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.
Letter from the Editor Hope is the newspaper in print
NOAH CARANDANIS
On Nov. 15, 1946, the first iteration of PSU Vanguard was published. Under the name of Vet’s Extended, the articles in that first issue reported on the inauguration of the student government and Dr. Stephen Epler’s introduction to the student body. It was an issue filled with hope and excitement, and subsequently, a hopeful and excited paper was presented. 79 years later, that same spirit continues to course through the veins of PSU Vanguard
This Spring term, the paper is coming out of a print hiatus. Printed on its pages is a newly redesigned look to the publication. Plenty of thought and deliberation went into this redesign, which would not have been made possible without the talents and efforts of our design team and Creative Director, Briana Cieri. The new logo harkens back to the original Vanguard typeface while demonstrating the collegial zeitgeist of a student-run newspaper evolving with the community on the Park Blocks.
We, as editorial staff, have also selected “the paper that would not die” as our organization's motto, inspired by Portland State University's early years being designated as “the college that would not die.” Throughout its many years on campus, Vanguard has stubbornly refused to succumb to any distractions from its mission of informing the campus and Portland community of news relevant to them.
As the Editor-in-Chief of this storied publication, I want PSU Vanguard to be a newspaper that every reader can pick up and glean information from. No matter what state PSU or the Portland community finds itself in, will maintain its commitment to providing ethical, accurate and timely news to you, our readers.
The newsroom is the heart and soul of any newspaper. On most days, you will find editors hurriedly typing away at their desks writing a story, a Creative Director painstakingly formatting the paper for publication and editors pitching stories and pouring over articles. Tucked away in Smith Memorial Student Union’s Sub-basement, the world of Portland State University is animated within the lives and work of Vanguard members.
Ultimately, journalists are storytellers. We seek truth within the Park Blocks and diligently shine a light on people’s stories. Throughout its history, this paper has reported upon every aspect of campus life. As writers, designers and editors, we wish to present our readers with a full picture of this distinct community. With Spring term, there comes blooming, yet in order to bloom one must grow. It is no secret that PSU and Portland are experiencing a time of growing pains. A new city government and mayor, a university financial crisis resulting in faculty layoffs and national turbulence descending upon American higher education all leave brush strokes upon the paintings of our campus experiences and lives. It is appealing to fall into despair at times
such as this. To wonder if the whole experiment of Portland State University is worth participating and investing in.
Yet, I urge you to remember this University’s roots. It was founded primarily to serve veterans returning from the horrors of World War II. These students wished to use their GI Bill to receive a higher education and seek truth after enduring unthinkable atrocities and tragedies. Even in the shadow of war, people foraged for hope within their shared inquiries for knowledge.
PSU Vanguard, from its inception, has been a publication
and bloom. This growth is exhibited in stories such as faculty and administration agreeing on a tentative contract, students collectively raising their voices on campus and the community supporting the flavors of a food cart. Each story we collect continues to fertilize the community of this campus and unites us around the common good of Portland State.
It would be unfair of me to ask only you, Vanguard reader, to take up the mantle of hope and take seriously the issues of our times. Along with you, as Editor-in-Chief, I will maintain that delicate yet necessary flame of hope within myself and this paper. I will diligently lead this publication to honestly and seriously engage the stories that the Park Blocks present us. The world may seem dark and despairing, but it is in connecting with other people through stories that we can fan the flame of hope. It is through listening and engaging with those different from us that we sow seeds of growth within ourselves. It is through the cultivation of knowledge and truth-seeking that we can take seriously the most pressing of matters.
founded on the unshakeable belief that there is hope to be harvested and growth to be observed on the Park Blocks.
It must be recognized that there is a severity within growth. It is not something to be taken lightly or frivolously. Intention, critical thinking, bravery and the spirit of perseverance are necessary in order to enjoy the colors that blossoming brings. Boldness is required to meet the moment and hope staves off the specter of withering.
