ICYMI: There’s a new ASUP president for the remainder of the 2016 school year, Anthony Ng. Baseball takes on Oakland this weekend starting Friday in their first night game at Joe Etzel field. We also have a very special feature section on the political situation facing the election year. Read more online at upbeacon.com and follow us @UPBeacon on Twitter and Instagram.
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THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND SINCE 1935 e Beacon February 25, 2016 • Volume 118 • Issue 18 • upbeacon.com Anthony Ng elected interim ASUP President It’s been a wild two weeks for Anthony Ng. e junior environmental science major was elected ASUP president last Friday, Feb. 19, aſter a special run- off elecon following former president Khalid Osman’s resignaon at the beginning of the month. Ng took office immediately, and his presidency will last through the end of spring semester. “I got elected on Friday, and sworn in on Monday. It was pre interesng,” Ng said. “Grace (Holmes) swore me in, and then I got to swear a member of the elecons commiee in five minutes later. I was like, ‘is is weird.’” Ng won with 311 votes, taking 55.83 percent of the received votes. e other candidate, senior Bryan Chipman, came in behind Ng with 247 votes, 44.34 percent of the received votes. Campus- wide, there was a voter turn- out of 15.72 percent in the run-off elecon. Ng said that when he joined senate his eshman year, he couldn’t have imagined running for president. “I didn’t see myself coming near the Execuve Board,” Ng said. “I was like, those people do a lot of work. But I guess my passion for helping students or represenng them just drew me to the spot, and there’s no turning back now.” When Osman stepped down, Ng debated whether or not to run. He was concerned about possibly burdening the elecon process because if he ran, ASUP Secretary Joseph Rojo would have to replace him on ASUP’s oversight commiee which oversees the Execuve Board and the elecon. Ulmately, it was Ng’s iends who helped him make the decision to run. “I jokingly asked a iend, ‘What would happen if I ran?’ and they said, ‘Oh I think you’d be good,’” Ng said. “Even though the cons (of running for president) were a lile longer than my pros, everyone who I asked if I should run said I should.” Rojo is enthusiasc about having Ng at the helm of ASUP’s Execuve Board. “I think Anthony is completely up for the job,” said Rojo. “I am exemely confident in his abili to lead.” Now Ng faces the challenges of an unusually short term with two key goals in mind: promong ASUP awareness and campus sustainabili. e junior wants to create an “ASUP Town Hall,” where students come to Senate and tell them their concerns, quesons and comments. Ideally, Ng would love to have members of Universi adminisaon come to the meengs to answer students’ quesons directly. He believes that these meengs would help promote the fundamental values of ASUP: listening to the concerns of students. He also wants to work on improving communicaon between adminisaon, Physical Plant and students on campus improvements in sustainabili. “e Universi of Portland is considered one of the greenest schools in the couny, but how do students know that?” Ng said. “We see plants geng watered during the day, the compost in e Commons being thrown away because it’s too contaminated.” Ng believes that the most effecve way to promote awareness about campus sustainabili will be to create either a sustainabili coordinator posion in adminisaon or creang a sustainabili office on campus. By Rachel Rippetoe THE BEACON WHAT’S NEXT? Applications are now open for all 2016-17 ASUP positions, including president, vice president, finance director, communications director, CPB director and senators. Applications are due Feb. 29. Information about applying can be found on ASUP’s website: https://sites.up.edu/asup/elections/spring-elections/ Anthony Ng has been a member of ASUP Senate since he was elected class senator his freshman year. He hopes to bring ASUP awareness and sustainability to the agenda for the rest of the year. I didn’t see myself coming near the Executive Board ... But I guess my passion for helping students or representing them just drew me to the spot, and there’s no turning back now. “ Anthony Ng ASUP President See PRESIDENT page 3 Hannah Baade • THE BEACON
Transcript
THE STUDENT VO ICE OF THE UN IVERS I TY OF PORTLAND S INCE 1935The Beacon
The junior environmental science major was elected ASUP president last Friday, Feb. 19, after a special run-off election following former president Khalid Osman’s resignation at the beginning of the month. Ng took office immediately, and his presidency will last through the end of spring semester.
“I got elected on Friday, and sworn in on Monday. It was pretty interesting,” Ng said. “Grace (Holmes) swore me in, and then I got to swear a member of the elections committee in five minutes later. I was like, ‘This is weird.’”
Ng won with 311 votes, taking 55.83 percent of the received votes. The other candidate, senior Bryan Chipman, came in behind Ng with 247 votes, 44.34 percent of the received votes. Campus-wide, there was a voter turn-out of 15.72 percent in the run-off election.
Ng said that when he joined senate his freshman year, he couldn’t have imagined running for president.
“I didn’t see myself coming near the Executive Board,” Ng said. “I was like, those people do a lot of work. But I guess my passion for helping students or representing them just drew me to the spot, and there’s no turning back now.”
When Osman stepped down, Ng debated whether or not to run. He was concerned about possibly burdening the election process because if he ran, ASUP Secretary Joseph Rojo would have to replace him on ASUP’s oversight committee which oversees the Executive Board and the election.
Ultimately, it was Ng’s friends who helped him make the decision to run.
“I jokingly asked a friend, ‘What would happen if I ran?’ and they said, ‘Oh I think you’d be good,’” Ng said. “Even though the cons (of
running for president) were a little longer than my pros, everyone who I asked if I should run said I should.”
Rojo is enthusiastic about having Ng at the helm of ASUP’s Executive Board.
“I think Anthony is completely up for the job,” said Rojo. “I am extremely confident in his ability to lead.”
Now Ng faces the challenges of an unusually short term with two key goals in mind: promoting ASUP awareness and campus sustainability.
The junior wants to create an “ASUP Town Hall,” where students come to Senate and tell them their concerns, questions and comments.
Ideally, Ng would love to have members of University administration come to the meetings to answer students’ questions directly. He believes that these meetings would help promote the fundamental values of ASUP: listening to the concerns of students.
He also wants to work on improving communication between administration, Physical Plant and students on campus improvements in sustainability.
“The University of Portland is considered one of the greenest schools in the country, but how do students know that?” Ng said. “We see plants getting watered during the day, the compost in The Commons being thrown away because it’s too contaminated.”
Ng believes that the most effective way to promote awareness about campus sustainability will be to create either a sustainability coordinator position in administration or creating a sustainability office on campus.
By Rachel RippetoeT H E B E A C O N
WHAT’S NEXT?Applications are now open for all 2016-17 ASUP positions, including president, vice president,
finance director, communications director, CPB director and senators. Applications are due Feb. 29.
Information about applying can be found on ASUP’s website: https://sites.up.edu/asup/elections/spring-elections/
Anthony Ng has been a member of ASUP Senate since he was elected class senator his freshman year. He hopes to bring ASUP awareness and sustainability to the agenda for the rest of the year.
