OSU Community Response to Recent Acts of Intolerance
18 April 2014
To the OSU Community:
Recently, our university has experienced three severe and unacceptable incidents of racism, homophobia and intolerance that as a community we will not tolerate. These actions are personally disheartening and they are in disregard of the university’s stated aspirations to be a collaborative and caring community. Such acts produce significant harm. They create a sense of fear and vulnerability and negatively affect the ability of community members to participate in university life.
As a university, we aspire to create a welcoming environment that enables success for all members of our community. Our common values are grounded in justice, civility and respect and look to our diversity as a source of enrichment and strength. Our academic environment thrives on critical inquiry and the exchange of ideas; however, hate speech is inconsistent with our mission, and it is unacceptable.
If you are a student and would like confidential assistance in dealing with matters such as homophobia, please contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPs) at 541-737-2131. If you are an employee and would like confidential assistance, please contact OSU’s Employee Assistance Program within the Human Resources Department by calling 541-737-3103 or online at human.resources@oregonstate.edu
As members of the Oregon State community, we cannot remain silent. Each of us should condemn acts of hate, and assert our values. The university will convene strategy discussions involving students on how we move toward a more inclusive university community. Please join us and the university in doing all we can to counter hateful acts with more vigorous efforts to create and maintain a climate of inclusion, respect and care for all.
Ed Ray
President
Sabah Randhawa
Provost and Executive Vice President
Becky Warner
Sr Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
Larry Roper
Vice Provost
David Blake
Asst Vice President, Human Resources & Public Safety
Tracey Bentley Townlin
Interim Dean of Student Life
November 7 and 8, 2013 Veteran and Family Student Association Tabling Event
The VFSA is asking for volunteers to help with the Tabling Event being held in the MU Quad on November 7th and 8th. There are various times to choose from and are scheduled in hour increments, but you can volunteer for whatever time is suitable to your schedule. We would like two people per time, but more is possible. We will have table, chairs, flags and handouts for people. This event is to create awareness to veterans on campus that there is a veteran organization and we are here to help. Thank you for helping!
November 8, 2013 Oregon State University Veterans Day Ceremony
Oregon State University Air Force ROTC Detachment 685 asks you to join them in honoring our nation’s veterans. The ceremony will include a mock funeral ceremony with a 21 gun salute, as well as a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Ceremony. Dress is casual. The event will be held at 10:00 a.m. and in the Oregon State University Memorial Union Quad
November 11, 2013 OSU Womens Basketball Game against CSU Bakersfield dedicated to Veterans.
The Department of Veteran Resources is partnering with the Athletics Department and OSU ROTC Units to honor Veterans. OSU ROTC Joint Color Guard will be presenting the colors. OSU Student and Coos County Veteran Service Officer Eric Gleason will be honored on the court for his military service and continued service as a Veteran Advocate. Game starts at 6:00 p.m. Ticket Information can be obtained at the following website; http://beavertickets.com/.
November 11, 2013 Albany Veterans’ Day Parade
Student Veterans from around the state will be joining Oregon State University Student Veterans to walk in the 2013 Albany Veterans Parade. Those interested need to show up by 9:30 a.m at the Fred Meyer which is on 2500 Santiam Hwy SE in Albany, Oregon. Students will then travel from there to their line up spot in the parade by 10:00 a.m. Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. Point of Contact is Aleah Wright. Her phone number is 503-507-9699.
November 14, 2013 VA Outreach Day at Oregon State University
Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA), Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Veterans Taskforce Director, and the Office of Veterans Resources are happy to once again host representatives from the Federal and County VA Programs. Present will be representatives from the Portland and Roseburg VA Medical Center, Salem and Eugene Vet Centers, and Benton County Veterans Service Office. The event will be held from 9:00 to 3:00 on Thursday, November 14, 2013 in the Memorial Union Veterans Lounge. Stop in to talk with these individuals about your VA benefits beyond GI Bill. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
November 15, 2013 Open House Event in Veterans Lounge
Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA) and the Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Veterans Taskforce Director are hosting an Open House Event in the Veterans Lounge on November 15, 2013 11:00 to 2:00. Come and meet your new leaders. Keynote speaker and guest will be Mr. Victor Kuhns, Director for Vets Helping Vets HQ. Refreshments and food will be provided.
