March Issue 2024

CONTENTS

OF

TABLE

FEATURED EXTRAS

WHO WE ARE

The Pacific Sentinel is a studentrun magazine that seeks to uplift the diverse cast of voices here at Portland State.

OPINION

SCIENCE & TECH NEWS

ARTS & CULTURE

We offer a space for writers and artists of all skill levels to hone their craft, gain professional experience, and express themselves. We are inspired by publications such as The New Yorker and The Atlantic. We advocate for the underrepresented and the marginalized.

We are always looking for new students to join our contributor team as we can’t do it without your help. If you’re interested in working with us, visit our website at pacsentinel. com or contact our Executive Editor at editor@pacsentinel.com.

6

8

16 12 10

BETWEEN BEING A SERIOUS MONK AND A BIASED CLICHE by Guzide Erturk

A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES by Shaelee Singer 32

PORTLAND ARTISTS ENCHANTING THE WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL by Lilli Rudine

WHAT NOW? by Darcy Williams

ROMANTICIZING LIFE THROUGH IMMERSIVE REALISM by Eva Sheehan

THE BEIGE BABY PHENOMENON by E.V. Davis

FROM ALTAR TO ANTHEM: MEET ME AT THE ALTAR’S PUNK ODYSSEY by Yomari Lobo

BE KIND TO YOURSELF by Shaelee Singer

PAST LIVES REVIEW by Will Boechler

RED FLAGS FOR (NEURO) DIVERSITY AT PORTLAND STATE by Randall Yesmont

WHAT WE’RE ENJOYING

EXTRAS

FEATURED THIS ISSUE

will boechler is an author from Fargo, North Dakota. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon, pursuing his MFA in Creative Writing and watching the rain fall by his window.

julianne dalope is a lover of silly little trinkets and any silly little prints to put up on her wall. Originally from southern california, they moved to portland to pursue a degree in graphic design in hopes of a career in all sorts of creative projects.

e.v. davis was raised in Bend, Oregon and spent his time exploring the wilderness and hiding in libraries. He now resides in Portland, Oregon and studies at PSU, pursing Applied Linguistics, Spanish and a teaching certificate. You can find him typing at his desk, on the park blocks, or exploring the streets of downtown

guzide erturk was born and grew up in Istanbul, Turkey. She is a storyteller, who currently lives in Portland, Oregon, and is studying Creative Writing at Portland State University.

courtney jeffs is from Coos Bay Oregon and moved to Portland to finish her bachelor’s degree in business advertising and marketing at Portland State University. She enjoys illustrating, story writing, and design.

yomari lobo is a creative originally from Las Vegas, NV and now lives in Portland, OR studying book publishing at Portland State University. You can find her staring out her window waiting for the rain and inspiration to strike for her future best seller.

becky phillips is originally from Rochester, NY but has lived in Portland, OR for seven years. She studies nonfiction creative writing and is currently pursuing a career in music journalism.

laura renckens is a publishing student and book designer compelled by work that connects art, ideas, and community. Hailing from the chilly lands of Minneapolis, Minnesota, she is a constant provider of midwestern energy and an avid road-tripper.

lilli rudine is an author from Portland, Oregon, published in literary anthologies for her poetry and prose fiction. Blossoming in her editorial work, artistic inspiration, and literary profession, she’s pursuing a degree in creative fiction writing while she finishes her first novel.

eva sheehan grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and moved to Portland to study book publishing. She loves poetry and exploring new coffee shops around the city.

shaelee singer grew up in Salem, Oregon and graduated from Mckay High School in 2021. She is pursuing a BA in Applied Linguistics and working towards her TESL Certificate as well. Shaelee is extremely passionate about spreading social awareness regarding language bias, linguistic diversity, and to help others learn more about applied linguistics. When she is not in school she travels the country to see her favorite bands and artists on tour throughout the year.

darcy “dart” williams PSU class of 2024. Writing about technology, policy, and the arts.

peyten woodruff grew up in Meridian, Idaho. She is currently a freshman majoring in Graphic Design. When she is not drawing, she enjoys running for the PSU track/cross country team, reading and watching horror movies.

executive editor eva sheehan | associate editor will boechler arts & culture editor yomari lobo | opinions editor rebecca phillips production editor courtney jeffs | M ulti M edia editor laura renckens

LETTER

FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Readers,

Portland is a town that is known for its dramatic rain that drags dreariness down your window in the form of droplets. It’s a misty, misunderstood teen that lures us creatives with its melodramatics. As much as this town prides itself on its gray cocoon, Portland is full of color.

In order to bring light to the colors that inhabit Portland, the theme for March was simply colors.

Our Arts & Culture section was jam packed this month! Guzide Erturk Guzeldere starts us off with a review for the recent dramedy film “American Fiction”. She queries, how much time passes until a ‘joke’ becomes your art and by extension, you?

Lilli Rudine enchants us with a report of the Portland Winter Light Festival. She explains the wonderful community the event brings and the important support it brings to local artists.

Keeping in-line with annual Portland events, I write a review on my experience with one film from OMSI’s Studio Ghibli Film Festival. I delve into the term “immersive realism” which Studio Ghibli films are famously known to achieve.

Our arts editor, Yomari Lobo, wrote about her experience at Meet Me at the Altar’s show in Portland. Her piece draws on the kind of crowd and culture that buzzes when 2000’s punk is resurfaced.

Lastly, our associate editor Will Boechler, writes about the artful cinematography and the colorful experience the recent film “Past Lives” exudes.

Moving onto our Opinion section, our contributor, Shaelee Singer writes a letter to The President of The United States urging for a Ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. She shares her personal perspective as a biracial and indigenous American.

To bring some brevity, Evan Davis shares his theories on the “sad beige baby” phenomenon that has swept TikTok. He questions, why is the lack of color the new trend?

Shaelee Singer brings forth another sweet article that discusses the benefits of “self-talk”. She explains how negativity can manifest itself into a way of thinking. Randall Yesmont, a second-time contributor, shares a piece on the “red flags” that are embedded into Portland State’s Financial Aid system. He brings light to a flawed system that leaves out neuro-diverse students, students with disabilities, and other circumstances.

Our news piece may stand alone, but it stands strong. Darcy Williams deep dives into the Higher Education in Prison (HEP) program here at Portland State by writing an immersive fiction piece. She allows the reader to step into an ex-convict’s shoes to understand the pressures they face when assimilating back into society.

Like always, our contributors bring forth pieces that make us think and make us wonder. This month, they brought forth the color that can sometimes hide in the darkened corners of Portland—the color has always been there, we just gave them a saturated spotlight.

I want to note this was the highest volume of articles we’ve published since I’ve been editor! Round of applause to our wonderful contributors that work so hard and care so much! As always, thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you in April.

Eva Sheehan

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICKY ESQUIVEL

Between Being a Serious Monk and a Biased Cliche

A Review for American Fiction

BY GUZIDE ERTURK

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a cranky middle-aged English literary professor, lives an isolated life at his college, away from his family as well as the major literary agencies. However, he is not satisfied or peaceful in his lonely world. His books do not sell, at least as much as he hopes, and they don’t stand on the “correct” shelves in bookstores. The big publishers would prefer for him to conform to their stereotypes and write something “black.” At the start of the film, when Monk talks with his literary agent, you can tell he is exhausted from frustration: “I’m black, and it’s my book. I don’t believe in race!” Yet everyone else does.

