LoCAL InTERnSHIP Features 7 ALUM SIbLIngS PRESEnT ART
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LUTHER CoLLEgE
“Let the chips fall where they may.”
CHIPS
oCTobER 22, 2015
Serving the Luther College community since 1884.
VoLUME 138, no. 6
Gun policy at Luther Mental Health in discussion Laura proeschoLDt STAFF WRITER
cLub photoshoot. Luther College Shooting Sports Club displays their sporting equipment at Chase the Adventure Hunt and gun Club. Photo courtesy of Shelby Oelschlager jacob warehime STAFF WRITER Luther College does not currently allow students to have firearms on campus. In light of the many recent shootings on college and university campuses across the nation, Luther students and officials have revisited these policies and reassessed their effectiveness. According to the Luther College Student Handbook, firearms are listed as prohibited items as well as being against the anti-violence policy. Director of Campus Safety and Security Bob Harri says this policy extends to vehicles parked on campus as well. The policy also states that all firearms should be stored at the Decorah Police Department.
According to Harri, violations of these policies have been few and far between. “Issues of weapon storage have been very minimal, if there have been any reported occurrences at all,” Harri said. However, this does not mean that campus security is ignoring the issue. “In light of the many tragic events that have taken place on college campuses we continue to focus on prevention as well as response,” Harri said. “Luther has policies and practices in place to identify potential risks and to address them. Campus security agencies have always been concerned about providing a safe environment that is conducive to study.” Gun controL, PAgE 4
Luther class of 1965 gives $1.1 million katie neLson nEWS EdIToR The Class of 1965 presented over $1 million to Luther College over Homecoming Weekend at their alumni dinner and again at halftime of the football game, in honor of their 50th Reunion. The total donation at present is $1,152,084.17, but there will be more funds coming in over the next few months. “They are at 1.1 million, and that is a 24-month campaign, so they will continue to fundraise until May 31, 2016,” Director of Annual Giving Maria Smith (‘95) said. “Homecoming is when we have a chance to present that giant check, and we try to get most of the funding in before that. I would expect this class to do about $50,000-100,000 more.”
Alums can give as they please over the 24-month giving campaign. “When somebody gives a gift to Luther in honor of their reunion, they can give to anything that they’d like,” Smith said. “Some of these donors give to the annual fund, which is unrestricted, budgetrelieving funds that come into the college every year. Some give to a family scholarship, or might give in memory of somebody; others might give to a specific academic department. It really depends on what the donor feels called to give.” According to Director of Development and Principal Gifts Ann Sponberg Peterson, the annual fund is a catch-all fund that is used to relieve the general budget throughout the year. “The annual fund is unrestricted dollars raised…that go right into the budget to help balance and manage
the budget, pay for everything from student scholarship support, utilities and funding to basic operations of the college,” Peterson said. The two funds that received the most donations by the Class of 1965 were the annual fund and the Class of 1965 Endowed Scholarship fund. “The annual fund is going to be spent right away because it goes into the budget,” Peterson said. “But the [scholarship] endowment fund lasts forever.” Karen Chellevold (‘65), along with her husband Larry Chellevold (‘65), acted as Class Agents the last several years, heading a committee in charge of contacting alums to invite them to Homecoming weekend and ask for donations to the class gift. Donation, PAgE 4
During the week of Oct. 4 - 10, the Luther College chapter of Active Minds hung red umbrellas on campus in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week. In addition, increased student demand for mental health support services has prompted Luther College Counseling Service (LCCS) and Student Life to reevaluate current service models. Mental Health Awareness Week takes place each year during the first full week of October with the goal of educating and empowering individuals and reducing stigma associated with mental health challenges. Active Minds’ red umbrella tradition has taken place each October since 2009. According to Active Minds Executive Board Member Jake Porter (‘17), the umbrellas act as a visually striking way to communicate important mental health statistics and facts to the Luther College community. During Mental Health Awareness Week, Active Minds also hosted a tabling event in which students had the opportunity to pose for a picture with a red umbrella and a poster that read, “Stand Against Stigma.” According to Active Minds President Katie Kovacovich (‘16), the photos reached more than 6,000 people on Facebook. According to Faculty Adviser for Active Minds and (LCCS) Counselor Bobbi-Jo Molokken, Mental Health Awareness Week is significant because it encourages students to utilize available on-campus resources. “Helping others identify stigma related to mental health issues is important as it helps to break down barriers for accessing Counseling Service, which may mean a student feels more comfortable with accessing the help they or a friend need to be successful during their time here at Luther,” Molokken said. Consistent with national trends, however, (LCCS) has had difficulty keeping up with increasing student demand for support. According to Director of Counseling Service Meg Hammes, between 11 and 12 percent of Luther Students have utilized LCCS over the past five years, and the number of students seeking counseling is growing.
spreaDinG awareness. The Luther College chapter of Active Minds displayed red umbrellas around campus during Mental Health Awareness Week. Laura Proescholdt / Chips mentaL heaLth, PAgE 4