The Beacon - Feb. 24 - Issue 17

The Vol. 112, Issue 17

BEACON The University of Portland’s student newspaper

Thursday February 24, 2011 www.upbeacon.net

UP voters speak

Rosemary Peters Editor-in-Chief peters12@up.edu

Zack Imfeld, president-elect

Last night, with the close of the ASUP election poll came the unveiling of the 2011-2012 executive board.

Juniors Zack Imfeld and Chloe Ruffin cinched the presidential and vice presidential positions on next year’s ASUP Executive Board with 63.9 percent of the vote.

“It feels exciting to be validated by the students and

to be recognized as a leader,” Imfeld said directly after hearing the elections results.

Ruffin is excited as well.

“I am so joyful, happy and very excited to start next year and make next year’s exec. board the best it has ever been,” Ruffin said.

Sophomore Sean Ducey defeated incumbent and junior Hillary White with 55.3 percent of the vote, claiming the position of Campus Program Board Director.

He received 55.3 percent of

the 1,358 votes cast, which is the highest voter turnout since ASUP shifted the election process to online voting.

“I feel great,” Ducey said over the phone as his friends yelled congratulations to him in the background. “I am really excited right now. Every time I was in The Commons this week, I would tell people to vote for me for CPB Director.”

Ducey, and most of the other

Chloe Ruffin, vice president-elect

Caitlin Chu, treasurer-elect

Kristin Johnson, secretary-elect

See ASUP, page 4

Sean Ducey, CPB director-elect

Photos by Bryan Brenize, Scott Chia, Kevin Kadooka and Alissa White | THE BEACON

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NEWS

February 24, 2011

On On Campus Campus

FOCUS THE NATION 2011: TRANSFORMING OUR ENERGY FUTURE With oil prices skyrocketing due to instability in Libya and other Middle East countries, there will be plenty to talk about this weekend at a campus conference on clean energy alternatives.

Saturday, Focus the Nation, a non-profit organization in Portland, hosts an event on campus about clean energy.

The event includes keynote speakers – Wyeth Larson, class of 2009, and Bill Bradbury, former Oregon secretary of state – session panels, a sustainability fair and an engagement session, according to Bill Barnes, associate professor of economics and environmental science. “(It) is an opportunity for all members of the community to get involved and help change our understanding of energy,” Dan Browne, a senior and event organizer, said.

Browne said the event is a day to learn about the future of clean energy, reflect on the use of energy and generate ideas on how to transform it.

“This is more than just a conference where people get talked at,” Renee Heath, a communications professor, said. “We want students to engage in and see what they can do to change the future of energy.”

Barnes said UP students will find the event relevant because the protection and preservation of the environment ensures the health and livelihood of future generations.

“I strongly believe clean energy and a more sustainable approach to our economy is our future,” Barnes said. “Whether we believe in climate change or not, our graduates need to prepare for that reality.”

Like Barnes, Browne says renewable energy is an important source of potential economic growth.

“There will be plenty of green-collar job opportunities (at the event),” Browne said.

The job opportunities include engineers to design products, technicians to install them, maintenance workers to repair them, marketers to sell them and managers to oversee operations, Browne said.

You can register for the Focus the Nation event at http:// climatechange.up.edu.

-Caitlin Yilek HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHY HALLOWS Friday and Saturday, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will play in the Buckley Center Auditorium at 10 p.m.

Accuracy in The Beacon

The Beacon strives to be fair and accurate.

The newspaper corrects any significant errors of fact brought to the attention of the editors.

If you think an error has been made, contact us at beacon@up.edu. Corrections will be printed above.

ASUP votes to RISE and compromise CIF fund to go toward a new Howard Hall every other semester for the next three years Sarah Hansell Staff Writer hansell14@up.edu On Feb. 21, the ASUP Senate passed a controversial compromise resolution that will put half of each year’s capital improvement fund (CIF) toward the RISE campaign’s plan to build a new recreation center.

The other half will go, as usual, toward more immediate physical improvements on campus. The Senate voted 20-11.

The CIF, which is 10 percent of students’ government fee, will now go toward a replacement for Howard Hall each fall semester, starting fall 2011, leaving the spring semesters for the CIF’s original use.

After three years, the CIF will revert to its original policy.

During the Senate meeting, seven Villa Maria residents spoke against the resolution, and one spoke in favor of it.

Sophomore Austin Veiga believes the CIF money should go toward something that will directly benefit current students.

“How can you tell me that I should spend my money on someone I’ve never met?” Veiga said.

Senator Walker Ross, a freshman, thinks the vote reflected the preferences of UP students.

“I think it was really representative of the student population,” Ross said.

ASUP Vice President Katie Scally, a senior, was pleased with the outcome.

“I think students made a smart choice for current students now and in the future,” Scally said.

Vice President for University Relations Jim Lyons thinks ASUP’s donation will have a large impact on potential donors

to the RISE campaign.

“It’s not the amount of the money, it’s the statement that it makes,” Lyons said.

Director of Recreational Services Brian Dezzani is excited about the student support.

“It really shows how the students feel about getting a (new) recreation center,” Dezzani said.

The original resolution called for allocating the entire CIF to the new Howard Hall until it was completely funded.

Dissent among the Senate brought members of the executive board to meet with sponsors and opponents of the resolution. Together, they crafted the compromise that is now the current policy.

“I think it’s important that both interests are met,” Scally said.

The CIF comes from the student government Graphics courtesy of UP Marketing & Communications fees. Every semester The layout for the new recreational center. The top photo is the first floor each student pays a $70 layout, and the bottom photo is the second floor layout. Every fall semester, government fee, and $7 the CIF will go toward the replacement for Howard Hall. from that fee goes toward wake-up call for ASUP. Thompson, a senior, said of the the CIF. “That’s going to cause us Facebook pages.

This semester, the CIF is going to take a harder look at our Although this resolution has toward repairing the Victory Bell own policies,” Scally said.

“We passed, many senators say the outside the Chiles Center and know we ourselves still have issue will resurface. sound improvements for CPB. improvements to make.”

If a future Senate decides to At last Monday’s meeting, The Executive Board is overturn the policy, they will many senators were surprised to pleased with the whole process also need a simple majority vote, find the resolution needed only of the resolution, and the interest whereas they will need a twoa simple majority – 50 percent among students, from campus thirds majority vote to suspend plus 1 – to win, rather than twochatter to feuding Facebook the policy for one semester. thirds.

“This is not the last we’ve It was news to the Executive pages.

“That was all just motivated heard of this resolution,” Ross Board as well. individuals that weren’t affiliated said.

“I found out about that just with the resolution or anything before the meeting,” Scally said.

Scally sees this discovery as a like that,” ASUP Treasurer Ben

Matt Roloff to speak Monday Amanda Blas Staff Writer blas13@up.edu The second annual Diversity Dialogues Week kicks off next week with a less conventional look at diversity with a presentation by “Little People, Big World” reality TV star Matt Roloff.

Roloff will speak Monday at the Buckley Center Auditorium at 9 p.m.

Born with diastrophic dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism that affects cartilage and bone development, Roloff has made a career out of helping people understand that being physically different does not make a person less of a person.

“We recognize ethnicity and sexuality as diversity within the community,” Student Diversity Coordinator Megan Brown, a sophomore, said. “It’s important we recognize disability as diversity as well.”

