THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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Authenticity of Japanese art expressed Lane instructor teaches and displays art simultaneously Brandon Taylor Reporter Lane art instructor Satoko Motouji is displaying a personal piece in her art exhibit “Process, Continued" in Lane's main art gallery. The piece consists of dried white plants hanging over woven material that fades from black to white. The fade represents her mother’s fading memory due to her affliction with Alzheimer’s. Motouji made the majority of the piece with her mother who constructed most of the weave. The exhibit has been four years in the making, starting with the calligraphy as a kind of new year's resolution. She had been meaning to relearn calligraphy for some time and eventually found an instructor in Portland. However, due to Motouji's busy schedule, the instructor was reluctant to teach her. Eventually she was able to convince her instructor and began relearning calligraphy. To keep her in touch with
August Frank / The Torch
traditional Japanese art, Motouji uses a number of Japanese tools. She uses handmade paper, an ink-stone, pine ink and brush signifying the ‘four treasures of the study,’ which is an expression used in Asian calligraphy traditions denoting the use of these particular tools. In keeping with the authentic expression in her work, she buys many of the materials directly from Japan. The exhibit is not just a static piece. Motouji is providing viewers with a real time experience into the process by practicing calligraphy every Monday afternoon in the gallery. Motouji was born in Kyoto, Japan and moved to the United States to study at the University of Oregon in 1985. While working in a high school extension program
Stories of the marginalized Under represented people are the focus of teacher’s work Victoria Stephens Reporter Steve McQuiddy writes about people with eccentric histories who are outside of the mainstream. “Oregon has its share of characters,” he said. “I've always had a connection with people in the margins.” His recent book, titled “Here on the Edge” is an in-depth account of Camp Angel, a conscientious objector camp located on the Oregon coast during World War II. This group, according to McQuiddy, had a profound influence on the development of the peace movement. Their art and philosophy were pivotal in the development of the move-
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in 1986 with Lane Community College, she was hired as a parttime instructor. Since then she has taught a multitude of art classes at Lane, including Introduction to Drawing, Intermediate Drawing and Watercolor. “Teaching is wonderful thing, it’s about witnessing a student's growth,” Motouji said. The exhibit is both an art display and a lesson in art. Motouji hopes to communicate the process of making art in addition to the finished result to viewers of the exhibit, hence the title “Process, Continued.” Process, being a major theme and source of inspiration for Motouji, is greatly illustrated by a series of calligraphy papers transee MOTOUJI, page 6
August Frank / The Torch
Samantha Westrope (top left) takes a moment to admire the art of instructor Satoko Motouji’s sabbatical Exhibition in the LCC main Art Gallery in Building 11 on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
ment that followed in the 1950s. The camp was created as a unique partnership between three peace-promoting churches and the U.S. government. Under this arrangement, objectors provided unpaid labor for public projects, filling a void left by men who were called to war. Prior to that, conscientious objectors were incarcerated. McQuiddy spent the better part of five years researching the project, traveling to several states, visiting archives, going over records and gathering photographs of group members. His efforts paid off — the book was one of the finalists for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and made it to number 13 in its category on Amazon. McQuiddy wanted to create a work that was both scholarly and accessible. He chose to make the research readable by telling the stories of the people involved. One day he hopes the book will be adapted into a movie. “One thing led to another and as the 90s wore on I fell into what I have come to term as ‘the eccentric history beat.’ I've always been interested in marginalized people, people that live outside of the mainstream for whatever reason,” he said. Currently, McQuiddy is honorary director of the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission. He has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for some of his
Students
feature writing and has studied at several different colleges, including Lane. After moving to the west coast he studied at Oregon State University, finally earning a B.A. in English at the University of Oregon and later completing an M.F.A. in creative writing. As an OSU student he began reading and being inspired by books written by “radical edgy authors." He has written many unpublished novels and has worked in varied jobs to earn money to go to school. While in his 20s, McQuiddy decided that he would like to write a history book someday. Later in the ‘90s, journalism was a way to put food on the table and pay his bills. "I fell into teaching. I’ve always had an interest in history all of my life," he said. McQuiddy taught for a brief time at Linn-Benton College and for a couple of years in Japan. He taught in the School of Journalism at the U of O prior to working at Lane. “I was a student here 30 years ago,” he said. He was taking the more affordable classes here while working on his degree at UO. McQuiddy's writing career began when he wrote a detailed monographic story about Opal Whiteley, a local Cottage Grove naturalist and author with reputed mystisee MCQUIDDY, page 6
