The Student News Site of Oregon State University

The Daily Barometer

The Student News Site of Oregon State University

The Daily Barometer

The Student News Site of Oregon State University

The Daily Barometer

Alexander Banks

Alexander Banks, Assistant Editor

Fourth year creative writing major, minoring in applied journalism.

All content by Alexander Banks
Jenna Rosenau, an Oregon State University biochemistry major, at the Memorial Union at OSU on March 10.

OSU students with ASD share experiences, misconceptions, advice

Alexander Banks, Senior Reporter
April 8, 2024

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. These differences can manifest...

Classified workers protest outside the Valley Library on Nov. 7

Bargaining between classified employees and Oregon’s public universities ends in standstill

Alexander Banks, Senior Reporter
February 24, 2024

Editor's note: This is an ongoing situation, and the Barometer will continue to update readers on it. On Friday, February 23, contract negotiations between the Service Employees International Union...

SFC Committee votes to reject fee-funded wage increase, approves other packages

SFC Committee votes to reject fee-funded wage increase, approves other packages

Alexander Banks and AJ Damiana
February 11, 2024

In their final meeting, the Student Fee Committee voted to reject the proposal for a fee-funded student wage increase and approved other proposals, like increasing the amount of student tickets for athletics. According...

Classified workers protest outside the Valley Library on Nov. 7

Classified employees and union members protest contracts on OSU campus

Chaya Barratt and Alexander Banks
November 25, 2023

Editor's note: One of the institutions was incorrectly named. The proper name is "Oregon Institute of Technology." Many different organizations have tables set up in the Oregon State University library...

Students, community members continue to protest in support of Palestine

Students, community members continue to protest in support of Palestine

Alexander Banks, News Reporter
November 2, 2023

The support for Palestine continues as old and new protesters show up in the past and foreseeable Saturdays to share their signs and voices, including veterans and Jewish supporters.  For the foreseeable...

Police gathered at McNary Field as they conduct an investigation on an explosion.

Breaking: McNary Field explosion injures one, closes parking lot

Wes Flow, Ryan Harlan, Emma Coke, and Alexander Banks
October 30, 2023

Update (5:51 p.m. PDT) CPD has released a statement saying that the victim of the explosion is a 22-year old male from Cottage Grove, OR. According to their preliminary reporting, the victim is not affiliated...

Over 100 protestors gathered in front of the Benton County Courthouse on Oct. 21. They carried signs with phrases like Free Palestine.

Courthouse rally held in support for Palestine

Alexander Banks, News Reporter
October 21, 2023

More than 100 protestors gathered in front of the Benton County Courthouse chanting slogans such as “free Palestine,” “stop the genocide” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Earlier...

Basic Needs Center to host welcome event at OSU

Basic Needs Center to host welcome event at OSU

Alexander Banks, Senior Reporter
September 27, 2023

Correction: The previous story had a mistake in regards to accommodations. Those with disabilities who require accommodations can contact the Basic Needs Center prior to the event.  The Basic Needs...

Vina Moses Center’s produce and books on display on September 5. The center helps those in need get through hardship.

Corvallis resources offer alternatives for students on a budget

Alexander Banks, News Reporter
September 25, 2023

Whether on or off the campus of Oregon State University, students and community members of Corvallis can still find the resources they need, regardless of their financial situation. The Vina Moses Center,...

Firing Lane: True democracy starts with ranked choice voting

Firing Lane: True democracy starts with ranked choice voting

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
August 7, 2023

Editor's Note: This column does not represent the opinion of The Daily Barometer. This column reflects the personal opinions of the writer. In November 2024, Oregonians will have the chance to vote...

Letitia Carsons exhibit at Corvallis Museum showcases Black history in Corvallis

Letitia Carson’s exhibit at Corvallis Museum showcases Black history in Corvallis

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
August 7, 2023

Letitia Carson, a former slave from Kentucky turned Oregon homesteader, is one of the growing diverse stories featured at the Corvallis Museum—showcased through a temporary exhibit—after a refreshed...