This year, the Diversity

Dialogues Committee chose to include disability in its efforts to raise awareness of diversity on campus.

“The first thing we think of when it comes to diversity is different color skin and culture,” Student Diversity Coordinator and sophomore Stephanie Rodriguez said. “We sometimes miss the big picture.”

“It will definitely bring social awareness,” Brown said. “It’s a diverse topic to recognize.”

Roloff is known for his presentations on diversity, resiliency, leadership and awareness. He typically speaks about how he has managed to overcome obstacles imposed on him by his condition. He encourages others to overcome their own personal obstacles as well.

“I think that it will affect students by being more aware of how disability can be diversity,” Brown said. “I think students will recognize this is an event to

appreciate.”

Roloff’s fame will also help students embrace disability as diversity.

“I’m excited because he has this reality television stardom that allows other people to recognize his ability and be able to communicate that,” Brown said.

The committee is also sponsoring a “Who’s Your Hero?” panel discussion on Thursday, March 3, in Saint Mary’s Lounge to reinforce the topic of disability as diversity.

The panel discussion, which will look at the perspectives of people both with and without disabilities, will consider what it means to be a hero.

“It’ll basically include different life stories,” Rodriguez said.

The different perspectives on diversity have brought positive reactions among students.

“This is the first time that it’s been about more than just race,

Photo courtesy of Google Images

ethnicity or religion,” sophomore Cynthia Oceguera said. “The fact that they’re bringing something new to the table is refreshing.”

Some students have even emphasized the importance of this new outlook on changing their perspectives.

“I never really thought about disability as diversity, and I think a lot of other people don’t either,” freshman Zach Baza said.

“It’s nice to know that they’re making us realize there’s more to diversity.”

NEWS

Newly Tenured

Genevieve Brassard, English

Gary Mitchell, Business Administration

Nicole DeHoratius, Business Administration

Meike Niederhausen, Mathematics

The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net  3

Mock trial qualifies for nationals Jocelyne LaFortune Staff Writer lafortun12@up.edu For the first time in five years, the University’s mock trial team earned a bid at nationals by placing sixth at the Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament in Spokane last weekend.

“I wouldn’t say we expected this, because you can’t really expect anything in mock trial,” Co-captain Michael Yeabsley said. “We’re just feeling it this year.”

UP entered two squads into the regional competition.

The top squad finished with six wins and two losses, the best record a UP team has achieved at the regional competition in over a decade, according to coach Steven Taylor.

“This year, we went into competitions with a different attitude,” Taylor said. “Instead of hoping we’d advance, we

decided we were going to advance and we were very successful with that mindset.”

The team finished ahead of Gonzaga, the University of Oregon, Portland State University, Reed College, the University of Idaho and Eastern Washington University.

Yeabsley was selected as the top attorney in the competition, and junior Elizabeth Romero was selected as the top witness.

“I can’t stress enough how much every member of the team has worked to put in the effort and

perform last weekend,” Yeabsley said. “The whole group is just awesome.”

Now, the team will focus on raising enough money to fund the trip to the first round of nationals, which will be held in March in Illinois, according to Taylor.

“We do have some funding from ASUP, and we are hoping to get some funding from the College of Arts and Sciences,” Taylor said. “One way or another we will find a way to send at least enough students to compete.”

Photo courtesy of Liz Romero

Brian Els, History

Hans Nordstrom, Mathematics

Caery Evangelist, Philosophy

Stephanie Salomone, Mathematics

Renee Heath, Communication Studies

Lara Trout, Philosophy

Molly Hiro, English

Tammy VanDeGrift, Computer Science

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NEWS

February 24, 2011

UP missing from Princeton Review Student survey can get UP in guide

Corey Fawcett Staff Writer fawcett13@up.edu Even though the University of Portland’s recent flood of applications is at a record high of 12,000, UP still isn’t in the Princeton Review’s annual guide to the best colleges in the U.S. But UP is taking steps to get there.

“We’ve always done well in any ranking,” UP Chief Marketing Officer Laurie Kelley said. “It’s kind of weird we’re not in there.”

Masses of collegebound high school students, their advisers and parents are familiar with the book, which profiles hundreds of American universities and colleges. It takes into

account academics, administration, demographics, town life, school stereotypes, politics, quality of life, extracurriculars and the school’s social scene.

“Families, especially parents, tend to look at those magazines as a resource,” Dean of Admissions Jason McDonald said.

The Princeton Review, which has included UP in a number of lists on the Princeton Review website such as “Best Western Colleges” and “America’s 286 Green Colleges,” has a ranking system that differs from others such as those of the U.S. News and World Report.

The system is based on students’ opinions, as

Photo Illustration by Alexander Domingo | THE BEACON

opposed to surveys taken only by faculty and administrators.

This has given the famous college guide a reputation as a peer review, giving prospective collegiates the answers they’re really looking for.

“It’s definitely more studentbased,” Kelley said.

Until last year, the school had not administered the Princeton Review survey required to get a place in the book.

In the past, being in the Princeton Review guide was not much of a concern for UP, because the school has long been included in other respectable rankings such as the U.S. News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” list. However, according to Kuffner, the Princeton Review rankings have grown in importance over time.

“There are a lot of surveys UP is in, so it wasn’t a high priority, but now we’re making sure we’re in it,” Kelley said.

Sophomore Brendan Ralph used the guide when he was looking to apply for college.

“I remember seeing some obscure schools in the book, and friends’ schools that were definitely not as good as UP,” Ralph said. “I wondered why (UP) wasn’t in there.”

West Coast Conference schools similar to the University of Portland in size, academics and prestige, such as Gonzaga University and Santa Clara University have made it into the Princeton

UP Prospective Freshmen

Review book.

Other schools to which UP applicants typically apply, such as Seattle University and Willamette University, 2006 – 6,355 applicants are in it as well.

2011 – 11,964 applicants UP’s marketing department is concerned 2011 Averages: Princeton Review readers GPA: 3.69 may mistakenly attribute SAT: 1230 UP’s exclusion from the book to subpar academics 2006 acceptance rate: 65% or facilities.

2011 acceptance rate: 42% “That’s a misconception (projected) we want to get rid of,” Assistant Director of Percentage of 2011 applicants from Media Relations Joe outside Oregon: 58 Kuffner said.

The potential price of States with “marked increases” in being in the guide was UP applicants: Colorado, Arizona, Idaho also something that kept UP out of the Princeton Source: UP Department of Admissions Review rankings.

“There was concern deemed the number of responses as to how much it would cost,” appropriate and accepted them.

Kuffner said.

This year the survey was After some investigation, sent out to all students in a mass it came to light there was no e-mail. entrance fee.

“We are the only WCC school “Last January in 2010, we that’s not in the guide,” Kelley got through to someone at the wrote in the e-mail. “We need Princeton Review, and they you!” explained it,” Kuffner said. “They If enough people respond require students to participate in this year and next year, UP can a survey for three consecutive be in the 2013 edition of the years, and there needs to be a college guide. Students can certain amount of responses take the survey any time. After for unfiltered answers from being accepted, UP will have students.” to continue administering the Last year, the survey was survey every three years. advertised at UP through word of “We don’t want to hassle mouth. It was mainly completed students, but we appreciate them by students with leadership taking the time to do it,” Kuffner positions at UP, such as ASUP said. senators and Residence Life employees. The Princeton Review

ASUP: Ducey defeats White

Continued from page 1 candidates, used Facebook to keep their names on the minds of the voters.

