Vanguard January 14, 2011

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GO VEGAN OR DIE! "Forks over Knives" is making a lot of buzz

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2011

Education reform gains momentum OUS, U of O and others bring education bill proposals to the 2011 legislative session

VOL. 65 NO. 29

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ASPSU vice president deemed ineligible, new one appointed

Erin McIntyre Vanguard staff

Because of a decrease in state funding and a bleak economic atmosphere, higher education will be a hot topic in this year’s 2011 Oregon Legislature. Its agenda includes the consideration of proposals from both the Oregon University System and the University of Oregon that would give Oregon’s public universities more autonomy and control over their revenues.

RESTRUCTURING TO PAGE 3

Homelessness at PSU Homeless people on campus pose less of a threat than students think Vinh Tran Vanguard staff

On any given morning, the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel quietly receives its regular visitors. One by one, men arrive with baggage, which they leave behind before retreating through its two red doors to recieve a meal.

Located behind Portland State’s Urban Center Building, the church prides itself on being a historic landmark. It also offers meals to the city’s homeless population, many of whom live in the university district and walk amongst students.

As an urban university, PSU receives many of these individuals on its campus. Some simply pass through, while others, having been virtually excluded by shop owners, stop by to use the restrooms.

Former President Pro Tempore Ethan Smith appointed in her stead Corie Charnley Vanguard staff

After only one quarter in office, former ASPSU Vice President Lauren Morency has been deemed academically ineligible by the organization’s Judicial Board. Former President Pro Tempore Ethan Smith has succeeded her, making him ASPSU’s third vice president this school year.

At Tuesday’s Student Senate meeting, J-Board Chair Anandi Hall notified the senators, to their surprise, of Morency’s vacant seat. According to Hall, the J-Board made the decision to remove Morency from office at its meeting last week.

Hall said that Morency is ineligible for the position due to academic reasons, though she could not disclose any details.

In order to be eligible for office, the ASPSU constitution requires that all undergraduate officials maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and be in “good standing,” as defined by the university. In addition, they must complete at least four academic credits each term, excluding credits earned through involvement with ASPSU and pass/no pass classes.

Morency, who was not present at the Senate meeting, chose not to appeal the J-Board’s decision. “[Morency is] doing what she feels is best for herself and what’s best for the Senate,” ASPSU President Katie Markey said.

After Hall’s announcement, Markey presented her appointment of Smith to the senators.

ADAM WICKHAM/VANGUARD STAFF

Moving on up: Ethan Smith, the new vice president, has been with ASPSU since fall 2010.

“He would best enhance and help ASPSU grow,” she said of Smith.

Commenting on his decision to accept Markey’s appointment, Smith said that he was “terrified.”

“My wife was more excited about it instantly than I was,” he said. “If it wasn’t going to work… with our schedule as a family, then I would have passed it up.”

After the floor was opened for questions and discussions, during which time several senators expressed confidence in Smith, the Senate voted unanimously to appoint him. Two senators abstained.

“This is hard for me…because I think we ASPSU TO PAGE 3

HOMELESSNESS TO PAGE 7

PSU consolidates its academic support services New Learning Center provides a one-stop-shop for students seeking help Jesse Hansen Vanguard staff

Few departments at Portland State have more face-to-face contact with students than the Peer Tutoring and Learning Center, which schedules an average of 275 hours each week of one-onone peer tutoring with students.

However, in order to better fulfill its role as a supplemental education facility, the Peer Tutoring Center has recently expanded to include the TUTORING TO PAGE 7

Former PSU student sentenced to three years in prison Heath Avery pleads guilty to the on-campus stabbing of fellow student Andrew Richardson Alison Barnwell Vanguard staff

This past Tuesday, former Portland State student Heath Avery was sentenced to three years in prison followed by three years of parole for stabbing Andrew Richardson, also a student, last summer on campus.

The sentencing was part of a plea bargain— the maximum sentence for assault in the second degree is nearly six years—and Avery will be released in two years if his time in jail is free of violations.

At the sentencing, Judge Kenneth Walker urged Avery to seek mental health treatment.

“There’s no legal defense to your actions, but it concerns me that you overreacted in this situation,” Walker said. “I think you have some mental health concerns that need to be addressed.”

In September, Avery’s defense attorney, Martha Spinhirne, ordered a psychological evaluation of Avery to support her argument that he was unable to assist in his own defense, but the court ruled that he was competent.

“Finding him able to aid and assist is not to say he doesn’t have psychological issues,” said Deputy District Attorney Christopher Ramras, who represented Richardson. “We all believe his mental state was a factor in what led to the stabbing.”

AVERY TO PAGE 3

ADAM WICKHAM/VANGUARD STAFF

Sentencing: Heath Avery stabbed a fellow student last summer.

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2 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ NEWS

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University searching for student ambassadors for upcoming year

NEWS BRIEFS Dance for dental hygiene Students from the Pre-Dental Student Organization (PSO) and the Hippoh Project will host a benefit dance tomorrow evening for the Elementary Outreach Program.

According to a press release, this is the third installment of the 80s-themed dance and hip-hop dance competition, called “So Fresh, So Clean.”

The Elementary School Outreach Program provides dental health and hygiene education to low-income children in the area’s schools. In addition, canned food donations will go to the Friends of Seasonal and Service Workers, which helps low-income families.

Admission to the dance is $8 for the general public and $6 for students. It will begin at 5 p.m. and run until 10 p.m., and will be located in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom.

Christina J. Maggio Vanguard staff

P

ortland State is currently on the lookout for student ambassadors for the 2011–12 academic year.

Student ambassadors are student body leaders and university representatives that act as liaisons between PSU and the community.

According to Student Affairs Outreach Coordinator J.R. Tarabocchia, a student ambassador’s role, in short, is to represent the student body to VIP persons, prospective students, university donors, alumni or other university affiliates.

In addition, student ambassadors run the Viking Information Center, which is essentially a welcome center for new and prospective students. Other duties include acting as a link between students, faculty and staff and serving on various university committees.

“We look for students who are academically solid and who can demonstrate a passion for PSU,” Tarabocchia said. “Students must be comfortable to talk to any constituency, from the president to parents. Students must be able to work well in a team as well as individually.”

According to current ambassador Jorge Urzua, anyone can apply to become a student ambassador. If a student is interested in the program, they must download and fill out an application.

Urzua said that the application process includes a group interview. Final

Support the local community on MLK Day

“ We look for students who are academically solid and who can demonstrate a passion for PSU” J.R. Tarabocchia

candidates will be interviewed individually by the selection committee, which consists of Tarabocchia and other ambassador coordinators.

“On a personal level, the Student Ambassador Program has enabled me to grow exponentially on many levels, [such as] aspects of my academic and personal life,” Urzua said. “The networking opportunities available through the program are immeasurable which, as college students seeking employment past our PSU graduation, is highly valuable.”

Commenting on an ambassador’s workload, Urzua said that the program is flexible towards students’

academic and personal life.

“Having the experience to work with members from the program is…rewarding because everyone is motivated, successful and exceptional individuals who are destined for a prosperous future,” Urzua said. “I would like to take the chance to inspire all PSU students who seek a lifealtering experience to apply for the Student Ambassador Program and invest in the process because it will pay great future dividends.”

Students interested in becoming a student ambassador can visit www.pdx. edu/dos/student-ambassadors to complete and submit an application. The application deadline is Feb. 4. ■

Beth Hansen

The Campus Public Safety Office is required by law to maintain a public crime log, which it publishes on Mondays and Fridays.

■■ Jan. 3, 7:11 p.m.: Suspect broke into one of the utility vehicles that were stored on the south side of Montgomery Court.

■■ Jan. 4, 6:17 p.m.: Victim’s motorcycle permit was stolen while parked in Parking Structure 1.

DISTRIBUTORS Brittany Castillo, Brandy Castillo

■■ Jan. 5, 8:50 a.m.: Laptop was taken from within the childcare center in Smith Memorial Student Union.

The Vanguard is published two days a week as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Publications Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers, and do not necessarily represent those of the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. One copy of the Vanguard is provided free of charge to all community members, additional copies or subscription issues may incur a 25 cent charge.

■■ Jan. 5, 9:28 a.m.: Unknown person entered the Broadway Housing Building and stole Xbox 360 controllers and two games.

Suspect also took a black iPod Touch.

■■ Jan. 6, 4:35 p.m.: A person was found trespassing in the Urban Center Building.

■■ Jan. 7, 4:43 p.m.: Suspect broke into victim’s vehicle parked in Parking Structure 3.

■■ Jan. 7, 8:32 p.m.: Suspect broke into victim’s vehicle parked in Parking Structure 3.

The Vanguard is printed on 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper. ©2010 Portland State University Vanguard

CRIME BLOTTER

all photos by Saria Dy/VANGUARD STAFF

Serving PSU: (From left to right) Jacob Voegele, Lucius Shields, J.R. Tarabocchia, Keighty Gallagher are all involved with the Student Ambassador Program.

■■ Jan. 8, 10:27 p.m.: Suspect slapped victim in the Stratford Building.

ASPSU FROM PAGE 1

Victim hopes Avery will receive mental help

Smith says he's up for the challenge

Ramras said he received several handwritten notes of apology from Avery, until Avery was notified that his letters broke a law against informal communication between the defendant and the prosecution.

The assault took place on Aug. 14, 2010. According to the report filed by Ramras, Richardson was sitting on a bench outside Montgomery Court with student Haley Baptiste when Avery approached him.

Avery said, “Are you talking to me?” and advanced towards Richardson, who punched him. Avery staggered and sat down, stabbing Richardson in the side with a knife when Richardson approached him to punch him again.

Avery told police that he’d been walking to his dorm before the incident and heard Richardson say “You’re fucked; you’re screwed,” which prompted Avery to take a knife from his dorm room and walk back to the bench to confront Richardson.

all know what a kick-ass job Lauren did last year,” Smith said.

Smith is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and has three young children. He transferred to Portland State from Portland Community College.

This is only his second term in ASPSU. “I like being able to push myself about two or three steps further than I think I can go,” Smith told the Senate, “because I find I can actually go four or five.”

Smith’s replacement as president pro tempore is former Senator Melissa McCue. “[McCue] worked tirelessly over the summer,” said Senator Patricia Binder. “I feel she’s really earned it.”

The president pro tempore is responsible for monitoring the Senate during meetings and establishing its agenda. ■

Reform: If OUS' proposal is passed, universities will be given more autonomy and control over their revenue.

RESTRUCTURING FROM PAGE 1

OUS is concerned that U of O's proposal will sacrifice the other two bills on the table The legislature has also created a bipartisan task force to work through the proposals presented by OUS and U of O and to create an overarching restructuring proposal, as well as to consider measures that would allow high school students to earn college credit.

According to Senator Mark Hass, co-chair of the task force, if the bill were passed, it would change the legal status of OUS from that of state agency to that of a public university system, similar to Oregon's community colleges.

The hearings on the bills will begin Feb. 2, though it is possible that the OUS and the task force bills will merge during the legislative session.

