Mardi Gras in North Check out the AFROTC photo gallery on upbeacon.net Portland
The
Your spring break in Portland planned out! Living, page 8-9
BEACON
Living, page 6
Vol. 112, Issue 19
The University of Portland’s student newspaper
Thursday March 10, 2011 www.upbeacon.net
Students have mixed feelings about housing process
Sarah Hansell Staff Writer hansell14@up.edu On Sunday afternoon, The Chiles Center was crowded with students hoping to secure housing for next year. There were long lines as well as Resident Assistants darting back and forth helping students find out where they needed to be. Some RAs even staffed stations for refreshments and therapeutic finger painting just in case some students got a little too stressed out. “It’s like Ellis Island slash the DMV all in one,”
junior Nicole Callahan said. Among all of the commotion, a confusion with the point system (which determines each student’s priority in getting his or her preferred housing) caused sophomore Rob Cagan and his housemates to be denied a UP-owned house. Instead a house was given to people who were not next on the list. “It was a breakdown in communication,” Cagan said of the error. Cagan and his housemates had to make the decision to try to secure dorm rooms. See Housing, page 3
Photos by Kevin Kadooka | THE BEACON Photo Illustration by Rosemary Peters | THE BEACON
New clubs build home and community Oregonians Against Habitat for the Trafficking of Humanity Humans Luke Riela Staff Writer riela14@up.edu Habitat for Humanity, an organization that has constructed and restored over 400,000 houses since 1976, is finding a new home at the University of Portland. On Feb. 16, the UP Habitat for Humanity club was created. It is currently in the final stages of becoming an official international chapter, according to junior Jenny Doyle, president of UP’s Habitat for Humanity club. “I’ve been volunteering pretty much my entire life,” Doyle said. Doyle is the collegiate challenge coordinator who had been setting up the
site builds with Habitat for Humanity before it became a club. Site builds are a volunteering event in which a group of students help in building or restoring houses. Laura Goble, adviser of the Habitat for Humanity club, said the students have “sweat equity” at these site builds because they are commonly working alongside the people for whom the houses are being built. “In addition to helping out, they also get to learn about the deeper meaning of the project,” Goble said. Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer See OATH, page 5
Jocelyne LaFortune Staff Writer lafortun12@up.edu Between her senior year of high school and her freshman year of college, senior Brianna Hodge went on a trip to Cambodia with her youth group. They hoped to be immersed in a new culture and see a new part of the world before starting college. On the trip, Hodge saw human trafficking for the first time. “This place we went into looked like a bar, but it wasn’t really a bar,” Hodge said. “It was a brothel – It just wasn’t the kind people usually think of.”
When she started as a freshman at UP that fall, Hodge did some research and found that human trafficking was an issue closer to home than she thought. “This is a prevalent issue here in Portland,” Hodge said. “But there are ways to get involved.” The Portland Police Bureau reports an average of five cases of human trafficking every week, according to a press release by the Portland Police. On average, two of these cases involve juveniles. Hodge is the president of the newly formed Oregonians Against the See Traficking, page 5
2
NEWS
March 10, 2011
On On Campus Campus
END-OF-THE-YEAR RUMMAGE SALE NEEDS YOU The Nicaragua Immersion needs unused items to sell at its End-of-the-Year Rummage Sale. Desired items include: furniture, small appliances (such as fridges and microwaves), jewelry, cookware and bikes. If you wish to donate or have any questions, contact Drew McLauchlan at mclauchl12@up.edu or Joe Starzl at starzl12@up.edu. DONATE YOUR OLD PROM DRESSES Abby’s Closet, a non-profit organization that gives free prom gowns to high school girls, is accepting old prom dresses. Last year, Abby’s Closet gave gowns to more than 2,100 girls. The drop off location is in the Moreau Center in St. Mary’s from Mar. 21st to 25th. For further questions, contact passon12@up.edu. BLAZER TICKETS ON SALE FOR MARCH 25 On March 23, Student Activities and ASUP will offer discounted tickets to the Blazers vs. Spurs on March 25 for $5 with a valid Spring 2011 student ID. There are 100 tickets available. They will be released at 7:30 a.m. in the Office of Student Activities in St. Mary’s.
SECOND ANNUAL YOUNG WOMEN’S ASSEMBLY UP is hosting its second annual Young Women’s Assembly for young women Roosevelt High School. The event is geared toward empowering young women to reach for their dreams and not let anything defeat them. The theme this year is “Women on the Rise: Rise above your fears, above your circumstances, beyond stereotypes and to your dreams.” The Moreau Center is looking for 30-40 female UP students to help with the event. The event is on April 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you are interested in the event contact Andriana Alexis at alexis13@ up.edu or the Moreau Center. ‘TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA’ “Two Gentlemen of Verona” by William Shakespeare, directed by Rico Nan, is playing tonight through Sunday. All performances are at 7:30 p.m., except the Sunday show, which is at 2 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.
‘Blood, Sweat and Berries’ UP student’s film takes an allinclusive look at migrant worker issues Corey Fawcett Staff Writer fawcett13@up.edu Sympathizing with migrant workers is easy. No one wants wake up at 4:30 in the morning to do hours of tedious, backbreaking labor outside. However, actually doing the work of migrant workers is a different story. This didn’t stop UP junior Scott Hines from spending a month doing migrant work in the summer of 2009, which he documented in his film “Blood, Sweat and Berries.” The documentary screening, sponsored by the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership, took place in the Bauccio Commons last Friday and played to a crowd of approximately 100 students. The documentary, which Hines edited all throughout last summer, follows him and three friends (Rex Yabut, Jacob Suazo and Reese Javillonar) as they do migrant farm work in California and Washington. Their goals were to gain a deeper understanding of the issues migrant workers face and to share their experience through film. The trip was inspired by summer service trips they took with their parishes to migrant camps in Skagit Valley, Wash. “I visited my first migrant camp in sixth grade,” Hines said. In the film, Hines and his friends wake up every morning at 4:30 to drive for an hour and a half to pick green tomatoes until the late afternoon. They work alongside experienced migrant workers, who are primarily from Mexico and pick at an astonishing
speed in the scorching heat. They receive $1.05 for every two buckets of tomatoes they pick. According to Hines, a worker fills 128 buckets per day on average. That’s about 16 buckets an hour to make minimum wage. “I can’t imagine doing this every day as a job,” another volunteer migrant worker in the video says. At one point in the film, Hines, Suazo, Yabut and Javillonar wake up early as usual and arrive at the camp an hour and a half later to find that there is no work for them for the day, experiencing firsthand the constant struggle of the migrant worker to find consistent work. Hines and his friends also visit the migrants’ living quarters, made up mostly of mobile homes and trailers. It is common for a single home to house multiple families, and communal bathrooms are the norm. The final shot of the scene lingers on one of the few toilets overflowing. “It was good to be able to see the faces, the structures they’re forced to live in,” freshman Katie Plybus said. The film is broken down into four parts: Our Produce, Our Labor, Our Business and Our Sins. It includes interviews with migrant workers, farmers and people on the streets of Portland – many of whom only have vague ideas of how produce reaches their grocery stores. The film also addresses immigration and farming issues. Hines interviews people whose loved ones have been deported or jailed due to immigration problems. In one scene, a priest walks up and down the gates of
Photo Courtesy of Scott Hines
UP junior Scott Hines filming the “Welcome to California” sign on the side of a California highway along with one of the other directors, Jacob Suazo. the nearby penitentiary, holding a sign that says “Leviticus 19:3334.” The verse reads “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Two farmers are also interviewed. They explain the unpredictable nature of their work and how it affects the wages they pay their laborers. “People like to point their fingers at farmers but we all have to work to make things better,” Plybus said. Hines, Yabht, Suazo and Javillonar established a non-profit
organization under the same name as the documentary. Its aim is to get young people involved in social justice issues and it focuses on spreading awareness through art. The organization offers scholarships to collegebound high school students who use art to address social justice issues. At the Friday screening, the power of Hines’ film was tangible. “It’s a matter of thinking about it more,” freshman Brett Boeh said. “When the guy in the video was talking about all of the work that went into a box of blueberries and the hand that first picked the blueberry, I got chills on my arms.”
