In a Winter Wonderland Living, pages 8-9
Vol. 112, Issue 18
Dance Team works it out
The
Living, page 6
BEACON The University of Portland’s student newspaper
little person
Thursday March 3, 2011 www.upbeacon.net
B I G MESSAGE
Reality TV star, Matt Roloff from ‘Little People, Big World,’ kicks off Diversity Dialogues Week Amanda Blas Staff Writer blas13@up.edu “Little People, Big World” reality TV star Matt Roloff left such a big impression on UP students this week that many of them quoted him on their Facebook. “Watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Watch your words, for they become your actions,” Roloff said. “Watch your actions, for they become your character. Watch your character, for they become destiny. But what if we were to change the word ‘watch’ to ‘craft’?” Monday night, Roloff spoke at Buckley Center Auditorium to kick off Diversity Dialogues Week. Drawing on his own personal experiences, Roloff shared how he chose to shape his life to embrace his
differences, leaving students thinking about how they could shape their destiny when it comes to diversity as well. Born with diastrophic dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism that affects cartilage and bone development, Roloff spent most his childhood in and out of hospitals. It was during those days that Roloff first experienced diversity, encountering people with various medical conditions. “I was submersed in diversity,” Roloff said. “At the time, I thought it was a bad thing. But looking back, it was a blessing to be surrounded by people so different.” Though Roloff attributes much of his success to the way he handled his circumstances: he initially did not accept his differences. Born to a couple of high school sweethearts and having what he described
as “the perfect specimen of a human” sister, Roloff had a hard time dealing with his condition. “I was so different that when
“I was submersed in diversity. At the time, I thought it was a bad thing. But looking back, it was a blessing to be surrounded by people so different.”
Matt Roloff
I was born, the doctors didn’t even want to show me to my mom,” Roloff said. “They were so freaked out about my short arms and short legs.” But Roloff’s family embraced him as he was, which helped him to accept himself and his condition. “I used to come home crying
because people would tease me at school that I’m short,” Roloff said. “And one day, my dad said, ‘So what? You are short!’ And I thought about it and said, ‘You know what? You’re right.’” Thanks to the support of his family, Roloff began to view his differences as empowering rather than hindering. “When it comes to diversity, there are two sides to the coin,” Roloff said. “You can practice being the victim, or you can practice the other side to be the person who’s accepting when people you encounter are different. I decided early on I wasn’t going to be a victim.” Having encountered many people who did not accept him because of his appearance, Roloff gave students some useful advice. “Submerge yourself and
Diversity Dialogues Week schedule Thursday, March 3 Heroism and Disability: A Roundtable Discussion
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Lounge Sponsored by: Diversity Dialogues Committee
Black Student Union's Commentary of “Good Hair” By Chris Rock 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Franz Hall 212 Sponsored by: Black Student Union
Doing Christian Theology, Asian Style, Lecture: Eat, Pray, Love by Peter Phan 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Buckley Center Auditorium Sponsored by: Theology Department
A Conversation on Nicaraguan History
8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Franz Hall 128 Sponsored by: Nicaragua Immersion Trip for Moreau Center for Service and Leadership
Friday, March 4 Noche Caribeá (Caribbean Night)
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Mehling Hall Ballroom Sponsored by: Latin Dance Club
CPB Coffeehouse, Slam Poetry with Jon Goode
10 p.m. – 11 p.m. Location: St. Mary’s Lounge Sponsored by: CPB
See Diversity, page 2
Photos by Bryan Brenize | THE BEACON
Tuition increase announced for next year Jocelyne LaFortune Staff Writer lafortun12@up.edu The Board of Regents has approved a 4.5 percent increase in tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year, according to Denis Ransmeier, vice president for Financial Affairs. “This increase is similar to what we’ve seen in recent years,” Ransmeier said. “And I think you’ll find that other schools are seeing similar raises.” Tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year will be $33,640 for full-time undergraduate students, according to Ransmeier. In comparison, tuition for the current academic year is $32,190, according to Ransmeier. The professional tuition charge will rise from $35 to $50 per credit hour. Additionally, combined room and board charges will
also increase 4.5 percent, according to Ransmeier. The increases in tuition are due to rising costs in energy, maintenance of buildings and some salary increases, according to Ransmeier. “There are some modest salary increases that will be put in place,” Ransmeier said. “But most of the increases will go toward maintaining buildings on campus, whether that means worn out furniture or roof replacements now that we have more buildings on campus.” Additionally, changes in staff will require more funding, according to Ransmeier. “With the addition of Fr. Poorman, and John Goldrick sort of retiring, we’ll need a little more funding.” Ransmeier said. “And there are a couple new positions with the RISE Campaign that will also require some funds.”