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03 VOL. 076
11.6.13
DISCOVER US ONLINE
AIN’T AFRAID OF NO GHOSTS
1 // I NDY // 11.6.13 During the final match of the regular season on Oct. 23 2013, the Penguins’ B e r n a r d i n o Aya l a - J i m e n e z s c o r e d t h r e e go a l s i n a 5 - 0 vi c t o r y ove r S out hwe st e rn O rego n C o m mu n it y C ol lege. T he me n ’ s s o c c e r t e a m move s o n t o t h e N WA A C C p l a y o f f s w i t h a n 1 1 - 1 r e c o r d . ( B r a d l e y Yo r k // T h e I n d e p e n d e n t )
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INDY LENS
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Indy Staf f Editor-in-Chief: Aleksi Lepisto e ditorinchief@ students.clark.e du Managing Editor: Sophia Coleman managinge ditor@ students.clark.e du C op y E d it o r : E va n Jo n e s c opye dit o r @ st ude nt s . c l a rk . e du V i s u a l s E d i t o r : B r a d l e y Yo r k visualse ditor@ students.clark.e du Multimedia Editor: Killian Bailey multime diae ditor@ students.clark.e du Business Manager: Debbie Peters businessmanager@ students.clark.e du Adve r t i s i n g M a na ge r : D a rri k B u rn s adve r t i s i n g ma na ge r @ st ude nt s . c l a rk . e du News Editor: Rob ert Berman newse ditor@ students.clark.e du @IndyCCnews C a mp u s E d it o r : R ya n R ut l e d ge campuse ditor@ students.clark.e du @IndyCCcampus S p o r t s E d i t o r : Tyler Urke sp ortse ditor@ students.clark.e du @IndyCCsports Arts & Life Editor: Stephanie LaRue artse ditor@ students.clark.e du @IndyCCarts
Cl a rk C ol lege do e s not dis c rim inate o n the b a sis of rac e, c olor, nat ional o rig in , sex, disability, a ge, relig ion, s ex u al orie nt at ion , ge nde r ide ntity, gende r exp re s s ion, p ol it ic al af f i l i at ion , cre e d, dis c ha rge d vete ra n status, ma rit al st at u s , hono rably disc ha rge d vete ra n o r Vie nt am - e ra vet e ran status in its p rog ra m s a nd ac tivit ie s .
LET T ERS T O T HE E DI TOR
Let t e rs s hou ld b e no lo n ge r tha n 25 0 wo rds , s ig ne d, a nd i nc lude a c ont ac t pho ne numb e r a nd e ma il addre s s . L et t e rs s hould b e s ent to theindep e nde nt@ stude nt s .c l ark .e du . L ette rs a nd e dito ria ls re c eive d b e c ome t he prop e r t y of The Indep e nde nt a nd a re subj e c t t o e dit i n g.
EDI T ORIA L POLIC Y
T he I ndep e nde nt s erve s the public by p res entin g ti mely and fac t u al i n fo rmatio n to re ade rs; it p rovides a fo r u m for pu bl ic exp re s s io n ; a nd it is a le a rn in g lab. 1 9 3 3 F o r t V a n c o u v e r W a y - V a n c o u v e r , WA 9 8 6 6 3 PHONE: WEB:
360-992-2412
clarkcollegeindependent.com
TWITTER:
@IndependentCC
COVER Aleksi Lepisto
Adam Peebles St a f f Rep o r t e r
Students struggling to pay for food may find financial assistance with food and more through the Washington State Basic Food and Education Training program. BE F&T provides students who qualify with job search training, basic skills and English as a Second Language training, financial help with food, tuition and other fees. The program also offers assistance with services such as childcare, transportation, housing and even clothing. Students are eligible if they are pursuing a vocational nontransfer degree, not already receiving food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Students also must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours to qualify. There are approximately 230 students enrolled in the program, said Armetta Burney, associate director of Financial Aid for Eligibility Programs. Since the program began in 2005, more than 40,000 people have used its services, according to the BF E&T website basicfoodet.org. The program has provided more than $33 million to local nonprofit organizations, technical and community colleges for Basic Food recipients. For more information, contact Armetta Burney at aburney@ clark.edu or 360-992-2321. Contact Adam Peebles a.p e ebles@ students.clark.e du adve r t i s e me nt
The I ndep e nde nt i s the officia l student public atio n of C l ark C ol lege. I t i s publis he d durin g Fa ll, W inte r a nd Spri n g q u ar t e rs fo r Cla rk’s app roximately 23,0 0 0 stude nt s i n addit ion to sta ff, faculty a nd the lo ca l c o m mu n it y. Re sp onsibilitie s fo r establis h in g news and de cidi n g i s sue s rel ate d to c o nte nt rest solely with t he stude nt st af f.
