The Beacon - Jan. 30 - Issue 14

Vol. 115, Issue 14 January 30, 2014

The BEacon

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The Student Voice of the University of Portland Since 1935

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Two Pilots drafted to Seattle Reign Sports, p. 15

Poorman sets ambitious goals for presidency Philip Ellefson Opinions Editor ellefson15@up.edu

Kristen Garcia | THE BEACON

President-elect Fr. Mark Poorman addresses the UP community at the Presidential Welcome Reception. Poorman will be UP’s 20th president.

President-elect Fr. Mark Poorman already has a long list of plans for his presidency. He wants to raise money for more student scholarships, build more academic facilities and deepen UP’s Catholic identity. And he wants to keep teaching.

At a welcome reception for Poorman on Monday, he said he would was committed to improving the University as UP’s 20th president.

“I’m honored by the trust and the confidence of the Board of Regents,” Poorman said. “I will work my very hardest to give everything I have to this place, to bring it, as they say, to the next level.”

President Fr. Bill Beauchamp said Poorman has what it takes to tackle all his ambitions.

“One thing I know about Fr. Poorman is he has the energy of three people,” Beauchamp said.

Poorman was elected during a Board of Regents retreat last weekend at an undisclosed location in southern California.

The Presidential Search Committee, which was made

Chiles incident sparks outrage, dialogue Lydia Laythe Staff Writer laythe16@up.edu As 10 pairs of sneakers screeched down the court and the sound of dribbling echoed through the Chiles Center at the game against BYU last Thursday, the voices of the Pilots student section roared above it all. The Pilots would go on to defeat BYU in triple overtime and UP fans would swarm the court.

But amid the excitement, some in the student section felt anything but elated. For them, an incident in the stands resulted in hurt, anger and determination to bring attention to the need for more cultural inclusion and sensitivity at UP. Through word of mouth and social media, the incident led to a larger ongoing dialogue about why not all students feel welcome.

The Incident The Villa Drum Squad was leading the Pilots fan section as usual, but something was different. The students, along with several friends from other residence halls, wore sombreros and a Mexican flag, and held a piñata and maracas. Several members of the group called out words and phrases in Spanish like: “Si se puede!” which means “It can be done!”

While squad members later said they intended to project an image of Pilot pride, the “Latinthemed” hats and props in that context were condescending and offensive to juniors Yuri Hernandez and Jaclyn Sisto.

The students in sombreros also called out Spanish words like “Arriba!” and the Spanish swear word for “whore.”

“Instantly I just felt disgusted, hurt, and I just really couldn’t believe what I was seeing,”

Hernandez said.

Hernandez recognized one of the sombrero-wearing students as a former Service and Justice Coordinator whom she had worked with. When Hernandez asked to speak with the student, he refused.

She attempted several times to explain why she was offended, but became discouraged. That’s when Sisto spoke up.

“I just wanted to have an honest conversation with the people involved,” Sisto said. “(I explained that they were) boiling our culture down to these few things that are very Americanized and very commodified.”

Hernandez and Sisto asked that the students put down their maracas and piñata and remove their sombreros. Yet while the students put down their props, the sombreros remained.

“If it hadn’t been in that See CULTURAL AWARENESS, page 2

up of faculty, staff, Holy Cross clergy and regents, recommended that the Board of Regents elect Poorman.

In addition to the Presidential Search Committee’s recommendation, the Board of Regents received evaluation sheets for both candidates filled out by administrators, Holy Cross priests, faculty, staff and a selection of students.

For the past two years, Poorman has served as executive vice president. Before that, he was vice president of Student Affairs at Notre Dame for 11 years. Provost Tom Greene said Poorman is equipped with necessary skills for the job.

“He understands a comprehensive University very well,” Greene said. “He is first of all an academic, but he’s also spent time in other capacities, both here and at Notre Dame.”

Residents of Schoenfeldt Hall, where Poorman serves as a pastoral resident, praised his ability to make people in his community feel welcome.

“This is a person that invests himself 100 percent. If I needed advice, he’s the one person I could go to,” said Schoenfeldt Hall Director Joe Coulter. “Even if

he’s extremely busy, he can make time for the simplest things.”

Sophomore Cameron Trostle, a Schoenfeldt resident, said Poorman occasionally takes time to go on outings with students.

“One time, me and a couple of my friends and him went to brunch at Podnah’s,” Trostle said.

“He likes to joke around and have fun.”

Poorman said living in dorms and interacting with students is one of his favorite parts of being at a university.

“I absolutely love student life. I’ve lived in the dorms for 28 years, and I think those experiences are some of the most rewarding ministerial experiences I’ve had,” he said.

Poorman hopes to continue teaching ethics after he takes office. During his time at UP, Poorman has helped to create the Dundon-Berchtold Initiative, which includes a class of 40 students called The Character Project and gives faculty-student teams the opportunity to do indepth research on ethics in their fields of study.

Poorman has spent much See PRESIDENT-ELECT, page 5

Campus Ministry welcomes new director Lydia Laythe Staff Writer laythe16@up.edu Father Mark DeMott, Shipstad Hall Director, recently accepted the interim director of Campus Ministry position.

DeMott, however, is also known for his unofficial roles on campus: Shipstad’s “clutter police” and in-house barber.

After receiving a barber chair last spring, DeMott began a fundraiser called “Ship’s Clips.” This fundraiser benefits Holy Cross Lake View Senior Secondary School in Uganda, where DeMott taught before coming to the University of Portland. But DeMott is no rookie to cutting hair – he started in 2007 when he joined the seminary.

“They needed somebody to cut hair – so I started learning,” DeMott said.

DeMott didn’t always want to be a priest. He was

raised Catholic, but his father, grandfather and greatgrandfather were all doctors. So as he began his undergraduate degree at Notre Dame in 1998 it was no surprise that he pursued a future in medicine. However, at Notre Dame he was introduced to the study of faith and the Holy Cross priesthood, and was pulled in another direction.

“My imagination and energy slowly just started to focus on learning about (God),” DeMott said. “So I would study science all day in school, and then read about that at night.”

He joined the Holy Cross seminary in 2007.

“You know how you get so interested in your girlfriend or your boyfriend and you get so interested in your career that that’s all you want to do, that’s what you think about, what gets you up in the morning, what See NEW CAMPUS MINISTRY DIRECTOR, page 4

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January 30, 2014

On On Campus Campus

CULTURAL AWARENES

GREEN DATE MURAL Thursday, Jan. 30 students can sign a mural in Bauccio Commons for the Green Dot program. Supplies will be provided.

Statement from the students from Villa Maria

BLUFFOONS IMPROV SHOW Friday, Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m. in Mago Hunt Recital Hall.

Tickets are $2 per person or $3 per pair.

“Speaking for the Villans involved, we are truly sorry that our actions hurt and offended some of our fellow students. Our intentions were not to marginalize anyone.

We are attempting to resolve this issue directly with Jaclyn and Yuri, and we believe that this can be a learning moment for everyone.”

CPB PRESENTS “ABOUT TIME” Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. in Buckley Center Auditorium.

PILOTS AFTER DARK Friday, Jan. 31, 10-11:30 p.m. Open Mic Night.

11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. - Nintendo Wii games.

Saturday, Feb. 1, 10-11:30 p.m.

- Board Game Night hosted by the Spielfriek Society 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. - KDUP DJ SENIOR NIGHT Tuesday, Feb. 4 , 7 p.m. in the Bauccio Commons Terrace Room. Free food, prizes, music, and a “purple carpet” photo booth.

CAREERS IN COMMUNICATIONS Tuesday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. in BC 163. Hear recent communication studies alumni speak about their working lives beyond graduation.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER CHRIS COLLINS Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7:15 p.m. in BC Auditorium. Presented

by Phi Bet Lambda.

EYES OF FAITH PRESENTS “DESPICABLE ME 2” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7:15 p.m. in Franz 231. Karen Eifler and Fr. Charlie Gordon illuminate unexpected themes of grace and redemption in the film.

Screenshot from thew.tv live stream

Members of the Villa Maria Drum Squad, along with friends, appeared online on the w.tv live stream during last Thursday’s BYU game. Their “Latin Night” display offended some students.

Continued from page 1 context, (the sombreros) wouldn’t have been offensive,” Sisto said.

But the sombreros remained.

Hernandez continued to ask the students to remove them.

“At this point, another kid next to my former coworker grabbed the flag, rolled it up in a ball and just chucked it at my face,” Hernandez said. “That’s when I broke down and started crying. And I left. For someone to feel that much disrespect toward me to throw something at my face was just my line. I couldn’t be there anymore. I felt like my culture was literally balled up and thrown in my face.”

“This is an opportunity for us to learn and to grow together – not only as a community, but as a campus, as a whole, and to be more aware of these things and to appreciate those values and those differences that each of us has.”

