VOLUME 78 • ISSUE 20 • JANUARY 25, 2024
SU P T A L L A R O F N OLUM C M R O F T A L P N O SU N OPINI
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FILIATION W/P • STATE NAME AND AF OSEN BY THE EDITOR CH D AN ED TE AN AR PAID, NOT GU COM • SUBMISSIONS ARE UN ITOR@PSUVANGUARD. ED TO NS IO IN OP D AN ORIES • SEND THOUGHTS, ST
CONTENTS
COVER DESIGN BY BRIANA CIERI
NEWS University Pointe requires smartphones for resident access
P. 4
ARTS & CULTURE Artist Spotlight: Kyra Watkins
NEWS FAFSA form gets an update
P. 5
NEWS CROSSWORD Answers in stories
P. 10
OPINION Navigating banned books and gun violence
P. 6
COMMUNITY & WELLNESS RESOURCES Updated weekly
P. 11
SCIENCE & TECH Portland State Aerospace Society
P. 7
PDX events column
P. 8-9
STAFF EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Kat Leon MANAGING EDITOR Tasha Sayre NEWS EDITOR Zoë Buhrmaster CO-NEWS EDITOR Alyssa Anderson ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Macie Harreld SCIENCE & TECH EDITOR Anish Kumar Arumugam
OPINION EDITOR Cameron Rodriguez MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Alberto Alonso Pujazon Bogani SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Josi Struck ONLINE AND PROMOTIONS EDITOR Alley Henrici DISTRIBUTION MANAGER NOW HIRING COPY CHIEF Isabel Zerr CONTRIBUTORS Amber Finnegan Isaiah Burns Milo Loza
PRODUCTION & DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR Briana Cieri DESIGNERS Arianna Thomas Haley Hsu TECHNOLOGY & WEBSITE TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS George Olson Hongzu Pan Sara Ray ADVISING & ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Reaz Mahmood SALP ACCOUNTANT Maria Dominguez STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR Rae Fickle
To contact Portland State Vanguard, email editor@psuvanguard.com MISSION STATEMENT Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market. ABOUT Vanguard , established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com.
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UNIVERSITY POINTE REQUIRES SMARTPHONES FOR RESIDENT ACCESS WITHOUT THEIR PHONES, TENANTS FACE LARGE ENTRY FEES ISAIAH BURNS Midway through November, every resident in University Pointe had their apartments entered by a team of maintenance workers. Their contract? Uninstall all traditional locks and replace them with a smartphone-controlled digital system. Previously, all residents had key fobs supplied by the building. This had been the system for years. Madison Harms—a resident in the student apartment complex—described her experience during the lock changeover. “They only gave us 24-hour notice of entry,” she said. “They didn’t give us two weeks or a month.” Harms explained that she could not re-enter her apartment immediately after they replaced the locks due to technical difficulties with the app. She sought a nearby maintenance worker for help, who then directed her to the front office. After waiting in the office for some time, building management arrived and attempted to redirect her to maintenance until Madison demanded that they listen to her situation. “I was the only one who didn’t have issues in my apartment,” said another resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “But three out of the four of us did. They were all locked out of their apartment for the first two days that the locks were changed with no way to reconcile that.” University Pointe is a Portland State housing partner run by American Campus Communities (ACC), a large private company with student apartments across the country— some very luxurious. The company currently resides under ownership by Blackstone, a large asset manager who bought out ACC in 2022. The tenants must now use an app called Livvi to access their rooms. It’s a third-party app by a studio named ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions. The app requires a Wi-Fi connection and Bluetooth capabilities to function. Currently, it possesses a 1.2-star rating on Google Play and a 1.4-star rating on Apple’s App Store. This is based on a total of 78 reviews between the two platforms. Tenants were not consulted about the new lock system and were only given a few days of notice before the change, with multiple delays before the change occurred. “I don’t get why they didn’t do that over the summer,” said Keaton Parker, another resident. “They randomly told us on, like, a Tuesday that they’re changing the locks… it’s kind of weird to do that in the middle of the term.” Parker went on to describe how maintenance left the living room of their apartment with an overwhelming mess of sawdust after finishing the installation of the locks. Many tenants reported a similar experience. Above all other concerns, many residents are concerned about the ethical ramifications of requiring all residents to have smartphones to access their homes. “To be honest, I think that it’s kind of dumb that you have to rely on your phone, because