CLARK OFFERS FOOD ASSISTANCE
S how Ti me :
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The at e r Se ason O p e ns With “Curse of t he St ar ving Clas s ” Derek Neiman and Nicholas Detering play father and son, Weston and Wesley Tate in the upcoming production of “Curse of the Starving Class.” (Stephanie LaRue/The Independent)
ID and alumni with membership, $11 for senior citizens and $13 for general admission. The play has eight showings and runs until Nov. 23.
Stephanie LaRue Arts Editor
Alcoholism, chaos and sensibility collide in the upcoming production at Decker Theatre this week. Clark stage manager Mark Owsley directs Sam Shepard’s Obie Awardwinning play “Curse of the Starving
Class,” a dark comedy portraying the eccentric Tate family as they fight to maintain control of their farm during economic turmoil. The play opens on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Decker Theatre in Frost Arts Center 115. Tickets are on sale now at the bookstore, by phone, online and at the door for $9 for students with
Show dates: Nov. 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. with an additional matinee on Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. Buy tickets by phone at 360-9922815 or online at http://www. clarkbookstore.com/site_theatre.asp
Contact Stephanie LaRue artse ditor@ students.clark.e du @IndyCCarts
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, In a recent article of “The Indy,” an issue was raised about the programming of theater productions under the leadership of Dr. Gene Biby. The blame (or credit, depending on one’s point of view, since there has been a considerable increase in student participation in these programs since his arrival) might be addressed to Gene’s tenure committee, whose role includes rigorous and ongoing evaluation of Gene’s coordination of the Clark theater program. Gene has done an amazing job of engaging the student audience
and recruiting and training student performers. He has been producing plays (which have received awards in the national theater circuit) that address the real-world issues faced by students today, and has brought a new audience to Decker Theatre. Gene’s tenure committee wholeheartedly supports the statement on the postcard that was mailed out to advertise this year’s theater season: “Clark Theatre embraces its role as part of an educational institution that is strongly committed to diversity. Our script selections reflect our mission to educate students and to initiate dialog
about important topics. As a result, they may include violence, strong language, or overt sexuality that some audience members may find provocative. If you have questions about our production, we encourage you to research the play in advance or to contact our box office staff.” We are very proud of the job that Gene Biby has done at Clark College. Sincerely, Carson Legree Miles Jackson Sally Tomlinson Julian Nelson Rich Inouye
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FOOD CARTS HAVING MIXED RESULTS ON CAMPUS the quarter, but has yet accommodate a large number of carts,” to officially begin serving he said. “We also would have to carefully customers. The food cart is look at the costs of bringing utilities to on campus unoccupied. various locations.” Vice President of Administrative Services C o nt act R ya n R ut le dge Bob Williamson said ca mpu se dit o r @ st ude nts . c lark . e du the college is waiting to @ I ndy C C ca mpu s gauge the success of the food carts before making decisions for the future. It is still unclear if covered seating will be added near the carts to protect The Mighty Bowl on campus was customers from the robbed sometime between 4:45 p.m. Oct. weather this winter. 23 and 7 a.m. Oct. 24. “I think we’re still Employees of the food cart left for the waiting to see how night and when they returned Thursday, successful and popular the food carts are going to be,” $1,500, an iPad which serves as the cart’s Williamson said. cash register and a small amount of food The college is not tracking food sales were missing, said assistant manager or data related to how many customers Brent Gilbert. are served by the carts. Data for Aside from the stolen money and previous years from the cafeteria is also goods, nothing in the truck was damaged, unavailable. The cafeteria halted food according to Gilbert. service to customers last year as part of a Gilbert said his excitement to serve program overhaul. Clark was not damaged. “Ninety-nine