We hope that your fall term has begun well! We are so excited to be underway with the new academic year.
The leadership of the College Student Services Administration Master’s Program changed this summer and is now under the leadership of Kim McAloney through the Office of the Dean of Student Life and Tom Scheuermann with University Housing and Dining Services. CSSA faculty had multiple planning meetings this summer and are excited for what the future holds for CSSA.
Two new pieces for this year that we are very excited about are WRITE Nights (Thursdays from 4-7pm in Furman 303) where CSSA students can have a designated study space each week and CSSA on Twitter @OSU_CSSA. We look forward to connecting via these opportunities!
Cohort of fall 2013
This fall, CSSA will be undergoing our 10-year graduate program review. All of our students, faculty and staff affiliated with the program will have an opportunity to participate. More information on how CSSA students can be involved will be sent via email soon.
Also, in addition to maintaining our on campus program, we are working on the development of a parallel ECampus program. We will write more about this in our blog near the end of this term.
That’s all our updates for now. Please let us know if you have questions.
Kim McAloney is Coordinator of Student Life Programs in the Office of the Dean of Student Life. Kim supports the College Student Services Administration masters program, the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program, and supervises interns.
Student Life is spicing it up for the OSU Food Pantry
by Debby Widony
The people who serve the University from the offices of Student Life believe that our lives are enriched by helping others. So, in addition to our daily work implementing strategic plans we are collecting an array of herbs and spices to stock the OSU Food Pantry shelves. We expect our collection will be as diverse as the people in our Student Life community. As the boxes fill with simple salt, exotic star anise, sweet basil, earthy cumin, warm cinnamon, and other aromatics and herbs, we think about how our work supporting student success is much like the spices that can influence the outcome of a meal.
We’ll be collecting seasonings for the Food Pantry for the entire academic year. Our hope is to also use this opportunity to expand our cultural knowledge as Student Lifers venture into local specialty markets or aisles of our favorite markets that support the cuisines of our colleagues and students who hail from outside the Pacific Northwest.
Debby Widony serves as the executive assistant to the Dean of Student Life but is better known in Student Life as the Wizard of Odds because of the process, procedure, and policy information bitz she acquires and shares with others.
I am the coordinator for Everyone Matters @ OSU, a campus-wide initiative encouraging inclusivity and non-judgment of others. At Oregon State University, we treat each other with civility, dignity and respect. Everyone Matters @ OSU emphasizes that we are a community full of individuals who all have value.
This initiative is primarily a social media campaign, creating an online community where OSU community members can express why they think Everyone Matters @ OSU. Throughout the year, students, faculty, staff, offices, departments, and student organizations post videos and photos that either individually or collectively voice support to prioritize inclusivity and non-judgment at OSU.
Everyone Matters @ OSU has partnered with many campus constituents including The Office of Equity and Inclusion, ASOSU, MUPC, SEAC, #bebeaverbold, and The Valley Library. Everyone Matters @ OSU illustrates the mission statement of Oregon State University by promoting social and cultural progress and demonstrates that a social media community can have an impact on the physical environment of our campus.
I think one of the most impactful Everyone Matters @ OSU events, was this past week at the Beaver Community Fair. Everyone Matters @ OSU hosted a photo booth where students and OSU community members answered the question, “Why is your friend awesome?” Here are a few examples of the great energy and positive work that came from that event.
Everyone Matters @ OSU challenges people to stop, think, and take action to demonstrate inclusivity and non-judgment. On a big campus where many people can feel marginalized, Everyone Matters @ OSU is an opportunity to take a small step to make a big difference.
Hannah Pynn is the Graduate Assistant for the Office of the Dean of Student Life and a masters student in the College Student Services Administration Program. She loves supporting students as they pursue their dreams to make our world awesome.
Although the weather hasn’t been the brightest lately, I can feel the summer approaching! My name is Jesseanne Pope. I came to OSU last year as a transfer student from a community college in my hometown. I am now in my third-year (well almost DONE with my third year!), and am majoring in Liberal Studies with a focus in Social Justice. I am also earning a minor in Leadership and working on the Peace Studies Certificate.