“It was a close race and both students are highly qualified,” Student Activities Director Jeromy Koffler said of the CPB candidates. “There was an advantage to the candidate that won because he was on campus during the 11th hour of the campaign.”

Despite Ducey’s win, Koffler doesn’t want to see ASUP lose White as a CPB member.

“Because of her skill set, our department will do our best to make sure she stays involved next year,” Koffler said.

White says she doesn’t plan to quit CPB. “I plan on applying for a coordinator position,” White said. “I don’t plan on leaving the organization for good just because I am not in charge of it anymore.”

“I had a great time doing this and I love CPB. I am happy to pass this on to someone that can keep CPB afloat,” White said.

Imfeld feels positively about the outcome of the CPB Director position.

“Since CPB is such a unified group, I think it will be a nice transition,” Imfeld said. “I don’t see a problem because when I think of Hillary, I think of a leader that puts the needs of the community above her own.”

Ruffin shares Imfeld’s

sentiments.

“They’re both leaders. We would be blessed to have either on the exec. board,” Ruffin said.

Filling out the rest of the Executive Board are Treasurerelect Caitlin Chu and Secretaryelect Kristin Johnson.

“It’s going to be exciting to see them rise to the challenge and take on this responsibility,” Koffler said.

In addition to voting for next year’s Executive Board, 72.2 percent of the UP students who

voted passed ASUP Resolution 11-02, which means candidates are able to keep up their posters through the elections.

The newly elected Executive Board will go on a transition retreat on April 1-3 and will officially take office at the last ASUP meeting scheduled for April 11.

“Thank you to everyone for voting,” Ducey said. “I can’t wait for next year.”

The UP Public Safety Report 1. Feb. 13, 5:31 p.m. - A faculty member called to report suspicious persons outside The Library smoking. Public Safety checked on the persons and found they were students.

2. Feb. 13, 10:03 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call from PPB 911 Dispatch, to meet PPB and PFB behind Corrado Hall by the bluff because of a distraught student. The student was transported to Emmanuel Hospital and University Health Center notified.

3. Feb. 14, 1:37 p.m. - A student reported to Public Safety his or her cell phone was stolen at Howard Hall.

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4. Feb. 14, 11:02 p.m. - Public Safety was requested at Villa Maria Hall for a drug search.

Public Safety obtained and served a search warrant. Items found were brought back to Public Safety and are being held in evidence for Judicial.

5. Feb. 18, 9:49 a.m. - A faculty member reported to Public Safety his or her wallet was stolen from his or her office in Franz Hall. A Police Report had already been made.

NEWS

The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net  5

The Long Road to Professorhood How does UP select its faculty?

Will Lyons Staff Writer lyons14@up.edu With the retirement of Professor Louis Masson, the English department must hire someone to fill his shoes for the Fall 2011.

The exact details for hiring new full-time faculty members are different depending on the department, but the basics are the same, according to Fr. Stephen Rowan, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

“The department in need of new staff advocates for a new position, and then creates a search committee consisting of faculty from within the department and one member of faculty from another department,” Rowan said.

The next step is advertising the position.

“The search committee begins by publishing advertisements in academic journals,” English department chair Herman Asarnow said. “We advertise in the MLA (Modern Language Association) journal and welcome good old-fashioned paper applications.”

The search committee then selects 15 candidates to be interviewed at the annual MLA Conference from the

pool of roughly 350 applications it generally receives. At the conference, the search committee narrows down the 15 candidates to three to be interviewed on campus.

Other departments go through similar steps to hire new fulltime faculty.

“We’re similar in that we go for the national advertisement and then the conference in individual disciplines like finance or accounting,” Lisa Reed, associate dean of the Pamplin School of Business, said.

Students get involved in the hiring process when the candidates come to campus.

Generally, the candidates do a mock class where the potential professor engages the students and faculty in a lecture and activities he or she would employ if hired.

Freshman English major Hannah Robinson attended prospective professor Yohei

Igarashi’s mock class.

“It’s very much like a real class and allows the faculty and students to get a feel for the professor in a classroom setting,” Robinson said.

After the mock class, students have input on the final selection of a candidate.

“We’re all invited to write a response about the candidate’s performance, which is kept on record for Dr. Asarnow,”

Photo Illustration by Alexander Domingo | THE BEACON

Sharon Jones is named new dean of Engineering

Photo courtesy of Layfayette College,

Wednesday, UP Provost Br. Donald Stabrowski, C.S.C., announced Sharon Jones as the new dean of the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering.

Jones starts at UP July 1, replacing Zia Yamayee, who has been dean for the past 15 years.

Jones got her B.S. in Civil Engineering from Columbia University in 1986, a Masters

in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Florida and a Master of Public Administration from California State University at Long Beach.

She completed her Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University in 1996, according to the news release.

Jones is the Director of the Engineering Division at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. She was also a tenured faculty member at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology from 1995 to 2001.

“She has also been very successful in receiving external grants for her research and presently has two active grants that she will be able to complete after arriving here on campus,” Stabrowski said in the news release.

-Hannah Gray

Robinson said. “The English faculty takes these responses seriously.”

When the three candidates have gone through interviews with the entire English faculty, the department chair, Rowan and the Provost, Br. Donald Stabrowski C.S.C., the English faculty will rank the candidates and make a suggestion to Rowan and Stabrowski for the final hiring, which typically ends up being the candidate the department ranks first.

The rankings depend on the academic background and experience of the candidates as well as personality. “(UP) is not like a big university where you can have one crank on faculty,” Asarnow said. “We have candidates come in on the weekend so we all can get

personal time with them. We go to dinner, have coffee and let them get to know Portland and our students.”

“Both crafting a cover letter and the administrative work was stressful,” English professor Molly Hiro said about the hiring process.

All the time on campus ended up having a positive impact on Hiro though.

“There was a culture of openness at UP that made me open up and be real while I was being hired,” Hiro said.

Sometimes things fall through however, and Asarnow may have to start over from square one.

“About 10 percent of the time we have to do the hiring process over again,” Asarnow said.

Location and offers from other universities sometimes get in the way.

The department chairs will repeat the process until the prime candidate is found.

“You’re our students and we’re extremely invested in your success,” Asarnow said. “We don’t want just anybody teaching you.”

6  February 24, 2011

LIVING

Hear ‘We Will Rise’!

Go to UPBeacon.net/multimedia

the future is now Will Lyons Staff Writer lyons14@up.edu In the basement of Kenna Hall, between the boiler room and a pingpong table, Associate Director for Music Maureen Briare sits with one hand on a mouse pad and the other on a keyboard.

She likes the keyboard better and on occasion has the chance to not only pick songs for the University Singers to perform, but to compose them as well.

On Feb. 12 Briare’s latest original creation, the RISE campaign’s theme song “We Will Rise” was professionally recorded at Dead Aunt Thelma’s studio.

“I knew I had something special on my hands when my kids started singing the chorus ‘We Will Rise’ around the house,” Briare said.

The idea to have a theme song for the $175 million dollar RISE campaign came from the Office of Marketing and Communications at the end of the spring 2010 term, when the fundraising campaign came up with its name, “RISE.”