Currently, the nearby International percent of people in the world are rad. The Air and Hospitality Academy is renting rest are not so much, but that’s okay.” the kitchen for $7,940 per year, due to an overflow of students. Some colleges, like Portland State University, have access to a variety of food options based on their proximity to food cart pods, a collection of carts. Administrators are erring on the side of caution. Williamson said that while it’s possible to introduce more food options, “We need to give it some time before we can determine Top left: Dakota Butler, a mighty bowl employee serves the cart’s Arnada whether we’re ready smoothie, a mixture of mango, pineapple and orange Juice, blended with to grow it.” rice milk. Bottom right: Don Batchelor, co-owner of Chewy’s Really Big “The College Burritos is regularly found serving customers with his wife Heidi. has limited space to (Bradley York/The Independent)
FOOD CART BREAK-IN
R ya n R ut l e d ge Ca mpu s Editor
It’s been more than 40 days since food carts officially began serving on campus this quarter and sales have been steady, according to Heidi Batchelor, coowner of Chewy’s Really Big Burritos. About 150 students visit Chewy’s each day, Batchelor said. In an effort to increase business, Chewy’s introduced a punch card, which rewards customers with a free item after 10 purchases. Chewy’s also has a promotion by giving a free meal away each day. “For example, on Oct. 3 the third customer was free,” Batchelor said. The Mighty Bowl serves an average of 75 students per day, according to coowner Steve Valenta. The Mighty Bowl is extending its hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “We couldn’t see ourselves not extending our hours,” Valenta said. Even though he was expecting more students, he said they are still having a great time. The Mighty Bowl was burgled Oct. 23. Despite this, they are still excited about being at Clark, said assistant manager Brent Gilbert. “We’re still in high spirits,” he said. Foody Blues, a BBQ vendor, was also expected to be on campus to start
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Indy Jokes ‘n’ Such...
adve r t i s e me nt
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Bre ak O n T h rou gh To The Ot he r S ide Anthrop ologist, Arche ologist, Ghost Hunter. Clark Instructor Do es It All B ri Scharmann Staf f Rep or t er
the other side in newspapers.” Despite the spooky skepticism, there’s a technique behind it. Davis favors a technological approach, relying on equipment like a camera, notepad, thermometer, electromagnetic field meter and audio recorder. Measuring fluctuations in the room temperature
and see if there was anything there that you didn’t detect originally,” he said. “You can get some odd things.”
Students can learn a lot about instructor Jeff Davis on Rate My Wh o Yo u G o n n a C a l l ? Professors, but they might not find his other field of study. Autumn is a busy time for He’s a ghost hunter. Davis with the commercial hype Davis teaches archeology of Halloween. The allegedly and cultural anthropology at haunted basement of KATU’s “AM Clark. He is the adviser for the Northwest” is the site of his next Archeology and History Club and ghostly investigation. has an archeology degree from When Davis ventures down to The University of Sheffield in the basement the next morning, England. He also worked as an he’s accompanied by psychic archeologist for the U.S. Forest Deborah Romero and the KATU Service at Mt. Hood National film crew. He gets to work setting Forest and Boise National Forest. up his audio equipment. Archeology, anthropology and Before he’s done, Romero the supernatural may appear to perceives a presence. While be realms apart, but he finds a there is no apparition of a ghost, connection. Romero says this spirit worked in “Let’s face it, a lot of what the basement when it was a drywe know as science today, in the cleaning shop. 1700s would have been considered “Right away I feel a woman, paranormal,” Davis said. “Normal she says this used to be a cleaners is what you’re used to. Paranormal and she was a seamstress here,” is what you’re not.” Romero said. “I felt lots of grief, Exploring the divide between lots of sadness coming from her. the normal and paranormal And she said her name was Millie.” started at a young age for Davis pulls out his recorder. Davis, who said he “haunted the “Millie, can you make any noise? paranormal section” of his local Can you tell us anything? If this