I didn’t see myself coming near the Executive Board ... But I guess my passion for helping students or representing them just drew me to the spot, and there’s no turning back now.
“Anthony NgASUP President
See PRESIDENT page 3
Hannah Baade • THE BEACON
T H E B E A C O N • F E B . 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 • U P B E A C O N . C O MNEWS 2
CORRECTIONS THE TIP LINEThe Beacon wants story ideas from its readers. If you see something that
In the “Junior Parent’s Weekend Calendar” from the Feb. 18 Issue, The Beacon incorrectly reported that the welcome event was being held in the Pilot House. It was held in The Commons.
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UP’s new five-year strategic plan in the works
Five-year plans might rank in the top 10 list of a college student’s least favorite subjects. Where will you be in 2021? Grad school? Working in a big city? Traveling the world? It’s an exciting yet stressful concept.
However, it might be consoling for some students to know that their university goes through quite a similar process. UP has had a strategic system of five-year plans in place since 1992.
Yet, probably in the same spirit of anxiety we all feel, this grand plan in 1992 was put up on a shelf to collect dust. The administration would pick it up every five years, revise it and put it back on the shelf.
It wasn’t until 2011 that the plan was finally reworked from scratch by Provost Thomas Greene and Alan Timmins, vice president for financial affairs.
Now that UP’s hit its next five-year mark, Greene and Timmins have been working to improve on the strategic five-year plan system. They’re titling this pursuit “Vision 2020,” simply because “Vision 2021” (the year the plan will extend to) isn’t as catchy.
The process of creating this year’s plan is being driven by two core concepts left out of the last five-year plan: brevity and participation. The last plan was over 20 pages long. This year, the goal is it to keep it under eight pages.
There will also be listening
sessions for members of the Pilot community to express their ideas for the plan. The 23 sessions started on Feb. 3 and will continue until Feb. 26.
The University’s Targeted Actions for the plan:
-Sustain superb undergraduate education while advancing relevant new programming.-Expand rigorous, meaningful, self-sustaining graduate programs.-Develop first-rate infrastructure, services and facilities.-Infuse our entire community with a sense of multi-cultural opportunities and instruction. -Enhance our Catholic character and enrich the expression of our faith.
Who has attended the listening sessions?
All listening sessions are open to everyone in the UP community including students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents. However, several sessions were created to address specific issues including different educational departments, infrastructure, athletics and international and intercultural matters. The full list of listening sessions along with notes from each session can be found here.
By Friday of last week, over 500 community members had attended a listening session.
Other than an ASUP Senate meeting and a Student Affairs meeting addressing the plan,
there are no specific sessions for students. However, Greene and Timmins said that staff and parent sessions often echo the voices of student concerns.
What are some of the main issues being brought up?
-Infrastructure: need for more classroom space and more parking space-Better Wi-Fi -Creating more diversity among faculty, both culturally and career-wise-Creating a student center -Hiring a sustainability coordinator to work in Waldschmidt, or creating a sustainability office-Improving the tenure process for professors-Managing the growing enrollment rates-The improvement of wellness and mental health for students, faculty and staff, including increasing health service hours and staffing-Competitive pay for faculty and staff -Addressing internal communication issues among faculty, students and the administration-Improving food services -Making study abroad during the summer more affordable -Bringing in more international students and providing different kinds of international experiences and events on campus-Expanding the university’s online education-Creating more religious space for non-Catholics
The Last Five Year Plan: What did happen?
-Reduce the university’s use of energy (i.e., heat and electricity): Made energy upgrades at Shipstad, Kenna, Christie and Waldschmidt halls.-Recycle other resources (i.e., food and paper): Compost and recycling bins set up in The Commons, Pilot House and, more recently, in Mehling Hall.-Construct a recreation, health and wellness facility: Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center, completed in the fall of 2015.-Transform the library into a shared learning commons that includes a learning lab, multimedia lab and a study lab: Clark Library was completed in 2013.-Expand and create graduate programs that strengthen the points of distinction of UP’s mission and meet criteria for feasibility and sustainability: Created a non-profit masters program, HESE (a higher education master’s degree) and replaced the engineering graduate program with a biomedical engineering program. -Upgrade Buckley Center Auditorium
Targets not reached: -Library will accommodate up to six smart classrooms seating 40 students each-Provide faculty and staff
salaries competitive with peer institutions.-Create rigorous and high-quality online and hybrid graduate courses.-Over 50% of students study abroad: With the number of spots available to study abroad each year, this percentage is virtually impossible. However, what Timmins and Greene say the University has been focusing on, and will continue to focus on, instead is defining the concept of an international experience. 42 percent of the last graduating class, was reported to have some type of international experience during their four years at UP. This includes studying abroad, being an international student on campus and participating in international events on campus. -Develop a program of national excellence in men’s basketball, similar to women’s soccer: Timmins and Greene recognize now that this target has too many uncontrollable variables to be a valuable addition to the plan. Instead, the University focused on the scholarship of its athletes. UP has one of the highest average athlete GPA and one of the highest athlete graduation rates in the country.
He argues that UP’s lack of a sustainability office is the only thing separating the university from some of the most environmental-friendly campuses in the country.
The transition from senator to president has been an adjustment for Ng.
He’s noticed that senators are often more immersed in senatorial debates, while it is the Executive Board’s job to sit back and listen.
“When they voted whether to approve a member of the elections committee, I had to leave the room,” Ng said. “It was kind of weird, but I guess it comes with the position, and I fully trust everyone in Senate.”
Although Ng is excited about creating change in his short term as president, he is unsure about running for re-election next year.
With the application due date for next year’s presidency on Feb. 29, the newly-elected
president said that a lot would have to go into reapplying for the position next year including finding a running mate he’s compatible with, creating a vision and platform that students can relate to, and another week of hard campaigning.
However, Ng believes that despite having a particularly short term as president, improving Senate and making real change in UP’s student body won’t be as difficult as it sounds.
“I think I would just have to work harder, and that’s how I always work. I never give up,” Ng said. “If everyone can just work together as a team and we can facilitate stronger discussions about things that we care about, then we can accomplish anything.”
Diversity Dialogues Week:
‘Islamaphobia’ Panel Reflection
Every day there is a new story in the media about potential terrorist attacks or the threat of terror groups like ISIS. There is a common misconception that extremist groups and the threats they make represent the teachings of Islam.
Monday night’s Islamophobia panel looked at the common misconceptions that are held by many Americans in regards to the Islamic faith and the effect they have on students here at UP.
Mohammed Bakhsh, Mishary Aldarweesh
and Ibrahim Alshweair, international students from Saudi Arabia, sat on the panel. They shared their personal experiences with Islam, noting that it is a faith that doesn’t support the views of the radical terrorist groups that are always displayed in the media.
