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Brady Roland and Rowan Bean
Elected ASPSU Student President and Vice President
What this means for the student body
On the evening of Friday, May 2, Portland State University (PSU) community members gathered at the Simon Benson House to view the results of the 2025 Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU) elections. At the event, it was revealed that the student body had elected Brady Roland and Rowan Bean of the slate PSU4YOU to serve a second term as president and vice president. The slate won with 1,086 votes, defeating the opposing slate—Elevate PSU—who garnered 374 votes.
Roland and Bean have both served in ASPSU for the past two academic years, with the next academic term representing their seventh in the institution.
The PSU4YOU slate focuses its platform on student safety and advocacy, campus engagement, mental health and administrative transparency. In prior terms, they’ve pushed for Campus Public Safety Office (CPSO) accountability, cutting ties with Boeing and expanding support for non-resident and commuter students. Mental health is a high priority for the administration, with plans to continue funding the Camelia Self-Care Group—a program they created in the aftermath of the 2024 Party in the Park tragedy, in which a student suffered a fatal fall from a campus parking garage.
In case you missed the presidential and vice presidential debates last month, here are some of the highlight statements from Roland and Bean.
What is the most pressing issue on campus right now, and how would you practically address it?
Roland: I think student voice suppression… Students are trying to show up and speak out for what they believe in, and our
message is getting across to every corner of campus. Every community member, everyone who’s ever, you know, cared about Portland State, we’re reaching them. But then administration seems to have a cloud in front of their eyes where they can’t really see what we’re saying, and that’s so frustrating…We’re in a place where everything they decide affects us, and so our voice should be the loudest on campus.
Bean: It’s really hard to pick one thing, and that’s low-key, unfortunate that it’s hard to pick one thing… I think the biggest question that I hear a lot is where our tuition dollars are going… [last year] we wrote and passed that resolution to cut ties with Boeing. And then this year we wrote and passed another resolution in tangent with that… a financial sustainability resolution. That was to explore where our money is coming from. Because I think we can all agree that we don’t really want militarized companies and things like that.
Why do students not vote, and how would you specifically increase turnout in future elections?
Bean: As we know, this… is a huge commuter school, so not a lot of people are here on campus all the time… We have been tabling every single week [each] term to be able to just get our faces out there and to also let students know, hey, this is what we have going on right now. Hey, here’s a resolution that we’re writing right now, and take a look at it… We have our podcast where we interview student leaders, professors [and] different stakeholders on campus… We have our newsletter… So we’re putting in efforts… online as well.
Roland: Yeah, we’re doing a lot to increase engagement… What
we’ve been doing to really increase turnout is… much [more] face to face outreach, because when you tell one person, and they tell their friends and their friends tell their friends, you can get a coalition built. And so right now, we’re really just trying to build a coalition… How can we organize? How can we be one? So just reminding students that we are here for you and we want to advocate for you no matter what… student groups is definitely covered, or it will be next year for sure.
As the Trump administration cracks down on DEI programs and international students are left in limbo, what steps will your administration take to address the concerns of students most impacted by these actions?
Roland: We wrote something called the Non-Resident Student Success Program Resolution. And the resolution passed… International students are being targeted more than anything… We want to make a big aspect of this program international student legal and financial support… If you find out tomorrow that your visa has been revoked because… [you were] around during a protest… and the Trump administration found out. Like, that’s scary, and there should be a place where you can go to get help at this school.
Bean: One of the things that we can do right now is meet with those students who are being directly affected… and just be like, hey, what do you need… so that you still feel safe. We can support our resource centers, those communities that the international students have… We can’t stop the federal government. What we can do is boost the resources that we do have… [to help] those students feel safe.
ISAIAH BURNS
PSU4YOU and Elevate PSU take the debate stage.
Editor in Chief Noah Carandanis and News Editor Isaiah Burns prepare to moderate the debate.
PSU Vanguard Editor in Chief Noah Carandanis asks a question to the candidates.
RUE CONRAD/PSU VANGUARD
The Hiatus is Over—Iraqi Club returns with a magnetic energy
PSU’s Iraqi club has its first event after a prolonged inactivity
Delicious tea, yummy foods, a lovely community and no men? Incredible.
On Thursday, April 24, in the Middle Eastern North African South Asian (MENASA) Cultural Center, PSU’s Iraqi Club had its first event after being inactive since Winter term 2024. This event was titled “Iraqi Club Girls Potluck” and marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Iraqi Club, starting up a new era for the Spring term and beyond.