Quin Chadwick ASUP president, junior

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.

-Taylor Spooner, sophomore

After the incident, Hernandez and Sisto emailed and met with faculty, staff, the Villa Maria hall director, the athletic department, ASUP and student club leaders and students to discuss the incident and steps in moving forward. According to a statement released by the Villa residents involved, they “are attempting to resolve this issue directly with Jaclyn and Yuri.”

Sophomore senator Temo

Ledua, a member of the group of students in sombreros, apologized publicly to Hernandez and Sisto at the ASUP meeting Monday, where the incident became the main topic of discussion.

“It really wasn’t our intent to offend anyone or poke fun at a certain culture,” Ledua said.

“It’s not because we’re just (a group) of mean boys, it’s a lack of education about cultural insensitivity.”

Villa Maria Hall Director Kurt Berning acknowledged the need for more direct dialogue between the Drum Squad members involved and the two students.

“We want it to be on their terms,” Berning said. “Whatever they’re comfortable with is fine.

That hasn’t happened yet, but I think in time there will be some direct communication.”

The Big Picture Cultural insensitivity is an issue that extends beyond the UP campus. From Penn State to Cornell, colleges across the United States are grappling with similar problems. At Cornell last November, students were outraged by poorly chosen Halloween costumes: sombreros, kimonos and feather headdresses, to name a few. The offended students reacted, starting a campus-wide discussion. The Huffington Post called 2013 “The Year of Cultural Appropriation.”

This incident is not the first of its kind at UP either. Hernandez herself recalled another episode at a Pilots After Dark event in which students yelled homophobic and racial slurs at her and her friends.

While the event at the basketball game was the tipping point for Hernandez and Sisto, they said the regularity with which cultural insensitivity occurs at UP makes this a problem beyond the Latino population on campus.

“It’s a bigger picture,” Hernandez said. “It’s beyond us.”

“It’s definitely not an individual problem,” Sisto said.

“It’s the culture on campus. The culture on campus is not safe and is not inclusive for everyone. It’s too big of an issue not to make it an issue here on campus for everyone – not just minorities, not just Latinas – everyone, across the board.”

Philosophy professor Alejandro Santana agreed.

“Based on my experience and people that I’ve talked to, it happens with enough frequency that people in underrepresented groups or minorities, students of color, feel that UP is not a welcoming place for them,” Santana said.

Multicultural Programs Coordinator, Bethany Sills, said UP can do more to develop cultural awareness on campus.

“Cultural insensitivity happens all the time,” Sills said. “And we need to build an awareness about that.”

Santana also sees the need for institutional change.

“It seems that this is a good occasion (for) the higher level of the administration to really make this a part of the institutional agenda,” Santana said. “Institution-wide attempts to make this a more welcoming place would involve reaching out to underrepresented groups and saying ‘What would you like this institution to do? What would make you feel more welcome?’”

Moving Forward Hernandez said the first step to make everyone feel welcome is to assess the structures already in place.

“We have a Nondiscrimination Policy that includes race and identity,” Hernandez said. “But is it enforced? Are we critically analyzing these policies? There are structures put in place that could’ve prevented this but failed

Quick Points of Reflection For Inclusive Event Planning What is the purpose or goal of the event you are planning?

Is your activity inclusive of other groups and individuals?

Remember that space, decorations, costumes, food, drink, music, emcees, the content of the program, and more should all be thoughtfully planned in ways not to exclude others.

Would the event celebrate your culture or make light of another culture?

What are the best and worst reactions that people might have toward your activity?

How could your activity possibly be offensive or emotionally harmful to other groups or individuals?

Does your activity support the mission of University of Portland?

-Bethany Sills, Assistant Director of Student Activities and Multicultural Programs Coordinator

www.upbeacon.com 3

NEWS

SS: conversation continues to do so.”

Beyond those structures, such as the Student Code of Conduct or the Nondiscrimination Policy, Hernandez says the faculty, staff and students have a responsibility to intervene. Hernandez and Sisto agreed that the lack of education and training around this issue makes intervening more difficult.

“Let’s take an educational stance,” Hernandez said. “Let’s

“Based on my experience and people that I’ve talked to, it happens with enough frequency that people in under-represented groups or minorities, students of color, feel that UP is not a welcoming place for them.”

Alejandro Santana Associate Professor

critically look at it and see how we can make it better. How do we move forward to make this a better place?”

Sisto posed several questions she thought the community should be asking such as “what are we doing to celebrate culture rather than appropriate it?”

ASUP President Quin Chadwick, who also lives in Villa but was not part of the group in sombreros, said he too hopes to use this incident as a learning experience.

“This is an opportunity for us to learn and to grow together – not only as a community, but as a campus, as a whole, and to be more aware of these things and to appreciate those differences and those values that each of us has,” Chadwick said.

In the end, Sisto and Hernandez don’t want an apology or any punishment for the students involved in the Chiles incident.

“We don’t want it to seem like ‘bad guys versus good guys,’” Hernandez said.

They want change.

“I think people have this sense of ‘We just added sexual orientation to our Nondiscrimination Policy. We’re good. We don’t have to fight for equality for the next 10 years,’” Sisto said. “I’m just tired of it. I’m tired of our campus being afraid of talking about the pressing issues. I’m tired of people being scared to talk about things. I want there to be dialogue. I want there to be systemic change.”

Sills agrees further dialogue is necessary.

“The last thing we want when a student experiences cultural insensitivity is for the door to close and the conversation to

stop,” Sills said. “These incidents should only raise awareness and to continue the learning process of how to be good people, how to hear each other’s stories and allow their stories to inform our own lives. So that (way), when we walk in life we know how to be more loving people.”

ASUP Meeting Coverage During the ASUP meeting Jan. 27, Sills led a discussion about the controversy. This discussion dominated much of the meeting, and several senators offered insight into what happened.

Senator Joshua Cleary said the NBA “Latin Nights” inspired the Villa residents to behave the way they did.

“The whole thing was ‘Latin Night’ unofficially,” Cleary said. “In the NBA that’s done to encourage diversity, and I think the kids were trying to do something similar. Obviously it was offensive. But I don’t think there was any intention of insulting anyone.”

NBA “Latin Nights” are part of a marketing campaign to attract Latino fans. At the games, players wear jerseys intended to engage these fans in particular, for example with “Los Lakers” on them instead of “The Lakers.”

During the meeting, Cleary asked what the difference was between wearing sombreros at the game on Thursday and wearing kilts during other games.

Santana responded by explaining the importance of context.

“In this particular instance at the basketball game, people were wearing sombreros and doing maracas and they had a t-shirt that said ‘Los Pilots.’

And then all at the same time: uttering profanities and misusing slogans,” Santana said. “It’s not one specific thing. You have to look at all of it all together. You have to broaden the picture.”

According to ASUP Vice President Elvia Gaona, Senate is working on ways to respond to the incident, including developing a session for Diversity Dialogues week in late February and a resolution to call for the administration to add a diversity course to the core curriculum or integrate more diversity topics into the existing curriculum. To ensure the conversation continues, ASUP is also considering creating a separate diversity committee.

“That way we make sure that we are addressing diversity concerns on a weekly basis that it’s something we’re always talking about - not just once a semester or once a year,” Gaona said.

STATEMENT FROM ASUP SENATE On Monday, Jan. 27 the ASUP Senate was briefed by Bethany Sills, UP’s assistant director of multicultural programming, Dr. Alejandro Santana, associate professor of philosophy, and Yuri Hernandez, president of MEChA and diversity coordinator for the Office of Student Activities about the events of the UP men’s basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Bethany described for the Senate the effects of “cultural appropriation,” the adoption of cultural practices of a minority culture by a majority culture in an offensive or nonmeaningful way. The actions of many students at the game directly fit this definition.

The issue is not the intentions of the students at the basketball game, which we understand to not have been deliberately hurtful. The issue is that students’ feelings were hurt, which regardless of the circumstance, must be addressed. Moreover, this behavior of cultural appropriation is unacceptable- even if no students were present to witness it or become offended by it. Intentions aside, ASUP condemns any action that makes members of the UP community feel disrespected, marginalized, humiliated or unwelcome.

ASUP feels that this event is a microcosm of a much larger issue on campus: the disenfranchisement or displacement of minority students in the University of Portland community. Bethany Sills informed our student Senate that she often receives visits from students who feel that they “don’t belong” on campus or feel disrespected in their differences. ASUP views this event as an opportunity to examine our efforts to create a welcoming community on campus and address diversity on a regular basis. We can and will do more.

ASUP will be partnering with Bethany Sills by hosting an event for Diversity Dialogues Week, Feb. 24-28. This is the first step in an essential process of educating students on diversity issues on campus, but throughout society as well. Our Senate looks forward to working for the betterment of the entire UP community so that we can really begin to “pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world.”

