LANE COMMUNIT Y COLLEGE’S
I N D E P E N D E N T, S T U D E N T - R U N N E W S P A P E R
financial
november 14, 2013
Mens crosscountry plays spoiler The underdog Titans fell just short of winning their first NWAAC title since 1985 jarrid denney // SPORTS EDITOR After a disappointing finish at the South Region Championships, the Lane men’s cross-country team had a shot at redemption at the Nov. 9 NWAACC championships in Battleground, Wash. They took full advantage. In one of the closest NWAACC championship races in recent memory, Lane finished second with 52 points, just two points behind champion Everett Community College. “Coming into this meet, we knew that nobody believed in us, but we believed in ourselves and that was the biggest thing,” Lane freshman Jonathan Cornish said. “I was so confident in our guys coming in. I knew that we could upset some teams.” Cornish paced the Titans, finishing third with a time of 24:23,
p.4
volume 50, edition 6
matt edwards // photographer During the Nov. 9 NWAACC Championships, Lane men took second as a team while the women took third.
and was followed by freshmen Eduardo Juarez, who finished fifth in 24:39, and David Cornish, who was eighth with a time of 24:57. Jonathan Cornish and Juarez borth earned All-American honors for the titans. “I’m pretty proud of these guys. I thought we were looking at third place — maybe even fourth,” Titans head coach Mike Blackmore said. “I still had some apprehensions about the back of our pack, but they got it done today and
Jonathan Cornish finished third for the Titans with a time of 24:23.
“Coming into this meet, we knew that nobody believed in us, but we believed in ourselves and that was the biggest thing.” — Jonathan Cornish Lane freshman obviously our front three raced awesome.” Freshmen Matt Campbell and Efrain Jaime Ramos ran their strongest races of the season for Lane, finishing 15th and 21st with times of 25:22 and 25:38, respectively, to round out the Titans’ top five. “It was eye-opening because I haven’t done that well in a race this year,” Campbell said. “My pacing was little better today. I didn’t go out as fast at the start, and I just started moving up as the race went on.” Campbell and Jaime Ramos both made late surges to pick up crucial points for the Titans, while Jonathan
aid at risk
EU G ENE , ORE G ON Cornish, David Cornish and Juarez spent the entire race battling Daniel Schofield of Spokane and Jorge Gil-Juarez of Clackamas at the front of the pack. Schofield was crowned champion after running a time of 24:20, finishing just inches ahead of Gil Juarez, who dove across the line in a last-gasp attempt to gain position. “Jonathan tried to steal an individual championship and he came up short by two guys who were just a little better today, and Eduardo and David just ran great races,” Blackmore said. Clackamas was considered by Blackmore to be the race favorite heading into meet, but the Cougars finished third with 69 points, due in part to disappointing finishes by sophomore Badane Sultessa, the South Region’s individual champion, and sophomore Jackson Baker. “Clackamas just tore us up two weeks ago at (regional championships), but I had a feeling that that might have been their championship race,” Blackmore said. With the 2013 season in the books, Lane now has its eyes set on next year’s NWAACC crown. The Titans expect to return their entire team for next season, and will also benefit from the return of redshirt-freshman Javier Velasco, who spent the 2013 season recovering from a knee injury. “Next year is gonna be really good for us I think,” Campbell said. “Honestly, the sky’s the limit for us next year.”
Eduardo Juarez finished fifth for the Titans with a time of 24:39.
OSPIRG, Lane Transit team up to raise recycling awareness WOLFGANG wool // REPORTER
taya alami // reporter Student activists hope artistic recycling bins like this one on the east side of Downtown Eugene Lane Transit District station will encourage more commuters to recycle.
Lane Transit District and Oregon Students Public Interest Research Group are teaming up for a campaign promoting recycling awareness initiative at LTD bus stops in Eugene. The joint effort between LTD and OSPIRG began Nov. 9, with students collecting pledges and giving away energy-saving lightbulbs and reusable grocery bags at Eugene’s Saturday Market. The campaign plans to canvas at Lane’s main campus, the Saturday Market and other local venues for pledges to commit to recycling, said Sharlita Holmes, campaign coordinator for Ride with Recycling and OSPIRG chapter vice chair. The initiative also plans to hold an art contest open to the public focused on images to promote the
need for recycling. The contest will offer between one and three local artists the chance to have their work showcased on LTD buses advertising space appraised at approximately $6,000. “So basically, we’re going to have people submit their art that somewhat embodies recycling,” Holmes said. The campaign art contest will be accepting entries until Dec. 1. “When winter term starts they’ll have it on the side of two buses, inside every bus and on future posters for our campaign,” Holmes said. The final phase of the campaign is a Nov. 23 bicycle ride from the Downtown Eugene LTD Station to the University of Oregon campus and back, culminating in a trash audit to show the community what it throws away, Holmes said.