DEA bans chemicals used to make synthetic marijuana Spice, K2 and similar products now illegal nationwide
Elizabeth Vogel Staff Writer vogel11@up.edu Synthetic marijuana is no longer a legal substitute for marijuana anywhere in the U.S. On March 1, the Drug Enforcement Administration banned five chemicals that mimic the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical in marijuana that results in a high. The chemicals the DEA temporarily banned are used to make products marketed as Spice incense and K2, which Photo Illustration by Alexander Domingo | THE BEACON consumers smoke
to achieve a high similar to that of marijuana. “Emergency room physicians report that individuals that use these types of products experience serious side effects which include: convulsions, anxiety attacks, dangerously elevated heart rates, increased blood pressure, vomiting and disorientation,” the DEA’s website said. Oregon already banned these products in October for similar reasons. “Their misuse and abuse by young people have resulted in a number of serious incidents requiring emergency care and hospital admission or death. The abuse of these chemicals has the potential to cause a lifethreatening incident,” the Oregon Board of Pharmacy said. The DEA’s ban singles out five chemical compounds: JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47,497
and cannabicyclohexanol. “I do know that once they’ve been banned we’re supposed to make them hard to get,” professor Angela Hoffman of the chemistry department said. Because those are not the only chemicals thought to mimic the effects of marijuana, there is speculation companies will turn to similar chemicals that are legal so they can continue to sell synthetic cannabis in some form. Hoffman warns students against such products. “The safest thing is to assume that every unknown chemical should be handled with caution unless you know it is safe,” Hoffman said. The current ban is temporary. It will last one year. Within that time, the DEA will study the chemicals and decide whether to ban them permanently.
NEWS
The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net 3
HOUSING: Students upset about point system Continued from page 1 “We made a Plan B to all room together in Shipstad,” Cagan said. Cagan scheduled a meeting with Director of Residence Life Mike Walsh the next day, who was able to find them a Universityowned house, though the process is pending. “He looked at the situation, and he found an option that (my housemates and I) are extremely happy with,” Cagan said. The point system is what determines the priority students have for housing selection. Points are determined by time lived on campus and credits earned. Students get 10 points each for their first and second semesters, 20 for their third and fourth semesters, increasing by 10 each year. They get one point for each credit they earn at UP, and a half point for transfer credits,
excluding AP credits, which don’t transfer into points. Students also get 200 points if they opt to return to the same hall. “The idea of the point system makes sense,” Cagan said. “I’m not sure that necessarily the weight of those things makes sense.” Some students expressed frustration with the point system and were worried they would not get into their preferred residence hall as a result. “GPA should be part of points,” junior Matt Tominaga said. This year students were divided into two groups that went to the Chiles Center at different times to select housing: those looking for housing in UP-owned houses or Haggerty Hall and Tyson Hall, and those applying for housing in any of the traditional dorms. “(The process) has gotten better from what I’ve heard,”
The value of an academic minor Philippe Boutros Staff Writer boutros14@up.edu According to HerCampus. com, “So, what’s your minor?” is an icebreaker of even “cheesier” proportions than the oft-used “So, what’s your major?” A more apt question could be “What’s the point of having a minor?” “I’m a philosophy and political science major, and I’m going to minor in French and possibly German,” sophomore Haley Skelton said. “I don’t believe that my minor will be recognized as highly as my major, but knowing another language can’t hurt.” Not a single incoming freshman at the University of Portland has ever declared a minor, and the online application doesn’t allow the option to do so. Students generally decide whether they want to minor in something – and commit themselves to concentrating a substantial amount of their time in another area of study – once they’re set on their major, which can take quite a while. Between 30 and 40 percent of students at UP will switch majors before they graduate, according to Director of the Office of Institutional Research Karen Nelson, and many of them will do so more than once. “I’m an environmental science major right now, but I’ve been thinking about switching to business,” freshman Ethan Barnes said. “It’s crazy how tempting it is to change your mind.”
Students feel that they need every aspect of their résumé to be perfect these days because with unemployment slowly inching its way downward from its 30-year peak, career opportunities after college are on many students’ minds. Some career experts, however, believe having a minor can give an applicant an edge, given the right circumstances. “I would say a minor is a great way of exploring another field of study,” Employer Relations and Internship Coordinator Max Kalchthaler said. “In terms of how useful it is in the job market, it’s much more the case of how it relates to the job you’re applying for,” Some UP professors agree. “Personally, I think it is useful to have a minor,” marketing professor Elena Bernard said. “It shows that a person has diverse interests and academic skills outside of their major.” The University of Portland’s 28 available minors span a range of fields from business administration to music. Some students choose to declare a minor in order to strengthen their résumés. Others, however, choose a minor purely out of personal interest. “I’m not really sure what I’m going to major in, but the only thing that I’m completely sure of is that I’m going to minor in fine arts, I love it so much,” freshman Antje Morris said. “It might not help me find a job, but I want to take advantage of the fact that UP offers it because I like it so much.”
RA and junior Erica Jornlin said. “This is great the way they’ve divided upperclassmen in the morning.” Despite changes from past years, many students were frustrated with the selection process, and thought it was disorganized and chaotic. “I would’ve been better off just squatting,” sophomore Corey BelleKevin Kadooka| THE BEACON Isle said. “Now Juniors Alex Grimaldi, Kelly Edmond and Jason Hortsch sign up for a universityI’m just going owned rental house. to end up in a Though some students were still left before it was their turn random room.” unhappy with how the housing to select. The fact that the process selection process went, many “I think they’re doing the happened the day before midterm others felt this year’s process best they can do,” freshman Max week put added stress on some was a big improvement from past Lyon said. students. years. Walsh is satisfied with how “This is the absolute worst “It’s much less chaotic than the process as a whole went this week to do this,” Tominaga said. last year,” RA and senior Kim year. However, according to Walsh, Schuldt said. “It definitely went more housing selection used to be done Students stood in different smoothly than last year,” he later, and students didn’t like lines based on the time they said. “We’ve housed over 1,000 having to wait until after spring were assigned, which was chosen students.” break to find out their housing based on their point total. As situation. soon as certain housing became “We had students say they unavailable, projection screens in wished we’d do it earlier,” Walsh the lobby were updated, allowing said. students to see what housing was
4
NEWS
March 10, 2011
Nursing students go to India to teach,work with orphans Corey Fawcett Staff Writer fawcett13@up.edu Right now, 13 UP nursing students, faculty and alumni are volunteering in a rural village called Narasaraopet in southeastern India. They are there on an 11-day trip promoting health among Indians and working with children in an orphanage. Their medical work, done at a clinic through the Samraksha Society, will focus on women’s health and family planning, a pressing issue in a country with a population boom reaching epic proportions. “One of our professors, Dr. Kaye Wilson-Anderson, has done some research over there on women’s health education, and we
are now going back to actually do the education,” nursing student and senior Caitlin Jeck said in an e-mail. According to nursing students and juniors Jade Rawlins and Sarah Jane, the group is teaching women how to give self breast exams. Also, instead of birth control, they are giving women a menstruation cycle tool to help them know when they are fertile. “Population growth is a big problem in India right now,” Rawlins said. They are teaching them how to know when to seek medical assistance as well. The group is working in an orphanage as well, doing grief work with children, many of whom have diseases associated with social stigmas like HIV or
leprosy. Rawlins said they are presenting the children with memory books, meant to help them process the pain of losing their parents. “Each page in the book comes with a writing prompt that promotes growth to process experience,” Rawlins said. Before leaving, students expressed excitement about the trip. “This is the type of work that drew me to nursing: working in a global community, exposing ourselves to a larger reality of life on this planet,” Jane said. Rawlins said the trip is important because traveling is a huge part of gaining perspective on the world. “As nursing students, we
pet o a r a s Nara
Photo Courtesy of Google Images
have a gift of knowing how to take care of people, and it’s our responsibility to use that gift,” she said. The trip is scheduled to end
on March 14, but many members of the group are staying later to volunteer more and travel around India.