-Senator Anthony Montoya, Christie Hall; on behalf of the ASUP Senate

The Origin of “Si Se Puede” In the early 1960s and 70s, farm workers in Arizona were surrounded by oppressive heat and an equally oppressive social and political environment. This largely Latino population lived and worked in poor and unsafe conditions, and were asking for better working conditions and better wages. César Chávez and Dolores Huerta joined this group in their fight for rights.

While all the people around them kept repeating that change couldn’t be done, Chavez and Huerta responded “Si se puede,” meaning “Yes, it can be done.”

And it was done.

The farm workers gained better wages and conditions through nonviolent action, and this phrase grew into something much larger than a call to farm workers. This phrase called to Latino and Latina students graduating from college and defying stereotypes in the workplace. This phrase still calls to many proud, empowered Latinos and Latinas today – including students on campus.

For Hernandez, using the phrase “Si se puede” in the context of a college basketball game, combined with cultural appropriation, took away the phrase’s empowering, cultural meaning.

“It was used as a chant to empower people who were being oppressed,” Hernandez said.

“It can be done. Human rights can be done. Respecting each other – it can be done. That’s what the root of it is: Social justice at its core.”

For Sisto, this call for social justice is something intrinsically tied to the core values of UP. “I think as a Catholic university, with the basis of social justice at its core, who again is very proud of their new freshman class that is full of diversity, what are we doing to push social justice values (and) protect the dignity and worth of every human being?” Sisto said.

To read UP students’ opinions on cultural insensitivity, see Opinions pg. 11-13

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January 30, 2014

NEW CAMPUS MINISTRY DIRECTOR: cuts hair, cleans clutter Continued from page 1 takes up all your free time and weekends?” DeMott said.

“That’s what was happening with me and the Holy Cross. So I decided to join.”

During his time in the seminary, DeMott served as a hospital chaplain and church music director. Eventually he moved to Uganda and taught high school there before returning to the U.S. and working at UP. “Each of those experiences taught me a little bit more about how to love,” DeMott said.

DeMott said his interest in science and theology were both driven by similar feelings.

“There are a lot of similarities between medicine and priesthood,” DeMott said. “They’re both healing professions.”

From DeMott’s perspective, his roles as hall director and director of Campus Ministry are linked.

“The most important work of being a hall director is being present to the students,” DeMott said. “It’s more important than the building. It’s more important than the rules. It’s more important than meetings or anything. And at Campus Ministry, the most important work of the Campus Minister is being present to the students. I really see my work at Shipstad and Campus Ministry as connected.”

Sophomore Hailey Schiller said DeMott is welcoming and always available to students.

“He is probably the easiest person to talk to,” Schiller said.

“He’s really good about being generous with his time. If you have something going on in your life and you need someone to talk to, he’ll just stop whatever he’s doing and be there for you.

He’s just present.”

Schiller admitted that DeMott is sometimes lovingly called the “clutter police,” because he likes to keep the hall clean.

Beth Barsotti, Campus Ministry’s assistant director for Faith Formation, said DeMott gives 100 percent to everything he does.

“Mark comes in with a real passion and dedication,” Barsotti said. “He works hard to know everybody’s name. And he personally addresses people. He walks in patterns across campus so that he can see people. He’s super intentional.”

Whether DeMott identifies as a priest, hall director, Campus Ministry director, barber or healer – he always identifies as a channel through which God works in the world.

“Whatever I have done is not because I’m ‘super cool,’” DeMott said. “Whatever I have done is because of God’s gift and because of the presence of Holy Cross.”

Parker Shoaff | THE BEACON

Fr. Mark DeMott cuts Shipstad Resident Assistant junior Mitchell Stricker’s hair. DeMott holds an unofficial hair salon in Shipstad for anyone needing a cut.

Digital Lab / Workshop Series Spring 2014 iMovie For Beginners

Introduction to Photoshop

Duration: 1 hour

Duration: 1 hour

Dates: February 4, 11:00 a.m.

Dates: February 18, 11:00 a.m.

February 5, 1:00 p.m.

February 19, 1:00 p.m.

Digital Poster Making

Introduction to Premiere Pro

Duration: 1 hour

Duration: 1 hour

Dates: February 11, 11:00 a.m.

Dates: February 25, 11:00 a.m.

February 12, 1:00 p.m.

All workshops are open to current students, faculty and staff. To sign up for a session call or visit: Digital Lab Service Desk (located on the library upper floor) (503) 943-7796

February 26, 1:00 p.m.

or email: José Velazco Digital Initiatives Coordinator velazco@up.edu

NEWS

PRESIDENT-ELECT:

of his life in academia, having earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Illinois, a master of divinity from Notre Dame and a doctorate in Christian ethics from the Graduate Theological Union.

Interim Vice President for University Relations Laurie Kelley said Poorman’s academic background makes him committed to building up the academic side of the University.

“He knows we’re strong, and he wants to make sure we have the resources to get stronger,” Kelley said. “Over the course of the (RISE) campaign we’ve put a lot of energy into building out the campus and made a lot of campus improvements. He wants to be able to do the same thing for the faculty, in terms of a new faculty building.”

Poorman wants to raise money to build new academic facilities that would house classroom space, faculty offices and meeting spaces for events and lectures. He also wants to look into building a new student center.

He also plans to spend energy building up UP’s endowment so the University can offer more and greater endowed scholarships to students in need, as well as endowed faculty chairs and directorships.

Because Poorman has so many hopes for improving campus, he said continuing to raise funds with the vigor of the RISE Campaign is essential.

“I’ve said to the people in University Relations, for example, that we’re going to have the close of the campaign and we’re going to have a great celebration in May, and the next day we’re going to get up and raise money,” Poorman said. “It’s really important that we do not allow any gap in momentum.”

Another one of Poorman’s aims for his presidency is to “broaden and deepen” the Catholic identity of the University. He said one way to do that is to join in with the

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Poorman excited to lead UP Continued from page 1

www.upbeacon.com

discussions happening in the Church globally.

“We’ve got a great moment now, especially with this new pope, who has really, I think, invigorated or reinvigorated a sense of how important the Catholic Church can be in discussions of social ethics and discussions of how we can change the world,” Poorman said.

“I think they’re very inclusive, I think those conversations are very Christ-centered, and I think that’s the future of the influence of the Church.”

Poorman hopes to build on the successes of Beauchamp’s time as University president and move forward.

“I’m keenly aware that I’m going to be standing on the shoulders of others,” he said.

“There are so many people who have really been the team that put all of those successes together.”

Poorman will take office July 1 after Beauchamp steps down.

There will be a campus-wide celebration for his inauguration on Sept. 26.

Applications for Editor-in-Chief are due Feb. 6.

Applications for all other staff are due Feb. 13

The UP Public Safety Report 5 4

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1. Jan. 23, 2:49 p.m. - Officers contacted a suspicious person by the Chiles Center.

Individual was found to be in possession of a stolen bicycle. Portland Police responded and the individual was trespassed from campus and arrested. The recovered property was returned to the owner.

2. Jan. 24, 1:22 p.m. - A staff member reported finding a backpack on the bluff by Shipstad which contained marijuana and paraphernalia. A report was written and investigation remains open.

3. Jan. 24, 11:41 p.m. - Received a complaint of a party at the corner of N. Portsmouth and N. Harvard. Caller was advised all officers were tied up due to call volume but would respond as soon as possible. Upon arrival no disturbance was located.

4. Jan 25, 10:45 p.m. - Officers called 911 for evaluations of two intoxicated students at the dance at 1332 W. Burnside. The students were transported to the hospital. Students were issued citations for Minor In Possession and referred to the student conduct process.

5. Jan 25, 11:54 p.m. - During the Dance of the Decades officers issued an additional 13 citations for Minor in Possession and one citation possession of a false identification. All students were sent back to campus and referred to the student conduct process.

For a complete interactive Public Safety report visit www.upbeacon.com and click UP Crime & Fire Log under the News tab.

ON CAMPUS FOR UP STUDENTS

ANNOUNCING

FREE OPENSTACK TRAINING CLASS PROVIDED

BY RACKSPACE

Rackspace, a leading provider of open cloud services, surprised the computer industry when they released OpenStack®, their cloud code to the world as free and open. Since then OpenStack has become one of the fastest growing global cloud platforms with over 12,000 contributors in 130 countries.

Cost: FREE! Who: Students interested in learning OpenStack Coding When: Monday – Thursday, February 24–27, 6–9 p.m.

Where: University of Portland Clark Library Classroom What is OpenStack?

Learn more at http://www.openstack.org/ Recommended Pre-requisites: Basic Linux Command Line Knowledge Basic Linux Networking Knowledge Review Lecture Ahead of Training This classroom is equipped with laptops for each attendee Register TODAY at http://goo.gl/HouVEO

January

30, 2014

LIVING

upbeacon.com

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Do you know your new laws?

