Portland State Vanguard

HEALTH AND SEX GUIDE Portland State Vanguard February 3, 2015

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NEWS OPINION SPECIAL SECTION ARTS & CULTURE CALENDAR SPORTS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

4 7 10 24 27 29 MARKETING MANAGER

eDitor@psuvanguarD.Com Turner Lobey

Vivian Vo

MANAGING EDITOR

ADVERTISING MANAGER

managingeDitor@psuvanguarD.Com Tim Sullivan

Jgekeler@pDX.eDu Jordan Gekeler

NEWS EDITOR

ADVERTISING DESIGNER

neWs@psuvanguarD.Com Colleen Leary

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR arts@psuvanguarD.Com Brandon Staley

OPINION EDITOR opinion@psuvanguarD.Com Chelsea Lobey

SPORTS EDITOR sports@psuvanguarD.Com Matthew J. Ocasio

ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR assoCiateneWs@psuvanguarD.Com Lisa Dunn

PRODUCTION MANAGER proDuCtion@psuvanguarD.Com Rachael Bentz

PHOTO EDITOR photo@psuvanguarD.Com Jeoffry Ray

COPY CHIEF Copy@psuvanguarD.Com Margo Pecha

Tessa Millhollin

ADVISER

Reaz Mahmood

ADVERTISING ADVISER Ann Roman

DESIGNERS

Conrad Crespin Nimi Einstein Elise Furlan Rico Macias-Zepeda

WRITERS

Andy Anady, Jacqueline C. Bryan, Victoria Castellanos, Cassondra Bird Combs, Kara Erny, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Blake Hickman, Shezad Khan, Ruby King, Alex Moore, Phuoc Francis Nguyen, John Pinney, Jessica Pollard, Alexandre P omar, Jon Raby, Jordan Rasmussen, Sebastian Richardson, Amy Rush, Lauren Schlangen, Anna Suarez, Kayla Townsley

PHOTOGRAPHERS

ONLINE EDITOR

Silvia Cardullo, Devin Courtright, Seleny Diaz, Christian Profeta

online@psuvanguarD.Com Jaime Dunkle

ADVERTISING SALES

COPY EDITORS

Sabrina Parys

Health and Sex Guide

Tori Christensen, Bri Robinson, Dustin Clevenger, Dennis Caceres

PSU STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM The mission of the Student Ambassador Program is to promote Portland State University. We represent the student experience to current and future students and their families. We promote our diverse Portland State community to guests, administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, community partners, dignitaries, and friends of the University.

Please join our team! We will be hosting informational sessions on the following dates and times: Wednesday, January 28: 5:15 p.m. – 6 p.m.

University Welcome Center (ASRC 101) Thursday, February 5, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

SMSU 236 Tuesday, February 10: 5:15 p.m. – 6 p.m.

SMSU 329

The Vanguard is published weekly as an independent student newspaper funded by the Student Fee Committee and 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 those of the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. One copy of the Vanguard is provided free of charge to all community members; additional copies or subscription issues may incur a 25 cent charge.

The Vanguard is printed on 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper.

Cover design by Nimi Einstein

Applications Due Friday, February 13

For more information visit: pdx.edu/ambassadors or email STAMB@pdx.edu

©2014 PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY VANGUARD 1825 S.W. BROADWAY SMITH MEMORIAL STUDENT UNION, RM. S-26 PORTLAND, OR 97201

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

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NEWS

Rally to Restore Higher education battles tuition increases Jessica PollaRd

Thursday, Feb.12 , students are invited to join the Oregon Student Association (OSA) for the Rally to Restore Higher Education. The event will take place on the Capitol Steps in Salem.

The goal of the rally is to push for an allotted 755 mil-

lion dollars for public universities and 560 million dollars for community colleges in the 2015-17 biennial Senate budget in order to ensure a two-year tuition freeze.

OSA hopes to get 700 students at the rally. “Our capitol steps are very large, and

J.P. CUMMINGS at a recent promotional push for the upcoming student rally in Salem. silvia CarDullo/psu vanguarD

[we] need about 700 people to fill them,” said Daniel McCall, Communications Director at OSA. Failure on the behalf of Oregon Legislature to provide this money could result in a 10 to 12 percent increase of tuition at Portland State, said OSA Campus Organizer at PSU, JP Cummings.

“I do think it’s an achievable goal,” McCall said. The state Board of Higher Education froze tuition last year for the first time since 2001, according to the Statesman Journal.

“In the formal language of the state legislature, it would probably require initiating something called a tuition buy-down. The state would tell the institutions that the increased funding must go towards buying down tuition,” Cummings said.

A budget note, similar to a memo line on a check, would urge universities to put the money towards a buy-down, Cummings said. While budget notes do not have any legal standing, it is unlikely that a university would violate one.

That increase would mean at least 500 dollars more a

year for full-time resident students, Cummings said.

The costs go up from there for out-of-state students.

Tyler Gonzales-Aguirre is a first year out-of-state student at PSU. “[The tuition increase] would really affect me financially. I think I would have to stop going to school and get a full-time job to establish residency,” Gonzales-Aguirre said. Like many, Gonzales-Aguirre relies on a part-time job and student loans to fund his education.

“I would argue that over the past 20-25 years, the State Legislature has done a very bad job of representing student interests. Specifically, higher education student interests,” Cummings said.

The 755 million dollar budget for universities was previously approved for the 2007-2009 biennial budget. “Obviously, Oregon has an income tax-based system, where we’re hard hit by recessions,” Cummings said. “So they did decrease funding, but if they can’t make it back to that 755 million, it will mean that it’s pretty much a lost decade for higher education

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Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

in state funding. They just will have not done a single thing more than what they did in 2007 for state higher education.”

The Rally to Restore Higher Education usually takes place in spring, but rally organizers want to give students a platform before legislature takes any major budgetary actions, according to Cummings.

President of Associated Students of University of Oregon, Beatriz Gutierrez, will be a guest speaker at the rally.

While the keynote speaker is to be announced, The Rally to Restore Higher Education has featured speeches from notable individuals such as Governor John Kitzhaber in the past.

“It’s going to be one of the first times that administration and students are getting together to rally at the same time, and recognizing that it’s not an us against them situation. Everyone’s going to try to go down and get as much interest and respect from the legislature as possible,” Cummings said.

PSU has committed to a goal of bringing 100 students to the Capitol Steps this Febru-

ary. According to Cummings, PSU has not yet reached its goal, but many students have expressed interest.

OSA will be tabling in between Neuberger Hall and Smith Memorial Student Union in the coming weeks.

They will provide information on higher education funding and postcards for students to fill out in order to register for the rally.

“We have 20,000 [postcards] out across the state right now. We’re trying to collect all of them and drop them off in the majority leader’s desk,” Cummings said.

Director of State Government Relations, Debbie Koreski, will provide funding for the busses to and from the rally from PSU. Students registered to attend the rally will meet at the Peter W. Stott Center at 10 a.m., and will likely arrive back on campus by 2:30 p.m..

“It’s going to be really fun.

It’s a lot of fun to be surrounded by people passionate about the same cause,” McCall said.

Students can register for the rally here: tinyurl.com/ psurally

NEWS

student thesis finds high radon levels eliZabetH HendRicKson

A recent thesis project conducted by Carlton College geology student and Portland native Cameron Webb found an unusually high potential for radon in buildings in Clark County.

Webb conducted the project under the supervision of Portland State geology professor Dr. Scott Burns.

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless and colorless gas. “We are concerned about it because of lung cancer. The EPA

says that 20 percent of all deaths from lung cancer in the United States come from radon,” Burns said. Burns is known for his expertise in mapping radon.

“It is proven to cause lung cancer. It leads to thousands of deaths in the U.S... and it’s one of the hardest cancers to treat once you get it,” Webb said.

Studying radon, Webb said, appealed to him because of the potential to save lives, “Hopefully it’s spreading the

message, and I think a lot of people are learning about radon now. There’s a lot of momentum learning about it.”

January is the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Radon Action Month to raise awareness of the harmful presence of radon in homes.

“The EPA and the [World Health Organization] and other environmental groups and departments in different countries have set action levels for what they feel

would be a concern for home owners, or even an occupant of a classroom or an office, wherever you spend any extended amount of time,” said Steve Tucker, vice president of Cascade Radon in Portland. In the United States, this level is set at 4 pCi/L or above.

Nationally, every one in eight homes has a high level of radon. While one in every fifteen houses in the state of Oregon has a radon problem, every one in four houses Portland itself has a high concentration of radon. Vancouver, the focus of Webb’s thesis, has similar geology to Portland with high radon levels in one in every five homes.

Regional rock sediments may be a factor in these high levels of radon .

“It’s hard to predict which home it’s going to be in,” Webb said. “It’s com-

mon for radon to be really high in one house, and none of your neighbors will have a problem at all. And the good news is once you’re aware of it, it’s really easy to test for.”

Webb’s research found that every zip code of Clark County had medium or high radon potentials. “That’s unprecedented that it would be so uniformly high risk,” Webb said.

Portland’s radon potential show similarly high levels requiring home-owner action. “In Portland, 81 percent of zip codes are at either high or moderate levels,” Burns said.

Radon levels can be tested using relatively affordable kits found at most home improvement stores. If a high radon level is detected, there are several methods of mitigation that can help.

Burns explained professional radon mitigation: “First they come in and seal all the entry points and cracks in the foundation.

And then secondly, they have a gas collection system they put down through the foundation in the basement of the first floor and it collects the gas in the soil.”

Opening windows can reduce lower radon levels.

“The simplest way is to increase the amount of fresh air, therefore diluting the amount of radon proportionally,” Tucker said, “If the building’s closed up and not ventilated very well the gas builds up to levels that are considered unhealthy.”

A full list of zip codes at risk and more information about testing for radon in homes in Portland and Oregon is available at public.health.oregon.gov.

GEOLOGY PROFESSOR SCOTT BURNS conducting short-term radon tests in Cramer Hall, room S-49 aka "The Dungeon" or "Tomb." According to Burns, its the only room in Cramer Hall that has high levels of radon on campus.

Devin Courtright/vanguarD staff

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

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NEWS

QUeer reSoUrCe Center and adViSing and Career SerViCeS hoSt QUeer Career Week lisa dunn

Last week, Portland State’s Advising and Career Services and the Queer Resource Center co-hosted a series of events called Queer Career Week from Jan. 26–29.

The events included a job application workshop, resume and cover letter critiquing, a panel about being queer or trans in the workplace, and a meet and greet over cookies and coffee.

Events were open to all students and community members.

ACS hosted a similar event about 10 years ago according to Ann Mestrovich, employer relations coordinator at ACS. It was, she said, a one-day conference.

The week began with a job application workshop on Monday, Jan. 26. It was run

by Michelle Schwartz, a former PSU employee and current manager of Diversity and University Programs at Cambia Health Solutions, and David Weir, an executive assistant and the co-chair of the Professionals Respecting Individuality, Diversity, and Equality (PRIDE) Employee

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Resource Group at Cambia Health Solutions.

Weir discussed the importance of ERGs in facilitating open and supportive work environments and the projects PRIDE is involved in.

“We have considered ourselves kind of the trailblazers,” Weir said. “We are working with [human resources] to get Cambia accredited with the [Human Rights Campaign] for 2016.”

Schwartz discussed best practices for writing resumes and cover letters, including highlighting transferrable skills and critical thinking.

She emphasized the importance of having a good resume and cover letter.

“Not often in life do we get to tell our story,” Schwartz said. “That’s what I think of these documents—they’re your story.”

ACS also hosted resume and cover letter drop-in hours on Tuesday.

Mestrovich and Craig Leets, Queer Student Services coordinator at the QRC, met over the summer and discussed the possibility of

a weeklong series of events geared toward queer and trans individuals.

“We decided to run with it,” Mestrovich said.

“Queer and trans people are an underrepresented and often marginalized group of people in the United States,” Leets said. “And so, as with any part of life, accessing work can be really tricky or complicated…I think that it was important for us to have a conversation that was somewhat specific to the concerns or issues or needs of queer and trans people and students on campus.”

Rachael Anderson, a junior sociology major at PSU and volunteer for the QRC who attended several events during the week, said, “[Queer Career Week is] important for strengthening and promoting diversity.”

Seven panelists from Portland-area businesses participated in “Out at Work: Queer Professionals Panel” on Wednesday in Smith Memorial Student Union. The panelists work for nonprofits, law firms, multinational corporations and as private consultants.

Leets said that he and Mestrovich wanted a broad representation of different workplaces and work experiences. “The students are looking for a variety of things.”

Leets opened the panel by talking about cultural shifts surrounding gay marriage and why he wants to continue discussing the everyday lives of the queer and trans community.

“Some might think [marriage equality] indicates a total culture change,” Leets said. “I think many of us who might be queer and trans in the audience, on the panel, in the room, know that’s not the case. Sometimes our

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

STEVE LESKY (SECOND FROM RIGHT) of the Cambia Health Foundation discusses being out at work at the Queer Professional Panel.

seleny DiaZ/psu vanguarD

day-to-day experience is not changed by these laws that happen way above us.”

Panelists discussed how they came out both personally and professionally, how it has affected their professional lives, and resources, such as ERGs, that audience members can take advantage of.

Several audience members shared their experiences being queer or trans in the workplace. One audience member asked how to create opportunities for equality within different organizations.

Norbert Teston, the senior manager for footwear quality at Adidas and one of the panelists, said, “The first hurdle is to try to get people to understand that there is an issue…I want people to be talking about it because the more people, the more buzz we’re going to create,

the more impact we’re going to have.”

Steve Lesky, the program officer at Cambia Health Foundation and a panelist, agreed with Teston. “To be able to position yourselves and your skill sets and your intentions to understand and kind of address all of these issues to the extent that [is] possible within a society I think is going to be very important moving forward.”

Later, Lesky touched on the importance of holding events geared toward the queer and trans community.

“It is a recognition that, although we are more similar than we are different in many cases, a one-size-fits-all approach is not going to work,” Lesky said.

Schwartz, who was also on Wednesday’s panel, said that fighting for inclusion and diversity is a contin-

uum. “Your goal should always be moving.”

While employed at PSU, Schwartz was on the committee that removed gender as a required classification on the application for admission.

“It’s a topic that needs to be talked about more,” Anderson said.

Mestrovich said that student feedback was positive.

“That gives us the energy to hopefully make it an annual event.”

Leets agreed with Mestrovich.

He said that it’s important to continue the work that Queer Career Week did.

“This is not the end of the conversation,” Leets said.

The Queer Resource Center is located in 458 SMSU and is open 8a.m.–5 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and 9 a.m.–7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

For more information, visit their website at pdx.edu/queer.

OPINION

Breaking the Standard The Page Master

by Shezad Khan

There’s a lot of conversation in the field of education about standardized tests. If you’re a student like me, there’s a good chance that your views on the institution of standardized testing, like mine, are negative.

When I decided to tackle an article on standardized tests I was planning to go with the research aspect of it; I wanted to see how seriously universities take them. I’ve heard that standardized tests are starting to matter less. Are colleges less concerned now about a student’s SAT, ACT or GRE scores than they have been in the past? Although this is an important question, I started to realize that it might be interesting to gather the thoughts and views of others who have been through the whole standardized testing procedure. With this in mind, I created a post on Facebook asking my peers for their opinions.

Not surprisingly, the responses I received from both students and teachers alike were very similar. The responses I gathered were passionate as well, meaning they were a lot more complex than, “I hate standardized tests, they suck!”

I recently took the GRE in order to apply for graduate school.

The last time I took a standardized test before the GRE was in high school, but I’ll get to that shortly.

Before I took the GRE, I decided I would try my luck with a few free practice tests that were offered online on different websites. I had a decent idea of what I was getting myself into after those practice tests, but I was still fairly upset after taking the actual exam. I did find some faults with the literature section; many of the answers to what seemed like specific questions were very broad and generalized. My main issue, though, was with the math section which, for me, seemed absolutely irrelevant.

I’m not saying math is irrelevant; far from it. But I’m applying for grad school so that I can obtain my master’s in English; why do I need to know how much volume is left in a cube if there is a cylinder inside of it? I can partly blame my lack of math knowledge on the excruciatingly terrible math program my high school used, but the point is that I’m being tested on subject matter that is out of my area of focus. Is it fair that my chances of getting into grad school might be affected by my scoring lower on a section that isn’t applicable to my studies?