OUS proposal

■■ Jan. 4, 5:58 p.m.: An intoxicated person drove through campus, nearly hitting pedestrians.

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On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on Monday, Jan. 17, students from eight college and universities in the Portland region will gather at Portland State to improve their community.

At the morning rally, Portland Mayor Sam Adams and PSU President Wim Wiewel will welcome the students at 9 a.m. before they take buses to various service projects at more than 30 community organizations.

According to a press release, projects include delivering food donations with Northwest Portland Ministry and planting trees with Friends of Tyron Creek. PSU, Portland Community College and Lewis & Clark College are among the various organizations participating in the event.

For those interesting in participating in the event, visit www. pdx.edu/cae/sls-events to register. The website also includes a list of the service projects.

DREW MARTIG/VANGUARD STAFF

AVERY FROM PAGE 1

OUS' proposal aims to free up tuition revenues and allow them to be applied to campus needs across the state. The state often “sweeps” university revenues and uses the money for other state agencies, according to OUS Director of Communication Diane Saunders.

“So the tuition that students are paying doesn’t end up going to facilities or hiring of professors, but can end up going to [the Oregon Department of Transportation] for new roads or to prison lunches or something,” she said.

According to Saunders, this year OUS attempted to get $20 million in revenues back for use on campus, but was only given $2 million by the state. The state intends to review the budget for the year and then consider giving the schools back the rest of the tuition revenues.

The university system is the only public institution that is subject to these sweeps. K–12 and all 17 community colleges get to keep their revenues and use the money as they see fit.

“We just don’t see why we should be different,” Saunders said.

Saunders noted that many students’ biggest concern is how restructuring will affect tuition.

“There will not be a change in the current structure, except for more inclusion of students in the process,” she said.

PSU President Wim Wiewel is a staunch supporter of the proposal and is concerned about what may happen if the proposal is not passed.

“The OUS proposal lays out the arguments for the proposed changes,” Wiewel said. “The consequences of not passing it are logically implicit in those arguments…It would mean less money available for students’ services and teaching, more time wasted on unnecessary administrative activities, greater uncertainty about the future, less ability to respond quickly to opportunities.”

According to Saunders, this could mean

OUS having to cap tuition, as the California University system has done, or raise tuition, like colleges in Washington have done.

U of O proposal While all seven Oregon Universities have come together to support the OUS proposal, U of O has caused some concern in the group over the decision to bring its own proposal to the table.

The Oregon State Board of Higher Education does not support this bill.

However, according to U of O’s Senior Director of Communication Phil Weiler, its proposal will not threaten OUS’ proposal.

Rather, it is considered an extension of OUS’ proposal.

“Essentially, we are asking that the legislature do both,” Weiler said. “To pass that initial proposal and then take the extra step and pass the U of O proposal as well.”

OUS is concerned, according to Saunders, because it fears the legislature will not consider both proposals at once and it is important that the proposal most beneficial to all Oregon universities be passed before individual institutions begin presenting their own needs to the legislature.

According to Weiler, the university’s proposal would allow for the creation of local governing boards that would focus on each institution and better serve their needs.

If U of O’s proposal were passed, the Board would still act as a coordinating body. In addition, the local governing boards would still need to meet accountability standards, such as a certain student retention rate.

Additionally, the proposal outlines a different funding model for U of O, Weiler said.

Only 8 percent of U of O’s budget currently comes from the state, the rest comes from tuition, philanthropic gifts and other funding sources. However, the legislature decides how to allocate all of its funds. Therefore, U of O seeks to lock in its current funding from the state and use that money to pay the debt service on a bond it could sell.

It would represent a roughly $800 million bond that U of O would match dollar-fordollar so that it would have a $1.6 billion endowment that it could use, according to Weiler. The endowment would act as a savings account, accruing interest that would then be used to run the university. U of O’s goal is to eventually remove itself from OUS’ yearly competition for funding.

Wiewel feels the U of O proposal is interesting, but the timing is off. “[It] would best be considered after the 2011 session, where the legislature will be considering the OUS proposal,” he said. ■

“I'm fearful that Avery will remain... wasting away in a prison cell instead of receiving muchneeded attention," ANDREW RICHARDSON

“I can still see it in my head,” said Richardson.

“A random act of violence is difficult to process…I still look over my shoulder. I’ll probably never look at the world the same.”

The 13-inch knife punctured Richardson’s spleen, requiring $40,000 in surgeries and treatment.

Richardson was unaware that Avery’s defense ordered a mental health evaluation until the middle of December, when Avery pled guilty.

“The last couple of weeks have been easier, once I found out about the evaluation. It allowed me to look at him in a more compassionate light,” said Richardson. “I’m not worried about the guy coming back and harming me. I’m worried about his well-being.”

At Avery’s plea hearing in December, Richardson made a statement expressing his wish to see Avery receive treatment.

“I’m fearful that Avery will remain…wasting away in a prison cell instead of receiving muchneeded attention,” he said in his statement.

Richardson said that he remembered wondering before the incident about Avery’s “off-putting” persona, known around the dorms. Richardson and Avery had never officially met but both say they recognized each other. In July, Richardson voiced his concern to a resident adviser, who agreed to keep an eye on Avery.

Friends in Avery’s hometown of Lawrenceville, Ill. were shocked to receive a letter from him telling of the assault.

“Heath never had a bad or mad bone in his body,” said Patrick O’Neal, a friend of Avery’s since middle school who kept in touch with him on Facebook after Avery moved to Portland in 2005. “In sports, he was competitive, but you’d never think Heath would be pushed to a certain limit…I really don’t see him as being that unstable, if at all.”

Both of Avery’s parents suffered from severe arthritis and died when he was young.

“His family was a really close group,” O’Neal said.

Avery was majoring in philosophy at PSU. “I’m spending 36 months in a state facility when I’ve never been in trouble before in my life,” Avery said in a phone interview with the Vanguard from the Multnomah County jail. “Right now I could be working on graduate papers.”

Commenting on his time at PSU, Avery said he isolated himself.

“I would just speak to my professors,” he said.

“I spent most of my time at bookstores or in my room, looking at the Internet, looking for somebody to talk to.”

At Tuesday’s sentencing, Avery said he was committed to earning an early release date of January 2015.

“I’m in gratitude to God and God’s will,” he said. “I do hope that…I’ll be able to work towards my Ph.D. and being a better human being.” ■

VINTAGE PICK OF THE MONTH

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW RICHARSON

Medical attention: Andrew Richardson poses in the emergency room after being stabbed last summer.

4 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ OPINION

OPINION

OPINION ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 5

EDITOR: RICHARD D. OXLEY OPINION@DAILYVANGUARD.COM 503-725-5692

An Oregon state bank

Trying to keep up

North Dakota’s model promises a more stable economy

Y

College graduation rates are on the decline

C

understanding that they are supposed to spend 13 years in school and then, if they continue after high school, they have another four years to go. Unfortunately, graduation rates have been declining; some students take longer than four years and some students drop out before graduating.

The Chronicle of Higher Education did an analysis of almost 1,400 colleges and universities across the country, MEAGHAN DANIELS which showed that one-third of four-year colleges reported lower graduation rates for the six-year period at the end of 2008 as compared to the end period of 2003.

The statistics only apply to students who are first-time, full-time students and students who complete a bachelor’s degree within the first six years. These statistics do not include students who transfer in or out of the respective institutions.

While this data may not be the most accurate, according to The Chronicle it leaves out 50 percent of students—these kinds of statistics are still important to look at.

We live in a world where a bachelor’s degree is becoming the new high school diploma and a master’s degree is becoming the new bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, in this world, tuition is also constantly rising. College is becoming more of a necessity, while also becoming more of a luxury.

The decline in graduation rates could be due to a number of reasons. More people may be starting out at community colleges and then hildren grow up

transferring to four-year schools to save money. People are taking longer, trying to work to pay for school while also trying to attend classes. People may also be starting out at an out-of-state school or even a private option before realizing that they are too expensive to attend, so they transfer to somewhere more affordable.

Many people enter college who are not mature enough to handle the responsibility of being in college. That is part of the reason many students drop out during or right after their freshman year. They are presented with new responsibilities and often live with their friends and peers in the first year. When students are given a choice between going to class and doing homework versus hanging out with their friends and drinking, they often pick the latter, not thinking about the repercussions of their actions.

While these statistics do ignore a significant number of the students enrolled in the colleges and universities studied, they still say something important. Graduation rates are important and need to begin receiving the attention that they deserve. Something must be done for students so that graduation rates can improve.

There are some things that schools can do to help retain students for graduation. For example, one thing that universities could try to do to help keep students in their institution, and to help them graduate, is to assign a designated academic advisor to each student at the beginning of their freshman year. There are some schools that do not assign academic advisors, or the schools make the students search for one if they want an advisor. Having an advisor to

es,it is socialism.

An Oregon state bank would require some new state employees and create building costs, but the benefits heavily outweigh the alternative of leaving it to the private sector.

I am by no means an economics expert. But after one look at a graph comparing North Dakota and Oregon’s unemployment rates, I had to ask what they were doing differently that allows them to have the lowest rate IAN in the nation BELLAMY at 2.8 percent.

I suggest that their answer lies in their unique state bank.

A bill backed by the Oregon Working Families Party will be introduced very soon. One can expect private banks to go against it full force, equipped with money and lobbyists.

After watching the movie “Inside Job” (2010), a documentary on the 2008 financial crisis, I came to the realization that we can’t trust the private sector to self-regulate. This is specifically the case in the financial industry, where the same people involved with every economic crisis since Reagan end up taking big personal gains and running the show at the Federal Reserve and other federal economics branches. That is to say, the very people that control the monetary system apparently head the major companies as well.

The academia involved may have also written your economic textbooks.

An article from the Associated Press [“Economy Prompts Fresh Look At ND's Socialist Bank,” Feb. 16, 2010] on North Dakota’s bank, reveals that the general opinion of individuals

help with registration, financial aid and graduation would be very beneficial to students.

A study at Cornell University reported that schools that spent more funds on student services, such as advising or tutoring, retained more students for graduation. Often times, students are confused about their financial aid. It would be beneficial to have some kind of workshop every year or a financial aid advisor for students to explain what their financial aid package does and how to find other means of paying for college.

With the decline in graduation rates, it is time to take action. It is horrible for someone to not be able to complete a degree due to circumstances such as money. The students in colleges and universities across the country right now are the future. If they need a little extra help to walk across that stage and receive their diploma, then so be it.

Graduation rates are not something that can be ignored. ■

who have worked with the state bank is that it wants to make deals with the people, not find ways to knock projects down. Although it is true that the Bank of North Dakota functions as a for-profit entity, money procured from loan interests goes into the state treasury, or microstimulus boosts to local, privately owned banks in credit crises. The article also points out that “during the last decade, the bank funneled almost $300 million in profits to North Dakota’s treasury.” They enjoy a state budget surplus, a rare thing nowadays.

Proponents of the upcoming bill For Oregon’s economic stability say that a state bank could be giving out credit to small businesses and farmers, both very important parts of Oregon’s economy—something that larger banks allegedly refuse to do. Another quality of the proposed system is the student loans that it would offer on the state level, potentially lowering interest rates.