Lydia Laythe Staff Writer laythe16@up.edu You might not start smoking this year. You might not get a mammogram either. But if you plan on looking for a job, renting a house, owning a dog or applying to another university, there are some things you should know about new Oregon legislation now enacted in 2014.

Job-seekers: Employers can no longer require access to employees’ personal social media accounts. Prior to this bill, some employers required applicants to submit their social media account usernames and passwords as part of the hiring process. This practice is no longer allowed. House Bill 2654

Drivers: Smoking with a child in the car is now illegal. A first offense will cost $250, but a secondary offense could cost $500. Maximum fines for using a cell phone while driving have doubled. Judges will be allowed to fine as much as $500. Senate Bill 444 (smoking); Senate Bill 9 (cellphone use)

Renters: Now landlords and property managers can require tenants to obtain renters insurance. In addition to that, rental criteria will now be more flexible: criteria may not deny an applicant because of past eviction filing (if it was dismissed), for previous arrests without convictions or for evictions that are five or more years old. Senate Bill 91

Tanning: Anyone under 18 years old will now require a doctor’s note to use a tanning bed. House Bill 2896

Women: Doctors must now notify women if their mammogram results show dense breast tissue, as this denser tissue makes tumorspotting more difficult and may require more screening. Senate Bill 420

Students: Colleges and universities can no longer require access to students’ personal social media accounts. This includes not requiring students/employees to become connected with the institution’s account(s) on social media. Senate Bill 344

Pet Owners: Tying up a dog with a short leash for an extended amount of time is now a crime and could result (if the dog is injured due to the tethering) in a $6,250 fine and possible prison time. House Bill 2783

Smokers: Cigarette taxes increase by 13 cents, making the cost $1.31 per pack. House Bill 2231

Workers: Minimum wage increased by 15 cents, making minimum wage $9.10 which is well above the federal minimum wage of $7.25. This is not a new law, but the result of an older one which requires minimum wage to increase with inflation.

Minors: Now minors, age 14 or older, can obtain professional outpatient diagnosis and treatment of mental/emotional disorders or addiction without parental knowledge or consent. This bill enables teens from troubled families to seek healthcare services. Senate Bill 491

Design by Emily Strocher| THE BEACON

8

LIVING

January 30, 2014

Penguins: new page in professor’s bird studies After winning a Fulbright grant, professor Katie O’Reilly traveled to New Zealand to study birds and teach

McKena Miyashiro Staff Writer miyashir17@up.edu Tucked away on the second floor of Swindells Hall, biology professor Katie O’Reilly can be found, along with her stuffed animal penguins from around the world, bird-watching from the comfort of her office.

O’Reilly, who researches different birds around the world, received a Fulbright Scholar grant in 2013 to study little blue penguins in New Zealand and teach conservation ecology at the University of Auckland for a semester.

O’Reilly was one of six professors nationwide to receive a Fulbright grant to New Zealand and the first woman at University of Portland to receive this grant.

Although the official Fulbright program started in February, O’Reilly arrived early in New Zealand, as the penguins’ mating season was completed by February.

“That’s one of the few places that you can get to easily and study penguins. It’s one of their speciality birds there and they have quite a few species of them,” O’Reilly said. “I picked the easiest species to study (the little blue penguin). That’s the one that’s not endangered and there’s good number of them.”

According to O’Reilly, New Zealand is the seabird capital of the world. O’Reilly traveled to different parts of the country to track penguins and their hormones to see if certain hormones influence their behavior. During her stay, O’Reilly experienced

amazing dairy products, met nice people and blissfully remembers the experience of watching America’s Cup catamarans practicing by her house.

Though O’Reilly is back in the States, her colleague, Professor Todd Dennis in New Zealand, sees this project as a collaboration for life and hopes to add different species of penguins to their study. In the next five or 10 years, O’Reilly hopes to continue their collaboration and start new research on seabirds with scholars at different universities. O’Reilly is also trying to develop a tool on campus to measure stress hormones in birds.

“You have the equivalent of national parks to yourself and it’s just incredible.”

Katie O’Reilly biology professor This August, O’Reilly will be traveling to Tanzania and Kenya for further research.

O’Reilly’s expertise has not only taken her to different states throughout the country as a professor, but also around the world as a researcher. In 2012, O’Reilly traveled to Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island on sabbatical. This trip marked O’Reilly’s first experience studying penguins.

“When you go to a lot of these natural areas, there’s no one else really there. You have the equivalent of national parks to yourself and it’s just incredible. You really felt at one with the natural system,” O’Reilly said.

O’Reilly’s interest in coastal

4 5

birds developed from growing up kayaking in the wetland areas of southern California.

“I wanted to be a wildlife biologist and that was my plan from the get-go,” she said.

Because her aunt was a wildlife biologist, O’Reilly was inspired to get a doctorate in wildlife biology as well.

After seven summers spent in Alaska researching western sandpipers, O’Reilly planned on specifying as an ornithologist in Alaska. However, a colleague of hers suggested that she become a visiting assistant professor in Maine.

“I didn’t think of being a professor until I was practically a professor,” O’Reilly said. “I think students don’t often think of being a professor as a potential career.”

O’Reilly’s enthusiasm for biology is visibly shared with her students.

“She’s very bubbly and very excited about what she does and she loves what she does. She makes you want to love it too,” said senior Kay Bodmer, who took ecology with O’Reilly. “I think she expects a lot out of you, which is really encouraging because she wants you to do your own research and work. She’s a really good resource.”

Outside of work, O’Reilly enjoys bird watching, traveling, photography, gardening and hiking.

“If you’re in a field that you love, then your hobbies and work are the same thing. I’m always doing something that I love,” O’Reilly said.

1 All photos courtesy of Katie O’Reilly

1. Professor Katie O’Reilly exploring Campbell Island in New Zealand. 2. A little blue penguin (the birds O’Reilly studied) chick losing its warm down and growing in waterproof feathers.

3. King penguin chicks in Sandy Bay. 4. Snares crested penguins 5. Northern bullers albatross 6.

A brown skua that came up to O’Reilly as she was photographing penguins and began pecking at her gear, searching for food.

2 Professor O’Reilly’s Favorite Bird:

The rare spoonbilled sandpipers that breed in Russia and migrate to Thailand when it gets cold.

3

6

LIVING

www.upbeacon.com

5 course meal for the microwave

Maggie Smet Staff Writer smet14@up.edu

All photos by Maggie Smet | THE BEACON

For many students, cooking is a chore and making ramen a small triumph. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many unex-

pected, simple ways to cook using a microwave. Microwave cooking is an attractive option for those in dorms with limited access to a stovetop and

9

oven. It’s also a good option for offcampus students who are just starting to work on their cooking skills.

Baked Sweet Potato Baked sweet potatoes are healthy, filling and warm; perfect for winter days.

Sweet potatoes will last for a while in storage, so there’s not a rush to use them like other produce. This one is pretty idiot-proof, but do remember to poke holes in the potato with a fork. Exploding sweet potatoes are not fun.

Ingredients: One sweet potato Condiments (butter, sour cream, cinnamon, go crazy) Directions: 1. Spear potato with fork multiple times all over.

2. Put potato in microwave for five to six minutes on high. This timing is completely dependent on the thickness and size of the potato. If you’re unsure, go

in increments of three to four minutes and pierce with fork to check.

3. Potato should be tender and soft all the way through.

Lemony-Garlicy Broccoli (Adapted from HerCampus. com) This dish is a quick and easy way to cook broccoli. Take into account the size and thickness of the stalks while cooking and keep checking on them.

Ingredients: ½ head fresh broccoli, cleaned and cut into florets 1 tablespoon water 1 ½ teaspoon olive oil ¾ teaspoon lemon juice ½ garlic clove, minced Salt as needed Directions: 1. Microwave broccoli in covered, microwave safe dish (a bowl with a small microwave safe plate on top

works well) for about five minutes, or until tender.

2. While broccoli is cooking, combine olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in another bowl.

3. Drain excess water off broccoli and add olive oil mixture to broccoli, mixing to coat everything.

4. Cover again and let sit for about two minutes.

Tortilla Chips (Adapted from BudgetBytes.com) This works great for people who don’t want to buy a whole bag of chips. The trick to this is good seasoning; some options include chili powder, paprika and salt, as well as garlic powder and dried basil. Non-stick spray helps to get an even coat, but in a pinch you can slather any kind of oil onto the tortilla and plate.

Ingredients: Tortilla (flour works best) Non-stick spray (or any oil) Seasoning of your choice Directions: 1. Coat both side of the tortilla in spray/oil, as well as the plate. Add seasonings to one side of the tortilla.

