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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (June 18, 2025)
Page 4 June 18, 2025 Sensitive Information Clark College Being Use Without Consent Grants Tenure to Many States Educators Sue to Block Continued from Front the Sale of 23andMe Personal Genetic Data (AP) — Twenty-seven states and the District of Co- lumbia on Monday filed a lawsuit in bankruptcy court seeking to block the sale of personal genetic data by 23andMe without customer consent. The lawsuit comes as a biotechnology company seeks the court’s approval to buy the struggling firm. Biological samples, DNA data, health-related traits and medical records are too sen- sitive to be sold without each person’s express, informed consent, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a news release about the law- suit. Customers should have the right to control such deep- ly personal information and it cannot be sold like ordinary property, it said. A 23andMe saliva collection kit is shown on March 25, 2025, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Barbara Ortutay, File) 23andMe customers use saliva-based DNA testing kits to learn about their ancestry and find long-lost relatives. Founded in 2006, the com- pany also conducted health research and drug develop- ment. But it struggled to find a profitable business model since going public in 2021. In March it laid off 40% of its staff and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Eastern District of Missouri, raising concerns about the safety of customer data. Regeneron Pharmaceuti- cals said last month it aimed to buy the company for $256 million. Regeneron said it would comply with 23and- Me’s privacy policies and ap- plicable law. It said it would process all customer personal data in accordance with the consents, privacy policies and statements, terms of ser- vice, and notices currently in effect and have security con- trols in place designed to pro- tect such data. A court-appointed, inde- pendent consumer privacy ombudsman was due to ex- amine the proposed sale and how it might affect consum- er privacy and report to the court. Portland Parks & Recreation Completes Transformation, Reopens Expanded 25-Acre Parklane Park Continued from Front Director Adena Long. “It helps address the significant lack of parks, open spaces, and recreation in the Centen- nial neighborhood. With so many new amenities on 25 acres, this is a major invest- ment in East Portland, an ex- citing project that will benefit Portland for generations.” Parklane Park serves 2,824 nearby residential units. 828 of them did not have ready access to any parks or natural areas prior to this project. The park’s immediate neighbors to the east are Oliver Mid- dle School and Parklane El- ementary School in the Cen- tennial School District, with a combined enrollment of nearly 900 students ranging from kindergarten students to 8th graders. System Development Charge (SDCs), not tax dollars, funded the park project. SDCs are one-time fees from new de- velopments that support Port- land's growing infrastructure. The park was designed by local landscape architecture firm, Walker Macy, and con- structed by Stacy Witbeck. A Local Improvement District (LID) funded by the park proj- ect and managed by the Port- land Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) created street and sidewalk improvements that improves access to and around the new park. The ceremony included Portland Parks & Recreation Director Adena Long, District 1 Councilors Loretta Smith and Jamie Dunphy, and other community partners. Portlanders have been in- strumental in shaping the de- sign for Parklane Park through a project advisory committee and a series of community gatherings between fall 2019 and summer 2020. This en- gagement process resulted in a design that reflects the community’s values and de- sires. For more information on Parklane Park, please visit the project page at portland. gov/parks/construction/park- lane-park-project. sub jects like fossils and an- cient civilizations to life. His teaching fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and cultur- al empathy, aligning with the college’s DEI mission. Brandon Johnson, (Automotive) With 23 years of experi- ence and multiple certifica- tions, Brandon brings indus- try expertise from Subaru, Ford, and GM. Though new to teaching, he excels at men- toring. His relatable stories and patient guidance help students connect theory with real-world automotive prob- lem-solving. Molly Lampros, (Communications) Molly holds multiple de- grees in communication, psychology, and teaching. She’s worked in public ser- vice and taught for 15 years at Clark. Passionate about trauma-informed education, she builds strong student re- lationships and inclusive, discussion-based learning environments. Teresa Lashchuk, (Nursing) With over 30 years in clin- ical nursing, Teresa joined Clark in 2011. She encour- ages critical thinking and in- clusion, making students feel supported. Her real-world ap- proach to nursing education keeps her curriculum relevant and engaging. Josephine (Josie) Lesage, (Environmental Science) Josie earned her Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz and brings ecology field experi- ence to her teaching. A pas- sionate advocate for outdoor learning, she uses active strategies to spark curiosity and help students appreciate life’s natural patterns. Brian Miyake, (Surveying and Geomatics) Brian transitioned to teaching after a leadership career in land management mapping. At Clark, he builds strong industry ties and helped lead his students to a national competition victo- ry. Known for his culturally responsive teaching, Brian ensures all students feel seen and supported. Victor Morales, (Philosophy) Victor holds a Ph.D. in Po- litical Science and brings over a decade of teaching experi- ence. At Clark, he founded the Philosophy Club and uses inclusive methods—like role- plays and simulations—to foster critical thinking and en- courage diverse voices. Jesse Morse, (English) Jesse holds an MFA and Ph.D. in creative writing and has taught at Clark since 2018. Co-director of the Spring Writing Workshop and author of a poetry collection, Jesse focuses on equity, cul- tural inclusiveness, and stu- dent-centered learning. Janine Rieck, (Health Information Management) Janine earned degrees in Health Information Man- agement while teaching and completing the tenure pro- cess. She creates inclusive, well-supported online learn- ing environments and found- ed a student club to promote community service and en- gagement in the field. Natasja Swartz, (Chemistry) Natasja holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry and has taught at several colleges. Her research combines chemical science and cultural heritage. At Clark, she fosters student suc- cess through inclusive teach- ing and innovative curricu- lum that encourages creative thinking. Cydney Topping, (English) With degrees in English and writing, Cydney has taught at community colleges her entire career. At Clark since 2015, she designs inclusive courses that reflect student experienc- es and co-leads efforts to rede- sign the literature curriculum with a student-centered focus. Gibran Zogbi, (Accounting) Gibran has a doctorate in business and industry expe- rience with major firms and startups. A supportive and en- ergetic teacher, he emphasizes not just technical knowledge but personal character, en- couraging students to grow as professionals and people.