I have no conflict with this idea.

According to the Working Families Party’s website: “An Oregon state bank would not compete with local banks and credit unions, but instead would partner with them to ensure that Oregon’s money is put to work in Oregon.”

Some would call this simply another government meddling in the sacred business of the private sector, worrying that taxpayers would have to bail it out and that Oregon couldn’t pay for the increase of state employees. On the contrary, if built on a model similar to North Dakota's, it would create quite the opposite effect of a much-needed state surplus. Although I do agree with and support free enterprise, there are some things that are better left to state management, and I trust the state of Oregon to do

Illustration by susannah beckett/VANGUARD

a better job at it than the federal government ever could.

True, not all of North Dakota’s economic stability can be contributed to its bank system, as even the president of the company will admit, but without shareholders, CEOs and fictitious money in the way, Oregon could have a place to pick up if the “too-big-to-fail” ideology about the United States is shown to be false.

Many loan practices are predatory, allowing people to take free boosts of money without being able to pay them back, which turned out to be the cornerstone of the housing bubble and burst in recent years. But the blame is not entirely on the people, for the practices of derivatives and purely speculative sales are what put the economy where it is now. ■

Although it is true that the Bank of North Dakota functions as a for-profit entity, money procured from loan interests goes into the state treasury, or micro-stimulus boosts to local, privately owned banks in credit crises.

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Surviving phoneless in a world of technology

Logging on to learning Impacts of an online education Alexis Jewell Vanguard staff

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Portland State University will be offering more and more online classes in upcoming terms.

When perusing the class schedule, this fact is fairly obvious. And due to what seems like a lack of physical class offerings of the same titles, one must also assume that these online classes are intended to be online only.

In an age shaped by the infusion of the Internet into nearly every aspect of our lives, this online class thing (to use the technical term) seems inevitable. Change, after all, is inevitable.

Growth is inevitable, but then again, so is death.

Which raises the questions: What will be the impact of the proliferation of online classes on the quality of our education and social interaction? Who will be hurt by this teaching style, and who will benefit? These are not questions that are easy to answer.

Obviously, it makes sense to advance into the realm of online education. The Internet has provided humanity with access to more information, entertainment and options for social interaction.

These are not bad things to have more of in our lives, and no one can deny that the more we experience as individuals and as a community, the more intelligent and interesting we become as a society. That’s the idea, at least.

According to the Vanguard [“The expansion of

online academia,” Jan.11] such course offerings provide the traditional drag-your-books-to-classat-freakin’-8a.m.-because-it’s-the-only-time-theclass-is-offered students more access to the classes they want. I’m paraphrasing. The freakin’ 8 a.m. thing is all me, but you’ve probably been there and know exactly what I’m talking about.

Furthermore, Roy Koch, provost and vice president of academic affairs, explains in the article that online classes increase opportunities for education to a wider population. People from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles and situations can attend college from the comfort of their homes, work-places or really anywhere Internet access is present, which is virtually everywhere, as already stated. This list of people includes parents, people with full-time jobs—people who work at all, really—people with a variety of disabilities, non-English speaking individuals, people living in another state or country, seriously devoted geeks, anyone who is just too lazy to get dressed or take a shower on a regular basis—you get the idea. This is great, and fits right in with the university’s dedication to diversity! Well, almost.

The Office of Diversity & Inclusion’s mission is to “create a university learning environment that celebrates diversity, builds partnerships, promotes equity, and provides support to enhance the successes of the campus community.”

Problems immediately come to mind.

First, the academic issues. What keeps students from cheating or having someone else complete assignments on their behalf? Absolute-

Sarah Creedican Daily Barometer staff

ly nothing. There are even websites describing the best ways to pull this off. Equity is lost.

Then there’s the question of who is going to be teaching these online classes. The same instructors who can’t figure out how to operate the overhead screen projection technology? I mean, no offense, but let’s be serious. How is anyone’s success supported by this potentially disastrous situation? This includes the instructor.

Lastly, there’s the reality that not everyone can learn through web-based formats. Some students need to talk and do, and be physically present in the situation in order to grasp new information. If some classes are only offered online, partnership and community are forced into narrow definitions that only work for some people.

Now I’ll bring up the social issues. How can we fully engage with another person if we only interact online? That’s not promoting diversity; it’s encouraging separation and avoidance of developing or using tolerance and acceptance skills.

Also, what do the leaders of PSU have to say in regards to the way they have touted the accessibility of instructors? It’s used as a major selling point in recruitment. Will that be lost?

Online classes bring unique advantages and challenges to improving education opportunities while attempting to maintain the valuable social aspects of on-campus classes. If we’re not cautious, the diversity of educated individuals present in the community could be compromised rather than improved. While some people will benefit from online courses, it might possibly be at the expense of the quality of education and social interactions. ■

According to ABC news, “A recent study showed that 40 percent of people surveyed can’t cope without a cell phone, 35 percent of people used cell phones to escape their problems and 7 percent blamed the cell phone for a lost relationship or job.”

This week, my cell phone broke. Needless to say, the coping process has been rather interesting.

At this point in life nearly everyone has experienced cell phone loss for some period of time, whether due to broken parts, dropping it in some sort of liquid or simply losing track of it.

Like most college students, and Americans in general, my cell phone serves as an inflatable yellow raft that keeps me afloat on the rough whitewater rapids of life. Not only does it give access to connect with people conveniently, at any time, but also to other useful applications.

So much of daily life has become tied to our cellular devices, and I found myself feeling rather lost in the choppy waters, wishing for my figurative new life raft to come in the mail ASAP. However, as I sit here writing this, still phoneless at the mercy of the postal service, I begin to realize that, 1.) I am not alone in the ridiculous attachment to my cellular device. And 2.) so far, I have learned several important lessons concerning surviving in 2011 with no phone.

To most people, phones are so much more than just phones now. On the average weekday, the first sound many people hear is the alarm on their cell phone. This serves as a catalyst for the following daytime onslaught of texting, calling, checking Facebook, taking pic-

tures, watching YouTube, using the bottomless supply of apps, etc.

For college students, this process often doesn’t stop until late at night or early the next morning, and just like clockwork, the following day the process starts over again.

Besides these obvious uses of the device, cell phones also serve more specific needs of the college population.

For instance, many people don’t own watches and instead use their phone to check the time, while others no longer have planners and are instead putting appointments into their phones with reminder alarms beforehand.

Once in a while, it is even handy to use the simple calculator that is included on even the most basic phones.

I was feeling lost without my figurative life raft as the weekend approached, and was curious to see how well I would survive it. Throughout the course of the weekend, I learned several interesting things.

Firstly, whenever awkward silences fall upon a group of people (which they inevitably always do) everyone quickly whips out their phone and starts to text (or at least pretends to). This is done so that the awkward silence hanging in the air doesn’t manifest into a suffocating blanket of awkward that makes it difficult to breathe at ease.

Instead of retreating into texting, I was forced to sit there and either slowly gasp under the blanket or come up with something to say. Basically, I had to be completely present wherever I was, without having the ability to talk to someone who wasn’t in the room.

Which is another thing - being completely present and living in the moment is something that is easily forgotten with the phone

keyboard at one’s fingertips. While people hunch over their devices, texting people elsewhere, they have become completely oblivious to events happening around them. Rather than enjoying where they were and meeting people around them, they were preoccupied with somewhere they probably shouldn’t have been.

There is nothing wrong with this, and I probably would’ve done something similar if I had a phone with me. However, seeing it from the outside-in made it seem a little different. It almost made me a little sad that people couldn’t

be content wherever they were without worrying about what everyone else was up to.

While I am still looking forward to receiving my phone in the mail sometime this week, not having it has taught me a few valuable lessons.

My goal for the future is to become less dependent on my phone and to make it less of a figurative life raft in the rough waters of life to help keep me afloat. ■ *This article was originally published in the Daily Barometer. It appears here in its original form.

NEWS ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 7

6 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ OPINION HOMELESSNESS FROM PAGE 1

VANGUARD EDITORIAL

QUOTE FOR THOUGHT

Work it

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA.ORG

“Advances in computer technology and the Internet have changed the way America works, learns, and communicates. The Internet has become an integral part of America’s economic, political, and social life.”

Bill Clinton

An increased number of students took their seats in classes across the state last fall as Oregon universities saw yet another increase in enrollment. These students may have ambitious intentions, all eager to earn a rather significant piece of paper, but often they aren’t utilizing all of the available resources that could prepare them to successfully enter the workforce.

Enrollment growth has been Oregon’s trend over the past few years. In fact, since 2008, Oregon’s universities have seen enrollment increase by over 5 percent each year—during the five years before this, enrollment rates never rose above 1.9 percent. As the economy suffered and unemployment rates skyrocketed, college seemed like a logical place to prepare for the next stage in life, and also to provide a means to better insulate oneself from an unstable job market.

As reported in the Vanguard [“Grad rates are up,” Jan. 11], not only has enrollment been increasing—taking into consideration the number of transfer and part-time students at Portland State— but the university also boasts a rising graduation rate, stemming from our diverse campus. Our university is known for attracting many who don’t fit the traditional student mold. PSU is a bastion for those who manage school around a full-time job, are returning from an educational hiatus, are transitioning directly from high school, and more recently, those escaping the harsh conditions of a suffering economy.

But what will happen when these future graduates re-enter the job market, with degrees or additional credentials competing against each other?

PSU’s own career center promotes that employers seek more than a mere degree—they also desire skills and experience in a job candidate. And sadly, many students fail to utilize the benefits available to them while at a university, beyond getting an education. College is more than a series of classes leading up to a piece of paper—it offers opportunities to gain experience, skills and connections via a number of avenues.

Student groups are just one such avenue; PSU has hundreds of them. Take Portland State Professional Sound, for example. Students attracted to concert production, sound engineering and other areas of the professional audio field can become involved and gain experience that their classes cannot provide—experience they may want to use in their careers.

The same can be said for our student government—an organization where students engage in a political process, work with the community and forge connections. ASPSU welcomes interns and committee members, and almost always has a position open in its Student Senate, Judicial Board and Executive Branch. Right now it’s recruiting students to sit on its annual Elections Board, which oversees the student government elections in the spring, and it’s even a paid position!

PSU is filled with a great number of opportunities from the Friends of Graphic Design to the Fermentation Society—that’s right, PSU even has a group for beer lovers.

Volunteering is another avenue for personal development that students can take. Job seekers can overcome the catch-22 of not being able to find a job in a particular field due to lack of experience through the ability to list relevant volunteer experience on their résumés.

Connections are also a valuable resource to pool from. Teachers, managers and other influential figures are sources of recommendation letters and references, and some may even have a connection or two of their own that can prove beneficial. Sure, it’s not entirely about who you know—but it can help.

Think of your time in college as a jigsaw puzzle—many pieces adding up to a bigger picture. One piece is your education and degree. Others are valuable experiences and the people you meet and connect with. These pieces form a more complete graduate.