To our
at lane
display creative works
students
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OPINION
Employers favor trained workers Degrees may not be the wisest choice
I
Vernon Scott Copy Editor
s the United States in an economic recovery? Apparently so, say the economists, but it just doesn't feel real to a lot of people on the street. If I don’t personally see signs of recovery around me, am I just out of the loop? Or maybe my distrust of official statistics has blinded me. Economists gather data in order to measure ‘economic activity,’ usually expressed as Gross Domestic Product. The purpose is to determine ‘growth’ versus recession. The definition of GDP seems to change periodically, however. Yet, decision makers who rely on the term don't seem to notice. This also applies to other statistics, notably inflation and unemployment. GDP, which doesn't necessarily refer to productivity or prosperity, was ill defined in the first place and doesn't connect to people's lives very well. Riots and exploding bombs are generally considered bad for productivity and prosperity, but GDP just looks at the expanded economic activity from all the cleanup required to fix the damage. If we all thought like economists, we might consider riots and exploding bombs to be good for the economy. Hired by corporate and government decision makers to analyze current operations and evaluate the ramifications of alternative practices, economists have a huge impact on the economy. Once upon a
time, companies stayed loyal to employees who had proved their loyalty. Now, employment is just another economic variable to be considered. The current state of the job market has its roots in the push to relocate jobs to locations with lower labor costs. With advances in technology, robots and computers began to replace humans because they could work faster, more precisely, took no breaks and didn't unionize. This trend hit a peak during the ‘Great Recession’ of 2008, when approximately two million people lost their jobs. Demographically, the labor pool continues to increase in size, so competition for the best jobs becomes more and more intense. The seller's labor market of the 1950s has shifted decisively to the buyer's market of the 21st century. Employers, feeling their power, ask for more experience and job skills from applicants, and offer less training, fewer benefits, less opportunity for advancement and less money. In the 1950s, a college degree was a mark of distinction. Many jobs required a degree, any degree, regardless of the field of study. That soon changed, as illustrated in the stereotype from the 1970s of Ph.D. holders driving taxis because their degrees had no relevance to the job market. Both my brother and cousin are examples of grads who, while living with parents, worked as bus or taxi drivers because they could not find work in their fields. The ‘Great Recession’ of 2008 has changed the game radically. Many so-called elite degrees seem to have lost their luster. Among the thousands of newly minted college graduates who can't find jobs in their field are lawyers and MBAs. This may be temporary, but when corporations learn that they can function with fewer employees,
Digital composition by August Frank / The Torch
they also learn a reluctance to hire. Young people with limited experience take longer to get up to speed. Older people with more experience are likely to desire higher pay and have less energy to put into the job. Blessed are the young with experience who will work cheaply. To have any economic value in today's world, a field of study must relate to job requirements. College degrees still have value in the market, but they have to be the right degrees. English, sociology, psychology? Forget it, unless it's just a stepping stone to an advanced degree. Much better are petroleum engineering or nursing, for those who are up to the task. In general, though, the era of looking good on paper is over. When an employer receives a hundred applications for a single job, paper credentials count, but the deciding factor is likely to be ‘job readiness.’ Someone with relevant experience who can start working the first day with little or no training is ideal. The decline in value of a degree is coincident with an increase in the value of diplomas or certificates from programs specific to particular jobs. Trade schools and targeted community college job programs are more relevant to the market than ever. Employers have effectively outsourced the
bulk of their expensive training programs to schools. In the 1970s, trade schools appeared inferior, suitable for those who couldn't or didn't want to handle college. This was based on the notion that a degree was a ticket to higher income jobs. Since that is no longer true, training for a specific job can be a wise first choice for many, as well as a viable back up plan for the unemployed. Based on an existing state program, President Obama's proposal for government to subsidize community college education seems quite timely. Though likely doomed to fail at the national level due to partisan gridlock, states could make it a reality by leading the way. In particular, the draft bill in Oregon’s legislature would make community college much more affordable for thousands of people. Job specific programs would become viable for many who now see them as out of reach. This may not be enough, however. If the number of job seekers continues to outweigh the number of available jobs, we will still be in the same boat. A robust economy will require more entrepreneurship to create jobs. A program emphasizing entrepreneurial skills could go a long way toward balancing the equation. Then we might see a real economic recovery.