OSPIRG has performed two prior trash audits on campus, which brought gaps in waste renewal efforts to their attention. This will be its first off-campus audit. “Even at Lane, a very progressive and on-it school, we still have a lot of room to grow,” OSPIRG organizer Alicia Bissonette said. Holmes said she doesn’t think students are aware that a portion of their waste can be used to make compost. “We’re trying to get recycling at their busiest bus stops,” Holmes said. “We want the community to see how much they throw away that doesn’t need to be thrown away.” OSPIRG Campus Organizer Darlene Azarmi said the campaign was written and voted on in May, negotiated over the summer and implemented in August.
2 // Opinion
editor-in-chief Mohammed Alkhadher
At Lane, bad debt
LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S independent, student-run newspaper
STAFF// EDITOR-IN-CHIEF//
Mohammed Alkhadher
NEWS EDITOR//
Clifton Haney
REPORTERS//
Taya Alami Keoni Conlu Laura Newman Marilyn Walker Wolfgang Wool Anna Tatum
SPORTS EDITOR//
Jarrid Denney
strikes twice EDITORIAL
For many, an education from Lane appears to have depreciated. For the first time in nearly five decades, Lane may be at risk of losing its ability to offer financial aid to its students in the future if the number of former students in default continues to rise, according to the college’s financial aid office.
“I can’t underscore enough the importance of supporting a system that is essentially the economic engine that drives Lane County.”
— Matthew Keating
Member Lane’s Board of Education
COPY EDITOR//
Sean Hanson
PHOTO EDITOR//
Alyssa Leslie
PHOTOGRAPHERS//
Hana Behrs Matt Edwards Zora Parker Brett Stanley Leighanne Vittetoe
PRODUCTION MANAGER//
Stephanie Orndorff
This is surprising, to say the least, considering the financial agreements between Lane, its students and their federal lenders have been allowed to operate largely without incident — until this recent hiccup. Even more surprising is Lane was statistically responsible for approximately 13 percent of Oregon’s federal loan defaults in 2011, the last year it was calculated. According to Lane Director of
DESIGN EDITOR//
Char Houweling
GRAPHIC ARTIST//
Connor White
NEWS ADVISER//
Paige Parker
PRODUCTION ADVISER//
Financial Aid Helen Faith, an average of 77 percent of Lane students accepted federal aid during those three years — several million dollars each year that flows through the college and the community. It’s hard to say at this time what the absence of students’ federal dollars could mean for the community if Lane were to lose its ability to offer financial aid. Lane plays an integral role in many aspects of the region’s economy. It trains diesel mechanics, nurses, dental hygienists, pilots and paramedics, among other careers. During a campaign interview with The Torch, former student and current Lane Board of Education member Matthew Keating proclaimed Lane as the premiere job training center in Lane County, with 85 percent of its graduates remaining in the county as they pursue their professional careers. “I can’t underscore enough the importance of supporting a system that is essentially the economic engine that drives Lane County,” Keating said to the editorial board in February. Some of Lane’s economic roots are less obvious. The college’s aviation program brings flights in and out of the region and is a big reason why the Eugene Airport operates at current levels. Steve Boulton, director of Lane’s Aviation Maintenance and Flight
Technology program, said the relationship is reciprocal. “This program plays an integral part in the Lane County economy,” Boulton said. “If we weren’t here, the first thing that would happen is the FAA would shut down a tower, and that would be a huge step back for the airport.” The sudden downsizing of Eugene’s only airport would depress the local economy. In 2008, the region lost one of its largest employers when Hynix closed its Eugene plant, pouring approximately 1,100 employees back into the economy. While the Hynix closure was a crisis, it would be microchip-sized compared to what could happen if Lane’s economic influence is reduced. Clearly, the college that helps keep our economy humming can’t afford to lose its ability to disburse financial aid. When it comes down to it, everything in this world besides this newspaper is literally outside your hands. If you’re going to worry, worry about what you can control. You can’t file for bankruptcy and ditch your student loan debt. Treat lenders like you would thieves — question each number, each fee, and interest rate presented to you. Plan for tomorrow by making financial literacy a top priority. Be careful about how much money you borrow, because one day, you will have to pay it back, with interest.
ask a titan
Q: Are you opposed to electronic cigarettes in the classroom?
Dorothy Wearne
POLICY// • Letters to the editor should be limited to 300 words. • Guest commentaries should be limited to 500 words. • Please include the author’s name. phone number and address (for verification purposes only). • The Torch reserves the right to edit letters and commentary for length, grammar, spelling, libel, invasion of privacy and appropriate language. • The Torch reserves the right to publish at its discretion. All web and print content is the property of the Torch and cannot be republished without editiorial permission. • Up to two copies per issue per person of The Torch are free; each additional copy is $2.
“Class is not the time to be putting water vapor in the air to get your nicotine fix. It’s just ridiculous.”
Austin Larson geographic information science and technology major fifth year
“I really don’t have an opinion on them. I mean, I’d rather not see them in class because I’m there to learn, not be distracted by people smoking — even if it is just vapor .”
“I am opposed to it in the classroom. Outside of the classroom I think it’s fine — even on campus.”