“Once Laurie Kelly (chief marketing officer) in marketing came to me with the idea, I immediately started thinking of musical images, like ascending phrases to go along with the idea of rising,” Briare said.

For Briare, the most difficult part of composing the piece was putting together lyrics, until she realized her inspiration was already around her. Lines in “We Will Rise” include slogans from the School of Nursing, the motto of UP and charisms of the Holy Cross community.

Once she put together all the various arrangements for piano, brass and vocals, the only thing that remained for Briare was to find performers.

“All along I imagined someone like Julianne Johnson to be the lead singer for ‘We Will Rise,’” Briare said.

Johnson, an international recording artist and the first African-American graduate of the

theater department at UP, performed the piece at the Dec. 3 winter gala where “We Will Rise” made its debut.

Performers on the recorded track include The University Singers, famous Portland artists, including bass player Phil Baker of Pink Martini, Rick Modlin on piano, Israel Ono on drums and Grammy-nominated saxophone player Patrick Lamb.

“I knew I had something special on my hands when my kids started singing the chorus ‘We Will Rise’ around the house.”

Maureen Briare Associate Director of Music

“(Baker, Modlin and Ono) recorded together so it was tight rhythmically,” Briare said.

Once the percussionists finished, the University Singers took a shot at recording.

“It was a welcoming and warm studio,” freshman Singer Garrett Athman said. “It was cool that we

had the drums in the background while we were recording.”

According to Briare, the recording of “We Will Rise” was the first professional recording experience for most of the singers.

“We warmed up, went though studio etiquette, split the song into verses and just went through it,” Athman said. “It’s nice to be in a choir where everyone cares about singing and is dedicated.”

Briare was impressed with the singers’ performance as well.

“I was proud of how they ‘rose’ to the occasion,” Briare said with a smile.

Music has always been an important part of Briare’s life. She started playing the piano when she was 10 and quickly picked up other instruments like the guitar, the flute and the Celtic harp.

She’s performed at liturgical services for most of her life, and was in a Christian rock group named Channel Light.

“She’s always been the kind of person who can pick up any instrument and be great at it,” Joe Kuffner, her younger brother and the associate marketing director

Photo Courtesy of University of Portland Facebook

for UP, said.

Briare never expected composing music to be part of her career, but she’s certainly glad itis.

“This is my calling and working at UP has been a blessing,” Briare said. “Always be open to how life unfolds.”

“We Will Rise” has a lot of life left in it. The Department of Marketing and Communications plans to use the song during fundraising events for the next three years, and will use the song itself as a fundraiser by offering it for downloads on iTunes.

“We Will Rise” hopes to reach even higher heights than iTunes.

“There’s talk of the singers joining Julianne Johnson in concert, and perhaps even sending the recorded track to Oprah and the Obamas,” Briare said. “Maybe America needs to RISE up as well.”

With Johnson recording her part of the track this week, Briare’s creation will finally be encoded as an all-important MP3.

“You never know, it might take on a life of its own,” Briare said.

Twila’s World There is one smiling face in The Bauccio Commons that every student can depend on. Last year, she swiped meal cards and now she is the queen of stocking cookies.

You can find Twila Silvia Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. With her charming smile and contagious laugh, she brightens everyone’s day.

“I love it here, I have a good relationship with everyone here and I have a lot of fun with it,” Silvia said.

Born on March 13, 1931 in Richland, Ore., Silvia said she had a simple childhood. She moved to Portland when she was 14 and attended Laurelhurst grade school and Washington High School.

She was married before she graduated from high school and has since had two other marriages. Silvia also has four sons and a daughter. Silvia got her GED at age 32 and stayed home while her children were growing up.

“I loved staying at home with my kids, but eventually I needed to start working again,” Silvia said.

She moved onto various temporary positions and a secretorial job at the Portland Clinic when she returned to work.

Fourteen years ago, where Silvia met Robin Mills.The two became good friends and Robin told her about working at the University of Portland. Less than six months later, both of them started working at The Commons and still work there today.

“I was always able to talk to all of the kids and have fun with them,” Silvia said.

Now that The Commons has a different setup for getting food, her job has changed.

“Every morning and afternoon, I dish out the cookies and I am supposed to check the receipts,” she laughed, “but I don’t always do that.”

With Silvia’s grace around The Commons, everyone – students and faculty alike – has a ball with her in their presence.

“Twila is a great constant to Bon Appétit. She is always to open to talk to everybody and keeps a strong relationship with the students and Bon Appétit,” General Manager of Bon Appétit Kirk Mustain said.

Silvia has even been given her own special events because of the love student has for her.

For two years, “Twila’s 12” was a dinner for 12 students of Silvia’s choosing.

“I got to invite 12 kids for

dinner and my bosses would have to serve us. I always chose people very randomly, and I tried to get an assortment of kids, but sometimes I didn’t even know their names,” Silvia said.

Many students would love to see “Twila’s 12” return.

“Every time I see Twila, my day gets better. She possesses the perfect amount of sass and wit. I can’t imagine The Commons without her,” junior Margaret Betts said.

Outside The Commons, Twila can be seen shopping or going out to dinner with her friends. She enjoys working on her flower garden at her house in North Portland where she lives alone with her shih tzu, Gunther.

She has formed relationships with so many students it would be impossible to not remember her.

“She is like a grandmother away from home,” Mustain said.

Nobody wants to lose her as a worker any time soon, and she is totally fine with that.

“I will work here until, I don’t know, until they won’t let me anymore,” Silvia said, “I tell my children I will work here until I die.”

Joanna Goodwin Staff Writer goodwin12@up.edu

“I tell my children I will work here until I die.”

Twila Silvia Queen of the Commons

Kevin Kadooka | THE BEACON

The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net  7 .

M E

E N T ER T A IN EAT AT ... RISTORANTE ROMA As a lover of all things Italian, I am always in search of the perfect bowl of pasta. When my friends told me about Ristorante Roma located two blocks from Portland’s Pearl District, I was practically running there.

With only about eight or nine tables available in the entire restaurant, I thought this couldn’t possibly be good enough to attract a crowd and keep them coming back for more.

Oh, how wrong I was.

My friends were smart enough to call ahead for a reservation, so we were seated right away. The meal began with a complimentary sourdough bread basket for the table with olive oil vinaigrette for dipping. The waiter was enthusiastic and at-

tentive, greeting my friends (who are frequent diners) by name. Each table was lit by candlelight, and beautiful red tablecloths accented the Italian scenery painted on the walls. It felt like I had literally stepped into Rome.

My friends talked about the stuffed crab ravioli in this creamy white wine sauce the entire drive there, so I had to try it. Our meals arrived before we were able to finish the bread. By the first bite, that plate of Italian heaven may have changed my life. I am definitely in a relationship with that plate of pasta, and no other dish will ever compare.

As someone who usually seeks out a doggy-bag to help me clear my plate, I was surprised when I was wiping my plate clean with the leftover

Photo Courtesy of yelp.com

bread. I still have dreams about it.

The prices usually average between 15 to 20 dollars a plate, which is a reasonable cost for excellent service and artistically crafted dishes. And for those of you who like to save the animals, Ristorante Roma even accommodates to Portland’s many vegetarians with a variety of meat-free pasta dishes.

