What makes a Pilot? March 4, 2010
The Beacon takes an in-depth look into what it means to be a UP student by investigating race, gender, academics, athletic activities, social life, politics and religion. The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net
Freshman class is most diverse yet
Diversity
Jessie Hethcoat Staff Writer hethcoat12@up.edu
It’s no secret that the University of Portland is a predominantly white institution. In 2009, of the 3,037 reported full-time undergraduates at UP, 2,035 were white. The same year, the University reported 19.9 percent self-identified as minority students. However, that statistic could be misleading because it encompasses a wide range of groups. Karen Nelson, director of Institutional Research at UP, explains that grouping all minority students into one is an oversimplification. While UP does encourage minorities to apply and enroll at UP, each minority has different rates of growth and college attendance. So, lumping them into one category often distorts the actual trends, she said. “Minority” is defined by UP’s institutional research as African American, Alaska Native or American Indian, Asian or Pacific Islander and Hispanic. At UP, 1.02 percent of students identify themselves as Alaska Native or American Indian. UP is also 5.3 percent Hispanic, 11.7 percent Asian or Pacific Islander and 1.4 percent African American. Each group is also diverse, especially that of the “Asian or Pacific Islander” category. This category includes the native Hawaiian students as well as students from all parts of Asia. Compared to Multnomah County, home of UP, the university has a higher percentage of minorities as a whole. However, UP’s African American population is much smaller. While 6 percent of Multnomah County is African American, UP’s African American population is just 1.4 percent. Senior Alyssa Schmidt-Carr is co-president of the Black Student Union and explains that
Financial Aid
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they compensate for this discrepancy by involving the outside community in much of what they do as a club. “I’m from Boise, and before I came to UP, I hardly knew anything about Black culture,” Schmidt-Carr said. “We have a close knit group, and we’re surrounded by a Black community.” While the African American community is small at UP, the Hispanic population is growing, not just at UP but at colleges nationwide. “If you look at the minority breakdown, we’re becoming more Hispanic,” Nelson said. The Latino Clubs at UP are only two years old. Bethany Sills, who coordinates multicultural programs on campus, believes opportunities that multicultural clubs and events provide enrich the entire university. “I truly believe that students Reilly Hourigan | THE BEACON will become brighter and better in the work world when they are Sophomore Yaneira Romero and freshmen Edith Guerrero and Abraham Barajas participate in a lively given diverse perspectives,” Sills discussion at the MEChA club meeting on Monday evening. MEChA, which stands for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán, is a national organization that seeks to promote Chicano unity. said. Jason McDonald, director of admissions, explains that UP’s admissions department works to recruit minority students to UP. “We try to attend all college fairs that are run by independent foundations that support diversity,” McDonald said. This year’s freshman class has the highest number of minorities yet. In 2005, 16.4 percent of incoming freshman identified themselves as a minority. In 2009, it was 24.9 percent. “The demographic changes and the outreach programs at UP account for the increase in minority students,” McDonald said. Because minority students are in shorter supply at UP, admissions and programmers like Sills do what they can to encourage minorities to attend UP and stay here. “My role is to focus on what we should do now,” Sills said. “The more multicultural clubs According to University of Portland’s Office of Insitution Research, this year’s freshman class has the most we have on campus, the more racially diverse student population; however, the school is still predominately composed of caucasian likely minorities will be on cam- students. pus.”