GRE test changes meant to help students The GRE test required to apply for graduate school is making format changes
Rachel McIntosh Staff Writer mcintosh14@up.edu Testing has entered the 21st century with the new computerbased GRE – the Graduate Record Examination. On Aug. 1, 2011, Educational Testing Services (ETS) will release a new form of the GRE General Test prospective graduate school students are required to take before they can be accepted into some graduate programs. “We are changing to make sure the questions we are asking on the test are closer to the student’s demonstration of skill and knowledge,” Vice President and COO of the Higher Education Division at ETS, David G. Payne said in a conference call with reporters from college newspapers across the country. “The test shouldn’t place any burden on students.” ETS wants to ensure the material on the GRE corresponds with what students should have learned by the end of their undergraduate studies. Every test taker will be administered questions compatible with his or her ability levels, according to the ETS test information website. The test assesses a student’s ability level after each question and then provides the next questions with
a difficulty level that corresponds to how they answered the previous question. The skills measured on the test cover verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. The switch from questions based on memorization of vocabulary to the test’s emphasis on reasoning skills was implemented because graduate schools are looking for a picture of the student’s ability to reason through problems rather than memorize textbook answers. “As far as standardized testing, it’s been a long standing test,” professor Barbara Braband of the School of Nursing said. “It offers a benchmark of academic proficiency. There is a definite relevance to the test, but it’s not the only thing that matters in a student’s application.” The new form of the GRE will be administered through a computer, but the regular pencil-
2
has a calculator that pops up for math related questions. “It’s a friendlier test,” Payne said. “We don’t waste your time with easy questions or questions that are way too difficult. From a measurement perspective it is cutting edge and accurate.” The same type of analytical and reasoning skills will be assessed as
before, but the way the testing company measured the skills
has changed. Because there are fewer questions on the new GRE, the highest score attainable is no longer 800 as it was for the old test. It has changed to 170. The test is graded on a one-point scale and scores for each section will be balanced across the board. This also means the new format of the GRE is testing students’ skill levels in fewer questions that are more applicable to the information learned in the undergraduate program, according to Payne. Anyone seeking to apply for a graduate school program can take the test, regardless of his or her undergraduate major. Test scores will be accepted by graduate school programs for up to five years. “It is important to note that there is a greater demand for graduate degrees in many fields, so programs across the nation are becoming more competitive,” Greene said. “Many consider graduate education as critical preparation for an increasingly complex and global work environment. This perspective fuels the increased demand. Data also still indicate a positive correlation between graduate degrees and earnings.” Registration for the revised test opens on March 15, 2011.
Photo Illustration by Alexander Domingo | THE BEACON
The UP Public Safety Report 3 1
4
and-paper tests will be available as well. This allows for students to skip questions and be able to go back later on and change or check their work. Also, the computer test
5
1. Mar. 5, 9:55 a.m. - A student reported that his house in the 5200 block of N.Willamette Blvd. was broken into. Items were taken. A Portland Police report was made, and Public Safety was notified. 2. Mar. 6, 12:26 a.m. - Public Safety received a noise complaint about a house in the 7400 block of N. Jordan. The complainant stated several people on the porch were being very loud. Upon arrival of the officers, there was no evidence of a loud party. 3. Mar. 6, 2:48 a.m. - Public Safety received a noise complaint about a house in the 5200 block of N. Willamette Blvd. Public Safety officers contacted the student renter, who was compliant and kept the noise down. 4. Mar. 7, 6:34 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call at Franz Hall. A student had scraped his arm. A Band-Aid was placed on the cut. No further medical action was taken. 5. Mar. 8, 8:56 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call at Kenna Hall. A student fainted and regained consciousness at the time of the call. AMR was contacted and the student was transported to Emanuel Hospital.
NEWS
The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net 5
OATH: Increasing awareness about human trafficking Continued from page 1 Trafficking of Humans (OATH) club on campus. The club was just approved by the school this spring. OATH is a statewide organization dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources for those affected by the issue of human trafficking, according to its website. UP’s club will essentially be a local chapter of OATH, and will provide a way for students to get
involved with the issue. “The club here will be very much a part of the larger organization,” Hodge said. “But I’m hoping the club will be a centralized place for students who are interested in the issue.” Although Hodge has helped coordinate on-campus events sponsored by the statewide OATH organization to help raise awareness about the issue, the club just received official recognition, which will allow more students to get involved. “This semester will be mostly
groundwork for the club to be prepared for the fall,” Hodge said. “We’re working on planning some events now.” The club also has an event planned for this spring: Slavery Still Exists, a weeklong event featuring an art show, concerts and speakers. The event will raise money for OATH. Stephenie Steers, Miss Oregon 2010, will be involved in the event as well, according to Hodge. Steers’ platform is based on raising awareness and promoting organizations like OATH to
Photo Courtesy of Brianna Hodge
UP students at the start point of an annual walk to raise awareness about child trafficking.
combat the issue of human trafficking. “We’re hoping to make Slavery Still Exists an annual event,” club Treasurer Laura Atwell said. “And we’re also going to be planning a big event for the fall semester.” The club will also sponsor screenings of informative documentaries, and Hodge hopes to bring survivors to campus to talk about the issue. “I’m hoping we’ll be able to educate the UP community, as well as the greater Portland community,” Hodge said. Hodge also hopes the club will be able to support the new shelter that is planned to open in Portland later this year.The shelter will provide a place for victims of human trafficking to receive support and basic needs. There are currently no beds dedicated to juvenile human trafficking victims in Portland. “Once the shelter is opened and the club is established, hopefully we can do fundraisers to help support it,” Hodge said. “We can help provide hygienic products for victims and donate money to the shelter to help support it.” Despite just being approved, the club has already generated student interest. About 75 people expressed interest in joining the club last spring, before the club was approved, according
Brianna Hodge, senior to Hodge. Currently, 132 people have joined the club’s group on Facebook. “It’s really exciting that so many students want to get involved,” Hodge said. “I’m glad I will be able to get the club established before I graduate. Hopefully it will continue to grow over the next few years.” Students who didn’t know about the issue of human trafficking are also interested in helping raise awareness. “I’ve only heard a little bit about the issue,” senior Emily DeWolfe said. “But it’s really cool that so many students want to get involved, and that there are so many ways of getting involved.”
HABITAT: Site builds near campus Continued from page 1 organization dedicated to offering everyone safe housing at a fair price. Marianne McClure, a volunteer coordinator of the Habitat for Humanity Portland Metro who helped start the international chapter at UP, mentioned the organization’s bond with homeowners. “Our goal is to create a successful partnership with homeowners,” McClure said. According to Doyle, Habitat for Humanity volunteers help build simple houses from the early stages of construction or restore buildings. This is not the first time there has been a Habitat for Humanity chapter at UP, according to McClure. “At one point, the University of Portland had its own Habitat for Humanity chapter,” McClure said, “so I’m glad it’s coming back.” The chapter shut down about four years ago, according to Goble. “At the time, there wasn’t a lot of interest among students,” Goble said. “There just wasn’t much guidance and leadership from the local organization.” According to Goble, things have changed. Habitat for Humanity Portland Metro now works closely with students. Site
builds are close to campus, and a church serves as a home base for volunteers. Goble said many students have also gotten involved with Habitat for Humanity through the collegiate challenge and civil rights immersion programs. Making the club into an international chapter will be very beneficial, according to Doyle. “We are recognized by Habitat for Humanity, and get priority on any site builds,” she said. Doyle said otherwise they probably wouldn’t have been able to get a site build on Lombard Street for April 9. According to Doyle, the upcoming site build will take place during spring break in Bellingham, Wash., with the aid of 15 UP volunteers. Doyle said these site builds are much more appealing to students than helping out on their own. “A lot of students want to do (Habitat for Humanity), but they want to do it in groups,” Doyle said. “People sometimes feel uncomfortable volunteering on their own.” Doyle plans on having more group volunteering opportunities in the future. “We are going to do monthly builds. Right now we only do two per year,” she said. Despite the club’s very recent creation, there is a good amount of support for Habitat for Humanity on campus, according to Doyle.
“We have about 75 people who have shown interest in the club and currently have 26 members without having our first meeting,” Doyle said. Goble mentioned the club is helpful for all the students wanting to get involved with Habitat for Humanity. “There’s already a ton of interest,” Goble said. “So many students want to volunteer, (the Habitat for Humanity organization) would have to say ‘no’ to a lot of people if the club weren’t here.” Doyle aims to recruit people who are really dedicated to the club. “We only have two officers now,” she said. “We want to get more students with a lot of interest in the club.” Doyle hopes to gain more support for the club at this September’s activity fair. “We’ll get people signed up to volunteer and get everyone involved,” Doyle said. McClure is looking forward to the new opportunities the club will offer students. “A lot of students inquire about working with our organization,” she said. “I’m really excited about the partnership.” If you are interested in the club, send an e-mail to housingprograms@up.edu to be notified of upcoming events. Photos Courtesy of Jenny Doyle
LIVING
6 March 10, 2011
Will Lyons Staff Writer lyons14@up.edu
Mardi Gras comes to North Portland
Delicious food, get-up-anddance music, somewhat skanky outfits and debauchery make Mardi Gras the perfect blowout before the sanctity of Lent. North Portland started celebrating with a block party thrown by Orleans Candle Co. on Lombard Street on Saturday and kept partying right up until midnight on Fat Tuesday. The Bauccio Commons With waffles, fried chicken, mask making and the UP Jazz Band, The Bauccio Commons stayed open late for one last party before Lent on Fat Tuesday. “I made an awesome mask and the Jazz Band was great,” freshman Colleen Cooper said. “We should have more late night events at The Commons because we’re all up anyway.”