I believe with an unequivocal certainty that the Portland State University staff, faculty and students have the ability to grow
PSU Vanguard will continue to hold power to account and uplift the voices of students, staff and faculty. A paper without readers is a ship without wind in its sails, so I encourage you to continue picking up our issue every week. Learn more about your fellow community members and critically engage with this campus. My staff and I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure this weekly miracle serves you through honest and accurate reporting. When we make mistakes, let us know so that we too may grow and continually hope to be a better publication.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to my editorial staff and all Vanguard contributors. Every issue would not be possible without the time, talent and effort every one of them puts into this publication. It is my privilege to lead this team throughout Spring term and fulfill Vanguard ’s mission of providing the community with meaningful stories and impactful news.
A campus newspaper is a reflection of a particular moment in time on campus, captured within ink and paper. I look around, and I see a college community that still fights for what it believes in. I hear the passion of professors for their students. I observe the astounding work my peers are doing. Now is not the time to submit at the altar of despair. Winter has melted and Spring has arrived. The only thing left for us to do is blossom.
With hope,
Noah Carandanis PSU Vanguard Editor in Chief
ARIANNA THOMAS/PSU VANGUARD
Staff Say $38k in Uncollected Revenue Led to Cuts at NASCC
PSU community blames administrative management for reduced services at the NASCC
ISAIAH BURNS
Several students sat around a table in the Native American Student and Community Center (NASCC) during the middle of the Winter term. Their agenda was fairly straightforward, to discuss their concerns and fears over the facility’s handling in recent times.
“I felt catfished because I’m a transfer student. I come from out of state, and I saw on the NASCC website this beautiful building…” a student said, who wished to remain confidential. “So much programming, so many resources, so many clubs. Some of those don’t even exist anymore.”
“The NASCC used to be open until, like 2 or 3 a.m. They would be here all night… Now we can only enter during business operating hours,” a student said, who also wished to remain confidential. “We get locked out. We can’t be here. There’s no one to manage it. A lot of the time, it’s just completely empty.”
Like many of the students there, they were particularly concerned about a quiet reduction in the building’s operating hours that occurred this year, with multiple days cut out of its weekly schedule for over six months.
Professional staff at the NASCC claim the center was projected to earn approximately $40 thousand in revenue due to venue rentals last year, though departmental oversights led to only around $2,000 being collected. Staff and students report this led to staff reductions, long term vacancies of critical posi-
tions, reduced operating hours and heightened responsibilities for student-workers. Global Diversity and Inclusion (GDI), the NASCC’s supervising department, gave contrasting explanations.
Jay Molnar is the Program Coordinator for the NASCC. Molnar has worked in this position for three years, which is traditionally the most student-facing role in the center. Molnar recalled how the most recent issues at the center had begun to creep in at the beginning of the academic year. Molnar recollected a specific team meeting with GDI around the start of the Fall term.
“They called that at the beginning of the year, and just kind of told us, this is the situation…[the NASCC] is a revenue generating building…” Molnar said, elaborating on the role professional and student staff play in the building’s finances. “The center charges outside organizations to rent the building, and they do it for events and stuff like that.”
According to Molnar, the only responsibility they have is to send out invoices after events. Once the invoices are out, they have no authority to follow up.
“So all the invoices were sent out, and we know that they were sent out because they have documentation of how much money was made, which was $40,000 for the year,” Molnar said. “Apparently only $2,000 worth of that was paid.”
According to NASCC staff, the exact nature of how this error occurred is unknown.
Molnar spoke on the status of the center during the public comment section at the Board of Trustees’ January meeting.
“I know for a fact after I spoke to the Board of Trustees about this particular issue that they not only hadn’t heard about it, but they also didn’t know about any of the other struggles going on, like for the center or within GDI,” Molnar said.
A campus-wide email was sent out by Board of Trustees Chair Benjamin Berry on April 11, following up on the April Board of Trustees meeting, in which there was a Tribal Relations Update.
In the email, Berry stated:
“Public comments also addressed concerns about reduced staffing at the Native American Student and Community Center (NASCC)… I have asked for a deeper review of these topics to better understand the issues that were shared, and while I can not provide an update at this time, I am looking into these concerns.”
Araceli Cruz is one of the current Associate Vice Presidents of GDI and has held the position since November of 2023. Cruz oversees Student Legal Services, the Veterans Resource Center and the NASCC.