Financial aid varies but impact is universal
Lauren Seynhaeve Staff Writer seynhaev13@up.edu At least 95 percent of UP students receive some sort of financial aid, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Whether it is a loan, work study, an ROTC scholarship, a grant or another type of scholarship either from the school or from an outside source, the typical UP student could not afford to attend UP without financial aid. The amount of UP financial aid varies from student to student, ranging from none to a full ride. Many students are happy with their financial aid package, while others hate the system. While the financial aid system at UP can be confusing, most UP
students receive some type of financial help. The amount of students who applied for financial aid doubled this year to a total of about 7,300, according to Director of Financial Aid Janet Turner. “I think I’m one of the lucky ones, but I also think I’m in the majority as far as being wellhelped,” senior Alyssa Reget said. “I have a good scholarship and grants, and I wouldn’t be able to go here without the scholarship.” Reget finds the method by which aid is distributed difficult to understand and poorly explained. Senior Adrienne Jarvis agrees that the system is confusing, and she feels that the financial aid system at UP is mediocre. “Unfortunately for me, and for a vast majority of other students, my family is neither rich nor poor,” she said. “We are on the cusp, and because of that, we
don’t benefit from the university’s assistance.” Need-based financial aid is awarded according to the cost of attendance minus the expected family contribution. Grants and merit-based scholarships are awarded according to predetermined criteria. “We are trying to make sure that students get the best package they are eligible for,” Turner said. Many UP students get a full scholarship from the ROTC program. Freshman Mathew Hill is in Army ROTC, which pays for tuition, housing, food, books and includes a monthly stipend. “I grew up pretty poor, so I always thought I’d just enlist,” he said. “This is a complete life changing-thing.” Although there is the added pressure of passing Physical Training, lest the scholarship is
revoked, and four years of active duty and another four of inactive duty minimum after graduation, the ROTC scholarship is a way for many students to get a college education with no personal financial burden. “Especially with the recent increase of tuition and housing, it’s just not a stressor for us in ROTC,” he said. In addition to UP financial aid, many students receive outside scholarships. According to Turner, in 2008-2009, students received a total of $1,953,233 in outside scholarships, and this year, students received a total of $2,047,289. About 500 students receive outside scholarships.
Lauren Seynhaeve | THE BEACON
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March 4, 2010
What Gaping gender gap at UP Gender Olga Mosiychuk Staff Writer mosiychu12@up.edu The University of Portland is filled with a vast array of individuals from varying locations, ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds. A majority of these students are, however, female. According to University of Portland Institutional Research only 39 percent of students attending UP are males. Dean of Admissions Jason McDonald explains that this gender disparity is not uncommon. “In private sector schools, you see high 50’s to low 70’s in terms of percentage of women on college campuses,” he said. Some students are, however, feeling the disparity. Sophomore education student Katie Kroger has noticed this trend throughout her time in college. “All of my classes seem to have more women in them,” she said. “It would be expected that my major classes would have more women, but even the core classes have that huge gender gap.” McDonald attributes this to the fact that we have so many programs in predominantly female fields. “We have a nursing program that is about 95 percent female and it is now our biggest professional school, followed by engineering and education,” he said. “And even engineering is about 25 percent female.” Economics Professor Mary Allender points out the fact that men traditionally outnumber women in more quantitative fields such as math, business and computer science but job outsourcing has decreased the
availability of job-openings for these individuals, domestically. This could potentially contribute to lessened male enrollment at UP. “Men tend to succeed in these fields but we don’t have enough homegrown individuals working in the quantitative sector,” she said. Freshman business major Michael Wagner has not sensed the discrepancy in his academic UP experience, however. “My business classes are full of guys, not girls, so I don’t really notice Erica Ellingsen | THE BEACON the difference in classes,” he UP’s male-to-female ratio disparity is apparent on the dance floor at January’s Dance of the Decades. According to University of Portland’s Office of Institutional Research, 61 percent of said. UP students are female. Conversely, weekends are the 61 percent of females, citing the different for UP students. Parties are littered with fact that they do not have as many partnerless girls and men can be seen options as males when it comes to dancing with multiple women at a finding a partner. “I have a boyfriend, but I know time. Wagner does not seem to have it’s hard for my friends because it’s a problem with this. “I do feel overpowered by the difficult to get dates with cute boys amount of girls here, at times. We since they’re usually taken,” said as men are the minority so we have Kroger. Wagner, however, hopes that the to work hard and keep our numbers up,” he said. “But there can never be trend will continue with the next freshman class and give way to the too many girls at one school.” Kroger sees this as a problem for admission of more female students.
Sports spur student activity
Intramurals Bruce Garlinghouse Staff Writer garlingh13@up.edu Team Norjack has only documented three wins total in their twoyear stint as an intramural team. They have fielded teams in football, ultimate Frisbee, softball and volleyball. However, despite their small number of wins, their passion for sport has only increased. “I play intramural sports to represent my team, Team Norjack,” sophomore Kyle Cochran said. Kyle Cochran is one of 975 students who have played intramurals at UP this year. In addition, Team Norjack is one of 179 teams that have competed in intramural sports this year. Students have the option to play in seven different intramural leagues including softball, kickball, flag football, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and dodgeball. While intramural team successes stay within the limits of campus, talked about only in dorm rooms and messy college houses, this does not stop students like Cochran from competing in numerous sports. “We’re out there to have a good time. Hopefully by the end of our careers here we can double our wins to six or so,” Cochran said. However, there are those whose success does extend beyond campus and have worked hard enough to reach the level of a Division 1 athlete.