Students should not neglect the opportunities that surround them—especially the opportunities that reach beyond their degrees.

EDITORIAL BOARD Virginia Vickery Editor-in-Chief Corie Charnley News Editor Nicholas Kula Arts & Culture Editor Richard Oxley Opinion Editor Robert Britt Sports Editor Copy Chief Kristin Pugmire

University does not have an official policy regarding homeless people on campus According to Daniel Ledezman, policy director from the Office of City Commissioner Nick Fish, on any given night, 1,600 people sleep on the street, and 42 percent are in the downtown area.

Campus Public Safety Office Chief Michael Soto said that, in the past, students and parents have complained about homeless people on campus.

“I can only respond when there’s a behavior issue, not simply because someone is homeless,” Soto said.

According to Soto, there currently is not an official university policy regarding homeless people on campus.

The most common complaint about homeless individuals is their hygiene, Soto said. However, officers cannot simply exclude someone for that reason, though individuals are asked to go clean up if it becomes a persisting issue.

Erick Crouton, a sophomore at PSU, said that he doesn’t mind having outsiders on campus, but sometimes finds the odor to be both overwhelming and distracting.

“I can smell it if a homeless person used the bathroom before me,” he said.

PSU is different than the area’s

other four-year colleges, such as Reed College and the University of Portland, because it is situated in the heart of downtown near homeless shelters and the free rail system.

In fact, according to Reed’s Director of Community Safety Gary Granger, unlike PSU, the university does not even bother to differentiate the number of crimes related to homeless persons because the number is too insignificant to be distinguished in a yearly analysis.

There are certain spaces on campus that are always restricted to outsiders, regardless of whether they are homeless or not, according to CPSO. One example is university housing, where access to resident areas requires a card. However, in a CPSO report, out of the 184 cases involving a homeless person at PSU in 2010, 18 took place in university housing, which represents about 9 percent of recorded cases.

Soto said outsiders gain access to these restricted areas due to negligence on the part of students when they fail to make sure that the entrance is fully shut.

According to Christina Shafer, assistant director for Residential Education, the majority of these incidents occur in the public en-

trances, not the residential floors of the buildings.

She said that the Broadway Housing Building and the Ondine Residence Hall receive the most violations, which may be because of their locations on busy streets.

According to Shaffer, Residential Education conducts yearly surveys that measure students’ perceptions of safety and security on campus. In 2010, the survey revealed that students, overall, felt very safe.

Perceptions aside, for many street citizens, the fears of police intimidation and the unforgiving public is real, at least for one man, who goes by the name of Tom. At 57 years old, Tom said he has seen many incidents of officers harassing homeless people, a fear that prevented him from going inside PSU’s facilities to use the restroom. “[The cops] are scary people,” he said.

Due to fears of campus and city law enforcement officers, Tom said he stays in northwest Portland.

“A long time ago I used to sleep right there by that church,” Tom said, pointing toward St. Michaels, “And these college cops, they hated that, so they just stand there making funny noises, they bug you, bother you, ridicule you.”

Tom said he has been on the street since at least the 1980s, and since then, he said property laws and city ordinances have become more restrictive, which gradually leave homeless people

TUTORING FROM PAGE 1

Development of Learning Center takes pressure off of the Undergraduate Advising and Support Center.

Academic Support Program, and has changed its name to the Learning Center.

“The combination of these two entities is the first step in the construction of a true Learning Center,” said Dan Fortmiller, associate vice provost for Academic Services.

“Ultimately, we would like to establish a dedicated building to house the Learning Center, but that’s definitely something down the road”.

According to Fortmiller, the two entities were supposed to be combined early in fall term, but it wasn’t until Jan. 7 that the Learning Center became official. Former Academic Support Program Director Liane O’Banion was appointed as the center’s assistant director.

O’Banion was the head of the former Academic Support Program. In addition to O’Banion, a full-time office manager position has been created within the Learning Center in order to handle the clerical duties. The position has not yet been filled.

According to Learning Center Director Lisa Hatfield, this will be the extent of staffing changes made during the transition, and no student tutors will be replaced or let go.

“It seems logical to combine these two departments,” Hatfield said. “Having them in the same office really creates that sense of synergy.”

Though the offices focus on separate goals, Hatfield said

that the inclusion of the Academic Support Program will afford the Learning Center more time to focus on research, data collection and the perfection of the tutoring program.

“Right now, we have an overwhelming amount of male tutors in the math department,” she said. “We’d like to figure out how to attract more female tutors for this field.”

While the former Peer Tutoring Center focused primarily on peer-to-peer instruction, the Academic Support Program mainly provides services to students that are at risk of academic failure.

Students that have repeatedly remained on academic probation are required to work with the support program in order to remain in the university. The service also helps prevent students who are under-prepared, or continually struggling, from failing their classes.

The development of the Learning Center has also alleviated stress on the Undergraduate Advising and Support Center (UASC).

Each year, UASC hosts the Roads to Success program for incoming college freshmen.

This three-credit course is offered prior to the start of fall term and provides valuable college skills and increases retention rates among students who struggled in high school.

Events like this, which are

academic in nature, will now be handled by the Learning Center, allowing more time for UASC to spend advising undergraduate students.

In addition to diversifying tutor demographics, Hatfield hopes the newly renovated Learning Center will also be able to provide the best tutoring experience possible.

“We’re sending our tutors into classes that have high failure rates, like upper-level math and science courses,” Hatfield said. “We want tutors to understand how these classes are taught so they, in turn, know how to better help students.”

Last year, the Peer Tutoring Center received nearly 4,000 student contacts, involving at least 1,000 different students, many of whom were repeat visitors to the center. In the coming months, Hatfield hopes that the Learning Center will be able to accommodate more peer tutors to satisfy the growing need.

The Learning Center will also aid in the development of Chiron Studies curriculum.

Formed in 1969, Chiron Studies allows post-baccalaureate and upper division students to propose and teach courses that interest them. The classes are generally university accredited, four-credit courses.

The Learning Center is located in 439 Smith Memorial Student Union. For more information, contact 503-725-4448. ■

Reexamining stereotypes: Students in the "Street Roots" capstone study homelessness issues.

with no place to go.

“Students often look at me judgmentally, they assume you have mental problems, it’s all very territorial nowadays,” he said.

In an effort to educate students about the common misconceptions surrounding homelessness, a University Studies capstone course brings students from the classrooms into the street, in effect bridging theories about homelessness with actual experiences as part of the pedagogical strategy.

Developed by Instructor Colleen Kaleda, a journalist with 15

SARIA DY/VANGUARD

years of experience, students in the “Street Roots” course write articles relating to poverty and homelessness.

Kaleda said she finds many of her students come out with a sense of empathy toward homeless individuals.

“Stereotypes are broken down when students talk to these individuals,” she said. “They realize that alcoholism and drug use are often symptoms of being on the street, as coping mechanisms instead of the reason why people are homeless.”

Representatives from Sisters of the Road (SOR), a homeless-

advocacy group, believe that encounters with the homeless community on campus should not pose as a burden to students.

Rather, it should provide them with a civic engagement opportunity.

“You are missing this great learning opportunity if you just notice their smell and appearance,” said Heather Dorfman, development associate at SOR and former graduate student at PSU. “Instead, we should be asking questions, [such as] why don’t they have health care and affordable housing, and step back from that blaming-the-individual mode.”

According to SOR Development Manager Lisa Hawash, in recent years public policy has been formulated with the intention of excluding certain individuals from business areas, which partly contributes to the reason why homeless and transients are more visible at PSU. Private businesses are the ones backing such ordinances, Hawash said. She referred to 2008’s Sit-Lie Ordinance, that has since been struck down, which excluded homeless people from commercial districts.

Dorfman said that, having worked with individuals with mental illness in the past through SOR, she has found that homeless people pose no greater of a risk to students on campus than their classmates. “[What we do know] is that the people who commit crimes on campus are more likely to be students,” she said. ■

ARTS & CULTURE ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 9

8 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ ARTS & CULTURE

A&C

EDITOR: NICHOLAS KULA ARTS@DAILYVANGUARD.COM 503-725-5694

GO VEGAN

The ballad of Bob Belcher A new animated series with big shoes to fill Joshua Hunt Vanguard staff

F

network’s

animated series, “Bob’s Burgers,” became the highest-rated new series premiere of the season on Sunday. Quirky cartoon families have become somewhat of a Sunday evening tradition for Rupert Murdoch’s television network, but everything about the Belcher family is different—including their place in the Fox empire.

The cancellation of Mike Judge’s longrunning “King of the Hill” series left Fox with some big shoes to fill. While the network still enjoys massive success with “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy” and “American Dad,” all of their animated media interests are riding on two horses. Matt Groening’s “Simpsons,” which was renewed for its 23rd season in November, has long endured critical accusations of declining quality. Producer Mike Scully, who ran the show from seasons nine through 12, has frequently been accused of turning television’s first real animated series into a mere cartoon. Scully was once famously quoted as saying that the key to longevity in television is to lower one’s quality standards. “Once you’ve done that, you can go on forever,” he said.

Meanwhile, Seth McFarlane’s wildly popular “Family Guy” and “American Dad” franchises are both extremely polarizing and almost completely ox

latest

madcap and non sequitur; this brings us back to the Hank Hill-sized hole left in the hearts of Sunday night viewers. “King of the Hill” was a sustainable franchise not because it was a funny cartoon, but because it was a touching cartoon that happened to be funny.

Fox is not taking any big risks in choosing the show that would follow “The Simpsons” in its coveted prime time line-up. The creator of “Bob’s Burgers” is Loren Bouchard, co-creator of the classic “Home Movies” and “Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist.” Bouchard is a man with a proven track record and the respect of the cartoon community, such as it is. He also brings with him an ace in the hole, in the form of H. Jon Benjamin.

Bouchard once told a panel that in 15 years he’d never done a cartoon without the considerable talents of H. Jon Benjamin, and that he never wanted to attempt it. Indeed, the man who has lent his vocal talents to such classic characters as Coach McGuirk on “Home Movies,” Ben on “Dr. Katz” and Carl on “Family Guy” is every bit as masterful in his role as Bob Belcher, patriarch of Fox’s newest animated family. The magic that Bouchard and Benjamin create together is not the product of touching storylines or overwrought character development, however. The secret of their success lies largely in Benjamin’s brilliant comedic timing, which lends to everything that he says an air of humanity. Not only are the scripts funny, as is Benjamin’s unique voice, but to hear Bob Belcher constantly talk over his children’s lines, just as Coach McGuirk often

OR DIE!

“Forks Over Knives” is making quite a buzz Richard D. Oxley Vanguard staff

photo courtesy of twentieth century fox

did with his students, is to hear the true sounds of comedic genius. After all, it’s not just anyone who would be chosen to portray Master Shake in the one and only live action episode of Adult Swim’s “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.” It could only have been H. Jon Benjamin.

Not only is Benjamin brilliant, but he’s supported by a dream ensemble of voice talent cast as his family. They are perhaps not big names in Hollywood, but names that ring all the right bells in the cartoon world. It takes a lot for a show starring Benjamin not to rely too heavily on him, and that restraint is evident here, and possible only due to the stellar casting.