In a previous interview with PSU Vanguard held prior to Molnar’s interview, Cruz addressed the long-term vacancy of the building manager position, a critical role in facilities management that had been empty since the previous manager resigned at the end of Spring last year.
Entrance to the NASCC at Portland State University.
RUE CONRAD/PSU VANGUARD
In the interview, Cruz claimed the vacancy was intentional and the result of university-wide budget cuts.
“The position is vacant, but we are hiring an interim… because of the budget cuts, the NASCC was also impacted, just like across the institution,” Cruz said. “So we did have to leave the position vacant for six months to allow for some salary savings that we needed to meet… so it is taking a little bit longer to post.”
Molnar said they never received any explanation as to why the position remained vacant for so long but were instead told efforts were being made to fill the position throughout its vacancy. No other staff members or students interviewed said they’d heard this explanation, but a majority independently claimed they were under the impression the position was supposed to have been filled permanently by January. Molnar additionally claims that GDI told them in that same meeting that the building hours were being reduced in order to save utility costs, specifically electrical and HVAC.
“They should have been honest and been like, we can’t afford to pay enough student workers to keep it open every day of the week instead of ‘we need to shut off the electricity and HVAC,’” Molnar said.
Cruz did not mention the $38 thousand shortfall in her first interview with PSU Vanguard, which was held prior to Molnar’s interview in which the shortfall was first mentioned. Cruz agreed to respond to follow-up questions over email after the fact. When asked if the shortfall existed, Cruz did not directly confirm, but stated:
“A list of pending invoices is reviewed regularly throughout the year. During our March review of last year, we identified a significant number of outstanding invoices, including some that were more than 365 days old. In response, staff followed up with clients to ensure payments were submitted… We rely on our clients to submit their payments at their earliest convenience. As an organization, we do not send outstanding balances to collections, which can occasionally result in delayed payments. Currently, payments for external users are primarily accepted by check, which has presented some logistical challenges. A new campus-wide system is in development that will enable credit card payments, significantly improving the efficiency and timeliness of the payment process.”
When asked for clarification on her statements regarding “salary savings” and if they were the reasoning behind the changes, Cruz declined to comment, but provided a copy of a letter sent from GDI Vice President Ame Lambert addressing the recent concerns related to the NASCC.
“It is no secret that PSU has had to pull on a variety of levers to help close its budget deficit…” Lambert stated in the letter. “One of the levers to address the deficit now includes attributing a certain amount of salary savings to each unit… We only had two open positions on general funds this fiscal year: the NASCC manager and an Investigator position… So we made the difficult decision to hold them both open…”
One of the central concerns that students raised was the relocation of professional staff to Smith Memorial Student Union during most of the week. Molnar, for instance, previously worked at Smith just one day per week. Two days were spent remote, and two days were spent inside the NASCC. Now, Molnar only spends one day per week at the NASCC but is required to return to Smith after 5 p.m. on most of those days.
On the staff relocations, Cruz said:
“More of the student traffic is happening in Smith, so we adjusted the schedule so now every professional staff has just one day in the office… then they support students back in Smith, because that’s where they need to be… We wanted to support students in a more holistic way, and because the need is over there in Smith right now, we needed to ensure that we also had staff supporting students there.”
Students who frequent the center held different perspectives, citing relocation of indigenous staff as a culturally and contextually sensitive issue.
“Our resources are being relocated, which I feel is very insensitive to our students, who do have a very close connection with culture, and a sense of relocation is a very traumatizing thing to have to be reintroduced to,” said a student who wished to remain confidential. “So you’re putting students through traumatic experiences. Maybe you don’t realize it, but you are.”
Molnar echoed similar sentiments.
“The students are like, we don’t feel comfortable being there unless there’s a native authority figure there,” Molnar said. This is not the first time staff relocations have occurred at the NASCC despite the community and staff’s disapproval. A source
shared a letter of correspondence detailing an eerily similar situation that occurred in 2013. At the time, the University was struggling with a $15 million shortfall in revenue, a fact that led the University President at the time, Wim Wiewel, to propose tuition hikes and faculty terminations.