“American Fiction” is an excellent addition to satire that carries both anger and frustration.

With five Oscar nominations, the director Cord Jefferson has garnered tremendous attention with this, his first movie, “American Fiction.” It’s an adaptation of the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett. On March 10th, the film could be selected for this year’s best picture. It’s also up for best-adapted screenplay and most original score. Jeffrey Wright, who plays Monk, is nominated for best actor, with Sterling K. Brown, playing Monk’s brother, picking up the nomination for best-supporting actor. Whether the film wins or not, Cord Jefferson has effectively jumped fully into the movie world from only having experience directing TV series.

Sintara Golden...The female black author who gives publishers what they really want

- something to fit their prejudiced stereotypes...

The movie is an excellent addition to satire that carries both anger and frustration. It’s a comedy that made me laugh from beginning to end, perhaps because of being in literature myself. But also, it comes with a truth. The film highlights a type of subtle white racism by revealing their biased expectations of African Americans. It exposes the hypocrisy of the white gatekeepers of literature, who use stereotypical black figures simply to sanctify themselves. The film criticizes their lack of sincerity in African Americans’ wellbeing.

Briefly suspended from his job teaching for his aggressive behavior, Monk, who does not hesitate to argue with other writers and students, ends up at a literary festival in Boston and hears a name he never liked: Sintara Golden! The female black author who gives publishers what they really want - something to fit their prejudiced stereotypes. Her book “We’s Lives in Da Ghetto” has become a bestseller. In the scene where Thelonious stands and listens to Golden’s speech while analyzing the readers’ reactions is a turning point for him. The expression of his disappointment shows everything going on in his mind. Monk never reads her book. However, he reads the reviews, and he understands that publishers want “urgent,” “raw,” and “painfully real” fiction, not high-quality literature.

One night, while trying to write, Van Go, a fictional young, uneducated, poor gang member character, comes into his imagination with an old man and starts a fight. The film depicts the writer along with his two characters together on stage. Monk watches them and talks with them. Sometimes, they don’t like the dialogue he’s given them and criticize the author. So, he rewrites it again. Finally, the sirens of ambulances mix with their dialogue, and gunshots take their expected place at the end of the book. The scene where the fictional characters come to the author’s room and converse with him is one of the film’s best. Monk

arts & culture

quickly hammers out “My Pafology” as a spoof and sends it to literary agents under a pseudonym. This stunt gets the attention of literary agencies and filmmakers, earning Monk more money than anything else he’d ever done. However, it doesn’t bring happiness to the author’s life.

Throughout the movie, we see three writers competing against each other. Sitara Golden with her bestseller, Monk’s previous works, and his shadow self’s new book My Pafology. As a serious literary writer, he hates it and refuses to accept it as a part of himself. Monk runs from his alias whenever possible. Yet, with bills waiting to be paid and his mother with Alzheimer’s needing care, he accepts the millions of dollars offered upon his doorstep. The audience is left with three different endings. Do you want a moral lesson and a confession, an ending with blood and death, or something romantic? Wiley Valdespino, one of the movie’s characters, preferred the bloody scene, but the audience still has their own choice. It’s your choice. And, Monk, I’m ready to read all your books. You killed it, bro!

A Letter To The President of The United States

From an Indigenous Girl

BY SHAELEE SINGER

Portland, OR

Dear President Biden,

(Or whomever is reading this letter before the President)

My name is Shaelee Irene Singer and I am 20 years old. I am an Indigenous-American who attends Portland State University. I have two (at times, five) jobs and I am enrolled full-time. I am one of our hard working Americans who would do anything just to keep a roof over their heads. I am a proud Navajo Student studying Applied Linguistics in order to solve language-based social issues and bring them to light.

I still remember that day in 2009 when you became our Vice President for President Obama. I was only 6 years old, and I had so much optimism at such a young age that you were going to care for the American people over profit. I remember in 2017 when Trump ‘won’ the election, I was 14 years old and terrified of what my future held for me as I grew up in a low-income household. I am a first generation college student, and I was so scared that my chances of going to college were going to go away.

During your 2020 campaign I was one of your biggest supporters. I was 17 years old during this period, and knew that my voice could make a difference. I vouched for you, begged people (including my parents) to vote for you, and spoke highly of you because at that point in time I actually believed you were going to help us, the American people. I had trust in you that you were going to take steps to give BIPOC the justice that we deserve.

My grandparents Irene and Samuel Singer were taken from the Navajo Reservation by the American government to Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon. There, my grandparents met in their teenage years while working on the Christmas tree farm the school ‘provided’. I was told by my grandmother, her and my grandfather were forcibly given American sounding names. They were violently assimilated into American culture at the cost of having their cultural identities

wiped. My father and my grandparents worked at Chemawa until their retirement, and I even went to preschool there. I was born and raised in Salem, Oregon and was essentially assimilated unknowingly while growing up because of not being around my people, my language, and my culture.

For hundreds of years Indigenous-Americans were subjected to brutal genocide and we still have yet to receive justice by our federal government. You claim that you’re, “going to continue to work across the aisle to deliver for the American people” (November 9, 2022). When you use the term ‘American people’, who is it that you are referring to? The White, upper and middle class Americans?

I am extremely disappointed in your views and opinions of Palestine and Palestinian people, who are the Indigenous people of Gaza. The Israeli Colonial State was placed in Palestine by Europe. In no way I identify as being anti-semetic, but I am an anti-zionist. In no world someone should be killed for their religious beliefs. What have you learned from Hitler’s actions? Or are you just wanting to become like him? With what is happening right now in Palestine, I cannot help but compare it to the Holocaust and the IndigenousAmerican genocide.

I urge you President Biden to call for a ceasefire in Palestine. If our country’s morals revolve around freedom, then why can’t we help Palestine be free? I hope that someone (even just a mail-worker or receptionist) in the White House reads this letter, and that my voice is heard. Please President Biden, I hope you make the right decision.

Thank you,

Shaelee Irene Singer

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY

Portland Artists Enchanting the Winter Lights Festival

Recognizing the remarkable efforts of those who brought us the beloved festival

BY LILLI RUDINE

From February 1st – 10th, over one hundred events took place across the Portland area to celebrate the annually beloved, Portland Winter Light Festival. All who visited Downtown Portland witnessed the streets bursting to life with golden light decorations in dedication to the festival. Hundreds of artists, performers, and contributors alike hosted a variety of creative events, bringing light throughout every night of the festival.

Enthusiasm for the brilliant art made to commence the light festival spread over the Willamette River with the Morrison Bridge aglow. For these ten days, Portland residents enjoyed enchanting displays of illuminating art, public events, performances, and so much more.

Throughout the city, string lights and glowing ornaments draped the Park Blocks, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, bridges, building windows, and trees all leading towards the heart of the festival, Pioneer Courthouse Square. Here, hundreds gathered to enjoy the fascinating light displays created by Portland’s

most innovative artists combining technology with their muses, surrounding this year’s theme, What Glows Under Pressure.