The panel showed recent videos of how prominent politicians, including President Barack Obama, talk about Islam as a peaceful religion with moral intentions. In one clip, Obama talked to a mosque and openly supported the Islamic faith, recognizing the inaccurate biases that are currently held by many individuals in the U.S. today.
These stereotypes about individuals of the Islamic faith are often rooted in misunderstanding and promote the biases that exist about Islam.
Both Bakhsh and Alshweair recalled times where they themselves faced this discrimination, even here on The Bluff. They said they recognize that many of these comments come from a misunderstanding that many individuals have about Saudi Arabia and hope that individuals will be more open to learning about the culture of Islam.
Ibrahim Alshweair, Mishary Alderweesh and Mohammed Bakhsh spoke on Monday night’s Islamaphobia panel. They hope to bring awareness about the culture and teachings of Islam to UP.
The Beacon is hiring for next year!
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CRIME LOG
FOR THE FULL REPORT
ON CAMPUS
Public Safety received a report of a theft at Villa Maria Hall. A student reported that his nap sack containing several important items were stolen from his room. A voluntary statement was filled out and a report was made by officers. The student also made a report with Portland Police. The case remains under investigation.
Public Safety received a call from a student living in the 6700 block of Portsmouth. Student reported that a suspicious male was walking around the outside of his home. The suspect was walking around his front door and window areas. The suspect did leave the area after the student had confronted him.
Feb. 20, 3:53 p.m.
Feb. 20, 10:04 p.m.
upbeacon.com > News > UP Crime & Fire Log
Thursday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m., in Franz Hall Room 120. The University of Portland theology department will introduce its newest faculty member, Dave Turnbloom, as he presents the first of two Theology Thursday lectures of the spring 2016 semester.
Theology Thursday Lecture Series
Sunday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Chiles Center. The event will be hosted by Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education. Every child attending will receive a free book of their choosing.
Catch the Wave: Reading Women’s Basketball Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Chiles Center. The women’s basketball team plays BYU in a WCC rival match.
Friday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. at Joe Etzel Field. Come support Pilots baseball as they face the Oakland Grizzlies.
Baseball
International Night
Friday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Join the International Club and International Student Services on the quiet side of The Commons and enjoy international cuisine from Bon Appetit, student and professional performances and more. There will be “A Showcase of Nations,” which allows UP students to share their cultural heritage.
T H E B E A C O N • F E B . 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 • U P B E A C O N . C O MNEWS 4
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Our library, often referred to as the “heart of campus,” has been supported by three generations of the Clark family. While many donors and foundations have contributed to this building over the years, the Clark family first provided support for the library in 1958 – when the collection of books and periodicals became too large to be housed in the basement of Christie Hall. Can you imagine?
The Office of Development is hosting a letter-writing contest this Thankful for Donors Day. You probably know about the free doughnuts, but how about a $500 Visa gift card? To be entered, write a 450-word letter thanking a donor for the places, spaces, support and experiences you value the most at UP! Email your letter to [email protected] by March 23rd! The winner will be announced by April 4th! For rules and submission guidelines, visit: www.up.edu/giving
And don’t forget to join us on March 23rd to write a thank you note and get your Voodoo Doughnut, too!
THANK A DONOR, WIN A $500 GIFT CARD!
DID YOU KNOW?
DO YOU LOVE THE CLARK LIBRARY?
THANK A DONOR AND TELL US WHY!
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CHECK OUT OUR EXCLUSIVE ONLINE CONTENTUPBEACON.COM
River Campus Parking Lot // News
Pilot BFFs // Sports
Midterm Study Playlist // Living
‘Describe the 2016 Presidential Election in one word’
WATCH FULL VIDEO ONLINE AT UPBEACON.COM
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THE BEACON
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Presidental Election
2 0 1 6 VOTING GUIDE
As the presidential race has heated up and the candidates have had their fair share of debates, many people have chosen their respective side. And the people who get the most publicity when announcing who they agree with are usually celebrities. These celebrities are a melting pot of actors, actresses, writers and a large selection of musicians.
Since musicians express their beliefs through their music, they are often among the most vocal with their opinions, and that has held true in this election. There have been benefits hosted for candidates like Clinton and Sanders where musicians have come to perform or show their support, endorsing the candidate. Here are some artists that have endorsed various candidates:
Bands and musicians who have endorsed candidates
Why I support...A lot of people think Bernie supporters are naive, but
Sanders isn’t a young guy. He’s been in politics for decades and he’s had the same goals and the same vision for this country throughout his entire career. When you compare him to the rest of the candidates, he’s the most consistent by far. (Donald Trump was pro-choice less than a year ago).
Consistency doesn’t guarantee that Sanders’ ideas will work. Yet, when I look at Bernie as a candidate, I see a civil servant infuriated by the havoc Wall Street has caused for the working class. I see someone who has envisioned a government that works for all Americans, not just the billionaire class and has been fighting for this vision since the 1960s. Call me crazy and naive, but I want to help him achieve that.
BERNIE SANDERS (D)
Rachel Rippetoe // sophomore
As someone who moderately identifies with the values of the Republican Party and has voted along party lines in the past, it is upsetting to see how the contenders have displayed themselves during the latest Republican presidential debates. For that reason, if I were asked to vote today I would choose Ohio Governor John Kasich, who has recently stood out among the rest of the candidates.
I will continue to follow both sides of the debate until it is time to cast my final vote, however at this point, in my opinion, Kasich has the most practical experience, a respectful demeanor in the public sphere necessary for national and international support, and the ability to work with Democrats to strive for bipartisan reform. Additionally, his election would result in the least amount of backlash against the Republican Party and its brand across the nation.
JOHN KASICH (R)
Mackenna Krohn // senior
No one should place much faith in any politician, and they certainly shouldn’t expect much change after electing them; our government works to limit change and check those in power. However, our country faces both unique challenges and opportunities that our government must confront in the coming years. With this in mind, I am unabashedly supporting Marco Rubio.
He is someone who can facilitate the right amount of change, appoint the best judges to federal courts, work to balance the relationship between the national and state governments and present a bright future for all Americans. Although he is not a “perfect” candidate, he has an inspiring story, a love for America and a chance to bridge the wide ideological gap in the Republican Party. Moreover, he is relatable, smart, pragmatic and committed to using our liberal American values to build on the prosperity that our country enjoys.
MARCO RUBIO (R)
William Gunnels // senior
Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate for the President of the United States.
She has a resume that most candidates only dream of: she was a precedent-breaking first lady, leading the charge to expand health insurance to low-income children and standing up to China’s human rights record — all before holding elected office.
As a Senator she helped to protect children from drug companies, and led the fight for equal pay. As Secretary of State, she secured a new arms reduction treaty with Russia and helped to bring Iran to the table to discuss what would become a landmark nuclear deal. Her established record of public service has taught her the difference between campaigning and governing, and she has the scars to show for it.