While “Bob’s Burgers” has its work cut out for it, it has certainly taken its first steps in

the right direction. As a team, Bouchard and Benjamin have never once disappointed their fans. The prospect of these two cult heroes of the cartoon world bringing their unique animated comedic style to a mainstream audience is indeed interesting, but not at all unprecedented. In fact, Bouchard’s former collaborator and “Home Movies” co-creator Brendan Small has gone on to have considerable success with his popular animated series “Metalocalypse,” which has become something of a cottage industry unto itself. Fox appears to be banking on the chance that “Bob’s Burgers” can also turn its quirky cache into the next big thing. The network has reportedly ordered an additional 13 episodes of “Bob’s Burgers.” ■

Mythology enters the gymnasium Campus rec is going to show you the light Rian Evans Vanguard staff

A

s part of the Healthy U Wellness Challenge, campus rec will be hosting a Smart Goals and Fitness Myths event on Wednesday, Jan. 19 from noon to 1 p.m. in SMSU 229 (the alumni lounge). The event will be conducted by campus rec fitness coordinator Erin Orndorf and Gwyn Ashcom of the Center for Student Heath and Counseling.

The event aims to educate attendees about realistic goal setting and to debunk common fitness myths.

I’m going to go out on a limb and preemptively recommend that all new trainees definitely attend this event. Having “been around the block” a bit when it comes to exercise, I not only remember my own tribulations, confusion and frustrations as I first began exercising, but I’ve also witnessed dozens of individuals go through the same issues. I don’t want to see that happen to you; I want the process to be as painless as possible.

Thanks to a near-unquenchable thirst for knowledge and hours upon hours of Internet searching, I managed to come out on top.

I’m here, over eight years later, and I’m still enjoying exercise. I have my difficulties, of course, but my point is that I never got so frustrated or confused that I completely threw in the towel. Unfortunately, I’m the exception

to the rule. Most people aren’t nearly as lucky or as stubborn as I was.

Most new trainees get excited to take control of their health, only to be confronted with a variety of information so vast that they’re completely overwhelmed. Maybe they can’t stick with a single program for more than a week because they keep hearing about the latest and greatest routine. Maybe they expect to lose five pounds in a week, but only manage to lose one. They give up, thinking that they must be genetically cursed and that there is no point in even trying. Maybe they’re bombarded with so much information (and misinformation) that they can’t even decide on any form of exercise and instead fall into “paralysis by analysis.” All of these scenarios are, sadly, very common.

all photos by drew martig/VANGUARD STAFF

Stretches: Instructor Erin Orndorf shows us how.

I know many an experienced trainee who believe that simply training with higher repetitions is going to magically make them leaner, or that there is some miraculous physiological change one can experience by ceasing to eat after 7 p.m.

It isn’t just beginners who are plagued by misinformation. I know many an experienced trainee who believe that simply training with higher repetitions is going to magically make them leaner, or that there is some miraculous physiological change one can experience by ceasing to eat after 7 p.m. (As a side note, there isn’t. This is just calorie-control for dummies.)

Trainees of all experience levels can fall prey to misinformation and pseudoscience.

So, for those who don’t want to brave it

on their own or who don’t have iron wills, please consider attending this event. I grew up in a Podunk southern Oregon town and I would have killed for an educational opportunity like this. The information to which one is—or isn’t—exposed can indirectly lead to failure or success in the personal fitness game. Those who are anything less than 100 percent certain on all the fitness decisions they’re making should be sure not to miss this event. ■

W

e all have one…or two, or five vegan friends.

And if you do, chances are they have mentioned the recent documentary “Forks Over Knives.” The film has only seen a few select screenings, but it has still managed to make a significant impact on its viewers, and has caused quite a buzz.

You might have asked your meat-challenged friends, “What is the film about, anyway?”

At best, you will get a response that goes something like, “Well, you just have to watch it.” Well, actually, now you don’t, though you should—just read on.

As an omnivore, you need not fear this movie and it is definitely worth a viewing. The film itself will pique your curiosity and offers a number of stimulating thoughts. In fact, the only downside might be the audience with which you find yourself watching it—it’s kind of like going to see “The Passion of the Christ” with a theater full of highly charismatic church groups.

“Forks Over Knives” is a rather well put-together documentary; a relief, given the plethora of infotainment-oriented documentaries so popular these days. It relates the stories of Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, discovering links between the human diet and health—specifically the relation of diet to certain diseases and health conditions that plague many in the Western world. This is the foundation of the documentary; it then builds more informational structures upon this base.

In the end, the basic idea is that meat is bad— at least, it is the way we have been viewing it.

Not because of cruelty, or because it makes hippies sad. But rather because, medically speaking, a meat-based diet can increase the threat of a number of illnesses from cancer to heart disease. The film goes further, reporting what doctors Campbell and Esselstyn have discovered: Plant based, whole food diets tend to produce healthier individuals and in many cases can reverse crippling diseases in patients.

A number of cases are presented as evidence, in addition to the scientific studies of both doctors—an elderly woman who is a gold medal marathon runner, a UFC fighter and a man who, over the course of the film, reverses many of his conditions, such as diabetes.

There are also a number of other patients, some of whom were told years ago that they would not live much longer before starting a plant-based diet. They’re still around.

The film also provides a brief overview of how the Western diet evolved and why we think about food the way we do. Suspicious connections between the food industry and the Department of Agriculture—the department meant to oversee that industry— are made rather clear.

While “Forks Over Knives” is certainly worthy of watching, it is a documentary designed to present an argument—keep this in mind while watching. As with any documentary putting forth an agenda, one has to wonder what is either not being said or is being slanted. After watching the film—being a mere layman on such topics—I felt as if a number of informational and contextual gaps were left wide open.

One such gap is the issue of how one moves to and maintains a plant-based diet to begin with— this is the main message of the film, after all.

Contextual gaps also arise. For example, most people provided in the film as examples of healthy plant-eaters (one of whom is Dr. Esselstyn’s own son) also share something unique—they all got off their asses. And let’s face it, getting off our asses is not something Americans are known for. While they may be eating healthier, they are also running, lifting weights and engaging in other vigorous activities. So either this behavior could also be contributing to their success in staying healthy, or becoming vegan will automatically turn you into a UFC fighter capable of winning triathlons and being able to hike 10 floors with full firefighting gear on. Anyone with an interest in food or healthy diets might have a couple cents to throw in after watching this film. Debates will be sparked.

For the time being, this film is only making the rounds in spurts. It came to the Fox Tower last week, thanks to support from the nonprofit organization Northwest Veg, but is set for wide release on March 11, 2011.

It is difficult to argue against much of what is said in the film—at least, it is difficult for the average Joe with no medical degree. It is likely that people would be better off listening to the points put forth in the film and acting upon them by changing their diets to adopt more healthy and natural habits. Whether or not viewers want to go to the extremes that “Forks Over Knives” promotes is another issue altogether. Sure, I’ll stick to the produce aisles of my grocery store—but I’m still going fishing and lighting up my BBQ from timeto-time. ■

CARNIVORES VS.

VEGANS Nicholas Kula Vanguard Staff

After seeing “Forks Over Knives,” you may be torn between your tasty meat-eating lifestyle and the struggle for sustainability and health. However, Portland, being the diverse microcosm that it is, has extreme options for you whether or not you were affected by FoK.

MEAT: OLYMPIC PROVISIONS

photo courtesy of OLYMPICPROVISIONS.COM

VEGAN: PORTOBELLO VEGAN TRATTORIA

photo courtesy of THISISPIZZA.BLOGSPOT.COM

“Forks Over Knives” Set for wide release in March 2011, then in your vegan friend’s living room once on DVD

OP calls themselves an “American charcuterie.”

And they are. Olympic Provisions is one of Portland’s only establishments that wears its meatiness on its sleeve, and the badge of honor’s crux is the giant “MEAT” sign hanging up in the place. While they do have vegetarian and pescatarian offerings on their menu, anyone who’s anyone knows that the meats are where it’s at. Their meat is all house-cured, incredibly delicious, and may make you care less about animal rights.

PVT has been lauded as having food as delicious as possible while having no animal products in the place. Something of note is that PVT’s pizza is known as being one of the best in the city, and their cashew “cheese” is alleged to be the stuff of legends. Like other vegan places, they’ve perfected the art of the vegetable. However, PVT has taken the art to a new level by opening a traditional Italian trattoria consisting of old-world cooking techniques with a vegan flair. In addition to a mouth-watering menu, PVT has a pretty unique décor that adds to the overall experience.

10 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ ARTS & CULTURE

ARTS & CULTURE ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 11

What Jamie Foxx and company didn’t show you

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEDICA.LA

Ray Charles: That tux would make God blush.

“Ray Charles: America” tells you everything else Ines Kuna Vanguard staff

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spraic’s “Ray Charles America” is a thoughtful look into the life of a musical pioneer and revolutionary. Presented in Spraic’s organized and pleasing composition, the film follows Charles’ success. Although split into various sections—“Dirt,” “Sin,” “Politics,” etc.— “Ray Charles: America” appears to focus on one anya

goal: to portray Charles as “a man who lived the American dream by rewriting it.”

Ray Charles’ life is used as a foil against which the documentary reflects on greater issues of humanity. Charles was able not only to create and reform music, but to revolutionize and rename culture. His creativity and perseverance gave a new name to society’s underrepresented and unprivileged.

The film insightfully explores Charles’ staple of genius as his creativity, and not his blindness.

At a time of segregation, his blindness came as a sort owf advantage—he was seen as less of a

Bean it How to prepare a pantry staple Kat Vetrano Vanguard staff

Most people (including myself, until very recently) do not see the value in making a pot of beans. Why take the time to soak, simmer and flavor, when I can just pop open a can and have some already made for me? Well, for starters, have a look at your standard 99-cent can of beans and check out the sodium content. Why is that number so much bigger than the others?

Impressive, huh? A little scary, even. And the usual rebuttal to the sodium argument is “just rinse your beans; now they’re fine,” which is a good approach if you’re short on time.

But I’ve found that rinsing canned beans, while reducing sodium, rather zaps the flavor.

Meanwhile, in a pot of beans, you control how much salt goes in, and you have several servings to last you a long time

threat and allowed to stay in hotels and do other things that most African Americans were not.

Starting out musically, his blindness might have been a kind of advertisement, as the film shows an old poster headed “Blind Musician.” But this sort of recognition quickly fades.

It wasn’t until Charles composed his own genre—which combined the rhythm of gospel with the lyrics of the blues—that he really broke out as an individual artist of soul music.

This theme of creativity continues throughout the movie, culminating in Ray’s motto: I can do anything you can do—I just have to look at another way of doing it.

Post-rock will never die, but you will

The film is shot in typical documentary style: The interviews are glamorized, with black backdrops; photographs are used sporadically; music other than that of Charles himself fades in and out at just the right times; and a narrator is used sparingly. This is what viewers can expect of any major documentary, so it is naturally a comforting composition.

Yet, in some ways, this style loses authenticity through this generic format.