is bookstore for new releases when you, can you tap on the speaker?” “There’s more out there than we can see with the he was a child. Davis plays the recording back. His naked eye,” said ghost hunter and adjunct instructor Davis has even written 10 questions reverberate through the Jeff Davis. Davis teaches Cultural Anthropology and books about the supernatural silent room again, only this time, Archeology classes at Clark. himself. Davis is answered by a persistent (Aleksi Lepisto/The Independent) The influx of reality TV thumping on the speaker. sensationalizing haunted investigations and electromagnetic activity can Sometimes the equipment picks up makes ghost hunting more in vogue. indicate a paranormal presence. He radio signals which Davis says can be Box office hits like “Paranormal also uses the voice recorder to find misinterpreted as paranormal activity. Activity” perpetuate misconceptions electronic voice phenomena, which are It’s up to Davis to discern human about ghost hunting. “Some of them sounds from electronic signals, like interference from spirit transmission. and their approaches are over the top.” radio, that can sound like speech. “When you do these things, music Davis said. “Most of the time you don’t “During the investigation you bring doesn’t come on in the background to get anything. If it were that easy to in an audio recorder of some kind with warn you, dun-dun-dun-dun. It just communicate to the other side, there you and then you listen on playback happens.” would be columns and messages from
1 1 . 6 . 1 3 // I NDY // 8 For this investigation, Davis needs more analysis to determine if there are ghosts present, regardless of the audio and psychic evidence. “Not every place I have visited that’s supposed to be haunted, do I believe is haunted,” Davis said. “While I believe most people that come to me with ghost stories are sincere, there are always plausible explanations that might fit.”
hosting ghosts. Haunted encounters don’t necessarily happen in ominous places during a lightning storm. “You can do it in the daytime,” Davis said. “If ghosts do exist, they are an extension of onceliving beings. These ghosts should be around when people are most active themselves. But what happens is we just don’t perceive the activity.” The Hidden House is one of Vancouver’s better known haunts. It
merit in the supernatural. “[Everyone has] to take something to it, and really define what they want out of it,” Davis said. “There’s more out there than what we can see with the naked eye.”
C o nt act B ri S cha rma nn b. scha rma nn@ st ude nt s. cl ark . e du
Electronics and probability cards make up the usual ghost hunting kit for Davis. Some of this can be purchased at local retailers without paying higher markups for specialty ghost hunting equipment, said Davis. (Aleksi Lepisto/The Independent)
Ghostbusters Spirit folklore doesn’t appeal to just thrill-seekers or campfire storytellers. Author and former Vancouver city councilor, Pat Jollota wrote “Darkness Next Door,” a compilation of ghost stories from Clark County. “The ghost stories are just another angle of our ongoing community,” Jollota said. “The truth: it was really a sneaky way of teaching history.” While Davis abstains from donning a “Ghostbusters” uniform on campus, he acknowledges Clark’s potential for
was Clark’s first building in 1933 and now is home to A Touch of Athens, a Mediterranean-style restaurant. While writing her book, Jollota spoke with restaurant staff. Several of the servers reported setting up a specific table, only to find it cleared off every night. Davis acknowledges that ghosts might push the comfort level for some, but they motivate him to keep hunting. “[Ghosts] tie us to the past. They also serve moral lessons. It’s not the haunting that’s interesting, it’s the circumstances behind it.” Hauntings and ghost hunters are varied, but Davis thinks there is some
Davis Defines: Clairvoyant: Someone who possesses the ability to perceive people, objects or events that aren’t present to the five senses. Deathbed Visitation Ghosts: These spirits only appear for a last interaction with a loved one in their final moments. Remnant or Snapshot Ghosts: Echoes after traumatic events, like wars. Self-Aware Ghosts: Someone dies and they’re sticking around. This can be tied to a location, people, or objects. Poltergeists: These “noisy ghosts” haunt a very specific demographic, generally female adolescents. Banshees: Ghosts that warn a tragedy is coming.