Young people propelled one of the most consequential presidents of a generation to office in 2008. Let’s do it again.
HILLARY CLINTON (D)
Jordan Paul // senior
Where does UP stand?
Donald Trump
Bernie Sanders
Marco Rubio
John Kasich
Ted Cruz
Ben Carson
Hillary Clinton
Jeb Bush
4%*
21%
3%
4%
2%10%
45%
11%
*This poll was conducted shortly before Jeb Bush announced that he was dropping out of the presidential race.
Bernie Sanders Hillary Clinton
Rand Paul
Donald Trump
Ben CarsonJeb Bush
BeyoncéKanye WestPharrell Cher50 CentKaty PerryChristina Aguilera Ja RuleEllie GouldingSnoop DoggMorrisseyLady Gaga Jennifer LopezIce-TElton John StingBarbra Streisand Tony BennettJon Bon Jovi Ricky MartinJanelle MonaeJames TaylorUsherwill.i.amStevie WonderQuincy Jones
Killer Mike (Run the Jewels)Lil BFoster the PeopleRed Hot Chili PeppersVampire WeekendJeff Tweedy (Wilco)Simon & GarfunkelChris Shifflet (Foo Fighters)Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth)Jon Fishman (Phish)Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr.)Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys)Maureen Herman (Babes in Toyland)Belinda Carlisle (Go-Go’s)Billy Gould (Faith No More)
Azealia BanksLoretta LynnTed Nugent
Jonathan Davis (Korn)Phil Labonte (All That Remains)
Toby Keith Kid Rock
OVER THE PAST WEEK, OVER 300 STUDENTS VOTED IN OUR ONLINE POLL SO WE COULD GAUGE THE POLITICAL CLIMATE OF CAMPUS.
Natasa Kvesic • THE BEACON
Rebekah Markillie • THE BEACON
62016 ELECTION T H E B E A C O N • F E B . 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 • U P B E A C O N . C O M
THE CANDIDATESWHO THEY ARE & WHERE THEY STAND
Ben Carson (R) >> Retired Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Bernie Sanders (D) >> Senator from VermontHometown: Brooklyn, New York
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Fun Fact: When he was mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in the 1980s, Sanders inspired beat poet Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Burlington Snow.”
Fun Fact: Carson found out as a child that his father was secretly married to anoth-er woman and had another family, an experience that he wrote about in his book.
Where he stands on:
Where he stands on:
• Higher Education Sanders is strongly supportive of affirmative action, and has famously said that he wants to make tuition free at public colleges and universities. In addition, he wants to cut student loan interest rates from 4.9 percent to 2.37 percent, prevent the federal government from profiting off of student loans and allow for the refinancing of loans at low interest rates — all of which would be paid for by taxing Wall Street speculators.
• The Economy According to CNN, he said, “We’re putting ($18 trillion) on the backs of people coming behind us … If you tried to pay that back at a rate of $10 million a day, it would take you over 5,000 years.” He would like to create a Constitutional amendment that requires a yearly balanced budget, but has yet to present much of a plan as to how that balance would be accomplished.
• The Economy Sanders strongly disagrees with the privatization of social security and lowering the corporate income tax rate, but strongly supports higher taxes on the wealthy.
• Higher Education If elected, Carson plans to turn the Department of Education into an investigative body that would ensure that no institution of higher education was perpetuating a political bias — at the risk of losing their federal aid.
• Foreign Policy Throughout his career, Sanders has shown a chronic distaste toward using military force, specifically saying that the U.S. should keep in mind the mistakes made in Iraq in order to avoid making them in the future. He advocates that the U.S. take part in creating an international coalition led by Muslim nations to combat ISIS.
• Foreign Policy In November, Carson received heat for struggling to name allies against ISIS, incorrectly asserting that China was intervening in Syria and pronouncing the name of the militant group Hamas more like the “hummus” that you’d put in your veggie wrap. This caused him to slip in the polls, lose donations and one of his advisers even called him out, telling the New York Times about their weekly calls to “make him smart.”
Marco Rubio (R) >> Senator from FloridaHometown: Miami, Florida Fun Fact: Rubio’s favorite movies are “Wedding Crashers,” “Pulp Fiction” and the “Godfather” trilogy. He’s also said he has Pitbull, Nicki Minaj, Coldplay and Eminem on his iPod. Where he stands on:•Higher Education As of Feb. 3, Rubio has not declared whether he supports affir-mative action or not. He does, however, want to reform the accreditation system and emphasize the option of vocational schools as an alternative to four-year colleges. • The Economy Rubio believes that lowering the corporate income tax rate helps create jobs, and is against the increase of federal taxes, the privatization of social security and higher taxes on the wealthy.• Foreign Policy Rubio believes that in order to defeat ISIS, the approach should be both physically aggressive and ideologically focused. In addition to putting American troops on the ground and expanding airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, on his campaign
website, Rubio said he would aim to empower rebels in Sunni nations to fight Assad and ISIS by providing training and weapons if necessary. “(Confronting ISIS) means establishing a coordinated political-military strategy against ISIS in tandem with Sunni Arab and local partners in the region.” • Syrian Refugees Although in September 2015 Rubio said he could be “open” to the possibility of allowing some Syrian refugees in the U.S., but according to his campaign website he’s now reversed his position. “… You can have 1,000 people come in, and 999 of them are just poor people fleeing oppression and violence, but one of them is an ISIS fighter.”
• The Environment Sanders is strongly against the Keystone XL pipeline, Arctic and offshore drilling, fracking and exports of liquefied natural gas and crude oil. He wants to invest in clean, sustainable energy, and cut carbon pollution by taxing it. Sanders has said, “Climate change is the greatest threat facing our planet. We must act boldly.”
Donald Trump (R) >> President of the Trump OrganizationHometown: Queens, New York, New York Fun Fact: In his 1997 book “The Art of the Comeback,” Trump admitted that he’s a germaphobe and hates shaking hands, referring to the act as “barbaric” in 1999.Where he stands on:• Higher Education Late last year on “Meet the Press,” Trump voiced his views on affirmative action: “…I’m fine with affirmative action. We’ve lived with it for a long time. And I lived with it for a long time. And I’ve have great relationships with lots of people.” Trump’s talk of education has otherwise been limited to talk of ending the Common Core and largely cutting funding to the Department of Education. • The Economy Trump supports the privatization of social security and higher taxes on the wealthy. He also wants to reform taxes into zero, 10, 20 and 25 percent brackets. • Foreign Policy Trump aims to drain ISIS of its wealth by taking control of the oil
fields they control in Iraq, which would involve putting several thousand ground troops in the country. Trump also says it’s time for the U.S. to stop supporting Saudi Arabia, who he says is the biggest funder of terrorism in the world. • Gun Control Trump has said that he would oppose any new gun control measure, and doesn’t believe that the U.S. should limit the sale of any kinds of firearms. During the sixth Republican debate, Trump said: “No. I am a 2nd amendment person. If we had guns in California on the other side where the bullets went in the different direction, you wouldn’t have 14 or 15 people dead right now.”