Jordan Buerge undeclared major fourth year
“Definitely. I think it would be too much of a distraction even if it has no harm to people. I guess it would be like wearing a offensive shirt to me.“
CONTACT// The Torch Lane Community College 4000 E. 30th Ave. Eugene, OR 97405 torcheditor@lcctorch.edu
The Torch // Thursday, nov. 14 2013
Sydney Garrett nursing major first year
Dan Kraegenbrink computer networking major second year
KEONI CONLU // REPORTER
news editor Clifton Haney
NEWS // 3 student veterans reflect on service, educational goals
WOLFGANG WOOL // REPORTER
When did you get out of the Army? I got out in 2010. Actually, I had gotten recalled into the Army because I was still in the eight-year window. I had been out for two years and they said, “You are coming back to Iraq.” The cool thing was that I had a job, but I wasn’t happy about it. How was the transition from military to civilian life?
Kris Wright Jr Age 31 Lane student second year Studying physical therapy Served in the U.S. Army as a tanker
That was a very difficult area in life. You know in military everything is black and white. You never have to make a decision on what you have to wear that day as long as you wear it and wear it right. I suppose transitioning to the civilian world it took a lot transitioning to not having that structure, which was almost damning at some points. Because you have been in the military, especially in a unit that has been so hardcore, everyone communicates the same. Then you get into the civilian world. It’s just the melting pot. It was very difficult to transition back.
What was it like coming back from deployment and transitioning to civilian life again?
Kenny Edmondson Age 34 Lane student second year Majoring in secondary education Served in the U.S. National Guard as medic
Brian Davis Age 28 Lane student first term Majoring in computer science Served in U.S. Marine Corps as a helicopter crew chief
I lived a life of avoidance. I isolated myself trying to avoid triggers. Like just fire, barbecues — it’s a huge trigger of mine from being a medic from some of the carnage that took place. Just driving down Interstate 5, driving under the overpasses. It’s crazy how the side of the road here looks like the side of the road there. I felt lost. I didn’t have a mission. I found one when my new wife and I delivered my little girl. I did it in a controlled environment at the hospital and the doctor let me help pull her out. When I went to set her on her mom, she grabbed my finger and wouldn’t let go. It was like she pulled me out of my grave. My closest friends say they were on a suicide watch, they knew that there was a possibility I wasn’t going to be here tomorrow. And I didn’t want to be, until my little girl came. She’s 4 and she just
What made you decide to come to Lane?
What are your long-term educational goals?
I was living in Albany going to Linn-Benton Community College and I needed to move to an area that was just more culturally diverse. Eugene actually has a diversity that I look for because it sometimes helps with the healing process of being person with PTSD. I can go to the bars around here and not worry that I am going to get stabbed by a terrorist. That’s the hardest part of those triggers. Like if I see a box on the side of the road I think it’s an improvised explosive device and I am done for. That’s the hardest part about transitioning, getting out of that state of mind, especially after being in a heavy combat zone like it was in 2005. It was a bad area. The transition is made entirely easier, especially coming here with the Veterans Center. Everything is made accessible, everyone is understanding. That’s what made the transitions, particularly coming to this college, so easy.
My long-term goals are, if i get into the medical field, is to go into the physical therapy area. I want to work for Veterans Affairs. It’s a great field. It’s actually a huge key to being able to have the physical body work again because you can get yourself screwed up really bad over there. When I came back, I had a really good physical therapist, and it made me realize that’s really part of the key, because if your body is getting back to normal your mind is gonna follow. I want to work for the VA because I want to give back to something that has given me the homecoming. I want to give something back to the veterans. If I was to see somebody I would like them to know I’m a veteran, so I can understand.
entered kindergarten. She’s in school and she’s like, “All right, Dad. You have to go to school, too.” You know, she kept me alive.
Because you served in the National Guard the people you served with – they’re present here on campus. That has to make a world of difference.
How does your experience as a combat vet affect you at Lane? The veterans office here on campus is so helpful. Coming on campus, I always see somebody I was in Iraq with which has been inspiring and helpful. Lane is also accommodating with PTSD — you know, being in a small setting with lots of people, I’ve had teachers that allow me to sit by the door, sit with my back to wall, sit in the corner so I can see everything, you know? They’re understanding.
It does. It really does. If I had been active duty, I could have been stationed on the other side of the country and not know anybody, but that’s not the case at all. I have a community of friends I served with I see regularly.
How was your transition from active duty to the civilian world?
Does your experience as a veteran affect your time at Lane?
What are your long-term educational and career goals?
I got out in April and didn’t go to school over the summer or even over the spring or anything because I needed to take some time and just, kinda, I guess relax ... decompress. One of the hardest things is when people are being rude or annoying in class I want to — not yell at them, but correct them. I can’t do that anymore because it is not socially acceptable. Keeping my mouth shut, especially because I was a staff sergeant. It’s hard to me to accept a role not as a mentor and not a leadership role.
Not too much. Coming from the service, it is a different culture, a different mentality and whatnot. It’s just adjusting to that.