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if someone’s phone is dead they can’t get in the building,” Parker said. “I feel like what would have been better is if the main key was on your phone, but the fob still works to let you get back in.” Another anonymous resident voiced similar concerns. “I think it’s a safety hazard to have our only form of entry be reliant on people’s ability to have a smartphone,” this resident said. “I also think that them not having another key is wildly unsafe.” There is no alternative to the Livvi app for residents, though Harms reports seeing staff and maintenance carry key fobs to access rooms. If a resident gets locked out of their room without any means of contacting their roommates—like in a situation where their phone is missing or broken—they can go to the front desk and request staff to let them in. However, the fee for doing so is $75 during operating hours and $100 after hours every single time. “I think having to spend $75 to access your apartment is wildly unsafe,” the anonymous resident said. “My friend has been locked out of their apartment twice because she didn’t have access to her phone,” Harms said. “Once, because her phone was dead. She’s been charged $175 for it.” Harms sent a pointed email to University Pointe management questioning the necessity and ethics of the new lock system. The detailed email questioned the lack of timely notice, the safety of her apartment should she be locked out and ethical concerns with the new system. “Please explain to me why I am chained to the device when I work out, take a break from school or simply go for a quiet walk,” stated the email. “I’m forced to carry my cell phone so I have access to my bed.” “Another main concern is that I would be terrified to be locked out of my building in an unsafe area without any way to contact someone if I don’t have my phone if it’s dead,” Harms’ email stated. “Where in my lease agreement is the ‘resident must have a cell phone and carry it at all times’ statement? University Pointe must provide access alternatives.” Harms received a response signed by “University Pointe at College Station,” addressing only the safety aspects of the email and ensuring that staff will let tenants back in when needed. They did not reference the ethical concerns Harms had raised nor the fees required for helping with entry. Harms sent back another detailed paragraph with her additional concerns. These concerns ranged from inquiries about tenants who don’t own smartphones to concerns about accessing the building’s front desk in instances where one is locked out, as well as worries about racking up fees for residents who have frequent phone issues. In response, University Pointe sent her a short email. “At this time the mobile key is the only option for our residents,” University
COURTESY OF _ Photo Cutline
ISAIAH BURNS/PSU VANGUARD
University Pointe now requires residents to use smartphones as their apartment key or pay a significant fee for entry, raising ethical concerns among residents Pointe’s email stated. “It looks like your mobile key was delivered earlier today. Your lock will be replaced this week, possibly as early as tomorrow. Should you have any additional questions or concerns related to
alternative options, please reach out to our management team.” University Pointe management did not respond to Portland State Vanguard’s requests for comment.
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 25, 2024 • psuvanguard.com
ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD The updated FAFSA is said to be more user-friendly and had changes made to some of its requirements
FAFSA FORM GETS AN UPDATE LONG-AWAITED UPDATE REPORTED TO QUICKEN FINANCIAL AID PROCESS
ALLEY HENRICI AND ALYSSA ANDERSON The updated 2024–2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) recently became available. According to CNN, these changes have been in the works for quite some time. The United States Department of Education claims that the changes expand eligibility for financial aid—including for Pell Grants—and have shortened the questions required to complete the form for some users. These changes will impact students at Portland State, as 61% of PSU students receive financial aid, and 30% are eligible for the Pell Grant—a form of financial aid awarded to students with exceptional financial need in their first-degree program. The Department of Education expects around 610,000 students from low-income families to become eligible for the Pell Grant with the new aid calculation process. CNN reported that students with siblings in college might see a drop in financial aid awards with the removal of the sibling discount or the consideration of a parent’s potential contribution towards education expenses for other children in college at the same time. Furthermore, prior drug convictions will no longer restrict students from receiving aid, and the Selective Service Act— which mandated men within a specific age range to sign up for potential drafting—is no longer a requirement. Another of the significant changes was the simplification of the application. “If you go on to look at the FAFSA, you’ll see up front a whole lot of new definitional and instructional work,” said Elijah Herr, PSU’s director of financial aid. “That can be really intimidating for students. They’re like, ‘What is all this new information?’ And that’s really the Department of Education’s attempt to try to help folks understand what they’re getting themselves into.” Moreover, Herr advised students to be aware of some things when filling out the FAFSA form. Instead of filling out the form
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 25, 2024 • psuvanguard.com