Two hundred and thirty-six stu- sports to watch,” freshman Matthew dents play one of eight Division 1 Panther said. “I love the energy at sports including basketball, soccer, the basketball games especially.” track and field, cross country, golf, Panther’s favorite moment this tennis and volleyball. year was senior guard T.J. CampThe women’s soccer team has bell’s dunk at the end of regulation been in the national spotlight in the in the game against University of last decade making it to Final Four Oregon at the beginning of the year. earlier this year and winning national championships in 2002 and 2005. Their average attendance of fans 3,472 ranks first in the country for women’s soccer. “I like watching both soccer teams, but especially women’s soccer. I love that they are so hyped which is rare for women’s sports,” sophomore soccer enthusiast Katie Balestreri said. The men’s basketball team has also gained national exposure, after beating NCAA powerhouse UCLA and defeating nationally ranked University of Minnesota earlier in the season at the Phillips 66 tournament in Anaheim and placing them in the top 25. Kevin Kadooka | THE BEACON “Basketball Sophomore Isaac McKinely guards junior Tony Licker during the final game of 5x5 and baseball are men’s intramural basketball. UP’s intramural sports program provides friendly compemy two favorite tition in a wide range of sports, not just basketball.
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Pilot? Studies override socializing Academics Laura Frazier Staff Writer frazier13@up.edu Herman Asarnow, the head of the English Department, thinks highly of the UP student body and says that overall students are polite and friendly. But beyond attitude and personality, Asarnow thinks that students at UP are a different academic breed. “UP students are inspired to go beyond themselves and really grow,” he said. Freshman Bill Michielsen thinks that UP students are typically very intelligent and work harder than most. “I think we are all smarter than your average college student and generally more studious,” he said. Sophomore Brooke Hart believes that UP students differ from students at larger state schools. “We tend to be more focused on goals,” she said. “Others seem to view us as being higher up than public schools and respect us more.” Though UP students are both social and academic, freshman Erin O’Doherty thinks that there is more emphasis on studying. “It’s a mixture of social and studies, but compared to other schools there is more study than social,” she said. Junior Miranda Gray thinks that focusing on studying is a key
aspect to the success of any college student, but agrees that it is especially important at UP. “You will not make it in this school if you choose not to study,” she said. UP offers 40 different major choices. Five popular options are engineering, education, English, biology and nursing. There are 513 students in the School of Engineering, where students have an average GPA of 3.14. The engineering program is considered by students to be one of UP’s most rigorous programs. Junior engineering student Andy Carlson agrees that with labs in addition to regular classes, it can seem like the major is a lot of hard work. “It’s a balancing act for sure, but I understand that this is what its going to be like when we are out of here,” he said. “It is hectic but necessary.” The 192 students in the School of Education have an average GPA of 3.49. So many hours spent off campus due to field study and student teaching can put a strain on school work, Gray, an education major, knows that the hands-on experience is what she needs to be a great teacher. “I want to be educated enough to educate others and do it in the best way possible,” she said. There are 89 total English majors at UP with an average GPA of 3.32. Asarnow believes that the success of seminars such as the Northwest Undergraduate Confer-
ence of Literature that UP hosts every year has brought attention to the English program. O’Doherty, an English major, studies about 21 hours a week outside of class, and thinks that the amount of work varies between Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. “In comparison to my friends getting BA degrees, it’s about the same, but my friends with BS degrees probably study more than me,” she said. UP’s biology program has 249 students enrolled, and requires labs in addition to classes. Michielsen, a biology major, studies for about 40 hours a week and thinks that people underestimate the time required for two labs a week. Michielsen also thinks that the amount of studying can be the difference between programs, and that each major is challenging in a way. “Every major has its difficulties but some are more apparent than others,” he said. Nursing is the largest program at UP with 643 students. The nursing program has an average GPA of 3.49. Nursing students also have commitments outside of class, as they participate in labs and clinical study in local hospitals. With the extra commitments that come with the nursing program, Hart, a nursing major, thinks that school must come before social activities. “My goal is to do as well as I can even if that comes at the price of a social life,” she said.