But unlike many other documentaries, it features a relatively large pool of interviewees, ranging from Ray’s popular friends and fans such as Bill Cosby, Tom Waits, Reverend Jesse Jackson and the director of “Ray,” to less known but no-less-contributive voices such as Charles’ valet driver and childhood friend from the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind.

The documentary successfully covers all the major facets of Ray Charles’ life— the Cinderella story of a poverty stricken-life as a blind, near-orphaned black teenager growing up during segregation and the Jim Crow era, his rendition of the style of soul and his continuing legacy—yet only touches briefly on the things that may have contributed to Charles’ downfall into what one interviewee describes as the saddest man she’d ever known.

His personal struggles, such as his addiction to heroin and unstable love life, are mentioned in passing but never explored. Perhaps this is to continue the movie’s initial argument that Ray Charles represents the American dream—or maybe no one else seemed to think that these obstacles affected him much in the end. The film somehow manages to keep up its theme, suggesting that the American dream is to be unconventional. But does this unconventional success in the case of Ray Charles still lead him to a life of sadness? And if so, does that mean that the American dream is always a tragic one? ■

Ray Charles America NW Film Center nwfilm.org

original debut work.

That said, “Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will” serves as a clear Jake Stevens display of the Scottish Vanguard staff band’s distinct ability to n fear of labeling this group along the lines of post-rock or capture an audience— just plain instrumental, Mogwai is approaching the masses especially without the this year with a new album that’s holding rather familiar comfortable feeling that sounds from the previous full-length albums it has already lyrics hold. put forth.

Braithwaite stated in Hailing from a land known for creatures like the infamous a 1999 interview with Loch-Ness, Sean Connery and its signature animal—the uni- Marcus Dunk from The All PHOTOs COURTESY OF SUBPOP RECORDS corn—this Scottish five-piece has completed their rather promis- Express, “I think most Cityscape: The closest thing Mogwai has seen to ing seventh full-length studio album, “Hardcore Will Never Die, people are not used to civilization in three years.

But You Will.” The album is going to be released by the group’s having no lyrics to fovery own Rock Action Label in the U.K. and on Sub Pop here in cus on. Lyrics are a real the U.S. on Feb. 14. comfort to some people. I guess they like to sing along and when Producing the record, Paul Savage (also the drummer of fel- they can’t do that with us they can get a bit upset.” It seems as low Scottish group The Delgados) had previously worked with though the no-lyrics attitude took a short break when the band rethe band on its debut album “Mogwai Young Team” back leased its most widely acclaimed and accessible work “Mr. Beast” in 1997. in 2006. The group ended up using vocals intermittently through“Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will” was first mentioned out the record, rather then relying on them for the melodic strucin 2008 on the famed British music blog Spinner UK by one ture of the song, which suspiciously, may have been the reason for of the band’s founders and guitarists Stuart Braithwaite, shortly its highly welcomed critical response.

The same accessibility and ease in the gliding textures over the ambi“I think most people are not used to having no lyrics ance that “Mr. Beast” offers can be to focus on. Lyrics are a real comfort to some people. compared to what you will find on “Hardcore Will Never Die, But You I guess they like to sing along and when they can’t Will.” Of the 10 songs that the album offers, it seems that the only do that with us they can get a bit upset.” way to tell that there are songs as STUART BRAITHWAITE long as eight minutes would be to actually check. following the release of the group’s well-received album Overall, there is no doubt that this record will further the “The Hawk is Howling.” continuation of Mogwai’s music-making streak—in which the group “I think it’s going to be an interesting record,” Braithwaite told releases a full-length studio album at least every three years, along Spinner UK. “Quite often when we go into the studio, our songs with an array of EPs in between whether success is measured either in are nearly written. There’s almost a tone of a song, but as the whole praise or the amount of albums the group releases. ■ band, you haven’t realized where it’s going.”

“Hardcore” is layered with comfortable ambient sounds that are “Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will” then wrapped around the familiar Mogwai guitar fuwzz, which could Mogwai easily compare to the sounds of psychedelic hipster riffs commonly Sub Pop heard leaking from basement windows around northeast Portland.

Out Feb. 14 However, the record isn’t exactly anything that compares to how the group had originally shaken up the art-rock world with its

Mogwai returns to rock’s least-defined subgenre

I

for under three dollars. The pot of beans will last for about a week in the fridge, and even longer if you freeze some of it (with its cooking liquid).

Anyway, the recipe for beans is so simple; it’s not even really a recipe. The steps are standard:

HOW TO PREPARE BEANS 1. Pour a bag (or pound if you bought in bulk) of beans in a strainer. Rinse, making sure there are no clumps of dirt or rocks. Put the beans in the largest pot you have. Fill the pot with enough water so the beans are covered by a few inches. Let the pot sit all day while you’re in class or overnight (there are variations to not soaking as well; simply skip the soaking and bring the pot of beans to a boil before moving on to step two).

2. Drain the beans and put them back in the pot, adding more water so it’s about double or triple the height of the beans. Throw in any flavorings (except for salt, which you will add later): carrots, shallots, garlic, onion, etc.

3. Bring the heat to a simmer (it will take a while to bubble; you can increase this by covering it for a little).

4. Let simmer until you taste a bean that is to your liking—its doneness is really based on your preference; some like creamy beans, some like them more firm. Add salt in the last 15 minutes of cooking.

PHOTO COURTESY OF highlandviewpantry.b.logspot.com

And that’s all there is to it. Some beans will take 45 minutes to cook; some will take a few hours. I like to make mine on a free afternoon when I can just let the pot simmer in the background of whatever else I’ve got going on.

My favorite preparation recently has been adding cumin and carrot to a pot of pinto beans, and when they are done, serving them dressed in white wine vinegar, parsley, olive oil, and salt and pepper. ■ Mogwai

YOU WANT THE SHOWS? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE SHOWS! SATURDAY, JAN. 15 Breakfast Mountain, The Miracles Club, Dangerous Boys Club, Onuinu, Finesse, Purple N Green, Boyfriends, Serious Business, Linger & Quiet, Pinata, DJ Copy If you’re in the mood to dance on Saturday, you have two options.

If you want to see how Portland does it, Branx’s Superfresh 2 is the place to be. Featuring two bands with “club” right in their name, the extensive lineup promises to be quite the hootenanny.

Comprised of ex-members of Herion and Antioch Arrow, Dangerous Boys Club has your hipster number before you even hear a note of their music. Is there a genre of music more hip than mid-80sto-mid-90s emo? Further touching on that, is there a hipper label than San Diego’s Gravity Records? The world may never know.

Local electro-rap troupe Serious Business and renowned Portland Electronic artist Copy (as a DJ) open the whole shebang. And what a shebang it is! You get 11 bands for eight bucks!

BACKSPACE, 9 P.M., $5, ALL AGES

Skrillex, Egyptrixx, DJ Craze, Sidestep Your other option is this—a nutty, adrenaline-fueled dance blowout that contains a little over one-third of the acts of Superfresh 2 for a little over three times the cost. In those terms, any show can seem outrageous compared to Superfresh 2, but don’t write this one off.

Skrillex is arguably the biggest name in electronic music right now, and he achieved that spot without much effort. How did he climb to the top of the heap so quickly? He released two records in half a year’s time—June of 2010’s “My Name is Skrillex” EP and November’s “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” LP. Both records contain dangerous levels of dance, but the truly crazy part about them is the level of maturity that Skrillex gathers unto himself in the five-month period between the two releases. The tracks on SMaNS sound so polished compared to those on MNiS that one might not believe the two records are done by the same artist. Plus, when you get signed by the Deadmau5 and he’s opening for you a couple months later, you know you’ve arrived.

ROSELAND, 9 P.M., $25, ALL AGES

SUNDAY, JAN. 16 XDS, Broken Water, Happy Prescriptions There aren’t many bands like XDS. First and foremost, every time the letters XDS are written anywhere, they’re immediately followed up with (Experimental Dental School), though the name change took place years ago. This is Portland’s answer to bands like older Deerhoof and older Mae Shi. You can expect oddly accruing crescendos involving jangly guitar and crashing drums, and shortly afterward, the action will fizzle down to the subtle musings that gave birth to it. Though you wouldn’t expect it, XDS is formed of two members. This isn’t really an anomaly in Portland, as we have tons of one- and two-person bands as it is. However, XDS has been in the game long enough to hone its weirder-thanmost craft, and it really shows with the amount of off-kilter pop sensibilities the duo manages to cram into every song. Most bands like this serve to annoy, and XDS’s genius comes at the end of each tune, where you’re simultaneously wondering, “what the hell did I just listen to” and humming the last few bars of it. Yes, they’re like that. Go see them.

12 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ SPORTS

SPORTS

SPORTS ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 13

EDITOR: ROBERT BRITT SPORTS@DAILYVANGUARD.COM 503-725-4538

COMMENTARY:

Where do the Blazers go from here?

Viks host Bengals in Big Sky home opener

First-year GM Rich Cho must find a new direction for Rip City

Women’s basketball to face a surging Idaho State team Monday at the Stott Center Stephen Lisle Vanguard staff

W

hile Big Sky Conference play is already underway for Portland State women’s basketball, Vikings fans have yet to see any of the league action in Portland. But that will change Monday, when PSU hosts the Idaho State Bengals.

The Vikings (7-7, 0-1 Big Sky) are facing a difficult league schedule that puts them on the road for four of

PSU has won six of the last seven games against the Bengals and will count on its home-court advantage this week to send the Bengals an early-season message. The Vikings are 5-1 this season at the Stott Center.

Although the past has seen success for the Vikings when paired against Idaho State, there are no guarantees in the Big Sky Conference. Head coach Sherri Murrell knows the difficulties of having a

dominance yet in the Big Sky, so we cannot afford to look past any teams, especially since they are wanting to defeat last year’s champions.

We always have to put in 40 minutes and give a full effort.”

Idaho State has heavily relied on guard Chelsea Pickering for creating offense.

Pickering averages 18 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in her senior season, and she has emerged as a primary leader for the team. Her outside shooting will be dangerous if not covered up immediately by the Viking defense. Murrell and company are familiar with Pickering, and the Vikings’ coach also knows the shiftiness of Idaho State’s offense.

“They are great with their motion offense, smoothly creating picks and screens,” Murrell said. “We are going to have to play our best defense and make some big stops.”

Murrell is first emphasizing defense, because the potential is already there on the offensive side, with dangerous 3-point shooters in guards Eryn Jones and Kelli Valentine who are averaging above 37 percent from behind the arc.

They will have to be on top of their game after losing starting center Shauneice Samms to injury, who provided easy

focus on one game at a time has been key. The loss was big, but Samms is likely to not miss the entire season and should be back in a few weeks. Murrell knows that getting through January in decent shape will be a task in itself, but it is something she believes her roster is capable of doing.

“This month is going to be tough on our players,” Murrell said. “It is an incredibly tough schedule to start out with, but we just need to emphasize playing all 40 minutes and trying to come home with a few road wins, and we can come out alright.”

The Viks play five of seven games away from home this month, but they are not making any excuses when it comes to having to win games.