with a parent or a spouse for students who are dependent or married, students will need to authorize the other party to fill out their part of the form. The application could be canceled if the other party does not complete their portion in 45 days. Thus, students should ensure the other party is ready to complete the form when they send it. Herr explained how the financial aid office may email students asking for additional information. Students applying for financial aid should monitor their student emails and respond to any requests from the office promptly to expedite the processing of aid awards. Herr feels these changes are positive for all parties but will require time for adjustment. “It’s a complete remodel of the whole [system],” he said. “With changes that big, there’s going to be delays.” Typically, the FAFSA opens on Oct. 1, but CNN reported that changes to the application delayed the form’s proper opening until Dec. 30, 2023, when it was soft-launched for short periods of time. The Department of Education noted how they might initiate pauses on the application for technical updates. Herr anticipates the site may be stable by the last week in January, as his financial aid colleagues have noted an improvement in site quality. “We do encourage students to apply as soon as possible for some limited funds, like Federal Work Study and the Oregon Opportunity Grant,” Herr said. In Oregon, grants—like the Oregon Opportunity Grant—and scholarships through the Office of Student Access and Completion use FAFSA forms to determine financial need for specific awards. Herr noted the deadlines for Scholarship Universe—PSU’s scholarship portal—were pushed back to account for the delay in the FAFSA opening.
Communication graduate student Lillian Mantel said she experienced confusion and frustration while filling out the previous FAFSA form before getting assistance from a financial aid counselor. “I don’t know what I did or how I did it, but for a year or two I was paying when I shouldn’t have,” Mantel explained. “I filled it out wrong somehow.” After receiving assistance from a financial aid counselor, she said she was finally able to get the aid she needed. According to CBS, students who accessed the forms early indicated some trouble filling them out. Yet, some PSU students said this iteration of the FAFSA form did not take as long as previous years’ forms. Nina Rockwell, a graduate student in the English department, said she was surprised at how quickly she could fill out the new FAFSA form. She also noted a significant change in the process where students can permit the FAFSA to input information from their tax returns instead of the students manually entering it. “The changes are beneficial in that they lower the pressure of applying, but I think the anxiety of doing something wrong is still there,” Rockwell said. “Due to [the process] being so fast, I was worried I did something wrong. [There could still be] more clarity on what happens behind the scenes.” Herr said resources are available for students with questions about the FAFSA application process. The state of Oregon is hosting some line-by-line FAFSA webinars. Another group called ECMC runs local FAFSA nights in the Portland area, where PSU financial aid staff help out. If those resources don’t fit with the student’s schedule and they have additional questions about filing this FAFSA form, they “can certainly give [PSU’s financial aid office] a call and we’ll try to help them over the phone,” Herr said. “Or we can set up a counselor appointment for them to walk them through how to do specific questions.”
NEWS
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NAVIGATING BANNED BOOKS AND GUN VIOLENCE KIDS TRYING TO READ ARE IN THE CROSSFIRE
The post-pandemic era reveals a concerning 21% illiteracy rate, coupled with an unprecedented surge in banned books in certain states. This raises significant doubts about the future of our education system and the cultivation of critical thinking skills CAMERON RODRIGUEZ When envisioning a conducive learning environment for our children, one hopes to find a safe environment for productive and comprehensive learning. However, with the rise in gun violence in schools, astronomically low literacy rates and some parents seemingly more worried about the content of a book aligning with their religious values than if their child can read that book, one might start to question the priorities shaping our educational landscape. This concern is partly fueled by the alarming decline in literacy rates, reaching a 21% illiteracy rate among adults in the United States as of 2024. The urgent need for increased support becomes evident, as neglecting to address this issue could exacerbate students’ challenges in developing crucial reading skills. Students’ reading level is influenced by various factors, with home reading playing a crucial role in child literacy. Creating a conducive learning environment at home is essential, but economic struggles in many households raise questions about families’ capacity to do so. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted education. Most schools expect students to bridge the gap and catch up, but they face challenges, particularly because the support given to families to actually do that is limited. While the direct impact of COVID-19 on learning is acknowledged, the lack of economic support further compounds the challenges, potentially leading to more severe consequences for families.
