Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 2008)
4 Clackamas Print The secrets of campus lovers . John Hurlburt 11 The Clackamas Print In the wake of Valentine’s Day, peo ple may still have the image embedded in their minds of two individuals trying to inhale each other’s souls through their mouths. The scene is likely familiar to those who have stepped foot in public: a cou ple passionately clinging to one another while passersby are forced to either wit ness the display or find a new interest in the way they tie their shoes. At what point does a show of affec tion become an annoyance? In the eyes of student Michaela Carlson, it’s when holding hands or a quick hug and a kiss develop into more than just that “I wish people would keep their per sonal relationships a bit more personal,” Carlson said. “Any place where there is a lot of student traffic, in my opinion, would not be an appropriate place for people to be making out.” Some free expressions of fond ness appall Alexander Costa. His most memorable observation of such a sight involves a pregnant woman smoking a cigarette and embracing her partner, just outside the cafeteria. “Kissing is fine in public,” Costa said, “but using tongue and sexual gestures I find unclassy and sort of disgusting.” Many wish not to see unrestricted exhibits of liking and love, and at the same time, those who are kissing often do not wish to be watched. One exception is student Brandon Buss, who doesn’t mind an audience but prefers a quieter place. ‘It’s a natural thing,” Buss said. Buss’ opinion is that as long as people are not making a scene or getting in anyone’s way, their conduct shouldn’t matter. Cassie Wellington doesn’t care whether or not couples make out provid ing that it is not out in the open. “After a certain point... it becomes a get-a-room type of thing,” Wellington said. Although getting a room on campus isn ’t an option, a few areas are out of the view of the general populace. For example, near the Environmental Learning Center, northeast of Clairmont Hall, a network of paths runs through a lightly forested region in a circle around a pond. Student Stephen Ragsdale believes the spot is a suitable place for a romantic B moment alone “Anywhere outside should be OK,” he added However, there is one notable down side to the paths - they are fairly primi tive, and much of the ground is typically muddy, so it would be wise to put on an inexpensive pair of shoes before taking to the trails. Another perhaps-appropriate location for somewhat intimate relations is the forest just east of the Pauling Center. Although there is not a lot of cover, some spaces in between the trees provide opportunities to lie back and relax. According to Buss, one problem with the site is the lack of seats. “The ground’s just too hard,” he said. . For individuals who are uncomfort able watching others polish their part ner’s teeth, the good news is that open public displays of affection on campus do not appear to be the norm Costa says that he only sees people making out about once a month at the, college. Carlson confirms this; thank fully, she doesn’t observe the scenario very often. So, to anyone feeling the desire to engorge someone else’s face, just remember todo so courteously and keep innocent bystanders in mind. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 Feati Instructor talks fair ne ous basic rights that married a medical emergency and they were annulled; couples have. rights concerning a deceased never happened in The law “gives us cer partner. sense.” tain legal benefits through As far as the “You really want to have which we had to pay a lot families and people to be partnership goes, fot of money to try to get even protected under the law and it was all about obta part of those on our own, by doing wills and power of attorneys and all kinds of stuff,” Burnell said. 11 Feature Editor The court’s opinion was a big On Feb. 4 gay couples success for gay lined up in front of Oregon rights advocates. domestic courthouses, awaiting their The chance to sign up for the partnership bill originally opportunity that would allow was them to receive some of the signed by Gov. rights that many heterosexu Ted Kulongoski on May 9, 2007, al couples take for granted. The legalization of to be effective domestic partnerships in at the beginning Oregon passed through a of 2008, but a federal judge Friday, Feb. 1, court challenge the taking effect the following postponed outcome of the Monday. Clackamas’ own Carol legislation until when Burnell, an English instruc recently, tor at the college for the past the judge ruled in four years and the adviser of the favor of the Carol Burnell recounts her string of attempts to gain marri equality rights for her and her partner. the Gay Straight Alliance, state. “Not only did decided along with her part ner to wait until Valentine’s we win on the paper that would pi merits of the case; we really be safe,” Burnell said. Day to register. This isn’t the first time family with a lit “We joke about getting won new rights,” said Jeana domesticated,” Burnell said. Frazzini, executive director that Burnell has attempted of mind. She com The couple has been of Basic Rights Oregon, to to get fair representation commitment and thi together for six and a half The Oregonian after the rul for her family by means of ny that she and he Oregon law. In 2005, when held five years a years, and had a formal ing Feb.1. Some of the privileges that Multnomah County was important than ai ceremony with friends and family five years ago. Even gay couples can now enjoy briefly offering gay mar afterward. “ ... Actually b< though, in their eyes, they through the bill, known as riage, they signed up. “We got our $60 check ried to someone, thi have been married since the Oregon Family Fairness that time, Oregon law did Act, are property rights, the back in the mail,” Burnell private, personal th not recognize them as such. ability to make decisions for said. “They were basically opinion, and the otl This left them without vari- one’s partner in the case of canceled. I don’t even think the legal part,” Bui Burnell and her partnerfinally recieve rights that only hetero sexual couples have enjoyed , Kyle Steele Welcoming a new United States citii Kenton Benfield wrong. Additionally, Ljucevic has a unique backstory. He and his family traveled from former Yugoslavia - now Bosnia and Herzegovina — to the United States Feb. 7, 2002. “Since that time, I am here in Portland with my family,” he said. Upon arriving in the States, Ljucevic worked to expand his knowledge of the English language and began the naturalization process to become a United States citi Getting to this point was not easy. “We were a little bit under depression,” Ljucevic said. It seems that “behind the “It is not really easy com scenes” is all the rage - bands ing from another continent, offer backstage passes, DVD another war. Every day you movies have “making of’ are not sure what is going commentary and news junk on; the (United States) gov ies want insider information ernment could change the on politics and the latest gos requirements (for registra tion) ... or change some sip. Engineering Team Leader thing. We came here legal Hilmo Ljucevic is familiar ly ... all of this had scary with the unseen operations moments.” One fear was that the of the college. His job is one government would delay the that, when done right, no registration process to becoming a citizen, which would have made it more difficult for Ljucevic to find work. Citizenship is a requirement for many jobs, and this resulted in him initially miss ing out on opportuni ties for which he was otherwise eligible. He was finally able to get a position here at Clackamas. Ljucevic was origi nally hired as a high voltage integrated cir cuit control technician. Among other things, Kenton Benfield Clackamas Print this qualifies him for Hilmo Ljucevic monitors the school’s temperature control for each maintenance work and building. The system allows him to adjust it from anywhere. to control much of the campus utility infra structure, including \ water, power, gas consump one likely notices and, thus, zen. is taken for granted, but it is He was sworn in as a citi tion for the heating boilers significant in that it would zen after scoring an impres and temperature control. Upon receiving his citi most definitely be a topic of sive 100 percent on his citi zenship, Ljucevic was asked discussion if something went zenship exam Jan. 9. The Clackamas Print to define his I goals. He joked tl the mayor of Portia not be so bad, refit new sense of op that was now open He has since beei ed to engineering ti or head control eng One example of day task Ljucevic n form is the operatit temperature contro for the college. From within L office, or anywhet world, the entire cat be monitored by a computer system th constantly-updated tion about the tempi every room. Mosto tern is automated I chart of his desi| ever, custom alterat be implemented in through the Web int In one instance, jokingly implied would have been connect through thi and alter some settii staying in Europe The changes woi| occurred almost ins Oregon. It is so flexible anyone on campus C request to adjust the ature of any room, I need only contact and request the chai The next time t doesn’t notice the ture of a room on ca or she can thank Lju a job well-done.