• Right to Bear Arms “The Second Amendment is a cornerstone of our Constitution,” Carson said, according to his campaign website. “Without the right to bear arms, Americans would be unable to stand against a tyrannical government or foreign invader. The right of Americans to own and maintain legal arms is paramount, and that right should in no way be violated.”
Amid the booming voices of news commentators and seemingly endless think pieces, knowing each candidate’s platform can be overwhelming. We’ve compiled a cheat sheet for the confused, curious or indecisive. The highlighted issues are relevant to the worries of today’s college students, and include a standout point from each candidate. R = Republican; D = Democrat. All photos are courtesy of the State Department and Gage Skidmore. Karen Garcia & Clare Duffy • THE BEACON Design by Rebekah Markillie • THE BEACON
72016 ELECTION T H E B E A C O N • F E B . 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 • U P B E A C O N . C O M
THE CANDIDATESWHO THEY ARE & WHERE THEY STAND
John Kasich (R) >> Governor of Ohio
Ted Cruz (R) >> Senator from Texas
Hillary Clinton (D) >> Former Secretary of StateHometown: Park Ridge, Illinois (outside of Chicago)
Hometown: McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
Hometown: Houston, Texas (but he was born in Calgary, Canada)
Fun Fact: She puts hot sauce on everything
Fun Fact: Kasich is good friends with Bono, the lead singer of U2.
Fun Fact: He was a founder of the Harvard Latino Law Review.
Where she stands on:
Where he stands on:
Where he stands on:
• The Economy “I want the middle class to mean something again…that is one of the greatest inventions of the United States,” Clinton told TheSkimm. She would like to see a revival of the middle class by raising incomes.
• Higher Education In his home state of Ohio, Kasich has frozen tuition and fees increases for the next two years while a state task force helps schools control their costs.
• The Economy Wants to see economic growth and more jobs by creating a flat tax for all Americans and reforming regulations that he says are killing small business, including “repealing every word of Obamacare, which is just the biggest job killer in this country.” During a Republican debate, Cruz proposed auditing the Federal Reserve and returning to the gold standard, saying, “(The Fed) should get out of the business of trying to juice our economy, and simply be focused on sound money and monetary stability, ideally tied to gold.”
• Education Clinton wants to make it possible for current student-loan holders to refinance, and believes in “income-contingent repayment” (paying back loans as a percentage of one’s income). She has proposed a plan, which is estimated to cost $350 billion over 10 years funded through a federal-state partnership, to reduce the cost of obtaining a degree at public colleges, provide grants to universities improving their graduation rate and restructure student loans.
• The Economy Aims to lower income and corporate taxes, achieving the latter by ending some corporate tax breaks. He’s proposed raising consumption taxes, has proposed a state tax on fracking and strongly supports the privatization of social security.
• Education Cruz believes that improving the economy will help to create more jobs and opportunities for Americans, especially those graduating from universities.
• Foreign Policy As Secretary of State, she worked to place tough sanctions on Iran, and she supports current Secretary of State John Kerry’s Iran Nuclear Deal. If elected
commander-in-chief, she plans to be tough on enforcing the deal’s stipulations. In opposition to ISIS, she does believe there is a threat to be confronted, but not by putting American troops on the ground.
• Foreign Policy Kasich is in favor of putting American boots on the ground along with taking part of an international coalition with nations in the Middle East and Europe. In addition to this, he told NBC News that he wants to create a new federal agency tasked with promoting Western Judeo-Christian values around the world.
“We need to beam messages around the world about what it means to have a Western ethic, to be a part of a Christian-Judeo society ...” he said.
• Foreign Policy Believes that “radical Islamic terrorists” have declared war on America and wants to be the commander-in-chief to help America fight back.
• Healthcare “I’m very proud of the Affordable Care Act and what it has accomplished ... but I think we have to do more,” Clinton told TheSkimm. She wants to better address the cost of healthcare and follow through on Obamacare’s promise to help those struggling with mental health issues.
Marco Rubio (R) >> Senator from FloridaHometown: Miami, Florida Fun Fact: Rubio’s favorite movies are “Wedding Crashers,” “Pulp Fiction” and the “Godfather” trilogy. He’s also said he has Pitbull, Nicki Minaj, Coldplay and Eminem on his iPod. Where he stands on:•Higher Education As of Feb. 3, Rubio has not declared whether he supports affir-mative action or not. He does, however, want to reform the accreditation system and emphasize the option of vocational schools as an alternative to four-year colleges. • The Economy Rubio believes that lowering the corporate income tax rate helps create jobs, and is against the increase of federal taxes, the privatization of social security and higher taxes on the wealthy.• Foreign Policy Rubio believes that in order to defeat ISIS, the approach should be both physically aggressive and ideologically focused. In addition to putting American troops on the ground and expanding airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, on his campaign
website, Rubio said he would aim to empower rebels in Sunni nations to fight Assad and ISIS by providing training and weapons if necessary. “(Confronting ISIS) means establishing a coordinated political-military strategy against ISIS in tandem with Sunni Arab and local partners in the region.” • Syrian Refugees Although in September 2015 Rubio said he could be “open” to the possibility of allowing some Syrian refugees in the U.S., but according to his campaign website he’s now reversed his position. “… You can have 1,000 people come in, and 999 of them are just poor people fleeing oppression and violence, but one of them is an ISIS fighter.”
• Healthcare Kasich wants all healthcare regulation to be done by states, and wants to repeal Obamacare — though he did vote to expand Medicaid in Ohio. “I did expand Medicaid because I was able to bring Ohio money back home to treat the mentally ill, the drug addicted and help the working poor get health care,” he said.
Donald Trump (R) >> President of the Trump OrganizationHometown: Queens, New York, New York Fun Fact: In his 1997 book “The Art of the Comeback,” Trump admitted that he’s a germaphobe and hates shaking hands, referring to the act as “barbaric” in 1999.Where he stands on:• Higher Education Late last year on “Meet the Press,” Trump voiced his views on affirmative action: “…I’m fine with affirmative action. We’ve lived with it for a long time. And I lived with it for a long time. And I’ve have great relationships with lots of people.” Trump’s talk of education has otherwise been limited to talk of ending the Common Core and largely cutting funding to the Department of Education. • The Economy Trump supports the privatization of social security and higher taxes on the wealthy. He also wants to reform taxes into zero, 10, 20 and 25 percent brackets. • Foreign Policy Trump aims to drain ISIS of its wealth by taking control of the oil
fields they control in Iraq, which would involve putting several thousand ground troops in the country. Trump also says it’s time for the U.S. to stop supporting Saudi Arabia, who he says is the biggest funder of terrorism in the world. • Gun Control Trump has said that he would oppose any new gun control measure, and doesn’t believe that the U.S. should limit the sale of any kinds of firearms. During the sixth Republican debate, Trump said: “No. I am a 2nd amendment person. If we had guns in California on the other side where the bullets went in the different direction, you wouldn’t have 14 or 15 people dead right now.”