One of the biggest problems with standardized testing is the cost. I paid $249 to take the GRE, and the SAT costs about $52 to register for these days. There are certain preparatory classes available for the GRE, and perhaps hiring a tutor would have helped my math score. Perhaps, but only if I had the means or the desire to pay the over $2,100 that it costs to hire a tutor.

This calls integrity into the question. A former teacher explained that this business, which is exactly what it is, is following a market system—Fordism, if you will. The people who supply these tests seem to be mass producing these generic exams at a low cost and then selling them at an extravagantly high cost. To individualize these standardized tests for you or for me would not make much sense in terms of making

money. That would require more work, which would mean more money spent, which equals less profit (profit being a very important word).

Probably the most hated standardized test is the SAT. I’m not exactly sure what scholastic aptitude means or what the test is supposed to measure. When I took the SAT as a high school senior I scored 1,710 points out of the possible 2,400 points, resulting in missing a total of 690 points. But I really have no idea what that actually means. What does that score of 1,710 say about me as a person, a student, a colleague or as someone applying for a graduate program? Does a missed 690 points really represent my intelligence, my knowledge or my ability to learn?

I’ve even heard a call for the SAT to be abolished because it is unclear what the exam is testing and what the scores actually represent. I’ve had a couple people tell me that they took AP tests for college credit, which means taking exams in courses such as AP Writing, AP Government and Politics, and AP Biology. These people did rather well on those specified AP exams, but somehow managed to get what was described as “lackluster” scores on the SAT. One person even received the highest possible score on their AP Writing exam only to get a lower score in that same subject on the SAT which, unfortunately, affects their chances

of getting into a program or receiving scholarships and awards.

Another former teacher of mine asked, “How can it be that a university won’t accept an AP test score in an area, but instead expects you to sign up and pay for an additional test of a single hour in that same subject area?” That’s a wonderful question, really. And what she said next sums it up neatly: “[It] seems to me a way to make sure those with money, time and the ability to pay…are the ones who get into those colleges.” Once again: profit. Noting that both the SAT and AP exams are operated by The College Board, why is it that one seems to be so much more important than the other?

How effective are these tests? Just two years ago, Finland— a country that implements very few standardized tests—was ranked number one among countries with the best education in a Huffington Post article. The United States came in at a low 17.

A lot of the time it seems that these tests do more harm than good by putting barriers on our educations. Perhaps the abolishment of tests like the SAT should be implemented by education systems. Even teachers and tenured professors agree that standardized tests are ineffective and nonsensical and, honestly, they would know best.

Special thanks to all my peers that provided input on this heavy topic.

Courtesy of Josh Davis through Creative Commons via Flickr

Send us your letters!

Got something to say? Disagree with something you read in this week's issue? The Vanguard welcomes all letters to the editor from students, faculty, staff and community members. Send all letters to opinion@psuvanguard.com Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

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OPINION

in memoriam: PdX CarPet This winter we Oregonians are saying goodbye to the iconic carpet of the Portland International Airport.

Whether or not you’ve ever been to the airport here in Portland, most people are familiar with the pattern due to the fact it has been plastered all over social media sites when people are traveling or coming through the Pacific Northwest.

On Jan. 23 the removal finally began while many Oregonians watched with horror from their smartphones and home computers. Over 13 acres of the original carpet will be removed throughout 2015. To add insult to injury, the airport is replacing the old carpet with something that could only be described as the former’s less intelligent cousin who thinks he’s going to be the next Vincent Van Gogh.

The old carpet was classy with the right amount of art deco influence, conveying the fact the airport is a symbol for humanity’s technological advancements. The carpet design itself was actually based on how the runways look at night from the control tower, adding even more symbolic meaning to the carpet.

Quite frankly, the new carpet is really, really ugly.

While it seems the airport tried to stick to their Pacific Northwest roots by using greens, blues and reds versus the usual metallic and plain themes found in many other airports, it doesn’t really look that nice. It may give a forest-like feel to the airport in an attempt to highlight Oregon’s beautiful scenery and environmentally-conscious citizens, but what it makes up for in intention it lacks in delivery.

What could easily be mistaken for a bunch of modernist sailboats vomited out by the corpse of Pablo Picasso, the new design attempts to be more all encompassing and conceptual than it really is.

Steve Johnson from the Port of Portland claims the new design represents a bunch of stuff you’d normally find in an airport, such as airplane wings, the canopy over the airport as well as scenes from nature, like leaves. Overall, he said, it’s all up to your interpretation.

I don’t know about you, but for me, that’s quite a lazy answer.

I think one of the most interesting parts of this whole ordeal is the fact that an article like this one can even exist. The innate fascination with the PDX carpet shows how people can find a sense of community and meaning behind something as insignificant as an airport carpet.

While I appreciate its minimalistic qualities, I realize the personal connection goes beyond mere pleasing, aesthetic characteristics. In today’s post-9/11 world, many people have predominantly negative views of airports and air travel.

Whether it’s a fear of flying, paranoia about terrorist activity, or distaste toward the TSA agents who seem to grope way more than they need to, there are many reasons people dread stepping into the airport.

For others, the airport is not simply a place between destinations, but a sort of emblem for exploration, new experiences and life changes. All throughout my life I’ve had a large fascination with airports. There has always been a certain romantic notion to them. There are so many people coming and going, some visiting family, some returning home from war, some leaving for good. There are people returning to wives and children, others leaving them; you find a wide array of

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emotions, stories, languages and final destinations. It’s an electric environment, one that encompasses a large portion of the human experience.

Despite the fact that I think the new carpet is one of the ugliest things I’ve seen in a long time—the thought that there will be nearly 13 acres of it is horrifying—I know that even this new carpet will eventually hold the same sentimental value to future travelers as the current one does for me.

I wholly expect in 30 years or so when they change the carpet yet again to find people expressing the same negative feelings about the carpet changing. It’s only a matter of time before we see tattoos, t-shirts and Facebook fan pages for the new PDX carpet. I can also guarantee that the design change won’t change the Snapchats and Instagram pictures of people’s feet on the carpet prior to departure and upon arrival.

Against the Current

by Sebastian Richardson

This will be a good lesson in nostalgia for everyone. No one particularly likes saying goodbye to something that holds sentimental value to them.

When I think of the PDX carpet, I think of the time I went to Belize, and the time I went to New York with my high school girlfriend, and when I went to Mexico this summer to visit some nuns. The carpet will remind me of some of the most important transitional periods of my life, but I know that if I get the chance to go to Russia this summer, the new carpet will remind me of my new and potential future experiences.

Who knows, maybe when I go on my honeymoon I’ll see the new carpet, no matter how ugly I think it is now, and see some sort of beauty in it.

So don’t lament for too long, Portlanders. It’s only a matter of time before the ugly sailboats hold an equally important place in our hearts as the previous carpet did.

THE CURRENT PDX AIRPORT CARPET is slated for removal this year, despite an ongoing battle to save the iconic pattern.

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

Christian profeta/psu vanguarD

OPINION

laCk oF Feminine Care For homeleSS Women iS a reProdUCtiVe iSSUe

Cherry Bomb

by Anna Suarez

Living in a city like Portland, I am constantly exposed to homelessness. Their struggles seem infinite. They constantly overcome stigmas and struggle to simply find a place to lie their heads. My first week in Portland, I found myself crying as I handed my last dollars to homeless people on the street, feeling a heavy heart for the souls I encountered on my walks. As I spend more time in the city, I have become less observant. I waltz past the “Can you spare some change?” or “Can I bum a smoke?” with my headphones blasting, indulging in a cigarette.

Months ago, walking in my heels in Pioneer Square, a homeless woman in a wheelchair asked me for a few dollars with tears in her eyes. I handed her a $5 bill and told her to take care. She smiled with sheer honesty as I walked away. Finally, I wept. I wept because this woman is spending the end of her life asking silly girls like me for a few dollars. I wept because all I could give her was the $5 bill. I wept because living in America as a woman can mean a lifetime of inequality, but living as a homeless woman in America means an entirely heightened level of inequality.

According to shelter20.com, there are 100 million homeless people in the world and most of them are women and children.

According to endhomelessness.org, in January 2014, 578,424 people in America were experiencing homelessness, while 216,197 of those people were in families. The epidemic of homeless women all over the world is correlated to the deeply-rooted systematic discrimination women face everywhere. The United Nations states that women make up 50 percent of the world’s population, but only own 1 percent of the world’s wealth. Perhaps this epidemic of homelessness stems from the oppression of women.

Along with the horrible reality of living on the street, homeless women experience debilitating reproductive and feminine hygiene issues that people don’t often talk about or realize.

Homeless women not having access to tampons is a major issue, and these women, because of the nature of their situation, often struggle to have their voices heard and their needs met.

Experiencing a heavy flow while also trying to feed yourself and possibly your family would be an overwhelming situation to find yourself in. And with the high cost of pads and tampons, buying food would always come first.

The lack of feminine products for homeless women is an issue rarely spoken about. The reality is, talking about periods is taboo. When I was younger, girls would talk about their periods in front of boys and the boys were always grossed out, as if the female body is somehow grotesque. Among the many reasons homeless women are not getting the care they need is because people are afraid to discuss matters of the female reproductive system.

With the complete lack of feminine hygiene care for homeless women, the number of reproductive disorders rises. Along with not having access to basic products like pads and tampons, women with issues such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts and menorrhagia do not receive the attention or care they need. Reproductive disorders have the potential to cause terrible pain, heavy bleeding and possibly even life-threatening symptoms. It

is imperative that society addresses these serious reproductive health and feminine hygiene problems.

I spoke to a homeless woman about her struggles and, with pain in her eyes, she said her utmost concern was finding food and a place to sleep. She also described the stress of trying to provide for her son. Finding reproductive care is a luxury for her and a sacrifice she struggles to have to make. I am familiar with the cost of tampons; I spend over $10 a month on supplies for my period. Even as a college student with a home, food in the fridge and supportive parents, I find it challenging to pay for tampons every time I have my period. I struggle with endometriosis, a

reproductive disorder that keeps me in bed during my monthly cycle. I cannot even fathom the stress I would experience as a homeless woman.

I am asking my readers to support homeless women in Portland and to drop the taboo of the word “period.” Go to your local shelters and donate a box of pads or tampons. I understand the pressures involved in being a college student, but homeless women face painful struggles daily, and a box of tampons could provide a tremendous amount of support and relief. By accepting that the female reproductive system is not grotesque, we are making a big step on the road to equality.

Kayla toWnsley

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

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Health and Sex Guide lisa dunn

Healthy.

Playful.

Erotic.

Sleazy.

Informative.

Fun.

Rachael Bentz/ PSU VANGUARD

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Welcome to the 2015 Health & Sex Guide, dear readers.

The staff of the Vanguard has come together to bring you tips (heh, heh) on everything from getting swole to getting some.

Within these pages you'll find a guide to sex toys, how to maintain a healthy diet on campus, and an interview with SHAC'S director of Counseling Services, among other things.

We slaved over these articles (because we're slaves 4 U). We spent hours we can't get back fanning out over the city to track down the best dildos and penis rings. We talked to sexperts, experts, nutritionists and perverts. We aired our dirty laundry and our hang-ups. We fucking ate vegetables. All for you.

Because we care about you. Like, a lot.

Like, maybe as more than just friends— but only if you're okay with that! Ha...ha ha. Yeah, funny, "us"—like that would ever happen.

Health and Sex Guide

Dil-dos and Dil-don’'ts: A Beginner’'s Guide to Sex Toys

Alexandre Pomar

When it comes to sex toys, it is important for you to think outside of the box—quite literally. It’s okay to be curious and spontaneous.

However, I would advise you to start small and work your way up, as you would in many aspects of your life.

Seriously, though, it takes quite a stiff preparation for the real stuff.

Whatever your choice may be, make it personal; it is for you, after all. Like really personal. Plan a date with it, get curious and break boundaries. Whether you are stressing, playing basketball, doing homework or whatever might occupy your valuable time—a sex toy is your buddy, homie, colleague or what have you.

Even if you have to read 50 Shades of Grey prior, just do it—it is only human nature, just without the human!

That being said, these toys can range in nature from category to category. Whether they are vibrators, plugs, lotions, blindfolds or dolls, with the right user (or usage) these can prove to be rather effective…and enjoyable.

For the Ladies The most textbook toy is your run-of-the-mill vibrator.

These often rank highest, as they satisfy the innermost needs of women with the most (personal) stimulation. There are a variety of ways for you to use them, it just depends on you and your imagination. Some offer adjustable speeds and durations for the more curious souls.

For example, the Sensual Touch. It's just under $25— really, what more could you ask for? Not only that, it fits right on the tip of your finger. And whether that warrants a stow-and-go or a sleep-and-creep, again, it is whatever floats your sexual

boat; the choice is yours.

You also have your standard dildo. With no batteries required, these tend to be considered one of the building blocks of self-satisfaction equipment. These are not only low maintenance, they’re also discrete and quiet. In addition, when used with your partner they offer the utmost attention to, well, other activities that subsequently follow.

For the adventurous spirit, try the Colossal Dong with Suction Base. Not only does this offer a near 10 inches to work with, it is universal in terms of where it can stick.

For the more practical mind, you would think, “Okay, the shower works.” But again, it all depends on your imagination. Get creative—at only $16, it warrants such imagination.

An assortment of sex toys at Frolics on NE 82nd Ave.

For the Gentlemen Next we move on to the penile equipment. We’ll start with the penis ring. Not only do these allow outstanding pleasure for you, but it also gives to your partner.

This gadget allows for dual stimulation and longer-lasting sex because it is meant to increase the duration of an erection. If this is what you are seeking, then by all means, look no further.

The Triple Pleasure Treasure, at only $35, influences many assets of the human body. Because of its triple threat option, it offers an absolute guarantee of the ultimate sexual stimulation for both partners and on all accounts.

If you do not believe the professionals, just try it yourself.

Next, there is the penis pump. Whether you’re looking to increase your potential (even if only mentally) or to simply enjoy the way it makes you feel, this is the one for you.

If you are looking for a base model, the Glo-Glo a Go-Go

Nuclear Cyber Skin Men’s Stroker meets all of the criteria for under $10! Whatever the occasion may be, a quick one-two with dry hands, or maybe squirt some lotion in there and go wild, it delivers.

Like mentioned earlier, you are only human!

For the Lone Wolves Finally, sex dolls. For the one who is looking for the individual of his/her dreams, look no further. Love dolls dramatically increase your chances of being romantic with that special someone who either doesn’t know you exist or overlooks you completely. Offered in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, you will never be disappointed.

The dolls might be your last option on this page, but there are plenty more toys where that comes from.

Once you have a basic understanding of sex toys and their functionality, you must consider whether you are game enough to explore the extent of your human nature and delve in the intricacies of exploring the fun.

And, hey, as much as I encourage sexploration, don't get too crazy too fast. Take baby steps—especially with the Colossal Dong—or you could end up in urgent care.

(Ouch.) Remember: Do have fun. Don’t overdo it. And don't forget to stretch.

Make it a great day or not, humans. The choice is yours.

DEVIN COURTRIGHT/ PSU VANGUARD

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

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Health and Sex Guide

Dick pic etiquette how to send a pic of the one-eyed trouser browser

Brandon Staley

Modern technology has greatly changed sexuality as we understand it. Why, it feels like just yesterday I was meeting eligible women in bars and having interesting, consensual conversation.

Nowadays I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t swipe or tap away my ambivalence.

Meeting women is easier than ever, but how do you foster that engagement?

The answer is simple and pervasive: dick pictures.

That’s right, pictures of your penis sent to real humans via text message.

Sending pictures of your penis to unsuspecting people is not a science, but an art. Here is a brief list of instances when it is appropriate to send a dick pic, you fucking weirdo.

in front of your desk. Your mighty coniferous fir is front and center, gripped in your meaty palms. To your right is a computer monitor, glowing coolly with the light of dormant applications. To your left is a Weimaraner.

Now, imagine this photograph cropped. Taken from the image is your desk and monitor, so that all that remains is you, still grasping your swaying meat bat, and the Weimaraner, which still sits to you left.