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As economic conditions in the U.S. continue to harden, the impact on children’s education becomes evident. With the rising cost of living— like the need to make upwards of $120,000 a year to own a home in 2024—more people find themselves entrenched in poverty as traditional full-time careers prove insufficient. Extensive research highlights the detrimental effects of poverty on education. These peripheral issues impacting learning are important but are secondary to an ongoing crisis and attack on the very foundations of education. For years, private schools have wedged their way into demanding federal funding for a segregated learning environment. Despite what many people assume, private schools aren’t more advanced and you aren’t paying for a better system. Understanding the correlation in social economics between children who can afford private school and those without that choice is essential to understanding why this separation exists. It’s evident that the groups advocating for private schools are attempting to reduce funding for public schools and actively working towards their complete dismantlement. Thus, it has become like privatized healthcare—it stops providing care and becomes about making money. We should do something about this, right? Go to our city council to demand change? Some groups are making notable changes to their school’s curriculum, but it’s not for the better. Moms for Liberty has gained national attention for spearheading a significant wave of book
banning. They are definitely dedicated to the cause, but this cause is exponentially trivial unless you—like this group—find the increase in awareness of real situations that teenagers might face a threat to your agenda. This group explicitly aligns itself with Christian Nationalism, and other groups are forming simply to combat their lobbying efforts, such as STOP Moms for “Liberty.” Moms for Liberty has compiled lists detailing the books which they’ve deemed unworthy. This has led to the banning of many titles, such as I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel, And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders. The demand for segregated learning environments by advocating for private schools and dismantling public schools mirrors this fight to ban books where groups advocating for specific educational ideologies aren’t just defending their beliefs but attempting to control others’ beliefs as well. The real concern emerges not only from their proactive elimination of themes and ideas they disagree with, based solely on their subjective values but also from their dissemination of misinformation actively fostering hatred towards specific groups. This underscores a broader challenge in education, where the battle extends beyond differences in beliefs to an attempt at controlling and shaping the collective narrative within the educational landscape, thus attempting to con-
trol the minds of future generations. Because if the group indeed aimed to improve schools and make them safer for their children, why aren’t they lobbying for gun reform? Given that this environmental pressure not only impacts children’s safety but also weakens the learning environment. It’s crucial to recognize that schools—once considered places solely for learning—are now potential sites for mass shootings. Gun violence stands as the leading cause of death for children. Since the attack at Columbine High School in 1999, over 360,000 children have been exposed to gun violence at school. The presence of more guns and fewer books raises serious concerns. The most imminent threat to children at school isn’t necessarily a perceived harmful ideology but armed individuals who can tragically take the lives of the very children the group claims to be advocating for. Book banning is fundamentally about disempowering students, especially minority groups who need representation and have sensitive issues. Although we might not have heard it happening as much in Oregon, it definitely is. Book banning is a concerning trend which is compounding conditions that worsen the experiences of children, especially those in a minority population. Books possess the transformative power to instill kindness and empathy in children, because it becomes significantly more challenging to teach hate when exposed to messages of compassion.