Woman attempting to push a ball of money up-hill through seasons.

New Financial Readiness and Success initiative prompt changes for OSU students

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
July 11, 2023

In May, the Center for Advancement of Financial Education, et. al, released a letter informing Oregon State University students on upcoming changes that affect their college education. In 2022, the...

Retiring symphony conductor Marlan Carlson (he/him) poses for a photograph on June 15 in front of a piano located in his office in Oregon State University’s Community Hall in Corvallis. “All of my training on the East Coast and in Europe has qualified me to teach in many music schools, but I have decided to decline all of those offers,” says Carlson, “Oregon State has allowed me to be an entrepreneur, and I was able to reinvent myself several times.”

Conductor, husband and traveler: Marlan Carlson retires after 54 years at OSU

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
July 3, 2023

When describing his life, Music Director Marlan Carlson believed good fortune seemed to rain down on him: from meeting his wife in Illinois to playing in orchestras from London, Germany and Japan. Carlson...

A photo illustration depicting hands offering and accepting various foods, with the snacks being examples of the items purchasable with government aid SNAP cards, photographed on June 29, 2023 in front of Oregon State University’s Basic Needs Center in Corvallis.

OSU student advocacy goes far beyond just campus politics

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
July 3, 2023

OSU students: do you use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program? This year, students are pushing for expansions on the Corvallis campus, along with the Hunger Free Campus Bill. Advocating on...

A photo illustration depicting a check being cut in half by scissors on May 17. The Oregon State Department of Education is giving Oregon Public Schools less funding than the needed amount.

Corvallis schools could lose $5 million in funding due to proposed state budget

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
June 5, 2023

Governor Tina Kotek’s proposed state budget released at the beginning of the year could lead to a loss in funding for Corvallis schools.  Governor Kotek’s $9.9 billion proposal is $400 million...

 A photo illustration of an Ai generated image (left), and a hand drawn image, on April 24, in Corvallis. AI generated imagery can use text input to generate just about anything you could think of.

Copyright, compensation and credit

growing sophistication surrounding AI and art raises questions on ethics
Alexander Banks, News Contributor
May 9, 2023

Among other things, the growing sophistication of artificial intelligence has also begun to raise questions and concerns in modern discourse surrounding art, including people’s livelihood, creative expression...

Firing Lane: Can the mental health crisis be averted with therapy?

Firing Lane: Can the mental health crisis be averted with therapy?

Alexander Banks, Columnist
May 2, 2023

Editor’s Note: This column does not represent the opinion of The Daily Barometer. This column reflects the personal opinions of the writer. High rates of mental illness raise concerns on whether treatment...

Don, a resident of the camp on the junction of Mary’s River and the Willamette River, collects flowers and poses for a photo on April 26th. Don is irritated about the garbage and trash surrounding his tent, he likes the space he occupies to be tidy.

City of Corvallis removes Housing Operational Committee from applications, halting $1M funding from state

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
May 1, 2023

A state Bill passed last year gave Corvallis $1 million to support the homeless, however, the removal of the city’s Housing Operational Committee has delayed the process.   House Bill 4123 passed...

The building complex at Linus Pauling Middle School photographed on April 25, 2023. Several Corvallis school district changes have been established including the alternative pathway program.

Linus Pauling teacher walkout sparks larger conversation on student behavior

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
April 26, 2023

In the months following the late February teacher walkout, Corvallis School District administrators have been meeting with CSD staff to gather input that has since informed some existing and planned changes...

With recent fluctuations of inflation, it has affected how consumers support businesses. This illustration depicts a balloon with a dollar sign being pumped along with arrows indicating growth for larger businesses while smaller businesses decline.

Firing Lane: Inflation continues to hurt local businesses while corporations prosper

Alexander Banks, Columnist
April 18, 2023

In just a short amount of time David Kell, a restaurateur in Corvallis, has seen the price of a 20-lb case of shredded iceberg lettuce rise from $22 dollars and peak at $65 dollars.  Julie Littman,...