The letter was addressed to Wiewel and signed by Jackie Leno Grant, Chair of the Oregon Indian Coalition on Post-Secondary Education. It details how the university had re-organized the duties of the Student Services Coordinator position (Molnar’s current position), at the time held by Dean Azule. One of the complaints raised was that Azule was required to split his time between the NASCC and Smith.
“Historically, changes such as these; made without consultation with tribal education leaders, parents and students themselves, sends a message to tribal students and communities that their educational needs are not valued in the overall mission of the University,” the letter stated.
According to a former coworker of Azule during this time, who wished to remain confidential, the backlash prompted the University to reallocate his hours at the NASCC.
Trevor Roberts was the former building manager and the last person to hold the permanent position. He resigned from the position at the end of Spring 2024.
“I like to joke about how it always felt like I walked into a burning building and I was given like a super soaker,” Roberts said.
Roberts did not wish to go on the record with the specific details of his resignation, but he cited challenging working conditions and mental fatigue as principal factors.
“I just had to get out because my mental health was suffering,” Roberts said. “I was not sleeping. It was just a lot of stress and a lot of pressure, and I just had to kind of step away from that… I was sad to leave the role and being able to work with my community… [but] I do feel like it was the best decision I made at that time.”
Roberts similarly claimed mismanagement at the middle administrative level was a central source of his dissatisfaction.
“Speaking candidly, I guess I don’t believe that GDI hired the most qualified candidate for the Assistant Vice President position,” Roberts said. “There was a lot of learning time and a learning curve that just made my job a lot harder… there was not enough me, and there was not enough time in the day to handle all
the building’s needs, like I had been for the past year and a half.”
Both Cruz and Molnar said that the facility was greatly supported by student-workers employed at the center during this time. However, their respective viewpoints on the conditions varied.
“I think it’s always challenging when you do have a vacancy because you do need someone to be there, and so I think that can sometimes be hard, but I know that we have a great group of work-study students who are also supporting us,” Cruz said. Molnar held a contrasting perspective, claiming the working conditions were unfair for student-workers.
“The NASCC closes at five,” Molnar said. “However, the student groups usually have their meetings from five to seven over there, so someone has to be there. So since I’m not there, it ends up being like, the one student worker who doesn’t get paid over time is kind of forced to be there.”
Students similarly credited their own peers as being foundational to the center’s success, also noting they felt overwhelmed with responsibilities.
“I’m just very proud of all of the students that are here and the fight that we have had to continue—to make sure that there’s something for the next cohort to walk into,” a student said, who chose to remain confidential. “Maybe it’s something less and less, but we just want to make sure that there’s something here.”
On Thursday, Mar. 20, there was an incident in which a seemingly unhoused individual tried to gain access to the building through the lower level entrance. The individual appeared to be mentally unwell and was repeatedly banging on the doors and shouting requests to enter.
Cruz was in her office at the time but did not exit to address the situation. Ultimately, the individual was approached by a student inside the center. According to Molnar, the student was not an employee, nor had they received any conflict resolution or de-escalation training. Regardless, the student was able to de-escalate the situation, and the individual left peacefully.
PSU Vanguard was present at the time of this event and witnessed it unfold.
As of Apr. 3, an interim building manager was hired at the NASCC, and the building hours were reinstated to 9 a.m. –5 p.m., Monday through Friday. No formal announcements were made.
Front entrance to the NASCC on SW Jackson street.
BRIANA CIERI/PSU VANGUARD
Bringing the community together for Eid Al-Fitr
Student groups and centers collaborate to celebrate Eid-Al
Fitr—a holiday marking the end of Ramadan
ADYAN HUSSEIN
During the final weekend in March, the Islamic holiday Eid Al-Fitr was being celebrated worldwide. This holiday marks the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
For Eid Al-Fitr, Muslims gather to pray in congregation in the early morning and generally have family and community gatherings, as well as feasts and holiday sweets, for the rest of the day.
The following week after Eid Al-Fitr, PSU’s MENASA (Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian) Student Center and PAC (Pan-African Commons) collaborated with the student groups MSA (Muslim Student Association) and ASA (Arab Student Association) on a joint event. With the title Eid Brunch, the hosts featured a traditional Middle Eastern breakfast spread, Dubai chocolate strawberries, henna and coffee from Above GRND Coffee—a newly opened Somali owned Cafe and workspace on Broadway.
