theTorch theTorch OCT. 21, 2015
volume 51, edition 3 Lcctorch.com EUGENE, ORE.
stories that matter
stories that matter
The independent student newspaper of Lane Community College
The independent student newspaper of Lane Community College
OCT. 21, 2015
volume 51, edition 3 EUGENE, ORE.
Autumn event summons high spirits Jon Proper / The Torch
Make no bones about it, these skeletons put on quite a show at the Maude Kerns Art Center and Gallery on Oct. 16, 2015 during the 22nd annual Día de los Muertos exhibit reception.
BSU hosts community BBQ By Cairo Smith News Director “A barbeque specifically is a breaking of the bread,” said Shawn Goddard. “This is something low-income communities do to begin networking, and to have a sense of pride and camaraderie. That’s what we’re trying to do at Lane.” Behind him, dozens of Lane students lined up for free servings of pork, potato salad and cornbread. The event was BSU’s first fall barbeque, hosted on-campus Thursday, Oct. 15 to raise interest in the program. Shawn Goddard was raised in the urban environments of the East Coast. Last spring, he started at Lane, and in the second week of the term was introduced to Lane’s Black Student Union. Now, Goddard is BSU’s Vice President of External Affairs, and his experiences back home have been key in creating the group’s most successful outreach event in years. Generous servings of BBQ were provided to anyone who stopped in. Walking by, some students found the idea of a free lunch hard to believe. Goddard frequently assured passersby that the offer was in fact as good as it seemed. “It’s the best price of all, bro,” he beamed, “totally free.” The event was funded by the union’s budget. The timing of the event, Goddard explains, was carefully chosen. “It’s fall term, the first term, and people feel awkward or alone, which makes it a good time to try and build community. The African diaspora has persevered because of efforts like this.” It was more than a personal connection, however, that led to the barbeque’s creation. This year, BSU President Gino Brown engaged in extensive polling of the Lane community in an effort to determine the most effective types of outreach. The result was a targeted, response-driven event. “This is the largest turnout we’ve had in the past few terms, even including events that were much, much bigger,” Goddard concluded. “So we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”
Sustainable Bodies
Food Pantry provides food for thought By Joylin Namie Reporter Bobby Kirkpatrick knows what it is like to be homeless and hungry. Last fall found him sitting in the lower level of the Center Building, in the midst of the smells of the food court, watching other students eat while he struggled to concentrate and do his homework. Then a friend told him about the Rainy Day Food Pantry. Now, Kirkpatrick not only gets enough to eat, he makes sure others do too. This year, Kirkpatrick serves as the ASLCC Sustainability Coordinator. He manages the pantry, a supplemental source of food for Lane students, located in the Lower Level of the Center Building. The pantry is open Wednesdays 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Currently enrolled Lane students are eligible to receive food for themselves and their dependents. Donations are handed out by food pantry staff according to need and what is available.
Sustainability, defined on Lane’s website as “integrating practices that support and improve the health of systems that sustain life,” is a core value at Lane. Many Lane students struggle with hunger, which affects not only their health but their ability to learn. “Being hungry affects your ability to process, it affects your brain in addition to your body,” Andrea Baughman, part-time credit instructor for Computer Information Technology, said. “They talk about how kids can’t do well in grade school if they have an empty tummy. Well, adults don’t do well in college with an empty tummy either.” Baughman sees 75 to 100 students each term in her computer fundamentals and web authoring courses. At least 2 to 3 are homeless and many others go hungry, something Baughman believes has a profound effect on their learning. Studies of hunger’s effects on adult learning indicate she is correct. See Food Pantry on page 3
Anthony Reyes / The Torch
Lane students can pick up food in the Rainy Day Food Pantry in the lower level of the Center Building.