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POLITICAL AWARENESS LOW AT CLARK COLLEGE Rob e rt Berman News Editor
8
FOR
Ballots dropped into Washington voters’ mailboxes two weeks ago. Meanwhile, television ads, local news stations and yard signs have been dragging voters’ opinions back and forth with emotional appeals and catchy punch lines. Some of what they advertise is true, but a lot of it is misleading. Voter misinformation is a nationwide problem, but a learning institution like Clark College should do its best to combat it at least on a local level. Students are prompted to register for vote when they register for classes, but Clark does very little to improve voter awareness beyond that. Evidence of misinformation among Clark students surfaces every time The Independent conducts a poll or student interview on a current political issue. Ezekiel Brouhard, a freelance reporter, witnessed the problem first-hand while reporting on a story on the Affordable Care Act. He asked students how much they knew about it. Most admitted that they did not know much about the law. Worse still, some students were shocked to learn that the Affordable Care Act and “Obamacare” are the same law. Not knowing about a law passed years ago is one thing. Being misinformed about an initiative that is on the ballot now is downright dangerous. Voting without accurate knowledge of the initiative could mean voting against your own interest. These laws have real-life consequences. At the bottom of every questionnaire sheet for this issue’s poll on initiative 522 was the question, “Why are you voting that way?” The answers revealed that some students did not understand that the initiative would mandate labelling of genetically modified organisms in
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NOT SURE
AGAINST
Out of 50 st udent s su r veye d ab out GMOs, 16 st udent s said they were not familiar wit h t he debat e. Fou r of t hose said t hey were familiar wit h init iat ive 522, 12 were not . 3 4 said t hey were familiar wit h t he debat e; 15 of t hose said t hey were not familiar wit h I- 522.
NO
15
5
How are you voting on 522?
34 students said YES
4
YES
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT INITIATIVE
522?
food. Five people said they are familiar with the debate over genetically modified foods, know what I-522 is and are voting against it. Of those, two said they were voting against the initiative because people deserve to know what is in their food. One person said he was voting in favor of the law, because there is no reason to be worried about genetically modified foods and the hype is all scare tactics. More than half of the students polled said they flat-out do not know what I-522 says. The results are not necessarily a perfect representation of the student body, but they suggest that around threequarters of students are uninformed or misinformed about the initiative. The effort to change those numbers does not have to be massive. Using the college website or the Cannell Library web page would be a good online option. The college could provide links to information on initiatives, candidates, their endorsements and their criticisms. Even better, Clark could hold a student success workshop in Fall quarter that teaches students how to find balanced information on current political issues. There are misinformed voters at every level of democracy in our country, but Clark is a learning institution with the ears of thousands of potential voters. The college could further its commitment to education by ensuring its students know how to inform themselves about important issues.
12
NO
16 students said NO
C o nt act R o b e r t B e r m a n newse dit o r @ st ude nt s. cl ark . e du @ I ndy C C news
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BLAZING A TRAIL TO THE PLAYOFFS Co mment ary by Tyler Urke Sp or t s Editor
Painful is the word most people would use to describe watching last year’s Portland Trail Blazers team. What started out looking like a promising group turned into a team with a great starting five and absolutely no bench. The team ended with a 33-49 record, which put them fourth in the conference and missing the playoffs by three spots. There were some bright spots for last year’s Blazers team as firstround draft pick Damian Lillard played exceptionally and unanimously won the Rookie of the Year Award. Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge also had a stellar year earning his second All-Star Game appearance. Despite this, the biggest issue for the Blazers was their lack of a bench. When the starting five of Lillard, Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, J.J. Hickson and Wesley Matthews were on the court they
could hang with almost all of the league’s best. But when it was time for them to get a rest, their bench replacements couldn’t perform. The starters averaged 81.9 points per game and the team averaged 97.5 points per game. Portland was ranked last in the NBA in bench points, with only 18.5 per game. The national average was 32.5. The team was also missing a shotblocking center. While Aldridge might be 6 feet 11 inches tall, his skills are mostly focused on the offensive side of the game. After a disappointing year, the Blazers sought to strengthen their bench and find the center they needed to compete. General Manager Neil Olshey started by trading for the fifth pick in the 2012 draft, Thomas Robinson, who has not fully blossomed into the power forward experts thought he would be. However, the potential is there. Eight new players joined the team