I’m using Lane as a stepping block to a four-year university. Being out of school for 10 years, I didn’t want to go straight to a high-demand university because it would have been a lot going from no schooling to that. So, I’m sort of just planning to use Lane as a way to prepare myself and ease myself into the schooling environment. I am planning on getting my bachelor’s degree at University of Oregon.
Editor’s note: Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.
The Torch // Thursday, nov. 14 2013
4 // NEWS
News editor Clifton Haney
Federal Student Aid put in jeopardy Lane loan defaults rise to unprecedented levels, college could face federal sanctions clifton haney // NEWS EDITOR Taya alami // REPORTER Due to possible sanctions, Lane could lose its eligibility to provide its students with some forms of aid from the federal government if too many of its students go into default. The new threat of sanctions were put in place to help curb student debt nationally as part of the most recent reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, passed by Congress in 2008 and implemented in 2011. The section of the bill that addresses student debt, Title IV, stipulates that if too many of a school’s former students default on their federal aid repayments, that school could lose its federal assistance eligibility for a period of two fiscal years.
“Not everyone can afford college. Without financial aid, it could be impossible to finish (school) unless you had some other financial add-ins.”
— James Mendez Second-year energy management student
For Lane and many other schools like it, the new redline is what’s known as the cohort default rate, which is the student’s rate of loan and grant default. Institutions could find themselves in
hot water if this rate climbs beyond 30 percent per year for a period of three consecutive fiscal years. Title IV also holds a one-year provision that requires a college reporting a CDR above 40 percent for a period of a single fiscal year be penalized by sanctions identical to those handed down to colleges with a three-year CDR beyond 30 percent. With approximately 860 student-borrowers projected to default, Lane has a higher CDR than the entire states of Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming. According to Title IV of HEOA, federal student loans are considered to have officially gone into default after a period of 270 consecutive days without the cohort, or student borrower, failing to make repayment or failing to make the proper arrangements with their lender. The idea of a dedicated student losing their much-needed financial aid just before they’re able to graduate was a proposition that irked some students. “I think that’d be an unfortunate cause for us students to take, because not everyone can afford college,” second-year energy management student James Mendez said. “Without financial aid, it could be impossible to finish (school) unless you had some other financial add-ins.” Lane director of financial aid Helen Faith spoke to student leaders about the problem during an Oct. 30 ASLCC meeting. According to Faith’s numbers, Lane’s projected CDR for fiscal year 2010 had since risen seven percentage points, from 30 percent in the Spring draft to 37 percent in autumn — a mere three percentage points away from a default rate that could warrant federal attention. “Right now I’m fairly certain we’re going to be looking at a 37 percent rate, so it’s absolutely critical we avoid that third year,” Faith said. Lane currently has the third-highest default rate in the state, behind Pioneer Pacific and Umpqua Community College. If Lane were to fail in bringing its student default rates below 30 percent over the next year, the college could lose its ability to provide many forms of federal aid for its students, a possibility Faith told students “would be devastating for Lane.” The sanctions do not affect students’ eligibility to accept student loans from private lenders, like credit unions. Since the legislation was enacted in 2011, the sanctions have only been handed down to two other institutions in the country — a technical vocational school in Norfolk, Va., and a junior college in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Lane’s cohort default rates over the years 100
36% 11% 0
37%
22%
17%
2008-09 2009-10
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13
Federal government’s fiscal year
Lane’s fiscal year
*Lane’s public CDR figures from the first three years were rounded from 11.3 percent, 16.9 percent and 21.6 percent, respectively.
30%
or higher default rates for three consecutive years would lead to federal sanctions
40%
or higher default rates for a single year would result in a twoyear federal funding suspension
77% of Lane students receive financial assistance from the federal government
Student default rate in Oregon 86.37% 13.63%
860 students, LCC
6035 students, 74 schools
Sources: National Student Loan Data System; Office of Student Financial Assistance Program; Helen Faith, director of financial aid at Lane Community College
STEPHANIE ORNDORFF //PRODUCTION MANAGER
SALT to heal financial wounds Clifton haney // NEWS EDITOR In response to a rapidly changing financial landscape that could put Lane’s ability to offer its students federal loans in jeopardy, the school has partnered with the web portal SALT to help students educate themselves in hopes of improving the odds of its students repaying their lenders. The SALT portal is a subsidiary of the nonprofit American Student Assistance group, a former loan guarantor and debt collection agency that has refocused its efforts on preventing students who utilize loans from defaulting on their debt and improve their financial literacy. A cohort default occurs when a school’s former student goes a period of 270 consecutive days without making repayment or proper arrangements with the lender to eventually begin repayment.