At Pioneer Courthouse Square, many artists held their impressive works for the theme of the festival. Brilliant interactive pieces like Tim Holloway’s “Fiery Flowers and Zen Garden” were among the art bursting with flames. Holloway’s piece captivated many with its three unfurled red flowers erupting with fire while snakes of flames raked through the zen garden beneath.

In addition to Holloway’s exciting creation, “Smaug,” the fire-breathing dragon by artists Ame and Jim Beard, was a memorable experience for festival goers who visited the Square. Created with recycled material such as old currency, jewelry, and bones, Smaug roars with fire igniting the chilly night air with a heavenly glow.

Along with these pieces, many of the art exhibits demonstrate the spectacular creative spirit of local Portland artists. Another display of note was the “Fleur de

arts & culture

Lux” (flower of light) sculpture by the local artist group, KinScript who used technology to bring their sculpture into bloom for the beloved Light Festival.

“During the day, ambient sunlight filters through a series of 150 colorful and translucent acrylic portals, illuminating the work like stained glass” describes the Portland Winter Lights Festival website. “At night, the sculpture’s canopy transforms into a dazzling electrified light show featuring over 3,000 addressable LEDs.”

Of course, the Light Festival art was not exclusive to sculptures like the ones displayed at Pioneer Courthouse Square. The festival also included dozens of shows and performances throughout the city that allowed audiences to experience visual arts in dance, creation, and other vibrant productions.

One noteworthy event, hosted by drag queen Sequin McQueen and a dozen other talented drag artists, the LED Drag was a magnificent performance produced by the local Rose City Drag at the Westside Cart Blocks. Audiences were amazed, watching performers dancing with phenomenal light-up outfits and equipment under strings of pale yellow and pink glowing lanterns.

With these dazzling sights, many festival goers were in awe by all the wonders hundreds of local artists, performers, and contributors brought to us for this year’s Winter Light Festival. But it’s no surprise that Portland artists have given us light during the coldest times of the year. In fact, it’s worthwhile to mention the contributions Portland artists provide to our city as well as Portland’s unique connection with light.

More renowned for being the City of Roses, Portland has a more obscure but intimate relationship with light.

Remaining lit long after the light festival, Tilikum Crossing Bridge is a significant piece of Portland’s love for art and innovation.

Nicknamed, “Bridge of the People”, the Trimet website describes the unique symbolic contribution this bridge provides to the beautiful city. Not only improving the pedestrian commuting experience by providing “better access to important destinations such as PSU, OHSU, the Central Eastside, and OMSI”, Tilikum Crossing was designed to compliment the city’s relationship with the Willamette River.

Artists Anna Valentina Murch and Doug Hollis are the creators behind the bridge’s fascinating iridescent color and light display. With the “specialized software designed by programmer Morgan Barnard,” the bridge’s lights are directly determined by the Willamette River. Where warmer temperatures influence pigments like red or orange, colder days warrant shades of blue, green, and violet. The dance of shifting colors is also influenced by the height of the river’s tide, giving Portland a spectacular light display all year round.

Remembering the mystical and wondrous experience our community brought to us for the Portland Light Festival, it’s hard not to be excited for next year’s events to come. With local artists giving us special light on the hope of our year ahead out of the winter months, let’s enjoy the brilliant experiences Portland and its artists have to offer throughout our days onward.

PHOTO BY COURTNEY JEFFS

WHAT NOW!?

An Invitation to Imagine and Celebrate Fellow Warriors on Campus

BY DARCY WILLIAMS

Imagine with me. You are going to a club on Friday night. You’re on top of the world. After a few drinks, you narrow your focus to the interesting person in front of you. You try to forget the world.

The next thing you know you are handcuffed, then, you must change clothes into a funny outfit. What now?

Your sobriety answers this very easily by morning. You’re locked up. Only one way out. Through this.

There is a trial, everything unfolds. Your date was killed in the car accident. You are the murderer. You must plead guilty to accidental manslaughter. You’re sentenced to 10 years in Prison.

What now?

Five years go by.

One Friday afternoon a formerly incarcerated guy comes from the outside to speak to everyone inside. He says he is going to college and he says you can too, before getting out of prison. All you have to do is apply and be accepted.

He reads the mission statement of the program from the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison.

“We envision a world in which all people, including those in prison, have access to quality higher education, creating a more just and equitable world.

We believe in the unequivocal value of every person and their right to be treated equitably, without labels or stigmas.’s

We support the expansion of quality higher education in prison, empower students while in prison and after release, and shape public discussion about education and incarceration.”

You go back to your cell after the presentation. You don’t feel like you’re “college” material. So, you forget about Alliance/HEP.

Five more years go by. Then. You receive release papers. You have to give an address for release. You choose a halfway house option as you have no home to go to. You get out.

You’re broke, and no one will give you a job. Any job you get has to allow time off for parole --but you’re afraid to tell them you’re on parole. Many of the jobs you have

applied to say no thank you when you were honest. What now?

Finally, after months of eating and living at the halfway house, you find a job. It’s nothing you want to brag about but, you’re exhilarated. You save for 4 months. You apply for apartments. You have been given a “no” at every apartment you apply to. After 9 months, your one year mark to stay at the halfway house is approaching. You work full-time every day. You stay out of any trouble, keep to yourself. After 3 dozen applications someone finally gives you a room that you share with someone else.

You have a kitchen. You relearn how to make cookies. The smell makes you cry.

You have an address. You send yourself a letter--in pure exhilaration.

You check boxes. You fight. You stay free. Even though your actions for nearly 11 years have shown you are determined not to do anything stupid ever again. Day to day, you work- and you fight to stay on top of the requirements to stay “free”. You must have spotless parole for five years. You have 4 more years of weekly check-ins where you cannot miss.

The parole check-in is weekly and three miles away by bus. Your bus is always late, so you go to the bus stop an hour early because you have to ensure that you don’t miss your appointment, which would result in “a warrant to be issued for your arrest, --or you could be ordered to report to jail by your parole officer. [In Oregon] you are no longer entitled to court-appointed counsel, once you are placed into custody with a parole violation.”

What now?

One day, a piece of mail you receive warms your heart-and changes everything.

A flier. With a familiar title.

Higher Education in Prison (HEP) program....Info night.....Free Pizza.

You look into the sky and think to yourself, “Maybe an education would be the answer to the persistent question: “What now? “ You meet a Rebound Peer Specialist and fill out an application. After 2 weeks, you’ve been accepted to Portland State University. You literally cry. You can’t believe it. You’re going to college!

Books start coming in the mail. You start reading. After 6 more weeks, you are standing on a University Campus. You stand there. No one notices you or thinks you don’t belong. Even with your face tattoo. It’s a feeling you can’t even describe.

At the HEP program office you were handed a welcome bag. When you get into the bus, you open it. Inside there is a letter from another student at PSU who heard about the program. In handwriting they tell you-- “you belong here.” This time, you can’t even cry, you’re so happy. Then you find the chapstick, water bottles, granola bars, school supplies, suntan lotion and a hand knit computer case.