To kick start the event, students brought a variety of different cultural foods and drinks, such as Chai Adeni (Yemeni tea), majanat (mini pastries topped with different meats and cheeses), halawa chocolatia (a milk sweet) and more.
This event caught the attention of a diverse array of students in the community, such as Yasmin Hussein, a Somali Student majoring in Public Health at PSU, who was excited to engage and connect.
“It was really nice to see a lot of Muslim girls in one place [...] I did not know what the event was about, but walking in and seeing a lot of Muslim girls being themselves was nice,” Hussein said. Hussein is a member of the Somali Student Association (SSA),
and stumbled upon the event while waiting for the SSA event right after, and ended up really enjoying spending time with other Muslim women.
Sara Arheim, a Libyan Student studying Public Health, shared a thoughtful perspective on the sense of comfort and belonging she felt as a Muslim woman being in women-only environments.
“I feel like [the event] brings a sense of community together, especially since it's an event for women on campus,” Arheim said. “I don't really get to see that a lot, and since I’m Muslim… we like to keep it halal, I feel like it's more welcoming. You can talk with your friends more freely, and can also bond over food. Since it was a potluck, people were bringing their own [cultural] food, which we can bond over as well. If it's store bought, it doesn't really give the same vibe.”
The last event that was posted for the Iraqi Club prior to this event was in October 2024, and was for National Iraqi Day. The event was a huge hit, and had over 100 attendees present and celebrated Iraqi heritage with friends and family.
The current president of the Iraqi Club, Basma Sulaiman,
played the leading role in planning and carrying out this event. She demonstrated exceptional dedication in keeping the Iraqi community alive at PSU.
“I put in a lot of hard work into the Iraqi Club at the beginning of this year and last year, so it felt wrong to leave it inactive, and so I took on the role as president because it felt like the right thing to do,” Sulaiman said. “[The potluck] went really well. All the girls came and brought food and we connected. The energy was great and everyone was welcoming—we had a lot of fun.”
Sulaiman’s decision to step into a leadership position after the prolonged inactivity reflects the commitment that drives the Iraqi Club. The potluck served as a meaningful social event for women in the community, as well as a symbol of the Iraqi Club turning a new leaf.
“The Iraqi club is a place where Iraqis can find themselves being built into the community at PSU [...] everyone can come, it's for everybody, but it’s a place where we [as Iraqis] join together and find ourselves in our community,” Sulaiman said. “Iraqi people are welcoming to every other culture”.
ADYAN HUSSEIN
ADYAN HUSSEIN/PSU VANGUARD
A myriad of food items were available to students at the Iraqi club event.
HONK! HONK! Clown March runs through the streets of Portland
Written by NASH BENNETT
In celebration of All Fools Day, the local clowns organize
On April 5, a clowning collective known as—The April Fools—held their first official march through Portland’s Central Eastside. With the tagline “In Defense of Joy,” the central message behind the event puts happiness first, reminding Portlanders to maintain their wonder and whimsy despite current societal tensions. Clowns carried signs either showcasing zany quips or statements on positivity and hope.
The march began at Colonel Summers Park, with musical performances by the Unprecedented Brass Band and Brassless Chaps, followed by speeches by various march organizers. The congregation then began marching on past Belmont Street and through Hawthorne.
The march unintentionally occurred on the same day as the “Hands Off” anti-Trump protest, held at the downtown waterfront. While the Clown March wasn’t as outwardly political, undertones of anti-hate ideals rang throughout. The march served as a sort of alternative protest, with a focus on positivity. The April Fools addressed this on their Instagram page days prior, “We may be fools, but we know this is a serious day, and the Clown March isn’t meant to mock the protests— it’s meant to add to the resistance.”
Bike riding clowns conducted traffic as the march paraded through the various neighborhood streets and throughout the Central Eastside.
NASH BENNETT
Seen riding a tall-bike throughout the parade was Quinn Richards, a PSU Student and local clown performer. Richards was one of the main organizers of the event.
“I want people to know that if they want to be a clown, they should be a clown,” Richards said in an interview with PSU Vanguard .
Richards shared how clowning can be a great source of self expression, “[Clowning] can be a beautiful way to process trauma. It can also be so subversive. The jester, for example, was the only one who could mock the king, and so there's this kind of honesty that's built into it.”