SALT offers students a variety of student resources, including loan repayment calculators, scholarship information and aggregated content from off-site resources considered relevant to student borrowers. “It’s an approach to try to help students both understand their money better, manage their finances better, and make better loan borrowing decisions,” Lane’s Director of Financial Aid Helen Faith said to student leaders during the Oct. 30 ASLCC meeting. “SALT will also help Lane students who have left or graduated and are in the repayment process,” Faith said. Faith said that SALT is an investment in its student’s financial literacy, a move the school hopes will increase its chances of avoiding sanctions, “aside from the fact that we feel it’s the right thing to do.” Lane considered six bids from companies that offer similar services
The Torch // Thursday, nov. 14 2013
to those of SALT, ranging in costs from $10,000 to $360,000, deciding ultimately to go with the lowestpriced option. After being awarded a $5,000 subsidy from Oregon’s Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, the college signed with the year-old company, putting up the other $5,000 for two years of the service. SALT’s financial literacy services are available to former students from the past two years and current Lane students. In efforts to help prevent Lane’s higher cohort default rate from rising even further, the company will be reaching out to many former students during their 270-day grace period. After SALT’s Lane debut earlier this term, its services were met with mixed reviews from students. ASLCC President Paul Zito said he felt enthusiastic about what he had seen from the program thus far.
“That they’re providing a program like this for the population is pretty sweet,” Zito said. “I was really excited for the program. I logged into it myself and used a couple of the tools, and it’s starting to shape a more clear financial picture with what I’m going to do with college.” Others, including Lane student and federal borrower Jasmine Stratton, are not as impressed with the service. “It just sounds like a collection agency, so I just ignored it, thinking it was another scam,” she said. Stratton said she hadn’t bothered exploring the service beyond the emails from SALT, which she said were sent to her in bulk. Stratton said she feels Lane could have done a better job at presenting the service to students. “Be personal,” she said. “I get crap in my email all the time, separate it from the garbage, because right now it’s just spam. Talk about it in class, hand out a flyer.”
sports // 5
sports editor Jarrid Denney
Women’s cross country ends comeback season on high note
Lane freshman Katy Potter placed second overall for women during the NWAACC Championships Nov. 9.
MATT EDWARDS // PHOTOGRAPHER JARRID DENNEY // SPORTS EDITOR Sometimes one year can make all the difference. After a 2012 season in which they often struggled to field an entire team, the Lane women’s cross-country team capped off its 2013 season by placing third at the Nov. 9 NWAACC Championships in Battleground, Wash. “The way we had been running, I thought maybe we had a chance to steal this thing,” Lane head coach Mike Blackmore said. “But I thought our women’s team just ran awesome.” Community Colleges of Spokane was crowned
champions for the first time since 2008 and sophomore Jessica Miles won her second consecutive individual championship for the Sasquatch, cruising to victory in 17:51. As has been the trend this season, the Titans were lead by freshman Katy Potter, who finished second in 18:34. “My strategy was to try to stick with Jessica,” Potter said. “I wanted try to get first or try to PR on the course.” Freshman Nicole Maurmann finished second for the Titans and 10th overall in 19:40, and freshman Alli Cross finished 17th in 20:07. Freshman Kristine Dunn placed 20th in 20:17, and freshman Chelsea Spencer
finished 23rd in 20:22 to round out Lane’s top five, giving the Titans a total of 72 points. Sophomore Macaulay Wilson was consistently the Titans’ second fastest runner all season, but finished 25th overall in 20:28 at Battleground, well below her season personal best. “Macaulay just had a rough day, and even she’s not sure why,” Blackmore said. “She ended up being our sixth finisher instead of our second, but overall we just ran really great.” After the race, a disappointed Wilson said she was proud of the way her team raced. “I’m happy with the team. They all ran very well.”
Wilson said. “We were hoping to place higher but it just wasn’t our day.” After finishing seventh out of eight teams at last year’s championship, the Titans made a monumental improvement this season. Wilson placed 31st in 2012 and was the Titans’ top finisher; this year, every Titan finished 30th or higher. “I’m not gonna take all the credit for their success,” Blackmore said. “I got some great athletes and some of them had been in programs where they didn’t get a lot of experience. Now they’ve had the chance to be part of a team that trains well together and likes each other.”
“That makes a big difference,” he added. Next season the Titans will have a chance to build on this year’s success. The Titans expect the entire team to return, with the exception of Wilson and Spencer. Spencer is a first-year student, but will be on track to graduate this year because of credits she earned during her time at the Air Force Academy. “We’re gonna take the six ladies that we have and go forward with track season,” Blackmore said. “Hopefully find a couple more next year to fill in for Chelsea and Macaulay and see what we can do.”