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 25, 2024 • psuvanguard.com
COURTESY OF ANDREW GREENBERG One of the projects undertaken by PSAS involves the launch of rockets to conduct tests on fuels and other technologies
PORTLAND STATE AEROSPACE SOCIETY IT IS LITERALLY ROCKET SCIENCE ANISH ARUMUGAM Portland State Aerospace Society (PSAS) is a place where DIY rocketry meets nanosatellites, and the only rule is that there are no rules! PSAS is a vibrant group of students from diverse backgrounds coming together. After all, who said rocket science couldn’t be fun? The club creates an interdisciplinary workspace which fosters collaboration among diverse minds. “PSAS is not your runof-the-mill student club,” said Andrew Greenberg, a senior instructor in Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) and the faculty advisor for PSAS. “It’s an entire universe of mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, computer science enthusiasts, artists, business majors and more, all united by their passion for aerospace.” PSAS has about four major projects. First up, amateur rocketry—a journey which began in 1998 with small rockets and has since skyrocketed to medium-sized test vehicles reaching 30,000 feet in the Oregon desert. These rockets are not destined for space but serve as testbeds for cutting-edge technology which will be used in future launches. The ongoing projects under this include a Launch Vehicle 3.1—a rocket slated for liftoff in Bend, Oregon, this summer. “It’s a new and improved rocket from our past models, because this has an electronic recovery system to release parachutes instead of using black powder,” said Savannah Krupa, an undergraduate working on their mechanical engineering degree. From running Linux on rockets to pioneering Wi-Fi beyond Mach 1, PSAS has left a mark on the field of space. The second project is all about liquid fuel engines, which are a big step up from solid fuel engines. PSAS is making its own liquid fuel engines which can be scaled up as they study new rocketry areas. The advantage of liquid propellants is that they can be
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 25, 2024 • psuvanguard.com
controlled. Adjusting their flow into the combustion chamber adjusts the amount of thrust produced. Also, liquid engines can be stopped and restarted later. A tiny, liquid-fuel-engine test stand named MinTS—short for minimal test stand—is shaping up to be a small-scale, hands-on learning experience for undergraduates to use and test the new rocket motors and engines. Ground stations for satellites make up the third project, involving the construction of large antennas, rotating dishes and sophisticated software for communication. “The aim [is] establishing a global network of open-source ground stations, fostering collaboration with universities worldwide,” Greenberg said. PSAS uses partnerships to make its projects better. For example, they work with universities—like the University of Maryland, Baltimore County—on climate science research, as well as local businesses—like the crowdfunding platform Crowd Supply—to promote STEM subjects. Lastly, the CubeSats or nanosatellites. PSAS launched OreSat0, which is currently in space and is Oregon’s first satellite. “Ever since we launched Oregon’s first satellite, we’ve been on the radar for a lot of people—both the school, the local community, the state and also out of state,” said Aiden Tuan, the program manager for PSAS. “The vision is to put our own nanosatellites into orbit using our own rocket,” Greenberg said. PSAS isn’t your typical aerospace lab with a professor at the helm and funded research projects. Greenberg clarified that it’s more of an aerospace organization than a lab. It thrives on being student-driven, with projects guided by passion rather than a rigid research agenda.
Greenberg acknowledged their unique position as one of the few open-source entities in aerospace. What sets PSAS apart is its commitment to open source. In a world where aerospace projects often guard their designs like state secrets, PSAS proudly publishes everything on GitHub, giving everyone access to a wide range of resources, including software, hardware and mechanical designs. Their CubeSat designs, which are freely accessible to anyone, have become a reference point for other aspiring space explorers. PSAS actively encourages others to build upon their work, embracing the spirit of collaborative progress. Diversity, equity and inclusion take center stage with We in Space—an initiative to increase representation in aerospace. PSAS actively works towards involving women and minorities, hosting events, fundraisers and speakers to amplify their impact. The real success lies in its alums, now scattered across the aerospace industry, with over 45 former members working for giants like SpaceX and NASA. “The most important part is our core mission, which is to bring the sort of, like, the love and passion for science and aerospace to the school and the community, and that’s what we’ve been consistently doing,” Tuan said. The PSAS defies convention, embracing a DIY spirit in pursuing space exploration. Their journey is a testament to the power of collaboration, open-source ideals and a fearless approach to taking small steps towards big dreams. Anyone interested in space and wanting hands-on experience is welcome to join. Whether you are an aspiring engineer, a space enthusiast or someone looking for a cosmic adventure, PSAS invites you to join their quest to touch the stars.