This is a great place to take your date to make up for a less -than-perfect Valentine’s Day, the dimmed lighting will make you both pretty. But make sure you call ahead for a reservation because seating is limited.

– Rachel McIntosh SKIP ... DUE DATE “Due Date” stars Robert Downey Jr. and Zack Galifianakis, two of the highest-profile names in the industry. The movie was made with all the perfect ingredients required for a good comedy these days. Neurotic yet beloved all-star cast? Check.

Celebrity cameo? Check. Intoxicated decision-making? Check.

Unfortunately, something went wrong in the cooking (actually, ‘baking’ might be a more adequate term).

After the completely unfeasible yet funny intro sequence

The Beacon’s one-stop guide to music, film, dining and culture.

passes, the movie starts to roll down a slippery slope. And by roll, I mean barrel. And by slope, I mean cliff. The plot is that of a typical roadtrip comedy: Downey and Galifianakis haphazardly meet and have to drive from Atlanta to Los Angeles before Downey’s child is born. Along the way, they run into some problems (surprise!).

My favorite scene (actually, the only scene I tolerated) was a well-scripted run-in with border control. I wouldn’t go so far as to advise you to watch the movie for that scene, but it definitely wouldn’t be detrimental to look it up on YouTube.

‘‘

Photo Courtesy of filmofilia.com

According to the movie’s official press release, Downey plays a “high-strung father to be,” which is Warner Bros parlance for “let’s take Tony Stark, subtract net worth, subtract charm/devil may care attitude, replace with vindictiveness.” I don’t think Galifianakis’ character even warrants an explanation. Just imagine his character in every movie you have or will ever see him in. Basically, this movie brought nothing new to the world, which is why I begrudge it.

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8  February 24, 2011

The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net  9

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FAITH & FELLOWSHIP

10  February 24, 2011

Do the thing in front of you

University of Portland students working with Habitat for Humanity through the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership.

Photo Courtesy of Pat Ell

Pat Ell Guest Commentary Recent protests in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan and Libya have highlighted two realities: Many people on this earth live under crushing political repression and poverty, and even under such conditions people somehow manage to survive and even push for improvement.

On televisions and websites, and in newspapers and magazines, the world has seen remarkable scenes of courageous protest.

We have also seen despots use police and soldiers and goon squads to violently suppress the

demonstrators. Throughout these events, and despite the complicated histories and political landscapes of these countries, my heart and mind have repeated one simple question: Will these people achieve greater justice?

That simple question provokes a kind of echo – What can I do to promote justice?

Mother Teresa of Calcutta dedicated her life to serving the sick, the dying, and the poorest of the poor. When former U.S. Ambassador Tony Hall visited Calcutta’s slums in the early 80’s with Mother Teresa, he was overcome with the number of destitute people and asked, “What can I do?” Mother Teresa answered, “Do the thing in front of you.”

Through the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership, UP students have many opportunities

to directly serve people in need, to learn about Catholic social teaching and social justice, and to “do the thing in front of you.”

Some of our students, faculty and staff get to travel to Nicaragua, Alaska, Tucson, and East Africa to do good work and learn about social justice issues in those far places, but more of our students travel to decidedly un-exotic places, tutoring kids in St. Johns and University Park, biking or busing downtown to serve homeless people at the Blanchet House, walking to the St. Mary’s Lounge on a Saturday to enjoy time with people with disabilities, going to Yakima, Wash. to do service and learn more about agricultural and farm worker issues, and packing into vans to teach English to migrant farm workers in Hillsboro, Ore. There are many people in

need all over the world, including Portland. And students can get involved right here in Portland to promote justice all over the world. In other words, you have the chance to do the thing that is in front of you.

Charles Lewis, ’94, founder and executive director of Ethos Music Center, gave the keynote address at our recent Moreau Center brunch. He talked about how his experiences of engaging in service while at UP and later as a Peace Corps volunteer in Congo grounded him, highlighted his own gifts, and fed his desire to do good work. Experiences like the Urban and Rural plunges will give, Charles noted, “flashes of inspiration you can use to direct your efforts to serve humanity and to do God’s work here on earth.” Charles began

Ethos after drastic budget cuts wiped out music education in many Portland public schools, especially schools in poorer and underserved neighborhoods.

Most of us at UP enjoy relatively tranquil and comfortable lives, far from the political turmoil of northern Africa, far from the lives of people who are homeless, far from the struggles of the migrant farm workers who pick our crops. But if you want your life to really mean something, I suggest you ask yourself two questions: What is right in front of me, and what can I do to promote justice?

Pat Ell is the Assistant Director for the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership. He can be reached at ell@up.edu

OPINIONS

The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net  11

You can’t always get what you want...

But that’s a good thing.

ASUP deserves congratulations for reaching a compromise on the issue of how to spend the Capital Improvements Fund.

For the next three years, monies from CIF each fall semester will go to the RISE campaign to build a new campus recreation center. The spring semester CIF will go toward more immediate campus improvements, as per

tradition.

The proposition to contribute CIF monies to a new recreational center was born out of strong student sentiment. However, the proposition was also strongly opposed, as it is probable most current UP students will not get to enjoy their investment.

Both sides defended their views in the public forum, and in

the end both sides had to sacrifice a little.

The debate over CIF allowed the student body to truly witness competitive democracy in progress. In fact, this outcome may very well be a good example for the Congress in Washington D.C., which often comes to a screeching halt when faced with staunch disagreement over im-

portant issues.

Our student government did not shy away from controversy and fall back on business as usual. They met the issue head on.

Of course, there is no way this compromise will please everyone. That is not the point of any compromise. The important outcome is that each side gave a little and took a little. Ultimately,

compromise is about good faith in the student government system.

Even though not everyone got everything he or she wanted, the student body as a whole benefits from the teamwork ASUP demonstrated.

EDITORIAL POLICY

The editorial reflects the majority view of The Beacon Editorial Board. The editorial does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the collective staff or the Administration of the University of Portland. Other submissions in this section are signed commentaries that reflect the opinion of the individual writer. The Student Media Committee, providing recommendation to the publisher, oversees the general operation of the newspaper. Policy set by the committee and publisher dictates that the responsibility for the newspaper’s editorial and advertising content lies solely in the hands of its student employees.

Residence life versus real life Will Lyons Staff Commentary Residence Life’s use of Facebook to advertise how to squat in your room lets loose a truth about the organization’s wish for the student body. The way I see it, these advertisement are just another way the University is trying to play the role of overprotective parent.

Residence Life wants to keep students on campus for as long as possible for obvious reasons: increase academic performance, cut down on underage drinking, create community, etc. However, keeping students on campus also stops them from gaining valuable life experiences. Staying on campus causes relinquish the chance to rent an apartment or a house, which could give students the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of renting: how to deal with landlords, pay utilities and cook for themselves, among other things.

I wouldn’t be bothered by the concept of staying on campus past freshman year if there weren’t so many rules that make it difficult to feel at home in a

hall. How homey can a place feel if you have to show identification whenever you come “home” or when friends must sign themselves over in order to see you?

Is this college or an old folks’ home?

And then of course there are intervisitation rules to consider.

I keep trying to think of reasons for the existence of intervis, but can’t think of any other than to attempt to enforce a bedtime. Does UP really expect the vast majority of students to go home and be good just because 2:01 has rolled around? If no one abides by intervis and we’re all just sneaking around after 2 with friends in our halls anyway, why does intervis even exist?