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oPinion GUEST COMMENTARY:
mary spilde, president of lane Community College
to our students
I
am proud to announce that Lane Community College’s accreditation was reaffirmed by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). This is your guarantee that the quality of the education you are getting at Lane is officially recognized by an independent authority approved by the Department of Education. We were concerned by a misleading article in Sunday’s Eugene Register-Guard and I wanted to make sure you got the straight story. I have sent them an op-ed to set the story straight, and wanted to share it with you as well. Here it is: Lane Community College’s accreditation was reaffirmed by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the college’s accreditation is in good standing. Regional accreditation is the method used in the United States to assure quality in higher education. Lane, like every college and university, is periodically reviewed. Standards are set which we are expected to meet. It is a process of continuous improvement; learning how to do things better is the goal. In my own 35-year career in higher education, often serving on accreditation site visit teams, I can assure you it is normal for a college to receive both commendations and recommendations. This academic year was Lane’s full-scale 7-year review in the accreditation cycle. We began by investing a year in self-study. We identified for ourselves what we were doing well and what needed improvement. And even before the reviewers’ routine site visit in October, we began to implement strategies to improve. Following the evaluation visit, we received eight commendations and seven recommendations. Of more than 113 accreditation elements within the standards, Lane was found to be in compliance with over
Our faculty are first rate and care about their students. They are very involved in assessing learning. We are rolling out a new focus on learning objectives that go beyond the discipline or program. 100–a pretty good grade by any measure. The Commission’s confidence in Lane was further reflected in its decision to ask Lane to submit progress reports over the next two years, and to forego a focused visit, which is more serious. The college was commended for its emphasis on student success; student support services; strong policy leadership by the board; transparency and integrity; innovative work attracting national distinction in areas such as student success, sustainability, and college leadership; the downtown campus; a comprehensive library; and diligence in addressing student loan default rates. I was particularly pleased that the college was commended for creating a learning culture that supports and encourages student success, signaling the quality day-to-day work of our faculty and staff. Most of the recommendations focused on planning, program review and assessment of institutional and student learning outcomes. Our current strategic plan expires in June 2015 and the board of education started developing a new strategic plan last summer. The board is holding a series of Community Conversations throughout
Lane County to hear from citizens about what the college should focus on in the future. I encourage you to join us to share your thoughts. Our faculty are first rate and care about their students. They are very involved in assessing learning. We are rolling out a new focus on learning objectives that go beyond the discipline or program. We want our students to be able to think, create, communicate, engage and apply what they learn to whatever they will face when they are out in the world. Faculty are working these outcomes into their teaching and assessment practices. This year, five separate programs are in the review process. An Institutional Effectiveness Committee has been established, building on the great work of our existing assessment team. We are fully engaged in this work and I am confident that we will be in full compliance in the allotted time. As noted by NWCCU in its policy statements: “When granted, accreditation is not partial. It applies to the entire institution in operation at the time of the most recent comprehensive evaluation. It indicates that the institution as a whole is substantially achieving its mission and that it meets the Commission's expectations for compliance with the accreditation criteria.” That is the case for Lane. All of the documents relating to our accreditation are posted online at www.lanecc.edu/accreditation I encourage you to take a look at them. Lane has served Lane County for 50 years with the belief that everyone has a right to postsecondary education to prepare for work and life. Lane is the community’s college. You can be assured that we offer quality education and training to meet your needs as recognized and affirmed by the NWCCU. Mary Spilde, President
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
lane’s accreditation in jeopardy
G
iven Lane Community College's (LCC) 10 percent graduation rate for 20132014, I was not surprised by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities' substantial findings reported by The Register Guard’s Diane Dietz on Feb. 22, 2015. Quaint familial visit anecdotes notwithstanding, the notion that an administrator that is likely making north of $266,000 per year ($161,049 in salary and $104,682 in Fringe Benefits) needed a holiday visit to "...focus on what's important," is preposterous. Instructively, a Feb. 12, 2013 YouTube video documents millions of dollars of profligate spending over several years, while large segments of Lane County's residents struggled just to survive from check to check.
Leadership is best exhibited through principled actions rather than self-serving pronouncements. Moving forward, should LCC's board continue its historic pattern and practice of governance malfeasance? This county's residents might be well served to consider throwing out the whole board through a set of recalls at the earliest available opportunity. Importantly, it may rekindle many of the college's service area's residents' trust in LCC's staff, if not only the Lane Community College Employees Federation's and Lane Community College Education Association's leadership cadres — as well as both unions' rank and file members — provided the Board the political cover it so desperately needs to do the job its members were elected to do, by calling for a No-Confidence Vote on LCC's president at the next board meeting.
Moving forward, should LCC’s board continue its historic pattern and practice of governance malfeasance? Editor's Note: This letter to the editor was submitted by email to The Torch on Monday, Feb. 23. It was unsigned, but was sent from the email address of: Jose Ortal, Candidate for East Lane County Commissioner. The Torch has not verified, nor does it endorse, the claims made in this letter. THE torCH / FRIDAY, FEbRuARY 27, 2015
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OPINION
The Renaissance Room is often booked to capacity. Although the campus restaurant is fully booked for the rest of Winter term, reservations can be made for Spring term.