titans fall short in a heartbreaker to end season Keoni conlu // REPORTER The Lane women’s soccer team lost in a 1-0 game to the Everett Community College Trojans in their first playoffs game of the season Nov. 6. The late Everett goal came at the 79th minute off a corner kick, which was converted by Everett’s Denae Weigelt. This will be the sophomore’s last game in a Titans uniform and it was a hard-fought and physical match. “I’ve played against Jeff (Everett head coach) and that’s definitely their thing. I told them to weather the first 10 minutes,” Titans head coach Dave Ellis said. Leading up to the game, Ellis had to plan for Everett’s forward Rachel Detroit. “Detroit is their best player. Emily (Walker) took her away singlehanded,” Ellis said. Walker said that she was fast and good with the ball at her feet. She had to remind herself that Detroit is her first priority and there is no way she was gonna score. Everett’s physicality got them in trouble as they received two yellow
MATT EDWARDS // PHOTOGRAPHER
Above: Lane sophomore goalkeeper Samantha Schoene fails to block Everett’s lone goal. Left: Lane freshman midfielder Kaleigh Jandro heads the ball, trying to gain an advantage over the Everett Trojans at a Nov. 6 match, after which the Titans left the field with a 1-0 loss. cards. Lane received none but took a beating from the Everett players. “I think that we knew that they were going to be physical. I mean, I didn’t expect McKynzie (Ritchie) to get rocked 10 times in a row by the same two players,” sophomore goalkeeper Samantha Schoene said. Freshman forward Aubrie Hood had to sit out the game due to a concussion she received during their last game of the regular season Nov. 2.
“If we would have won this game, we would have had a really good chance to make it to the final four, but things happen,” Hood said. The Titans have put up some impressive numbers this season. They scored 54 goals, which ties them with Shoreline Community College for fifth most goals scored in NWAACC. They totaled 34 points this season, which is the sixth most in the conference. “We struggle against teams that
don’t actively try and score goals, and Everett really sat back against us, and we didn’t adjust,” Ellis said. Titans sophomore defensive midfielder Caitlin Castillo said they expected the game to be physical but underestimated how much it would affect their game. “I think it was our mental preparedness that wasn’t up to par that day. I felt it in the warm up,” Titans sophomore midfielder McKynzie Ritchie said.
The Torch // Thursday, nov. 14 2013
6 // news
news editor Clifton Haney
LEIGHANNE VITTETOE // PHOTOGRAPHER
Attendees make bids during the silent auction at the Oct. 30 Harvest Dinner while raising funds for scholarships in the Center for Meeting and Learning. Guests drank wine and ate appetizers served by Lane’s culinary arts and hospitality students.
Lane Harvests Fundraiser Dinner Crystal boechler // REPORTER The Lane Foundation raised $134,133 at its Oct. 30 Harvest Dinner in the Center for Meeting and Learning. Added to the $162,513 raised from sponsors prior to the event, the Lane Foundation has earned $296,646 to fund scholarships and school programs. During the 2011-12 school year, the Lane Foundation awarded $705,228 in scholarships. In 2010, 529 students received a total of $690,337. In 2009, the foundation endowed $648,994 to 552 students.
GET
INVOLVED volunteer at the springfield museum The Springfield Museum is looking for volunteers to help maintain and develop its exhibits. Researchers are needed for historical exhibits and curators for art exhibits, greeters and guides to show people around the museum, advertising and marketing. The museum asks that volunteers contribute at least four hours a week.
Where: 590 Main St. Springfield Contact: Springfield Museum Director Jim Cupples at (541) 726-2300 or visit www.springfieldmuseum.com/
The Torch // Thursday, nov. 14 2013
The largest scholarship a student can receive is $5,000. “You have a 50 percent chance of receiving a scholarship. All you have to do is apply,” retired Lane Foundation Director Janet Anderson said last year. Guests were also given the opportunity to bid on gift packages, which included a dinner with the college president, sunset wine cruise, or seven-day Caribbean cruise for two. “At the Harvest Dinner, $74,053 was awarded for scholarships alone from the Gifts of the Heart auction this year, meaning they didn’t buy anything.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AROUND EUGENE
They just gave $74,053 specifically for scholarships,” Lane Foundation Development Director Tiana Marrone-Creech said. During last year’s Harvest Dinner, the Lane Foundation received approximately $48,000 in donations for scholarships alone. Those numbers do not include donations given for unspecified reasons. “Lease Crutcher Lewis has held strong as the Foundation’s title sponsor for three years in a row now,” said Marrone-Creech. “That’s big.” Some of the other contributors this year included the Papé Group, SELCO Community Credit Union and Bi-Mart.
attention all students we are now hiring at
HELP A CHILD IN NEED Become a Court-Appointed Special Advocates volunteer. CASA volunteers are everyday citizens appointed by judges to advocate for the safety and well-being of children who have been removed from their homes due to parental abuse or neglect. They stand up for children, represent their interests in courtrooms and other settings, and help find a safe and permanent residence for children.
When: Applications for the Winter 2013 training class will be accepted through Nov. 15 Contact: Volunteer Coodinator Robben Lyons at (541) 868-3083 or visit www.casa-lane.org/
CHAR HOUWELING// DESIGN EDITOR
The Torch is looking for students interested in journalism to fill the following positions:
• • • • • • • •
Distribution manager Advertising manager Copy editor Arts & entertainment editor Reporters Sports Reporters Photographers Designers
Those interested should contact Torch Editor-in-chief Mohammed Alkhadher at (503) 820-9215 or email torcheditor@lanecc.edu
news // 7
news editor Clifton Haney
Lane had no plans to ban electronic
cigarettes
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Laura newman // REPORTER
Electronic cigarettes have been a hot issue on campus since their popularity has soared over the past year. Lane’s Public Safety department has issued several warnings to users of e-cigarettes recently asking them to move to the designated smoking areas on campus, leaving some students to speculate that Lane may soon attempt to ban e-cigarette use on campus.