The OSU campus holds a special place in my heart, as it has been my education, home, and work place for the past two years. I currently live on campus as a live-in staff member for University Housing and Dining Services. I work as a Community Relations Facilitator, which allows me to do programming around social justice and diversity topics in the residence halls, cooperatives houses, and cultural resource centers. I have held many other jobs on campus, all of which have been wonderful! For example, I worked last summer as START Orientation Leader with New Student Programs and Family Outreach.
As far as involvement goes, I keep myself pretty busy! I am President of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, a member of Phi Kappa Phi, a collegiate honor society for all disciplines, an Every1 Peer Educator, and an intern with the Office of the Dean of Student Life (hence why you’re reading my story). As an intern here I work on developing and coordinating systems for future interns, for both undergraduate and graduate students. I have gained useful skills so far this term, including the use of Qualtrics (a university survey system), syllabus development, meeting facilitation, and blog writing!
After graduating from OSU I hope to continue on to earn my Masters degree in Student Affairs. I hope to end up working in a university setting. My dream is to work with students and social justice on a big campus. There are many focus areas within student affairs, so I haven’t chosen specifically yet. However, I think I would like to work in new student programs, housing and dining/residence education, admissions, or multicultural programs.
The picture below is from my time studying abroad in Europe. I am sitting on the ledge of a castle on the coast of the Mediterranean in Southeastern Spain. If you get the opportunity to study abroad, I wouldn’t pass it up! Enjoy your four day weekend everyone!
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
May 23rd, 2013 is the Bahá’í holiday of Declaration of the Báb.
Historical Context
The Declaration of the Báb happened in May 1844 when a Shi’a Muslim, Mullá Husayn, was on a journey looking for the Promised One. The Promised One, also called Al-Qāʾim in the Shi’a tradition, is a messiah figure told about in holy scriptures.
Mullá Husayn traveled to Shiraz, Iran where he was approached by a young stranger who invited Mullá Husayn to his home. This young man’s name was Siyyid Ali Muhammad and was a direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad through the lineage of both of his parents. Mullá Husayn told Siyyid Ali Muhammad that he was searching for the possible successor to Siyyid Kázim, the Promised One.
This young man who was only 24 years old, told Mullá Husayn that he was Siyyid Kázim’s successor and the bearer of divine knowledge. When Mullá Husayn described the prophesies of The Promised One, Ali Muhammad declared, “Behold, all of these signs are manifest in me.”
Ali Muhammad then proceeded to explain the meanings of difficult holy teachings to Mullá Husayn and convinced him that he was the Promised One that Mullá Husayn had been searching for. Ali Muhammad said, “O Thou who art the first to believe in Me! Verily, I say, I am the Báb, the Gate of God.” Siyyid Ali Muhammad took the title of “The Báb,” which in Arabic means “the Gate.” He was the first of two prophetic figures who founded the Baha’i Faith, the other being Baha’u’llah, which in Arabic means “The Glory of God.”
This is the room where the Declaration of the Bab happened.
Mood and Common Greetings
Mood – Festive, remembering the influence and significance of the Báb’s words
Common Greeting – Allah-u-Abha – an Arabic phrase that means “God is the Most Glorious”
Words of the Bab, handwritten by Mullá Husayn.
Modern Significance
The Bahá’í faith quickly spread from that small room in Shiraz to more than 200 countries and territories around the world, representing diversity from all over the world. The writings of the Báb quickly became the foundations for the new Bahá’í belief system which became an official religion later through the Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, who was a follower of the Báb’s teachings.
Bahá’ís claim that the Báb was also the spiritual return of Elijah and John the Baptist, that he was the “Ushídar-Máh” referred to in the Zoroastrian scriptures, and that he was the forerunner of their own religion.
The declaration of the Báb is one of the nine holy days in the Bahá’í calendar.
