Event of the day
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2009 • PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY • VOLUME 64, ISSUE 15
Today is the last chance for any SFC-funded groups to attend Budget School. This is a required element of the SFC process and groups must participate to continue receiving funding. When: Noon to 1 p.m. Where: SMSU room 294
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Laughter
INSIDE
and big news American Sign Language Club hosts first ever Comedy Night
NEWS Sustainability in IT could save over $250,000 Ann Gire’s Climate Action Plan details three sustainable projects PAGE 2 Community comes together for PSU Weekend Event to feature education, interactive seminars PAGE 2
Arts
Mariah Frye-Keele Vanguard staff
A hidden menace at Portland State October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Tamara K. Kennedy Vanguard staff
Weather patterns with Annie Bethancourt The globetrotting folk songstress shares a little sunshine with the rest of us PAGE 4 The cost of success Greed, delusion and frightening apathy come to the front in All My Sons PAGE 4
Ink and glitz in PDX First ever Portland Tattoo Expo brings talented tattoo artists from nationwide PAGE 5
Sports
Viks tee off, tie for 11th Women’s golf team competes in secondto-last tourney of fall season, and all finish within four strokes PAGE 6
There is a problem at Portland State that can affect as many as 435 female students in an academic year. The problem is domestic and sexual violence, and every student can help stop it from happening. One of the main problems with domestic and sexual violence is that it often goes unreported. The National Institute of Justice found—in surveys that relied on self-reports, not crime reports— that 3 percent of all college women become victims of either completed or attempted rape in a given ninemonth academic year. That number translates to 30 women in 1,000, or approximately 435 women at Portland State. “The WRC looks at dating violence and sexual violence as connected issues,” said Jessica Amo, assistant coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center. The focus is what happens on campus. The Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Advocacy Program at the WRC provided services to 85 students between June 2008 and June 2009. According to the WRC, students reported stalking, harassment, landlord/roommate problems and dating and sexual assault. In June 2009, the Sexual Assault on College Campuses Senior Capstone class conducted an informal, non-scientific survey at Portland State of primarily first- and secondyear students. At least 12 percent answered affirmatively in response to the statement: “I have been sexually assaulted in my time as a college student.” “Traditionally, female college students between the ages of 18 and 21 have higher numbers of relationship violence and sexual assault,” said Adrienne Garf, a graduate assistant who is an advocate for the interpersonal violence program at the WRC. All students are welcome to come to the WRC for aid in interpersonal violence issues, regardless of gender. Everyone can take action to stop dating and sexual violence before it happens through training, resources and support to help
students understand the dynamics of sexual violence. Help is always available to students, not just during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. WRC advocates are ready to aid students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and are partnered with the Women’s Crisis Line for help after hours and on weekends. The Center for Student Health and Counseling can provide ongoing counseling for emotional support, assessment of personal safety and medical care. Besides listening, WRC advocates help students navigate the campus system. Other resources available to students include: Residence Life, which can assist with changes in living conditions, the Office of Student Affairs, which investigates student conduct code violations and Student Legal Services. Students can also file anonymous report forms. The WRC does not push students to take court action.
All photos by Rodrigo Melgarejo/Portland State Vanguard
Jessica Amo: WRC assistant coordinator.
What can students do? Educate yourself about interpersonal violence awareness. Look at relationships within your own life to make sure consent is present. Support friends or classmates who might be involved in an interpersonal violence situation. Ask questions if you suspect a friend or classmate has encountered an act of interpersonal violence.
WRC: 503-725-5672
If a student confides an act of interpersonal violence has taken place, believe them.
SHAC: 503-725-2800
Express concern to that student.
OHSU sexual assault evidence collection: 503-494-7551
Ask what you can do to be helpful.
Important numbers and info:
Women’s Crisis Line: 503-235-5333 CPSO: 503-725-4407
Let the student make his or her own decision and support it. Help connect the student to the right resources such as the WRC or SHAC.
Upcoming event “Roots of Change: Men, Sex and Justice” October 28–30, Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom Find out more about how to prevent sexual violence before it occurs.
Tomorrow the American Sign Language club will host Comedy Night in Hoffman Hall at 7 p.m. This event is also the catalyst to a campaign for making ASL an official foreign language. “Humor is the best means of breaking through language and cultural barriers,” said PV Jantz, the deaf co-President of the ASL Club. Admission is two boxes or cans of non-perishable food, which will be donated to the Starving College Student Food Bank founded by ASPSU, according to Jantz. Comedy Night is the first-ever event of its kind to be held at Portland State. “We have two comedians and some other surprises in store for the attendees, of which I had never thought was possible or would even think of for that matter,” Jantz said, referring to the ASL Club’s announcement. The two comedians are Keith Wann and Patrick Fischer, who are also members of the deaf community. It’s been a long road for the ASL Club. They have been tentatively planning this event for the last year, with two dates previously falling through. “I’m really excited for this, and it’s been truly moving to see PV do such an excellent job developing an issue on campus into such an effective campaign with a huge awareness event at its culmination,” said Edward Hallman, ASPSU administrative director. “Almost makes me tear up a bit.” The event will kick offf the campaign to make American Sign Language part of the Foreign Languages and Literatures department at Portland State, with the announcement being made at Comedy Night. “This event is very important. [It] spearheads our campaign to move ASL from the Speech and Hearing Sciences Department to the foreign language department,” Jantz said. “It is great and commendable that the Speech and Hearing Sciences Department started up and maintains the ASL program, but just like anything else, a program—in order to not only survive, but to grow and be successful—has to evolve.” Comedy Night will have interpreters for deaf and hearing alike, so no one will feel left out. “ASL Club brings together students that have a passion for sign and deaf culture and gives them the opportunity to go out into the deaf community,” said Shea McSheery, hearing co-President of ASL Club. “ASL Club has been a great experience for me at PSU and I recommend everyone should stop by and try it out.”
Workshops will address a broad range of issues pertaining to men and masculinity and the prevention of sexual violence. Information for scholarships to attend the $25 event is available at: sati.oregonsatf.org/roots.html
Adam Wickham/Portland State Vanguard
Shea McSheery and PV Jantz: Co-presidents.