This event began at 1 p.m. and ran until the early evening, bringing together various community members from all over Portland.
Umniyah Shakir, a Freshman at Ida B. Wells High School, was in attendance at the Eid Brunch with family members.
“My aunt goes to PSU, so I came with her,” Shakir said. “The event was good, it makes everybody feel welcome and it really brings out the culture.”
Shakir later got her henna done in MENASA before leaving the event.
Many different activities were laid out, which drew in communities of all ages from different schools that brought significant attention to PSU to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr.
Ali Baki, an Iraqi Student and Member of the ASA, chatted about his attendance at the celebration.
“I’m a part of ASA—but it’s also an Eid event, and I’m Muslim, so I partake in the holiday,” said Baki. “Eid Al-Fitr brings together all the Muslims around the world, there’s many cultures so it brings us all together in a room to share moments in food.”
In the back tables of PAC, there was a spread of Ful—beans served with olive oil, cumin, chopped parsley, garlic, onion, etc.— hummus, pita bread, Arabic coffee and tea, and manakeesh— a popular Levantine food that consists of dough topped with za’atar, cheese or ground meat.
“I came with a friend because I heard they have an event, and I think a lot of schools don’t have events like this so it’s so interesting to see that PSU celebrated,” said Nasrin Ali, a
Somali Student at PSU.
Ali’s thoughts highlight the welcoming atmosphere this Eid event has fostered and how unifying celebrating as a community is for PSU’s environment. It allows the University to set itself apart by valuing cultural expression and encouraging inclusivity.
Omar Faroukh, a Palestinian Student at PSU, shared how this event highlighted solidarity through community gatherings.
“I heard about the Eid event with some of my friends that are a part of ASA and MSA, and then I just pulled up for Eid to celebrate,” said Faroukh. “The event was pretty cool, it was nice [to see] the community together and kind of just hang out and celebrate Eid together.”
According to Faroukh, events like this help educate students who may not be familiar with the holiday about Eid Al-Fitr. Portland State’s Muslim community is known to celebrate both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha during the academic year and post flyers in preparation on the MSA, ASA and MENASA social media pages.
“A lot of non-Muslims ask about it and about what’s going on, and it’s cool to educate people on the religion and what is going on and how different cultures within Islam come together to celebrate,” said Faroukh.
Applying Henna to the hand of a friend, and takes the time to tell me about the art and celebratory practice.
RUE CONRAD/PSU VANGUARD
Korean American Student Representatives Journey to Washington D.C.
PSU’s KASA president, Ashton Lee, gives an insider look on the trip
ADYAN HUSSEIN
This past January, Ashton Lee, President of PSU’s Korean American Student Association (KASA), took a trip to Washington D.C. in a delegation of students to lobby for Asian-American interests in Congress.
Lee’s mission was to uplift the Korean-American community through civic engagement and grassroots organizing in support of Korean-American issues.
By getting the chance to meet with lawmakers and experts in policy, these student representatives were striving to raise awareness about key issues affecting Asian-Americans.
The Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping uplift the Korean-American community through different forms of civic participation, according to the KAGC Policy Priorities of the 119th Congress.
“KAGC bridges the grassroots to Capitol Hill by educating members and staff of Congress on Korean American policy priorities, as well as assisting its 30 partner organizations to develop and implement civic education and voter registration programs across the United States,” the document reads. “In order to equip and empower our community members to become active participants and effective advocates, KAGC serves as the central resource hub by providing up-to-date information and analyses on the Korean American electorate, priority issues, and policy development.”
Lee was chosen alongside 30 other students from a variety of different Universities in a competitive application process to advocate for the Korean-American community.
Student representatives begin their proposals by stating their mission in regards to the Korean-Americans in Oregon.
Lee had the opportunity to speak to the first Korean American Senator, Andy Kim, and asked him a question relating to how university students make up one of the biggest populations of non-voters—and how they, as student leaders, can improve community and policy engagement within campus.
“His response to that was to take advantage of soft power and educate whenever given the chance,” stated Lee. “So, within
KASA's events, we always try to connect it to something more significant.”