2. Put the tortilla in for one minute, flip to the other side, then put it in for one more minute.

3. Flip again and continue

to cook in increments of 30 seconds until crispy. Mine take about two minutes and 30 seconds total. The tortilla may take a few seconds to set and become crispy once you take it out.

4. Break apart and enjoy!

Warm Corn and Bean Salsa (Adapted from HerCampus.com) This one is a no-brainer. It’s opening cans and mixing everything together. It tastes great on top of the sweet potato, and is a refreshing meal during winter months. Once you get this recipe down, try experimenting with other beans and veggies.

Ingredients: 1 can black beans 1 can corn 1 tomato, diced 1 ½ teaspoon olive oil Salt and pepper

to two minutes - just until it’s warm.

4. Stir and enjoy atop a sweet potato, a salad or by itself.

Chocolate Mug Cake (Adapted from iVillage.com) Mug cakes can fill that midnight sweet craving with very little effort. It’s also a great way to use up the last bits of baking supplies. Mug cakes are all about customization, so add nuts, chocolate chips or crushed candy bars Ingredients: 4 tablespoons all purpose flour

4 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons oil 2-3 drops vanilla extract Toppings/Add-ins (chocolate chips, nutella, whipped cream, ice cream, nuts, fruit, candy) Directions: 1. Mix all dry ingredients (in mug or separate bowl) 2. Add egg and mix.

Directions: 1. Combine beans, corn and tomatoes in a bowl.

2. Add olive oil and salt and pepper.

3. Put in microwave for one 3. Pour in milk, oil and vanilla, mixing completely.

4. Add any mix ins and put into mug if haven’t already.

5. Cook in microwave for three minutes. Top of cake should be dry if done.

6. Allow to cool a bit, before eating and adding toppings.

You can try and get cake out of the mug, but the portability of cake in a mug really can’t be beat. Plus, fewer dishes.

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FAITH & FELLOWSHIP

January 30, 2014

Student, priest, journalist

Corrado’s new pastoral hall resident came to UP from Uganda last year and is pursuing a master’s in communication Emily Neelon Staff Writer neelon17@up.edu Upon entering the classroom, Fr. Fred Jenga doesn’t pass out a syllabus or assign homework.

He sits down at a desk among his fellow students and listens to his professor lecture.

Jenga, a Holy Cross priest from Uganda, arrived at UP in mid-August in pursuit of a master’s degree in communication.

This semester, Jenga will begin serving as the pastoral resident in Corrado Hall after the exit of Fr. Gary Chamberland, who moved to Notre Dame in December to be closer to his family. Although new to the position, Jenga has already made a positive impact on the Corrado community, forming friendships with residents and providing comic relief during the busy beginning of the semester.

Upon moving to the U.S. this past year, Jenga was forced to quickly adjust to a new environment.

“I had a lot of adjustments to make culturally and in terms of language,” Jenga said. “I have a lot of support from the people I work and live with, so that has made the transition easy. And the weather is very different from

what I’m used to.”

Jenga grew up in the small African country of Uganda.

“It’s very sunny, green, with plenty of wild game,” he said. “It has different ethnic communities, maybe 30 each with its own culture and own dances and own language. That’s part of the beauty of (Uganda). Uganda has been the inspiration of many movies and documentaries. It has a very difficult political history.”

Jenga was ordained in 2005 and has been working for the Holy Cross Ministry, which utilizes media in its evangelization, for the past six years.

“I’ve been doing radio, television programs and writing for the local newspapers in Uganda, mainly about the areas of faith and religion and sometimes as a social critic about some issue in politics or the environment,” Jenga said.

Following his move to Portland, Jenga has only been minimally involved in these projects, occasionally contributing to the major newspapers in Uganda.

As the new pastoral resident in Corrado, Jenga will act not only as a priest, but also as friend and confidant to students. Corrado Hall Director Michael Wode believes Fred brings a fresh en-

ergy to the hall.

“I think Fr. Fred has made a big impact so far,” Wode said.

“It’s really cool having someone from another culture and being able to learn about that. He understands our fun-loving, compassionate, quirky nature here.”

Jenga is attempting to make Corrado’s weekly mass more enjoyable and enticing to students.

“Right now he’s working on rejuvenating hall mass, making it more lively and making students feel more welcome and just have an opportunity to celebrate their faith whether they are Catholic or not,” Wode said.

Jenga hopes to incorporate African songs into future liturgies.

“I come from a ‘dancing church’ and therefore find liturgies that are too cerebral difficult,” Jenga said. “Hey, we are in our Father’s house, let us celebrate!”

Corrado resident and sophomore Janie Higgins appreciates Jenga’s laidback nature.

“He’s really good at easing himself into a conversation. He’s not judgmental at all and he has a really good sense of humor,” Higgins said.

Faith has always been an integral part of Jenga’s life.

David DiLoreto | THE BEACON

Father Fred Jenga discusses growing up in Uganda. Jenga began serving as the pastoral resident of Corrado this semester.

“I grew up in a family that is deeply devotional and Catholic,” Jenga said. “I got to know a lot of priests, nuns and people deeply engaged in the ministry and said ‘Perhaps maybe this is something I can think about (as a career).’”

After earning his master’s degree, Jenga hopes to work towards a doctoral program at an institution that will be determined by his Holy Cross superiors. He ultimately wishes to instruct at Tangaza University in Kenya.

“Some of the best journalists in East Africa are coming from

this school,” Jenga said. “I’m preparing to maybe teach there sometime down the road. I want to help church personnel who are dealing with issues in the area of communication as well as the new generation of journalists.”

In addition to his hopes of becoming a professor, Jenga strives to make his mark on the world in other ways.

“I’m passionate about the area of media and religion,” Jenga said. “I hope to do research. And I hope to work with some organizations working for issues (concerned with) the common good.”

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OPINIONS

www.upbeacon.com 11

EDITORIAL Good intentions can have hurtful outcomes When a group of school-spirited, well-meaning Villa Maria Drum Squad students cheered at the basketball game against BYU last Thursday, donning sombreros and shaking maracas, yelling both an inspirational Spanish phrase and a Spanish curse word, they had good intentions.

The Villa men did not intend to mock Mexican culture by misusing symbols, phrases and paraphernalia that are important to its tradition.

They did not intend to make UP students who identified with this culture to feel as though it was being thrown in their face.

But despite their good intentions, they did.

Juniors Yuri Hernandez and Jaclyn Sisto were offended and hurt by the Drum Squad’s dis-

play and confronted the students involved. They were met with profanity and had the Mexican flag thrown in their faces.

Some students, like the one who threw that flag, may insist that the display wasn’t offensive – perhaps they might say it was even celebratory.

What these students don’t acknowledge is that it’s not their right to decide whether the in-

“Students may not always realize when they say or do something offensive or culturally insensitive. What they should know is how to react when their actions hurt someone.”

cident was offensive. It is for each person who identifies with a certain group to define for themselves what respects or disrespects their culture.

And no matter how good the intentions, the impact remains the same.

“Instantly I just felt disgusted, hurt, and I just really couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Hernandez said.

Students may not always realize when they say or do something offensive or culturally insensitive. What they should know is how to react when their actions hurt someone. They must own their actions and try to learn something as they move forward.

The truth is, the incident at the BYU game was not isolated.

The culture at UP is not one

where students of all different minority groups feel safe and welcome.

“The culture on campus is not safe and is not inclusive for everyone,” Sisto said. “It’s too big of an issue not to make it an issue here on campus for everyone – not just minorities, not just Latinas – everyone, across the board.”

Yes, many of the incidents that hurt and offend people belonging to minority or disempowered groups are unintentional. But the administration, and especially the student community can do something intentional to start changing that.

“I think people have this sense of ‘We just added sexual orientation to our Nondiscrimination Policy. We’re good. We

don’t have to fight for equality for the next 10 years,’” Sisto said.

“I’m just tired of it. I’m tired of our campus being afraid of talking about the pressing issues.

I’m tired of people being scared to talk about things. I want there to be dialogue. I want there to be systemic change.”

The first step toward creating change is acknowledging there is a problem with inclusion on this campus. We encourage you to read through the commentaries on the following page from students sharing their experiences of cultural insensitivity on campus. Be humble, take their words to heart and work toward change.

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.

‘Latin Night’ incident reflects unwelcoming campus Yuri Hernandez Guest Commentary On Thursday night I was ashamed to be Pilot. While attending the UP men’s basketball game, I observed a group of male students dressed in sombreros, wearing shirts that read “Los Pilots,” holding a piñata, holding the Mexican flag upside down, and yelling “arriba, taco, puta, (a Spanish cuss word meaning ‘whore’),” along with gibberish Spanish and disrespecting an honored chant in the Latino community, “Si se puede.”