Rituals/Traditions
Praying
Programs that tell the story of His declaration
No work or school
A special prayer read two hours and 11 minutes after sunset, which is the moment when the Báb informed Mulla Husayn of his mission
Reflect on the process of searching for spiritual answers
It is the policy of the Oregon University System and Oregon State University that no one shall be subject to discrimination based on age, disability, national origin, race, color, veteran status, marital status, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
With regards to religion, this policy prohibits the University, and its employees while at work or representing OSU, from taking action that promotes religion or promotes one particular religion over another. The University may not create an atmosphere which in anyway suggests it favors one religion over another, or religion over non-religion. As a public university, it is equally important not to inhibit voluntary religious expression. The University’s obligation is to balance these two elements — to refrain from promoting and at the same time to refrain from inhibiting. This policy is premised on respect for each individual’s right to make personal choices regarding the nature, if any, of his or her religious beliefs and practices.
This policy does not preclude a faculty member or employee from being an advisor to a recognized student organization which may have a religious affiliation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1997
WHO TO CONTACT
Any student or employee who feels he or she is being treated inappropriately based on religion is encouraged to contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion, 526 Kerr Administration Building, (541-737-3556).
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
May 14-16th, 2013 is the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
Historical Context
Shavuot is the Jewish holiday that commemorates the day when God gave Moses the Torah, a summary of God’s laws, on Mount Sinai. The word “Shavuot” means weeks. The festival of Shavuot marks the completion of a 7-week period between Passover and Shavuot. The Torah commands that Jews count forty-nine days between Passover and Shavuot. The last day of Passover, a sacrifice containing an “omer”-measure of barley, was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem. The day before Shavuot, an offering of wheat is to be brought to the Temple. An “omer” is equal to about 3.64 litres. In antiquity, grain harvest lasted seven weeks. Barley was harvested during Passover and the harvesting of wheat began during Shavuot.
Shavuot is celebrated in Israel for one day, but is celebrated for disapora (Jews not living in Israel) for two days.
Mood and Common Greetings
Mood – Festive, merriment that celebrates the harvest and God’s provision
Common Greeting – “Chag Sameach!” which means Happy Holiday!
Modern Significance
Shavuot, unlike other Jewish holidays, does not have commandments in the Torah. The traditions of Shavuot highlight the importance of tradition for the preservation of Jewish religious observance. Shavuot remembers that is a connection between Judaism, agriculture, and healthy communities.
Dairy foods are popular during Shavuot, which are symbolic for several reasons:
When they received the law of the Torah and had to follow kosher, Jews chose to eat dairy foods as they transitioned into the new laws
The Torah is compared to milk by King Solomon, “Like honey and milk, it lies under your tongue” (Song of Songs 4:11)
The Hebrew name of Mount Sinai is etymologically similar to the Hebrew word for cheese
Rituals/Traditions
Eating dairy foods – blintz, cheesecake, cheese-filled pancakes, basically any kind of amazing cheesy, dairy food you can think of
One night meal and day meal
Public readings of the book of Ruth – because the events of Ruth happen during harvest time
Greenery decorates homes and synagogues
All-night Torah study, called Tikkun Leil Shavuot (Hebrew: תקון ליל שבועות – this represents the night the Torah was given to Moses, Israelites overslept and Moses had to wake them because God was waiting on the mountaintop
Confirmation ceremonies for students aged 16-18 who are completing their religious studies
It is the policy of the Oregon University System and Oregon State University that no one shall be subject to discrimination based on age, disability, national origin, race, color, veteran status, marital status, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
With regards to religion, this policy prohibits the University, and its employees while at work or representing OSU, from taking action that promotes religion or promotes one particular religion over another. The University may not create an atmosphere which in anyway suggests it favors one religion over another, or religion over non-religion. As a public university, it is equally important not to inhibit voluntary religious expression. The University’s obligation is to balance these two elements — to refrain from promoting and at the same time to refrain from inhibiting. This policy is premised on respect for each individual’s right to make personal choices regarding the nature, if any, of his or her religious beliefs and practices.
This policy does not preclude a faculty member or employee from being an advisor to a recognized student organization which may have a religious affiliation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1997
WHO TO CONTACT
Any student or employee who feels he or she is being treated inappropriately based on religion is encouraged to contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion, 526 Kerr Administration Building, (541-737-3556).
My little family! Richard, myself, and our dog-child, Toby McGruff
Kayleen Salchenberg’s Bio:
I am from Salem, Oregon (born and raised) and traveled all the way to Corvallis, Oregon for my undergraduate degree in 2005. My path WAS going to be nursing and after a couple study abroad trips I decided to major in Spanish before my luxurious career as a nurse.