• The Environment Cruz does not believe that global warming is supported by data, according to CNN. “The last 15 years, there has been no recorded warming,” Cruz told CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash. “Contrary to all the theories that — that they are expounding, there should have been warming over the last 15 years. It hasn’t happened.”
Amid the booming voices of news commentators and seemingly endless think pieces, knowing each candidate’s platform can be overwhelming. We’ve compiled a cheat sheet for the confused, curious or indecisive. The highlighted issues are relevant to the worries of today’s college students, and include a standout point from each candidate. R = Republican; D = Democrat. All photos are courtesy of the State Department and Gage Skidmore.
Very important voter information
Candidates try to capture the youth voteA sports drink with a cozy
emblazoned with the words “More like Chillary Clinton amirite?” makes a shaky appearance before transitioning to an up-close shot of Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“I’m chilling in Cedar Rapids,” the presidential hopeful says, smiling into the camera.
This is one of Clinton’s snaps on the social media app Snapchat. That kind attempt to win over young voters is either met with cheers of “yaaasss, queen” but is more likely dismissed with an eyeroll.
“I’ve heard kind of that some people think that Hillary’s kind of acting a little, like trying to be cool for the kids,” freshman and first-time voter Tayler Bradley said.
Young democratic voters continually turn out in droves for Clinton’s democratic rival, and most liberal presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Sanders captured 82 percent of the vote among those aged 17-29 in the Nevada Caucus according to exit polls by NBC. Meanwhile former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the clear majority of voters over 45.
Democratic candidates aren’t the only ones trying to convince young voters via
social media.Republican candidate Sen.
Ted Cruz also tried to harness the power of Snapchat, setting up a geofilter of a duck with a swooshy hairdo.
“Where’s ducking Donald?” the filter asked, making a dig at fellow Republican candidate Donald Trump for not showing up to the debate a few days earlier.
Cruz barely beat out Sen. Marco Rubio and Donald Trump for the youth vote, according to CNN.
Yet for all their campaigning, 51 percent of Millennials identify with, or lean toward the Democratic Party according to a study by Pew Research Center.
So there must be something more than just fun 10 second videos or 140 character tweets that are getting young voters involved.
Political science professor Gary Malecha said young people are worried about the economy, particularly as it relates to their futures.
“A lot of young people believe the government’s been corrupted, politics have been corrupted by too much money in the political process,” Malecha said “I certainly think that the message that Sen. Sanders provides to voters that there’s too much money and there’s too much influence being played by certain groups — maybe Wall Street — has
resonated with young people.”In order for young people to
feel like they have a chance in such a competitive economy, more and more of them seek out higher education.
And Sanders’ plan to make public colleges and universities free sounds like a great deal to college aged-voters already drowning in student loan debt.
Clinton has rolled out a similar plan, which promises that students attending public universities won’t have to borrow to finance their education.
“I certainly think that (students) need to be careful in terms of their interpretation with regards to these plans, in terms of the economic viability,” Malecha said. “I think they need to give them careful examination, in terms of what their overall effect would be.”
Though it may be fun to get caught up in who Lena Dunham is designing sweaters for or which candidate “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson thinks can kill and serve up a duck for gumbo, Malecha encourages young people to get out and vote.
“A lot of students find that government isn’t going to be responsive or believe that government’s not going to be responsive to their interests,” Malecha said “But that really generates a problem because if you don’t vote, then politicians
don’t listen to people who (don’t) vote. That’s why I always encourage people to get involved in the political process, to make sure that their
voices are heard, and make sure that they’re listened to.”
On Nov. 8, a total of 469 seats — 435 in the House and 34 in the Senate — are up for election. With the recent death of Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate elections this year are especially important: at least 60 votes are required to confirm a new Supreme Court Justice. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the Republican-controlled Senate will deny any nominee chosen by President Obama, meaning that confirmation will be left up to the newly elected Senate in 2017.
You must be at least 17 years old, but you can’t vote until you’re 18 years old. And you must be an Oregon resident. Register in person at a your local county elections office or online at My Voter Portal with either a current Oregon driver’s license or non-driver ID or register by mail.
Washington Oregon California
Lydia Laythe • THE BEACON
Senate: Patty Murray ((D), incumbent), Chris Vance (R)
Senate: Kevin Stine (D), Ron Wyden ((D), incumbent), Mark Callahan (R), Dan Laschober (R), Faye Stewart (R)
Senate: Kamala Harris (D), Loretta Sanchez (D), Tom Del Beccaro (R), Duf Sundheim (R)
Opinion 9F E B . 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 • U P B E A C O N . C O M
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Amid rallies, debates, ads and polls, it’s clear that campaign season is well under way. Some people love the buzz of political jargon and thrive on passionate debate. Some people cringe when they see a campaign ad and run away from any discussion of politics.
And while we would never encourage someone to run away from a constructive discussion of important topics, we understand their aversion to the current political climate.
Politics sometimes seems inherently divisive. Social issues seem to split most people into two camps, waging war at the earliest signs of debate. But politics and social issues don’t have to be divisive and vitriolic: We control how we communicate and how we (as individuals and as a country) problem-solve.
The cliche “survival of the fittest” does not apply to human beings, despite its misuse in debates about welfare or in support of capitalist individualism. We’ve never survived based on our individual fitness. We’ve survived based on our communal ability to collaborate.
This rule applies to our individual lives as well as the larger political sphere in the United States.
Our nation cannot survive without collaboration. We need to work together, but we’re continually divided. And that needs to stop.
According to Pew Research Center U.S. Politics and Policy,
the political ideologies of our nation are shifting and growing significantly more polarized over time. Polarization is happening on both sides. People on both sides of the political spectrum say that the “optimal political outcome” would be one in which their side gets more of what they want. But more people on the left prefer a leader that can compromise, whereas people on the right prefer a leader that holds firmly to their positions.
When Barack Obama took office in 2012, rumors surfaced — and were confirmed — that several Republican senators made a pact to oppose anything Obama tried to pass during his
presidency. Republican Senator George Voinovich is quoted saying, “If (Obama) was for it, we had to be against it.”
Partisan antipathy makes our decision-makers less effective and problem-solving more difficult than it already is.