Richards is part of a lively and growing clown community in Portland. She can often be seen performing at local venues alongside her partner, Theus Richards, a PSU Student and clown.
Spectators watched in awe as the streets flooded with the sounds of horn honks and whimsical chanting. Clowns could be seen handing out things like flowers, slinkies, and balloon animals to various bystanders.
This clown was seen interacting with the environment frequently as the parade progressed, perching on various ledges and climbing on urban structures.
“To see people’s faces when we were passing by…” Theus Richards shared with Vanguard. “There was just a lot of joy and smiles, even from drivers. Everyone was willing to slow down for us.”
The parade eventually landed at Laurelhurst Park, closing the event with a performance by the traveling performance group The Glad Wagon. Clowns and admirers sat in the grass, relaxing after a successful expedition. With a successful march under their belts, Richards confirmed the return of The April Fools: “We're already scheming.”
Anime Club
Fans of
manga and anime celebrate the art forms
NASH BENNETT
Anime Club intends to create a comfortable social space for fans of anime, manga and adjacent fandoms. Their weekly club meetings have a casual nature, generally acting as a space for like minded individuals to gather and bond over shared media interests.
“ Having a community where you’re not shamed for what you like, while also being around people who you know you can trust is important,” said James Cook, Club President.
He went on to explain how the club is a great way to make friends and an excuse to get to know fellow students on campus. He shared how often club members end up going out to dinner after meetings.
Beyond weekly meetings, Anime Club holds special events like Anime Music Trivia, where fans try to guess the theme songs of popular franchises. They also do regular creative showcases and Jeopardy nights.
Last month, the club traveled to Sakura Con, an anime convention in Seattle, WA. They also have a generous library of manga that’s available to active members, along with regular screenings of anime films.
Cook elaborated on how many of the friendships made in Anime Club last beyond graduation, and alumni have been known to visit events well after their time at PSU.
“ It’s that sense of friendship and community that keeps people coming even when they’re not at PSU anymore,” said Cook.
Students can get involved with the Anime Club by joining their official Discord server, linked on PSU Connect.
RFK Jr.’s War on Autistic People is Eugenics With a New Face
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has apparently made the marginalization of autistic people public policy, using the long arm of the state to claw back decades of progress in both research and acceptance in favor of his own crackpot theories. Kennedy’s crusade against the so-called “autism epidemic” threatens to turn back the clock on the rights of disabled people of all kinds, as the nation’s highest-ranking health official flirts with the rhetoric of eugenics.
On April 15, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a press release titled “‘Autism Epidemic Runs Rampant,’ New Data Shows 1 in 31 Children Afflicted.” The release begins with the claim that— according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network survey—the prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased from 1 in 36 in 2020 to 1 in 31 in 2022. Whether this is true or not, and why that may be the case, is something I’ll leave up to the scientists—something Kennedy clearly has no interest in doing.
Kennedy— a lawyer with no medical training—said in the release, “The autism epidemic is running rampant… President Trump has tasked me with identifying the root causes of the childhood chronic disease epidemic— including autism.”
The loaded language Kennedy uses to talk about autism—now the official language of the Department of Health and Human Services—is meant to imply, falsely, that autism is a preventable disease rather than a heritable developmental disability.
Speaking at an April 16 press conference , Kennedy said many “fully functional” children had “regressed […] into autism when they were 2 years old. And these are kids who will never pay taxes, they’ll never hold a job, they’ll never play baseball, they’ll never write a poem, they’ll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted.”
At the same press conference, Kennedy said, “autism destroys families,” calling it an “individual tragedy as well.”
Writing as one of those grown-up children, I can report somewhat begrudgingly that I am gainfully employed, and a few weeks ago I even did my own taxes and everything, just like a big boy. I’ve written quite a few poems, and while they’ve never seemed to help with my love life, you know, I try my best in that department. I have to admit I’ve never liked baseball, but I was a decent midfielder on my elementary school soccer team—and, last I checked, I’m able to use the bathroom perfectly fine, thank you.
I’m probably not the kind of person Kennedy’s referring to, however.
“Most cases now are severe,” Kennedy said. “Twentyfive percent of the kids who are diagnosed with autism are nonverbal, non-toilet-trained, and have other stereotypical features.”