Now, imagine that the ­image is cropped further, and this time the only thing that remains is the Weimaraner.

Yeah, that’s the stuff.

Send that.

Otherwise, don’t send a dick pic.

When it’s specifically requested

When the president says so

Far be it from me to stand between you and your weird sex stuff. We only have so long on this beautiful planet we call Earth, and I sincerely hope that in that time you are doing everything you can to fuck so right.

Quality always trumps quantity, though, so finding someone who will happily and willingly engage in your fetish of choice is going to be more rewarding than trying to manipulate others into your ideal mold.

Literally the only time you should be sending pictures of your genitals to someone else is if it is explicitly and cleared requested.

Otherwise, don’t send a dick pic.

When it’s not actually your dick Imagine, if you will, a ­photograph.

In this photograph you are seated in a swivel chair

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As a child of mid ’90s to early aughts mass media, I’ll be the first to admit that life can explode into a tangle of political intrigue at the drop of a hat. As such, there is a slim but very real chance that someday you may be called upon to serve your country in the form of a dick pic.

Whatever the catalyst might be—financial collapse, domestic terrorism, full-scale national invasion—you should be prepared to snap a quick pic of your engorged patriotism should you receive the following message from the highest political power in our country: “Bryson Montgomery [sic], your country needs you, and by ‘needs you’ I mean we need a picture of your dick texted to me, the president.

Any amount of shitty smirking and fictitious gang signs lacking in any symbolic meaning whatsoever you

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can include will greatly help your fellow Americans. Godspeed, soldier.”

Otherwise, don’t send a dick pic.

Don’t ride the vaporous tiger Sometimes certain things are suggested in staff meetings, and you jokingly acquiesce to writing an informative article on the decay of modern sexual etiquette. Try as you might to grapple with this crushing task, the page remains blank. I suppose that’s what brought me to this opium den.

As I write this, I am sluggishly making my way back to reality, wiping away the cobwebs of a death-like sleep. I have the distinct sense that my fingers have been mov-

ing, typing, but the exact nature of my work eludes me.

The purveyor of this fine establishment is rapping a gnarled stick against the table nearest me, demanding payment. Little does he know that my quest has driven me to the ends of the earth and left me penniless.

As he shambles out of the room muttering to himself, no doubt intent on summoning men of a particular, dangerous employment, I am compelled, out of a hurried, panicked fear for my life and an existential unease brought on by a great task left incomplete, to sum up for you, in as simple and direct means as possible, all of my thoughts and learnings on this, my greatest quarry, my end; the dick pic: Don’t send a dick pic.

christian profeta/ VANGUARD STAFF rico macias zepeda/ VANGUARD STAFF

Health and Sex Guide

Safe sexting to keep you sexy Jaime Dunkle

Sexting subculture is a real thing, so much that celebrities are getting hacked and their nude photos are being posted online.

Sending sexually explicit messages can spice up your sex life, but it should be done mindfully. Here are some basics to keep you out of humiliation and in between the sheets.

Basic rules of sexting 1. No unsolicited sexts, ever, not even once

PHOTOGRAPHER/VANGUARD STAFF

The most important rule of sexting is that it has to be invited.

No one will ever forgive you for sending an unsolicited sext. You’ll be the butt of endless jokes for weeks and months. Your sext will be locked in the receiver’s phone as a go-to running gag. Your sext will be a screenshot circulating from friend to friend on Facebook.

It might even end up on TextsFromLastNight.com.

If you know you can’t pick up on social cues that tell you to back off when you’re being annoying, then you should either ask outright if it’s okay to sext or just avoid it all together.

2. Don’t be a narcissist

Christian Profeta/PSU VANGUARD

Someone is reading your erotic messages, so don’t forget about them. Think about what they like. If you don’t know, ask them. Remember, you’re not sending steamy messages to yourself. You can do that in the bathroom mirror after a hot shower. Alone.

3. Be selective

No one wants their private sexual fantasies shared in public, so make sure the person you’re sexting isn’t going to snap because you forgot to respond yesterday afternoon and so now topless pictures of you are on 4chan.com but they’ve been Photoshopped to make you look like you’re going down on Barbara Bush.

If you wouldn’t introduce the person to your parents, get a Trackphone to sext them, never show your face in any photo, and cover all of your tattoos. If you’re willing to go that far, maybe you have an addiction and you should talk to Student Health and Counseling Services.

From sexts to sex Now that the basic rules of sexting are out of the way, let’s look at some sexting examples sent in anonymously and decide if they will lead to actual sex.

Simple, sweet, sexy “[Picture of a red balloon] That’s your clit.”

This was probably the best example. If you can be cute, funny and erotic within an emoticon and three words, you’re on your way to funky town, but lots of foreplay is happening first.

Long and direct “Well I’m thinking of being on my knees with you standing over me with your legs spread. And I’m also thinking of turning you around

and fucking you from behind against the wall for a good long while.”

Imagine the consequences if this message was sent unsolicited. According to the sender, it wasn’t, and the two people sharing this knew each other for years. How sweet!

This message is straight to the point but long enough to probably be sent in two messages. Spelling out what you like and want to do is a way to discover more about each other’s sexuality. I think it’s safe to say these sexters are getting it on.

Clinical and creepy “Can I lick the residue from the inner wall of your rectal cavity?”

Gross. Avoid this at all costs. Unless you’re dating the twins from Dead Ringers, don’t mimic the above sext.

I wish I knew if the person who got this text said, “Yes. That’s EXACTLY what I want.

Can you talk about sucking the bacteria out of my mouth next?”

On the other hand, if you want to stay a virgin or remain celibate, this is your jam.

If you’re too paranoid to use your SMS messenger, Facebook or Snapchat, you can always use the apps Hello Text or the allegedly untraceable Hidley.

Whatever platform you choose to use just remember, someone is on the other end of your message.

If you screw it up you might end up on the Twitter page Really Bad Sexts @FWW_ BadSexts. Or if things go well you could end up on sextmeback.tumblr.com.

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Health and Sex Guide

The ol' bump 'n' grind Blake Hickman

The time is right. Conditions are almost perfect. The only thing between you and a night of sexiness is the right soundtrack.

Don’t be someone

who just leaves your iTunes library on shuffle so that old Linkin Park chestnut can come along and ruin the mood.

Here are some tracks to help you make the perfect sexy playlist so your evening runs as smoothly as a hybrid.

The National-–“Sea Of Love” Just kidding. Nobody who listens to this garbage ever gets laid. Obviously, we’re going straight R&B from here on—and strictly the golden age with ’80s and ’90s tracks.

R. Kelly–“-You Remind Me of Something”

East West Records 1995

Here’s a track for the MBA types, the chemical engineers and the soon-to-be software developers—those who probably aren’t too articulate with their terms of endearment.

Hey! Put a lid on those sexy times!

Chelsea Lobey

Do you live in a dorm room?

Are those walls paper-fucking-thin? Of course they are, that’s part of the charm of living in a dorm. Inviting that special someone over for some sexy time can be daunting when your bed is less than five feet away from someone else, despite that paper-fucking-thin wall. You don’t want your neighbors to hear! That would be embarrassing! Damn, those rooms are small.

Never fear. Take my hand and I’ll show you the way to keeping those sexy times under wraps so you don’t have to make awkward eye contact with the bro next door tomorrow morning.

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Turn sex noises into other noises Instead of moaning and groaning all night long about how great something feels, try turning those moans into sounds that might be mistaken for other activities.

“Ahhhhh, this homework is so HARD!” Wow, your neighbors will have no idea. You are so sneaky.

“Mmmmmove that desk to the other side of the room, please!” Just a little rearranging going on. Nothing to see here.

“Uhnnnn, do you want my pizza or my burrito?!” Maybe the bro next door can join you

for some after sex yum yums!

He’ll have no idea you didn’t spend the last 30 minutes loudly debating the pros and cons of pizza and burritos.

Learn sign language Yeah, it might be a long, hard journey learning sign language just so you can have sex without the guy next door hearing you, but trust me, the payoff is worth it. You’re creative. Maybe you can turn those hand signals into fun and innovative sex moves! No one will ever know what you’re up to in that pint-sized room of yours.

Plus, if you’re away from your dorm, you can

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You know who you are.

Here in this track, R. Kelly breaks things down in terms you can understand. He uses a series of—um—unconventional similes comparing his lover to some unexpected objects including: his Jeep, his sound system and, best of all, his bank account.

Remember, if you really want to set the mood it never hurts to compare your lover’s eyes to your 401k ­investment.

Adina Howard-F–“ reak Like Me” Before there was Beyonce there was Adina Howard, a criminally underrated vocalist and artist and fierce advocate for female sexual self-empowerment.

If you’re looking for a freak and dig g-funk style production, then you can’t go wrong with this classic.

Next-–“Butta Love”

Speaking of strange metaphors. Most people know Next for their stone-cold classic “Too Close” (which could also be on this list), but personally I’m a big fan of this lesser-known classic.

If nothing else, every time I listen to it I think about my former district manager at Starbucks who told me with a grin that he liked the new line of La Boulange baked goods because they left tasty looking butter marks all over the pastry case.

Also, I’m pretty sure this is the only song in history where a man expounds on the virtues of pedicures, exalting his lover’s feet for ­having no corns.

Shalamar–“A-Night to Remember”

The hottest tracks to set the mood This is just a classic ’80s jam from a much underrated trio. Honestly, though, has anyone had a real night to remember? You know, for that reason?

Most of my nights lately involve too much boxed wine and tweets I’d give anything to delete retroactively.

Eugene Wilde–“–—-Don’t Say No Tonight” I’ve met an alarming amount of people that list Netflix bingewatching as a main interest or hobby. This Eugene Wilde classic is for you folks.

If the way he belts out “there won’t be no more TV watchin’” toward the end of the song doesn’t inspire you to do something more interesting than watching threeyear-old episodes of Parks and Recreation, then I’m at a loss.

Christian Profeta/PSU VANGUARD

signal to each other the things you might want to do to each other once you get back to that tiny, sexy sanctuary of yours. The possibilities are endless.

Dream big, my friend!

Hang some shit from your walls Blankets. Sheets. Styrofoam. Anything you can find to hang up will make those walls just a little bit thicker, and that’s all that matters. Still have those old Spiderman sheets from when you were a child?

Hang them up! Been saving your old to-go containers from the countless food cart trips you take (that would be a super weird thing to do, but hey I’m not judging)? Hang them up!

Found some old chunks of foam in the dumpster (again, not judging)? Hang them up!

Your dorm room will be ugly as hell, and all the shit hanging from your walls might make that itty-bitty

room even ittybittier, but it’ll be quiet in there!

Shhhh, whisper sex “Oh baby, that feels so nice.” “Shhhh, let’s keep this between the two of us.” “Oh yeah, I like it when you whisper like that.”

I think the most obvious, and least time consuming, way of keeping that sex quiet is to just whisper, ya dummy!

You can say and do anything you want. As long as your voice doesn’t rise above a hot and steamy whisper, then no one will ever be the wiser of the goings on of your dorm room. Shhhhhh!

This technique works best if you don’t have a squeaky bed. Better find some WD40 just in case.

BE PROUD! You got laid and all those other chumps on your floor didn’t. They probably wish they were gettin’ some

right now. Nobody’s going to want to come over to their dorm rooms, knowing that every move they make and every word they say will be heard by the 30 other people on the floor.

Only you have proven that you are smart enough, skilled enough and wise enough to do it right. When your prospective partner finds out that you’ve taken steps to ensure dorm room privacy, rest assured they will be super excited and ready to take that next sexy step.

Enjoy, my friend, and be proud of yourself.

Health and Sex Guide

Questions from a Prude

What’'s the difference between an STI and an STD?

Lisa Dunn

Christian Profeta/ PSU VANGUARD

I’m a simple girl—traditional, if you will. I like meeting partners through mutual friends and feeling the burning post-breakup shame of running into them at parties.

I turn my stuffed animals toward the wall when I masturbate. And, yeah, I turn a particularly ugly shade of red when I hear the words “spermicidal lubricant.” Okay, so maybe I’m not so much “traditional” as I am a prude.

Or, as certain people who will remain unnamed have called me: sexually pathetic.

That is, alas, my cross to bear. And bear it I do. But living in the land of strip clubs and sex positivity has made me rather, uh, aware of my hang-ups. It’s just not fun dealing with the stress of passing by a sex toy shop with other people. Especially when friends say something along the lines of, “Oh, I love that place, let’s go in!” Mumbling, “Oh, I’m all good on dildos,” is not as effective an avoidance method as you would think.

“Lisa. Dear, sweet Lisa,” people have said. “What is wrong with you?”

Oh nothing, just a quasiCatholic upbringing on the East Coast, NO BIG DEAL. JUST DON’T LOOK OVER HERE WHILE I LOOK AT PICTURES OF JOE BIDEN, ‘KAY? I’ve decided that enough is enough. Vanilla, in my opinion, is pretty delicious, but maybe it’s time to try some rocky road. I’m here for you guys, my fellow prudes, to start the painfully awkward journey toward enlightenment. I might die of embarrassment along the way, but I suppose that comes with the territory of hard-hitting journalism.

Well, there is no difference except for, I suppose, a stigma thing. Saying “infection” rather than “disease” makes it more clinical—less about moral “filth” and more about the objective realities of STIs. Using the term infection makes it easier to talk about—and prevent— STIs. If you’re squeamish about things, you’re less likely to talk about them and therefore less likely to seek out information. So go on with your bad selves and talk about syphilis. But not with your idiot friends. Talk to a doctor or something.

Prevention is a lot easier when you can talk about this shit.

BUT QUICK LOOK OVER THERE WHILE I START BLUSHING FURIOUSLY PLEASE.

Wtf is a dental dam?

In the immortal words of Lil Wayne: Safe sex is great sex. To be fair, I don’t think that, given his history, he’s prone to take his own advice. Hypocrisy aside, he’s not wrong. Wrap it up, no glove no love. Condoms are great. The pill is your friend, etc., etc.

But there are other methods of staying safe that I didn’t know about. I did, after all, attend high school in the Bush era. I heard more than once, “Abstinence is the only method of prevention that is effective.” Which—just...no.

For instance, there are female condoms and diaphragms. There are sponges. Pull-out method is not your friend when it comes to preventing pregnancy and especially not when it comes to preventing STI transmission.

There is also such a thing as a dental dam. While it sounds, at first, like I’m referring to that gross, thin piece of rubber dentists lay over your mouth before they dig sharp things into your gums and ask you weirdly invasive questions about your life, I am, in fact, not.

What, you may ask, is a sexy-time dental dam?

Oh, just a gross, thin piece of rubber you should use

while performing oral. So basically, it’s the same thing dentists sadistically shove into your mouth— rubber glove taste and all— but you use it to prevent the spread of STIs during oral.

Awesome!

Dental dams are great for when you want have sexual encounters but haven’t been tested recently enough or, hell, if you just don’t feel comfortable not using protection. They’re available at Planned Parenthood and Portland State's health center, and you can buy them at places like Walgreens if you so choose.

You can also make your own out of either a latex glove or a condom, so you can keep the DIY spirit of Portland alive while staying safe with that guy you met at the Dirty.

(Please don’t go to the Dirty.)

What’'s up with butt stuff?

Did you guys know that this is a thing? Butt stuff? I knew about mouth stuff and hand stuff, but butt stuff is a whole new ball game. It’s like…okay, stuff goes out of the butt. Why would you put stuff in the butt?

But, after talking to a local sexpert—that is a thing, apparently—I’ve discovered a whole new world.

Well, the populist jury is still out on the whole pleasure thing for women— the clitoris is not a unicorn, guys, it’s real—but science says that your brown tunnel is full of really sensitive nerve-endings. It is also possible, according to said sexpert, to stimulate the g-spot from behind.

For men, there is, of course, the prostate.

Prostate stimulation, I’ve heard, feels like fireworks and rainbows and happiness. All those good feels make anal play pleasurable for anyone willing to,

you know, go there. And go there you should. Because it’s awesome.

That being said, you can’t just dive in blind. Butt stuff takes preparation, open discourse with your partner and lube. Lots and lots of lube. Make sure you lay a towel down.