For the last 10 years Campus Ministry has funded a Mardi Gras event on campus. Associate Director for Music Maureen Briare never passes up the opportunity to party. “Mardi Gras is the feast before the fast,” Briare said. “It’s a good way to do some extra celebrating before the Lenten season begins.” Briare also added this was the Jazz Band’s first time playing at The Commons. “It was great to get to play for the students,” sophomore alto sax player Alex Grimaldi said. “I’m glad to have found a group of people who are dedicated to playing jazz music.” Lombard Block Party Music kicked off the Mardi Gras madness on Saturday with a
block party thrown by Tanya and Jonathan Scott, the owners of Orleans Candle Co., located in the 5000 block of Lombard Street. “We’ve got live music down the street, screwdrivers at the Twilight Room and Nawlinz PDX with some Southern cooking today,” Jonathan said. Banners, balloons and the smell of BBQ lined Lombard from morning until 6 p.m. Freshmen Derek Devine and Hayley Moore attended the block party. “The party was so bumpin’ that stuff was falling off the walls,” Devine said of the Portland-based blues band Sweet Pea that played on Haven and Lombard streets. “They gave us free beads and food that was tasty,” Moore added. Jonathan and Tanya love their
North Portland location, but aren’t here by choice. According to a Portland Tribune article celebrating the grand opening of Orleans Candle Co. that hangs on their wall, Hurricane Katrina washed the couple out of their home and previous candle store. Despite their hardship, Orleans Candle Co. has an upbeat atmosphere. Tanya knows many of her customers by name, kisses them on the cheek when they enter the store and always says, “Y’all have a blessed day now,” when anyone leaves. With Orleans Candle Co. fully settled on Lombard, Jonathan and Tanya are now helping other Southern style businesses get their start in the City of Roses. Scott Collins, the owner of Nawlinz PDX, a Southern restaurant set to open soon in Southwest Portland,
Photo by Talley Carlston
had his signature Southern Macn-Cheese with Andouille sausage available for passersby to taste. “I’ve been a cook for 20 years and I just don’t like making anything more than Nawlinz fare,” Collins said. Once midnight rolled around and the party came to a close, Grimaldi and Briare looked to Lent. “I’m giving up fried foods for Lent,” Grimaldi said. “I’m giving up complaining and am going to try and do more silent prayer,” Briare added. Whether the party for Fat Tuesday lasted a week or an hour, the continued tradition of Mardi Gras will always persevere, or as Tanya would say, “If you can’t be at the party you bring the party with you.”
Mardi Gras on campus and off
The UP Jazz Band performs in The Commons for Mardi Gras.
Photo by Talley Carlston
Photo by Talley Carlston
Photo by Talley Carlston
Freshmen Monica Gunderson and Haley Moore celebrate Fat Tuesday in The Commons.
Sophomore David Caruth and freshman Clarissa Weber at the UP Mardi Gras celebration.
Will Lyons | The Beacon
Freshman Derek Devine enjoying food at the block party.
Will Lyons | The Beacon
Photo by Talley Carlston
Senior Danny Polich of UP’s Jazz Band.
The Portland-based blues band Sweet Pea performing at the Lombard block party.
Will Lyons | The Beacon
Window display at New Orleans Candle Co. on Lombard.
The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net 7
E N T ER T A IN EAT AT ... THE PIED COW If you could sum up Portland in one cafe, it would be The Pied Cow. The coffee shop, staffed by what appears to be a crew of über stylish elves of the Tolkein variety, is located in a dark and musty Victorian house on the impossibly cool Southeast Belmont Street near 32nd Avenue.
lacking dense, creamy, flaky, chocolatey desserts. Bring a group of friends and try the $50 sundae, complete with cake, brownies and cookies. Also, invite me along with you. You can smoke hookah at The Pied Cow only if you’re 21 or older – a rule created to avoid overcrowding of obnoxious groups of teenagers. No matter your age, however, the waiters are always super friendly. One of them told me that, according to urban legend, a deceased woman who once lived in the house has haunted it for decades. With such easy access to the cafe’s free lavender steamers and cheese fondue, I don’t blame her. – Corey Fawcett GO SEE...THE ROOM
Photo Courtesy of Picasaweb.google.com
The cafe’s interior is adorned with old paintings, satin drapery and vintage furniture. Smokers and more outdoorsy types can sit in the partially heated garden patio, as long as they don’t disturb the neighbors. It’s open until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and until midnight Sunday through Thursday, so it’s perfect for a late-night treat. The Pied Cow serves your typical delicious coffee-related beverages as well as a wide variety of black, floral and rice teas. Also on the menu are milk steamers, a delectable alternative to hot chocolate and other typical dessert drinks. (Try the lavender and honey steamer. You will feel like a Greek god.) Most customers don’t go to The Pied Cow with the intent of eating a full meal, so there aren’t too many entrees. However, there are a ton of tasty tapas to share, namely the cheese fondue. Got a sweet tooth? The Pied Cow is the right place for you; it’s certainly not
Have you ever watched a movie that’s so bad it’s good? “The Room,” starring and directed, written and produced by Tommy Wiseau, is the Avatar of bad movies. The script is terrible, the lines corny, the acting awkward and the general concept for the film leaves the audience thinking, “What was Tommy smoking when he came up with this movie?” But that’s what makes this movie great. By poking holes in the plot and mak-
Photo Courtesy of seattlest.com
M E
The Beacon’s one-stop guide to music, film, dining and culture.
ing fun of the dialogue among the characters, the audience makes its own humor. The Room has no “plot” per se, but it does have characters and things do happen to them. Jonny (Tommy Wiseau) is engaged to a younger woman, Lisa (Juliet Danille), who wants more out of life than what Jonny can give her so she tempts Jonny’s best friend Mark (Greg Sestero) and risks everything on her path of self destruction. Cinema 21 in Northwest Portland shows “The Room” on the first Friday of every month. “Room” fanatics (myself, a 17-time “Room” viewer, included) and newcomers to the cult following engage in what can only be described as the most interactive movie viewing experience possible. Various collaborative jokes throughout the movie, most notably throwing plastic spoons at the screen and yelling “SPOONS!” whenever an oddly placed spoon photo is shown on screen, make the moviegoing experience one of a kind. If you’d like to diversify your inside joke repertoire, make friends with some of the weirdest people in Portland and see the Butt Clench of Death, come to Cinema 21 on Friday, April 1 to watch “The Room.” Or shoot me an e-mail…I own it on DVD! – Will Lyons WAIT TO SEE... I AM NUMBER FOUR If Zack Snyder directed a “Star Trek” screenplay written by Meg Cabot after a Halo binge, casted it entirely with H&M models and marketed it to tweens (with conservative mothers) looking for an adrenaline high, the end product would be “I am Number Four.” Produced by Disney and directed by a D.J. Caruso, “I am Number Four” starts off with an entirely unexplained chase scene. A teenager living in a cabin wakes up when his companion is dragged out of the room by an unknown entity. He proceeds to immediately escape parkourstyle through the forest only to be struck down by the dirtiest giant naked mole rat imaginable. The scene then cuts to a teenage beach party, where we meet the protagonist, John Smith, in all his shirtless glory (played in various degrees of disrobe by
Photo Courtesy of geek-life.com
Alex Pettyfer). Suddenly, while making out in the surf, John’s leg starts to burn really brightly. Because the plot of this movie excels at logical sequences, Henri, John’s mentor (played excellently by Timothy Oliphant), then explains to John they must to move to Ohio. Their comedic fraternal/ paternal relationship exactly mirrors Qui Gon Jin and Obi Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars,” which is quite enjoyable, so I wouldn’t accuse the screenwriters of possible plagiarism. Upon arrival, John insists on enrolling at the local high school, and, you guessed it, meets the movie’s love interest, the delightful Sarah, who is played by the depressingly gorgeous Dianna Agron. It takes about two-thirds of the movie to understand the plot (spoiler alert), but the point is that they’re being chased by evil aliens because John is the descendent of other good aliens, which is why he has telekinetic abilities. Wait, what? All in all, it’s the kind of movie you’d Netflix at 3 a.m. over winter break and never really admit to liking. Despite being entirely predictable, it’s still worth a watch, though I wouldn’t skip my homework for it. – Philippe Boutros
Want to be in The Beacon?
Send us a picture of where you and a copy of The Beacon have been for spring break. Your photo will be featured in The Beacon after spring break!
Send your photos to beacon@up.edu.