SCIENCE & TECH
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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: KYRA WATKINS THE ARTIST BEHIND JASON WASHINGTON’S MURAL AT PSU
COURTESY OF KYRA WATKINS Artist Kyra Watkins has been creating murals since the age of 15. Today her public works can be seen in many places around Portland MACIE HARRELD The work of artist Kyra Watkins can be seen throughout Portland, such as in the North Park Blocks, where the project Never Look Away marks the first mural to celebrate LGBTQ+ pioneers in Oregon; at Morrison Place in SE Portland, where the Ladies Up Mural Project celebrates local, femaleidentifying artists; and at Providence Park, where Watkins created a larger-than-life mural in honor of soccer athlete Clyde Best. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Watkins is Portland State’s 2023–2024 artist-in-residence. Her latest work is currently underway in the second-floor study lounge of SMSU. This will be a memorial piece for Jason Washington, who was shot and killed by PSU campus police in 2018. Portland State Vanguard spoke with Watkins to learn more about her background and art practice.
VG: When or how did you realize that art was your passion? Watkins: I think all kids from a very young age, toddlers and up, gravitate to the arts, whether it’s singing, dancing, [or] drawing. So I think that element—that inspiration or that creativity—was always there. But when I knew that I was going places was when I drew my very first self-portrait at the age of 13. And I still have it to this day. When I saw that self-portrait, I was like, ‘This is it! This is the piece…’ Seeing that piece, I was like, ‘Okay, I have the skill set for art. Let me stick to it.’ And it’s funny, because I look back on that piece and I don’t think it was very flattering, but it was enough to inspire me to keep going. That was the baton that was handed to me, and I ran with it ever since. VG: What does your art practice look like today? Watkins: Aside from when I’m not doing portrait work in my own personal practice, I also do a lot of public art. And that stems from my very first apprenticeship being making murals. And when I’m doing large-scale work, it doesn’t necessarily
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have to be figurative. It’s whatever the client wants. I think the community has really embraced me. And a lot of the work I get is from just building community with other artists and having a firm group of other artists really behind me, and that’s just moving our work together. I just completed a portrait to memorialize a soccer player, Clyde Best. That’s housed at Providence Park. I’m very proud of that. I got that commission through the Portland [Street Art] Alliance.
VG: Can you tell me about your work on the Jason Washington memorial? Watkins: I am very excited about this project. I understand the importance of it to memorialize Jason Washington and his story so that his story isn’t forgotten. I think when it comes to atonement, it’s important that we constantly remind ourselves where we went wrong so that we never go wrong again. So I think this piece will speak to that, but more importantly, highlight who Jason Washington was as a person, which I think is very important because he’s just more than just his last minutes or his final moments. He is more than that and I want to highlight that, but hopefully it can also stand to be a reminder of where we failed him and never fail someone like that again. I’m in a very privileged position. A lot of times people come to me wanting to memorialize their loved ones— whether they’ve passed on or not. And I feel, as an artist, I’m a historian. VG: How does your personal practice differ from your commissioned works? Watkins: When I’m dissecting what people commission me to do, I’m just retelling their stories and I try not to put my own spin on it. And sometimes it has its emotional baggage. I care very deeply about the projects that I do for other people, but when it comes to my personal work, that’s where my heart is.
VG: Can you tell me about your creative process in your personal work? What’s the inspiration behind the subject matter? Watkins: Children are usually the main source or subject of my work, but when people see my work I hope that they see themselves. And it’s a reminder to show up for your inner child every single day. And that’s what I like to depict in my work. The iconography may be children, but we were all once children. And a lot of what we do, children will be greatly impacted by it at the end of the day, unfortunately, when they really don’t have much control over the circumstances that are going on in the world. And I don’t know, that really just speaks to me. Ever since growing up, I never really had parents that were really welladjusted to being parents. And fortunately, I had a community around me that was able to pick up the slack. But not a lot of children have that. And when I became an adult, instead of constantly telling myself, ‘Man, I wish as a child that I had parents that could do more,’ I just had to be that adult for myself. So every day my mission is to show up for little Kyra every chance I get. And I hope when people see my work, it’s a reminder not only for them to show up for their inner child, but [that] we have to do better for the children that are coming up behind us. A lot of my children have tattoos on them. I was thinking… how can I make a situation where I am speaking to our adolescence, but my audience is still an adult audience and I want to marry the two. I’m like, ‘What do most adults have that’s not lewd, and it’s not disrespectful to children?’ So I definitely superimpose tattoos onto my children. And I’ve had friends who have been kind enough to send me their baby pictures, and I tend to put on tattoos that they now have in adulthood, cause I have this belief that we carry our inner child through with us throughout the remainder of our lives. And that’s what I’m really paying homage to.