Fortunately, in many halls intervis isn’t enforced to the letter of the law. But still, the fact that these rules are on the books and some students do get “caught” and possibly fined for something so stupid as chillin’ in a friend’s room until 2:30 is a collegiate tragedy.

One of the major upsides of living on campus is close proximity to university activities facilitating contribution and participation in the general atmosphere of campus life. As such, Residence Life probably feels the need to keep a certain amount of nonfreshmen on campus to encourage cross-class collaboration.

Submission Policy

Letters and commentaries from readers are encouraged.

All contributions must include the writer’s address and phone number for verification purposes. The Beacon does not accept submissions written by a group, although pieces written by an individual on behalf of a group are acceptable.

Letters to the editor must not exceed 250 words. Those with longer opinions are encouraged to submit guest columns. The Beacon reserves the right to edit any contributions for length and style, and/or reject them without notification. University students must include their major and year in school. Nonstudents must include their affiliation to the University, if any.

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In this sense I don’t think Residence Life gives us enough credit. Moving off campus doesn’t mean students won’t participate in activities. We’re at college for the purpose of making good use of the resources afforded us. I’d walk back to campus for a speaker at night if I lived off campus.

Furthermore, students who live off campus still go to class as often as students who live on campus and are therefore inextricably linked to the university.

Maybe squatting in your room is the best option for housing next year. Living on campus definitely has a character all its own. I have enjoyed my first year living on campus, but moving off campus presents an array of new experiences from which to learn and grow. Getting to know a close group of people in a house and overcoming the hazards of renting could be to be quite the adventure — and by adventure I mean party.

Will Lyons is a freshman English major. He can be contacted at lyons14@up.edu.

Samantha Heathcote | THE BEACON

THE BEACON Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief. . . . . . . ����� Rosemary Peters News Editor . . . . . . . . . . ��������� Hannah Gray Opinions Editor . . . . . . �������� Megan Osborn Living EditoR �������������� Roya Ghorbani-Elizeh Sports Editor . . . . . . . . �����Aaron O’Connell Copy Editor. . . . . . . . . . . �������� Lisa McMahan

Contacting The Beacon E-mail: beacon@up.edu Website: www.upbeacon.net Address: 5000 N. Willamette Blvd. ● Portland, OR 97203-5798

Staff Writers

PJ Marcello, John McCarty, Bruce Garlinghouse, Elizabeth Vogel, Jocelyne LaFortune, Caitlin Yilek, Sarah Hansell, Philippe Boutros, Amanda Blas, Will Lyons, Corey Fawcett, Rachel McIntosh, Joanna Goodwin and Luke Riela.

Photographers

Alissa White, Kevin Kadooka, Bryan Brenize and Scott Chia Designer. . . . . . . . . . Alexander Domingo and Andrea Jackle Business & Ad Manager . Emily Lindgren Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samantha Heathcote Web Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Alger Circulation Manager. . . . . . . Sal Liotta Adviser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Copic Publisher . . Fr. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C.

OPINIONS

12  February 24, 2011

Constitutional confusion Is a simple majority really enough?

Austin Veiga Guest Commentary On Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. ASUP held their weekly Senate meeting. At this meeting I observed some very controversial tactics used in order to pass Resolution 11-03. The resolution reallocates the fall semester’s Capital Improvement Fund to the RISE campaign. Needless to say, the resolution has been the talk for the past weeks for its controversial content.

On Monday night, the Senate “passed” the resolution 20 votes to 11. The resolution is supposedly an addendum to a list of rules entitled “Capital Improvement Fund Policy.” There is only one problem. The article given the name “Capital Improvement Fund Policy” does not exist within the ASUP constitution, or the ASUP Senate By-laws.

The constitution outlines Article XI: Capital Improvements Fund, stating “Money from the capital improvements fund shall be allocated as needed by a twothirds vote of the senate” (Article XI, B). However, Resolution 1103 passed with a simple major-

ity and, the document “Capital Improvement Fund Policy” now directly conflicts with the ASUP Constitution because of the preceding vote.

Unfortunately, the article “Capital Improvement Fund Policy” is merely a piece of paper. According to the ASUP Bylaws, “The ASUP Constitution, By-Laws, and Robert’s Rules of Order (revised) shall govern all proceedings of the Senate,” not random documents found in dusty binders (Article IV, Section 3). The document “Capital Improvement Fund Policy” has not been adopted under any of these doctrines.

For something as important as $20,000, it worries me that ASUP is willing to accept a simple majority to re-allocate Capital Improvement Fund monies despite the fact that our constitution clearly states otherwise. Not only does the practice seem unfair, it also does not follow standard Senate protocol.

It seems as if the document “Capital Improvement Fund Policy” was conveniently brought into existence in order to avoid a two-thirds vote.

I also find it disturbing that the Executive Board chose to withhold this information until after the vote. Most senators were under the impression that a twothirds majority was necessary

to pass the resolution. Executive Board revealed the simple majority rule after the votes were tallied.

In addition, future Senates are required to produce a two-thirds majority in order to change any part of the resolution added on Monday. Executive Board played a very political move in order to make sure that “their” resolution passed. The Executive Board contrived the concept of donating the Capital Improvement Fund, and on Monday night showed a conniving desire to force this resolution on the student population.

It does not matter whether or not the resolution passed. The article “Capital Improvement Policy” is still not a legitimate governing doctrine of ASUP. In order to apply Resolution 11-03 constitutionally, the Senate must adopt the “Capital Improvement Fund Policy” into ASUP By-laws by a two-thirds majority vote. In order to prevent confusion in further governing articles, my peers and I deserve the right to transparency and consistency among our leaders.

Ausin Veiga is a sophomore biology major. He can be contacted at veiga13@up.edu.

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What is Watson?

Computer beats ‘Jeopardy!’ champions Andrew Nuxoll Guest Commentary This week, a computer named Watson bested the world’s best “Jeopardy!” champions in a three-round televised match. As UP’s resident artificial intelligence (AI) expert, I fielded several questions from my students who were anxious to know what I thought of the whole thing.

Well I think it’s marvelous, but not for the reasons that you think.

When I first heard about Watson, another famous human vs. computer match-up immediately sprang to my mind. In 1997, a computer named Deep Blue decisively defeated the world chess champion in a public match. The news captivated the world because it was the first time that a computer had really beaten the best of the best that humanity had to offer in a contest generally associated with raw intelligence.

Then, like now, people began to question how long it would be before there was a C-3PO in every household or whether we should be preparing ourselves to welcome our new silicon-based

overlords. In case you are wondering, my opinion both then and now is: don’t hold your breath.

Another thing that Deep Blue has in common with Watson is that both computers aren’t new inventions but applications of existing AI technology. In fact, some algorithms Watson uses are part of the introductory Artificial Intelligence elective course that I teach. Watson is using the

“... people began to question how long it would be before there was a C-3PO in every household or whether we should be preparing ourselves to welcome our new silicon-based overlords.”

Andrew Nuxoll Assistant Professor of Engineering

same statistics-based machinelearning technology that powers Google Search and Amazon recommendations. That, coupled with some natural language tools used for language translation and, no doubt, a hefty injection of heuristics (a fancy word AI researchers use so they don’t have See Watson, page 13

OPINIONS

The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net  13

Crossing the Willamette Bruce Garlinghouse Staff Commentary As you freshmen head into the final semester of your first year in college, many of you are probably in the same position I was at that time: You’re ready to cross Willamette Boulevard from the safety of campus and the dorms and rent a home.