Fitness classes available for Lane staff
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E-Cigarettes consist of a rechargeable battery, vaporizer, cartridge, mouthpiece and heating chamber and traditionally contain nicotine. They are advertised to help smokers kick the habit. Lane Public Safety Corporal Lisa Rupp said there have been new cases of students using them in class, on campus, in non-designated smoking areas, and also using the device to inhale drugs instead of for typical nicotine use. Although E-cigarettes may not necessarily emit “smoke” but vapor, Public Safety has found it a problem on campus. The potential health risks of what comes out of the devices have not been tested or determined safe by Food
MARILYN WALKER // REPORTER
Eleven Lane staff members participated in Lane instructor Layne King’s Oct. 28 Wellness Programs Interval class. At 12:10 p.m., King immediately started the class by having all 11 students push themselves at maximum resistance for a full minute. Lane is hosting wellness classes through fall term for its staff and their families on the main campus as part of Lane’s Healthy Habits Challenge. Lane staff employee Michael Levick attended his first interval class offered by Lane’s Wellness Program. “I don’t know why I didn’t come before,” Levick said. “This class is great.” The program uses a variety of work-
and Drug Administration. The American Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to prevent teen smoking, describes electronic cigarettes as “devices often designed to look similar to cigarettes in shape, size, and general appearance. They operate by heating a solution containing nicotine, creating a mist that is inhaled.” This is called vaporizing. They are still considered smoking paraphernalia by Lane officials. “What the college wants to do is make it so that the e-cigarettes can only be used at the smoking shelters. Nobody’s banning them, so if the college does decide and who knows if they ever will, to go smoke free, like the UO, I’m sure e-cigarettes will be put in that same category,” Rupp said. “Students are using them in class — in the buildings, in the classrooms — and there have been studies, and it’s all in there [referring to her research] that it does give off chemicals. The vapor does give off chemicals.” Another challenge Public Safety faces is regulating the use of drugs put into e-cigarettes on campus. While there
out machines including treadmills, ellipticals and spinning machines. “It can be really hard to get away from my lab,” Levick said. “This class is now a priority for me.” The lesson began with 40 minutes of intense cardio and ended with a 10-minute cooldown and group stretching. “I like to educate our instructors,” King said. “I like giving them a workout and seeing them work so hard. It’s inspiring.” By 12:20 p.m., 10 minutes into the class, staff members were sweating and panting. “Your heart is pounding hard. That’s a good thing.” King said. “It means you’re getting maximum workout.” Lane nutrition education coordinator Tamberly Powell said she had done
haven’t been any instances at the main campus Rupp said that she has witnessed the act elsewhere. “Say for instance, a couple weeks ago, I was walking behind the new downtown campus and somebody walked by me and they were using e-cig but there was marijuana in it. I mean you can tell. So, you can put anything in them. Anything that can be dissolved,” she says. Stephen Candee, Lane political science instructor, Tobacco Free Policy Committee member and a smoker himself, said he’s trying to be a speaker for the smoking community, but finds it hard to defend smokers who disrespect the rules. “People need to be more responsible if they are going to smoke on campus, and that includes the e-cigarettes,” Candee said. “For me, the bottom line is if you want these places to remain available then don’t abuse them.” Public Safety will typically allow most smokers to leave with a verbal warning that includes information on the proper shelters to smoke on campus. However, the citation for being caught smoking a cigarette or an electronic cigarette outside a designated smoking area can result in a $25 fine. “The bottom line is the research is
inconclusive and you cannot assume [e-cigarettes] safe,” Phyllis
Temple, a family nurse practitioner at Lane’s health clinic says. boot camp but prefers the interval class. “Interval workout gets me sweatier. It’s a much harder workout,” Powell said. Staff members are allowed to bring their spouses and family members as long as they are at least 14 years old. “I recommend this class and program,” guest Cathy Russell said. “My husband has been doing weightlifting in the morning.” By 12:30 p.m., staff members were hunched over, exhausted. “We’re almost done,” King said. “It should feel like you are running through thick mud.” The purpose of interval training is to have a high-intensity workout and burn lots of calories in a very short
amount of time, King said.
Rep. DeFazio talks politics at Lane Peter DeFazio, who represents Oregon’s 4th District at the U.S. House, visits Lane instructor Steve Candee’s Nov. 6 political science class, where he commented on the 12-day federal government shutdown, tuition, nutrition assistance, and answered questions from attendees.