Five star dining
Ella Jones / The Torch
hidden in the chaos of campus Ella Jones Managing Editor Next to the hustle and bustle of the cafeteria, on the first floor of the Center Building is the calm and clean atmosphere of the Renaissance Room where patrons interested in dining in style are greeted by Culinary Arts and Hospitality students practicing their craft. While dining there with a guest, I was greeted by friendly and professional staff who remained attentive to our needs throughout our dining experience. We were promptly served our drinks, followed by freshly baked bread rolls and a complimentary pear and pomegranate salad, which showcased excellent knife cuts. The salad was a great use of perfect in-season pears, although the onion flavor was a tad too strong and the pomegranates were difficult to eat. Our first courses were served promptly, and the waiters were right there when we needed them, without hovering. My dining companion ordered the fennel and red onion salad and crab and champ bake, which was topped with a tomato-watercress dressing and served with a bibb lettuce salad. She commented that everything was beautifully presented and tasted delicious. I ordered the French onion soup, a classic rich soup that can often taste too much like onion. On this occasion, however, the soup was cooked to perfection and was garnished with a few baked cheese crostini. I’m a huge fan of edible garnishes, especially those covered in melted cheese. This was
THE TORCH / FRIDAY, february 27, 2015
Ella Jones / The Torch
A French entrée consisting of Poulet Sauté Marengo, french green beans, a fried egg, a sautéed shrimp and a wedge of toast. an appetizer for the lover of caramelized onions and classic flavor profiles. For the main course, I ordered the Poulet Sauté Marengo. In English, chicken sautéed with tomato and mushroom, served with French green beans, a fried egg, sautéed shrimp and a wedge of toast in the shape of a heart. Being close to Valentine's Day, this was a cute and timely accent. Overall, I enjoyed this dish. The chicken was a bit dry, but nothing to stop me from ordering it again in the future. The chicken portion was generous as were the green beans. This was a simple, yet satisfying dish.
To complete our dining experience, we were served a dessert sampler consisting of crème brûlée, a whole wheat scone with Caledonian cream and crêpes stuffed with lemon soufflé. The combination of these three desserts was fabulous. The crêpe was paired with a raspberry sauce that perfectly complemented the tartness of the lemon. Between the perfect fruit pairings and awesome execution of the crêpe itself, this was my favorite of the three. The crème brûlée was traditional, made perfectly and delicious. The scone on the other hand, had a very strong citrus flavor and was my least favorite of the three. Accompanying
dessert was a fabulous cappuccino. The Renaissance Room is staffed by Culinary Arts and Hospitality students under the supervision of their instructors. Working in the restaurant is a required class for the second year of the culinary and hospitality program. Each week, menus from two different nations are featured. The restaurant featured cuisine from France and the British Isles the week of my visit. French cooking is very traditional and serves as a basis for many other cuisines, so I ordered from the French side of the menu. My guest ordered from the British Isles offerings. The dining room is tidy and organized. The decor features chandeliers and framed pictures along the walls of students working in the kitchen. This room feels as dated as the rest of the Center Building, but is still classy and cozy. Next term, the restaurant will be temporarily housed in Building 19. Then in fall term a brand new Renaissance Room will make its debut in the Center Building. For those who appreciate five star cuisine and service, and for the chance of seeing the culinary program in action, this is an experience not to be missed. Patrons are advised to book well in advance, however. Winter term is already fully booked. If this isn't enough to whet the appetite, the $10 price for a full three course dining experience should clinch the deal. My only regret is not knowing earlier that I could be treated to food this good on campus. Renaissance Room reservations: 541-463-3533.
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PuZZles
Crossword Puzzle
Sudoku fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9
note: there is only one valid solution to each puzzle
©2015 Satori Publishing
©2015 Satori Publishing
©2015 Satori Publishing
TORCH Astrology Aries
March 21 — April 19
This is not a good time for you to go against the grain. You are being asked this week to go with the flow. Notice the movement of projects, relationships and any kind of work. Get in the swim of things and forget any contradictory ideas. Lucky numbers: 3, 1 and 4.
Taurus
April 20 — May 20
Gemini
May 21 — June 20
It's good deed time for you. Perhaps you've been too insular. As you go through the week, look for opportunities to help others, even if only in small ways. Open doors, let others go first, praise strangers on small things. Lucky numbers: 1, 9 and 10.
Libra
Sept. 23 — Oct. 22
Scorpio
Oct. 23 — Nov. 21
A friend may have misunderstood your intentions because you didn't communicate well. If you don't know who this is or what it's about, let circumstances show you. Correcting the misunderstanding will be easy. Lucky numbers: 1, 11 and 2.
