hoping for.

Nothing be a ts your rival, huh?

Opponent aside, the Winterhawks will be shooting to take it a step further after winning the Western Conference last season and making it to the Memorial Cup. “It’s going to be a great series,” Portland coach Mike Johnston said after his team disposed of an undermanned Victoria Royals squad. “If the fans thought this one [against Victoria] was good, they’ll be highly entertained.”

Kelowna and Portland ran away from the rest of the league all year, using their depth to overpower teams as the season wore on.

Portland, of course, is still battling sanctions handed down last season for violating player benefit guidelines, although it appears nothing has slowed them down—if anything, they look stronger.

During the season the Rockets dominated the Hawks, getting two victories by a combined score of 28–10 over the four games they played.

If you think Portland will roll over and die, you would be wrong. As Johnston points out, Portland was never healthy in their previous matchups, creating a unique scenario.

“We’ve never had our full team,” he said. “It’s a factor, but I’m not saying it’s why [Portland lost]. They have a good team.”

“It’ll be a good challenge for our group, going in there and trying to get game one. If we get that first one, it will change the tide of the series big time,” player Brendan Leipsic added.

One area where Portland will not be lacking comes in the form of experience. A veteran-laden team that is

as comfortable in the playoffs as you could expect, the Winterhawks know what to expect and will not be rattled, no matter how tight things get.

“Every series is like a WHL finals,” Leipsic said. “It’s live or die, game by game. But we’re excited to get it going.

[The Rockets] had a great season. They’re going to be ready to go, with us the defending champs. It’s going to be ours to lose, I think.”

Whoever survives what (hopefully) turns into a seven-game battle royale will still have one round to go, but with the top teams getting ready to go at it, this round takes on a slightly different feel.

As Leipsic said, “Every series is like a WHL finals.” Now, that becomes even more true.

Alternate Captain Nicolas Petan looks toward the Victoria goal.

RBI by vikings infielder brittany hendrickson to go along with a .333 batting average and a pair of home runs.

Courtesy of Bryan Heim

20

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

Blazers set to take on rockets

SPORTS

Nic Batum needs to get going offensively for the Blazers to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

Position by position breakdown of the Blazers upcoming playoff series Alex Moore

The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Golden State Warriors 119–117 in an absolute thriller Sunday evening to secure at least the fifth position in the Western Conference playoffs. The win also locked the Blazers into a first round series with the Houston Rockets, who won the season series against Portland 3–1. Luckily for the Blazers, the playoffs are a completely different animal, where matchups and coaching decisions are more relevant than ever.

Damian Lillard vs.

Patrick Beverly Patrick Beverly doesn’t offer up a whole lot offensively, so the success of this matchup will be determined

by Damian Lillard’s offensive output. Beverly is a pest on defense and likes to get in the grill of opposing point guards. The Rockets guard has bothered Lillard in the past, including the infamous play that drew an offensive foul on Lillard causing him to foul out in overtime earlier in the season.

This matchup is pivitol for the Blazers because big points from Lillard will be key in outscoring a highoctane Rockets team. The Blazers’ defense is far from number one in the NBA, and they have relied on high scoring all season. Lillard is one of the biggest rea-

sons for the Blazers’ high scoring, with his high assist numbers and three point shooting. If Beverly can bother Lillard, it could be a long series for Portland.

Wesley Matthews vs.

James Harden Even if the Blazers’ defense isn’t their staple, Wesley Matthews has always been the man to guard big time players in big time situations.

He’ll have to do that for Portland in their first round series against one of the premier shooting guards of the league in James Harden.

The Beard has proven himself as a phenomenal scorer in his career, and Portland has experienced that first hand in their games against Houston this year. One of those games was a 41-point outburst in an overtime win for the Rockets, which included a game-tying three to send it to overtime.

Harden is going to score in this series, there is no denying that. What’s key for Portland is how he earns his points, and Matthews is going to do his best to make him work for every single bucket he gets.

On the other side of the ball, it is important that Matthews doesn’t camp out on the three point line. Running around screens and looking for open shots will make Harden’s life difficult on defense, and tire him out offensively.

Nicolas Batum vs.