As you watch the trees go by, a feeling of hope begins to overwhelm you. Finally, you don’t have to ask, “what now?” It’s clear what to do now. Take the most amazing opportunity you’ve ever been given and change your life..because. You belong.

“How do [humans] conceive of their security, what do they consider prestige, how do they figure out the means of domination, or what is the notion of self which they wish to realize? The very fact that [humans] theorize at all is proof that..their interior representations of the world, are a determining element in thought, feeling, and action.” ~ Walter Lippman, a journalist/ philosopher who coined the term stereotype.

FICTION TO FACT | This narrative vignette above is fiction but has been based on a myriad of true accounts heard from real lived experiences of individuals in Portland whose lives are changing because of PSU Rebound. Now, let me tell you about the exciting reality of this program.

WARRIORS | Just like the vignette, in real life, student warriors are balancing mandatory check-ins, full time jobs, school, a dedication to try to rebuild relationships with their children or families, and often an ongoing lack of basic resources ... think toothbrush funds. The moniker, “warrior” is an honorary description used by the PSU Rebound director who supports the students. First hand accounts of many advocates of Rebound become powerful stories, whether heard from the mouth of the students or their advocates. These stories of victory answer why many students in the program deserve to be described as warriors. The director shared that “every one of the students has a warrior story in some way, you can’t listen to it without your heart breaking and you can’t listen to it without doing everything you can do.” of struggle turn to victory with a multiplying effect as ceaseless passion and energy pour from newly-graced long-sought hope. Warriors

of all genders are attending college at PSU due to the PSU Rebound opportunity. With understanding, supportive staff working to ensure seamless adoption of the Rebound program, a movement of solidarity is spreading on campus. This movement deserves every respect for its positive momentum.

REBOUND INTRO | To learn about this program, I spoke with the coordinator, Sam Wilson, of PSU Rebound. This is the Re-entry component of PSU’s Higher Education in Prison Program (HEP). Founded in 2019 by a local Portland advocate, it is an offchute of a 50 year old model started at San Francisco State HEP. There is a national landscape (movement) “thriving” in this nationally life-changing idea of Higher Education in Prison.

REBOUND NATION | On a national scale, PSU Rebound students and advocates recently attended a national conference, hosted by the Alliance for Higher Ed in Prison. Portland’s local HEP and Rebound advocacy crew, together with Rebound students join hundreds of other like minded leaders and students across the country to learn about new legislation, collaborate and share achievements, and to motivate and seed a future-now cultural movement that maintains the rights of ALL to receive an education.

REBOUND LOCAL | On a local scale, attention is gathering. Some students have been able to testify at the Senate Education Committee, at hearings for permeable licensing, and on PBS.

REBOUND on CAMPUS | At the campus level, formerly incarcerated students are directly supported by PSU Rebound volunteers and staff who wear dozens of hats every day to assist PSU Rebound students to be successful. Advocates, like the director, work tirelessly to promote success as students get support, including but not limited to: library database training, Google Workspace training, Scholarship training, how to apply through the basic needs hub, guidance on entrance to resources like the SSWC for student parents, SHAC, food pantry, as well as providing any trauma informed emotional support. As a team dedicated to getting degrees for ALL incarcerated, this program is a gem of motivation for formerly incarcerated individuals,, like your imagined self in the vignette, who might not have ever thought they were “college” material.

What CAN I DO now?

Gain your Solidarity

L E A R N | In many democratic or socialist countries, serving time is all that is required socially and legally to

rejoin society with a second chance. The “never-ending nightmare” and stigmatization upon release is unique to the US in comparison to these countries, like Sweden.

Show your Solidarity

There are no longer physical bars in the lives of the formerly incarcerated, so let’s erase the bars from our minds.

V I S I T | All Rebound students have a hub in the University Studies office where they are guaranteed to receive generous smiles and mentorship. It is also promised that if any PSU student or staff member walks in to say hello, they will receive the most warm welcome from the most fun clan on campus. According to the coordinator of PSU Rebound, this is the way to show your solidarity for the movement. How indescribably encouraging, right? You’ve already imagined being a formerly incarcerated student. So, now, no matter who you are, you can much easier imagine showing your solidarity--and do so. By positive expression alone, you join the Rebound Solidarity Movement. By being supportive when you speak and act, you too plant a seed in the support of ALL passionate scholars’ education. Completing a sentence with decisive determination to join society as an educated individual while also juggling life,parole and other challenges should be rewarded, not punished further. There are no longer physical bars in the lives of the formerly incarcerated, so let’s erase the bars from our minds.

V O T E | Legislation to support this movement can follow the collective unconscious voicing. Write to your district legislator. A third piece that needs to be addressed is the problem of licensing. One notable story describes the potential of the formerly incarcerated.

Dr. Stan Andrisse is an endocrinologist who showed the world post-release that his convicted felon status was something he not only learned from but something his life was changed from. His motivation disallowed him to give up on his dream of being a doctor. Andrisse is an example of just one of many individual

circumstances of critical precedence potential that policies like last year’s failed Senate Bill 1512 can look to as they are re-proposed in the future. Keep your eye out for that. The bill would have prohibited licensing boards from denying a license based solely on an applicant’s past criminal record.

Today, careers like psychologist, counselor, (not to mention nurse, and doctor) are off limits no matter the circumstances. Yet, training and employing such lived experiences could be an invaluably positive and productive solution to many dire needs in society. For example, the mental health crisis-- if an an individual is willing to be qualified by showing time and effort and good character--why should they not be allowed the opportunity to positively influence? Time, effort, character. That is what should be the measurement. Even within this exploding movement of higher education showing massive positive impact to communities, dreams are: limited?

Do Your Solidarity

R E A D | In addition to gaining and showing your solidarity, you can expand your mind alongside Rebound students by following the Alliance reading program. There is always a great book being shared to read and show your solidarity. https://www. higheredinprison.org/info/reading-project

W R I T E | The movement needs many more academicians and grants to contribute sincere research efforts. With growing grant support, PSU Rebound is able to buffer the blow of the struggles faced in the vignette described. So, if you do research, or other, consider contributing! https://www.higheredinprison. org/resources-and-publication

G I V E | https://shorturl.at/csvP0

C E L E B R A T E | Positive research completed has been directly influential to game-changing policy. Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado passed a bill last year (2023) in favor of mandatory reduction of sentences for incarcerated students who have completed a degree through Higher Education in Prison programs.

The views expressed in this article are in proud support of HEP. As always, any questions will be responded to by the author.

ROMANTICIZING LIFE THROUGH

OMSI’s Studio Ghibli Film Festival

BY EVA SHEEHAN

THROUGH IMMERSIVE REALISM

“Immersive realism is a form of the genre that strives to balance elements of fantasy (“magic”) and realism.” Studio Ghibli, a film studio based in Koganei, Tokyo, blends the little moments of life with the fantastical plots of Ghibli films by focusing on the blades of grass in a meadow, or the way a bed can swallow a body whole with cushions, or saturating the pigment of rolling hills that hug around a city.

Many revered films like “My Neighbor Totoro” or “Spirited Away” encompass magical and surrealist plots, yet after watching these films, the viewer can’t help but feel a deep connection to the mundane moments of life on this earth.