These student representatives spoke for the Asian-American community and talked about different policies they wanted to focus on—the group also had a chance to speak to Senator Jeff Merkley’s representative, Vlad Salas Moreno, who is the legislative correspondent.
The three policies mentioned are as follows: the start of a new session of Congress, consider sponsoring two bills that were introduced in the 118th Congress if they drop this session, co-sponsor the Divided Families National Registry Act, and cosponsor the Minority Entrepreneur Grant Program Act of 2023.
Opportunities for students, such as the Minority Entrepreneur Grant Program, help support the Asian-American community in Portland.
“The Minority Entrepreneur Grant basically allows small businesses to expand other programs which will allow Korean American owners or other minority owners to have more resources which is really important,” said Lee.
This initiative reflects a much broader effort that is being made to address systemic barriers that many minority entrepreneurs are facing.
“The lack of representation, especially since KASA was down for so long, I feel like there wasn't a strong community like other campuses,” Lee said. “It's definitely something we are lacking but we are trying to grow that community and that sense of comradery which has been something that's been our goal this year.”
The result of COVID-19 had many communities at PSU suffering because of the distance that was created within student associations.
“With our latest event, Squid Games, we talked about what the show represented in Korea and how Korea can use media like that one to show off bigger and more critical issues,” Lee said.
PSU’s KASA encourages students looking to get more involved in the community to attend their events that are being held regularly in Smith Memorial Student Center at PSU.
Critical Miss
NASH BENNETT
Critical Miss is an on-campus club that facilitates various tabletop board games and card games. They offer weekly Board Game Nights in the cafeteria of the Smith Memorial Student Union. Students can freely partake in a wide array of games, including Catan, Ticket to Ride and Cards Against Humanity. They also help students create small groups who meet for more long-form games, like Dungeons & Dragons. These small group sessions usually happen outside of regular club meeting times and are scheduled at the players’ discretion.
“ I think that play is something that we really lose starting at around our age,” said Melina Jacklet, an officer for the club.
They elaborated on how board games can be a great way to connect with your community and how joining this club helped them meet people when they first came to PSU.
Members of the group can find camaraderie in the world-building based games like Dungeons & Dragons, where participants role-play as characters of their own creation. Jacklet mentions how role-playing games have been an avenue for players to explore new kinds of selfexpression and identity through their characters.
The group’s main line of communication is through a bustling Discord server. Scrolling through, you’ll find loads of text channels dedicated to specific games, groups and topics. Joining the server is commonly met with many greetings from current members, and a sense of welcoming is clear. Their weekly Board Game Nights feature a long table packed to the edge with games of many kinds that participants can pull from, but students are allowed to bring their own games as well.
The club provides a space for students of diverse interests to come together and share the experience of joy through board games. Whether it’s an epic quest of might in Pathfinder or a casual game of Checkers, this club will surely lead students to finding community on-campus. Critical Miss’s Board Game Nights happen every Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Smith Memorial Student Union cafeteria.
Student representatives give their thanks post policy meeting.
COURTESY OF ASHTON LEE
Spring and the Return of Frozen Sweet Treats
Small Businesses Serving Up The Best Soft Serve and Scoops
Congratulations, Vikings! We made it through Winter Term, which is arguably the hardest of all the quarters due to the quick turnaround after the holidays and the atrocious weather (though this year wasn’t so bad). But we made it, and even the cherry blossoms are blooming in phases to sing our praises, letting us enjoy our transition into warmer days. So, in the spirit of embracing Spring and celebrating another term completed, I would like to suggest some ice cream.
I am a year-round ice cream consumer, but it is my understanding that for states with actual seasons, like our beloved Portlandia, ice cream phases out during the colder months as the perennials do. Scoops are swapped for hot cider and hot-out-ofthe-oven options like cookies or pies. Because in Portland, you truly can find anything your heart desires.
And little ‘ol me? My heart desires ice cream—which means I am the perfect person to suggest sweets that’ll rock your wool socks off and kick you into full Spring mode.
MY TOP SPOTS FOR ICE CREAM IN PORTLAND
While varying in distance from PSU, all three are easily reachable via walking or public transit.