LIV
8 March 10, 2011
Spring Break 2011: March 13
March 15
Pajama Bowl
Blazer Games
Kells Irish Pub
Sleep Country USA is holding its sixth annual Pajama Bowl for foster children on Sunday, March 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Big Al’s Bowling Alley in Beaverton and Vancouver. Oregon and Washington have over 26,000 children in foster care and they cannot afford the basics that every child deserves, including summer camps, new clothes, assistance in schools and the chance to reunite with siblings. Sleep Country has joined forces with several Oregon and Washington agencies benefiting foster kids. Over the years, with the help of over 2,700 participants, they have been able to raise over $349,000. Get a group of fellow Pilots and represent UP at this charity event. You can sign up to create a team at www.pajamabowl.com. Each team will play two games and the team that plays two perfect games could win $25,000.
This week there are three Blazer games. On Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m., they face the Dallas Mavericks. Tickets will run anywhere from $15 to $170 depending on your seat. It doesn’t matter where you sit at the game as long as you represent some Blazer gear and are willing to support the game, everyone can help the Blazers “Rise Up.”
The luck of the Irish may always be alive inside Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub, but this week provides an extra special reason to celebrate. From March 16 to 19, authentic Irish music, dancers, bagpipers and plenty of Guinness will shut down Southwest 2nd Avenue for a weekendlong party. The pub and festival tents are open Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight for people 21 and over. The cover is $20 before 4 p.m. and $25 after. This fee includes a festival T-shirt. Every year, a portion of the proceeds goes to different charity organizations including Providence Child Center. All year, people who visit Kells can stick money to the ceiling and right before St. Patrick’s Day they have a “ceiling sweep” and Kells matches the amounted donated. Check out www. kellsirish.com for a schedule of events and hours for the rest of the weekend.
Images courtesy of Google Images
Want to be in The Beacon?
Bring a copy of The Beacon with you over spring break, take a photo with it and sent it in. Your photo might be in The Beacon after spring break!
Send your photos to beacon@up.edu.
The upcoming Blazer games are: • • •
Tuesday, Mar. 15 at 7 p.m.: Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks Thursday, Mar. 17 at 7 p.m.: Trail Blazers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, Mar. 19 at 7 p.m.: Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Images courtesy of Google Images
March 16
Images courtesy of Google Images
Any day of the week:
One of the coo students is OMSI There are awesom now there are two
“Lost Egypt: A
“Design Zone”
VING
:
The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net 9
Sticking around Portland for spring break? Don’t spend your entire week stuck in bed watching re-runs of “The Real Housewives” and “Jersey Shore.” Portland is alive and kicking this week with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. These activities are just a taste of what you can find when you really start to explore Portland.
March 17
All-Ireland Cultural Society The All-Ireland Cultural Society is hosting the 70th annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival at the Ambridge Event Center on Northeast Clackamas Avenue. This is more of a family-oriented event from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, St. Patrick’s Day. There will be several different crafts activities, Molly Malone Irish Dancers, a live parrot show and a corned beef supper from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for 21 and over and $5 for 12-20 years old, not including food and drinks. This authentic Irish festival is known as one of the best Irish parties in town and is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Farmers Market
Paddy’s St. Patrick’s Day
As spring approaches, some of our most beloved Portland traditions are returning. Portland Farmers Market is returning to Portland State University on March 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This farmers market is located on South Park Blocks right in the center of the PSU Campus. Here you will be able to find local and organic foods that have The Commons beat. The booths will overflow with bright seasonal flowers and fresh vegetables. Recently, Portland Farmers Market partnered with FoodShare Fund Northeast and Fresh Exchange to make farmers markets more accessible and affordable for low-income shoppers, so we can afford more than just Kraft macaroni and cheese.
Paddy’s Bar and Grill is one of the most famous and elegant Irish bars in Portland. Its traditional scene is matched with a wall of over 500 different spirits, which is one of the largest selections of liquors in Portland. On Thursday they will shut down Southwest Yamhill Street in memory and celebration of their dearest patron, St. Patrick. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. and don’t end until 2 a.m. Entertainment will include Irish dancers, bagpipers and five different live bands. Tickets are $10 and all net proceeds benefit the Children’s Cancer Association. Make sure to sign up for Paddy’s raffle for a chance to win a five-day trip for two to Ireland.
Girl Talk
If a concert is a little bit more your style, the Roseland Theatre is where you want to be Thursday night at 8. Girl Talk is a newer, more amped up take on the world of music today. Gregg Michael Gillis, who uses the stage name Girl Talk, specializes his music on mashups and digital sampling. If you haven’t heard of him, search YouTube for one of his greatest hit albums “Feed the Animals.” He crosses different eras and styles of music to create his own awesome mix. Tickets run around $40 and can be bought at www.roselandpdx.com/.
olest places of Portland that is often overlooked by college I. Tickets are only $12 for adults and free for members. me hands-on activities available for kids of all ages and right o special exhibits open that you won’t want to miss:
Ancient Secrets, Modern Science” runs until May 1
” runs until May 30
March 19
Images courtesy of Google Images
Images courtesy of Google Images
Credit: Joanna Goodwin Staff Writer goodwin12@up.edu Andrea Jackle Assistant Designer jackle14@up.edu
FAITH & FELLOWSHIP
10 March 10, 2011
Corey Fawcett Staff Writer fawcett13@up.edu Pope Benedict XVI wants you to go to confession, even if it means you’ll be reading to the priest from your iPhone the whole time. Confession involves acknowledging your sins to a priest in order to have them absolved. In the Catholic faith, it is a sacrament – a sacrament now made easier with a quick visit to itunes.com. A new Apple application called “Confession: A Roman Catholic App” hit the itunes.com Top 50 Most Popular Apps list just days after its January release. According to the app’s description on the website, “this app invites Catholics to prayerfully prepare for and participate in the Rite of Penance.” No, the app does not give your iPhone the power to absolve your sins. It is not a substitute for real, face-to-face confession. It is meant to help you examine your conscience and figure out what you should say to your priest when you finally have to step inside the confessional box. How does the app help you examine your conscience?
First, it asks for your age, sex and vocation. Then it administers a list of personalized questions based on your answers while walking you through the Ten Commandments. Children are asked if they disrespect their parents. Teenagers are asked if they’ve been bullies. Women are asked if they’ve had abortions. If you sign in as a middle-aged man and go to the sixth commandment, “Thou shall not commit adultery,” you will be asked if you masturbate. All laypeople are asked if they’re “guilty of any homosexual activity.” Priests are asked if they flirt. “You wonder how much of this is political,” sociology professor Jeremy Tanzer said of the difference between questions directed to priests and those directed to laypeople. “They wanted the Church’s blessing.” Each of your lists of sins is password protected, and once you go to confession the lists are wiped away for good. You also have the opportunity to create multiple drafts in case you don’t think the first one is adequate
enough for your priest. The creation of the app was inspired by Pope Benedict XVI’s Jan. 24 World Communications address. His speech focused on using technology to spread theology and enrich people’s faith lives. “Our desire is to invite Catholics to engage in their faith through digital technology,” a spokesperson for the app said in a press release. “Confession” was created by three Catholic men – Chip Leinen, Patrick Leinen and Ryan Kreager – who run a small company called Little iApps in South Bend, Ind. Two priests, Fr. Thomas Weinandy and Fr. Dan Scheidt, aided in the app’s development. Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne in Indiana officially authorized Catholics to use “Confession,” making it the first ever Church-approved app. “I’m surprised it took so long,” Tanzer said of the creation of the app. According to its creators, one purpose of the app is to encourage people who have strayed
from the Church to go back. “I think it’s also about not losing the current generation,” Tanzer said. “They’ve got to do something to make sure they don’t lose the younger people.” So far, reviews of the app on iTunes.com have been positive. “At first there were doubts considering the personal nature of Confession,” a user on the website wrote. “After seeing the application and noting the way it works and how it’s administered, I see that it was designed as a dignified and respectful examination of conscience.” Theology professor Fr. Charlie Gordon, C.S.C., said he approves of the app as long as it makes confession easier for churchgoers. “It sounds great to me because you want people to be comfortable when they’re examining their conscience, and if they’re doing it with technology in their hand, that’s fine,” he said. “There was probably a time when the examination of the conscience in book form was considered a new idea.”
Psychology professor Fr. Jim Lies, C.S.C., agrees. “Confession is a magnificent sacrament, but people are nervous about it,” he said. “If it was clear the iPhone was being used as a means of reflection or examination of conscience, it wouldn’t bother me.” Some people, however, are more skeptical of what this app means for the future of the sacrament. “My only concern is that it replaces the real thing,” theology professor David Huchinson said. Tanzer questions if the app profanes what is sacred. “What’s interesting to me is this dynamic tension. We’re stuck between innovation and tradition, and innovation tends to destroy tradition,” Tanzer said. If there’s one thing we can conclude from this new app, it’s that technology has officially invaded every part of our lives – school, work, friendship and now religion, if you are so inclined. “Pretty soon there are going to be Skype confessionals,” sophomore Nate Packard said.