Polyamory: where do all the limbs go?

So, like, apparently there are people out there who date more than one person at a time, and their partners are okay with that.

Polyamory comes in many forms, but the essential idea is that not all humans are monogamous, so nonmonogamous humans should not be expected to be, you know, monogamous. Sounds like a party.

Sex with lots of people! No consequences!

But that’s actually not what polyamory is about.

Weirdly enough, polyamorous people are human!

They fall in love too. It is not about having a good time or hooking up with randos. After talking to a polyamorous couple, it has come to my attention that, though it’s not always easy being

poly, it’s about practicing open discourse and honesty with someone you love. Talking openly with someone you care about?

Weird.

You know, I feel like I’ve learned a lot. People like different things! There are holes and STI-prevention methods I never knew existed! It’s funny what being open and honest will get you.

I still have tons of questions, though. Like: what makes one a “sexpert”?

How does one talk dirty?

What is an Eiffel Tower, and why did my ex get mad when I said I didn’t really care for it when I visited Paris?

To be honest, though, I’m pretty comfortable turning my animals toward the wall and keeping the lights off.

So I’ma do me, and you do you, boo.

The Portland State Polyamory Club will be hosting a 3-part series called "PSPC Comunity Building Series" at the Women's Resource Center Feb. 6, Feb. 20, and Mar. 6 from 3–4:30 p.m. For more information on sexual health, visit the SHAC website at pdx.edu/SHAC/ center-for-studentand-counseling.

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

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Health and Sex Guide How to overcome the culturally oppressive notion of virginity

silvia cardullo/PSU VANGUARD

Anna Suarez The concept of virginity equates a person’s worth with their sexual experiences and it is harmful for everyone. It’s time to abandon virginity and accept that a person’s desire for sex does not make them less smart, less capable or less anything.

I recall the moment I lost my “virginity” with my first boyfriend. I intended to feel love before I ever felt sex, and that is exactly what I did. I wanted eroticism to be meaningful. I wanted to feel comfortable in what I thought was the highest form of intimacy. I do not regret waiting for love, nor do I regret emphasizing the value of my first sexual experience. However, I do regret feeling insecure about my inexperience and the anxiety attached to having sex.

In this section of the Health and Sex Guide, I seek to put

forth truth and break down some of the most common myths about virginity.

Losing virginity means having penis-in-vagina intercourse

Women latch on to their first sexual partner after losing their virginity

I let out a long sigh every time someone makes a statement like this. By assuming that sex can only be penis-in-vagina intercourse, we are ignoring other forms of sexuality that can be expressed, including those by same sex partners.

Consider your personal sexual education and ask yourself if you were taught anything about other forms of eroticism. This myth is problematic because it assumes that only a man and a woman with a penis and a vagina are capable of having true sex.

I have heard this myth far too many times. My mother always warned me to take caution before having sex prematurely because I would find myself alone “under the covers” for days. She warned me that my body would dominate my mind, that I would feel a deep love for my sexual partner while he remained disinterested in me. This myth does nothing but promote female passivity and perpetuate male dominance. Women can have different experiences after their first sexual encounter; some may love their first partner and some may feel no emotional connection at all.

are born without a hymen or break their hymen while riding a bike or horseback riding. Vaginoplasty, a vaginal rejuvenation surgery, is a new alternative some women are turning to because it “restores” a vagina to being cute and tight. Many women have gone through this surgery to conform to cultural standards.

However, vaginoplasty can be a dangerous procedure; women can face lethal vaginal bleeding after their surgery or suffer severe reproductive disorders. The desire for a perfect vagina is an extension of our culture’s assumption that women must alter their bodies in order to remain attractive to men.

You can tell if a woman is a Losing your virginity is alvirgin by vaginal tightness ways painful Vaginas come in all shapes and sizes. Some women

The reality is that sex, at any point in a woman’s life,

Sex in the media

Andy anady

Your favorites are ­problematic.

The rape culture in ­America is ubiquitous, and the best and most popular media isn’t exempt from this. In America, nearly one in five women have been the victim of rape or a rape attempt, as have one in seventy-one men.

And it’s entwined with other kinds of privilege and oppression: Multiracial women and queer women, especially transwomen, are some of the most vulnerable to this form of violence and dehumanization, just before Indigenous women and then black women, as well as prison inmates and those who are homeless.

And while it’s unclear just how many, most survivors know their assailant. It’s a prevalent issue, and you don’t need to know these statistics to understand that.

Just turning on the television or going to the movies makes it clear.

We romanticize women losing the ownership of their own bodies. It isn’t subtle, but it’s difficult to notice without learning how. Some things are just cute and sweet and adorable, and it’s difficult to no-

Christian Profeta/PSU VANGUARD

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tice when something sweet is actually abusive.

And his romantic interest is nearly always female. Heteronormativity is sustained by gender roles; men are traditionally cast as strong and aggressive while women as supporting of and enthralled by male violence.

“Women like bad boys.”

If you’re a (cis)woman you must love a (cis)man, so your consent is essentially redundant. That’s rape culture. If your consent is redundant, your refusal is alluring.

This leads to token resistance. In general terms it’s called flirtation, and it relies wholly on the idea that if a woman says no then she means yes. Ciswomen specifically, for women of color the issue is amplified, and transmisogyny complicates the issue for transwomen.

Token resistance is a favorite in romantic comedies,

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can be painful for a large variety of reasons. The vagina is a powerful muscle that tightens and loosens in relation to sexual comfort. It is imperative to remember that a vagina needs love and care before penetration. Like a rose, it must be watered before it opens up. Foreplay has the potential to last up to over an hour before a woman is ready for penetration. Therefore, it is imperative for sexual partners to communicate with each other.

The need for lubrication is an aspect of sexuality that has a tendency to be ignored. Some people might think that only older women need lubricant, but vaginal dryness can be experienced by a woman of any age. Lubricants can provide comfort and pleasure.

Investing in an organic water-based lubricant can

heighten sexual experience for all parties involved.

If you’'re a virgin, you’'re a prude. If you'’re sexually experienced, you’'re a whore.

Having sex does not make you a whore. Not having sex does not make you a prude. I encourage everyone to have sex when they choose, ignore society’s strict standards of virginity and allow themselves to embrace their sexuality in the way they choose. There is no normal or perfect form of eroticism. Define your own concept of eroticism and embrace it. Do not allow anyone to belittle your sexuality.

Remember, love is expressed in different forms, which is the beauty of it. Most importantly, remember to nourish and respect yourself.

and the problems that come with it

and it’s Robin Scherbatsky and Ted Mosby’s entire dynamic in How I Met Your Mother. Every time she points out that she and Ted don’t want the same things and don’t work well together, he insists until she gives in.

The blue trumpet, the rain dance, and every time he tries to convince her that she does, in fact, want children, even guilting her for being independent are evidence of token resistance.

That last part is important.

He doesn’t want her to be happy without him, and his guilting her is treated like it’s romantic when it’s really romanticizing women being dependent on men. This is because it’s a cultural staple, not because it’s a single instance.

Even The Amazing Spider- Man is guilty. After being so celebrated, it was both surprising and not surprising when Peter Parker

leans forward to kiss Gwen Stacy and she turns away or pushes him or says no, he uses his super-amazing magical strength powers to force her.

He physically puts himself in her personal space, corners her, holds her there and kisses her despite her protests. Ah, young love.

The audience might think it’s sweet since it’s accepted at face value that Spider-Man loves and respects Gwen, and if he loves and respects her then it’s not non-consensual, it’s token resistance.

We’re supposed to witness these scenes knowing that Gwen wants it no matter what she says or how hard she fights. But when does he respect her? All he does is lie to her and ignore her, and still they end up together at the end of the movie and it’s adorable. Or it’s supposed to be.

And how is this different from Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines”? How is “I know you want it/But you’re a good girl” and “Must wanna get nasty” any different from what Peter does?

He’s assuming that if Gwen is a good girl, then she’s only play-fighting him and actually wants to get nasty and that he knows what she wants, better than she does.

And as a character, he does, because men forcing themselves on women has been so romanticized and women so silenced, that when it’s put onto paper and onto film and acted out with human bodies, no one is made uncomfortable.

Peter has super strength so it’s cute, by some divine order Robin belongs with Ted, and women must be dripping off Thicke’s arms because he’s decided that they do.

Health and Sex Guide

take PleaSure

in wHat�'S beneatH How To BE kINky cOnRaD cReSPIn /PSU VanGUaRD

rUBY kinG

When I was 12 years old Judy Blume taught me, along with countless other pre-teens, the ins and outs of buying our own underwear.

It was fairly simple: find the nearest Target and hope that no store clerk would loudly ask if you needed their assistance, as if wandering around the racks of cotton training bras wasn’t embarrassing enough.

Having an older sister in those times meant that I viewed Victoria’s Secret as the Holy Grail. Buying panties in anything but a 10-pack seemed foreign and exhilarating to me.

When we’re young we’re taught that buying underwear is just another everyday task that needs to get done with no thought beyond making sure it fits. However, as I matured I discovered that you could buy lingerie just as you bought clothing: with care, joy and style.

Suddenly we’ve discovered that a matching underwear set is just as rewarding and empowering as a new pair of mary Jane pumps.

Nowadays, I can’t imagine my life without extending that sartorial freedom of expression to territories below my shift dress.

Burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese explained it best: “I think that no matter what one’s fashion style is, there’s always a place for luxe lingerie underneath it all.”

Why lingerie? Why are we so attracted to the delicate beading on a bralette? Why are there days we sometimes pick that La Perla thong over the safe conformity of a Calvin Klein brief?

As average women, we see top sellers like Victoria’s Secret or Agent Provocateur selling their products with the intention that women nImI eInSteIn /PSU VanGUaRD

rACHAeL BenTz

will wear them to please their partners.

There is nothing wrong with dressing up for someone else and looking good, but lingerie is about a great deal more than looking good. It’s also all about how it makes you feel.

In an age where social media has started to dominate our lives, pleasures of delicate privacy are sometimes limited.

The sensation of wearing ruby red lace under your skirt without possessing any obligation to show it to someone else is such an influential feeling.

No matter the location or attire, you could be sitting in a cubicle clothed in beige slacks but still feel on top of the world because of the beautiful surprise you have for yourself underneath.

Lingerie gives us that extra boost when we most need it. It gives us a reason to stand a little straighter and love a little deeper. It’s almost like having a secret and romantic tryst with your underwear drawer, and sometimes keeping that relationship to yourself produces the sweetest feeling.

A common misconception about lingerie is that it remains exclusive to certain body types with a 32C bra size and a size two dress figure. This, however, is very wrong.

Victoria’s Secret only carries 32A through 38DD sizes, but there are so many other body types that are not represented in that range. It is extremely difficult for such large carriers to cater to everyone’s needs, so there are smaller companies that specialize in a wider range of sizes.

Companies like Fauve and Curvy Kate cover women with full busts (DD and cup sizes) and plus sizes (38 and band s i z e s ) without sacrificing beautiful and delicate des i g n s .

F r e n c h newcomer Yse specializes in A-B cups only, trying to give smallerbusted women confidence without giving them a pushup bra.

Cora Harrington of the Lingerie Addict website stated it perfectly: “I firmly believe every woman deserves beautiful, comfortable and affordable lingerie.

And I don’t believe that needing a full bust or plussize bra means you have to resign yourself to plain styles in boring shades of beige.”

No matter your size and shape, you deserve beautiful lingerie.

Are you in an unsatisfying relationship? Something missing in the bedroom or life in general? Whether you’re just bored or you’ve been curious about BDSm for a while, the point is you’ve decided to explore your kinky side. Now what?

What is Kink?

Being kinky generally means having an interest in BDSm. For those unfamiliar with the acronym, BDSm stands for bondage, dominance, submission and masochism.

Tying someone up and flogging them is a good example of bondage and dominance.

Being collared and walked around a party on all fours would be an example of submission and masochism. Any kinky activity can be referred to as a fetish.

Fetishes are fascinations with pretty much anything, but are not always sexual.

Otherwise known as paraphilia, sexual fetishes can be clinically defined as sexual arousal to atypical individuals objects, or situations.

consent BDSm can be a lot of fun between consenting adults,and bring joy to your life. But remember: The most important part of any kinky relationship is consent. remove consent and it becomes abuse. That’s it. End of story.

Before playing, kinksters usually have a discussion about what the following play will entail, known as soft and hard limits. And lets not forget the ever important safe words! The standard yellow for slow down and red for stop is always easy to remember. You may think discussing limits before playing may kill the mood, but it is an

important part of being kinky.

It can also be rather hot.

What goes up While playing, you may feel a high. This is because of the body’s natural release of endorphins. An endorphin release can be therapeutic and is a natural stress and pain reliever.

Hard play, like impact play, for instance, can bring on an especially strong endorphin rush. For someone in the submissive role this is called sub space. For someone in the dominant role this is called top space. These spaces can be hypnotic and meditative in nature.

But what goes up must come down. After sub and top space one can experience drop. This can happen anytime, sometimes within hours to a few days after play. Drop can simply be lethargy, or it can be depression or anxiety.

Aftercare is an essential part of being kinky and is exactly what it sounds like.

Aftercare is making sure everyone is okay and getting what they need. Sometimes it’s as simple as cuddling in a soft blanket or eating a bowl of ice cream.

Aftercare is beneficial for everyone involved. The sub might need to know they are still cared for, and the dom might need to know they are not despised.

Different kinds of highs, drops and aftercare vary between individuals and the type of play. In any relationship, and even more so in a kinky one, communication is key.

meeting other Kinksters Were you one of the 100 million people that picked up a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey?

Because of the erotic novel's popularity, the kink community is expecting an influx of new, curious people. Yes, there is a kink community, and they are expecting you.

How do you go about finding this community? For those in the Portland area, pdxkinkevents.com. The site is a list of kinky events like munches and classes. munches might be a term you’re unfamiliar with. They are events at places like bars, restaurants or sometimes private homes where kinky people can meet in a non-sexual environment.

These events are always for those ages 18 and over. munches and the kink community can seem cliquish to those just starting out, but that is mostly for safety purposes. The community is very protective and does its best to keep out predators. This can make it especially difficult for a single male to meet other kinksters. I would advise going to a lot of events so the community can vet you. The rewards of meeting new people with similar desires and interests is absolutely worth it.

safety It can be dangerous navigating the dating world, and the kink community is no exception. Like dating sites, munches and kinky events can attract predators, so be safe. If you are meeting someone, use the buddy system and let a friend know the time and place. Trust your instincts. If someone seems a bit off and you don’t know why, walk away.

Exploring your kinky side is a different adventure for everyone. Enjoy your fantasies and desires, but don’t forget consent, communication and safety. Have fun and perv on!

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Health and Sex Guide

Treat Yo'self…

To A Healthy Mind Lisa Dunn

18

You can exercise and eat all the raw kale you want. You can study six hours per day and get eight hours of sleep per night. You can take all the vitamins and fish oil in the world. But diet, exercise, sleep, and study don’t really matter when you’re barely holding on by a thread.

Everyone has experienced those moments. You know the ones: you’re a crying mess, curled up in bed, unsure of what the next step is, unsure of whether or not you can make it to the end of term. You don’t know if it’s school that’s overwhelming or work or your relationship or what, but it all just seems to be too much.

It is not only normal to feel these things from time to time, it is absolutely understandable in an age where you’re expected to go to school full time, work 20 hours per week, work an internship, and all the while be, you know, human. Being a college student can be really hard, and sometimes you feel like you’re going at it alone. But you’re not alone.

True, it can be difficult to ask for help. It can be a source of shame or embarrassment in our culture. But it is nothing to be embarrassed about. Wanting or needing to talk to a health professional about stress, anxiety and/ or depression doesn’t make you weird or defective. Experiencing those things makes you a normal human being.

Hey, sometimes life sucks.

Well, lucky you. There are tons of people out there who are trained to help you figure out what to do to make life suck a little less. These people can guide you in the right direction so you won’t feel so overwhelmed or isolated, and so you can actually start to enjoy life again. I promise it is possible.

Sometimes you need to talk about your problems.

Sometimes your friends are too bone-headed to be able

to help. Sometimes, as a college student, you’re probably busy to the point that you practically live on campus. That’s where the Center for Student Health and Counseling comes in.