in the offseason and almost all are a big improvement from last year’s bench. An addition that peaked my interest is the Blazers’ 2013 first-round draft pick C.J. McCollum, who shares a lot of the same traits as Lillard. Seven-footer Robin Lopez should also help in the paint where the Blazers gave up 47.4 points per game last season, the worst in the league. The team still lacks depth at the center position, but are overall a much better team than last year. Secondyear coach Terry Stotts needs to focus on creating a better second unit that complements the efforts of the starters. The Blazers’ one goal this year should be to make the playoffs. If they can accomplish this, they have a very good chance of duplicating the success for the next couple of years. However, the window of opportunity will close dramatically if they don’t, as the trade rumors surrounding Aldridge this offseason will most likely resurface. C o nt act Tyle r Urke sp o r t se dit o r @ st ude nt s.c lark . e du @ I ndy C C sp o r t s adve r t i s e me nt
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FENCING CHAMPION BRINGS EXPERTISE TO PROGRAM Rya n R ut le dge Ca mpus Editor
Shouts of, “en garde,” “bend those knees” and “keep your eyes forward,” are heard every morning in the foil fencing class in O’Connell Sports Complex. Fencing, the most consistently represented sport in Olympic history is the art of competitive sword fighting. It is broken into three categories: foil, epee, and saber. In foil, the only style taught at Clark, a touch anywhere on the torso is a point. In saber, only the upper torso, head and arms are targets. Epee includes the whole body. Touches outside of the target area are not scored. According to Clark instructor Joshua Fowler, foil is usually the beginner’s introduction to fencing. It’s considered by most to be the most basic style. In addition to Clark, Fowler coaches at the Northwest Fencing Center and Portland State University. He also competed at the 2012 United States Fencing Association national championships where he won gold in the senior team men’s epee. There are four ranks in fencing: animateur, moniteur, prevot, and maitre
A student scores on a lunge attempt during the fencing class in O’Connell Sports Complex. The class will be offered next quarter under code PE147. (Aleksi Lepisto/The Independent) d’armes. Fowler is a prevot in epee, the second-highest rank. This is his first quarter teaching fencing at Clark. Since foil only focuses on the torso, students wear a special jacket, mask and use a sword called a foil. For epee and saber, the uniform includes additional pieces that cover target areas. Equipment is provided for students in class, which is covered by a $15 fee. In competition, sensors are used to detect touches, which removes human error. Competitors are tied to an electronic tether which is connected to their weapon. The bouts are held on
a narrow rectangular strip with zones marking boundaries, forcing competitors to move forward and backward, instead of sideways. Even though fencing may not seem like a team sport, there is a sense of camaraderie among the students. “It’s a trick. We trick you into liking other people,” Fowler said. Students have class the same time regardless of skill. A few students entered their second year of fencing this fall. There is more to the class than perfecting form, according to Ryan Lucas, one of Fowler’s students. “There’s a fun atmosphere to it. It’s not just drills.” Fowler wants to continue teaching at Clark. “My hope is to grow the program, maybe do epee,” Fowler said. “We’ve just got to promote it.” “I would really like to do epee. They have the equipment for it,” Lucas said. The class meets 10-10:50 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The class is available next quarter under course code PE147. C o nt act R ya n R ut le dge ca mpu se dit o r @ st ude nt s. cl ark . e du @ I ndy C C ca mpu s
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A D IF FE R EN T P O I N T O F V I EW Tra Friesen