OPINIONS
The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net 11
If at first you can’t find housing... It line about as fun as waiting in like at Disneyland. The housing selection process is never a picnic. Who wants to spend the weekend before midterms chilling in Chiles for hours on end, wringing your hands about getting the room or row house you want? Surely whatever changes Residence Life makes to the housing system, it’s never going to be good enough for everyone. Let’s not let “perfect” be the enemy of “good.” This year the schedule of housing selection was designed to help students. Students who
wanted row housing or university houses were scheduled to come earlier than those who wanted to live in the dorms were. This schedule was organized so that students whose housing or university housing dreams were crushed would still have a chance at a dorm they wanted. Moreover, it freed up time for everyone who had to attend the housing selection. But no matter what schedules they implement or points they give, no one is going to feel great after losing his or her top choice for housing. No doubt a lot of students were unhappy about the fact
that housing selection happened the weekend before midterms. However, this timing was the direct result of student complaints last year that housing election, which occurred too after spring break, was inconvenient because it was late in the year. The hitch is housing selection has to be sandwiched between Residence Assistant selection and spring break. Unfortunately, this means the week before midterms. The point is that Residence Life is doing what it can to make this confusing and aggravating process less confusing and aggravating and, in
general, it seems to be working. The fact that people are still upset is not surprising, but it’s important to focus on the positive: Residence Life is actually trying to solve student issues with the housing process.
EDITORIAL POLICY
Courtsey of http://www.businesspundit.com/new-home-sales-up-47-this-month/ | THE BEACON
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.
Shhhh! Keep the quiet zone quiet Jocelyne LaFortune Staff Commentary Behind me, three girls are reviewing flashcards together, laughing and chatting as they study. To my right, a hooded boy and plaid-clad girl exchange flirty banter, while a scrawny boy to my left answers his cell phone. There is only one problem with this scenario. We are in the Library. So why are you talking? Maybe it’s just me, but when I go to the Library, it’s crunch time. I have books to read, papers to write or tests to study for. If I wanted to study surrounded by conversation, I would go to The Commons or The Pilot House. I go to the Library because it is quiet – at least it’s supposed to be. The main and upper floors of the library are classified as “stanSee Library, page 13
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.
Advertising in The Beacon
For advertising information, contact Emily Lindgren, business and advertising manager, at beaconads@up.edu.
Subscriptions
Subscriptions are available at $26 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 Emily Lindgren at beaconads@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 March 10, 2011
Mary Dolan O’Brien & Juliana Ringold Guest Commentary For almost 50 years, the University of Portland has annually sent 40 students overseas to study culture and art in Salzburg, Austria. While their time is spent in school and traveling across Europe, there is an inevitable sense of unity that develops among these students and their connection with the German culture. As a result UP is one of the top schools in producing Fulbright award winners to Germany. It comes as quite a shock to consider, with all this tradition in German cultures, that the campus has not seen a German club in 20 years. This was the primary reason we created the German Culture Club on campus. We are “09/10 ‘Burgers” and hold our connec-
Say ‘hallo’ to new German culture club tions to Germany and Austria close in our hearts. We were fortunate enough to experience firsthand all the beauty, fun and interesting aspects the German culture has to offer and now we want to share our passion with the entire UP community. We’re bringing German culture to campus and we’re excited. We’re excited to wear lederhosen and dirndls, to eat schnitzel and strudel and, most importantly, to foster a sense of community among all those who have an interest or appreciation for the German culture. It doesn’t matter if the only German you know is “Volkswagen.” We’re not a language club. We are here to provide fun activities and learning opportunities to the people of the University of Portland. As a club we hope to create a better understanding of the German culture on campus as well as to offer students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the culture into the community. The Portland area has a large German-speaking popula-
tion and we hope to explore the opportunities available. UP has great connections with both the German American Society and the German American School of Portland. These ties connect us to larger organizations with similar goals. Much of what goes into the German culture is a strong sense of community and togetherness. Our club maintains an environment where everyone is welcomed with a friendly smile. Together we establish connections and interests in the culture of Germany. The beauty of a new club on campus is that everyone has the chance to influence its development. We wish to maintain this camaraderie in the developing years of our club. We love the German culture, but that’s not enough. We also want you to love the German culture. Our club is determined and devoted to bring our passion to you. So keep your eyes peeled around campus for flyers and advertisements to come join in the fun. Tschüss!
Photo courtesy of Juliana Ringold | THE BEACON
Mary Dolan O’Brien (left) and Juliana Ringold (right) are the founders of the German Culture Club. Mary Dolan O’Brien is a German studies and communication studies major. She can be contacted at dolanobr12@up.edu. Juliana Ringold is a mathmatics
and German studies major. She can be contacted at ringold12@up.edu.
An Egyptian’s perspective on the revolution Shagy ElHalawany
Guest
The Egyptian revolution: It is neither a political revolution nor a religious revolution. It is a revolution against the oppression inflicted by Hosni Mubarak’s regime. There was no one responsible for this revolution; ev-
eryone was responsible for the revolution: the women and men, the Muslims and Christians, the rich and the poor and many more. They all had their reasons, but they all demonstrated for one thing, no more we will be humili-
ated, no more will our dignity be tampered with, no more will we be silent. I am not into politics, and at the beginning of the revolution, I really did not have much hope that the regime would be overthrown. When you are born into this world only seeing this regime, as time passes by, this regime just became encrypted in your brain as a normal fact in life. There is nothing that could change it, because that wasn’t a regime any more; that became a way of life. I used to believe even if the regime was overthrown and a new one came, it wouldn’t make any difference, because it is now the people who need to change. They know nothing but injustice, oppression and to be quiet. Mubarak’s regime made the people look under their feet. The average household’s main concern was how to earn the loaf of bread to feed to the family, not to get into trouble. The regime destroyed many potentials of youth or anyone who could think and have the idea of a reform. I didn’t like politics simply because of the fact that you could do nothing about it. But after the Egyptian revolt and the downfall
of a long-lasting tyranny, I finally can see hope. That hope is not for a new regime. That hope is that I, as in me and all the Egyptians, have a Voice and not only that, IT WILL BE HEARD. There will be a voice to fight injustice, oppression, all manipulations and everything that is wrong. The revolt is not over. There were two cabinet reshuffles after Mubarak’s step down. They were followers of the old regime, and the people learned and will keep on revolting until their demands are met. No one from the old regime will be in any key position in the government. The new regime that comes to power will think twice if it have any intention of following the previous regime, because the people will always be there to stop them. They will always remember that the government is by the people and for the people. Shagy El-Halawany is a business administration major. He can be contacted at elhalawa13@up.edu.
Laugh with the Beacon Q. What did the fish say when he swam into a wall? A. Dam. Q. What language does a billboard speak? A. Sign Language. -submitted by Elizabeth Vogel
Share your jokes with the beacon at beacon@ up.edu
OPINIONS
The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net 13
OATH chapter established at UP Club dedicated to combatting human trafficking plans to spread awareness
Brianna Hodge Guest Commentary To my satisfaction, human trafficking is slowly becoming a social justice issue that people are beginning to recognize. For four years, as I have been learning about, researching and advocating against this grave human rights violation. I have come across countless individuals who either scrunch up their nose in confusion at the term “human trafficking” or throw their hand up in denial that such a problem exists, especially whenever it is referred to as a domestic crisis.