“Castle in The Sky” follows an array of characters that idealize and idolize this mystical castle in the sky called Laputa.

OMSI (The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) held its ninth Studio Ghibli Film Festival by showing twenty different films from January 12th-February 25th. This film festival is partnered with GKIDS, an American film distributor that works with Ghibli films. I have been a lover of the studio’s films for a while, but this was my first time attending the festival. I decided to see “Castle in The Sky” (1986) as that was a film I haven’t seen yet. “Castle in The Sky” follows an array of characters that idealize and idolize this mystical castle in the sky called Laputa. The first main character, Pozu, has grown up only knowing the journal entries and vague photographs he inherited from his late father that share the discoveries of Laputa. In order to save up and continue his father’s legacy, he works in a mine and dreams of the utopia his father once described. One day, a girl (Sheeta) falls from the sky. Pozu rescues her and discovers she is the heir to Laputa and she is the key to finding this mystical land.

This film draws on many themes, but the main one I noticed was the downfalls from idealizing and colonizing land. Throughout the film, Laputa is described as this utopian society that was welladvanced in technology and a power-house of resources. The villains in this story are those who wish to find this castle and use its power to their advantage.

The director, Hayao Miyazaki portrays this message by portraying the duality of man. Pozu and Sheeta simply have curious intentions. When they first arrive in Laputa, they realize everything is overgrown and deserted. Roots have taken over entryways and flowers have sprouted from the robots that now care for the wildlife that inhabit the land. Miyazaki shows the beauty in a deserted land that has been untouched for many years. Everything is quiet as Pozu and Sheeta roam the floating earth until the military and main villain, Muska, show up. Tanks roll in, explosives and gun shots sound the land as the birds flutter away and the robots retreat. Muska rips apart the roots to get to the power source of Laputa, a powerful stone that allows the land to float. Pozu and Sheeta realize perhaps Laputa was better off without humans. Sheeta performs a destruction spell and the castle begins to crumble. Robots are ejected from their pods and fall down to their demise. Roots tangle around the fortress and encapsulate what once was.

Miyazaki always seems to simplify what matters most in this world through his films. Though Pozu was working in a mine with soot and hard long hours, he had a community that cared for him and looked out for him. Though Sheeta was the heir to a paradise, she continually longed for the home she knew. She talked of the animals she cared for and though it was a simple life, she said she was happy. Though Laputa was full of beauty and power, that did not justify the invasion of its land.

Miyazaki displays immersive realism not just through his messages, but through his animation style as well. One scene I think of in particular is when Sheeta and Pozu are quite hungry from running away from pirates. They take refuge in a mine and Pozu pulls out some eggs on toast. The scene focuses on their joy while eating this simple meal. The egg flops a bit from their mouths and they giggle at the silliness. The juxtaposition from the magical and mystifying scenes to the simple and quiet scenes that focus on everyday life, blurs the line between both. The viewer is left to wonder which one is the magic and which one is real life–or perhaps they both are.

Studio Ghibli films have achieved this blending of magic and realism beautifully through animation style and surrealist plots. They allow the viewer to ponder what’s important in life and find solace in the silly little moments that make up reality. OMSI’s film festival resurfaces these films each year to perhaps help reset our intentions, celebrate the simplicity, and romanticize the realness of our lives.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY

PHOTO BY KAROLINA GRABOWSKA

The Beige Baby Phenomenon

A Commentary on Colors and Social Status

BY E.V. Davis

The grass is always greener on the other side, or in the case of these babies and toddlers showcased on social media, the onesie is always brighter on the other side of the block.

In case you haven’t seen the influx of off color and lifeless cradle decor, let me paint you a picture. There is a specific genre of influencers and families on Instagram, TikTok, what have you, that take pride in their dull and uninspiring nurseries for their newborns, toddlers, and even adolescents. These nurseries often are painted with colors ranging from brown to eggshell, oftentimes coupled with a sleek wooden crib, pale sheets, and monotone shelves. Though, it doesn’t end with the furniture. These babies are given a line up of stuffed animals, playsets, books, and wardrobe that all follow the scheme of the aesthetic picked out and perfected by the parents.

Still with me? Now for comparison, take a minute to consider the colors of the environment you spent your formative years in. With my childhood in the early 2000’s, I think of bright orange-blue Nerf guns, paint streaked and marker stained craft tables, hand sewn quilts from grandma with mismatching tiles, and strawberry stained monster truck t-shirts. The insistence of perfection was not placed on the wild and incoherent mess that was the environment run by my brother and I. There were no unknown outsiders that would see into our private childhood. The emphasis of perfection was placed on our manners, academics, and kindness towards others, as that was what was perceived by the public.

Now, back to these babies. Personally, there’s a few people I know in real life who are raising their child in a wonderland of beige, but the majority that I’ve

witnessed are on viral posts captioned “What my toddler eats in a day” or “Spend a Saturday with our family” and other obsolete titles that give these moms a chance to subtly gloat their aesthetically pleasing and organized life. These videos provide little entertainment value to the majority, though they always tend to rack up thousands, and sometimes millions of likes and shares. My hypothesis to the popularity of these ‘family influencers’ is if they are able to display the illusion of wealth and social status through cohesiveness and manipulated perfection, then the viewers will react with awe and interest, because something so rigid seems unattainable to most onlookers. These beige baby families are using their children to climb to the same social status as celebrities and popular reality TV stars.

There was a massive social divide between your average Joe working at the convenience store and Angelina Jolie...That gap has slowly closed as the definition of famous has become altered by the likes and following on social media.

For decades, the lives of Hollywood stars have been veiled by tabloids and red carpet events. They are shown in their big white and modern mansions, fancy cars, designer clothes, and always indulging in the newest fad diet. There is a glamor and mystery that comes with celebrities that is otherworldly to the common eye. For a long time, there was a massive social divide between your average Joe working at the convenience store and Angelina Jolie, for example. In recent years, that gap has slowly closed as the definition of famous has become altered by the likes and following on social media. Now, average Joe working at the convenience store is on par, and may even surpass the social media status of Angelina Jolie because their “OOTD” (outfit of the day) post went viral once.

Though, as ‘mom influencers’ have realized, now all you need to be is born, and let social media take care of the rest.

There is a long, tiring ladder that actors and musicians must climb in order to achieve what we see on TV and magazines. Some people aren’t born into a life where they are allotted the opportunity or privilege to make it up that latter. Though, as ‘mom influencers’ have realized, now all you need to be is born, and let social media take care of the rest. They use the deception of monochromatic bedrooms, matching cream school outfits, and taupe silicon dishware to show the viewer that they are on the same level as the celebrities residing in the marble mansions with regal furniture. Documenting the monotony of their toddler’s day provides the ability to monetize their hand carved “perfect life.” This is one of the unfortunate side effects of picture based social media: an accessible violation of privacy, as well as the ability to alter and control the way people view your private life.

Without even touching the impact this lifestyle has on these children, it is clear that their use as an aesthetic money-maker feeding into their parent’s shallow obsession for notable social status is altogether harmful. On the outside, these brown and lifeless nurseries carefully curated into an Instagram slideshow simply looks like an odd and out of the ordinary way to live. Under the surface, we can see that influence of social status through social media is tainting the early childhood of many children born in the 2020’s.