Mohammed Alkhadher //editor-in-chief
The Torch // Thursday, nov. 14 2013
8 // NEWS
news editor Clifton Haney Lane student Melissa Johnson prepares special effects makeup for Untitled’s youngest demon, played by Aubrey Lewis.
stephanie orndorff // PRODUCTION MANAGER Stolen Vehicle Oct. 31, 12:01 p.m. Public Safety received a report of a potential stolen vehicle from Lot L. The unidentified student found his car in the third tier of Lot L and said he simply misplaced his vehicle. Complaint Oct. 31, 12:38 p.m. A student filed a complaint to Public Safety about a Confederate flag displayed inside a vehicle parked in main campus Lot L. The student explained that the flag made him uncomfortable and angry. Public Safety located the vehicle but did not take any further action. Suspicious Subject Nov. 2, 5:07 a.m. An unidentified man called Public Safety and asked if the answering officer wanted “crack.” The caller hung up the phone when asked to identify himself. Medical Emergency Nov. 6, 3:28 p.m. Public Safety received a report of an unidentified man experiencing a seizure in the Center Building library. Student Health staff took him to the Lane Health Clinic in a wheelchair. Criminal Mischief Nov. 6, 7:10 p.m. An unidentified Titan Court resident was reportedly tossing “junk items” from his apartment window and into the alley. One of those items landed on a Titan Court employee’s parked car. The student had stopped throwing things by the time Public Safety arrived on scene. Truck Accident Nov. 6, 6:39 a.m. Facilities Maintenance and Planning reported to Public Safety that an unidentified delivery driver had crashed into the skybridge warning tube between Buildings 1 and 19. The driver was issued a ticket for knocking down the tube.
Oh, the Horror! Lane students participate in Bijou 72-hour Horror Film Fest
HANA BEHRS// PHOTOGRAPHER
laura newman // REPORTER The first annual 72-Hour Horror Film Festival, hosted by the Bijou Metro, kicked off in downtown Eugene, Oct. 24. Several attendees flocked to the First National Tap House to register for the event. Contestants were a mix of local college students and public groups. The contest required filmmakers to keep their films two to three minutes in length including credits, while incorporating a mandated line and prop. The line: “I should know, sir. I’ve always been here.” The prop: a tennis ball. Both are from Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film The Shining. “This is a chance to create opportunities for people to get into production and to create the opportunities I wish I had as an aspiring filmmaker,” said Josh Purvis, promotions manager at Bijou and organizer of this event. Lane student Chris White and Michael Maruska, an instructional support assistant for the Media Arts Department and a Lane graduate, collaborated with several other people to write and shoot Untitled. In Untitled, neighborhood children are possessed by demons and begin killing off all the local adults. The beginning scene depicts the main character running into a house, kicking, then slamming, the door on a demonic young girl attempting to kill him. “It turned more into a scene — more of a sequence of events than necessarily a story
HANA BEHRS// PHOTOGRAPHER
Lane student Chris White claps the slate to begin an action shot near the end of Untitled’s filming.
with a beginning to an end,” Maruska said. “We filmed Saturday and Sunday night. … Basically, we got everything done in just a day and a half,” White said. The winner was awarded $500 and his film was debuted before the Halloween screening of a 35mm print of The Shining. Matt Cornelius of Eugene created Repair, the short film that won. There was also a late-night viewing of The Best of the Fest at Blairally Vintage Arcade in Eugene. Poor sound quality resulted in a second showing at the Bijou Metro on Nov. 2, making up for the technical problems.
Editors Note: (Josh Purvis was a photographer at The Torch.)
Lane hosts workshops explaining, promoting scholarships Suspicious Conditions Nov. 7, 4:33 p.m. An unidentified student notified Public Safety of a trail of blood leaking out of a women’s restroom on the main campus. An officer investigated the bathroom but did not find anyone who appeared to have caused the blood spill. Suspicious Person Nov. 10, 3:20 p.m. Public Safety received a phone call from an unidentified woman complaining of a suspicious man in front of Building 16. An officer responded to the call and confronted the unidentified man, who said he was a student working on a project for one of his classes.
The Torch // Thursday, nov. 14 2013
anna tatUm // REPORTER Lane is hosting a series of scholarship workshops to help students research different types of scholarships and learn the process of successfully applying. Students can attend either of the upcoming workshops, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. or Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. in Building 19, Room 243. Lane adviser Jackie Bryson organizes and presents at the workshops. Representatives from the Oregon Student Access Commission also help, Bryson said. The workshops are full of information on how to
receive free money, but the turnout for the first one of the year, which took place Oct. 30, was relatively low, Bryson said. “I know that there are resources around Lane that can help you apply for scholarships, but I don’t really notice them at Lane because I don’t see things advertised about them,” first-year Lane student Desiree Hansen said. “I know they’re around but I never even heard about the workshops.” Lane Media Services created a series of YouTube videos covering last year’s workshops. They are titled “How To Apply for a Lane
Community College Foundation Scholarship.” Those videos, as well was other informative videos about applying for scholarships, are available on its YouTube channel, LaneMedia Services. Dean Middleton, who helped produce the videos, said the videos are aimed at increasing the number of students applying for Lane scholarships. “Apply,” she said. “Everyone can get a scholarship. Lane students receive over $1.8 million a year. You’ll never get a scholarship if you don’t apply. Come to the workshops.”