Deanna Marano

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For more of my work and the work of my colleagues at SOU, please visit our new site at http://webpages.sou.edu/~buskb/website/index.html. Brian, Ben, Alex and I have all put a lot of work into the articles found here and are trying to tell the story of SOU's past, present, and future.

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(Schaffer in her office, left)

With the financial situation as it is at Southern Oregon University, it may be surprising to know clubs on campus still exist. One of the clubs is the French Club, which holds it’s annual “Le Diner Francais”, or “French Dinner”, every winter. Lauren Schaffer, a French professor at SOU, helps organize the event and attends every year.

“[There’s] huge planning with the French club,” Schaffer said, from figuring out the menu to lining up volunteers from the French classes on campus. “It takes months and months of planning.”

At the event, guests are treated to an elegant setting complete with crisp table cloths, romantic lighting, and a well-mannered waiting staff. The meal is comprised of five courses, which usually include a soup, salad, entrée, fruit and cheese platter, and a decadent dessert – all in French style, of course. For those over twenty-one, wine is available while everyone else gets cider.

“It sells out every year,” Schaffer said about the popularity of the event, and that’s not limited to just students and faculty. “There are lots of families that come. I mean, it’s a five-course meal for seven dollars. There’s always a big variety of people from the community,” Schaffer said.

The event will come again for winter 2014 and promises to be just as fun as the years past.

The French Club is a very active club on campus, also holding a movie night where a French film is screened and popcorn, cookies, and beverages are served. The club meets once a week and its goal is to promote French language and culture on campus, according to the club’s SOU page.

For more information, visit: http://www.sou.edu/languages/clubs.html or contact Marianne Golding [email protected].

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Graph with "Pretty Hurts", showing the larger percentage of women who are happy with their looks are in the 40-60 year old range.

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Pretty Hurts Part 2

In Beyoncé’s newest album, the song “Pretty Hurts” has lyrics seemingly trying to speak to women and girls everywhere about the pains of trying to be perfect. Between social media, selfies, and an obsession with celebrity culture, life may seem like a constant competition to look the best and be the best. Publications like Teen Vogue and Seventeen have addressed extremes some people take in this contest, but are things like eating disorders and surgery really that extreme in today’s society?

                 While this idolization has been going on for decades based on the popularity of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Christie Brinkley, never has the standard of beauty seemed so unattainable to the average American girl, like peers at Southern Oregon Univeristy.  Women like Farrah Fawcett were “beauty standards” of their time according to magazines like Glamour and InStyle, and most likely inspired young girls to take aerobics classes and get a tan. The women of today must inspire girls to buy false eyelashes, hair extensions, and contouring kits based on the “selfies” on social media sites. Is this the new standard of beauty? Or is this an extreme? Or both? One has to wonder where, and if, we went wrong.

                Reality television hit our society like a ton of bricks when the seemingly “overnight” fame of people like the Kardashians is examined. Suddenly women with the money and status to warrant things like professional makeup artists, personal trainers, and specialized doctors were on television screens every night on E!. Kim Kardashian and Lilly Ghalichi suddenly became the standard of beauty to viewers because they had all the attention and fame, and young girls everywhere had a new model to which they seemingly aspired.

                Eating disorders and plastic surgery used to be rarities according to women like Lisa Moore.

                “When I was growing up, eating disorders were never really heard of. At least not with my friends,” she said, “Only women like Karen Carpenter had something like that.”

It seemed only Playboy hopefuls and Beverly Hills housewives used to go under the knife when fellow classmates were growing up, while fashion models and insecure preteens were seemingly the only ones with eating disorders. Now nose jobs are common Sweet 16 birthday presents, according to Teen Vogue and women of all ages, shapes, and economic classes are either not eating, eating obsessively, or eating only to vomit it all up based on research for their article. There can be dozens of factors that lead to these behaviors according to the National Eating Disorders Association, but anyone with common sense can see that the pressures put on women today is far beyond where it once was. Now, mothers have to look like they never even had the baby, teenagers have to look like their bodies aren’t going through any phases, and wrinkles, cellulite, and acne are four-letter-words based on the perpetuated ideals of beauty in society. Women have to have the biggest butts, but not too big, the fullest boobs, but not too full, and they skinniest limbs with the washboard abs. The hair has to be long, shiny, and full, and the makeup has to be flawless. Cheekbones have to be chiseled, lips pouty, eyes wide, and lashes past the eyebrows.