You've either been setting the pace or following someone else's. It's time to change step. Whenever you are walking next to another person this week, notice who is setting the pace. If it's you, shift and follow their lead. If it's them, speed up or slow down. Lucky numbers: 2, 6 and 4.
Sagittarius
Nov. 22 — Dec. 21
It's time to sit back and watch. It could be that you've been too busy doing to notice how others are feeling or seeing things. Be the observer. Have no other motive than to notice what you've been missing. Lucky numbers: 3, 5 and 11.
This is a great week for creativity or any kind of project. Even if you're stuck for inspiration, just get into action anyway. It doesn't matter what the finished result looks like, what matters is the activity and what it has to teach you. Lucky numbers are 3, 5 and 6.
Cancer
Capricorn
Dec. 22 — Jan. 19
Aquarius
Jan. 20 — Feb. 18
June 21 — July 22
You've got something you've borrowed, and it's time to give it back. The owner is possibly nervous about asking you for it, and you might have even forgotten you have what they gave you. It's possible that you've come to think of this item as yours. Lucky numbers: 14, 5 and 31.
Leo
July 23 — Aug. 22
You've been either talking too much or not enough. You know which it is. This week is a good time for you to do the opposite. Take this to an extreme and be the exact opposite of your usual communication style and see how people react. Lucky numbers: 12, 13 and 1.
Virgo
Aug. 23 — Sept. 22
It could be that you've been trying too hard. This is an important week for you to relax and watch things unfold. Don't interfere with what naturally wants to happen. Your efforts could actually get in the way. Wait, watch and listen. Lucky numbers are 13, 7 and 5.
Things are not as they appear. You've been making assumptions that don't match the facts. In a situation where you've been judging others, it's important that you drop every conclusion you've made. Lucky numbers are 2, 10 and 21.
It's time to take a stand, even if you know others are likely to disagree. Defend your choices. You might be criticized. Just take it in your stride. Once the dust has settled, evaluate everything including input from others. Lucky numbers: 12, 17 and 23.
Pisces
Feb. 19 — March 20
This is a good time for you to notice things you don't normally notice. Choose something. It might be who has blue eyes and who has brown. It might be who is right-handed and who is left-handed. Choose a thing to notice all week and see how many people fit into each group. Lucky numbers this week: 15, 14 and 32.
THE torCH / FRIDAY, FEbRuARY 27, 2015
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neWs
Lane complaints system overhauled Administration makes procedure more student friendly ella JoneS managing editoR The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities conducted a seven year review of Lane Community College last year. As part of the process, a group of accreditors visited the college late in October, 2014. During the student forum, several students were outspoken and critical of the college's complaint process, saying that it was confusing and lacked in-person help. Following their visit, the accreditors recommended that Lane improve the complaint process. In response, college administrators have overhauled the entire process. Before the changes, students were required to go to the Lane website, find and print the correct document and take it to the appropriate office. The MyLane website has been upgraded with an online tool, and the complaint process now consists of two more clearly defined procedures, formal and informal. Previously, students experienced difficulty understanding the difference between the two procedures. "We had a very difficult time drawing a
line and saying this is when it shifts from informal to formal,” Executive dean of student affairs Kerry Levett said. College administrators recognized that although the system was designed to empower students in solving problems themselves, the system didn't work for everyone. This was especially true when a power differential existed between the student and the person the student was complaining about. "We thought, well we need to simplify this and make it less confusing for students,” Levett said. “They [students] also have the option to file a formal complaint so instead of saying you have to do the informal first and then the formal we now give the student the choice of what they’re most comfortable with.” The current procedures can only be accessed through the College Online Policy and Procedures System on the Lane website, but will be put on myLane as soon as revisions and updates are complete. "They’re going to look and be very different than what currently exists in COPPS because we're trying to take a more studentperspective on these," Levitt said. "So we’re adding visuals, we're using charts, flow
MOTOUJI from page 1
scribing a Buddhist Sutra. She marked every mistake she made in order to express her own growth. She wants to show students how much it takes to get from point A to point B. “Art can disappear, but the process of art making will remain,” Motouji said, stating that the process of making art is more about introspection. Buddhism is also featured in a set of enso drawings. Enso is a circle representing mu, the void, a common element in Zen Buddhism. With Buddhism being an important factor in her