The negative feelings engendered within this partisan context are actually more detrimental to our political processes than the deeply divided ideological differences according to Marc J. Hetherington, political science professor at Vanderbilt University. A disagreement on a political issue is easier to mediate than a disagreement
The energy I felt on The Bluff during Junior Parent’s Weekend was one that brought back memories of that sticky-
hot move-in day freshman year. But unlike that frantic mess of emotions I felt three years ago (has it really been that long?), I wasn’t nervous this time. I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t questioning whether or not this Portland thing was going to work out. That’s because hindsight told me it had worked out, and that I’d picked the perfect place to spend my undergraduate years.
I could easily name a hundred reasons why this is true, but I think the root of the reasons can be summed up in one word: caring. I think about life at a larger state school and how great it might be to rush a sorority, tailgate a huge football game and have my pick of 12 food courts.
But I can guarantee that they aren’t personally greeted by the administration who knows them by name. And I’m willing to bet that they don’t get to eat lunch or have a beer with their professors and pastoral residents.
I know I picked the right college to call home because there are so many people who genuinely care about students here. I feel supported by every person I have ever met on campus: the housekeepers in the dorms, Public Safety officers, Bon Appetit employees, librarians, nurses, advisers, the woman who cooked meals for me in the Salzburg center. I could go on.
This weekend was magical. Most of all, though, it made me realize that juniors have a year left here, and that’s entirely too short. Thank you to everyone who made JPW possible, and to everyone who cares, because you all make The Bluff a wonderful place to call home.
Cheyenne is a reporter at The Beacon. She can be reached at [email protected].
Sometimes I feel like other people think or expect me to have a life that is organized, based on my workload, my extrac-urricular activities
and my social life. This can be flattering, but it’s definitely not true. If people comment on how I seem on top of things in class, I say thank you, but they don’t know that I work incredibly long, stressful hours, panicking about getting anything lower than an A-.
If people comment on my makeup or my Instagram pictures, I say thank you, but they don’t know that makeup is sometimes a security blanket for my body-image issues. If people comment on my body or how great it is that I work out a lot, I say thank you, but they don’t know that I work out to try to help alleviate my depression, which stems largely from hating my body after years of sports injuries, illness and other persistent medical conditions.
For most of my life, especially in high school and my first year of college, I worked hard to portray the image of the girl who had her life together. In high school, I pushed myself to excel in difficult advanced classes, did both club and school sports, held several leadership positions and tried to maintain a diverse friend group. I aspired to this sort of “golden child” image, trying to be pleasant, proactive and never cause trouble for my friends or the adults in my life.
Growing up in the Bay Area didn’t help this, because there is definitely this underlying, incredible pressure to be a star student, attend an amazing college, and have a successful professional life by your early
Survival of the collaborative
How I know I picked the right
school
Cheyenne SchoenJunior
Let’s Talk: Nobody’s
perfect
Mara MidiereJunior
See Perfect page 10See Editorial page 10
It’s time we stopped reward-ing the politicians who seek the most media attention or who say the most provocative thing. Instead, let’s reward the politicians with the ability to unite people, to communicate inclusively and to collaborate effectively to create change.
“
Nathan DeVaughn• THE BEACON
FACES ON THE BLUFFWhich candidate are you going to vote for?
“Bernie Sanders because campaign finance reform, baby.”
“If I had to, probably Bernie.” “Probably Bernie.” “Not Donald Trump.” “Bernie Sanders. I think he is actually very in-tune with what’s best for the future of the country rather than just
the political climate.”
Dominik Mackinnon Danny Martinez Haley Finnley Kaitlyn Yap Mia DavisJunior Nursing Major Senior Communications Major Sophomore Biology Major Freshman Nursing and Spanish Major Sophomore Organizational Communications Major
Kristen Garcia • THE BEACON
10OPINION T H E B E A C O N • F E B . 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 • U P B E A C O N . C O M
20s. This aspiration caused major stress when things weren’t going well for me in school, in sports or with my family and friends, and I repressed feelings that were sure signs of depression for years because of the image I wanted to maintain.
Coming to UP changed everything for me. Freshman year was rough, because being away from home made me realize I had to confront all of my issues. The combination of
school stress, having to make new friends and finding my place in this totally unfamiliar area was too much, and at the end of the year I cracked. I realized finally that I was struggling with depression; I wasn’t OK, and I needed help.
Once I finally admitted I wasn’t OK, I got lots of help from my family and friends. I met with (and still meet) with a counselor at UP, and have felt welcomed by Active Minds. I still struggle with inadequacy and body-image issues, but I
am making progress. I have finally learned that I don’t need to have everything together.
Though I’m not a huge fan, I think Hannah Montana makes a great point: “Nobody’s perfect. I gotta work it.” Let’s remember that perfectionism is not the goal, and that it is OK to not be OK.
Mara Midiere is a sophomore organizational communications major and can be reached at [email protected].
Continued from page 9
Perfect: Admitting weakness allows assistance
rooted in the dislike of an individual.
Not only are partisan politics counter-productive, but bipartisan politics (and diversity of opinion in general) fosters more informed individuals and more thoughtful decisions.
A group of professors of management from across the country studied how political beliefs and attitudes toward opposing political beliefs influenced students’ communication styles. The study found that when students thought they were going to work with people who had similar political beliefs to themselves, they processed information less effectively
than when they were told they would be working with someone with an opposing political viewpoint.
Ultimately, the authors asserted that disagreement from a socially different person prompted others to work harder and prepare more thoroughly, that diversity of opinion encourages cognitive action more than homogeneity can.
And while some candidates seem like polar opposites: such as Bernie Sanders, critiqued as a flaming-liberal socialist, and Donald Trump, called a hot-headed right-wing conservative, there are examples of successful bipartisanship.
The U.S. political newspaper The Hill conducted a survey of
the current Senate members on how their colleagues stood on bipartisanship. Survey respondents identified several sets of bipartisan besties: Ted Kennedy (D) and Orrin Hatch (R), Roger Wicker (R) and Ben Cardin (D), George Voinovich (R) and Tom Carper (D), and Sam Brownback (R) and Paul Wellstone (D).
Even within our Supreme Court, the late Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg were known for being friends from opposite ends of the political spectrum. Despite his extreme political views, Scalia was an enlightening member of the Supreme court. He and Ginsburg serve as an example of what it means to stand for mutual respect — and that’s
precisely where bipartisanship must begin.
So there are certainly some politicians willing to reach across the aisle to collaboratively solve our nation’s massive problems. But partisan politicians have no place in our nation’s decision-making process.
Partisan politics and political extremes can be tempting, because they often incite the greatest passion. They make for great Saturday Night Live skits and sensational voter rallies. But they also result in political stagnation, and they tend to exclude and foster animosity and apathy. The energy some politicians spend demonizing the opposing political party could be better used in actually solving some of our nation’s
problems. As we consider the 2016
presidential candidates, it’s important to consider the attitudes each person holds toward bipartisanship, who wastes time and energy dividing the nation and who bridges the gap between the left and the right. An effective leader will unite a country, not divide it.