LIBRARY: Silence is gone
Continued from page 11 dard quiet” floors. Quiet and reasonably short conversations are perfectly fine, but longer or louder conversations should be moved elsewhere. No one here needs to hear about how much chicken you bought at the grocery store last night or how annoying that girl down your hall is. When I stare at you or keep looking over at your group, it probably isn’t because I think you’re cute. It’s because your chatter is making it impossible for me to study. When I tap my fingers on the table or clear my throat repeatedly, it probably isn’t because I’m feeling fidgety. No, it’s because your raucous laughter is ringing in my ears and making me want to scream. So here is a friendly reminder to those of you who use the Library to socialize: you are driving me and other stressed out students crazy! It is a simple matter of respect. Take your conversations outside, or if you must talk, do your homework elsewhere. If you’re studying in a group or working on a project, book a study room or go somewhere else. From those of us who are trying to study, thank you. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Jocelyn LaFortune is a junior German studies and English major. She can be contacted at lafortun12@up.edu
Much resistance has been thrown my way in previous years, but I am delighted to find more recently increased awareness, acknowledgement and passion to take action are prevalent among the general community. Like any social issue, people tend to want to put a statistic on the problem, as though the number of individuals affected by human trafficking determines whether or not it is something to either be concerned for or care about. It is true, statistics do help sensationalize the problem, and when someone hears “Portland has the most strip clubs and sex shops per capita than anywhere else in the nation” or “Portland is number one in child prostitution,” their heads turn and their wallets come out faster. In my opinion, there is something very
wrong with that. Statistics are only a number and whether the truth is that 27 million people or one person is trafficked worldwide, human trafficking is still a grave violation of human rights that absolutely should not be ignored. Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans (OATH) UP Chapter is a new club that I, along with a few other dedicated students, founded in order to encourage our community’s involvement and commitment to advocating against the injustice of human trafficking which is prevalent in our local, national and global community. It is my hope, with the presence and future efforts of the club, that every member of the University of Portland will have an increased awareness and a softened heart for all those af-
fected by this form of modernday slavery. Together, we can work to make sure our community recognizes and takes action to bring God’s light into the dark and seemingly hopeless life the victims of human trafficking experience. The club is planning to have a few meetings TBD this semester and will put on one event to end the year, but is mainly focusing on preparing for our official kick off in Fall 2011. The OATH Chapter Introductory meeting is Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. in Franz 026. Brianna Hodge is a senior social work and psychology major. She can be contacted at hodge11@up.edu.
The Beacon Abroad
Faces on The Bluff By KEVIN KADOOKA Photographer
We asked:
What are you doing for spring break?
“Just, you know, being fabulous. ” Dana Barbar, junior, communication studies
Foreign correspondents report from over seas
Natalie Wheeler Staff Commentary
I need. They have been so welcoming that sometimes I have to hide under my sheets to just remember my own, lonely breath. For the most part, I’ve learned to buck up and jump in. After all, India only manages to not rip itself to shreds because of this very hospitality. And so, I found myself connecting with this crammed place at the strangest of moments: when I shivered through bucket baths and then let the sun beat down on me, when I bopped and bumped and held my bladder all night on the back of a freezing bus, or when I let myself sit on the foul street and talk with the most interesting, kind people. India has forced me to walk into the places I fear, all those
scary smelly spots, and walk out laughing and bubbling inside. This place is not perfect, but it is vibrant. It has me bursting with the sheer joy of being alive. It’s only two months (or already two months), and this subcontinent has captured my heart as well. Of course the humidity hasn’t set in yet, so my love affair may not last. Get back to me in another two months.
Over two months ago, since I landed at Indira Gandhi Airport and was whisked off in whirling traffic into the winter of Delhi, India. Since that day, I have picked up some Hindi and learned just how ignorant I Natalie Wheeler is a junior am as a U.S. citizen, but mostly communication studies major. I have fallen in love with the She can be contacted many cultures that make up this wheelern12@up.edu. thriving subcontinent, this hidden beating heart of the world. If you are looking for a “different cultural experience” while studying abroad, this place will knock you out with its strangeness and then treat you to chai. I have searched for tigers in Ranthambore, prayed and slept and eaten with Sikhs in the Golden Temple, ridden elephants in Jaipur, skied down the Himalayas in Kashmir, danced with Pakistanis at the border … and I have more to go. I am just hoping this is not a dream. Beyond all that adventure, the things that have made me absolutely flushed with happiness were the people, the dogs, the lives here. We can’t help but push up against each other with well over a billion people moving about this country, and we quickly find that the coldness of strangers does not work. People must rely on kindness and care to survive the heaving train cars and alleyways. At first it was frustrating at times, all that stimuli. People were always questioning me, Photo courtesy of Natalie Wheeler | THE BEACON invading my personal Natalie Wheeler in Jaipur India during her elephant-riding excursion. bubble, asking me what
“Probably catch up on sleep and reading.” Rylan Suehisa, freshman, communication studies
“Go home.” Jimmy Anderson, freshman, mechanical engineering
“Just going home and hanging out.” Aaron Myers, freshman, mechanical engineering
“Hang with the family” Kam McHenry, junior, mechanical engineering
SPORTS
14 March 10, 2011
Freshman Lisa Chulich climbs this past fall in Leavenworth, Wash. The Olympia, Wash., native recently placed fifth in the 2011 Bouldering Youth Nationals.
Courtesy Sebastian Berisford
CHULICH: Balancing passion for climbing, volleyball Continued from page 16 disarming laugh and friendly smile make it easy to talk to her about almost anything, even for a
climbing neophyte like me. Chulich, who came to UP from Olympia, Wash., was named one of Urban Climbing Magazine’s “Young Guns of 2010” and is
sponsored by Five Ten and Stonewear, but she speaks of these accomplishments in an “oh, by the way” manner borne of her passion for climbing, volleyball and
life in general. “If I focused on just one (climbing or volleyball) I could have a better shot at being the best but I’m just happier doing both,” Chulich said. “Lisa is the most driven person I’ve ever known,” Holbrook said. “She goes all out for whatever she is doing and she is always positive. She wants not just to be the best, but her best. She is inspiring to others and always pushing herself.” Inspiring and driven seem to be appropriate adjectives for Chulich’s climbing career. She began as a gymnast at age four and competed for eight years before the local gym was forced to close for financial reasons. While Lisa was in between sports, her older brother Jimmy began going to the newly opened rock wall at the local YMCA. When the Warehouse Rock Gym opened eight months later, Lisa and Jimmy were hooked. “We basically lived there,” Chulich said. “I was 12 years old when I started working there (the Warehouse) in exchange for a membership.” In its early years, the Warehouse lacked a program for youth climbers so with the help of their mother and a number mentors, Lisa and Jimmy kept climbing and working until they could get a program started. “Different employees would pass on their knowledge to us so we ended up starting a team and kind of coaching ourselves,” Chulich said. “My brother and I are products of the Northwest. We’ve had a variety of teachers, lots of trial and error and lots of
scars.” According to Chulich, her brother Jimmy’s passion for the sport, in combination with a stressful family situation, has put a strain on their relationship in the past. “It was good in the beginning but then everything was climbing, that’s why I started playing volleyball,” Chulich said. “When I went from volleyball back to climbing people were like, ‘Who is this person?’” Chulich has competed in and won a variety of doubles beach and grass volleyball tournaments around the country with Holbrook. When asked about each other, both Chulich and Holbrook replied, “She’s my wife!” Chulich added, “Not really, there is a funny story about a ring though...” Chulich works at both The Circuit and Multnomah Club, where she sets, grades and tweaks routes for members to climb. She does training and conditioning twice a week and practices climbing an average of four days a week. “Leavenworth was the first place I went climbing outside so I’m obviously attached to it. I love climbing at Waco, and I must give credit to Little Si in Washington,” Chulich said of her favorite places to climb. For Chulich, problems come in the form of 20-foot rock faces with an overhang at the top, but that’s just her warmup. “There’s talent but that just isn’t enough,” Chulich said. “You should be encouraged by your success but not satisfied.”
SPORTS
The Beacon — www.upbeacon.net 15
Featured Pilot of the Week: Luke Sikma Joanna Goodwin Staff Writer goodwin12@up.edu Senior forward Luke Sikma has made his mark on UP as No. 1 all time in rebounds, among other accomplishments. This year’s 1st Team All-WCC selection sits down with The Beacon to answer questions about his time at UP. What is your major and what do you hope to do with it? I am a marketing and management major, and I hope to use it in some aspect of sports-related business. What are your plans for after graduation? I’m hoping to continue playing basketball professionally overseas. How did you hear about UP? I first heard about UP when Coach Reveno started to recruit me during the summer before my senior year of high school. How difficult is it to balance athletics and schoolwork? My freshman year, learning to balance athletics and schoolwork was really tough, but I eventually learned how to manage my time and work hard in my classes to keep a good balance. How has your father (who played 14 seasons in the NBA for the Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks and was seventime NBA All-Star) influenced you? My dad’s achievements in the NBA have really served as an inspiration. The success he had as a basketball player was a result
of working hard and getting the most out of his abilities, which really motivated me to do the same in my basketball career. Is there any pressure to perform at a higher level because of your father’s success? There is some pressure, but I don’t try to be influenced by it. He has always encouraged me to be my own player and that’s what I try to work on every day. What is the rest of your family like? Do you have any siblings? My family is made up of my mom, dad, two brothers, and myself. My older brother, Jake, graduated from Seattle University in 2008, and my younger brother, Nate, is a senior at Bellevue High School. What is your favorite part about UP? My favorite part about UP is the close knit community. Everybody knows everybody, and I’ve made a lot of close friends since I’ve been here. How do you get along with the rest of the team? Our team is really close. We all get along really well and like to joke around with each other. Whenever we’re not playing basketball we’re usually hanging out together. What is the most memorable moment you have with the team, on and off the court? On the court, my favorite memory is probably our run to the championship game at the 76 Classic in Anaheim last year. Off the court, it was our trip to Australia two years ago when we
This week in sports Men’s Basketball (Final Standings) 1) Gonzaga (13-3) 2) St. Mary’s (12-4) 3) San Francisco (11-5) 4) Santa Clara (9-7) 5) Portland (7-8) 6) Pepperdine (6-10) 7) LMU (3-13) 8) San Diego (2-13) The Pilots dropped their first game in the 2011 West Coast Conference Tournament, dashing any hopes for a berth to the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga claimed the WCC Tournament title, securing a 13th straight berth to the NCAA’s. The Pilots recently received their third consecutive invite to the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament. The full field for the tournament will be announced on Sunday. Kevin Kadooka | THE BEACON
played four games in Sydney and Cairns. What advice would you give to your teammates after you leave UP? My biggest piece of advice to my teammates is to enjoy every minute of your college career because it’ll be over before you know it.