Chandler Parsons Both players can hit the three ball and play defense, and this matchup looks like a push on paper. For the Blazers to take advantage of this small forward battle, it will be important that they limit Parsons’ opportunities. He is a proven shooter, and he has already killed Portland once this season going for 30 earlier in the year. Wide open shots and drives will kill the Blazers, especially if it’s coming from Parsons, someone who shouldn’t be a big scorer.

Batum has always been an X-factor for Portland, and that will continue to be true in this series. He has come alive as a passer this year, but what’s important in the playoffs is how aggressive a scorer he is. Batum needs to get his points. He can score, it just comes down to his aggressiveness. A playoff tripledouble would be nice, too.

LaMarcus Aldridge vs.

Terrence Jones The Rockets play a stretch four, someone who LaMarcus Aldridge should eat up inside.

Jones is no joke however, the Portland native has come up huge as of late for a struggling Rockets team. He is diverse on offense, with his ability to shoot and put the ball on the floor.

©Gina Collecchia

What’s huge in this matchup will be Jones’ defense on the Blazers’ three time all-star. Where Aldridge goes the Blazers goes, that much has been clear since his return from injury. Portland has gone 8–1 leading into the final regular season game against the Clippers.

Aldridge should be able to get his points with a smaller forward on him, but the Blazers won’t just need average scoring to win this series.

Aldridge will need to dominate this matchup for Portland to come out victorious.

Robin Lopez vs.

Dwight Howard Dwight Howard has torn Portland up in the past, going for 32 points and 17 rebounds in a game earlier this season.

Like Harden, Howard will get his points in this series.

A big storyline will be his free throw shooting, which

is known for being terrible.

But for some reason Howard seems to always shoot well against Portland.

This matchup will be offensively heavy on Howard’s side, but more important will be the Blazers’ ability to get Howard in foul trouble. If Howard is on the bench, that means that the Blazers are attacking the paint, and taking out one of the best low post scorers in the league.

Howard can’t beat Lopez or Portland from the sidelines.

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SPORTS ToToWhom WhomititMay MayConcern Concern Dear Portland State Athletes, Are you tired of playing in front of empty seats? Would you rather play in front of wild and crazy fans? How does having the best home field/court advantage in the Big Sky sound to you? As a fan and fellow student, this sounds great to me. I would like nothing more than to see a Stott Center filled with rabid student fans cheering on the Vikings. But more importantly than me wanting to attend intensely exciting games, we need you to want to play in that environment. If you’ve always wanted to play in front of thousands of screaming fans, then hear me out because the process starts with you, the athlete.

As I think back on every PSU sporting event I’ve been to this year, I remember a majority of the seats being empty, people barely cheering and athletes playing their hearts out for unengaged fans. However, a few basketball games this past season were different. The Stott Center sold out, the student section was overflowing with boisterous fans cheering the Viks on, and I saw the team play with a fervor and passion that I had never seen before. Players were running faster, shooting better, jumping higher and playing harder. There was electricity in the air that changed the whole character of those games and it was a direct result of the environment the fans created, coupled with the way the players reacted.

My question is, how can we replicate this electric environment for every home game in every sport? The athletic department and Viking Athletic Partnership are doing their parts by providing free food and drinks to fans that come, and the administration is doing their part by turning the Stott Center into Viking Pavilion. What else is missing? It’s simple: engaged fans. To help create an environment like the one during those sold out basketball games, the student fans need to feel like they have a stake in the game and in the team. How do we accomplish that? Well, that starts with you, the athlete.

We need you to get out of the Stott Center and start interacting with non-athlete students, especially on game days. We need you to build relationships and encourage them to come support you. By simply interacting and engaging the student population, as well as encouraging them to come to your games, you will help build the bond that is needed to create the best home field/court advantage in the Big Sky. A perfect example of the impact fans can have is with the Seattle Seahawks and the 12th man. Seattle has done an amazing job of making their fans feel like they have a stake in the game and that they’re just as important as the players. As a result, the players feed off this energy and dominate opponents when they’re at home. We can create this environment here at PSU, but we need you to step out of your comfort zones and help build it.

I am not asking you to schedule hours of your days to go talk to people. I am just asking that when you are walking to class, eating in the cafeteria, or just hanging out in the Park Blocks, to interact with students other than your teammates. Build friendships and relationships with your fan base while encouraging them to come support you. If everyone did this, the games would be much more exciting for players and fans. Let’s work together to build the best home field advantage in the Big Sky and beyond.