ella Jones / The Torch
Following a the visit from accreditors, Lanes complaint system has been overcalled and been made more student friendly. charts, we’re adding color and we’re color coding things." The school is also forming a team of complaint coaches who will be available to help students through the process. Once everything is finalized, faculty and staff will
life, Motouji feels the need to balance digital and analogue experiences. She said that she's grateful for being born in an analogue age and experiencing the digital age. Balancing the mind and body helps to maintain a tactile experience of the world. Motouji plans to reduce her teaching hours at Lane because she feels it is time to do something new. She intends to focus more on her art and hopes to take her exhibition to other educational and nonprofit organizations. "Process Continued" opened in the Lane Art Gallery in Building 11 on Feb. 17 and continues through Mar. 12. The artist will be present in the gallery practicing calligraphy every Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MCQUIDDY from page 1
cal powers. The story, which he wrote for free, was published by the Lane County Historical Society. It has been widely circulated and reprinted. This gave him a chance to appear as a commentator for a program on Whiteley produced for Oregon Public Broadcasting. That project also opened up a number of other opportunities. “Don't be afraid to write something for free — you don't know what it may lead to,” he said. McQuiddy’s journalistic work includes written magazine and newspaper articles. He is also a writing instructor at Lane where he teaches academic learning skills for students working on foundational coursework before taking 100 level classes. The remedial program serves between 3,000 to 4,000 students per term on average, but he said the number rose to about 6,000 students when the economy dipped. Current enrollment at Lane is close to 12,000 students. McQuiddy is passionate about helping those who need to develop these skills, people who would oth-
THE torCH / FRIDAY, FEbRuARY 27, 2015
viCtoria stePHens / The Torch
Academic Learning Skills Instructor Steve McQuiddy displays his recent book, “here on the Edge” in his office at Lane Community College, Building 11, Room 241-H on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015.
erwise be marginalized. He believes that they deserve the same opportunities as more mainstream students. “What we do in academic learning skills is teach classes so people can have those opportunities,” he said.
be recruited and trained as coaches. Also, students will be offered volunteer coaching positions. “Then what we plan to do is have a list of these people available and then students can contact these folks.” Levett said.
ASLCC
Saga of fencing club’s funds request continues Conference gets senators excited nicole rund RepoRteR For the third student government meeting in a row, senators debated funding new gear for the fencing club. The original amount requested four weeks ago was $3,970. Thus far, senators have not definitively said yes or no to the request. Last week, after 45 minutes discussion, senators halved the amount to $1,895. Fencing club members reported they had talked with Brent Ellison in the athletics department who said he might be able to give $300 towards new gear. Ellison also offered an opportunity next fall for the club to earn money setting up for basketball games. Senators were unclear about what they voted on last week. At least one senator assumed they had approved $1,895 of the funds request and were discussing the other half this week. The minutes of last week's meeting were read to clear up the confusion and it
was shown that they had tabled the issue entirely until the Feb. 25 meeting. After a lull in the discussion, vice president Ashley Jackson took a moment to remind senators that the students of LCC deserved an in-depth discussion of this issue. Time ran out on the issue so the senate extended the discussion an additional 10 minutes. Council of Clubs chair Mariana Paredones told the senate that she would be leading a discussion on the COC's budget at the next meeting. Senator Anastasia Vail motioned to send the issue back to COC for further review after budget training. After a brief discussion, the motion passed 4-0-0. Senators were excited about the upcoming Northwest Student Leadership Conference this weekend in Portland. Senate adviser Barb Delansky reminded them to have fun at the conference. Delansky also advised them to be safe and pay attention to their surroundings because Portland is a big city, and they should not act like they “just arrived on the back of a farm truck.”
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Features
LisaMarie Lusk / The Torch
Students in the international students class work on a presentation, helping them gain English language skills and better immerse in American culture while doing their school work.