First, let’s clear something up—the word “most” means “greatest in quantity, extent, or degree,” or “the majority of,” as in, “ most of the country disapproves of President Trump’s handling of the economy ” and “most of what RFK Jr. says about autism is bullshit.” Twenty-five percent, on the other hand, is in fact just over twentyfive percent short of a majority—Secretary Kennedy, if you’re reading this, that would be 50% plus one—and, well, I’m concerned about the HHS Secretary having, at best, a tenuous grasp on middle school mathematics. More seriously, the suggestion that autistic people with higher support needs—including those who are nonverbal, unable to maintain employment, or unable take care of themselves—are “afflicted” by a “preventable disease” is eugenicist nonsense, and it shifts the focus away from effective treatment and accommodation toward a much darker line.
Of course, Kennedy and his supporters would say that it can’t be eugenics—genes have nothing to do with it, they claim. Kennedy has a long history of sidelining the genetic causes of autism in favor of his own conspiracy theories, including the thoroughly debunked claim that vaccines cause autism (they don’t), the idea that autism
is caused by an “environmental toxin” (it isn’t), and that “better awareness of autism cannot be driving a disability like autism to increase by 300% in 20 years” (yes it can, what do you think the word “awareness” means?).
According to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , there is “no evidence that children can develop autism after early fetal development as a result of exposure to vaccines or postnatal toxins.”
Autism is hereditary, and around 80% of cases are linked with inherited genetic mutations, with the remaining 20% stemming from non-inherited mutations. Autism is, put simply, a genetic disorder—the only way to “prevent” autism would be to eliminate all autistic people from the gene pool.
Autism advocacy groups have loudly voiced their opposition to a proposed autism “registry,” including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, which said in an April 23 statement that it was “gravely concerned by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s (RFK Jr.) reported plans to establish a ‘registry’ of autistic people and to hand over sensitive medical data about autistic people to unnamed researchers… given not only this administration’s deplorable, eugenic rhetoric about autism, but its demonstrated disregard for basic standards of scientific evidence , there is every reason to believe that this data will be misused in troubling and dangerous ways.”
The Coalition of Autism Scientists, a newly formed group of research scientists, also stated in an April 25 release that they were “deeply troubled to hear the Secretary of Health & Human Services dismiss past research, downplay the causal role of genes, and portray autistic people in ways that counter our experiences and demean their value to society.”
HHS recently walked back National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya’s comments that the institute would create a “national disease registry,” stating in an email to CBS News, “We are not creating an autism registry. The real-world data platform will link existing datasets to support research into causes of autism and insights into improved treatment strategies.” This may or may not be true—there’s little reason to trust this administration, especially on such a highstakes issue. The fact that such a proposal was even floated is a problem, and taken with Secretary Kennedy’s comments on autism and the general secrecy and cruelty regularly meted out by the Trump administration, it’s not hard to see this as a strategic retreat before a second attempt down the road.
There is no logical end-point for Kennedy’s autism obsession other than a policy of eugenics. Kennedy claims that HHS is “assembling teams of world-class scientists to focus research on the origins of the epidemic, and we expect to begin to have answers by September”—when that research reaffirms decades of genetic findings, what then? Or will they even bother with “research” at all?
Autistic people with high support needs are most at risk, but all autistic people should be alarmed by the government’s newfound focus on the disorder. In fact, everyone should keep their eyes open to what’s happening, because a threat to one of us is a threat to all of us—and even if you’re not autistic, you might still be in the crosshairs next. For example, Trump and Kennedy have placed a target on ADHD medicine as well, with a Feb. 13 executive order calling for a commission on “overreliance on medication and treatments” to “assess the prevalence of and threat posed by” multiple medications, including stimulants used to treat ADHD. The weaponization of fake science to target autistic people has another aim: intimidation. How many parents will choose to forego autism testing for their children, for fear of putting a target on their back? How many self-diagnosed or questioning adults will avoid seeking a diagnosis—and the accommodations made available by that diagnosis—so they don’t end up with their name on a list? These are questions I hoped I would never have to ask.
I have one more question, since I heard I’m not supposed to be paying taxes—could I get that money back, please?
Leonard Cohen’s album is a triumphant sexual reflection
NOAH CARANDANIS
Leonard Cohen is horny. Thankfully, his sexual drive conceived an album that demands retrospective reverence and appreciation.
Made in collaboration with the erratic Producer and Songwriter Phil Spector, Cohen’s album “Death Of A Ladies’ Man” departs from his traditional sound and puts the singer on maximalist soundtracks that enhance his lyricism and vocal prowess.