TARTBERRY
0.5 miles from PSU (12min via A/NS streetcar or 13min walk)
536 SW College St, Portland, OR 97201
Open Daily: 1 P.M. – 10:30 P.M.
This spot—which is right next to PSU—is like a childhood dream. Not only do they have “Dole Whip,” a flavor usually only seen at
Disneyland or in the Aloha state, but the toppings are limitless. I may be hyperbolizing, but only slightly, because they have it all from gummy sharks to candy legos to fresh fruit and marshmallow fluff. There is a cooled section, candy section, fruit section, sauce section, nut station, sprinkle station, and you bet ‘ya, whipped topping. Warning: Just because you can include everything but the kitchen sink doesn’t mean you should. Pick your flavors carefully.
CHEESE & CRACK SNACK SHOP
2.5 miles from PSU (30 min via A/NS streetcar to #20 bus) 22 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
As long as I’m in Portland, I’m sticking to crack. Cheese & Crack, that is. In the Laurelhurst neighborhood, you will find the most delectable spot serving up custard ice cream, wine and charcuterie. Despite the trek to get there, it’s worth every minute. The monthly sundae specials and pictures of Dolly Parton are enough to keep me coming back on the regular. March’s flavor, “Dirt in a Cup,” served 90’s elementary school nostalgia but elevated. They also have $4 soft serve cones, which are the perfect sweet treat if you aren’t looking for a whole sundae. Their vanilla custard ice cream is the perfect base to elevate any toppings while being mouthwatering all on its own.
I have really come to love their whimsical approach to what really is an adult ice cream shop. From fudge to frozé, Cheese & Crack serves up the most scrumdiddly-yum-yum treats as addictive as, well, crack.
This shop may be tucked away on a quiet little street, but I hope we can give them the commotion they deserve. The atmosphere at St. Francis Ice Cream was so charming, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy before I even got my ice cream.
Their most popular flavor is called “Pixie Lix,” which is cookies & cream with sprinkles. Very cute, very iconic, especially when you learn the owners’ kids came up with the favor all on their own! But I am a sucker for a salty-sweet combo with crunchy bits, so I landed on a scoop of Peanut Brittle in a waffle cone. It was delectable, and I was delighted to find ice cream and crunchy peanut candy all the way down to the tippy bottom of the cone. What a treat!
ICE QUEEN
2.2 miles from PSU (29 min via #9/17/19 bus)
1421 NE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97232
Open Daily: 6:30 A.M. – 12:00 A.M.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Queen! As a Chicana-California native—and former vegan—I was excited to hear about the plant based paletas on the East side.
Ice Queen has soft serve, but I would urge you to branch out if you haven’t tried a paleta. They are popsicles, technically, but most paleta bases are still creamy and include fresh pieces of whatever flavor you get inside the popsicle—like strawberries, cookies or coconut. It was great to see classic flavors like Magonada and Fresa and Oatchata (vegan version of Horchata) represented as well as “hipster” Portland flavors like London Dungeon (earl gray lavender) and Bunny Munch (carrot, orange and ginger).
I ordered a fudgsicle, half dipped in the chocolate shell with coconut and caramel drizzle—delicious! I was surprised by how affordable the paleta was, especially with three toppings. Not to mention the nice girl who made my paleta loaded me up good—if she’s reading this, I hope she has an awesome time in San Francisco.
SAMANTHA HOPE BOULGARIDES
Tart Berry offers a myriad of toppings.
Spring treats offered at Cheese and Crack Snack Shop.
HOPE BOULGARIDES/PSU VANGUARD
HOPE BOULGARIDES & ABBY RAYMUNDO/PSU VANGUARD
Through a Maple Leaf Darkly A dispatch from the 51st state
Quotes are not fact based and are for satirical purposes.
OTTAWA (AP) — After a closely contested vote in Parliament, Canada opted last week to officially become the 51st member of the United States. The vote came just days after Leader of the Official Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, led his party to victory in Monday’s federal election at the urging of U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress.