                Anyone who fails these standards loses value in our society – they’re not famous.

                This may seem harsh, but this is referring to what’s been read, watched, and, most importantly, heard from friends and peers. The fact is insecurity isn’t as rare as it once was and should be – it’s something almost every girl spoken to for research on pieces like this is facing in terms never set before.

                Ashley Winkler, a student, was hesitant to even let a picture of herself run with this story. “I look so terrible!” she said when asked. Winkler is by no means unattractive. She’s tall, thin, and has the clear skin and large blue eyes for which most yearn. When Winkler hears compliments like these, she laughs them off and denies them – like most girls. How unfair that we’re all so insecure.

                “I used to feel really bad about myself,” Winkler said. “I bought in to the whole idea of pretty that’s dictated [by society]. It’s just impossible though.”

                When Winkler contracted Celiac Disease two years ago, she lost weight very quickly.

                “People constantly said I’d lost weight from being anorexic or drugs or something,” she said. “No one seemed to think I was telling the truth, or they just assumed. It’s messed up that people just think [eating disorders] would be the reason. It made me feel bad about myself for a little while.”

                Winkler learned to manage her disease, which makes her allergic to gluten, and has since reached a healthier weight, and mind-set. “I feel better now. If people want to judge, whatever. I know how I look, and why, and I feel fine with that. I’m healthy.”

                Body image is a matter that could take pages and pages of explaining. How nonsensical that girls are made to feel anything less than beautiful by society’s standards of beauty. The filtered images on Instagram and the admittedly Photoshopped magazine covers in the mail shouldn’t dictate what’s beautiful. Every girl knows what it’s like to have a zit, feel gross in a pair of shorts, and wonder if her life wouldn’t be better if only she looked different; some people just have teams helping them look as far from that truth as possible based on the makeup artists and hairstylists following women like Katy Perry on tour. Every person has flaws, and none are “better” than anyone else’s. Girls shouldn’t ever look at someone and think they’re not also insecure in at least some way.

                Confidence isn’t easy for many, nor is it something that can suddenly become a habit – it takes work. (There’s even been scientific research showing confidence can be genetic, according to Psychology Today.) It’s important to our happiness to learn to focus on the good. There will always be someone prettier or wealthier, but that doesn’t diminish any of your positive attributes. We can’t live our lives comparing ourselves to others, or we’ll never be happy. Appearance shouldn’t be a hindrance on happiness. There’s still someone out there who will think you’re gorgeous, inside and out, and will give you the love you deserve. It’s just important that you give it to yourself first.

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(Shelton, standing, presenting on May 15)

This week marks the seventh year of Southern Oregon Arts and Research at Southern Oregon University. SOAR was started by SOU President Mary Cullinan on May 21, 2008 with the goal of highlighting academic research, performances, publications, and other scholarly and artistic achievements, according to the SOU website.

This year has grown to include over 800 students, according to the SOU website, and has lasted all week, starting on May 12 and ending on May 16.

One of the students who presented this year is Brenda Shelton, and her research on “Racialized Gender Stereotypes in Colson Whitehead’s 'The Intuitionist'” was shown in the Literature portion of the event on May 15. Shelton is an English major who is set to graduate one year earlier than originally planned. Her SOAR presentation included research on history, women’s studies, society, culture, and literature.

“I was invited to present at SOAR by Doctor Alvarez after she read my final paper for her Multicultural Literature class last term,” Shelton said. “I said yes because I love talking about literature and I thought it was an amazing opportunity. I was really flattered that she thought my ideas were good enough to be shared.”

Shelton was on a panel with several other students who had similar presentations. Several featured were Jenean McGee’s “The Construction of Black Identity in Toni Morrison’s 'The Bluest Eye'”, and “Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Shakespearean Adaption” by Alexis Karnofski.