Don’t get me wrong, I had a blast living in the dorms. It’s great having all your buddies living on the same floor. The practical jokes, the hours of Call of Duty and football games on Sundays are all things that remain cherished parts of my freshman experience.

But it only allows a sample taste of the freedom you long for.

Roommates, RAs, hall directors and meal plans are all necessary aspects in easing the transition between high school and college. But they also apply a sort of limitation on freedom in the forms of intervisitation, waiting

for washing machine availability and navigating through the Commons cuisine.

So in order to reach the promised land, you decide to gather a couple of your friends and begin looking for an off-campus house.

If you are one of these people, I hope for your sake this process has already begun because it can be quite a pain. But if you haven’t, then here are a couple of pointers that extend from my experience in home hunting and renting First, talk to your parents.

For most of you, your parents are probably paying for your housing, or at least a portion of it. So talk to them. Letting their children live in a house with no supervision as well as signing a lease can be a scary thought for parents. So how do you convince your parents you are responsible enough to handle living on your own? Be responsible. Do your homework, and have all the estimated costs documented. Not only will it be easier for your parents to understand, but they will be impressed with your initiative.

Second, put a lot of thought into who you want to live with.

Living with best friends may sound appealing, but there are

numerous problems that can arise. There is a fine line between a friendship and a housemate relationship and it is important to understand when it is appropriate to treat a friend like a friend and a housemate like a housemate. So, if you are going to live with friends, make sure you can distinguish between the two because often the friendship can take a beating because of miscommunications as housemates.

“Living with your best friends may sound appealing, but there are numerous problems that can arise.”

Bruce Garlinghouse

Third, start looking for houses now. Like, now. Seriously, put The Beacon down and start looking. But if you want to keep reading, I understand. Not only do you have to compete with many other freshmen in your position, you also have older students moving out of the dorms or switching houses to compete

with. First come, first serve is the general rule with landlords and property owners so make sure you jump on it.

Fourth, make sure you communicate with your potential housemates. There are several things involved in renting a house such as applications and credit checks, all requiring multiple signatures and paperwork.

Make sure you communicate to your housemates what needs to be done as well as when they need to be finished.

Living off campus can be a lot of fun but is a lot of responsibility. Carpets have to be vacuumed, dishes have to be washed, groceries have to be bought and bills have to be paid. So when your parents say “Johnny, you understand the responsibility of renting a home right?”, do the exact opposite of what you want to do and listen.

Continued from page 12 to say “a rule of thumb”).

It’s because I’m familiar with Watson’s underlying technology that I’m confident Watson clones won’t be taking over the world. Watson may be outstanding at “Jeopardy!” but it is completely incapable of doing anything else. It can’t even play trivial pursuit without the aid of a human to reprogram it for that purpose. It certainly is not going to start building homicidal robots that look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Now before, I start sounding like a wet blanket, let me say that

By ALISSA WHITE Photographer

We asked:

What is your favorite Portland restaurant?

“Proper Eats.”

Alli Ramsay, junior, nursing

Bruce Garlinghouse is a sophomore English and communications studies major.

He can be contacted at garlingh13@up.edu

WATSON: Wins ‘Jeopardy!’

Watson demonstrates the real potential that we have today, and that potential is very great indeed. AI technology is, in many aspects, facilitating the technology revolution that continues to transform our society. Ironically, it is so pervasive and reliable that it is practically invisible.

Which brings me to the real reason I think Watson is marvelous. Across the world, there are millions of people who have been inspired by watching Watson play “Jeopardy!” Of those people, more than a few are future engineers who will one day decide to enter the field of computer science in part because of this demonstration of how wonderful this

Faces on The Bluff

“Por que No?”

SHARE YOUR

oft-invisible technology is and just how colossal its potential really is.

Ian Burns, junior, electrical engineering

JOKES

Andrew Nuxoll is an assistant professor of engineering. He can be contacted at nuxoll@up.edu.

WITH THE BEACON

Curious about what Watson got wrong?

Some nuanced questions were difficult for Watson to grasp such as:

beacon@up.edu

Question: “From the Latin for end, this is where trains can also originate.”

“Nicola’s.”

Natalie Vierra, freshman, undeclared

Answer: “terminus” http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380351,00.asp

    

“Chart House.”



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Zak Pearson, freshman, electrical engineering



    



 

  





“Swirl” Lauren Johnson, junior, sociology

SPORTS

14  February 24, 2011

Check out the photo gallery on www.upbeacon.net

Bryan Brenize | THE BEACON

Wally and friends host mascot mashup John McCarty Staff Writer mccarty12@up.edu Following their loss to the No. 2 USF Dons, the Pilots had to get serious for their bout with Santa Clara. Though the men came away with a 78-68 win, the game wasn’t all business, thanks to the comedic efforts of Wally Pilot and his mascot friends in the form of a halftime basketball game and limbo contest.

For the second year in a row Wally Pilot and a motley crew of mascots, including the Teletubbies, a Duracell battery, Timber Joey, Nutz the squirrel, a Super Subway sub sandwich and the purple man, put on a display of

costumed athleticism for the enjoyment of the fans.

“I don’t think there were any teams to speak of,” junior James Gozdiff said. “It was basically a free-for-all with each mascot doing their own thing. Wally would try to dish it to the giant dog or the squirrel but they couldn’t really catch so they just kept getting hit in the face.”

According to junior Mike Pacholec, mobility was the biggest factor in on-the-court efficacy.

“The Teletubbies pretty much ran the floor,” Pacholec said.

“Their costumes were the least restrictive so they could just dribble around all the other mascots for easy lay-ups.”

Undaunted by the Teletubby

triple threat of Tinky Winky, Dipsy and Po, UP’s own Wally Pilot put on a career-defining performance with six points, three rebounds and two assists.

The halftime mascot scrimmage was played much like a youth soccer game: A large cluster of players without any discernable team pursued the ball toward either basket with little regard for things like dribbling, passing and fouling.

Much to the crowd’s amusement, Nutz the squirrel was unable to make a basket during regulation time, his cute furry exterior making it difficult to grip the ball. Unfazed by a comparative size disadvantage, the red Teletubby, Po, led the mascots on

defense with three steals and four rebounds.

Though most of the costumes were physically restrictive, some mascots were able to use them to their advantage.

“The Oregonian mascot was just a cutout of the state. His arms were so far apart he couldn’t catch anything so the other mascots just used him as a backboard for bouncing passes off of,” Pacholec said.

The mascots left everything on the court but when the buzzer sounded at the end of the halftime show there were still no clear teams and thus no winner.

During an official timeout midway through the second half, the mascots were back on the

court for a limbo competition.

For this event, costumes proved to be a double-edged sword and some of the taller mascots were almost immediately disqualified for touching the bar.

“The [Duracell] battery was flat on top so he could just crouch down and walk right under the bar,” Gozdiff said. “With a little help from the purple man he made it under every time.”

Despite the fact that there was no clear winner in either the mascot basketball game or the limbo contest, the second annual mascot night provided comic relief during the Pilots’ win over Santa Clara.