From Altar to Anthem: Meet Me at the Altar’s Punk Odyssey

BY YOMARI LOBO

Mosh pits, conga lines, crowd surfing, oh my! The buzz was tangible as the Hawthorne Theater braced itself for the explosive performance of punk powerhouse Meet Me at the Altar. In a night promising chaos, chords, and community, this trio delivered a sonic whirlwind that had Portland buzzing with punk rock fervor and left an unforgettable mark on every soul in attendance.

Before Meet Me at the Altar hit the stage, the room was alive with nostalgic energy, fueled by early 2000s punk and pop anthems from the likes of Avril Lavigne, Jesse McCartney, 5 Seconds of Summer, The All American Rejects, and an impromptu karaoke session of “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen —setting the stage for the punk sound we came to devour. Having already released one debut album and three EPs, the anticipation was unmistakable as we waited to see which song they would draw from their extensive sixyear discography, creating an atmosphere charged with excitement.

“Each song reverberated with the raw, unbridled energy that defines punk rock. But what truly lit up the room was the band’s infectious love for the trailblazers who came before them”

From the fiery opening chords of “Same Language” to the rebellious anthem “Say It (To My Face),” Meet Me at the Altar took us on a raucous journey through their discography and favorite hits. Their setlist was a rollercoaster of punk energy, featuring old favorites, new bangers, and unexpected covers, culminating in an unforgettable musical experience.

Each song reverberated with the raw, unbridled energy that defines punk rock. But what truly lit up the room was the band’s infectious love for the trailblazers who came before them. From paying homage to Kelly Clarkson with “Since You Been Gone” to rocking out to classic “Take Me Away” from Lindsay Lohan’s Freaky Friday soundtrack, and even setting the stage on fire with a Jonas Brothers jam session, Meet Me at the Altar had us burning up for more.

Fronted by the dynamic Edith Victoria, Meet Me at the Altar owned the stage with a charisma that was impossible to ignore. Edith’s gritty vocals and rebellious banter kept us hooked, while guitarist and occasional bassist Téa Campbell commanded the stage with the presence of a rock legend.

This poppy, punky mash-up didn’t shy away from the catchy hooks of pop, but it never lost its punk rock bite. Meet Me at the Altar paid homage to the rock and punk bands that paved the way for them, sharing an emotional journey of carving out their own space in a genre that wasn’t always welcoming. Their message resonated deeply, especially with the Black girls in the audience who finally found a space where they could rock and roll freely.

As the final chords echoed through the Hawthorne Theater, it was clear that Meet Me at the Altar didn’t just perform, they ignited a punk rock revolution. Their invitation to join the rebellion lingered in the air long after the last note faded, leaving us all electrified and hungry for more.

arts & culture

Be Kind to Yourself: THE INFLUENCE OF SELF-TALK IN YOUR DAILY LIFE

BY SHAELEE SINGER

“Convince yourself everyday that you are worthy of a good life. Let go of stress, breathe. Stay positive, all is well.”

Germany Kent

The way we talk to ourselves self consciously (the little voice inside your head) has a lot of influence on how you feel perceived by others. As humans, we want to be perceived as what society’s expectations deems to be “good” or “impressive”. When we get too much in our head about certain things like, grades, skills, relationships, etc.,we begin to talk down to ourselves with thoughts like, “I can’t do this”, “I know I won’t do good so why should I try?”. Negative self-talk doesn’t always happen consciously, sometimes people will make self-deprecating jokes to make light of a situation they might be going through. We learn how to talk to ourselves from a very young age from the influence of our parents (Thomaes, et. al 2020). The way we talk to ourselves has a direct effect on how we do in school or extracurriculars (Sánchez, et. al, 2016), and by having negative thoughts weigh out the good, motivating thoughts can do more harm than good.

When you talk down on yourself repeatedly, you begin to believe these negative thoughts. There are times even when you gaslight yourself to be self-convinced that you deserve whatever went wrong in the situation (Kim, et. al 2021). As college students we are put to such high expectations, it is difficult to always be in a positive state of mind. Though, the more steps we take towards a positive mindset will begin to help gain confidence and self-performance over time (Bellomo, et. al 2020). By taking small steps such as,self affirmations, changing initial negative thoughts into positive thoughts, and doing the best you can to be self-motivated.

Positive self talk is crucial to our performance and success not only as students (Sánchez, et. al, 2016), but as people too. As students navigating the challenges of college life, the way we talk to ourselves is like the behind-the-scenes director of our lives. Our inner monologue doesn’t just impact how we feel about our academic performance; it spills into how we face adulting, friendships, relationships, and those ‘figuring-itout’ moments (Bellomo, et. al, 2020).

Here are some ways to better yourself talk!

“Even though I feel like I’m not doing my best right now, I know that is not who I am at my core. It is important that I put my wellbeing over anything else.”

“You do not have to overdo to be loved. You do not have to perform to be loved. You do not have to worry that your life will become meaning less or pointless if you soften.”

Molly Remer

Walking with Persephone

1. REMEMBER YOU ARE WORTHY AND DE OF A GOOD LIFE!

There are times where we all felt like giving up. It is important to remind ourselves the daily problems we face in society are not equivalent to who we are. By looking up some affirmations online, downloading a meditation app, or just writing positive affirmations on sticky notes to put up can help a lot more than you might think!

2. CHALLENGE THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS YOU’RE HAVING.

When you find yourself thinking negatively, try to reverse the thought into something positive. For example, if you are feeling like you aren’t doing well in a class you could tell yourself: “Even though I feel like I’m not doing my best right now, I know that is not who I am at my core. It is important that I put my wellbeing over anything else.” It is hard to still be able to navigate the roadblocks in life if you are unable to take care of yourself. By showing some extra care and kindness to yourself could ease the stress you are feeling in your current situation.

“You are deserving of kindness and patience, and just by doing what you consider the bare minimum is more than enough than what society is expecting out of you.”

3. LIVE LIFE ON YOUR OWN TERMS.

The expectations society sets us up for can be overwhelming and even existential at times. You should not have to live up to anyone’s expectations or opinions, because you are the only person at the end of the day to judge how you truly feel about yourself. When you start to feel overwhelmed, think about what is causing you to feel this way. If you have ever put yourself down for not getting a 100% or feel as if you are not trying hard enough to a point you think life will become meaningless, it’s important to remind yourself to recognize the value of the achievements you have made so far. By rethinking your own self expectations and giving yourself slack on things you cannot achieve right away gives you some leeway, and can help you not to be so hard on yourself. You are deserving of kindness and patience, and just by doing what you consider the bare minimum is more than enough than what society is expecting out of you. Think about what makes you happy and live on your own timeline rather than the ones others set for you.

“Go grab your sweet little treat for the day!”

4. CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS! EVEN IF THEY ARE SMALL.

Did you manage to get out of bed today AND get to class on time? This calls for a celebration! Sometimes getting out of bed is the hardest part, and just by getting up for the day is an achievement of its own. Celebrating the little things in life can allow us to feel more accomplished at times. We all have our responsibilities and troubles with life. Acknowledge the moments you get up for the day, get ready, go to school/work, or remember to eat. Small achievements are important because they \help us keep going with our day. Of course, it is important to celebrate the big things too, but rewarding yourself for the little things can do a whole world of good. So, go grab your sweet little treat for the day!