I talked to Dr. Marcy Hunt, the director of Counseling Services at SHAC about how to take advantage of all that SHAC has to offer.

vg: What does Counseling Services do?

Hunt: "We offer individual counseling, group therapy, psychiatric and medical management services, and learning disability and ADHD assessments. We also offer emergency counseling services."

space to talk to someone and sort out what’s happening. I tell people: 'You can bring everything in here, and you can throw stuff you don’t want in the trash.' Then you’re able to move on in your life.

Coming in and meeting with a therapist is really helpful in building a toolbox of coping skills so [students] can better manage their depression symptoms or anxiety symptoms. We can help you sort out what you need.

The number one reason why folks come to talk to us is because of their stress and anxiety level. They kind of feel like they’re escalating through the roof. This is a stressful environment—it’s inherent. We can help you to develop some skills to better manage that to get the most out of your education."

VG: What are the benefits to all the different services? VG: Do you have any advice Hunt: "I think there are a lot for people who might be of different ways that mental health services can be hesitant to ask for help? helpful to someone. [SHAC Counseling Services] is fine-tuned to the individual in terms of what is going to benefit them the most.

Students can walk in to see us any day of the week. I think for our students, knowing that there’s a resource available to them when they want or need it, that’s really important…In talking to a counselor, they can co-create a plan.

Sometimes, it’s helping them to connect to another resource on campus…For others, if it’s more of a longstanding issue, it may be that coming in weekly and meeting with a therapist is really helpful."

Hunt: "There are a lot of myths out there about asking for help. In our culture it’s seen as a negative—that

vg: Why should students take advantage of these services?

Testing Services:

Hunt: "There are great benefits to counseling. I think everybody should do therapy at some point in his or her life, just because it’s helpful to have a confidential, safe

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to go talk to a counselor, you have to be really sick. I just want to push against that and say that coming to talk to someone is like having breakfast in the morning. It’s part of [remaining healthy].

I encourage students to just come once. You can do anything once. You’re not signing onto anything more than a consultation, so use it as a way to get information…You might learn something about what your options are, and then you can make the choice about when or how you want to access us.

For folks that are hesitant, I encourage them to go on our website. We have mental health resources there— just simple strategies, things to think about.

Another thing we have is the Mind Spa. It’s open to all of our students. You are not required to have had any of our other services to utilize it.

We have light therapy, a yoga mat, meditation tools. It is a wonderful resource for taking some time out in your day and learning relaxation strategies

or using the massage chair to just chill out for 20 minutes."

vg: Do you have any advice for people who might be concerned for their friends?

Hunt: "Any student can walk in and consult with one of our counselors as a way to get some additional ideas or resources.

We encourage students living in the resident halls to talk to their RAs or other staff there just to link them in to getting some more ideas about how to support someone in crisis.

If someone can’t walk over, call us. Counselors are available to talk on the phone. We can help them to access more immediate resources if there’s a significant concern for safety.

If it’s after-hours, use the Multnomah County Crisis Line. It’s a 24-hour resource."

You can call the Multnomah County Crisis Line 24 hours a day at: 503–988–4888

Student Resources On Campus Center for Student Health and Counseling

La Casa Latina

Queer Resource Center

1880 SW 6th Avenue, University Center Building

229 Smith Memorial Student Union 503–725–6710 www.pdx.edu/dmss/la-casa-latina

Medical and Counseling Services:

Multicultural Center

Women’s Resource Center

503–723–2800

Dental Services: 503–725–2611

503–725–5301 www.pdx.edu/shac/centerfor-student-health-andcounseling

228 Smith Memorial Student Union 503–725–5342 www.pdx.edu/dmss/multicultural-center

Native American Student and Community Center

710 SW Jackson Street 503–725–9695 www.pdx.edu/dmss/nativeamerican-student-community-center

458 Smith Memorial Student Union 503–725–9742 www.pdx.edu/queer 1802 SW 10th & Montgomery (Montgomery Hall basement) 503–725–5672 www.pdx.edu/wrc/welcometo-the-womens-resourcecenter For a full list of student groups on campus, visit salsync.orgsync.com/studentorg

Health and Sex Guide sebastian richardson

Last term during dead week, as I was walking to my morning class, I was stopped by a woman standing in the bed of a truck offering me a free energy drink. Despite my initial hesitation, the college student in me couldn’t help but accept the free beverage.

I have always been wary about the effects of energy drinks, and after having waned my large dependence on caffeine I do my best to avoid it when possible.

Despite this, later that night as I began studying for my finals, I indulged in the calorie-infused liquid poison and found myself reinvigorated and focused. The sudden sugar rush kept me moving and I didn’t find myself distracted by my phone or random Internet articles.

The effects were so well received that a few days later I bought two more at the store and tried to use them to help me stay awake to study at night. However, the next time I drank one I woke up with a splitting headache and felt extremely groggy.

By the time I drank the third I had such an intense caffeine crash I became volatile and extremely agitated, making it impossible to be productive.

I’ve never been one for shortcuts when it comes to studying. I’ve never pulled a true all-nighter, I’ve never taken Adderall and I’ve never crammed at the last minute.

My brief stint with the energy drinks this last fall was a nice reminder as to why attempting to find some secret trick to doing well during finals week is a bad idea.

I know everyone has that friend who swears they never went to class, hardly put in any effort, crammed at the last minute, managed a B on the final and then passed the class. I don’t doubt those people exist. I’m just of the opinion there are better approaches that don’t make students seem like a bunch of lazy slackers who care more about tests than their education.

As midterms are approaching, I’m sure many people could benefit from a study aid that is not only natural, but 100 percent free. Sadly, it also seems to be the most neglected.

Sleep is one of the most crucial things you can do

to be successful in school.

Sleep not only gives you the strength you need and makes you more pleasant to be around, but it plays an important role in memory and cognition.

While you are sleeping memories are cataloged according to their relative importance, making them more accessible. Sleep also protects new memories from being disturbed by other experiences and information.

A study conducted by a team of U.S. and Chinese scientists shows that even extensive training, practicing and cramming cannot make up for lost sleep.

So all that cramming is not only unhealthy but downright counterproductive.

A doctor from the Harris Health and Sleep Disorders Center recommends that students get at least eight to nine hours of sleep a night or at least prior to taking an important test.

One study conducted at Central Michigan University linked trouble sleeping, taking a long time to fall asleep, and waking up numerous times during the night to irregular sleeping patterns.

According to the same study, college students are one of the most sleep deprived demographic in the U.S. Sleep deprivation can affect a person’s daily performance, academics and their mood while also contributing to the development of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. It even makes you more susceptible to strokes.

For this reason, students should avoid the excessive late night studying, loads of caffeine and unhealthy foods that prevent you from having a good night’s rest.

Bananas, almonds, milk, tea and cherries are a great snack to have before bed.

One should avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar, as well as drinking alcohol, if you want to get a good night of rest.

Along with eating right, you should also avoid your computer and cell phone prior to falling asleep. Artificial light from screens suppresses melatonin, and the increased brain activity makes it harder to fall

More sleeping, less cramming

christian profeta/VANGUARD STAFF

asleep. Students can also benefit from studying in a location that is not the same room they sleep in.

So this term, instead of putting off papers, avoiding studying for the final which is clearly outlined on your syllabus, and gorging yourself on caffeine-infused cheeseburger pork nachos, just study a bit here and there and regularly get a full night’s rest.

There’s a certain romanticized notion of the sleep

deprived college student hunkered around stacks of books, sitting in a library all night, writing furiously during an awesome ’80s montage, but sadly that’s an image that only exists in the movies.

At the end of the day, finding a nice comfortable nook in the library with a healthy snack and taking regular breaks followed by a good night’s rest are the best ways to succeed this academic term.

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

19

Health and Sex Guide

Stripportland, Ore. MATTHEW J. OCASIO

devin courtright/ VANGUARD STAFF

Dancer Maddie at Mystic Strip Club in Southeast Portland.

It should be no surprise that we also have a disproportionally high number of strip clubs in our small city, one for every 9,578 people, last time the Willamette Week counted.

(Las-freaking-Vegas has one for every 33,002, by way of comparison.)

Anyone attracted to sexy, in-shape, alternative-looking women in their 20s and 30s have no doubt noticed Portland’s bountiful harvest around town. Visitors certainly do.

The Bridgetown comedy festival brings hundreds of great comedians from around the country to Hawthorne Boulevard every year for a four-day marathon of comedy shows. What’s great is that at such an event, you get the professional outsider’s take on your city from dozens of points of view.

When comics play a new town, they generally get someone to show them around so they can put some local flavor in their act. Which rival town is safe to make fun of, what observations can they offer about the city, etc.

Every year for the past five years, comics remark on our passive politeness, on our beards and flannel, on things with birds on them, but overwhelmingly, from male, female and trans comics, they remark on our strip clubs. Not just that we have so many, but that they’re so damn great to go to.

Probably my favorite description was that we have strip clubs filled with girlfriends. The girls here are literal sexy librarians, the hot tattooed girls from the art department, ballerinas wearing nothing but their flats, and in all likelihood, some of the smoking hot girls you see walking around town. It wasn’t, as he said, the fake plas-

tic desperate strippers they had back in Los Angeles.

And that’s Portland’s secret about our strip clubs, they rarely fit the stereotype.

The sad and skeezy air of desperation that so many people assume hangs over every club is surprisingly absent in this town. As Hemlock said while she writhed naked in front of me at Rose City Strip, there are so many strippers in Portland that there’s no shame in what they do. It’s an inclusive community, all things considered.

You notice that when talking with the strippers; it’s a conversation, not a shakedown.

The whole thing is only as awkward as you make it, so grab a drink and have fun.

If Portlandia could really say what’s up, it would have been “put a pole on it.” You can’t call yourself a resident of this city before you check out at least one of the strip clubs in town, and so I have two recommendations—one for the daring and one for the discriminating customer.

CASA DIABLO—‑THE WILD CLUB I had a manager back when I worked in the mall who was brought up on the mean Salt Lake streets in the hardcore straightedge scene.

These guys were vegan, didn't touch drugs, and many of them saved sex for marriage. What a bunch of Mormon choir boys, right?

But this same hippie who wouldn't touch a steak delighted in his buddy stabbing a butterfly knife through a rival gang member’s gut so hard that the blade broke off against the pavement beneath him.

What these straightedge kids denied

20

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themselves in vice, they indulged in violence. Such is the juxtaposition at Casa Diablo, where the club is vegan but the attitude is anything but. (Don't worry, nobody's getting stabbed at Casa Diablo, but can almost guarantee a dancer's gonna be a little rough with you.)

From what I can tell, there is an ethic here of wild abandon, like a vampire bar in some pulp movie. The stories I’ve heard from friends and acquaintances who’ve gone have ranged from “I’m pretty sure that wasn’t legal” to “that place was terrifying” to “that was some hipster crap.”

I mention it because the club is so quintessentially Portland. Hot hipster girls with World Wildlife Fund tattoos, an extra-quirky $2 bill tipping system, vegetarian fare, great music and a super-seedy underbelly. Depending on how much you’re throwing around, or the girl’s attitude, anything goes behind the curtain. A recent lawsuit alleges misconduct on the part of the club’s owners, however, in the form of withholding wages and other misconduct. So, in all, this is like recommending a bar in the late 19th century that is known to Shanghai people.

Casa Diablo is the untamed Portland—wild, passionate, just a bit pretentious and totally red-hot sexy— proceed at your own risk.

DEVIL'S POINT-THE LOVER'S CLUB Devil’s Point is the stunning girl who seems so unpretentious, so effortlessly beautiful, that you were in love with her before you ever talked, and when you finally did, you found out she was a total freak and into Tom Waits and thought you were cute. It is the spot where everyone should break their strip club cherry.

At my first strip club, the infamous Saturdays in Denver, my brother told a dancer that it was my first time at a club. She grabbed my by the back of the head and…how to put this delicately…facefucked me, aggressively,

with her bare vagina. I was a kid prone to nosebleeds, so this was quite an alarming welcome. Devil’s Point is the opposite of Saturdays, an almost quaint establishment despite selling sin and vice.

There’s a sublime elegance to the room, like a French bistro in hell. It’s a legit hole in the wall, a narrow bar and entrance that opens up to a tiny showroom with a single stage. You could theoretically head in, grab a drink, sit at a little table with your date and not have to interact with a stripper besides seeing them on stage or milling around. But that’d be bad etiquette.

Wherever you are, **if you’re watching someone dance, it is good form to tip a buck a song**. If you go up to sit at the rack, right in front of the stage, tip a couple bucks per song. The feeling you’ll carry for the rest of the week when the most beautiful girl you’ve seen leans in to nuzzle your ear is well worth it.

My partner of three years took me to Devil’s Point on our first date, and we’re far from alone in that. She loves the place and feels welcome around the strippers, not skeezed out.

I’d recommend you do what we did: head in, grab a drink and get some ones.

Find a little table and take in the ambiance. Whereas a movie forces you to sit in silence and ignore each other, watching strippers is an interactive experience.

From the ’50s posters to the song selections to the dancers to their tattoos, there’s plenty to talk about. And with a beautiful, naked woman in front of you, the sexual tension from the date itself pales in comparison.

We haven’t even finished with the Devil-themed clubs that are worth going in this town (Lucky Devil!), let along scratched the surface of great clubs (Rose City Strip, Mary’s Club, Safari Show Club) or one of the nation’s few gay strip clubs (Silverado). Stripportland is calling to you, and if you’ve never indulged, your time is now.

Health and Sex Guide

Fighting off the Freshman 15 Kara Erny

It’s far too common that freshmen start school and fall victim to the belief that they have to live off of instant noodles for the next four years. The result? The infamous freshman 15.

The freshman 15 typically refers to the 15 pounds you're bound to gain when you get to college and leave your parents' cooking behind.

While most of us don't want to gain 15 pounds for aesthetic reasons, an unhealthy diet will hinder you in other ways, too. An unhealthy diet can make you feel sluggish, lazy and unmotivated, which is the exact opposite of what you should be while in school. A healthy diet will make you feel better overall.

So, the stigma about starting college is that you will gain weight and live unhealthily. But that doesn’t have to be the case. It’s actually much easier than you might think to maintain a proper diet while in school.

Follow these simple tips to start making healthier choices Buy healthier alternatives to food you are already eating. For example, buy whole grain bread, pastas and rice dishes as opposed to white and more refined grains.

Whole grains help with weight management, maintain lower blood pressure and may reduce the risks of many diseases, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. If you usually eat bagels with cream cheese, switch the cream cheese for hummus.

Take advantage of your resources Portland State is fortunate to have a farmers market on Saturdays right on campus

and now it's year-round. The Portland Farmers Market provides local fruits, vegetables and foods that can benefit your diet.

If money is stopping you from buying healthier options, there are resources for that, too. PSU has a free food pantry in Smith Memorial Student Union room 325 that supplies nonperishable foods for students currently taking at least one credit. You can get up to five items a day, one from each shelf. It often has canned vegetables and soups available. During winter term the pantry is open Monday–Friday from 12:30– 2:30 p.m. If you do go to the pantry, be sure to bring your student ID. If you have a meal plan, take advantage of all the vegetables at Victor's at Ondine, a dining hall on campus. Half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables for a balanced meal. The salad bar is always open and offers many great options for you to choose from, but be careful with the dressings.

When you soak your salad in fat-filled dressing it loses much of its health value.

Eat more vegetables

A big problem with going to college is that students don’t get nearly enough fruit and vegetables in their diet. When it comes to vegetables, the greener the better. Kale and spinach are extremely high in antioxidants and vitamins that will boost your health. Fruits like grapes and apples are packed with vitamins and high in fiber to keep you fuller so you are less likely to snack throughout the day.

Get moving You need to exercise too. As a PSU student, you have ac-

christian Profeta/psuvanguard

cess to the campus Rec Center, which offers many options for a good workout. There is a track, a weight room, and a room with cardio machines.

The Rec Center also offers rock-climbing, use of the pool, and classes. I like to do Zumba because it’s a fun way to get your cardio workout in, but you can choose whatever workout suits you best.

Swimming and rock climbing are both fun workouts that will really work your body.

