Vol. 115, Issue 18 February 27, 2014
The BEacon
Every Thursday
The Student Voice of the University of Portland Since 1935
Mock trial team prepares for national competition
Graduate student adapts and directs campus play
UP athletes break outside the campus bubble, all the way to Trinidad
News, p. 3
Living, p. 8
Sports, p. 14
Laurie Kelley appointed VP for University Relations
Students dialogue on diversity
Photo Courtesy of UP Marketing
Maggie Smet Staff Writer smet14@up.edu Laurie Kelley has been appointed vice president for University Relations after serving in an interim capacity since October 2013. The vice president for University Relations oversees the Offices of Alumni Relations, Development, Marketing and Communications and University Events. “I am grateful to Laurie for accepting this responsibility,” President Fr. Bill Beauchamp said in an email on Feb. 25 announcing Kelley’s appointment. “She and her team have shepherded the UP brand to new heights. In addition to marketing, she has directed many of the University’s signature events since her arrival here seven years ago.” Kelley is excited to fill the position in a permanent capacity, replacing Jim Lyons after his move to Santa Clara University in October. Kelley has been at UP since 2006, as the associate
McKena Miyashiro Staff Writer miyashir17@up.edu
vice president for University Relations and chief marketing officer. Before coming to The Bluff, she was a vice president at Oregon Public Broadcasting. “I was ready for a new opportunity,” Kelley said. “It’s a thrill to serve the University in this way.” In the short term, Kelley is interested in continuing and completing the work of the University Relations office with the RISE Campaign, and her work in Marketing and Communications. “I’m also excited about working with the Alumni Relations office and really moving forward on integrating our alumni in what we’re doing and reaching out to our alumni and serving them in new ways,” she said. “And also just continuing that deepening of the relationships with our alumni.” In the long term, Kelley has her sights set on the goals of capital improvement in the areas of residence halls, faculty offices, a student center and a continuing focus on student scholarships.
Olivia Alsept-Ellis Staff Writer alseptel14@up.edu
“The Black Individual”
Five University of Portland students – Kahlil Dumas, Gat Bol, Ilena Allen, Mikayla Posey and J’reyesha Brannon, sat at the front of the class, but their presentation wasn’t anything that can be explained in a textbook. The event was hosted by the the Black Student Union, entitled “The Black Individual” because it pressed this theme of focusing on the individual experience. These five students shared their personal life story, beginning with their families or early
Kristen Garcia | THE BEACON
(Above, from left) Juniors Mikayla Posey, Ilena Allen and (below, from left) Ilena Allen, freshman Gat Bol and junior Kahlil Dumas discuss their individual experiences based on their race.
See DIVERSITY, page 4
Oregonian discontinues free copies to UP
At the end of this month, students will no longer be able to find copies of The Oregonian on campus newspaper racks. Provost Thomas Greene received a letter indicating that The Oregonian has decided to discontinue the complimentary papers they were providing to the University. According to ASUP President junior Quin Chadwick, administration is hoping to tie in subscriptions to The Oregonian with The New York Times through the University’s readership program between the Office of the Provost, Residence Life and ASUP. “It just wasn’t a cost that any of us were prepared to take on
yet,” Chadwick said. Aside from students reading The Oregonian for leisure, students also read The Oregonian as part of the curriculum in communication classes on campus. Chadwick predicts that once the complimentary subscriptions end, students will be aware of this change and raise questions to ASUP. “I think it’s a resource for students that is valuable to us,” Chadwick said. “It also informs us as students about what’s going on in our larger community outside of the UP bubble. In terms of social justice issues, it’s helpful for us to have the news. As students, we need to be educated outside of our (UP) community.” Director of Student Activities Jeromy Koffler shares the same sentiments as Chadwick. “We have one significant paper for the state and that’s The
Oregonian,” Koffler said. “I think The Oregonian is an important source of information to give the campus community a perspective of the state that we live in. Especially in times like political elections where we’re looking at different candidates and what are the issues and trying to educate ourselves on the political process.” According to Koffler, The Oregonian originally started sending complimentary papers to University of Portland in the hopes of increasing circulation and having students subscribe to the paper once they graduate. Koffler believes The Oregonian is facing budget challenges that raise questions about the profitability of The Oregonian as a newspaper. “I’m fairly certain in saying the reason that they’re cutting the free circulation is for financial
Kristen Garcia | THE BEACON
At the end of February, the newspaper racks around campus will have no copies of The Oregonian. reasons,” said Koffler. The New York Times, however, is still available on campus through the University’s current readership program. “The New York Times is great for (a picture of) a much larger community…. It gives us an idea of the country as a whole…. But The Oregonian is Oregonfocused and that’s what we need,” Chadwick said. “It’s important
we stay educated and involved in our larger community here in Oregon as well. I think both are vital to have.” The Oregonian was founded in 1850 and is the oldest published newspaper on the West Coast. In October last year, the paper decided to focus on delivering online news, printing See PAPER, page 3