At a press conference with Poilievre in Ottawa on Friday, President Trump showed some confusion about the specifics of the arrangement, saying of Poilievre, “The Governor of Canada — they called him Prime Minister before, ‘PM’ they call it, you probably didn’t know that — Governor of the big beautiful new state of Canada, tremendous place, big hills, lots of snow! — we need more snow, I was just telling Elon about this, they have, perhaps, the most snow anyone’s seen, not like South Africa — they have white people there, you know, what a thing, it’s Africa but they have big winners like Elon there, tremendous place — I was just telling him, what do you say we go for 52, Elon, huh, 52, folks, nice round number, we love number with two, folks, big two, that’s what I call it, big two.”
When asked about his relationship going forward with Governor Poilievre, Trump said, “Well, we’re looking at it very closely, but he seems like a nice guy, Pierre, Perfect Pierre
I call him, we had a perfect election up there and, you know, he won big for the conservatives, we love conservatives, don’t we, folks, except for some nasty people but we don’t talk about them, the radicals, the anarchists, the haters of your favorite president, they’re going bye-bye.”
Poilievre—responding to a question about Canadian integration—told reporters, “First of all, I’d like to clarify some terminology: this is not an ‘annexation,’ as some in the media have reported. This is a mutual decision made freely by the Canadian and American people—”
At this remark, President Trump interjected, “American, Pierre, American. No Canada. America.”
With a short laugh, Poilievre continued, “We have decided in our mutual best interest to join the United States, one of the largest economies and military powers in the world, with clear benefits for Canadians — I apologize, Americans — everywhere. Already, we have torn down the economic barriers between us, ending the tariffs that caused so much harm to the Canadian economy. Now, as part of one united economic power, Canada enjoys free trade with the 50 other states, boosting our trade output to levels never seen before.”
Unaware of the merger’s effect on tariffs implemented earlier this year, Trump later raved in a late-night Truth Social post, “The Liberation Day Tariffs will REMAIN in place despite LIES from Pierre Poilievre, otherwise known as PATHETIC PIERRE, a LOSER who only won his election
because of MY HELP!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told members of the press Saturday morning, “Look, I’m not going to get into issues of who said what, okay? This week is about celebrating the final solution to the Canadian question, and this administration is laser focused on seeing that through,” in remarks that raised widespread alarm.
Later that day, in a video that appeared to have been taken on a cell phone, Poilievre, flanked by two U.S. Army officers, announced his resignation as Governor of Canada. “Effective immediately,” Poilievre said in a darkly lit, windowless room, “I am stepping down as Governor of the great state of Canada. Lieutenant Governor Danielle Smith will take over in my stead, and I ask all of you to show your support for her in these… difficult times.” Poilievre’s office did not respond for comments.
Smith, in her first remarks as Governor, told the CBC, “President Trump and I are 100% aligned in our goals, and I look forward to a close and fruitful cooperation between Canada and the federal government. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” she said, before breaking into a full sprint down the hall, followed by a team of aides.
In a Truth Social post Sunday, Trump wrote, “Danielle Smith, who I call Dynamite Danielle, is the best thing to happen to Canada maybe ever and will be STRONG unlike PRISSY POLLY.”
NICK GATLIN
HALEY HSU/PSU VANGUARD
GILBERTO Z.O./PSU VANGUARD
DEVIN SINGH/PSU VANGUARD
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Community & Wellness Resources Updated weekly
By Noah Carandanis
Happening Soon
On-Campus Job Search Virtual Workshop
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April 19, 12 p.m.
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Get help finding a part-time, student job on campus.
5th Avenue Cinema Presents: Atonement
5th Avenue Cinema
April 18, 6 p.m.
April 19, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
April 20, 3 p.m.
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Enjoy a film this weekend brought to you by PSU Students.
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Enjoy a lunchtime performance from Outsiderz.
Camellia Self-Care Group
SMSU 296/298
April 22, 2 p.m.
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ASPSU SFC debates
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April 23, 4 p.m.
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Learn more about the current candidates running for ASPSU’s Student Fee Committee.
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Learn more about students running to lead ASPSU next year.
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SMSU Suite 435
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Multnomah County official cooling center with access to free technology, internet, limited books and events.
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PSU-produced podcast about being mindful while outside, practicing gratitude, finding joy and being in the moment.
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