By challenging negative thoughts, giving yourself positive affirmations, and celebrating all accomplishments, no matter how small, they could help with your journey to self-empowerment.

Our inner dialogue plays an important role in our everyday lives. It shapes our self-perception, actions, and achievements. Negative thoughts, whether conscious or subconscious, can dictate our minds, lead to selfdoubt, and a sense of losing self-worth (Kim, et. al 2021). By challenging negative thoughts, giving yourself positive affirmations, and celebrating all accomplishments–no matter how small they are could help with your journey to self-empowerment. As we navigate college and life with selfcompassion, it can guide us to a brighter future.

REFERENCES

Bellomo, E., Cooke, A., Gallicchio, G., Ring, C., & Hardy, J. (2020). Mind and body: Psychophysiological profiles of instructional and motivational self talk.

Psychophysiology, 57(9), e13586-n/a.

https://doi.org/10.1111/ psyp.13586 Kim, J., Kwon, J. H., Kim, J., Kim, E. J., Kim, H. E., Kyeong, S., & Kim, J. J. (2021). The effects of positive or negative self-talk on the alteration of brain functional connectivity by performing cognitive tasks. Scientific reports, 11(1), 14873.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94328-9

Sánchez, F., Carvajal, F., & Saggiomo, C. (2016). Self-talk and academic performance in undergraduate students. Anales de Psicología, 32(1), 139–147.

https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.32.1.188441

Thomaes, S., Tjaarda, I. C., Brummelman, E., & Sedikides, C. (2020). Effort Self Talk Benefits the Mathematics Performance of Children With Negative Competence Beliefs. Child Development, 91(6), 2211–2220. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13347

ILLUSTRATION BY PEYTEN WOODRUFF

Past Lives Review

Fate, Time, and Love in Celine Song’s Debut

BY WILL BOECHLER

A neon lit bar in New York City is filled with an idle mumble. A man and woman of Asian descent talk rather deeply, and a White man sits next to the woman, listening, chiming in occasionally, but appears on the periphery. An offscreen voice chuckles and jokes with another as they look on at this seemingly awkward scene from a distance, “Who do you think they are to each other?”

That is one of the many questions Celine Song’s directorial debut “Past Lives” asks. The film tells the story of Na Young (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), two childhood friends from Korea who were separated when Nora’s parents emigrated to America. The two friends slowly re-enter and exit each other’s lives again and again through time as we experience their growing up in different worlds and how it affects them. Each time the two reunite, they feel like two pieces of a different puzzle that long to be together, but cannot. At least, not in this life…

“Past Lives” is Celine Song’s written and directorial debut, yet it shines with a level of filmmaking craft that seems that of an expert. Song has spoken about the truth of the film’s story, telling BAFTA about how she was at a bar in New York City with her husband and one of her childhood friends from Korea who had come to visit her, and realized “I was also translating between two different parts of myself” when speaking between the two of them. This inspired her to explore that experience of past and present self reflection through film.

Nora is played by Greta Lee, and gives an incredibly grounded yet vulnerable performance as a Korean playwright living in New York City who’s wrestling with what it means to feel at home and to reconcile with the finality of decisions that may be out of our hands. Hae Sung is played by Teo Yoo, who is able to bring a deep loneliness and longing to Hae Sung with the minimal amount of lines that he has and his masterful body language and facial acting, especially his eyes. Nora’s husband, Arthur, is played by John Magaro, another writer that Nora met during a writing retreat 12 years after leaving Korea for America, and his part in the film is incredibly important too, but you’ll have to see why when you view the film for yourself.

In “Past Lives”, the concept of In-Yun, which means providence, or fate in Korean, is explained to Arthur by Nora when they meet on a writing retreat in Montauk, New York: “It’s an In-Yun if two strangers even walk by each other in the street and their clothes accidentally brush. Because it means there must have been something between them in their past lives. If two people get married, they say it’s because there have been 8,000 layers of In-Yun over 8,000 lifetimes”. This is a rather painful concept to explore but one that’s ever so human. I thought about this after watching the film for quite some time; there may be people we deeply love, but our In-Yun may not be deep enough for them in this life, and we may meet them in the next, or perhaps this life is filled with enough In-Yun for a person we may have not be expecting… There’s no way to know.

On a technically superb scale, the film is shot on 35mm by cinematographer Shabier Kirchner, with brilliant symmetry and scenes blocked almost like a play— which may reflect Song’s play adaptation of Chekov’s “The Seagull” through the video game “The Sims 4” streamed on Twitch in November 2020—as well as locked down non moving shots of Korean architecture or images that are supposed to stand in for Nora and Hae Sung. A particular choice throughout the film that I found meaningful are these beautifully lit shots of warm, orange sunlight, either casted upon Nora’s face, or in the background of a scene. This to me ties back into the very concept of In-Yun; that fate perhaps shines on these characters throughout the film, moving them forward, giving them clarity, giving them answers to just who they belong with, even when it’s not who they expect.

As of the date of writing of this article, “Past Lives” has won 73 awards and been nominated for 212. When talking about what she wants people to take from this film, Song said she wants the audience to see it “as they are” as the film brings such individual and personalized feelings to the forefront of a participating audience member that Song feels (much like I do) the film will be felt entirely differently based on where you are in this life. I loved this film and how it made me feel. I will continue to ponder its meaning time and time again as I move through my own life and what In-Yun means to me.

“Past Lives” is available now on streaming and VOD.

Red Flags For (Neuro) Diversity at Portland State

BY RANDALL YESMONT

Have you found yourself the recipient of an email from the Office of Financial Aid, suggesting that you have not initiated attendance in a class that you know you’ve attended? You’re not alone - I certainly have. If you’ve accepted a Federal Perkins loan, a Pell Grant, or FSEOG, ACG, or SMART grant funds, you’re among those that the school has targeted for these messages.

Recent changes to e-CFR Title 34, § 668.21 mandates that schools return funding provided by the Department of Education if students do not initiate attendance in registered classes, which has resulted in changes to attendance policies and classroom management strategies across campus and for online courses at universities nationwide. For students who have never attended classes that they registered for, this is an understandable policy change. Title 34 will hold PSU accountable for that funding should they not initiate attendance. The process for returning funding can be quite tricky, and it is understandable that PSU would seek to limit this where possible.

In response to this requirement and to support this initiative, Portland State created an Initiation of Attendance Policy and shared it with the student body. It outlines what does and doesn’t count as attendance or “academically related activities.” Understandably, they need to create some guidelines here for everyone to understand how to succeed and make the most of the Federal funding made available for us to pursue our educational goals. If the students need to know about the policy changes – so did the professors. The Office of the Registrar published their Faculty Guide to Initiation of Attendance to teach them about the changes, how to initiate, and even answer some commonly asked questions.