SPORTS

Baseball looks to continue strong start PJ Marcello Staff Writer marcello13@up.edu

Portland Pilots baseball traveled to Tennessee last weekend, winning three straight against Middle Tennesse State, largely due to clutch hitting, pitching and the ability to finish close games.

They were scheduled to face George Fox Tuesday, but the game was postponed until this weekend due to poor weather.

Senior second baseman Riley Henricks was named West Coast Conference Position Player of the Week after he went six for 11 over the weekend along with three runs scored, two RBI’s, and four walks.

“It is a great honor to get that recognition, but a lot of it has to do with the team,” Henricks said.

“It starts with pitching and guys stepping up. You have to be winning games to get that sort of recognition so it’s a team effort.”

The team gives a lot of credit for its hot start to the pitching and clutch hitting. Starters and relievers kept it close and senior Chris Dennis was able to get his third straight save over the weekend.

“The middle relief was great on the first two games,” senior infielder Kevin Armijo said. “Brent Miller kept it close and gave us hitters a chance to chip away and we had good defense when we needed it.”

In the final game of the series, the Pilots came back from six runs down to beat Middle Tennessee 11-8, led by a three-run homer by junior Beau Fraser.

The 3-0 start has the Pilots feeling good but they do not plan on letting the success get to their heads with a tough home stand coming up before hitting the road to take on No. 19 Oregon.

“They’re a good in state rival and we play each other tough,” Armijo said. “We have tough games this weekend against some local teams and then Oregon, a good ball club in Seattle University, BYU with some great hitters and then off to Hawaii for a fourgame series there.”

It will be a tough test as all of those games will be on the road aside from this weekend’s games and a two-game series against BYU. “If we play well down the stretch we will be getting more looks at the top 25. I don’t want to look too far ahead but I’m excited,” Armijo said.

The team is looking forward to the first series at home and hope to keep its momentum going forward.

“We need to come out with the same energy we did in Tennessee,” Henricks said. “We’re not playing down opening weekend; everyone will be jacked up to play.”

Sophomore Valeska Hoath grew up in Queensland, Australia and is now deep into a fulfilling experience with the UP Women’s Tennis Team.

When did you start playing tennis?

When I was about seven and my older sister played. I got dragged to a lot of tournaments, so I decided I should play too.

Did you play through school or through club teams?

I’m from Australia, so back home it’s kind of like individual tournaments. Once you get into high school you can play team tennis, but it’s not that popular.

So most of it is separate and individual.

How did you hear about UP? My sister went to St. Mary’s so basically through her. She said that this was the only other school in the conference that seemed nice. I also pursued St. Mary’s and they recommended me to the coaches at UP. How often do you get to go back to Australia?

This past Christmas, I went back and this summer I’ll go back, but I probably won’t for future Christmases because it is really expensive.

Do you like singles or doubles more in tennis matches?

Growing up, I always liked doubles more, but I’m starting to like singles more here because it’s just different. Playing on a team and playing with the pressure of doubles is a lot different than playing back home.

The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net 

15

Pilot of the Week Valeska Hoath Joanna Goodwin Staff Writer goodwin12@up.edu

Scott Chia | THE BEACON

Doubles is more fun back home.

Here it is more important, but I still like both.

How do the coaches pair you up for doubles matches?

It’s mainly about different game styles and different people play better together. We’ve got sisters on the team and they play well together.

Outside of matches, how do you guys come together as a team?

Outside of matches we hang out a lot. Most of the team gets dinner together and we have dif-

ferent classes and we hang out most of the weekends as well.

Who is your team’s biggest competition this season?

We played the Oregon Ducks and that was one of our biggest rivals because (teammate) Sabine Fuchs transferred (to UP) from there, and they are a really obnoxious team. And our biggest rival conference wise would probably be Gonzaga because it’s a home match, our only conference home match and nobody really likes Gonzaga.

Sports The Beacon

16  February 24, 2011

www.upbeacon.net

“A senior class that has done more for UP hoops than any other” -Head Coach Eric Reveno Class of 2011 record: 68-55 (most successfull since 1982) Bruce Garlinghouse Staff Writer garlingh13@up.edu

Kevin Kadooka | THE BEACON

Jared Stohl -1st all time for UP in threepoint field goals -1st in national three-point percentage 2009-10 -2nd all time three-point percentage at UP -5th all time for UP in games played

Bruce Garlinghouse Staff Writer garlingh13@up.edu

Kevin Kadooka | THE BEACON

Luke Sikma -1st all time for UP in rebounds -2nd all time for UP in blocked shots -4th all time for UP in games played

Inside:

Last Saturday as the Pilots defeated Santa Clara 78-68, parents, players and fans gathered in the Chiles Center to celebrate the last home game of four seniors who have been a part of the most successful seasons the Pilots have seen in decades.

“It’s why we came here,” senior Kramer Knutson said. “Coach told us he was going to turn things around and we wanted to be a part of that.”

Head Coach Eric Reveno said every senior night is emotional, but this one was different because of what these seniors have accomplished.

“To me, senior night is really important. This one had an added significance because of what they have done for the program,” Reveno said.

Reveno added that the hardest part of senior night isn’t seeing his players play at home for the last time, but watching the parents.

“I don’t like seeing the moms cry. It chokes me up,” Reveno said. “But the moms this year held it together so I was OK.” While at Portland, Knutson, Luke Sikma, Jared Stohl and Jasonn Hannibal helped the Pilots reach their second 20-win season as a Division 1 institution and its first top 25 ranking in 50 years.

Knutson sat out the game because of a back injury sustained in the previous game against San Francisco.

But Sikma, Stohl and Hannibal took full advantage of their last opportunity to play in Chiles.

Sikma scored his league-leading 13th double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Earlier that week against San Francisco, Sikma became the 34th player in Portland history to score 1,000 points, joining Stohl as the second person to acheive the milestone this season.

Stohl added 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, knocking down three three-pointers.

Stohl, who led the nation in three-point percentage last season, said he’ll miss shooting in the Chiles Center or what he calls the “Stroke Center.”

“It’s definitely a shooter’s gym,” Stohl said.

Hannibal had arguably the game’s best play when he dunked over a Santa Clara defender.

“I was really pumped. Plays like that make your confidence go up,” Hannibal said.

That increase in confidence was apparent as he proceeded to score a career-high 15 points.

Sikma said the game was a bittersweet moment.

“The week leading up was a build up of nervousness and excitement. It was a mix of emotions,” Sikma said.

“But we won the game and that was what’s important so that was satisfying.”

While a win on senior night was big for the seniors, it was also a big win for the team as they head into their final two games of conference play.

The Pilots are currently fifth in the WCC, but wins over San Diego and St. Mary’s would ensure fourth place for the Pilots. With a fourth place spot, the Pilots would have a bye in the first round of the WCC tournament.

The Pilots play San Diego in San Diego tonight at 8 p.m. and then head to Moraga, Calif. to play St. Mary’s Saturday.

P. 14: Mascot Night at UP P. 15: Featured Pilot of the Week P. 15: Baseball starts off swinging

Bryan Brenize | THE BEACON

Kramer Knutson -1st all time for UP in starts -7th all time for UP in games played

Bryan Brenize | THE BEACON

Jasonn Hannibal -8th all time for UP in games played

Plus:

Check out www.upbeacon. net/multimedia for video footage of mascot night