Politically active or politically apathetic? The Beacon via the Pilots Portal, the majority of students identified themselves as center-left on the poElizabeth Tertadian litical spectrum, based on results as Staff Writer of Monday. tertadia13@up.edu Thirty-six percent of Pilots identified themselves as center-left UP students have a lot going on. on the political spectrum and 24 Between academics, clubs, cheer- percent labeled themselves as cening on the sports teams and hang- ter-right. 18 percent fell directly in ing out with friends, there isn’t the center, while 15 percent were on the far left, and the remaining 7 much room for politics. “We are so locked up in our percent were on the far right. The poll was unscientific. There schedules,” senior Greg Machado said “We don’t leave time for any- were 365 respondents. “I feel like people here don’t thing else.” Pilots just don’t seem to be as take the time to explore new pointerested in politics as much as litical ideas,” freshman Zach Muth University of Oregon or other large said. A libertarian, Muth wishes UP was more open to active politicolleges. According to a poll done by cal discussion and ideas. Machado agrees. “There is a huge lack of political thought and discussion on this campus,” he said. “I’m too busy with school to think about politics,” sophomore Monica McAllister said. Unconcerned with politics, McAllister doesn’t know exactly where she stands politically, and this doesn’t bother her. Although she is a registered Democrat and has voted Democrat in the past, she doesn’t see herself as strictly Democrat. Rather, she is in the middle, and ambivalent about politics. “It’s not part of my field,” she said. Alternatively, sophomore Pat Sheridan is a proud Democrat, and According to an unscientific poll hosted by The Beacon on the Pilots Portal, 36 permember of the College cent of students define themselves as center-left on the political spectrum. Democrats club on campus. He believes in eco-
Politics
nomic regulations by the state, public health care and social safety nets, but opposes government intervention in private affairs. “I don’t think the government has the right to regulate anything that has to do with people’s personal lives,” Sheridan said. Why are UP students silent when it comes to politics? Students questioned for this article speculated on several reasons and contributing factors, including being a small, private university, being a primarily white, upperclass student body, and simply being wrapped up in all the other aspects of life, and letting politics fall to the wayside. “We are not as active or concerned, and I don’t know why,” junior Elizabeth Vogel said. “We’re not as successful as you’d think, considering we’re a college campus in an active area,” said junior Rosie Cullen, a member of College Democrats. “We are stuck in a bubble,” Machado said. “People are afraid to speak their minds.” “Many things compete for our time and attention,” Gary Malecha, chairman of the political science department, said. He believes that student interest in politics often goes unnoticed, because they don’t notice all the events going on around them. Malecha added that students are more inclined to become politically active when issues affect them directly. Examples are the current health care debate, which was the focus of a student-initiated series of forums last semester. Otherwise, political issues go unnoticed because other things take precedence, such as the commons food, or athletics or homework.
What makes a pilot?
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UP boasts host of religions, beliefs
Religion Roya Ghorbani-Elizeh Staff Writer ghorbani11@up.edu Known to the public as “Oregon’s Catholic University,” the University of Portland is home to many Catholic students as well as students from other religious affiliations and traditions. With 3,597 students from many different backgrounds, the University of Portland is host to many different religions and beliefs. According to the UP Office of Institutional Research, 45 percent of the fall 2008 freshmen considered themselves to be of the Catholic faith. That same freshman class consisted of students from 20 different religious affiliations. In comparison, Lewis & Clark College, a private nonsectarian school in Portland, lists five different religious affiliations for its 2008 freshman class. Its institutional research department found that 4.5 percent of its incoming freshmen considered themselves Catholic, whereas 16.5 percent of the students considered themselves Protestant. Lewis & Clark has an enrollment of 3,565 full time undergraduate and graduate students. The University of Portland, under guidance of the Congregation of Holy Cross since 1901, offers students non-Catholic as well as Catholic worship and fellowship opportunities through Campus Ministry, which plans four retreats for students as well as residential hall retreats. In addition, there is a fellowship