On a personal level, this was deeply offensive and hurtful. I was born in Mexico and proudly embrace my Mexican roots. To see my culture, country and community reduced to stereotypes was one of the worst experiences I have had at the University of Portland. Once I approached the students and asked them to take off the attire, several things occurred. Their excuses to their behavior and attire were: 1) The NBA does it.

2) They could not understand why I was offended because they were not trying to be offensive.

3) A student who identified as Mexican was not offended, so I should not be.

I literally had the Mexican flag chucked at my face while confronting these students. This in-

cident proved many things to me, but the most powerful message was, the University has failed to educate its students. Students

“We might have just hit our highest humbers in diversity in regards to students. But is there a positive campus racial climate?”

Yuri Hernandez junior must be educated about cultural exchange and the celebration of diversity. Learn concepts like cultural humility. Although students might not think they are “racist”

or their actions are not “racist,” the fact that someone was hurt by these actions should be grounds enough to step back and consider a different approach.

It is no secret that the University of Portland is predominantly white and that white privilege is alive and well on campus. Most students are never put in a situation where they get to examine their privilege. We might have just hit our highest numbers in diversity in regards to students.

But is there a positive campus racial climate? One that features inclusion of students, faculty and administrators of color, a curriculum reflecting the historical and contemporary experience of people of color, programs to support the recruitment, retention and graduation of students of col-

or, and a mission that reinforces the institution’s commitment to diversity and pluralism?

This incident should be viewed as a learning and growing tool to make the University of Portland a place that welcomes ALL. I encourage anyone that has experienced exclusion and discrimination to step forward and hold the University accountable. No one should live in fear or in silence. If you have any questions/concerns or want a person to talk to I am more than happy to meet.

Yuri Hernandez is a junior social work major. She can be reached at hernandy15@up.edu.

THE BEACON 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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Subscriptions are available at $30 for the year, covering 24 issues. Checks should be made payable to The University of Portland: The Beacon. For more information about subscriptions or billing questions, contact Business and Advertising Manager Anne Uruu at beaconads@up.edu.

Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief.. . . . . . . . . . . . Kelsey Thomas News Editor. . . . . . . . . . . �������� Sarah Hansell Living Editor ������������������������������ Kate Stringer Opinions Editor. . . . . . . ��������Philip Ellefson Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . �������������Katie Dunn Design Editor . . . . . . . . . �������� Shellie Adams Asst. Design Editor. . . . . ������� Emily Strocher Copy Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathryn Walters

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12

OPINIONS

January 30, 2014

STUDENTS RESPOND TO ‘LATIN NIGHT’ INCIDENT ‘Colorblindness’ is not inclusive Tadeu Velloso Guest Commentary Every day when I wake up I am aware of myself. I am hyperaware. I am aware that I am a male, able-bodied, pursuing a college degree. Yet when I look in the mirror I am aware of something that is more important than any of those other things. I am aware that I am not white.

Many people who know me are probably thinking, “But Tadeu, I see you as more than your race!” For that, I thank you, but there are some inherent problems with that statement.

By being “colorblind” and simultaneously conforming to another form of racism by ignoring my experiences and influences as a Latino. By being “colorblind” you are not getting to know me for who I am, but you are merely holding me to a “white” standard of being. By being “colorblind” you are ignoring my experiences of being a person of color, wheth-

er that manifests itself in never asking me about my culture beyond its stereotypes, or ignoring my attempts at conversation about discrimination I might have experienced regardless of if you believe me or not. As my friends you have a duty to give me the benefit of the doubt, something I am not often afforded, and believe that my feelings are valid.

Also, there is a problem because in the ethnic hierarchy. I get an advantage. Being a Brazilian, I get to be exotic. I get to represent the land of big butts, beaches and fútbol. I am not seen as a threat or a part of the immigration problem because there is a mystique to Brazil and its culture. I know that I benefit from that exoticism and fetishization of my culture in some senses that it makes me the token “minority” friend.

More importantly, people don’t see me as a racial other because I have been forced to conform to the behaviors of the dominant culture. I don’t dress, talk, walk or behave the ways people expect Latinos to. I have learned how to behave in this world and adopted techniques of racial etiquette, not because I am ashamed

of my culture, but because I have to in order to survive. I can’t afford to wear sweatpants or not try hard in my classes because then I risk being seen as the lazy “other” or not having the merits to be at this institution and as only being here because of affirmative action. I have also been forced to deal with people mocking my name and refusing to pronounce it correctly without any thought given to its importance to me.

During my time at UP I have only been asked how to actually pronounce my name TWO times.

“Although racial costumes... may seem to be in good fun, for the groups you are portraying, those costumes have a deeper significance.”

Tadeu Velloso senior I understand that not everyone is racist interpersonally, but everyone has to understand that our society is systemically and institutionally racist. For many of us

Mexican heritage is not a costume Elvia Gaona Guest Commentary I chose to come to the University of Portland primarily because of the community and welcoming environment I experienced when I visited the campus.

However, the more time I have spent at the University, the more I have come to realize that I don’t fit in. As I walked up the Franz steps to my first few classes as a Pilot, I couldn’t help but to notice that there weren’t many other students of color on campus, or in my classes. As I attempted to make friends and introduce myself to other students I was frequently asked, “What are you?”

My response? I am a human. I identify myself as Mexican and Latina. After this I was usually asked if my parents speak English or what type of Mexican food I had for dinner each night.

Last year, I was called a “dirty Mexican.” This year, I have heard UP students use the word “beaner” well over 5 times.

Being a “dirty Mexican”, lazy, unintelligent, undocumented, mustaches, ponchos, sombreros and not being able to speak English are all stereotypes of Mexican heritage and do not define Mexican culture.

Mexico, like most of Latin and South America, is a diverse state of “mestizos” -- individuals of mixed European, Native American and indigenous cultures. Many traditions, practices and garments come from the diverse background and ancestry of modern-day Latin American culture and civilization. When individuals select one aspect of Mexican culture to represent an entire nation, I am offended and hurt -- that is cultural appropriation. When individuals choose to dress up as “Mexicans,” my cultural diversity and personal identity is displaced with vulgarity, ignorance and humor.

By dressing up as Mexican, my character and struggles to earn a

place in society are dehumanized and rendered invisible. I am not a racist caricature nor do I live a primitive lifestyle. I am a human with dignity.

The Mexican costumes at the UP men’s basketball game last week compressed Mexican culture without recognizing the complexity and intricacy of the heritage. Still, some students don’t understand why it is offensive. If a group of ladies from Mehling Hall wore a hijab and attended a sporting event, would that be celebrating culture? If a group of colored students painted their bodies white and wore kilts like the Villa Maria Drum Squad for a day, would that be humorous? What if a group of students wore kimonos and chanted swear words in Japanese, does that embrace diversity?

My Mexican heritage and culture is not a costume. It is my identity.

Elvia Gaona is a junior political science major. She can be reached at gaonaman15@ up.edu.

Get involved with the discussion: Send your opinions to beacon@up.edu.

students of color, letting instances of racism go unpunished and unnoticed reaffirms the fact that we are the “other.” We learn how to negotiate our identities within this context. Although racial costumes (geishas, sumo wrestlers, “Pocahotties,” Native warriors, thugs, Tequila Man, hula girls, “Arab” terrorists, etc.) may seem to be in good fun, for the groups you are portraying, those costumes have a deeper significance.

It tells members of those cultural groups that you refuse to see them as more than a caricature, that their humanity and dignity is not worthy of your respect.

The problem with Latin Night is that it had the potential to be something positive. If they truly based it on the NBA’s “Noche Latina” they would have known that these nights are not about making a mockery of someone’s culture, but a celebration of it. Our “Latin Night” could have included community engagement with Portland’s Latino Network, music

by Selena or Seu Jorge, readings from the works José Marti or Rubén Darío, or traditional foods from Colombia or El Salvador.

But instead, “Latin Night” again reinforced negative stereotypes

of Latin culture, defiled our beloved chant of “Sí Se Puede,” literally threw someone’s culture in their face, and again made people that don’t make up the dominant group feel like we don’t truly belong on this campus.

For a school that prides itself on community, we are failing.

How many people have gone through Green Dot bystander training and merely stood by, doing nothing to support Yuri and Jaclyn at the basketball game?

How many administrators, staff and faculty blew this instance off as an overreaction? This incident does not exist in a vacuum! I think a “red dot” is any instance that makes someone feel unsafe or uncomfortable on this campus.

I think we failed our community by letting this happen and will continue to fail our community if we leave the campus discrimination problem unaddressed. It’s time for change.

Tadeu Velloso is a senior organizational communication major. He can be reached at velloso14@up.edu.

Be careful of microagressions Jaclyn Sisto Guest Commentary The phrase “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” is one that rings true for many human experiences. However, in light of recent events on campus, I think that using good intentions as a way to justify or explain behaviors is not enough.