The chance to catch some fresh air and win at home against the Bengals will be huge for the Viks this month.

Creating a solid defense will allow the Viks to have instant offense on the other side of the ball and make shots from where they are dangerous, behind the arc.

Look for Kelly Marchant to have another big game, as she went 4 of 5 on 3-point shooting against Eastern Washington and ended the first game of conference play with 17 points. ■

Brock with the rock: Sophomore Courtney VanBrocklin leads the Vikings with an average of 13.1 points per game and 22 steals this season.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP Portland State Kelli Valentine Senior forward 5-11 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds per game

“ No team has shown dominance yet in

A key player: Junior guard Eryn Jones has started all 14 games this season.

their first five Big Sky games, and on Monday they will look to prevent a loss on their home court. Last night, PSU faced Northern Colorado (6-9, 1-1 Big Sky), the results of which were not available as of press time.

Last year, PSU and Idaho State split the conference series, with both teams winning at home. The important win for the Vikings came when they defeated Idaho State, 75-61, in the Big Sky Championship tournament. While the Bengals were moderate contenders for the league title last year, they have started this season much stronger, going 10-4 overall and 1-0 in Big Sky play.

target on your team’s back, as the Vikings made it to the Div-I NCAA Tournament last season for the first time in school history.

It is still very early in the conference season and teams have yet to establish themselves as frontrunners for the conference championship.

Murrell emphasized that the Vikings cannot afford to go out and play anything less than all 40 minutes in every game this year. Finishing games is what makes teams contenders.

“We have to come out with effort every night, no matter the opponent,” Murrell said. “No team has shown

the Big Sky, so we cannot afford to look past any teams, especially since they are wanting to defeat last year’s champions.

We always have to put in 40 minutes and give a full effort.”

Eryn Jones Junior guard 5-8 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds per game 29 of 67 from three-point range

coach Sherri Murrell

points in the paint for the Viks.

Freshman center Allie Brock has been injected into the starting lineup and since the injury to Samms she has been holding her own under pressure.

While Samms provided excellent defense and was 62 percent from the field, the Vikings must create cohesion in the new lineup to have a solid defense and an offense that can get shots in the paint.

There have not been many changes to Murrell’s overall game plan since the loss of Samms, but continuing to

Allie Brock Freshman forward 6-0

Courtney VanBrocklin Sophomore guard 5-7 13.1 points, 5.7 rebounds per game

Lexi Bishop Senior guard 5-8 .333 shooting percentage 16 steals All photos by ADAM WICKHAM/VANGUARD STAFF

photos courtesy of goviks.com

With Roy likely shut down for the rest of the year and Oden’s future looking uncertain as usual, two pillars of the Blazers’ foundation Kevin Fong are showing cracks and looking very unstable.

Vanguard staff Fans are disheartened, and that’s understandable, but it’s not time to panic and it’s cerThe Portland Trail Blazers’ championship win- tainly not time to simply blow up this roster dow is shattered. At the start of the season, Port- by trading away Roy. land was still considered one the best up-andThe Blazers’ foundation may be damaged, but coming rosters in the NBA and many observers it’s still in place. It just needs to be shifted a bit. felt it was only a matter of time before the team Out of the ashes, LaMarcus Aldridge has began contending for championships. elevated his game to another level and is garIt’s funny how a few trips to the doctor’s office nering serious all-star considerations. He’s can change everything. Maybe “funny” isn’t the shown improved footwork, an array of post right word. moves and better touch around the hoop.

Greg Oden is out for another season, but But that’s not all—Aldridge has changed the we’re used to this diagnosis. Now we’re being style of his play, showing a concerted effort told Brandon Roy has no meniscus in either to score more buckets inside the paint. Last knee and will probably never be the same player season, it seemed a majority of Aldridge’s FG’s again? Ouch, that one stung, Doc. came from outside shots on the pick-and-pop play, but this year, it’s almost surprising to even see the play called, and that’s a good sign.

Make no mistake—Aldridge is the franchise player for Portland now. “L.A.” is posting career-highs in points (20.5 ppg), rebounds (8.8 rpg), steals (1.1 spg), blocks (1.3 bpg) and field-goal attempts (17.1 fga).

He’s already recorded 18 doubledoubles this season.

Just like head coach Nate McMillan, this team is competitive, stubborn and toughminded. With solid performances from veterans Andre Miller and Marcus Camby, along with most-improved player candidate Wesley Mathews, the Blazers have ground their way to a 20-18 record and are currently in eighth place in the Western Conference.

That’s great and all—the Blazers will make the playoffs again—but is this team going to contend for an NBA title LaMarcus Aldridge: L.A. hits a jumper from a distance against Dallas. any time soon? I doubt it.

Sure, they’ve overachieved, but they aren’t overachieving their way to a championship.

What Portland needs is a bonafide perimeter threat, someone who can get inside off the dribble, draw defenses and score points in bunches.

The Blazers need an all-star level player to help relieve the defensive pressure surrounding Aldridge on a nightly basis and provide another option down the stretch of games. If Roy can’t be relied on to be “the guy” anymore, then GM Rich Cho needs to go out and find somebody else.

Trading Roy isn’t a realistic option. Would you trade for a busted-up player with a maxcontract? Trading Oden isn’t a very smart move, either. What if Oden came back 100 percent healthy next season—after all, he’s only 22 years old—and then we’d really look like fools.

Still, with the trade deadline less than a month away, I’d be shocked if the Blazers didn’t make some sort of move. With expiring contracts from Miller, Camby and Joel Pryzbilla, plus a lot of attractive young talent like Nicholas Batum, the Blazers have plenty of assets to pull off a quality deal.

Rumored players coming back to Portland have included Philadelphia’s Andre Igoudala, New Jersey’s Devin Harris or Houston’s Aaron Brooks. All would be good options.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPORTS.YAHOO.COM

Up and over: Aldridge takes it to the hoop in Houston.

The bottom line is that Cho is under immense pressure to get something done. Rebuilding a foundation is hard work, but nothing gets done if you simply sit on your hands. ■

SPORTS ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 15

14 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ ETC.

ETC.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: VIRGINIA VICKERY EDITOR@DAILYVANGUARD.COM 503-725-5691

THE VIKING VOICE The NFL playoffs are down to eight teams, with each fighting for the chance to bring home the Vince Lombardi Trophy to its respective city. Yesterday, we asked several people from around campus who they think will make it to the Superbowl, and which team will, ultimately, be crowned national champion.

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 500 Seventh Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Friday, January 14, 2011

Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Dealersʼ dreads 6 Clothes hangers?

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B O M B S Y A Z

L L A N O

49 Spot for a tot 54 Stethoscope inventor Laënnec and others 55 Early 19thcentury engineering marvel 56 Bill Bradley, once 57 Where cells are of little use 58 Friends and such Down 1 Inventor of logarithms 2 Dualistic Egyptian deity 3 “All right, dude!”

4 Superb 5 What a motto encapsulates 6 Dupes in some mailboxes 7 Part of AIM 8 Part of many an AIM chat

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Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers

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Junior, Business Administration

Assistant Athletics Director, Facilities and Operations

Winner: New England Patriots

PSU Vikings’ quarterback

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Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski

“I’m going to say the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, just judging by their rankings."

“I have to go with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.

Sorry, no Seahawks.”

Winner: New England Patriots

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers

BRIANNA WINKLER

PAUL CHOI

Senior, Criminology and Criminal Justice

Senior, Microbiology

“It’s going to be the Seahawks and the Patriots. I feel good about those two.”

“I’d say the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, but the Patriots are going to win it.”

13 MSG component crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. 14 Apart

“From the NFC, they are playing really well and coming off a big win against the Saints last week, so I’m going to have to go with the Seattle Seahawks. It’s a clean slate in the playoffs, so everybody has a chance.

And coming from the AFC, I think this is a unanimous favorite—the New England Patriots. Tom Brady is playing the best football of his career.”

“It’s going to be Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

Now, who would I like to see? I would love to see the Jets and the Seahawks, but I don’t think they’re going to get that far.”

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45 Give a seat to Series” 53 Kind of flour N E W N A S D A Q D R A M A S O S U 11 Fancy shooters For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit M A S C O T S O S A 12 One who card, 1-800-814-5554.

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29 Grp. knocked in “Sicko” 30 Needle point?: Abbr.

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Winner: Seattle Seahawks

Winner: New England Patriots

SOREN ESTVOLD

JORDAN LEWIS

Senior, Pre-Med Biology

Freshman, Business Administration

“I’m going to go with the New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks—no, the Green Bay Packers. They seem more intense.

They are called the Packers after all, and with a name like that, how do you lose?“

“I’m going with the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers

Winner: Green Bay Packers

CJ WILLEY

GABBY GAITAN

Freshman, Criminology and Criminal Justice

Junior, Environmental Engineering

KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. ©2011 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by UFS, Inc. www.kenken.com

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating.

●

● The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given

1-14-11

SPORTS BRIEFS

operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners.

● Freebies: Fill in single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

Roy to undergo surgery Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy is going to have surgery on both knees, the team announced yesterday.

Roy, a three-time All-Star and the 2007 Rookie of the Year, will undergo arthroscopic surgery in Vancouver, Wash. next week. A timeline for his return is not yet available.

“I’m trying to do the best thing I can to get back on the floor,” Roy said in a statement released by the team. “We’ve been able to get a number of different opinions and it’s something we’ve decided.”

Roy has been out of the Blazers’ lineup for the past 13 games, and he has missed 16 games overall this season. He is averaging 16.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the 23 games he has played this season.

Viks tennis finds a home The Portland State tennis teams will play their home matches on the other side of the Columbia River this season.

Both the men’s and women’s teams will use the Club Green Meadows in Vancouver, Wash. as their home court for the entire 2011 season, according to a statement released by the school.

The club, located 12 miles north of campus, was the sight of several PSU tennis contests last season. This year, the women’s team is scheduled to host five matches at Club Green Meadows, beginning with a Jan. 30 matchup with UC Davis. The men’s team will host three events, starting with a meeting with Gonzaga on Feb. 6.

Badminton Club hosts tournament The Portland State Badminton Club is set to host the PSU Open Tournament on campus this weekend.

The tournament, held at the Academic and Student Rec Center, begins tonight and will continue Saturday morning. Prizes and medals are to be awarded, and the format of the tournament will be A/B drop flight.

As a result of the tournament, multi-use courts 1 and 2 will be closed to other activities.

Timbers draft The Portland Timbers continued to build their Major League Soccer franchise yesterday by adding a big-name player to their big-league roster during the 2011 MLS Super Draft.

With the second overall pick of the first round, the Timbers drafted 2010 Hermann Trophy winner Darlington Nagbe, striker/midfielder from the NCAA national champion University of Akron.

“We’ve now picked up in our eyes probably the best young player in the country in Darlington Nagbe,” head coach John Specer said in a press release. “I don’t think it was only us here in this room today who would have loved to have put their scarf around him or put his name on the back of their jersey. He’s a kid that can change the face of the game.”