The opening track, “True Love Leaves No Traces,” seduces the listener with its rich instrumentation and lyrical portrayal of a hopeless romantic. The enmeshing of two lovers demonstrates the ephemeral nature of true love and how difficult it can be to recognize when one is really in it.
This is an album that penetrates sexuality in all of its facets. The self-hatred, euphoria, bonding and disassociated voyeurism that can come with sex and intimacy are on full display.
Lyrics such as “Don’t go home with your hard on // it will only drive you insane” would come off as vulgar or selfish if not for the charm and likability present in Cohen’s voice. The song “Don’t Go Home With Your Hard-On” is one of the most layered and textured songs on the album.
The poetic prowess within the track is intoxicating. Poet Allen Ginsberg and Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan provide backing vocals to Cohen as his voice drives lyrics of sexual frustration over exuberantly flashy instrumentation.
This album has Cohen stripping sex and relationships one song at a time, with musical experimentation in every song. This is not the minimalist Cohen of “Suzanne” fame.
The titular song on the album “Death Of A Ladies’ Man” is a sprawling nine minute journey that closes the listening experience. His reflections on sexuality and relationships are painted through lines such as “He offered her an orgy in a many mirrored room.”
Cohen’s libido birthed a singular album within his discography. This is a listening experience that everyone, horny or celibate, can revel in.
GILBERTO Z.O /PSU VANGUARD
DEVIN SINGH/PSU VANGUARD
Community & Wellness Resources
Updated weekly
BY NOAH CARANDANIS
Happening Soon
Ask an Immigration Lawyer with Dream PSU and Student Legal Services
SMSU Room 294
May 13, 4 p.m.
Free, RSVP
A live Q&A with Immigration Attorney Ali Schneider.
Cambodian Traditional WearDress to Impress
SMSU Room 327/328
May 13, 5 p.m.
Free
Learn about Cambodian fashion and traditional dress with the Cambodian Student Association.
French Cheese Tasting
World Language Lounge, FMH 334
May 13, 11 a.m.
Free
PSU French Club is offering a variety of cheeses for PSU to taste.
Veteran’s Ball
Smith Ballroom
May 14, 5 p.m.
Free, RSVP
ASPSU is celebrating veterans with a night of dancing.
Resisting Repression
La Casa Latina Student Center
May 15, 4 p.m.
Free
Learn about organizing, hear from a variety of panel members and enjoy food at this event hosted by La Casa Latina Student Center and Mecha de PSU.
5th Avenue Cinema Presents: “Fire Walk with Me”
5th Avenue Cinema
May 16, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
May 17, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
May 18, 3 p.m.
Free for students
Celebrate David Lynch by watching this experimental American film.
Resources
PSU Basic Needs Hub
SMSU Suite 435
Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free for students
Helps students access resources such as funds, food, housing, employment, childcare and health support.
PSU Food Pantry
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.
SMART Recovery Meetings
University Center Building 340 E Times vary Free
In peer recovery, students with shared experiences connect to reduce stigma and build a campus recovery community.
Cinema Therapy for Grief and Loss
SHAC Group Room
Mondays 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Free
Identifies grief through film in a group setting that builds community and relationships.
Community Technology Space
730 SW 10th Ave. Suite 111 (entrance on SW 9th Ave.)
Mon–Fri, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Free
Multnomah County official cooling center with access to free technology, internet, limited books and events.
Oregon Energy Fund
Varying Locations
Mon–Fri, hours vary Free
Provides energy bill assistance to low-income Oregonians to support household stability.
Wellness
SHAC Mind Spa
UCB Suite 310
Mon–Fri (by appointment)
Free for students
Solo space to experience biofeedback, light therapy, meditation, massages, relaxation and more. Must be enrolled in at least five credits for Summer or Fall.
Student-Athlete Support Group
Morrow Room, Stott 138
Weds, 4 p.m.
Free for student athletes
Weekly meeting designed for PSU athletes to have a space to build community and develop healthy coping strategies.
Mindful Meanderings
Listen on Spotify
Available 24/7
Free
PSU-produced podcast about being mindful while outside, practicing gratitude, finding joy and being in the moment.
SHAC Nap Rooms
UBC 340
Available first come first serve
Free for PSU students
Provides a space for PSU Students to nap in a safe and comfortable environment.
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.