Microaggression is a term used to describe everyday interactions, whether intentional or unintentional, that subtly convey exclusion, rudeness, insensitivity and invalidation by a person in the dominant social group to a person in a minority group. The difficult thing about microaggressions is their less than obvious nature. Perpetrators of microaggressions often times do not realize that what they have said or done has been offensive. In turn, victims of microaggressions may often feel insulted or uncomfortable, but unable to put into words their exact reasoning why. Common examples of microaggressions are asking a person from a different ethnic background from you “What are you?” or following a racist joke with “But I don’t mean you, you’re different.” Other microaggressions are

even more subtle, and include the use of words like “gay” and “retarded” to imply negativity (for example, “Oh that’s so gay” rather than “That’s so stupid”).

These statements are hurtful because they are not only making individuals feel like they are isolated in their difference and their identity is not respected, but also that who they are as an individual is not welcomed or accepted in their community or society.

The ultimate goal of having conversations about things such as microaggressions is not to make individuals feel guilty about their actions, but rather to make people more self-aware. Be mindful of both your own choice of language and of your interactions with others. Try to question the impact of your words or your actions on people who are different than you. Above all else, be humble and keep an open mind when it comes to discussing topics that are deeply personal to someone’s identity. As human beings, we have a lifetime of learning ahead of us. Challenge yourself to make both your personal interactions and the campus at the University of Portland a more safe, inclusive and loving community for everyone.

Jaclyn Sisto is a junior social work major. She can be reached at sisto15@up.edu.

www.upbeacon.com 13

OPINIONS

Letters to Paul W.C. Lawson Staff Commentary When I found myself in spiritual and psychological isolation after the death of my mother almost three years ago, my cousin introduced me to local author and Buddhist practitioner Paul Levy for guidance. Little did I know how much my view of the world around me would profoundly change.

As I struggled with the darkness of evil and suffering, Levy exposed to me the truth about what’s really going on in our world. I studied two of his books, “Wetiko: The Greatest Epidemic Sickness Known to Humanity” and “Dispelling Wetiko.” Every so often we would meet to discuss reflections from his books and talk Buddhism.

Wetiko is a term coined by Native Americans and has been referred to in other terms, such as “malignant egophrenia,” as Levy calls it. Wetiko is a psychic virus. It is a “bug in the system, informs and animates the madness of so-called civilization, which in a self-perpetuating feedback loop feeds the madness within our-

selves,” Levy wrote in “Wetiko: The Greatest Epidemic Sickness Known to Humanity.” It is an interdimensional, psychic disorder that co-operates in our field of consciousness to dream up a reality in which it hides itself from being seen on a global scale.

While using us as the instruments of its deception, Wetiko manifests and incarnates itself in our surrounding world.

The disease is embedded in our psyche, causing us to act against our own true nature and capitalize on each other as means to an end. The thirst for power has been evident all throughout the history of life itself, and unfortunately we have indulged the convention of wealth and power.

This is an illustration of Wetiko manifesting in our outside world, especially in our global financial system, which is making our situation on this planet worse and worse by allowing us to capitalize on our (only) precious resources needed for survival, only for the gain of illusioned wealth.

“Let’s look at how we are using our energy: we are literally investing our resources into developing engines of mass destruction so as to keep ourselves safe and protect ourselves,” Levy wrote in “Dispelling Wetiko.”

“In the process, we are destroying each other, ourselves, and the biosphere. We are literally

feeding and supporting our own genocide.”

The problem with understanding and shining the light on Wetiko is that it is contained in a field almost invisible to us in the blind spots of our subconsciousness. As Levy has mentioned to me, it is as if our consciousness is sitting in the passenger seat of a moving car (life) and our subconsciousness is steering the wheel, steering us against our own best interest. Wetiko “shadow projects” itself from our non-local subconscious field as we have unwittingly become normalized in a culture that prevents us from using our own cosmic creativity.

In deep discussions with Levy, he said this lack of imagination of the evil existing in humanity is a direct reflection in the lack of intimacy with our potential evil, which “enables the malevolence of Wetiko to have nearly free reign in our world.” It is as if we have unknowingly signed the dotted line and accepted this demonic, abnormal behavior to completely take us over. “This state of inner psychological warfare is mirrored by the sinister psychological operations being instituted by the powers that be in the outside world,” Levy said.

The universe is symbolically showing us that what is happening globally is a direct reflection to the going-ons of archetypal

forces in our individual psyche.

By shining the light on Wetiko, these mirror reflections give rise to its awareness and we can detach ourselves from it imprisoning our subconscious. This is a pinnacle in time in history for our species, as the universe is offering us a gift and the gift is Wetiko! It is so beautifully cosmic that we are at a threshold point in which the very thing (Wetiko) that will potentially destroy us all is the very thing that will wake us up in this collective psychosis and elevate us to actually move forward in the universe. “This is nothing other than an evolutionary quantum leap in human consciousness, unimaginable until now,” Levy said.

My mother knew of this kind of dark energy before she died, and it absolutely crushes me that I was a few years too late to discuss this with her. I strongly recommend for everyone to read Levy’s most recent book, “Dispelling Wetiko.” We need to spread the word and give rise to its awareness. Don’t close your eyes, it is now our time to wake up from this dream.

FACES

on The Bluff

by Parker Shoaff

What is your favorite Super Bowl snack food?

Nic Layton, sophomore, biology

“It’s a hard question... pizza?”

Katie Cummins, sophomore, mechanical engineering

W.C. Lawson is a senior communication studies major. He can be reached at lawson14@ up.edu.

“Chips and salsa.”

Jacob Robino, sophomore, biochemistry

“Wings, I guess.”

Taylor Spooner, sophomore, math

“I’ll say wings.”

14

SPORTS

January 30, 2014

Two Pilots drafted to the Seattle Reign Cassie Sheridan Staff Writer sheridan15@up.edu At some point in all young athletes’ lives they say, “I am going to go pro in _________.” Whether it was basketball, baseball, rhythmic gymnastics, reading or swimming, they all said it. Two weeks ago, that statement became reality for women’s soccer players Amanda Frisbie, defense/forward, and Ellen Parker, midfield. Seattle Reign FC drafted the senior pair in the 2014 NWSL draft as the seventh and 30th picks respectively.

Frisbie and Parker will be joining the Seattle team with five other UP soccer legends such as Stephanie Cox and Megan Rapinoe. Not only have they both been drafted, but the pair, who have played together the past four years at UP, which included two WCC titles, will continue this play professionally.

“The whole situation is just unreal,” Frisbie said.

“When Ellen got drafted to Seattle as well, I was just like

Giovanna Solano| THE BEACON

Senior forward/defender Amanda Frisbie helped the Pilots win the WCC twice in her four years.

Amanda Frisbie Amanda Frisbie found herself in a classic draft of the 21st century which involves Skyping and refreshing Twitter, while simultaneously talking on the phone.

“I was Skyping with my family and I was on the phone with someone at the draft,” Frisbie said. “When they announced the news I could hear it over the phone and I just started to scream, which made my family start to scream and then my Twitter started to blow up. It was a lot of chaos.”

Frisbie’s journey to having her name called out by a professional team began as a little girl that had too much energy living in McKinney, Texas.

“I always was super active and my parents wanted me to play a sport,” Frisbie said. “I actually remember my first ever soccer game. I was 4 at the time and scored like seven goals.”

This original soccer performance would become prophecy as Frisbie established herself as a power forward with big scoring potential on her club team, the Dallas Texans, and at the University of Portland, where she played forward and defense and logged 31 career goals.

“I always dreamt of playing professionally,” Frisbie said. “Granted, there was no

pro team at the time, so I was completely focused on playing for the women’s national team. They were so talented and well respected. That is still ultimately my goal, to get to that level of play. However, this is an incredible first step towards that.

There are really no words for how I am feeling beyond just excited, it doesn’t really feel real yet.”

As excited as Frisbie is for the next phase in her soccer career she will always treasure her experience as a Pilot.

“There are memories from UP soccer that I know will never be eclipsed,” Frisbie said. “The uniqueness of this program and the fans is something that I feel so lucky to have been a part of. There is no place like this one to play soccer.”

Frisbie doesn’t know exactly when her soccer dreams became a little more serious than just playing soccer in the yard, but she thinks it’s when she was around 10 years old.

“I think it really hit me when I started playing club, that soccer was going to be something that I did forever. It was going to be something that could change my entire future,” Frisbie said. “I am just so thankful for my family, especially my dad; for the unbelievable support and investment they’ve had in my dreams. All of this feels like a lot of hard work truly coming together.”

‘what are the odds! What an incredible opportunity.’ I just feel that it’s so lucky.”

“It’s definitely comforting to know we have each other through this process,” Parker said. “The support we can give each other is going to be a great asset.”