Sincerely, Matt Rauch, Vanguard Sports Desk

New faces on the sidelines Vikings football welcomes two new coaches

Tobin Shields

For the Portland State Vikings, spring football practice is just getting started. There will be a number of new players out on the field this coming 2014 season—and a new face or two on the sidelines.

Steve Morton was recently hired as the new offensive line coach for the Vikings.

Morton replaced former offensive line coach Brad Davis, who accepted a similar position at James Madison University. Morton’s recent work at Weber State University encompasses only a small portion of his solid resume built over a long-running career in college sports. Morton has spent nearly 40 years coaching professionally since his 1977 graduation from Washington State University.

“We are fortunate to have a guy with not only Steve’s experience, but his energy,” Nigel Burton, Vikings head coach said. “If you are around him, you have no idea he has coached that long. We always try to bring in great players that are better people, but he is a great coach that is a bet-

ter person. The guys he has coached have so much respect for him. It is tough to replace Brad Davis, but Steve is a guy that can do the job as well as anyone.”

Also joining him on the sidelines will be new tight ends coach Mike Preston. He spent the past two years at Lindenwold as their offensive line coach and running game coordinator. Preston has coached extensively during his career, including at schools such as Yale, Wingate, La Verne, Western Illinois, Ottawa and University of Washington.

“Mike brings a ton of experience to coaching tight ends,” Burton also said. “Originally we interviewed him for the offensive line job, and he was so impressive we had to figure out a way to get him on our staff. He is a great recruiter as well, with good experiences at a lot of places.”

When asked why he decided to return to the Northwest after living all around the United States, Preston said that not only did his wife

find a great job in Portland, but she actually played basketball for PSU back in the ‘90s, so it’s a homecoming for her. He said that PSU seemed to be the place that he wanted to further his career, and that “the relationship that I have with coach Burton, coach Towns and coach Morton dates back to 1997. It was a great fit.”

Preston also said that his own personal experience in playing college ball helped shape him as a coach today.

He mentioned a coach he had while in school “modeled what it meant to be a professional coach and teacher. He was very detailed and meticulous, without losing sight of the violence needed to be a great football player.” Preston made the decision that his coaching style would reflect the mentor that he had had the privilege of working with.

The Vanguard will be watching these two men closely to see what kind of energy they will bring to the football department. Spring practices are just around the corner.

CALLING ALL WRITERS THE VANGUARD IS LOOKING FOR Sports Writers Apply @ psuvanguard.com Mike Preston will be joining the Vikings as tight ends coach in 2014.

Shaylee King/PSU VANGUARD

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Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

SPORTS

Abhi Makes Racket at PSU

A serve-and-volley with a Viking baseliner Jake Estes

With tennis season hitting the home stretch, the Vanguard caught up with Abhinav Mishra, a senior leader on the Portland State tennis team. I met with Mishra as he slid out of the training room of the Stott Center after practice last Thursday evening.

Mishra encompasses the tennis “look”: doe-eyed, wavy jet-black mane tamed with a bright red sweatsoaked headband. He’s page 27 ripped out of Tennis magazine. He was born in 1991 and is a civil engineering major about to hit his prime.

Since joining the tennis team as a walk-on in 2011, Mishra made an immediate impression, winning the Team Impact Player award and being chosen for the All-Academic Team. He has crushed it as a student athlete. In doubles, Mishra and

his partner Alec Marx have paired almost flawlessly— losing only once since 2012.

Mishra’s background paints an interesting picture. He came to Portland from Gwailor, a city south of Delhi, India.

Gwalior is located in Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India with around 75 million inhabitants, making it the sixth largest state in the country of over a billion. This was the meat of the story and where we started our interview.

Jake Estes: How does tennis in the United States differ from tennis in India?

Abhinav Mishra: In India we have talent, not the facilities. We can’t afford club memberships, balls and rackets. We are equal in talent but far behind in facilities. There are no high school tennis teams and no physical trainers. You practice on your own.

JE: Tell me about your transition here—were you re-

cruited to play tennis?

AM: PSU is the best place to study transportation engineering. I had some family here, but I didn’t even know they had a tennis team.