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 25, 2024 • psuvanguard.com
My methodology, a lot of times, is layering colors. I use a method called the grisaille method. So I start with a monochromatic painting—or either it’s black or white or a sepia tone—and then I slowly add values on top of it, and that’s what gives it the effect that it has, or the presentation that it has.
VG: Do you have any goals for your future as an artist? Watkins: I think that having programming available to me at a young age is what saved my life. So my goal is to start an art camp—a public art camp for youth around high school age—where we can make public art. We’ll probably make it offsite and have it installed at a later date around our community. I think one thing it’ll do is give our youth something to do during the summer, and then it’s great to attach to your CV. When I was a young girl—15, 16, 17—I could walk around my community and say, ‘Hey, I put that there. I put that piece of work there.’ I want to create that experience for youth here in Portland. I think that’s one of my greatest aspirations.
VG: Do you have any advice for young artists? Watkins: Collaborate. I think a lot of people try to network up. My number one advice is to network across. Network with your classmates. Network with your friends and collaborate. I would say that’s number one. Probably one would be show up. Show up on time. The best ability is availability. I can’t tell you how many times there are people who are more talented than me, but they were not as consistent or willing to show up as I have been. And speaking of consistency, be consistent. Create all the time. You have to learn how to create when you don’t feel like creating. Set aside time daily. If you’re not currently in a paid practice, you have to practice daily, even when you’re not inspired. And then practice something that you’re not good at… Continue to do the work even when you don’t feel like it. That’s my advice. And be a pleasure. No one wants to be with a grump. Be a pleasure, not a pushover, but a pleasure. Be kind. It costs nothing.
Local A&C Events MILO LOZA
Golden Portland
Benson Bubbler (301-363 SW Madison St.) Jan. 25, 2 p.m. $10 A scavenger hunt meant for families, involving puzzles, riddles and challenges related to Portland
Midnight Mic
Funhouse Lounge Jan. 26, 12 a.m. Free A late-night, stand up open mic beginning at midnight, featuring local comedians performing three-minute sets
Jessica Kirson
Revolution Hall Jan. 27, 7 p.m. $35+ Powerhouse comedian with hilariously relatable silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters
The Lion King
Keller Auditorium Jan. 28, 1 p.m. $35+ Watch the Disney movie adapted to the stage
El Oh Hell
Dante’s Jan. 29, 4 p.m. Free A comedy open mic inside of a hellthemed bar with five-minute sets, hosted by Bryan Withawhy
Gail Lehrman
Eastside Jewish Commons Jan. 30, 7 p.m. Free The author will read excerpts from her debut novel Across Seward Park
Totality: DJ Xenith
The Coffin Club Jan. 31, 10 p.m. No Cover An evening of goth, industrial, EBM and synth dance music
COURTESY OF KYRA WATKINS
Watkins places children at the center of her personal art practice. The works serve as a reminder to show up for your inner child
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 25, 2024 • psuvanguard.com
ARTS & CULTURE
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VANGUARD CROSSWORD Answers in stories 1/25/24 MILO LOZA
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Answers from last week’s issue 1)SBS 2)PSUSUPER 3)Edsights 4)Shakespearean 5)StreetArt 6)Keri 7) StephenPercy 8) Ben 9) Donation 10) VictorEBot
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Across: 4. Watkin’s advice was to “_____ _____. It cost nothing,” two words
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5. A 21% rate in adults as of 2024 11
9. The name of PSU’s online platform for financial aid applications, two words 10. The new key used by disappointed residents of a PSU housing partner 11. S hort for Minimal Test Stand: a tiny, liquid fuel engine test stand, acronym
Down: 1. Usually the main source or subject or Kyra Watkin’s work 2. Kyra Watkin’s project “Never Look Away” can be seen in the North _____ _____, two words
Across 4. “____ ___. It cost nothing.” 2 words 5. A 21% rate in adults as of 2024. 9. The name of PSU’s online platform for financial aid applications. 10. The new key used by disappointed residents of a Portland State housing partner.