Lane welcomes international enrollment College looks to the future as more students come from abroad Daemion Lee Reporter “I’m usually ‘The Russian,’” Bella Harutyunyan, a second year student at Lane, said. “But I’m not.” Harutyunyan comes from Armenia, a small country in western Asia with an ancient history and culture that was part of the former Soviet Union until 1991. People in Eugene assume she is Russian, she says, because they know little about the part of the world where she grew up. As Lane steps up recruitment abroad and attracts more students like Harutyunayan from around the world, students from different cultures will be more numerous. In anticipation, the college is beginning to take measures to accommodate these students from more diverse backgrounds. Lane's English as a Second Language program is directly impacted by this change in demographics. Tracy Henninger, lead faculty member and teacher for the ESL program for the last 14 years, said the program originally served residents, that is, people with green cards living and working in the community. Now, most of the students are non-resident. “I think in a typical class you have 7 to 10 countries represented,” Henninger said. These students have different needs — they want to get degrees in the U.S., so they need to learn academic English and American learning styles. To accommodate this, she says they have overhauled the structure of the program. “We’re not just teaching ESL, we’re teaching study skills, lectures and doing a lot of projects,” she said. Henninger said her department recently did a study with faculty comparing international students to domestic students. Faculty noted that challenges for international students include following instructions, taking tests and using Moodle. Now the ESL curriculum involves more cultural information about being a student in the U.S. to help students be more successful in credit classes. Many students in the ESL program are Muslim. Henninger said they rearranged the class schedule to free up Friday afternoon to allow their Muslim students to attend weekly Juma prayers. But teachers are also working to prepare their students for life in the U.S. “Culture and language are intertwined,” said Henninger,
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pointing out that studying in the U.S. also involves adopting parts of American culture. American classrooms, for example, are co-ed, which is not the norm for students from the Middle East. “You want people to feel safe,” said Henninger. She said that students from Oregon can benefit from the increase in foreign students. “Students who come here who are local can meet people from all over the world,” she said. “Even though they’re here in Oregon at a community college, it’s a piece of the world.” Dave Oatman, the dean of the business department, said many international students choose to study business and the first chapter in the introduction to business textbook is about globalization.“I think there’s a lot of exciting potential,” Oatman said. “In the future, it would be neat to see an international business club.” Harutyunyan is an international student ambassador and she thinks higher international student enrollment is a positive change. “It’s good for the professor because it teaches them to think critically,” she said. “I think it’s good for the students too to hear a different opinion.” She recalled an assignment in one class where everyone except her picked projects that had to do with Oregon. She chose a project on women in the Middle East. “I think about the issue from so many different perspectives,” she said. “It changes the class dynamics, especially the classes where you have to give presentations.” However, it is not enough just to enroll international students, Harutyunyan said. The college needs to take measures to integrate them into the school community. “They have to put effort into making [international students] share their culture,” she said about the administration. She has served on one panel at Lane but said she wishes for more opportunities for foreign students to share their perspective. As international students continue to enroll at the college, Harutyunyan says she hopes they can be treated as individuals and not numbers. “They can’t use us like tools,” she said. “We have to have benefits. Everyone expects us to come here with billions and support the college.” Harutyunyan says she enjoys the teaching style in the U.S. “Knowledge is perceived in a different way,” she said about the U.S. educational system compared to Armenia. “I like the system here because it makes you think.” She says she will likely pursue a bachelor’s degree in international business. More changes may be in store as Lane works to accommodate international students. The international enrollment at the University of Denver, for example, reached ten percent and Inside Higher Education recently profiled the institution. Along with other changes, that university now requires higher scores on English proficiency exams and remedial language classes, which will help ensure that newly-enrolled international students will be able to participate fully in their classes. THE TORCH / FRIDAY, february 27, 2015
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T H E I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F L A N E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
Exhibit competes at world-class level Students display creative works
Several pieces of student artwork in many forms of media will be on display in the Lane Sister Art Gallery in Building 11 until Mar. 12. one of those pieces “Metal Hatch” (Left) by James Lane won first in the Dean’s Award.
Brandon taylor RepoRteR
“Don’t let the idea that it’s a student art exhibit at a community college throw you off,” Jennifer Salzman, Art Gallery Director said. Salzman stated the annual Juried Student Art Exhibition runs like a high-end New York art exhibit. It is nationally registered by the League for Innovation, which allows community college students across the nation to compete with each other. The exhibition has been an annual showcase for Lane Community College art students since the 1970s, providing hundreds of students the opportunity to gain wide exposure for their work. The exhibit affords art students an opportunity to compete at a national level. Initially, they compete within their institution. Students
successful at that level then move on to compete for a chance to be a part of a showcase of the best work created at community colleges nationally. All nationallevel entries are published in the League’s Student Art Competition publication. However, first, second and third places also receive cash prizes. Salzman stated that a lot of success can be earned by students whose works are exhibited. Entry is open each year to Lane students for works created in the previous 12 months. This year, from approximately 130 submissions, only
38 pieces are being displayed. Of those, only three received the Dean’s Award. Mitchell Henry was the third place winner of the Dean’s Award for his bowl titled “Evening Chrysanthemum.” Tuyen Nguyen received second place for his nude painting submission “Nude Study #2." A metal sculpture entitled "Metal Hatch" by James Lane won first place. Generally, jurors with some connection to Lane are selected. The jurors this year consisted of Walter Ali and his daughter, Kate, who has been employed as an Arts
and Design Instructor at LCC since 2008. Walter Ali has been a studio potter and instructor for nearly 40 years. Both he and his daughter expressed excitement for having the opportunity to be judges for the exhibit. After all submissions are entered, Building 11 is locked down. Each juror is given a set of postit notes used to tag pieces of art worthy of being in the exhibit. If an
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item has been tagged by all jurors it is automatically entered into the exhibition. If an item has only a few tags, then the jurors discuss why the item should be showcased or not. The host organization, The League for Innovation is dedicated to catalyzing the community college movement. Over 800 institutions hold membership in the League Alliance.