As for the research portion of SOAR, Shelton said, “I’m a [Gender Studies Women’s Studies] minor and a feminist so I feel like I’m always really inclined to examine gender representation in books, especially how gender relates to other oppressions. The research was really enjoyable for me because it’s something I’m passionate about.”

As a presenter, Shelton also attended her panel’s presentations. While each presentation was based in literature, each brought a unique element to the topic which Shelton enjoyed. “I loved hearing people’s work and ideas,” Shelton said. “I think it’s really amazing that our university has something like SOAR and I think it’s something we should really continue to encourage our students to participate in.”

Based on the size of the audiences, SOAR is something greatly enjoyed in the community. As a way to share student’s work and passions, the event is something that will hopefully continue for many more years to come.

Sources:

Brenda Shelton

SOU website: http://www.sou.edu/soar/what-is-soar.html

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What's Going on at SOU - Student Life

This article isn't about retrenchment or the president, it's about student life. I wanted to do something new, relevant to the present time at SOU, and somehow related to the type of journalism I really want to be doing professionally. I used research and an interview to create this piece, and I think it shows a side to SOU not usually shown.

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In Beyoncé’s newest album, the song “Pretty Hurts” speaks to women and girls everywhere about the pains of trying to be perfect. Between social media, selfies, and an obsession with celebrity culture, life has become a constant competition to look the best and be the best. We’ve all heard of the extremes some people take in this contest, but are things like eating disorders and surgery really that extreme in today’s society?

                 While this idolization has been going on for decades, never has the standard of beauty seemed so unattainable to the average American girl. Women like Christie Brinkley and Farrah Fawcett were standards of their time, and inspired young girls to take aerobics classes and get a tan. The women of today inspire girls to buy false eyelashes, hair extensions, and contouring kits. Is this the new standard of beauty? Or is this an extreme? Or both? One has to wonder where we went wrong.

                Reality television hit our society like a ton of bricks. Suddenly women with the money and status to warrant things like professional makeup artists, personal trainers, and specialized doctors were on television screens every night. Kim Kardashian and Lilly Ghalichi suddenly became the standard of beauty, and young girls everywhere had a new model to which they aspired.

                Eating disorders and plastic surgery used to be rarities. It seemed only Playboy hopefuls and Beverly Hills housewives used to go under the knife, while fashion models and insecure preteens were seemingly the only ones with eating disorders. Now nose jobs are common Sweet 16 birthday presents and women of all ages, shapes, and economic classes are either not eating, eating obsessively, or eating only to vomit it all up. There can be dozens of factors that lead to these behaviors, but anyone with common sense can see that the pressures put on women today is far beyond where it once was. Now, mothers have to look like they never even had the baby, teenagers have to look like their bodies aren’t going through any phases, and wrinkles, cellulite, and acne are four-letter-words. Women have to have the biggest butts, but not too big, the fullest boobs, but not too full, and they skinniest limbs with the washboard abs. The hair has to be long, shiny, and full, and the makeup has to be flawless. Cheekbones have to be chiseled, lips pouty, eyes wide, and lashes past the eyebrows.

                Anyone who fails these standards loses value in our society.

                This may seem harsh, but this is all coming from a 22-year old student at SOU. This article is referring to what’s been read, watched, and, most importantly, heard from friends and peers at school. The fact is insecurity isn’t as rare as it once was and should be – it’s something every girl is facing in terms never set before, and right here on campus.

                Ashley Winkler, also an SOU student, was hesitant to even let a picture of herself run with this story. “I look so terrible!” she said when asked. Winkler is by no means unattractive. She’s tall, thin, and has the clear skin and large blue eyes for which most yearn. When Winkler hears compliments like these, she laughs them off and denies them – like most girls. How unfair that we’re all so insecure.