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CROSSWORD
3. T he application provided by the U.S. Department of Down Education for federal student aid, acronym
1. The main source or subject or Kyra Watkin’s work, usually. 6. A vibrant group of students at PSU where DIY rocketry meets nanosatellites, 2. Kyra Watkin’s project “Never acronym Look Away” can be seen in Portland the North _____ ______, words 7. T he State housing partnertwo run by American Communities, two wordsprovided by the US 3. TheCampus acronym of the application Department of Education for federal student aid. 8. C hristian nationalist group that has compiled lists of books which they’ve deemed unworthy, three words
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 25, 2024 • psuvanguard.com
Community & Wellness Resources UPDATED WEEKLY By Milo Loza
Happening Soon
Resources
Wellness
PSU Basic Needs Hub
SHAC Mind Spa
SMSU Suite 435 Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Free for students
UCB Suite 310 Mon–Fri (by appointment) Free for students
Fariborz Maseeh Hall, room 342H Jan. 25, 11 a.m. Free for students
Helps students access resources such as funds, food, housing, employment, childcare and health support.
Solo space to experience biofeedback, light therapy, meditation, massages, relaxation and more. Must be enrolled in at least five credits for summer or fall.
Learn the basics of LinkedIn, how to connect to professionals and organizations in your field
PSU Food Pantry
LinkedIn 101 Workshop
Mocktail Movie & Game Night Smith Memorial Student Union, room 333 Jan. 25, 6 p.m. Free for students Discover how joining a sorority can enrich your college experience with Delta Gamma
Mario Kart Tournament Rec Sports office Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m. Free for students Find out if you are the best Mario Kart driver at PSU
Board Game Night Smith Memorial Student Union cafeteria Jan. 26, 3 p.m. Free for students Play board games with new friends or hang out and watch
HKSA Chinese Calligraphy & Painting Smith Memorial Student Union, room 327 Jan. 30, 5 p.m. Free for students Indulge in the art of Chinese calligraphy and painting, complemented by fun leisures
Parenting Tweens, Teens & Young Adults Online Jan. 31, 12 p.m. Free for students A workshop for you to meet other parents navigating issues specific to raising teenagers
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 25, 2024 • psuvanguard.com
1704 SW Broadway (temporary location) Tues–Thur, 12–4 p.m. Free for students Access to free groceries in a welcoming, equitable, trauma-informed way. Must be enrolled in at least one credit for summer or fall.
Multnomah Behavioral Health Online Available 24/7 Free Discover resources and communities for behavioral health, including mental health and addiction
SMART recovery meetings
Mindful Meanderings
University Center Building 340 E Times vary Free
Listen on Spotify Available 24/7 Free
In peer recovery, students with shared experiences connect to reduce stigma and build a campus recovery community.
PSU-produced podcast about being mindful while outside, practicing gratitude, finding joy and being in the moment
SHAC weekly online parent support group
Telus Health Student Support
Online Thursdays 11 a.m. Free Come together as parents in a relaxed setting to support each other, share ideas, collaborate and commiserate
Women’s Resource Center Online Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free Confidential advocacy services to students who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, violence and stalking
Oregon Energy Fund Varying Locations Mon–Fri, hours vary Free Provides energy bill assistance to low-income Oregonians to support household stability
Download on App Store or Google Play Available 24/7 Free Connecting students with free, confidential mental health and wellbeing support
Outdoor Workshop Wednesdays Watch on Youtube Available 24/7 Free PSU Campus Recreation Center staff videos about topics ranging from Leave No Trace and plant identification to hiking spots and land acknowledgments
BORP online fitness studio Watch on Zoom Mon–Sat, hours vary Free Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program’s (BORP) virtual exercise classes for people with physical disabilities
RESOURCES
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