group for students who are Latter Day Saints as well as an oncampus Muslim prayer chapel. Academically, students on The Bluff are required to take three theology courses and many professors and administrators are members of the clergy. Senior Paul Senz, who grew up in a Catholic household, has participated in many Campus Ministry events. For the past two years, Senz has lived in the Faith & Leadership-themed house in Tyson. Senz, along with his nine housemates, participates in a weekly house prayer and a onecredit course called “Theological Reflection Seminar.” The students in the Faith & Leadership House are also assigned a spiritual director, a UP faculty or staff member. “The spiritual director checks in how everything is going,” Senz said. “Rather then leading, it’s kind of like ‘walking together’ through the spiritual process.” Although Senz is one of the students who chose UP for the religious aspect, other students were not influenced by the Catholic affiliation. Junior Katie Yochim chose to attend school here for the small community and the nursing school. “I actually don’t think that a lot of students have a religious affiliation,” Yochim said. “I think that a lot of students come from religious families, but students don’t follow that as much.” According to Institutional Research, 86 freshman students from 2008 had no religious affiliation while 89 students were listed “unknown.” Yochim, who did not grow up
March 4, 2010
Forty-five percent of fall 2008 freshmen labeled themselves as members of the Catholic faith, according to the Office of Institutional Research. This freshman class consists of 20 different religions, with the top eight responses to the survery listed above. The full statistical breakdown can be found on Institutional Research’s Web site at http://www.up.edu/ir/default.aspx?cid=323&pid=35. in a religious household, attended FISH meetings on campus her freshman year. FISH is a Christian group with no church affiliation. Recently, Yochim and her housemate have started attending the “Church with No Name”, a nondenominational Christianbased church off Hawthorne in southeast Portland. Yochim chose this church
because of how comfortable she feels with the service and the people. “Instead of feeling like another face in the crowd, it’s smaller and we all have a chance to talk to each other,” Yochim said “It’s much more personal, and I love the people I’ve met there.” While students are busy enriching their minds with three
credit classes and heavy textbooks, some students have also made the choice to explore their own individual beliefs. “I feel like this has been a good place for me to be for my formative years because the environment has both fostered and challenged my spirituality,” Senz said. “It has made me stronger.”
Students follow one-fifth rule
Social Habits Hannah Gray Staff Writer gray12@up.edu The University of Portland party scene falls into certain trends and habits that align with national statistics. A 2001 Harvard University national study found that on college campuses, one-fifth of students do not drink at all, onefifth participate in high frequency of binge drinking, two-fifths drink moderately, and one-fifth engages in binge drinking infrequently, according to Kristina Houck, a counselor for the Health Center. “Our numbers mimic (the Harvard study),” Houck said. “We find those numbers to be true.” In the last ten years, 80 to 85 percent of UP students said they have consumed alcohol before, which matches up with the Harvard study, according to Houck. “It’s the best snapshot of what is happening,” Houck said about the survey, which is anonymous. The UP party scene is broken up into three areas – where the majority of students go in search
for alcohol – bars on North Lombard Street, small house parties, and large house parties. Many UP students go to the Twilight Room, often called the T-Room, on North Lombard Street on Thursday nights. “It’s really attractive for college students,” sophomore Kiernan Hogan said. Hogan also noted that many of the people in the T-Room on Thursday nights are UP students. “I like it,” sophomore James Gozdiff said. “It’s a good place to chill with friends.” Gozdiff said that it’s convenient to go to the bars on North Lombard Street because they are close to campus; therefore, he doesn’t have to worry about finding a way to get back to campus. However, the atmosphere of the T-Room isn’t for everyone. “I feel like I was back on the East Coast,” Hogan said. “I didn’t feel like I got a Portland University student feel.” Parties in the UP area are scarce, especially larger parties. Most students who throw parties prefer to keep the party small in order to avoid unwanted run-ins with Public Safety. “I think it’s mostly the atmosphere of the people who host
parties; they yell all the time,” junior Kolleen Uppinghouse said. “I’ve watched people get thrown out of parties, and it’s awkward.” Uppinghouse said that because UP is a small school, the parties tend to reflect that. “As juniors, we mostly just hang out at each other’s houses,” Uppinghouse said. “(Big) house parties have too many freshmen and sophomores who can’t legally drink and are freaking out about P-Safe.” Gozdiff, who is 21, also prefers the small parties with close friends. “Now that I’m 21, I don’t have to leave to go there to get my own alcohol; I can just buy it,” Gozdiff said. However, UP students do crave bigger house parties for special occasions, such as Halloween. “Themed parties and birthday parties are always fun,” Uppinghouse said. “I think any excuse people have is fun.” However, the parties near campus tend to end early, and the alcohol is likely to run dry quickly, Hogan said.
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According to a 2001 Harvard University study of college students’ drinking habits, imbibers across college campuses tend to follow the same drinking trends. Kristina Houck, a counselor for the Health Center, agrees that these drinking trends hold for UP students.
Erica Ellingsen | THE BEACON