                This is a matter that could take pages and pages of explaining, but can it even be explained? How nonsensical that beautiful girls are made to feel anything less by society’s standards of beauty. The filtered images on Instagram and the Photoshoped magazine covers in the mail shouldn’t dictate what’s beautiful. Every girl knows what it’s like to have a zit, feel gross in a pair of shorts, and wonder if her life wouldn’t be better if only she looked different; some people just have teams helping them look as far from that truth as possible. Every person has flaws, and none are “better” than anyone else’s. Don’t ever look at someone, even another student, and think they’re not also insecure in at least some way.

                There won’t be any pretending in this article that confidence is easy or that it can suddenly become a habit – it takes work. (There’s even been scientific research showing confidence can be genetic.) What this article aims to do is point out that everyone really is going through the same struggles with appearance. We all have things we can’t stand about ourselves. We’ve got to learn to focus on the good though, and highlight that. There will always be someone prettier or wealthier, but that doesn’t diminish any of your positive attributes. We can’t live our lives comparing ourselves to others, or we’ll never be happy. Appearance shouldn’t be a hindrance on happiness. There’s still someone out there who will think you’re gorgeous, inside and out, and will give you the love you deserve. It’s just important that you give it to yourself first.

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(Student Joe Larson, above)

The SOU Latino Student Union is inviting people to the Gran Bailazo Celebrando El Cinco de Mayo at the Historic Ashland Armory on Oak Street on Friday May 9 at8 p.m. The Hechizeros Band will be performing and it’s sure to be a lot of fun for anyone interested. The cost is $5 for students, $10 for the general public, and free for children under twelve. There’s a Beer Garden for those 21 and older.  

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of when Mexico defeated the French in The Battle of Puebla of 1862. The celebration in Mexico is mostly regional, being celebrated mainly in Puebla, but is very common in the United States where there are parties, dances, and festivals held.

“I always thought Cinco de Mayo was the Mexican independence day,” student Joe Larson said. “It wasn’t until recently that I found out it wasn’t.” Many students seem to share Larson’s first assumption, but Mexico’s independence day is actually in September.

This event is great for SOU because it’s a way of bringing students together for a good time and a way to celebrate a shared cultural history. Unlike events held strictly on campus, having this event at the Armory allows students to get to know people who live in Ashland in a way that shows a shared interest. What better way to get to know new people than by dancing and listening to great music while celebrating a fun holiday? The fact that everyone is invited is a creative way of bringing together the whole community, and holding the event on a Friday instead of the actual date of Cinco de Mayo allows more people to attend. And who wouldn’t want to extend the celebration a bit?

In asking Larson what his plans are for the day, he shared, “I’m not sure, but I know I want to eat Mexican food!”

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The voting representatives around campus try to encourage voting, and make sure each student is registered. But are they actually helping? Or are they becoming a deterrent? Ray Kaupel shares his opinion. 

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SOU Sophomore Gabriella Busso shares her thoughts on the possibility of the President leaving for another job. 

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This is Hannah Bryant with several friends/SOMA members (from left: Sarah Young, Bryant, Leslie Ingraham, Melissa Morelli). SOMA is a Christian club on campus at SOU that meets every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in SU330. At each meeting, there is worship and a speaker, plus free coffee, Italian soda, tea, hot chocolate, etc. “SOMA is really big on building lasting friendships, encouraging people, and reaching out and showing love to people who unfortunately may not have ever seen that side of the church as a whole,” Bryant says.

  Each fall, SOMA hosts the annual howdown where they square dance and just generally have a lot of fun. Right now, SOMA is working to raise money for a sick 3-year-old little girl named Helen who lives in Medford. Helen needs a kidney transplant, and multiple businesses are working to help her. SOMA has partnered with Louie’s in downtown Ashland to raise profits for Helen. The week of May 4th, if people go to Louie’s and say they’re there for Helen, all the profits from their meals will go to the transplant fund. That Tuesday, May 6th, SOMA will hold their weekly meeting at Louie’s and have dinner at 5:30 p.m. instead of their regularly scheduled meeting.

  All college students are welcome to attend, and, Bryant adds, “We would love to see everyone there!”

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ODOT Delays I-5 Lane Closure

Oregon Department of Transportation has delayed the construction on I-5 between Medford and Ashland due to a rainy forecast. 