Natural disasters and record-setting temperatures remind us to think about climate change

Natural disasters and record-setting temperatures remind us to think about climate change

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
April 10, 2023

In August 2021, category four storm, Hurricane Ida, swept through Louisiana with winds of 150 mph. That’s when Richard Deininger, first-year civil engineering major, became concerned with climate change....

New CEOAS dean sets the stage for OSU scientists

New CEOAS dean sets the stage for OSU scientists

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
April 10, 2023

As a young girl, Tuba Özkan-Haller said she was afraid of water. Even with a father serving as admiral in the Turkish navy and being born in Istanbul — surrounded by the Sea of Marmara and the Black...

A photo taken on Nov. 21, 2022 shows the hemp fields at the Oregon State University research greenhouse. Hemp has been used for food, clothing and more, arriving in 1545 due to Spanish colonization.

Hemp’s ‘long history of human use’ proven useful for food, clothing, medicine and more

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
March 7, 2023

Last year, researcher and professor at Oregon State University, Richard van Breemen, discovered two cannabinoid acids — found in hemp — that block the infection of human cells from the virus that causes...

In this photo illustration, Computer Science major Harshini Reddy checks the transfer credit central portal, at Valley Library - Oregon State University on Feb.21

The Firing Lane: College survival and success: something transfer students need to know

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
March 6, 2023

Editor’s Note: This column does not represent the opinion of The Daily Barometer. This column reflects the personal opinions of the writer. Transfer students are realizing a significant amount of...

A photo illustration of a Oregon State University college degree burning on March 1. Questions are raised of whether a four year college degree is worth the debt that comes along with it in the face of an experience driven employment environment.

Firing Lane: College degrees, a valuable commodity or glorified paper weight?

Alexander Banks, Columnist
March 6, 2023

Editor’s Note: This column does not represent the opinion of The Daily Barometer. This column reflects the personal opinions of the writer. A tightening labor market threatens the legitimacy of college...

The college experience

The college experience

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
March 2, 2023

Even though Oregon State University only mandates first-year students to live on campus, some undergrads continue living on campus rather than weighing other options.  With 16 different residence halls,...

Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been legalized in the state of Oregon as a result of Measure 109. This illustration shows a group of brightly colored and heavily patterned mushrooms.

What does new psilocybin-based services mean for Corvallis residents and the supposed mental health crisis?

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
February 7, 2023

Oregon cities and counties decide regulations for manufacturers, producers and servicers on psilocybin-based services, while at the beginning of 2023, the state announced that individuals can now pay and...

What Black representation in film means to Black OSU students

What Black representation in film means to Black OSU students

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
February 6, 2023

How important is representation and where do Black moviegoers draw the line between being represented and reliving trauma? On Jan. 6, 2023, United Artists Releasing and Universal Pictures released a...

Photo of program co-director Kaitlyn Kim posing for a photo with her buddy.

OSU student founds an Alzheimer’s Buddies chapter: program assists in improving the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
January 17, 2023

Oregon State University student Grace Scuderi hopes to  improve the lives of families and those affected with Alzheimer’s, or other forms of  dementia, through the founding of an Alzheimer’s Buddies...

OMN Creative Team

Steve Clark announces retirement after over a decade long career at OSU

Alexander Banks, News Contributor
December 12, 2022

After 11 years as the Vice President of University Relations and Marketing position, Steve Clark has announced his plan to retire on July 1, 2023.  Oregon State University President, Jayathi Y. Murthy,...

Flags of the world in the Memorial Union won Nov. 21. Each flag signifies a nation represented within the student and faculty body at OSU.

Opinión: Para considerarnos un país diverso, necesitamos una poblacion bilingüe

Alexander Banks, Columnist
December 3, 2022

Nota de los editores: Esté artículo no representa la opinión de The Daily Barometer. Esté artículo refleja la opinion personal del escritor.  En Nigeria hay más de quinientos idiomas. A comparación,...

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