goalball tournament, a sport designed exclusively for the blind. It’s played similarly to soccer with two teams of three and a ball with bells inserted into “I hear this ‘pop’ and it pops out eight small holes, allowing the players to of my eye-socket, bounces on to the locate the ball with sound. table, then bounces onto the floor and “This last year we beat [Pena’s team] everyone in the classroom, and I mean by one goal. He was mad,” Ortiz said. absolutely everybody, just stops what Both Pena and Ortiz said that they they’re doing and looks at me,” first-year are just like any other kids. They enjoy student Miguel Pena said with a huge playing sports, video games and listening grin on his face. to rap music. Ortiz said one of their One of Pena’s prosthetic eyes had favorite video games is “Grand Theft accidentally fallen out in the middle of Auto: San Andreas” because the class. gameplay is almost tailored for Pena lost his sight to blind gamers because of the sound retinoblastoma, the most effects. common eye cancer among Ortiz and Pena are attending children, when he was 4 years Clark as a part of the LIFTT old. program. According to its website, Pena is a part of the LIFTT’s goal is to teach blind high growing population of blind school graduates independence and students at Clark because skills to make college life easier. of its proximity to the They plan to continue their Washington State School college education after LIFTT for the Blind, according to in Oregon. Pena aspires to be Disability Support Services an author and plans to study Manager Aaron Hodukavich. English, while Ortiz is considering DSS serves 20 to 25 communication studies. blind students each quarter, Ortiz said he regularly has good but some students choose conversations with strangers, but not to seek accommodations he dislikes always having to be the unless absolutely necessary, one to initiate the conversation. Hodukavich said. “People shouldn’t be afraid to Sunni Rogers, a 40-yeartalk to us just because we use a old blind student, said DSS Miguel Pena and Jesus Ortiz share a laugh about people’s stick.” has improved since the 1990s misunderstanding of blindness. “People shouldn’t be afraid Pena said he recently found out when she was a Running Start to talk to us just because we use a stick,” Ortiz said. that an eye transplant surgery student. (Tra Friesen/The Independent) could repair his sight, but he isn’t “They got me my math interested. “I’m sticking with book in braille,” Rogers said. “If transitional program helps practice being blind. I’m just completely used to I would have been here in the ‘90s they the routes to new classes and look for it.” wouldn’t have done that for me.” possible landmarks. For example, this Ortiz goes as far to say that he Rogers is interested in secretarial quarter Ortiz uses the food carts as a way enjoys being blind. work and is pursuing a Certificate to make sure he’s going the right way. “People have asked me like ‘have you of Proficiency in Software Computer “If I don’t hear them and I cannot ever wanted to see?’ and I’m like ‘no,’” Applications. retrace my steps, I will ask someone Ortiz said. “I’m fine. I love the way I am.” The only complaint Pena and his walking along to help me get on the right friend Jesus Ortiz have is with the path,” Ortiz said. college’s layout. Unlike Pena, Ortiz was born with “One turn and you’re going the a condition called anophthalmia, which wrong way and you don’t even know it at C o nt act Tra Frie se n means that he was born without eyeballs. first,” Ortiz said. “By the time you find t . frie se n@ st ude nt s. cl a rk . e du They met a few years ago at a out, you’re late to class.” Staf f Rep or t er
To navigate, Ortiz and Pena said that they create mental maps of locations using sound. Pena has become so good at it that Ortiz nicknamed him the “human GPS” of downtown and southeast Portland. “It’s not that we’re specially attuned, we just use it more so it’s more focused,” Ortiz said. Ortiz said that at the beginning of every quarter an employee from the school for the blind’s Learning Independence For Today and Tomorrow
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WHAT’ S UP, DO G? ( A N D M I NI HORS ES )
TH E SCOOP ON SER V I CE ANIMA LS
Ca rl Fre eman Sta ff Rep or t er
Service animals aid students all over campus, but what makes them different than regular pets? More than just the cute puppy you see in your math class, these animals help people with disabilities perform tasks, depending on the owner’s needs. Jobs for a service animal vary from alerting the hearing-impaired to sounds, guiding the blind, pulling a wheelchair or picking up objects. The Americans with Disabilities Act states that, “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” A law in Illinois was passed in August 2012 allowing miniature horses as service animals. According to the ADA, all privately owned businesses that serve the public must allow service animals on the premises. However, if the animal behaves inappropriately, like by aggressively growling or barking, they can be asked to leave. Even if an establishment has a “no pets” policy they must allow service animals because they are not categorized as pets. The Administrative Procedures Manual for Clark College states all animals on campus must be under immediate control, such as by leash or a cage. Animals must remain outside campus buildings except for service animals. All service animals are welcome on or around the campus including inside buildings.
Co ntact Carl Fre eman c .fre e man2@ st udents . c l a rk. e du
Corrinne Norton trains her guide dog Terrence near Andersen Fountain. (Stephanie LaRue/The Independent)
Dalton Williams said his guide dog, Patch is all business when his harness is on, but once it comes off he knows it’s time to play. (Carl Freeman/The Independent)
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