The construction requires a drainage pipe to be placed under the freeway lanes, and will also require new painting of the stripes that define the lanes. The paint will not stick to wet pavement. 

The proposed Monday start date for the construction will be resumed at an undisclosed date as of yet. ODOT will inform the public when the date is decided. 

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The I-5 route from Medford to Phoenix will close one lane both ways for a proposed 25 days starting the week of April 21 due to a stormwater pipe being installed under the freeway. Oregon Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to use an alternate route, such as Highway 99, to help yield some of the traffic traveling that route.

  The construction is set to begin Monday night, and will happen about a half mile north of exit 24. The fast lanes will be closed in both directions. A reported 38,000 cars travel this route each day, and the continuation of that could cause traffic back-ups up to two miles, ODOT reports. Traffic speeds will be reduced to 50 mph for the duration of the installation.

  It’s important to leave for your destination early enough to accommodate for these changes, and consider using an alternate route. Try avoiding early morning and evening commutes that are most heavily traveled. For commuter students, this will bring some complications, but nothing that can’t be helped.

  “It’s going to be rough,” says student Ashley Winkler, “but there’s really no way around it I guess.” Winkler, who commutes from Medford each day for Ashland classes is a senior, and also has two part-time jobs to make it to. “It was already tough to make it to class each day after and before work,” she says. “Now with this added time, it’s going to really stress me out to have to worry about leaving so much earlier and possibly being late to either classes or work.”

  “Taking the freeway is always just so much faster,” Winkler says. “Just driving through Ashland to the first exit is a time crunch, but now I have to drive through that and Talent and Phoenix every day. It’s going to suck.”

  Many students share Winkler’s irritation, and wonder how they’ll make it to and from classes in time for other obligations. Many students off campus work part-time, and even full-time jobs, and many have to be to work right after class.

  “There just aren’t enough hours in the day,” Winkler says, laughing.

  Then there are students like Tabitha Kortaba who travel from places further away, like Grants Pass. “My commute was already about an hour long,” she says, “This sucks!”

  The uncertainty of how long the delays will be is what seems to be most problematic for commuter students. Making accommodations will be tricky and interfere with other responsibilities.

  Hopefully, the construction will be over sooner than projected and students will adjust easily to the changes until then.

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There will be an Impact church service this Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Art Building on campus. This is written out in chalk at several locations on campus, including outside of the main Stevenson Union doors (above). 

Along with that, the SOU Hawai'i Club will be having their 18th Annual Luau April 19th. Ticket sales are through April 17th in the SU Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Pictured: Members Kiana Hoohuli (left) and Carrie Oshiro. 

Both of these events are sure to be fun and welcoming for anyone who would like to attend, and everyone is welcome. 

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President Obama cracked down on equal pay today by signing an executive order that forces federal contractors to allow employees to discuss their pay with each other.

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Portfolio

I'm Deanna and I'm taking EMDA to fulfill my COMM major. My work is reflective of what I've learned this term.These are the four images I think came out the best from this term.

I feel my greatest strengths are moving images onto others to create a final image and making an image look uniform. My goals are to only get better at using Photoshop and eventually learn how to completely transform images to make them look exactly like what I have in mind. This term I learned I like to take photos from the various projects we had that required original photos so that's helpful in learning more about myself, and can add to my qualifications for a career as a journalist.

The brighter Great Gatsby image is one of the ones I've enhanced, and I think it looks better because it's more eye-catching and brings out the art-deco feel. I've also enhanced the Fumetti photo of my cat by blurring the rough edges and softening the entire image.

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These are ads for Rocky Mountain Company, which is a fictional company that sells sports/outdoor equipment and apparel. Rocky, the chocolate lab featured, is the spokesperson for the company and is present in all the images. I think the font and placement of it is unique to the company and shows the nature-oriented and simplistic approach the company holds dear. I think the beach ads could be a summer campaign, and the others could be nice for fall. I like photos that aren't super edited because they look more raw, as evident by the Billabong and Dolce and Gabbana ads I posted earlier. I'm really proud of these photos because they're exactly what I imagined for the project :)

(Click on the images to see them larger.)

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