Where Red Flags Start Waving

Accountability and Impact on Student Mental Health

The lack of accountability among teachers at Portland

State University concerning attendance management reveals a deeper issue that directly impacts student mental health. This process, where faculty members are contacted several times before a communication is sent to the student, places an undue burden on those who are already fulfilling their responsibilities. It raises a critical question: Why should students, particularly those diligently attending classes and engaging with their coursework, bear the responsibility for the institution’s failure to ensure that attendance policies are properly enforced? This scenario not only reflects a disregard for teacher accountability but also exacerbates the stress and anxiety among the student body, especially affecting those from the neurodiverse community. Students with challenges such as anxiety, PTSD, or C-PTSD may interpret administrative communications regarding attendance as threatening, potentially triggering severe emotional responses. In 2024, the expectation that policies and communications should be crafted to support, rather than hinder, the student experience is not unreasonable. The involvement of students in the development and implementation of these policies could prevent such issues, ensuring that the diverse needs and lived experiences of the student body are considered.

Are

the current administrative communications and policies

adequately acknowledging and supporting the efforts of these students, many of whom are potentially the first in their families to pursue higher education?

Fig 1. Example Inbox Notification

Economic Pressures and (Pell) Grant Recipients

The economic realities facing over 51% of PSU students who receive PELL grant funding further complicate the situation. These students come from families earning less than $20,000 annually, positioning them well below the US poverty line of $31,200 for a family of 4 as of 2023. These students navigate daily challenges and systemic barriers that limit their opportunities for upward mobility. The question arises: Are the current administrative communications and policies adequately acknowledging and supporting the efforts of these students, many of whom are potentially the first in their families to pursue higher education? The requirement for PSU to return funding to the Department of Education under Title 34 for students who fail to initiate attendance in their classes is understandable. However, the approach to enforcing this requirement, particularly in how it impacts students who are actively attending classes and those who are neurodivergent, needs careful reconsideration. The current system, which can escalate to threats of revoking financial aid for non-compliance, places additional stress on an already vulnerable student population.

Students grapple with administration fatigue, where the sheer volume of administrative tasks detracts from their educational focus.

In addition to navigating policy changes, students grapple with administration fatigue, where the sheer volume of administrative tasks detracts from their educational focus. This fatigue is compounded by the uncomfortable responsibility students bear in monitoring their teachers’ adherence to attendance policies. Such dynamics not only divert attention from academic pursuits but also contribute to heightened stress levels among students. Furthermore, the reliance on students to ensure proper enforcement of attendance policies highlights systemic issues within the institution. As we confront these challenges, it’s evident that alleviating administrative burdens on students is imperative. Efforts should aim to foster a culture of support within the academic community, recognizing the need for equitable distribution of responsibility and accountability.

Transparent, empathetic, and direct communication can alleviate unnecessary stress and anxiety, providing a more supportive environment for all students.

Closing Thoughts

This situation underscores a broader issue: the need for inclusive policy-making that genuinely considers the diverse needs of the student body, especially those with neurodivergent conditions. In an era where inclusivity should be at the forefront of every policy decision, PSU’s approach to attendance and financial aid communication seems to fall short. The real question becomes, how can PSU adjust its policies and communication strategies to be more inclusive, less threatening, and more supportive of all students’ needs? Engaging students from various backgrounds in the policy-making process could be a starting point. This would not only help identify potential issues before they arise but also foster a sense of community and belonging among the student body.

Moreover, it’s crucial for the administration to revisit its communication strategies, especially concerning financial aid and attendance policies. Transparent, empathetic, and direct communication can alleviate unnecessary stress and anxiety, providing a more supportive environment for all students. Ultimately, by addressing these red flags and working towards a more inclusive and understanding campus culture, Portland State can better support its diverse student body in achieving their educational and personal goals. While the intention behind the Initiation of Attendance Policy may be to comply with federal regulations and manage risk, its implementation and the resulting communication have raised significant concerns among the student body, particularly among neurodiverse students. It’s time for PSU to reevaluate its approach, prioritize inclusivity, and ensure that all students, regardless of their background or neurodiversity, feel supported and valued. After all, the goal of higher education should be to uplift and empower all students to succeed.

WHAT WE’RE ENJOYING WHAT WE’RE ENJOYING

The sunset sky

Red, blue, and orange

Courtney’s Score: *****

Although the timeframe of seeing the beautiful combination of colors of a sunset is short, they are nonetheless breathtaking. Whether you’re traveling, in a Walmart parking lot, or even just walking down the street, the sky transforms as if painted by the sun, and I always admire the combination of colors that coincide with each other so fluently.

My Reading Nook

Becky’s Score:

A pop of color

As Portlanders, we need a little pop of color to lift us up during the gray winter months. I’ve been spending time in my colorful reading nook as of late. The red-orange rug underneath the soft pink chair and bright, multicolored footstool have been lighting things up while the sun has been in hiding. The colors reflect a certain coziness that emulates its own sort of season while I slip into book world.

Foggy Mornings

Grey, Shadow, Haze

Will’s Score:

One of my favorite times to be awake in Portland is just in the early when fog rolls in over the southwestern hills and the city is shrouded in an almost liminal feeling of pause. It’s quiet, sometimes there’s crows, and the air is chilly. I love sitting at my window and watching the fog dance between the hills and the city below, the soft grey skies making me think about the world around me.

Photo by Courtney Jeffs

Photo by Ena Marinkovic

Photo by Will Boechler

“The Red Theory”

an ode to home?

Eva’s Score: *****

A new Tik Tok term, the “unexpected red theory”, has been circulating around my page. It claims that adding a touch of red where it’s not expected to “go” or “match” surprisingly works in an interior space. I found this theory interesting as my childhood home kitchen was a deep red. I think most people would think that was a pretty bold move, but I find that kitchen to be one of the most visceral memories banked away in my head. I now find myself drawn to the deep red rooms of my home— especially this little corner I coined as my reading corner.

The First Flower of Spring

Yomari’s Score: *****

Among the winter’s gray cloak, the first flower bursts onto the scene, popping up like a surprise party against the drab backdrop. Picture vibrant petals in pink, yellow, and violet, shouting, “Spring is coming! You can make it past the storm.” As I soak in this sign of change, I’m pumped for warmer days and the riot of colors that Mother Nature’s throwing our way.

The Rainbow Rug

Shaggy chic

Laura’s Score: *****

One of my four housemates recently showed up at home with a gigantic rug in tow, stating they’d found the perfect thing for our living room. We unfurled the roll to find a vast expanse filled with the brightest shades of each color of the rainbow, all organized into shaggy concentric circles. The rug— which only some could be so bold to display— has become the backdrop to all of my favorite memories, just sitting and being with one another in our happy little home.

Photo by Xue Guangjian

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto

Photo by Eva Sheehan

MAJORS AT PORTLAND STATE

WORD BANK:

ACCOUNTING

ART HISTORY

COMMUNICATION

ADVERTISING BIOLOGY

MARKETING

BIOCHEMISTRY

GRAPHIC DESIGN

ECONOMICS

ANTHROPOLOGY

ENGLISH ASL

NIM: HOW TO PLAY

Grab a friend and 2 different colored things to write with.

First player crosses out as many sqaures as they want. Squares must be from the same row, and at least one must be crossed out.

Second player does the same. The person who gets to cross out the last square is the winner.

COMIC BY PEYTEN WOODRUFF