In March, they will head up to Seattle to begin preseason work for the Seattle Reign.

Kristen Garcia | THE BEACON

Senior midfielder Ellen Parker started every game this season after an injury last season.

Ellen Parker Parker was pacing while her parents sat nearby when the news was announced.

“I was getting really antsy and couldn’t sit anymore,” Parker said. “My parents had flown into town and so we were all sitting when the news came up. I just like fell over, I had been pacing so hard and my parents and everyone was crying.”

Immediately following the announcement, Parker had her Twitter and inboxes overfilled with messages of support and congratulations.

“I realized pretty quickly that I needed to gather myself so I could respond,” Parker said while laughing. “I managed to send out a tweet and then I just kind of sat with my parents and let myself soak up the moment.”

Parker’s love for soccer was developed through a lot of time spent with her grandparents who are from Uruguay, a soccer mecca.

“I grew up with soccer just always on the TV,” Parker said. “My earliest memory playing is being out in the backyard with my grandpa, him teaching me to juggle and trap the ball. My passion and love for the game definitely grew out of those soccer beginnings.”

Parker started to dream of playing professionally when she was 8 years old and

then when she was 12, she asked her parents to help make this a reality.

“I sat them down and asked if they could help me because it was something I was very serious about,” Parker said. “I started doing my classes online so I could train and travel and so this moment is the result of a lot of sacrifice and dedication to keeping that dream going.”

Parker’s role as a midfielder for the Pilots resulted in six career goals and eight assists along with an incredible bond to the Pilot family.

“The Pilot soccer program is so close knit,” Parker said. “There have already been alums that aren’t playing that live in Seattle that have reached out to us and shown us support. I am so excited to have an opportunity to play with them and joining a team with so many other Pilots on it is just going to be really fun.”

Fulfilling what is essentially a lifelong dream is a difficult thing to express but Parker simply remarked that she felt full.

“It’s all becoming more real but I still feel right now as if I am in a dream,” Parker said. “I just feel completely fulfilled, no matter what happens after, this makes everything I’ve done to get here very worth it.”

SPORTS

12th man unite for Super Bowl

Photo Courtesy of Katie Dunn | THE BEACON

Sports editor Katie Dunn attends the final game of the 2013-2014 regular season for the Seahawks with her dad.

Katie Dunn since birth and dream of seasons defense. That No. 1 defense has Sports Editor like the one they’ve had this year. more of a challenge ahead of dunn16@up.edu Just a few key things: a second- them with Peyton Manning and The last time I was able to year quarterback breaking re- the Denver Broncos with their cheer for my favorite team in cords, a running back who makes No. 1 ranked offense on the other the biggest game of the year was it rain skittles and a defense that side of the field in New Jersey.

2005. It’s been a long nine years is ranked No. 1 in the league Manning had a record breaking since the last Super Bowl ended and is so good they have such a season himself with 55 touchin a devastating loss for the Se- great nickname as the “Legion downs and 5,477 throwing yards. ahawks. Super Bowl XLVIII is of Boom.” It’s hard not to get ex- Those numbers will be up against a defense that leads the league in a special one to me, and many cited by this team.

The win that sent them to the points allowed, yards allowed others in the Northwest, because Super Bowl was nothing short and turnovers forced. the Seattle Seahawks are in it for of what was expected.

A bloodThey also have the loudest only the second time in franchise bath between division rivals and player leading them, Richard history. the Seahawks coming from beSherman, who leads the league I’ve been a Seahawks fan hind with a lot of help from the with eight interceptions. Sher-

man’s reputation precedes him on and off the field. He doesn’t make many friends on the field, constantly talking smack, but there’s a reason he’s the least targeted cornerback in the NFL. I love thinking of the battle between the top ranked offenses and defenses, but what about the Seahawks’ offense and Broncos’ defense? I think whichever of those two out plays the other will decide the newest NFL champion.

Since I don’t have the thousands of dollars it would cost to travel to the Super Bowl, I’ll be on campus yelling at the TV in the basement of Corrado. I’ll be there early enough to be in the front row and will be doing what I normally do during any game, yelling at the TV and trying not to have a heart attack from nerves.

There’s nothing like watching the biggest game of the year with a bunch of other people cheering for your team. Or against them.

Either way I encourage everyone to venture to the basement of their dorm, since most are having parties for the game, the TV in their house or any sports bar like Buffalo Wild Wings or any of the Blitz Bars around Portland, to watch the two best teams in the NFL battle it out Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

My 12th man flag is proudly hanging in my hallway and the countdown for the game is on.

Go Hawks!

www.upbeacon.com

15

This week in sports Men’s Basketball The Pilots beat BYU last Thursday, fell to San Diego Saturday and lost to San Francisco last night 84-71. They are now 12-10 and 6th in the WCC. They play in Santa Clara on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Women’s Basketball The Pilots split an away series beating Pepperdine last Thursday and falling to LMU Saturday.

They start a home streak tonight against San Francisco at 7 p.m. in the Chiles Center.

Track & Field The men’s and women’s teams travel to the UW Invitational this weekend. (courtesy portlandpilots.com, WCCsports.com)

16

January 30, 2014

SPORTS THE BEACON

www.upbeacon.com

Newcomer Bobby Sharp pushes Pilots past BYU

Photos Courtesy of UP Athletics

(Above) Fans storm the court after the men’s basketball 114-110 win over WCC rival BYU on January 23. Players, from left to right, Kevin Bailey, Bobby Sharp and Bryce Pressley, were key players in the win where the Pilots scored 114 points. (Right) Junior Bobby Sharp shoots one of his eight three-pointers that brought the Pilots into triple overtime. Sharp has made 45 three-pointers so far this season, leading the team in the category.

Coach Jim Sollars retiring after 28 years on The Bluff

David DiLoreto| THE BEACON

Women’s basketball head coach Jim Sollars prepares players for tomorrow’s game against San Francisco at practice. Sollars plans to retire after this season.

Mitchell Gilbert Staff Writer gilbert16@up.edu Jim Sollars has never been a conventional Division 1 college basketball coach, and after 28 years at UP, the women’s head basketball coach has announced his retirement. At 71 years old, coach Sollars has decided to retire from the fast paced action college basketball embodies.

In a young person’s game, where recruiting for programs can begin as early as eighth grade he has decided that it is time for him to pass the baton on to someone else.

“I don’t think I have the energy for it anymore, and I think that is a sign,” Sollars said. “My wife told me I should go with a great group of kids and this is as nice of group as I have had in my coaching career.”

As a coach who genuinely cares about his players both on and off the court, it’s not hard to find a player who feels blessed to have played for him.

“Sometimes as a student athlete you can kind of get lost and feel as though you are just a pawn. But, he makes you feel like you are a person, and that you matter,” junior Jasmine Wooton said. “He understands that if you are having a terrible day, you

may not have a terrific practice.

Unlike most coaches who would just yell at you.”

Sollars has never treated his players in ways that are typical of a program of this caliber. Instead of asking his players after practice, “how did your shot feel?” or “how did you feel about the game?” Sollars takes a much different approach, always asking the players, “how are you?”

This is not the entire depth of Sollars’ coaching techniques. He has a way of consistently turning any downfalls into successes by showing his players the benefits of learning from their mistakes.

“He has a motto that if we are not winning, we are learning,” senior Amy Pupa said. “He always makes the changes that we need after the game. He is not out there to embarrass his players.”

This attitude and motto has lead Sollars to a successful career compiling over 400 total wins, as well earning three WCC conference championship titles. He currently ranks second all time in WCC wins (166), and has been named league coach of the year five times.

Sollars has been a part of the UP community for 28 years and has served it in a few different ways. He had two kids attend the school, as well as his wife Pam, who earned her master’s degree from the university. He also taught history for 11 years on campus while working as the women’s basketball coach.

“It has been a great experi-

ence for my whole family. My two youngest were basically raised in this gym,” Sollars said.

“We have been a part of this institution for almost 30 years, and obviously if we didn’t enjoy it we wouldn’t have been here for that long.”

Sollars spends most of his time off of the court at his ranch in Washington with his wife.

However, he has many grand aspirations for his retirement.

“You have a gut feeling and know when it is time,” Sollars said. “I figure by the time I am 80 it will be tough to accomplish some things I want to accomplish. I would like to work for Habitat for Humanity. I would like to learn Spanish, so we are going to have to live in Mexico.”

It has been a difficult decision for Sollars to leave. After so many years at UP he has coached many different women from 28 different programs. He touched the lives of many of them, including his current players. For many of the women he has served not only as a coach, but as a mentor and a friend.

“I was definitely sad. I cried,” Wooten said. “Because the first thing that he said when he told us he was leaving was that we could still come over for Thanksgiving, he had already checked.”

The next women’s basketball head coach is yet to be named as the program is focusing on celebrating Sollars’ final season.