The Rec Center also offers low-rate sessions with personal trainers.

Remember to sleep. I’m sure everyone has heard it enough, but it’s essential to your health that you get seven to eight hours of sleep every night to function at your best. As much as you might think, you can’t only survive off of caffeine. Trust me, I’ve tried.

Lastly, remember to drink water—especially if you drink a lot of coffee. Coffee dehydrates your body. Good hydration facilitates healthy organ function, better skin and calorie control.

These changes can help ensure that you have a

healthy year and a better experience in college. Don’t get stuck in a rut; you have many choices to stay healthy. And

remember that the most important part is not a number on the scale; it’s about living a healthy life.

Some healthy eating options around campus:

Green Roots 1825 SW Broadway A vegan and vegetarian friendly cafe in the basement of SMSU.

Portland Farmers Market

Park Blocks outside SMSU A great place to go on Saturdays for fresh fruit and vegetables and a quick bite to eat.

Greens-to-Go

1825 SW Broadway A made-to-order salad bar located in the SMSU Viking Court.

Whole Foods

1210 NW Couch St. A fresh and organic-focused grocery store that also offers hot foods and a salad bar.

Baan-Thai

1924 SW Broadway A local Thai food spot with a variety of food including vegetarian options.

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

21

Health and Sex Guide

getting it on at the rec center Jacqueline C. Bryan

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Winter is ebbing and sunny days are soon ahead of us. That means it’s time to dig out those tank tops, crop tops, dresses, bathing suits and booty shorts from the back of your closet and dust 'em off. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s almost time to show off those legs, those sculpted abs and those toned arms for that particular individual you’ve been eyeballing all winter. And heck, while you’re at it, you might as well show off for yourself, too. Be your own biggest fan.

Whether you’ve been working all winter on staying

in shape or not, it’s never too late to start. The Portland State Recreation Center is chock full of everything you will ever need to get fit: classes, work-out equipment and quite a few goodlooking people to keep you motivated.

The first time I set foot in the Rec Center, I was impressed. It’s a pretty sexy place to get your fitness on, truth be told. I’ve been to my share of gyms and know what to expect, but this place had a labyrinth of features I never would have expected.

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

I wandered in on a whim after a classmate mentioned that they offered yoga classes and, as I explored the many rooms, began to realize that I had hit a fitness goldmine. They offer the basics such as a weight and cardio room, an ample variety of classes and a pool.

But did you know they also have a hot tub, a basketball/ hockey/soccer court and a climbing wall? They even have an indoor track that wraps around the courts and offers some nice views of the outdoors. I’ve personally explored most of these features and I have to say, it’s a pretty sweet deal.

Another great feature is that the classes at the Rec Center are all taught by PSU students, and the facility itself is pretty much run by students, so you might run into some of your peers from time to time (and perhaps that hottie from class you've been eyeing!).

Group exercise classes are offered seven days a week and include different yoga and pilates levels, bootcamp, spin, Zumba, as well as other crazy cardio workouts. There are also aquatic programs you can join, both for beginners or more advanced swimmers, if you prefer the no-impact, no-sweat exercise of water aerobics. The pool is always set at a nice temperature, and afterward (or if you’re just feeling lethargic) you can lounge in the hot tub for a bit.

If group exercise classes aren’t really your thing, you can always hit the weight and cardio rooms solo where there are tons of machines available.

The center also offers all kinds of equipment and necessities for the gym, so if you’re planning on doing some wall climbing they’ll have everything you need to do so. You can rent essentials such as towels for the day or month and lockers for day or term use.

Intramural sports allows PSU students to enjoy spirited competition with many leagues, tournaments, dropin sports and special events.

Similarly, there is a hefty list of rec clubs you can join from more common sports like soccer and basketball to more obscure sports like bouldering and dragon boat rowing. Inclusive rec clubs are designed around the principles of inclusion and adaptation for all. This means that regardless of any reason you feel out of place—whether it be a disability or because you feel some things are too advanced for you—the Rec Center is adamant about making you feel included.

And for those adventurous folks, the outdoor program is here to help quench your restless nature. This program offers activities like hiking, kayaking, snow sports, climbing and much more to get you out of your comfort zone.

So how the heck do you get in?

If you’re a PSU

Jeoffry Ray/ VANGUARD STAFF

student, the membership is included in your tuition— you’re free to wander in whenever your heart desires. If you’d like to include a non-student in your plan it will only cost them $30 per month for their membership, and, after everything I’ve mentioned, I’d say that’s a pretty solid deal.

You really have no good reason not to set foot in the Rec Center. Whether your motivation is to impress someone else or to simply challenge yourself for your own pleasure, use this to set your fitness goals in motion.

Working out, in any form, is much like anything else—the more you do it the easier it gets. So why not dip your toe in the pool and see if you like it?

By the time summer rolls around you won’t even recognize yourself—in the best way possible.

Health and Sex Guide

Student Insurance at SHAC

devin courtright/ VANGUARD STAFF

Colleen Leary

devin courtright/ VANGUARD STAFF

Portland State requires every student taking five or more credits to enroll in a valid health insurance plan. PSU provides a student insurance plan for students through Aetna Student Health. Students who choose to opt out of this plan must submit a waiver to the university which proves comparable health insurance coverage through an outside source.

The minimum requirement for comparable insurance is a $2500 or less deductible, and 80% inpatient hospitalization coverage.

For instance, eligible students can choose to be covered by Oregon Health Plan instead of paying into the Aetna Student Health Plan.

The Aetna plan currently costs $2,082 for twelve months of coverage.

PSU’s Center for Student Health and Counseling provides a myriad of services for students, even without enrolling in the Aetna health insurance plan. Each student pays a $119 health fee every term, which makes them eligible for health, counseling, and dental services that aren’t exclusive to Aetna members. Students who pay for Aetna insurance also pay the $119 health fee.

Most of SHAC’s services are fully covered by the student health fee, but some require extra payments from students who don’t have PSU’s insurance plan. For instance, immunizations cost $18-$175, but are free for students with Aetna insurance.

Any student can walk into SHAC’s lobby and pick

up condoms, dental dams, lubricants, bandaids, and cough drops at no cost.

So, what specific SHAC services are covered by students’ $2000 Aetna health insurance payment?

SHAC Services fully covered by PSU Insurance Plan First, Aetna-enrolled students can see a doctor at no cost to them. This includes coverage of most lab work and x-ray services.

If students receive prescriptions from SHAC doctors, they can fill their prescriptions at SHAC at discounted rates.

Students can also access wellness exams, urgent care services, immunizations, pap smears, STI screenings, contraception information and prescriptions, tobacco and nutrition counseling, injection and skin tests, and durable medical equipment, according to SHAC’s website.

SHAC provides acupuncture in group and individual sessions. Acupuncture is fully covered for Aetnainsured students. Students without this insurance can access acupuncture services for $15 group sessions and $60 individual appointments. SHAC’s website lists symptomatic relief through acupuncture for health issues such as fibromyalgia, headaches and migraines, low back pain, menstrual cramps, dental pain, and tennis elbow.

IUD insertion is provided at no cost to insurance mem-

bers, while it can cost up to $1135 without insurance.

The student health fee covers pregnancy testing, condoms and dental dams, emergency contraception, and rapid HIV testing, regardless of insurance coverage.

SHAC’s counseling services include career and learning disability and ADHD assessment. Career assessment includes consultation, initial interviews, career testing, interpretation, and individual planning for career goals. LD and ADHD assessments are provided so students may access learning accommodations through PSU’s Disability Resource Center.

These services are free with insurance. Without insurance, Career assessment costs $62-$108, and learning disability assessment costs $500.

SHAC also provides

medical and personal resources for Transgender health, including transgender therapy, counseling, and hormone therapy. SHAC employs a Transgender Health Advocate who walks students through resources, medical information, and assistance in the Portland and PSU communities.

Student insurance covers up to 80 percent of transgender-related surgeries. To access this coverage, students must submit two letters of recommendation—one from a counselor, and one from a primary care doctor or a second counselor. SHAC does not directly provide surgeries, but connects students with resources within the Aetna Student Health network.

For students who do not have Aetna membership,

SHAC services may be covered by outside agencies. After services, such as lab work, are carried out of SHAC, the student must print out a receipt of service and submit it to their insurance company for reimbursement. By doing so, students can access SHAC without unnecessary spending.

Students enrolled in Health Maintenance Organizations like OHP should discuss insurance and billing options with their insurance providers before utilizing SHAC’s insurance or feebased services. Many of these services may not be covered and will be billed to the student’s PSU account if rendered without proper coverage.

More information about SHAC and student health insurance can be found at pdx.edu/shac. Information about non-PSU insurance options is available at coveroregoncom

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

Representing Georgia

‘March: Book one’ tackles race issues still prevalent today

andy anady

’50s where he kept chickens.

He was impressively devoted to these birds, and they each had names and personalities. Lewis built them an improvisational incubator, and by the time he was five and reading the Bible he’d go out to the chicken coop to preach to them.

They were his congregation and he would baptize them. And while he didn’t drown any of the little souls he was saving, it was a near thing and he stopped.

Another important moment in his life was when his uncle Otis took him in for the summer. It was Lewis’ first time in the North and it emphasized for him the vast disparity between his life and those of the white children nearby.

He grew up in an officially and legally segregated society. He rode past prison work gangs and fields full of workers always comprised of black men, and on to the glitter-

ing buses and grand schoolhouses garnished with play equipment that belonged to the white population.

Lewis admits that he was very consciously aware of these things but found sanctuary in his school library.

His attraction to education and learning propelled him into seminary school and Fisk University, all while Troy State remained segregated. While he was at Fisk, he attended First Baptist Church in downtown Nashville and got involved with Jim Lawson and the Nashville sit-ins.

March ends with lunch counters being desegregated, sparking resistance and disgust on the side of white restaurant owners and customers. It ends in ambivalence, with successes and failures.

The book itself is an amazing read. It’s fair to say that in the last 50 years the civil rights movement

has become romanticized and worn. Police brutality is still a serious threat and America is still heavily segregated in schools, homes and workplaces.

It’s important that the people in these books remain as human to us as our neighbors and our families.

Just because the segregation of our generation isn’t called that anymore, and the lynchings of our generation go by slightly different names, doesn’t mean that we can make the same mistakes we have been making for the last 200 years.

The writing of March is well-complemented by the artwork in just this way.

Powell’s characters and backgrounds weave in and out of rough, thin sketches and thick cascades of ink.

There is emotion in every panel, and the movement of dialogue between allies and adversaries breaches gut-

ters to give the story a feeling of real tension, as well as the back-and-forth and interruptions of natural conversation.

March: Book One isn’t our history, it’s our reality. It’s where we’re living right now, both because our parents

and grandparents lived in it and brought us up in that mindset, but also because we’re living in a version of it right now.

Ferguson isn’t very different from Nashville, and we can’t keep pretending like it is.

Global Game Jam takes Portland

game jams is that over 500 sites from around the world will all be doing this at the same time,” said Will Lewis, lead community organizer for PIGSquad.

Like musicians jamming, a great deal of improvisation is required to make a video game or board game in such a condensed period of time.

Participants bouncing ideas off each other is key, as well as the ability to work with available resources and within limitations.

When the event ended, successfully finished games were uploaded to the jam’s website where they became downloadable to the public. They can be found at: http://bit.ly/ ggjgames. Games from the jam can be developed further by their creators, at which point they can be sold for profit.

Most games created ended up being 2-D due to the time restrictions, but some adventurous groups did attempt 3-D games. Lewis said some participants even attempted virtual reality games using Oculus Rift, a head mounted VR system.

“Good teams tend to be two to four people,” said Dylan Bennett, a participant in the Global Game Jam and a member of PIGSquad.

“You can certainly have more, but it can get unwieldy having too many cooks, so to speak,” Bennett said successful teams generally need people who can do either 2-D or 3-D art, music, programming and game design.

“Come Sunday, as the deadline approach[ed], we had a ton of work to do,” said Daniel Langley, whose 13-member group produced a 3-D firstperson dog simulator called Pugsley’s Great Adventure.

“Luckily, this [was] when our professionalism kicked in and we all kept our heads,” In Pugsley’s Great Adventure, Pugsley wakes up hung over to find his girlfriend (also a pug) missing. The player has to answer what happened while he was blacked out.

“Our project developed as the weekend went on and changed so much from what it was when it started,” Langley said.

Everyone’s experience at the jam was different. Each

team had a different set of challenges, a different number of team members and a different dynamic.

“I would like to learn more about game development tools and coding before coming back next year,” said Jeremy Dunlap, who did some of the graphics and made the music and sound effects for his team’s game Robot with a Flashlight.

Dunlap used a Gameboy to produce the music.

One card game was created at the jam. Space Goats Galaxy to Galaxy requires players to acquire resources, including space goats. It combined a smartphone app as a part of the gameplay.

“My personal focus, and PIGSquad’s majority, is in video games,” Lewis said.

“We have had at least one board game made per jam we’ve hosted, though, and I’d really like to see more members take up the goal of creating more tabletop friendly conversation, events and resources.”

A few teams attempted virtual reality games using Oculus Rift. One was called Facing Death VR.

Facing Death VR was a demo comprised of four levels in which players are put into situations where death is imminent unless they make the right decision very quickly. In one scenario the player is tied to train tracks with four items next to them: a vial, a chainsaw, a bomb and a torch. How will you escape?

There were no restrictions on content for the games.

One game was called Crapsylvania, which put players in control of a feces-throwing man, who is running from poop, jumping atop boulders of poop and then inevitably being consumed by poop.

Umbilicus, a four player coop game where everyone is connected by a space suit air hose, challenged players to work together to survive.

“When we showed it off Sunday night people seemed to be having fun playing it, so it was all worth it,” said Corey Warning, co-creator of Umbilicus.

For those interested in attending a Game Jam or other event, find information and sign up at pigsquad.com.

“I started to feel guilty for not doing more. I became restless.”

Rep. John Lewis, born in 1940, was a young man during the initial stirrings of the civil rights movement in the ’60s.

Now, while still the representative for Georgia’s fifth congressional district, as he has been since 1987, he’s in the middle of writing his autobiography.

Co-written by Andrew Aydin and drawn by Nate Powell, Lewis’ autobiography will manifest as a series of comic books outlining his life and motivations.

March: Book One is presented from present-day Lewis telling two young boys his life story. Their mother brought them to Lewis’ office to show them their history, and so while his aides are rushing around he creates an island of history and emotion.

Lewis grew up on a farm in rural Alabama in the ’40s and

Global Game Jam/2015 Jon Raby

Nearly 100 game makers crowded into the Art Institute of Portland on Friday, Jan. 23 for this year’s Global Game Jam. The jam is a global event, but the Portland chapter was organized by the Portland Indie Game Squad.

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Participants were given a theme around which they built either a board game or a video game in 48 hours. This year’s theme was “what do we do now?”

“The thing that separates Global Game Jam from other

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

Top Shelf Productions/2013

ARTS & CULTURE

Belle & Sebastian broaden their horizons

Jordan Rasmussen

Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance is Belle & Sebastian’s first album in almost five years, and it seems that a lot has changed in the band since Write About Love was released in late 2010.

Gone are the days of listening to those melancholy and intimate songs heard most often when your life is strewn across the floor of your bedroom.

Now is the time to welcome in a Belle & Sebastian designed for the festival stage, with a sonic palette spanning Europop, DFA-style disco and the folk-pop we’ve become accustomed to when we hear the name Belle & Sebastian.

Most of us are familiar with timid, introverted protagonists in Belle & Sebastian songs, but Girls in Peacetime begins with front man Stuart Murdoch’s most personal song yet, “Nobody’s Empire.”

Essentially an autobiography, “Nobody’s Empire” sounds the most like a Belle & Sebastian track of yore, even if the synth and triumphant, chorus-backed crescendo seems to betray that perception.

Released on Matador Records and produced by Ben H. Allen, who has previously worked on Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion and Deerhunter’s Halcyon Digest, Girls in Peacetime is without a doubt Belle & Sebastian’s biggest sounding album yet.

However, getting bigger isn’t always better. Expanding the scope of their music shows that Belle & Sebastian have some serious songwriting chops, but just because they can write a Europop ballad named “Enter Sylvia Plath” doesn’t mean that they should.