Mishra had received attention as a recreational tennis club member and was offered an opportunity to try out as a walk-on. He beat every member of the team. His fairytale, Rudyesque story was inspiring.

JE: What is the hardest thing about transitioning to life in Oregon? How did you adjust?

AM: It rains a lot and being away from your family, leaving family—it’s painful.

It’s hard if your dad needs you but you’re 7,000 miles away. But my teammates are my best friends. Our team is pretty funny, we pick on each other but have fun. They are helpful on the court and off the court.

During his time in the U.S. Mishra has touched down in

21 states and taken a swim in Lake Shasta. He juggles the life of a student athlete with poise, saving time to produce and compose Hindi pop music and rehearse breakdancing sets for his performance coming up in May at Smith Memorial Student Union. He has a girlfriend here, loves to ride the MAX and he plans to return to India as soon as he’s graduated—at least to visit before he jumps into a career.

JE: What don’t you miss about India?

AM: The traffic. I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with the driving…and the heat. It gets up to 120 degrees. And the inefficiencies, like trying to pay the electric bill, you stand in line for days.

JE: Highlight of your tennis career at PSU? AM: When I saved three match points against Northern Arizona, or last year at the end of the season when my partner [Marx] and I ac-

ABHINAV MISHRA before a recent practice with the team.

ALEX HERNANDEZ/PSU VANGUARD

complished our goal of being undefeated.

Mishra is a humble guy— a breakdancing, tri-lingual, award-winning scholar and

athlete. Tune in and watch Mishra and the Vikings take on Idaho State at Club Green Meadows on April 19 at 6p.m.

Northwestern University football players unionize What does that actually mean?

Claude Akins

On March 26 the Chicago District of the National Labor Relations Board ruled that the student athletes at Northwestern University qualify as employees.

Football players, and indeed all student athletes, are hard to differentiate as either “student athletes” or “employees.” This is in part because student athletes receive unique compensation—in the form of scholarships and stipends—in exchange for their time.

This time consists of lengthy training camp regimens, long practice hours, traveling far distances, and of

course, games. And in addition to their unique form of payment, the question of whether or not playing football at the collegiate level is equivalent to being in the workplace straddles an already blurry line.

But student athletes are essentially different from other forms of scholarships that act as payments. As the ruling court declared, football players are subject to ‘special rules.’ For instance, according to the NLRB, “freshmen and sophomore year players receiving scholarships are required to live in on-campus dormitories. Only upperclassmen players are permitted to live off campus and even then

they are required to submit their lease…for approval before they can enter into it.”

These types of stipulations differentiate between athletes and, let’s say, the peer mentors of PSU who receive stipends and are given scholarships that pay for tuition.

Another crucial point is that the NLRB is acting on a precedent that sets a wide definition of employee. Because of prior Supreme Court rulings, the term “employee” carries a common law definition, and “Under the common law definition, an employee is a person who performs services for another under a contract of hire, subject to the other’s control or

right of control, and in return for payment.” The NLRB decided that student athletes fit this definition.

It was Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter who pioneered this issue. “Number one, you have to look at the medical side of things,” said Colter. “Right now the NCAA doesn’t guarantee that any of our medical bills will be paid.” Considering the damage the game does to player’s bodies, especially after new information has come to light, including information about chronic traumatic encephalopathy, that has been linked to a string of suicides among former NFL players, it is no surprise that medical

bills are at the forefront of Colter’s argument.

NCAA president Mark Emmert strongly disagrees with the board’s ruling. “To be perfectly frank, the notion of using a union employee model to address the challenges that do exist in intercollegiate athletics is something that strikes most people as a grossly inappropriate solution to the problems.”

Another point of contention is to what degree these young men are students and to what extent they are athletes. Players are allowed to study, naturally, but according to Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald, as long as they “get their

mind right to get ready to play,” they are not allowed to take other jobs, and regularly devote 50–60 hours a week to football. These are, the board ruled, irregular student conditions.

In the end, this seems like a big win for student rights.

Considering Northwestern football made $235 million between 2003 and 2012, and use their player’s images (from video games to billboards) to generate that revenue, it seems only fair that these players should be given more of a voice. And, essentially, that is what this decision is about: Players’ rights to fight for their working conditions.

Vanguard | APRIL 15, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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COMING APRIL 22