Following four very social and fun years at Oregon State, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Salem Hospital. I worked there for a year and realized the health field was not for me. Once I learned that Student Affairs was a career choice, I made drastic changes in order to work towards being a qualified CSSA applicant.
Beyond my experience as a student worker in the Office of Foreign Language and Literatures and teaching English to Spanish speakers in the Corvallis Community, I did not have a lot of experience in Student Affairs. I therefore became a Property Manager at a 95% college-aged populated apartment complex next to Western Oregon University and volunteered at the Service Learning Career Development Office. I got my big break as a teaching assistant/administrator for Chemeketa Community College working at an alternative high school, Winema West. These experiences continued to strengthen my passion for not only education, but for students and their goals. I continued to better my ability to serve them as a resource, and got a lot of joy from it.
I now work as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS). I assist students daily with a variety of Financial Aid issues. I maintain the Social Media for the office and I am able to be a part of many workgroups. Currently I am involved in the Assessment Council and I am able to not only learn how to assess, but I connect with professionals in an array of Student Affairs functional areas and share diverse perspectives from interdisciplinary areas on campus. In June, I will go to the NASPA Persistence and Assessment Conference and present a poster on my assessment. I have been to one other conference, the Northwest Returnee Conference for students that have returned home from studying abroad. These experiences are shaping my abilities to be a professional in this field.
My areas of interest in higher education are all over the map! I love teaching the topic of Academic Success, I adore my assistantship in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, I like the topic of Transitions and helping students through that process, studying abroad, and I am open to explore what academic advising/counseling is like. With every new term, class, project, and internship, my career goal changes! The beauty of this program is having the support to explore the vast terrain of higher education.
Personally, I have transitioned from a “rolling stone” or a “free bird” to a more settled path. I have a peace and clarity in my life that was missing. I am engaged and very humbled to marry my partner in crime, Richard Steeves. Together, we are buying a home in West Salem and have recently celebrated our three years as a couple by purchasing a dog-child, Mister Tobias McGruff. I live near all of Richard’s immediate family and mine. I love to travel, but there is now home for me beyond a short car ride from my family and close friends. This page is a short version of a long biography, but I will spare you the rest!
My name is Miguel Arellano. I graduated from Oregon State University (OSU) in 2012. As an undergrad I was extremely involved in student led organizations. I held multiple student staff positions that introduced me to the great field of student affairs. I worked in Student Leadership and Involvement, advising and supporting OSU student organizations. I also worked as a Community Relations Facilitator within University Housing and Dining Services as a live-in peer educator, leading discussions to foster dialogue between residents on topics of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, ability, etc. and to promote an environment that celebrates all students through facilitated workshops and programs
I am currently in my first year of the College Student Services Administration program. My current assistantship is with the department of Diversity Development. Specifically with the Centro Cultural César Chávez, one of the six student-ran cultural and resource centers on campus. This assistantship allows me to advise and support ten great student staff that program about 30 events a year in hopes to celebrate difference and solidarity within OSU.
One event I would like to invite you to is “Queer, Undocumented and Unafraid”. This event is sponsored by the Centro Cultural Cesar Chávez, Community Relations Facilitator program, Pride center, and the Black Cultural center. A student from California who is writing a book on “undocuqueer” will be speaking. The event will focus on the intersecting of identities of being both undocumented and queer. And the obstacles the speaker had to overcome and how both communities can come together for social justice. The event is on May 8th in the International Living Learning Center (ILLC) from 7pm-9pm.
This is my first term interning with the DOSL team. I am very excited to be working on the 2013 CSSA Cohort orientation and social justice retreat. I will also be working on the NUFP pre conference and the 2013 CSSA cohort transitions course next fall.
I am very excited to finally see the sun come out. Spring term is always my favorite term. It is something about the spring flower aromas, sun, and blossoming trees that make me happy. Luckly, I will be spending this summer in the sunny state of California, interning with University of California Santa Cruz. I look forward to interning with DOSL. Stay Tuned for more blogging!!
At the same time we were planning for our collecting of culinary herbs and spices, we accepted the Center for Civic Engagement’s challenge to 