How have you been challenged these past four years, inside and outside of basketball? There’s been a number of challenges like balancing school and sports, adjusting to living on my own, and learning to handle both losing and success. I think they’ve all made me a better person in the end.
WCC: Pilots look to strong returning class Continued from page 16 son,” Day said. “We went from having 14 players down to about eight by the end of the year due to injuries. It feels good to know we still did this well and it is a building block for next year.” With so many young players stepping up, the Pilots expect to be even stronger next season, returning with more experience and depth. “We faced a lot of adversity
and had to have freshmen step up. We are returning a lot of players and expect everyone to bring even more to the team next year,” TecleMariam said. “Everyone has an opportunity to play if they’re ready and focused and a lot of players made the most out of that opportunity.” The Pilots will be building off of a strong campaign, but are also losing four seniors. Their youth, however, provides a lot of spark and has benefited from the example of the
seniors. “This season shows that we have improved in a lot of areas and we reached some milestones. We have a lot of versatility and good depth especially with the freshmen,” Day said. “Everybody can look for us to be a running team and to push the ball. Our freshmen this year added to that and we can build on that with our incoming freshmen.” With all the success on the court this season, much of the growth of the team was formed
off the court. “I’m most proud of how close we are on and off the floor,” TecleMariam said. “I feel like compared to my freshman year we’ve become closer and are more of a team.” The Pilots hope to take this new and improved team into a postseason tournament. The tournament selections will be announced sometime after spring break.
PILOTS: First-round struggles send UP home Continued from page 16 In addition to their three-point shooting woes, the Pilots failed to convert a field goal in the last five minutes, with their only points coming off of Derrick Rodgers’ free throws during that span. The sophomore had two layups called off after being nailed with offensive fouls on both. “We were getting the shots we wanted, but they just weren’t falling,” Rodgers said. Rodgers’ last two free throws pulled the Pilots back to within
two, but the Pilots’ hopes of continuing on in the tournament ended when LMU’s Larry Davis immediately scored an uncontested layup on the ensuing inbounds play. “I was kind of in disbelief,” Rodgers said of Davis’ layup. “It was unreal for a second.” This was the last game in WCC play for Sikma and senior Jared Stohl, who received First Team All-WCC honors and an Honorable Mention, respectively, and fellow senior teammates Kramer Knutson and Jasonn
Hannibal. Sikma said he wanted the younger players to remember that moment. “When you play college basketball, getting to the NCAA tournament is your ultimate goal. Realizing that’s not going to happen is heartbreaking initially and I think that hits home with the freshmen and they seized that moment,” Sikma said. Rodgers said he will remember how he felt after the loss. “The first thing I thought of was next year,” Rodgers said. “Next year is going to be differ-
ent, and I’m never going to have that feeling again.” The Pilots have received their third consecutive invitation to the CollegeInsider.com Invitational Tournament (CIT). The field for the tournament will be announced Sunday, March 13, according to CollegeInsider.com. Rodgers said he is looking forward to getting the chance to continue playing. “The seniors really want to play more and that, plus the loss, is really motivating us to do well in the CIT,” Rodgers said.
Women’s Basketball The Pilots made it to the semifinals of the 2011 West Coast Conference Tournament by defeating Santa Clara, but lost the game to the ultimate tourney champs, No. 20 Gonzaga.
Baseball 1) LMU (9-4) 2) Portland (6-4) 3) Santa Clara (6-6) 4) Pepperdine (5-6) 5) San Francisco (5-7) 6) Gonzaga (4-6) 7) Saint Mary’s (3-6) 8) San Diego (3-7) The Pilots have dropped their last four games of the season, dropping the last two to next year’s newest member of the WCC, BYU. The Cougars beat the Pilots in both games by a score of 7-6. This week the Pilots travel to Hawaii for a fourgame series. The first game begins tonight at 9:35 p.m. and concludes on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
(courtesy portlandpilots.com, WCCsports.com)
16 March 10, 2011
SPORTS THE BEACON
Losing in Vegas The Pilots lost a heartbreaker to Loyola Marymount in the first round of the WCC Tournament
The Pilots fall in the semifinals to a tough Gonzaga team, but are hopeful for the future
As the old adage goes, “Fool me once shame on you; Fool me twice shame on me.” Loyola Marymount may have been fooled twice during the season, but didn’t let it happen in its third meeting against the Pilots in the first round of the WCC Tournament in Las Vegas March 4, beating them 72-68. “It’s tough beating a team three times,” senior Luke Sikma said. “When you play a team so much, they get used to you and less intimidated and have more confidence.” The Pilots beat the Lions in both meetings during the regular season. One went into double overtime, and the other was a 75-48 rout. “It helped them a lot having (Drew) Viney back because he’s such a good scorer,” Sikma added. Junior Drew Viney was out for three games toward the end of the season, including the last meeting with the Pilots, but made his presence felt, scoring 25 points for the Lions. But it wasn’t just Viney’s return that presented a problem for the Pilots. LMU entered the game as the worst three-point shooting team in the WCC, but went 8-17 from beyond the arc. “We weren’t able to get stops,” Sikma said. The Pilots’ struggles weren’t limited to the defensive end of the floor. Entering the game as the No. 3 in three-point shooting percentage, the Pilots only hit 31 percent from deep, going 5-16 for the night.
The Pilot women’s basketball team advanced past Santa Clara 75-64 before falling to Gonzaga in the WCC semifinals 96-71. The Pilots received a first round bye after earning the fourth seed in the tournament. Their first match up was against fifth seeded Santa Clara. Junior guard ReZina TecleMariam led the Pilots to an 11-point win with a career-high 28 points. “I wanted to leave everything on the floor,” TecleMariam said. Junior forward, Natalie Day, continued her dominance with her sixth double-double in seven games. She finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds. “I attribute my success to hard work in the offseason and playing with the Virgin Island team,” Day said. “I hope to do the same thing next year and continue to learn.” The semifinal game was a tough loss to the WCC champion Gonzaga. After leading briefly in the first half, it was all Zags as they went on to outscore the Pilots 96-71. Even with the loss, the team has a lot to look forward to and a lot to be proud of. They will find out if they get a bid to a postseason tournament over the next week or so and have a lot to build toward for next season. “I feel like we held our own this sea-
See Pilots, page 15
See WCC, page 15
Bruce Garlinghouse Staff Writer garlingh13@up.edu
www.upbeacon.net
PJ Marcello Staff Writer marcello13@up.edu
NO STRINGS (OR ROPES) ATTACHED John McCarty Staff Writer mccarty12@up.edu While the average student is counting down the hours until spring break and thus relaxation, freshman environmental science major Lisa Chulich is planning for her next big climbing trip while bustling back and forth between classes, two jobs and the demands of both competitive climbing and volleyball. After placing fifth overall in the 2011 Bouldering Youth Nationals, Chulich was invited to be a member of the U.S. National Bouldering Team, but she’ll only tell Courtesy Victoria Clark
you about it if you ask really nicely. “Did she tell you she made the U.S. National Team?” Nina Holbrook, Chulich’s competitive beach and grass doubles volleyball partner and best friend since kindergarten, demands. “She’s also like a perfect student and she has been since middle school. She’s the most deserving person ever but she refuses to toot her own horn about anything.” Upon first impression, the only thing that seems to betray Chulich’s love of climbing is her firm, confident handshake — she is definitely stronger than me. Her See Chulich, page 14