It’s time we stopped rewarding the politicians who seek the most media attention or who say the most provocative thing. Instead, let’s reward the politicians with the ability to unite people, to communicate inclusively and to collaborate effectively to create change.
Continued from page 9
Editorial: Effective leadership is collaborative, not divisive
Mental health resources:UP Health and Counseling Center:
11SPORTS T H E B E A C O N • F E B . 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 • U P B E A C O N . C O M
It’s that time of year again, folks.
The regular season is winding down and college basketball fans begin wishing they could
add “Bracketology” as a science credit class. The excitement is growing for college basketball fans as the start date for the NCAA tournament draws nearer.
The Madness will begin March 15.
If the way the regular season has unraveled is any indication of how the “Big Dance” will play out, expect there to be a lot of surprises.
We have witnessed one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory. It has thrown twists, turns and curveballs that almost no one saw coming.
Duke fell out of the AP Top 25 for the first time in eight years earlier this season. Just last Wednesday, three of the top five teams in the nation lost their games. The next night, No. 6 Maryland was toppled by a Minnesota Golden Gophers squad that hadn’t won a game
since December.Both tournament regulars
and mid-major hopefuls will continue jostling for position until the field of 68 is officially announced on March 13th.
The two heavyweights atop the West Coast Conference this season will follow suit: Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga.
Both teams have had good seasons, but only one will likely hear their name called on Selection Sunday.
Saint Mary’s has the upper-edge.
Sitting at No. 1 in the WCC, the Gaels boast a better RPI rank and record. They swept the Zags in conference play, 2-0. The Gaels should be secure as a top seven seed.
The Bulldogs are in a tie for the fourth longest active streak of NCAA tournament berths at 17 straight years and it may come to an end next month.
If they can at least make the WCC championship game (history says their odds are pretty good), they may be able to squeeze in the field as a
lower seed.History has proven that you
cannot count out wildcards BYU and Pepperdine. There is always a chance, however unlikely, they could sneak their way in.
But one of the greatest challenges in predicting a favorite this year is that there is no clear No. 1 seed.
Six different teams have held the top spot in 2015-16.
“Everybody has a lot to prove because no one has it figured out,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said. “No one has established themselves as a No. 1 or 2 seed.”
Regardless of the constant shifting at the top, one team stands out to me: North Carolina.
The Tar Heels boast one of the most balanced offenses in the country. Guards Joel Berry III and Marcus Paige are an undersized, but potent backcourt. They combine for nearly 25 points and eight assists per contest, solidifying the Heels as the ACC’s top team.
But the X-factor for their deep run will be forward Brice Johnson.
Johnson has the ability to drastically impact the game on both sides of the floor. His incredible length and athleticism in the paint
anchors UNC’s defense and rebounding. He has also shown the ability to put up monster numbers (poured in 39 points and snagged 23 rebounds against Florida State on Feb. 17). If Johnson plays well and stays healthy, the Heels have a shot of making it to Houston, Texas for the Final Four.
UNC is guaranteed to make the tournament, but there are a number of teams clawing for a spot.
The most fiercely debated of these “bubble teams” is Louisiana State University.
The Tigers will have to settle with an NIT berth if they don’t win the SEC tournament for the automatic bid.
It’s a bizarre thought that they would not make an appearance, considering the Tigers have the likely No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, freshman superstar Ben Simmons.
They missed a golden opportunity to beat then No. 1 Oklahoma on their home turf in January. Their win against previously ranked Texas A&M is insignificant considering how poor the Aggies have played in
February.Although they are in second
place in the SEC, they don’t have enough quality wins to garner serious consideration for the tournament field. Their best victory was against No. 14 Kentucky.
Coincidentally, their best chance to go dancing is to beat the Wildcats again in the season’s finale. The Tigers breezed to a double victory over them in Baton Rouge in January, but it will be tougher in front of Big Blue Nation. Not to mention, Kentucky is not the same team they were a month ago.
They’re one of the hottest teams in America right now.
But that can change at any moment.
If this year has told us anything, it’s that college basketball is unpredictable. A lot can change in the last few games of a season. We can’t read the minds of the selection committee. We’re left guessing the teams and seedings until they are officially announced.
That’s just how we like it when post-season comes around though, isn’t it?
Let the madness begin.
Benjamin ArthurSports Reporter
Commentary: Frenzy in college hoops as March Madness approaches
Regardless of the constant shifting at the top, one team stands out to me: North Carolina.
“Everybody has a lot to prove because no one has it figured out. No one has established themselves as a No. 1 or 2 seed.
12F E B . 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 • U P B E A C O N . C O MSports Malika Andrews Sports [email protected] All new episode of Arthur and Andrews airs on Sunday.
Check it out at www.upbeacon.com
Joe Etzel Field will light up campus on Friday night, hosting the baseball home opener. The game will be the first ever night game under the newly lit field. The Pilots will take on Oakland University at 6 p.m.
The Pilots are the only baseball team playing in the Portland metropolitan area in the spring. Athletic Director Scott Leykam sees this as a great marketing opportunity for UP Athletics.
“Our evening games across all sports are better attended than those in the afternoon, so similar to the addition of lights at Merlo Field, we are optimistic that evening contests will be a welcome addition to campus life,” Leykam said in an email.
Friday’s game also marks the first of four baseball games that Comcast Sportsnet Northwest (CSNNW) will be airing this
season. UP’s in-house video department, Portland Sports Network, will handle all production elements.
Newly appointed head coach Geoff Loomis also said that the addition of night games allows players to miss fewer classes. Loomis, a Portland alumnus, has led the Pilots to a 3-1 record in their first series of the season over UC Davis last weekend.
“We’re off to a good start and that is due to many factors, but ultimately it’s about the players on the team,” Loomis said in an email. “They have prepared very hard to find success this year.”
Coming off a disappointing 12-42 record in the 2015 season and a last-place finish in the 2016 WCC Preseason Coaches Poll, a strong opening series over UC Davis shows early-season hope of a winning season.
The Pilots are home through the first week of March and take on Oakland Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in a double header.
By Katie DunnT H E B E A C O N
Kristen Garcia • THE BEACON
ORIGINAL POS.
OAKLAND GRIZZLIES AT PORTLAND PILOTSJOE ETZEL FIELD / PORTLAND, OR / FEB. 26, 2016
#
HEAD COACH
New Friday night lights
Graph i c by Hannah Baade
Contact Editor-in-Chief Katie Dunn at [email protected]. Twitter: @Katie_dunn24
Eric Sapp (center) and teammates
huddle up during a game. The baseball
team opens non-conference play at
home tomorrow.
David DiLoreto • THE BEACON
We are optimistic that evening contests will be a welcome addition to campus life.
“Scott LeykamAthletic Director
The team comes in for a huddle after practice on Wednesday night.