Nagbe, who scored 19 goals and served up 19 assists in 73 games with Akron, was the first of five Akron team members to be drafted yesterday.

Portland then conducted multi-team trades, which resulted in the Timbers receiving allocation money and an international roster spot before picking University of Tulsa defender Chris Taylor. Taylor scored eight goals with 17 assists in 82 games with Tulsa. He was also a Third Team All-Conference USA selection.

Robert Britt

More road wins in NFL playoffs? Why not?

Barry Wilner The Associated Press

The road hardly was daunting in the wild-card round, and it might be just as kind when the NFL playoffs reach the final eight.

Even teams that rarely lose at home during the regular schedule — that would be the Patriots (8-0) and the Falcons (7-1) this season — could be vulnerable this weekend.

And the Steelers are not all that strong at home in the postseason, going 10-6 since 1990.

Plus, the Seahawks’ best game in 2010 was their win at Soldier Field in October.

So, which hosts will be generous and which will be stingy in the divisional round?

New York Jets (plus 9) at New England If this playoff edition of the nasty AFC East rivalry was decided by verbiage, the Jets (12-5) already would be headed to the AFC title game for the second straight year. Bill Belichick and his Patriots (14-2) are no match in the war of words.

Where they are a tough matchup is at Gillette Stadium.

The last time the Jets came calling, they left battered and silenced, 45-3 losers on Dec. 6.

“We moved past that game,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said, “but we’ll certainly look at it and try to improve on it. When you’re down 100 points, you’ll probably make mistakes.”

New England is a 9-point favorite for its first playoff game since the Ravens came into Foxborough and routed them 33-14 in the first round a year ago. Hard to believe that Tom Brady has won 28 consecutive regular-season home games, but hasn’t won a postseason contest at Gillette in three years after going 8-0 in home playoff games since becoming a starter in 2001.

He’s raring to go Sunday.

“Not that you need any more satisfaction to win a game like this because it’s the biggest game we’ve played all season,” Brady said.

The Jets won the first meeting, back in Week 2, 28-14, befuddling Brady with blitzes and pressure in the second half. These Patriots are a much different and improved team from the one that visited the Meadowlands in September.

Yes, the Jets are better, too. Not nearly enough, though.

BEST BET, PATRIOTS 28-17 Green Bay (plus 1½) at Atlanta If Green Bay (11-6) had been able to run the ball in the 20-17 loss at the Georgia Dome on Nov. 28, it likely would have won. But the Packers were held to 77 yards rushing, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers the leader with 51. That’s never a good thing on a pass-oriented team.

Rodgers also was 26 of 35 for 344 yards with one TD and no interceptions in that game. He did have a key fumble near the Atlanta goal line in the second quarter.

“That’s definitely something I remember from that game,” he said.

The Falcons had a few games like that this season, close affairs that they won with clutch defense or timely scoring. In going 13-3 for home-field advantage in the NFC, they ranked just 16th on offense and 16th on defense, but the Falcons led the NFC with a plus-14 turnover margin, including a conference-low 17 giveaways.

Green Bay should have plenty of impetus from winning three straight when one loss would have ended their season. The Pack is capable of building on the wild-card victory at Philadelphia.

UPSET SPECIAL: PACKERS, 23-20 Baltimore (plus 3½) at Pittsburgh If every AFC North meeting between the Ravens and Steelers is smashmouth, what is a playoff game between the bitter foes? Mega-smashmouth? Super-smashmouth?

“We both finished 12-4,” Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “That’s why, I think, the stakes are so much higher, the two best teams in the NFL. You can argue Atlanta and New England ... but anyone can argue the winner of this game will most likely to go on to win the Super Bowl.”

Perhaps. But first there is the spiciest matchup of this weekend, at Heinz Field, where the Ravens have never won in the postseason. They did edge the Steelers there 17-14 on Oct. 3, but Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger still was serving his four-game suspension.

Pittsburgh won the rematch in December, 13-10 in a classic defensive battle. This one also should be lowscoring, physical and, at times, brutal. With Baltimore’s upgraded offense capable of moving the ball through the air, Steelers star safety Troy Polamalu’s contributions become even more important.

Suggs and company take one more step toward that Super Bowl.

RAVENS, 17-16 Seattle (plus ½) at Chicago Yes, the Seahawks (8-9) have the momentum after becoming the first team with a losing record to win a playoff game, a 41-36 stunner over the defending champion Saints.

Seattle can’t take the 12th Man with it to Chicago, where the elements will be more of a factor than in their regularseason victory.

Awaiting the Seahawks is a Bears team that has improved throughout the year, particularly in the final two months of the schedule. Chicago’s 11-5 record is no fluke, while Seattle’s advancement probably was.

BEARS, 22-10

16 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 ■ SPORTS

Men head to Montana for Big Sky showdown

YOUR WEEKEND (PLUS) IN SPORTS Friday Badminton Club PSU Open Tournament Academic and Student Rec Center Courts 1 and 2 2 p.m.

Hockey

Portland State takes two-game win streak to "Big Sky Country" Portland Winterhawks (27-13-0-3, 57 pts)

Kevin Fong Vanguard staff

P

ortland State men’s basketball faces a tough test this weekend in Missoula, Mont., as the Vikings wrap up a twogame road trip by taking on the Montana Grizzlies in a Big Sky Conference matchup Saturday.

Thankfully, the Vikings (9-6, 2-1 Big Sky) have a lot going for them right now. They are coming off last weekend’s 74-58 blowout win over Eastern Washington—a game that saw the return of senior Phil Nelson—and secondyear coach Tyler Geving has seen strong production from

perimeter players sophomore Chris Harriel and junior Charles Odum.

Before traveling to Missoula to play the Grizzlies (11-5, 3-1 Big Sky), the Vikings began this week’s slate of games in Bozeman with a Thursday

meeting with Montana State (9-7, 3-1 Big Sky), the results of which were not available as of press time.

The two Montana schools entered the week in a twoway tie for second place in the conference standings, and both should serve as quality measuring sticks for how good the fourth-place Vikings can be this season.

Portland State looked great last Saturday as they picked up their first home-win of the conference schedule over Dam Cup rival Eastern Washington.

The Vikings received a balanced scoring effort with four starters reaching double figures.

Harriel, the team’s leading scorer, led the way once again with 16 points, while recording 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Odum added 15 points, five assists, two steals and is currently shooting 20 of 29 (.690) from the field in league play.

The Vikings won the defensive battle, holding the Eagles to just 20-of-65 (.388) shooting from the field, and forced Eastern Washington to turn the ball over 12 times compared to the Vikings’ 10. Offensively, PSU senior Melvin Jones scored 15 points, including hitting 3 of

his 5 shots from long-range.

Junior power-forward Chehales Tapscott grabbed his leagueleading fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Returning from injury, Nelson also saw his first action after missing the last 26 games—a stretch that extended into last season.

Although he may still be a couple weeks away from full game-shape, Nelson came off the bench to play 16 minutes, hitting a threepointer and pulling down a rebound.

Things will be much tougher in the state of Montana this week. The Vikings haven’t had a lot of success on the road against Montana or Montana State. PSU is 6-23 all-time against the Montana schools, with a 3-11 record at Montana and a 3-12 record at Montana State. The Vikings have only swept the two schools in the same road trip once in 14 years, and that was in the 2007–08 season. The odds do not look good.

In order for Portland State to return home with its winning

streak intact, the team will need to take care of the ball and not become rattled by the hostile road environment of the “Big Sky State.”

Montana State is likely to play an inside-out game, led by seniors Erik Rush and Bobby Howard. Rush leads the Bobcats in scoring with 15.9 points per game, but it has been Howard who has hurt the Vikings in the past, as the bruising forward averaged 18.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in three meetings last season.

On Saturday, the Vikings will face the team with the best overall record out of the Big Sky

in Montana. The Grizzlies have won six of their last seven games and are, statistically speaking, the best defensive team in the league.

Montana leads the Big Sky in scoring defense (60.2), scoring margin (+8.2), field goal percentage defense (.399), blocked shots (4.9) and steals (7.5). The Grizzlies are led by guard Will Cherry (16.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.2 steals per game) and center Brian Qvale (13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game).

The Vikings will need continued strong play out of their backcourt.

The team is 3-1 with combo-guard Odum in the starting lineup, and Jones has adjusted to the point guard position. In his last 131 minutes of play, Jones has boasted an impressive 4-to-1 assist to turnover ratio.

However, judging by Portland State’s past history in Montana, it’ll take more strong performances like these for the Vikings to have a big week in the Big Sky. First tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

Saturday, and the game can be followed live on KXFD, AM-970, or via live stats on goviks.com. ■

at

Kelowna Rockets (22-19-0-0, 44 pts)

Kelowna, B.C. 7:05 p.m.

NBA

Portland Trail Blazers (20-19)

at

Phoenix Suns (16-21)

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:30 p.m.

Saturday Track & Field UW Indoor Preview Seattle, Wash.

8 a.m.

Badminton Club PSU Open Tournament Academic and Student Rec Center Courts 1 and 2 10 a.m.

Men’s basketball

Portland State (9-6, 2-1 Big Sky)

at

Montana (11-5, 3-1 Big Sky)

Missoula, Mont.

6 p.m.

Radio: KXFD, AM-970 Video: www.b2tv.com Live stats: goviks.com Hockey

Portland Winterhawks (27-13-0-3, 57 pts)

at

Kamloops Blazers (20-22-1-1, 42 pts)

Kamloops, B.C. 7 p.m.

NBA

New Jersey Nets (10-28)

at

Portland Trail Blazers (20-19)

Rose Garden Arena 7 p.m.

Monday NBA

Breakout season for Harriel Out of Moreno Valley, Calif., 6-foot-5 sophomore shooting-guard Chris Harriel is having the best season of his young career in 2010–11.

As a freshman, Harriel saw limited playing time and only put up 3.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 14.1 average minutes of action. This year, Harriel leads Portland State in scoring and is quickly becoming the team’s go-to offensive option. Harriel’s statistics this season so far: Per game averages 16.1 points 5.2 rebounds 1.9 assists 1.7 steals Overall 79 of 187 field goals (.422) 32 of 83 three-pointers (.386) Harriel has scored in double figures in 14 of 15 games this season and scored a careerhigh 25 points against Idaho State last week, hitting 7-11 from three-point range.

all photos by drew martig/VANGUARD STAFF

Basketball Jones: Senior guard Melvin Jones is averaging 11.8 points per game.

Minnesota Timberwolves (9-30)

at

Portland Trail Blazers (20-19)

Rose Garden Arena 7 p.m.

Women’s basketball

Idaho State (10-4, 1-0 Big Sky)

at

Portland State (7-7, 0-1 Big Sky)

Stott Center 7 p.m.

Radio: KUIK, AM-1360 Video: www.b2tv.com Live stats: goviks.com

Tuesday Hockey

Tri-City Americans (25-12-1-1, 52 pts)

at

Portland Winterhawks (27-13-0-3, 57 pts)

Portland Memorial Coliseum 7 p.m.

—All records accurate as of 5 p.m., Thursday