FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010 • PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY • VOLUME 64, ISSUE 71
Event of the day Alpha Kappa Psi is hosting Viking Fest 2010, an all-ages benefit for the Oregon Food Bank that costs $5 and a food donation. The benefit will include live music, a raffle and prizes for the most food donations. When: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Where: SMSU Ballroom
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INSIDE OPINION
Rule may contradict state law, campus enforcement policies vague
Guns prohibited
Virginia Vickery Vanguard staff
Neither one please Paper and plastic bad for the environment PAGE 3
ARTS
A penetrating act The practice of pegging, as explained on stage PAGE 5
Popcorn party! Five popcorn recipes that’ll add some fun to your snacking PAGE 6 Who’s crazy now? Shutter Island is a psychological mind trip worth taking PAGE 7
NEWS 20 years of Student Parent Services Coordinator Lola Lawson discusses the group’s achievements PAGE 8
Following the Jan. 14 incident in which economics professor John Hall accused a student of carrying a gun on campus, many have asked for clarification of the campus weapons policy. According to university administration, weapons are not allowed on campus, and the definition of weapons was recently expanded by the university to include Tasers. This prohibition is congruent with Oregon University System guidelines, but possibly in contradiction of state laws. Michael Soto, chief of the Campus Public Safety Office, says that weapons such as guns are not allowed on campus, even with an Oregon Concealed Handgun License. Any students who wish to report someone for carrying a weapon on campus should file a complaint with CPSO, according to PSU administration— including President Wim Wiewel. “You have all the rights and privileges of a permit,” Soto said. However, if it’s reported to CPSO that a person has a gun on campus, officers may ask them to turn over their weapon or to leave campus. “Though you cannot be arrested for having a weapon,” Soto said. If the person with a gun does not leave or turn over the weapon, they can be arrested for trespassing or for brandishing the weapon if someone else sees it, because it is illegal to show a weapon that is supposed to be concealed.
Oregon Revised Statute 166.170
Oregon Revised Statute 166.370
Oregon Administrative Rule 580.022.0045
“Except as expressly authorized by state statute, the authority to regulate in any matter whatsoever the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, storage, transportation or use of firearms or any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition, is vested solely in the Legislative Assembly.”
“Possession of firearm or dangerous weapon in public building or court facility; exceptions; discharging firearm at school (…) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) of this section, a person who is licensed under ORS 166.291 and 166.292 to carry a concealed handgun.”
“Possession or use of firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals, or other dangerous weapons or instrumentalities on institutionally owned or controlled property, unless expressly authorized by law, [the State Board of Higher Education], or institutional rules (for purposes of this section, absence of criminal penalties shall not be considered express authorization).”
The standards to obtain an Oregon CHL are rigorous and being charged with trespassing or brandishing can cause holders to lose their license, Soto said. Though CPSO does not maintain storage for weapons, there is a safe into which weapons can be placed on a temporary basis if needed. Soto said only a handful of people are cited every year for weapons violations on campus.
In an open letter written by Soto in April 2007, he says, “Portland State University buildings are defined as public buildings, therefore all students, faculty, staff and members of the public should know that it is against the law to possess a firearm on Portland State University campus, buildings or grounds. Any students, faculty, staff or members of the public that bring weapons onto campus will be subject to discipline and possible
criminal prosecution.” According to state law, outlined in Oregon Revised Statute 166.170, the authority to make rules regarding firearms rests solely with the Oregon Legislature. The law also states in ORS 166.370 that carrying firearms in public school buildings is illegal except for those who are licensed to carry a concealed handgun as outlined in ORS 166.291 and 166.292.
Service animal clarification Guidelines for those with service animals in PSU housing under review Tamara K. Kennedy Vanguard staff
Liberian Books Project Portland State’s Model U.N. working to take sustainable education to Africa PAGE 9
SPORTS
Fighting to stay alive Postseason hopes rest heavily on game against second-place N.Colorado PAGE 10
on campus
Photo courtesy of Betta5/stockxchg
Furry friends: Service animals are welcome
in PSU housing with proper certification.
A new look will be given to the policies regarding service animals in Portland State housing after a student recently reported having difficulty obtaining approval to keep a service animal. The Disability Resource Center is reviewing policies regarding animals in housing with the university’s general legal counsel, the federal and state Departments of Justice, with input from the Fair Housing Council and University Housing. The laws that influence campus policy are being examined to make sure they are appropriate, said DRC director Polly Livingston. Some Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant dormitories currently include dander-free environments for students with allergies, asthma or other medical conditions, and there are dorms that specifically allow students with animals. She feels the DRC has a good handle on animals on campus but adds that the DRC is always open to having policies reviewed. “Our goal is to give students tools that they can use,” said Darcy Kramer, accommodations coordinator for the DRC.
ANIMAL continued on page two
Criminals caught
Andrew Tyson Harris
Arrests made in connection to theft of Facilities and Planning equipment Virginia Vickery Vanguard staff
Two men accused of breaking into the University Services Building on campus in early January and stealing thousands of dollars worth of equipment are in police custody. They were arrested in connection to another burglary in Portland. The men were captured on surveillance cameras committing the break-in and theft of Facilities and Planning equipment, which took place over the course of nearly 12 hours on the evening of Jan. 4 through the morning of Jan. 5. Over $68,000 worth of equipment, including brass and copper items, computers, large pipe fitters and
All photos courtesy of Multnomah County Sherrifs Office
Nolan Arthur Harris
a vehicle were taken, according to Michael Soto, chief of the Campus Public Safety Office. The perpetrators took three separate trips into the building to take equipment. The Portland Police Bureau and CPSO worked together to investigate the case. On Jan. 24, Nolan Arthur Harris, 21, and Tyson Andrew Harris, 22, were caught while committing a commercial burglary in another part of Portland. At the time, they were found to be in possession of PSU equipment. “[The equipment] was being used to conduct the break in,” Soto said. “The PSU property was marked and identifiable.” The two men arrested were found by police while hiding in a false ceiling, and a police dog was used to coax them down. Almost all of the stolen PSU property has since been recovered, Soto said.