To quote Meredith Graves of noise-punk band Perfect Pussy in an interview with Murdoch for Drowned in Sound, “Enter Sylvia Plath” is “a club banger that sounds like it’s destined for a second

Spirits abound in ‘Princess Mononoke’

'Princess Mononoke'-Studio Ghibli/1997

victoria castellanos

Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance'-Belle and Sebastian/2015

life as a beginner level on Dance Dance Revolution.”

It’s not necessarily a bad thing that Belle & Sebastian decided to throw on their favorite pair of dancing shoes and create a record with that in mind, but the results can be occasionally frustrating throughout the album.

The song “Everlasting Muse” begins promisingly, with Murdoch’s hushed vocals laid over a deceptively funky bass line, only to be misled into some sort of polka-inspired chorus. It’s not necessarily a bad choice and the implementation is fine, but it’s not needed and drags the song down in baffling fashion.

Prerelease single “The Party Line” sounds like a twee interpretation of Parliament-Funkadelic, and while it’s certainly a catchy song, the synth-funk sounds don’t make it any more memorable than their other pop hits like “I’m a Cuckoo” or “Another Sunny Day.” Belle & Sebastian haven’t lost their touch for songwriting, but at times they leave you scratching your head wondering why there’s a loose house beat under Murdoch’s wispy voice.

Nonetheless, Belle & Sebastian prove again with Girls in Peacetime that they are masters of creating catchy hooks and foottapping melodies. Songs like “Allie,” the Sarah Martin-led

“The Power of Three” and the Stevie Jackson-led “Perfect Couples” showcase their ability for making indie pop as well as more straightforward, subdued funk rock.

Fortunately for fans reminiscent of Belle & Sebastian’s albums of the late ’90s, songs like “Ever Had a Little Faith?” and “The Cat with the Cream” provide the slow, crooning, lovelorn sound that made Belle & Sebastian favorites of lonely teenagers waiting on buses and staring at the streetlamps leading back home.

“Ever Had a Little Faith” is by far the stand-out track on the album, being one of the most mellow and without a doubt the most memorable.

Rather than singing about self-obsessed protagonists worried about their inadequacies, Girls in Peacetime has protagonists looking outward, worried about bombs in the Middle East and joining protests in the streets.

Similarly, Belle & Sebastian have expanded their horizons from indie pop to something spanning many genres, while simultaneously sounding distinctly Belle & Sebastian.

While the results may be frustrating at times, Girls in Peacetime is one of Belle & Sebastian’s most triumphant albums yet, reminding listeners that they certainly have had a brilliant career, but that they aren’t quite finished, either.

Raise your hand if you haven’t seen Princess Mononoke since you were 18!

Alas, Hayao Miyazaki’s epic masterpiece about a war between industrial civilization and the beast gods of the forest still rings as true today as it did upon its U.S. release in 1999.

You know, as true as a tale involving beast gods can be.

Set in medieval Japan at the dawn of the Iron Age, the film chronicles the journey of the last Emishi prince, Ashitaka, as he searches for a cure for his right arm which was cursed by a demon boar god. He sets off to find out why nature seems out of whack and meets a whole host of fantastical characters along the way.

One of these characters is San, a human girl raised by Moro and the other spirit wolves of the forest. As a member of their pack she helps them defend the forest against Lady Eboshi, who rules the nearby village and has been manufacturing gunpowder-fueled weapons. As Lady Eboshi and her people learn more about industrialization they lose the language they share with the forest spirits, causing an inability for anyone to successfully communicate.

Though it certainly seems to be a didactic children’s tale on paper, Mononoke is far from that. The moral is never black and white; there are moments where Lady Eboshi’s ways make sense. She is strong, innovative and complex— not necessarily traits typical of an animated villain. She provides protection for her people and even lepers find a safe haven in her village. She

uses the tools at her disposal, though to the detriment of the environment.

Mononoke is less a critique of industrialization and more an examination of communication and perspective. During the epic battle scene with Lady Eboshi, while his cursed arm writhes with snakes, Ashitaka says, “Look, everyone, this is what hatred looks like, this is what it does when it catches hold of you. It’s eating me alive and very soon it will kill me. Fear and anger only make it grow faster.”

Progress is only truly made when acceptance and cooperation can be made between diverse groups.

On top of its sophisticated storyline, the animation and creative skill in Mononoke are extraordinary, even by today’s standards. It’s bloody and raw without dwelling on its violence, elevating it above the standard action film. There’s always somewhere for your eyes to land, even if it’s just on the wispy little kodama, the tree spirits that are somehow both cute and nightmarish.

The forest visuals are ethereal and breathtaking; this isn’t some half-hearted attempt at drawing a cluster of trees. Animators scouted locations through the ancient forests of Yakushima, intent

on finding real inspiration for the forest of their dreams.

It was a labor of love for writer-director Miyazaki that began in the ’70s when he first drew the initial sketches of a princess living in the forest among beasts.

Flash forward to the final product in 1997, consisting of 144,000 sheets of celluloid. The film has proved to be an international success, though it didn’t find its footing in the U.S. until the DVD release in 2000.

Mononoke was also the highest grossing film ever in Japan until Titanic was released several months later.

In 2012 it was adapted for the stage, the first Studio Ghibli film to do so, and sold out in 72 hours an entire year before it was set to open.

This is a film surely not meant to be viewed on a lackluster laptop screen.

The attention to detail, elegant score and vibrant animation lend themselves far better to the movie theater experience.

Miyazaki fans know this— when My Neighbor Totoro screened at 5th Avenue Cinema in 2013, every showing sold out. As opportunities to view these gems in 35mm become fewer and fewer, don’t miss this one just because you’ve already seen it.

5th Avenue Cinema Presents 'PRINCESS MONONOKE' with subtitles 510 SW Hall St. Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 8 at 3 p.m.

Free for students

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

blake eats it:

the FalaFel alWaYS ringS tWiCe blaKe HicKman

In a city filled with restaurants that offer up rubbery soy protein as vegetarian alternatives, dishes like falafel become more and more appealing to omnivores looking for a meatless meal.

While chic food carts may be the rage nowadays, falafel holds the distinction of being one of the original street foods. While falafel is almost always decent, there’s still quite a bit of variety from joint to joint. Here are the best places to grab falafel on campus:

Curbside Kabobs This food cart near Southwest Fourth Ave. and Southwest College Street by the Chevron station proudly proclaims itself to be home of the

doner kabob, as if you’re supposed to know what that is already.

The bottom line here is that you can get a falafel wrap here with fried potatoes inside. And by can, I mean you should.

Basha’s Basha’s holds the distinction of being one of the first food carts on the Portland State campus and obviously one of the most prominent, being just steps away from Neuberger Hall. It’s pretty great, too.

I’m always impressed by how they’re able to quickly get through long lines of students. The falafel here is great, too. Burrito style with some spicy sauce is the way to go here.

Alexandria Mediterranean Cuisine It’s amazing this mom-andpop restaurant has remained open given the fact that regional chains have been setting up shop all over campus at an alarming rate.

The falafel here is good, but definitely opt for getting a mezza plate (served with rice and other dishes) as I’ve been stale-breaded here twice.

The real star here is the lentil soup. It’s made with a salty turkey broth for maximum saltiness.

Rose City Fresh Deli & Subs Simply put, this new restaurant is the best thing to happen to PSU since the Green Line MAX. Everything here is just superb: the quality of ingredients, the staff and the selection.

My go-to dish here is a turkey wrap (they grill their wraps to crispy perfection), but for this piece I decided to finally give their falafel a try.

When someone on staff there asked me if I wanted everything in my falafel wrap I had no idea everything included veggies, tzatziki, hummus and garlic sauce.

That’s just another sign of the warmth and generosity this place offers.

If you try one place on this list, Rose City should be it.

Blake Hickman has selflessly committed himself to reviewing every food option on campus. Each week he reviews new establishments based on their signature dish. Follow this weekly series to experience the plethora of ways in which Blake Eats It.

minority Retort to showcase local comedians of color THE CURIOUS COMEDY THEATRE, located in North Portland, now hosts a monthly comedy showcase featuring comedians of color.

amy RusH

silvia CarDullo/psu vanguarD

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Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

riCo maCias ZepeDa/psu vanguarD

Minority Retort, a showcase of local comedians of color, celebrated its debut show Friday, Jan. 23 at Curious Comedy Theater. The recurring show is the brainchild of local comedians Jeremy Eli and Jason Lamb.

Minority Retort is designed to generate interest in Portland’s people of color comedy scene, which has, until now, been sorely lacking a spotlight.

As a stand-up comedian in Portland for roughly two years, Eli grew frustrated with the seemingly nonexistent scene.

“The goal is to showcase talented local comedians of color and to display to na-

tional…brown [and] black performers that Portland is a place that welcomes them and wants to see them perform,” Eli said.

Minority Retort is getting the word out about performers and offering a platform to both enjoy and participate in.

This month’s headliner was Nathan Brannon. Being a comedian of color in the city of Portland, Brannon said he understands the challenge to get noticed and the opportunity to make people laugh.

“This show aims to remedy that by giving them a platform, solely for them, to show their city what they can do,” Brannon said.

Brannon said he hopes the show will not only make people laugh but also serve as a way to gain attention for new people in the Portland comedy scene.

Even though this month’s Minority Retort has passed there are plenty more chances to catch future shows, and at $7 per ticket it makes for a very budget-friendly night out.

The next show is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27 at Curious Comedy Theater at 9:30 p.m.

Presently, shows are scheduled for every fourth Friday through the end of the year.

Additional info on the show and tickets can be found at bit.ly/comretort.

EVENT CALENDAR

ETC

JOHN PINNEY

Tues, Feb. 3

Baby Ketten Karaoke

When: 9 p.m.

Where: Mississippi Pizza Pub 3552 N. Mississippi Ave.

When you think of karaoke, you probably think of drunk guys doing a chop job on “YMCA,” right? WRONG! Baby Ketten Karaoke has not just old songs, but the newest songs, the most viral of videos, and uncomfirmed rumor a songbook app for all your karaoke needs! So grab some friends and head over to Mississippi.

FREE

Pizza for a good time, February Show When: 11 a.m.

Where: Guardino Gallery 2939 NE Alberta St.

Showing through Feb. 24, this art show features steel, glass, intaglio prints and encaustic works. Artists appearing are Jill Torberson, Jeff Schnabel, Bryn Harding and Kate Saunders.

There are different ranges of pricing and sometimes Artist Talks.

FREE

Wed, Feb. 4

Drivetrain and Shifting When: 12–1 p.m.

Where: Bike Hub

Part of the Advanced Mechanics series, of which

there is a new theme of every Wednesday, this is a great chance for all you bike enthusiasts and biking novices to come in for a tune-up of knowledge, ask specific questions to the weekly class and just have a great time learning about things like bearing surfaces and wheel building.

Talk to the nice folks at the Bike Hub for more info.

FREE

Winter Midterm Stress Relief When: 4–6 p.m.

Where: SMSU 101

You know midterms are going to stress you out. All that studying and Red Bull or Starbucks and all those facts and figures to cram in, am I right? Well, the Portland State Programming Board wants to help you succeed with some stress relief. Dog Therapy and Massage Therapy are both getting top billing, so that’s not shabby at all.

Top it off with the fact it’s free and you should already have it penciled in your calendar.

FREE

How to End Poverty in 90 Minutes When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott St. Fee: $40

Continuing through Feb. 22, Wednesdays–Sundays (and at 2 p.m. on Sundays), this collaboration between

FEATURED EVENT

the Portland ­Playhouse and ­Sojourn Theatre focuses on our own Multnomah County and how it both does and does not attack the problem of poverty. In a unique twist, you help decide the fate of the $1,000 in ticket sales for that night.

Thurs, Feb. 5

Master of Financial Science Information Session When: 6–7 p.m.

Where: PSU Urban Center Conference room 506 SW Mill St, Suite 710

Have you been curious about what it takes to be a captain of industry in the companies of today? Well, the graduate program in Financial ­Analysis with the good folks over at the Master of Science division might be just what you need. For those in the financial and accounting fields, this may be the degree that sets you apart from your contemporaries and helps you to navigate the stormy seas of finance!

FREE

Fri, Feb. 6

#FeeltheLove Valentine's giveaway When: 10 a.m.

Where: kpsu.org livestream

For all of you hopeless romantics/hopeless date plan-

ners/people who forgot that Valentine’s Day was coming up, there’s a sweet little giveaway being run by DJ Johnny Red of KPSU fame. During his show Guilty Pleasures, he’ll discuss how you can win a FREE gift basket that will rock your Valentine (or just be a great night for yourself, if that’s how you roll!) This is the last Friday before he announces the winner, so get in on this and the world could be your burger!

FREE

Elect Her, Campus Women Win When: 10 a.m.

Where: SMSU 228

The only nationwide, fivehour program that wants to teach young women the inner workings of a political campaign is here at PSU! Learn how to develop an effective campaign message, how to reach out to your constituency and how to win. Inspiring local speakers and lunch are also provided. Contact Kari Anne at karm@pdx.edu for more details.

FREE

Gilman Scholarship Info Session When: 10–11 a.m.

Where: East Hall, room 109

If you have a Pell Grant but also have a burning desire to study abroad, this scholarship is the ticket for you!

The application is due a little under a month after this information session, so you’ll have to get right on it if this interests you. Gilman Scholarship may provide you with between $5,000 and $8,000 dollars for studying abroad.

(Ponyo? Howl’s Moving Castle, anyone?) is about the battle between the gods of the forest and the humans that consume said forest. A definite not miss as a Sunday showing earlier in the day is also available.

FREE

FREE

Mon, Feb. 9

Sat, Feb. 7

13th Annual Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium

Portland International Auto Show

When: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Where: Smith Ballroom Fee: $50 at the door

When: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

Where: Oregon Convention Center Fee: $12

Take the MAX or drive over to the convention center for this annual pilgrimage to all things automotive! Featuring clean tech innovations, new Lexus and Land Rover prototypes, a motorcycle pavilion and a kids zone, this is really the only way to spend a Saturday for you or the gear head in your life. If Chip Foose is gonna be there, sign me up!

Urban environmental issues and science together are the focus of this annual symposium. Stay in the know with help from presentations outlining what is happening now in the Portland/Vancouver area. Keynotes and lunch discussion groups are another great highlight of this event. Lunch is not included with the at-the-door fee.

FREE

Princess Mononoke When: 7 and 9:30 p.m.

Where: 5th Avenue Cinema

One of the best things about being at PSU is the great opportunities we have being so close to 5th Avenue Cinema.

Offering us a wide range of moviegoing experiences, this time they present Princess Mononoke. This 1997 fantasy epic from Studio Ghible

FREE

21+

PSU FREE OPEN TO PUBLIC 21 & OVER

Feb. 6–8

Sabertooth Micro Fest

Where: Crystal Ballroom 1332 W. Burnside Portland, Or 97209 When: 8 p.m.

What do the bands Sleep, Kurt Vile and The Violators, and Stardeath and White Dwarfs all have in common? They’re all playing The Crystal Ballroom’s Sabertooth Micro Fest! As a celebration of The Crystal Ballroom’s vast musical history, especially that of psychedelic music, this downtown venue is throwing a three-day event. There will be music, cartoons, and plenty of libations. Sponsored by KPSU, the Willamette Week, and everyone’s favorite fried dough slingers VooDoo Doughnuts.

SABERTOOTH LOGO

“Can we talk?”

RICO MACIAS ZEPEDA/PSU VANGUARD

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ETC

horoSCoPeS

JoHn Pinney

Aquarius Jan. 20–Feb.18

At least one of your friends is having really bad dreams. You’ll have to forgive them nodding off at the lunch table.

Pisces Feb. 20–March 19

Don’t go to New Orleans this next week. You won’t come back the same and I’m not talking in a positive, life affirming transformation sort of way.

Aries March 21–April 19

If you end up with a bad fortune this week, just remember that at least the cookie isn’t demon possessed and that you’re not William Shatner.

Taurus April 20–May 20

Sometimes you feel trapped in your day-today, don’t you Taurus? I wish I could offer consolation, but the truth is you’re just living in a parallel universe you can’t get out of.