COUGAR ALERT
Public Safety Chief Jace Smith reported that on Wednesday, Feb 25 at approximately 9:45 a.m. there was an unconfirmed sighting of a cougar on the south edge of main campus. Students, staff and faculty are advised to use caution and report any cougar sighting to Public Safety at 463-5558. For safety info: http://www.lanecc.edu/epal/wildlife-response - Emergency Preparedness Team
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THE torCH / FRIDAY, FEbRuARY 27, 2015
CONTACT Editor-in-Chief Penny Scott torcheditor@lanecc.edu Center Building Room 008
events and Happenings FEB 27 — MAR 8
art Galleries (on-going) Juried student art exhibition, M-F 8am–5pm, Bldg 11 Sister Art Gallery 103 Process, Continued - by satoko motouji, M-F 8am– 5pm, Bldg 11 Main Art Gallery 119 the tale of two: Palettes/Palates, M-F 8am – 5pm, Bldg 19 David Joyce Gallery 200A Friday, Feb. 27 Events: Free tax Help, 9am–3pm Bldg 19, Room 260 Dance: Collaborations 2015 dance, 7:30 – 9:30pm, Bldg 6 Main Stage 107, Bldg 6 Ragozzino Performance hall 212 Student Groups: bsu Club meeting, 11am–12pm, Bldg 1 Classroom 222 students For life Club meetings, 1–2pm, Bldg 1 classroom 222 anime Club, 3–5pm, Bldg 19 Classroom 250 saturday, Feb. 28 Student Groups: lCC Gaming Group session, 9am–5pm, Downtown Campus Bldg 61 Conference Rm 420 Art & Entertainment: buckner Figure session, 10am–1pm, Bldg 10 Metal room 124/room 125 Collaborations 2015 dance, 7:30 – 9:30pm, Bldg 6 Main Stage 107, Bldg 6 Ragozzino Performance hall 212 solo & ensemble Festival, 7am – 4pm, bldg 6 main stage ragozzino Performance Hall sunday, mar. 1 Music: Fundraising Concert for Women in transitions Program-rhythm of life, 3–5pm, Bldg 6 Main Stage ragozzino Performance hall monday, mar. 2 osaC sCHolarsHiP aPPliCation deadline! Due by 5pm Events: international students Coffee talk, 11:30am – 1:30pm, Bldg 1 Student Life and Leadership 206 Art & Entertainment: satoko motouji will be present in the Bldg 11 Main Art Gallery every Monday practicing calligraphy, 1-3 pm
Student Groups: aPisu meetings, 1 – 2:30pm, Bldg 31 Longhouse Meeting room 114 black student union meeting, 2 – 3pm, Bldg 19 classroom 245 tuesday, mar. 3 Events: Global Conversations, 3 – 5pm, Bldg 19 CENTER for Mtg Lrng 214 conference room native Craft night, 6–9pm, Bldg 31 Longhouse Great Room 101 Free tax Help, 9am–3pm Bldg 19, Room 260 Council of Clubs meeting, 5-6 pm, Bldg 19, Room 243 Wednesday, mar. 4 lane Community ColleGe Foundation sCHolarsHiP aPPliCation deadline! due by 8:59pm
Events: Council of Clubs tabling Fair, Location: TBD, 102pm nursing assistant informational session, 5 – 6:30pm, Downtown Campus Bldg 61 Small Classroom 108 aslCC senate meeting, 4 – 6pm, Bldg 3 Boardroom 216 Free tax Help, 9am–3pm Bldg 19, Room 260 Student Groups: Asian Pacific Islander's Student Union (APISU) meeting, 12:30–3:30pm, Bldg 19 Classroom 234 Ptk meeting, 2–3pm, Bldg 16 Classroom 161 thursday, mar. 5 Events: Peace Center event: david barsamian of alternative radio, 11:30am – 3:30pm, Bldg 17 1/2 Large Theatre 309 nursing assistant informational meeting, 10:30 – 11:30am, Downtown Campus Bldg 61 Small Classroom 108 massage therapy informational session, 6 – 8pm, Downtown Campus Bldg 61 Large Classroom 106 Music: lane Choir Concert, 7:30 – 9:30pm, Bldg 6 Main Stage 107, Ragozzino Performance Hall 212 Student Groups: students For liberty, 12–1pm, Bldg 1 Conference room 212 Gsa meeting, 2–3pm, Bldg 1 Classroom 224 meCHa meeting, 3–4:30pm, Bldg 5 Classroom 240