Gemini May 21–June 20

This week you’ll want to get away and one place you might consider going is the Bewitching Pool. Aunty T is there, waiting for you with a slice of homemade cake.

The only trouble is that you might not want to come back.

Cancer June 21–July 22

There really isn’t something on the wing. You’re

just having a nervous breakdown. Good luck with midterms!

Leo July 23–Aug. 22

You should be nicer to the kids you meet in case one of them has the power to send you to the corn field.

Virgo Aug. 23–Sep. 22

Change is good. Change is inevitable. Change that turns you despotic means you’re in the Twilight Zone.

Libra Sep. 23–Oct. 22

Did you ever hear about the guy who woke up one day with super strength? It turns out that aliens were just messing with him.

And, much like your week, his power gave out at the worst possible moment.

elise furlan/psu vanguarD

SUdokU

CroSSWord

3 7 4 2 6 1 4 9 2 5 4 9 7 6 2 1 6 7 3 6 4 5 9 3 3 7 6 8

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Create and solve your Sudoku puzzles for FRE E.

Play Sudoku and win prize

s at:

prizesudoku.com

The Sudoku Source of

“Portland State Vanguard�.

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

Š Puzzles provided by sudokusolver.com

COURTESY OF ALBERICHCROSSWORDS.COM

method: solve the speech) (8) clues and ďŹ t them K They're up for a party (5) where they will go.

L Flash sort of conA One car endlesly ductor (9) needs repair to exhaust M Associatin' with person – it's causing pollution unpleasant and causing trouble (4,4) B Hollow building (6,2); Matchstick fiblock mostly made of nally having gone out, possibly making fire B? (5) C Occasional party with this? (9) had by temporary staff N The blackness of in(6,6); Press, if touring ferior rubber? (9) Ross, would discover O Where the French set off by boat (9) what you're doing (5) D One could go on a P The Puppy of the (1915) spin, being relatively Baskervilles and The Young Man sober (5) E The King is leaving and the Sea (1955)?

Queen – that's fishy! (8) Q Live fast (5) (5) F Courage brew mostly R Steps taken by bellfresh ales with a head hop? (4-5) S What MPs in the (12) G Groups gain emi- House would have nence with this pro- been for Guy Fawkes (7,7) ducer (9) H Greet Eastern Rasta- T Incredibly, one can farian leader familiarly teach without a student in this college (9) (5) I Within the Latin U Let go one French worker (6) translation of... (5) J ...1. John, "I relent" V Destructive potato wrongly becomes "I blight finally eradirequire" (Pilate, in cated with injection

of nitrogen? (9) W Voiced question showing unfamiliarity with sewing kit – thus making a bloomer (7,7) X Get cross with man who's a believer (4) Y The old article by Lamb (4) Z Last ball gets hit back by English opener? That should be "belted" (6)

Scorpio Oct. 23–Nov. 21

Don’t read too much this week. You’re going to want to socialize like it’s the end of the world, because, you never know, anything could happen.

Sagittarius Nov. 22–Dec. 21

This week, it’s going to feel like someone sprayed you with love potion, and just in time for Valentine’s Day too!

Capricorn Dec. 22–Jan. 19

Pro-tip: Don’t conjure dead spirits and challenge them to anything this week. Next week you might be okay.

the WorSt PlaY in Seattle hiStorY

SPORTS

aleX mooRe

The city of Seattle was roaring after Russell Wilson threw what should have been one of the most memorable passes in Seahawks history to Jermaine Kearse, who caught it after falling down.

Everyone was high fiving, yelling and getting ready to celebrate a moment in NFL history; the Seahawks winning back to back Super Bowls.

It didn’t happen.

I planned on going to Seattle for the Super Bowl after they beat the Carolina Panthers. It’s hard to bet against

a home field advantage like Century Link, even when Seattle trailed the Green Bay Packers with five minutes down by two scores.

But the Seahawks defied the odds and made it to their second Super Bowl.

Fast forward two weeks later; I woke up bright and early on Super Bowl Sunday to make the drive up to Seattle to watch the game in a bar with Seahawks fans. I arrived in Seattle around 10 a.m. to see all the bars had lines that wrapped around corners. There was a buzz in the city. No one had

even the tiniest thought about their team losing.

The bar opened at 11 and, as I got in line, everyone was talking about how explosive Seattle was going to be that night.

No New Englanders were welcome.

For four hours all of the Seahawks fans watched pre game shows for the Super Bowl. The wait didn’t kill the vibe at all, instead the excitement kept building for a game that would surely be memorable in Seattle sports history, and it was.

There’s a reason that the Super Bowl keeps topping itself as the most watched event in television history: everyone takes part. Everyone knows about the interception. Everyone can question the play call and everyone can question any aspect of the Seahawks’ offense, who promptly fell apart on one play.

I saw the heartbreak on the 12th mans’ face, sure disbelief that what they had seen did not actually happen. People yelled, calling for a certain coach’s head. But as sad as that play was to watch as a Seahawks

fan, the Super Bowl was a good game. The raw, overwhelming feelings it inspires shows why sports are such a big aspect of our culture.

The storybook ending doesn’t always happen. The Patriots did not win that game, rather the Seahawks lost it.

They did everything they needed to win, everything they needed for the entire city of Seattle to explode. The repeat that could have been never will be, but that’s just how sports work. Such potential for heartbreak is what makes being a sports fan enjoyable. Without

it, sports wouldn’t have the same thrill.

The interception will be one of the most famous plays in Seahawks history. That won’t ever change, but it is famous for the same reason Richard Sherman’s tip in the NFC championship game is famous, it came on a big stage, at a big time. Unfortunately, there are always two sides to big-time plays.

Enjoy two of the best years in Northwest sports history, Seahawks fans. And remember that Seattle is favored to win the Super Bowl next year.

MARSHAWN LYNCH in a 2011 game against the New Orleans Saints.

Courtesy of kelly bailey through Creative Commons

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

29

SPORTS

PSU Cheer StriVeS to ComPete With the BeSt

KRISTENE YAHAGI AND ERIKA ESTES perform an arabesque at a recent cheerleading practice.

cassondRa biRd combs and lauRen scHlanGen

Half a day of skywriting. A Honda Civic. 39 PS4s bundled with The Last of Us. 40 indoor ping-pong tables.

691 bottles of Crown Royal.

1,667 copies of Jurassic Park.

2,000 classic Moleskin notebooks. 2,222 packs of frozen IKEA meatballs. 6,677 Keno scratch cards.

What do all these things have in common? Each of these collections can be yours for the paltry sum of $20,000.

But something else can be added to this list: the dream of 19 student athletes and their coach Andrea Larkins. The fundraiser goal of $20,000 would fly the Portland State cheer team to Daytona Beach, Florida, in April to compete in the National Cheerleaders Association Collegiate Championship.

NO BRUNCH FOR THE COMITTED The cheer team is working hard to attain this goal.

Next Sunday at 8 a.m., when most are rubbing the sleep out of their eyes and considering hollandaise, know that the cheer team is tumbling, performing back handsprings, roundoffs, and basket tosses. They practice every Sunday morning for three hours. This means no partying on Saturday nights.

This means no bottomless mimosa brunches.

Because PSU is a commuter school with a high percentage of older adult students, it might seem difficult to recognise how much work goes into being a true cheer team.

After the three-hour-long practice, the team goes to weightlifting for another hour. They practice after the games as well. The team members also go to the gym on their own, most daily.

Upon reaching their fundraising goal, the PSU cheer team will be the only university in Oregon participating in the national competition.

If they don’t reach the fundraiser goal by March 1, they aren’t going. There isn’t a hidden cheer fund or state money or even a cheer scholarship set up at our school.

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As coach Larkins simply said, “If we don’t raise the money, we’re not going.”

MEALS NOT INCLUDED What does the $20,000 pay for? The team would be flying to Florida on Tuesday, April 7 ($462 each) and staying in Jacksonville the first night. The money pays for their flight, the shuttle to Daytona, their hotel stay and registration in the competition. Larkins hopes that they can raise a little extra money for food for the team, otherwise the student athletes will subsist on continental breakfasts.

The NCA championship is the only national cheer competition, and the only competition a team must qualify for. Any team can compete in the American Showcase in Anaheim, California, every year by simply signing up. Most teams attend a cheer camp in Las Vegas where they try and earn their qualification to compete in Daytona.

This may be easy if you already live in Vegas, but for PSU cheer, it would be far too expensive to attend a camp without the guarantee of competing.

There is another way that teams can qualify for nationals without going to the camp in Vegas—to submit a video showcasing the team’s skills. These videos are judged by a point system in order to determine acceptance into the competition.

Having qualified, Larkins and her team are confident in their ability to compete on a national stage.

The competitions in Daytona are split by division and school size, so PSU will be competing against Division I athletes.

However, each team is limited to no more than 20 members.

Having lost about 30 percent of their team over winter break, there was an element of anxiety as the competition date approached. Though smaller teams can still compete against the larger teams, the larger teams do have an advantage, so the bigger the better.

A NEW DAWN FOR PSU CHEER The cheerleading season wraps up at the end of April,

and tryouts for the approaching school year are immediately after in the month of May. Waiting for tryouts to roll around was simply out of the question, so it was up to the team to recruit new members so that they could make their dreams of Daytona a reality. Recruiting in class, the team was able to find a lot of student athletes who had simply missed tryouts but had been on cheer teams in high school. The cheer team is now back up to 19 members and will be more evenly matched at the competition.

Larkins has really turned the program around since she began coaching just this school year.

“I’m coming into a program that didn’t really have a huge presence in the community so we’re trying to build that,” Larkins said.

Larkins graduated from Hawaii Pacific on a full ride scholarship for cheer. There is not currently a scholarship program at PSU specific to cheer, and this is something that Larkins would like to address and bring to the athletic department’s attention in the coming years.

She hopes that competing in Daytona, and doing well, will give the administration the proof they need to increase funding to the sport as well as starting the motion for cheerleading scholarships here at PSU. As of now, there is no pay or scholarship for our cheer team. The members are responsible for $175 toward their uniforms and equipment, and fundraising pays for the rest.

Devin Courtright/psu vanguarD

over their “happies” and “crappies,” essentially the positives and the negatives from that practice.

“Crappies?” Larkins offered. Athletes chime in with complaints of having to be told the same thing again and again. No team member seems to be blaming others; they’re just acknowledging the shared difficulty. Larkins nodded in agreement to this.

“I’m not guessing when I tell you guys what to do.”

“Happies?” she asked. A chorus of glad faces beam. It’s noted that everyone seems really dedicated. It was also stated that the stunts were performed better than the previous practice, that the team feels cohesive and that they are excelling.

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | psuvanguard.com

VALKYRIES FLY TO DAYTONA

It will take a lot of calendars to reach $20,000 but as Larkins said, “Those $5 will add up,” and they will.

Thankfully, the calendars are not the only way to donate. The team is also accepting donations through DreamFund and a SquareMarket account under PSUCHEER (squareup. com/market/psucheer), where one could buy a calendar online, donate or buy a long-sleeve shirt showing some PSU pride.

Scan here to learn more about the fundraiser.

Right now the team’s main fundraiser is the sale of cheer team posters, five bucks a pop.

NURTURE YOUR CALLING Apply now for fall 2015 Address wellness at a community level with an accredited Master of Public Health degree.

HAPPIES AND CRAPPIES In addition to the three hours on Sunday mornings, the weightlifting and hours spent at the gym, the team also practices Tuesday and Thursday nights, from 9–11 p.m. after basketball games.

At the end of each of their practices the team gathers together for a recap of how the practice went. They do this by going

Larkins discussed up to the topic of fundraising for Daytona. You can tell how badly the student athletes want to compete, and know that they can win. Larkins reinforced that they need to turn in money soon. The administration needs proof that fundraising is occurring.

“They need to see progress so they feel confident in our ability,” Larkins said. She added that she’s convinced they’ll succeed, she feels confident in their ability, but the administration needs proof.

Learn more:

University.Bastyr.edu

855-4-BASTYR Seattle

SPORTS

PSU Tennis Club storms the north

UPCOMING

Phuoc Francis Nguyen

In a field that saw the Portland State Tennis Club as the only non-Canadian team, the odds were stacked against them to knock off the defending champions at the Tennis on Campus University of Victoria Invitational.

The 2015 tournament was held at Oak Bay and Cedar Hill Recreation Centers, with eleven total teams and two brackets of pool play. Tennis clubs from all over Canada included: the host school University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia and the eight-time defending champions University of Alberta.

Except for Calgary, each team brought two squads.

Tennis club format is World Team Tennis style which counts games from five matches: women singles and doubles, men singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. This co-ed format has favored schools with a balanced team. The results of each match would be first to six games with a tiebreaker match if necessary.

The brackets were broken up into two separate draws with the top finisher advancing to the finals. PSU team

two would have to go through the big favorites, defending champions University of Alberta and the host school University of Victoria. PSU team one would have to go through notable teams such as Simon Fraser University and University of Alberta team two in order to advance.

Day one saw PSU #1 go up against Simon Fraser #2 in the opening match. Simon Fraser got decisive wins in women’s singles and doubles and mixed doubles. Men’s doubles and singles had two good wins—Connor Picken and Michael Nguyen delivered the doubles point while Ben Talpos delivered the singles point. However, Fraser would continue the tournament with an unblemished record.

The second matchup pitted PSU against the host school’s number two team.

After dropping both doubles matches, PSU #1 needed to make a comeback in singles to stay in contention. Talpos continued his strong play with another decisive win, 6-2. Molly Ozier got another win in a tiebreaker, 6-5. In her debut with the club, she expressed how it felt to contribute to the comeback.

“After a long day of travel and losing my first match against SFU, I really wanted something to feel good about. So I went into the match with a competitive mentality wanting to win.

I gave it my all and I came out on top,” Oziar said.

Nguyen and Lauren Ogard competed in mixed doubles needing a win to complete the comeback, delivering with a 6-1 result. This gave PSU #1 a 1-1 round robin record after day one and hope of advancing to the finals. PSU #2 had a difficult time against Alberta.

The defending champions asserted their record with a clean sweep.

UBC received a win in women’s doubles while PSU received a win in men’s doubles. Singles saw PSU with a women’s singles win with UBC a men’s singles win.

Mixed doubles would be contested with PSU #2 needing to win 6-4 to have a 1-1 record. Even after winning three out of the five matches, PSU #2 would lose by one game to drop to 0-2 for the tournament.

After undefeated singles performances, Talpos expressed that, “I felt good about the wins, but would

rather have the team wins instead.”

Day two was particularly rough for both PSU club teams. PSU #1 dropped their final two matches to UBC #1 and Alberta #2, respectively.

In the finals, Alberta #1 and #2 faced off. Alberta #1 would be the champion, looking to defend their crown once again next year.

Nguyen, who helped captain the team, said, “I was pleased with how we played, it was out first tournament together. As a new team, I was proud at how everyone fought and worked together to post a good win over UVic.” As president of the PSU Tennis Club and captain of team #2 for the tournament, “I thought that even though our record didn’t show it, we played extremely well. We will learn from this and use this experience as a stepping stone to our goal of placing one or both PSU teams in the top four in our next tournament,” Nguyen said.

PSU Tennis Club will be participating in the Pacific Northwest Championships hosted by USTA Tennis on Campus at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center on March 7–8 in Beaverton, Oregon.

PSU Men's Basketball

Men's/Women's Track and Field

PSU vs. Sacramento State

UW INVITATIONAL

Sat. Feb. 7, 2:05 p.m.

Dempsey Indoor Center Seattle, WA Sat., Sun. Jan. 30–31, all day

PSU Women's Basketball

Softball

PSU vs. Sacramento State

Kajikawa Classic

Sat. Feb. 7, 7 p.m.

Farrington Stadium, Tempe, AZ Fri., Sat., Sun., Feb. 6-8

Women's Tennis

Women’s Golf

PSU vs. Lewis & Clark

The Gold Rush

Fri. Feb. 6, 5 p.m.

Old Ranch Country Club, Seal Beach, CA Mon., Tues., Feb. 9-10, All Day

PSU vs. Montana State Sat. Feb 7, 5 p.m.

Courtesy of Leon Rice-Whetton through Creative Commons

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