Lifestyle
Vive la France trip
“Explore. Dream. Discover,” wrote novelist Mark Twain. The students in French 203 class got the opportunity of a lifetime to live his words by exploring and discovering France over spring break with French instructor Honora Ni Adoagain.
The students, their instructor and chaperons Cheryl and Dan Yoder, UCC’s Athletic and I.T. Directors respectively, spent 10 days in France exploring Paris, Versailles, the catacombs and various sites pertaining to the French Revolution. The group toured France’s neighborhoods, museums and monuments. They tasted the food, experienced nightlife and collected hundreds of pictures.
What to do when the earth starts rumbling
Imagine driving across the Winchester Bridge, thinking about class, hoping you did the right homework and all of a sudden the bridge starts to rock, sway and shake. None of us expect a natural disaster, and few of us prepare for it. The signs of a serious, potentially dangerous earthquake, however, are everywhere.
Earthquakes are appearing all over the Northwest in sites with dormant volcanoes. On May 28, a swarm of earthquakes developed near a dormant butte, “Cerro Prieto,” near San Diego. A 4.2 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Bandon reportedly shook the entire U.S. West Coast on May 22. A 4.8 magnitude earthquake on May 23 then hit Nevada near Las Vegas. On May 26, a 4.3 earthquake was felt near Ferndale, California as well as a 3.0 near Hamilton City, California. Undersea volcanic activity 300 miles off the coast of Oregon west of Cannon Beach is also concerning scientists. Along the Axial Seamount, a fresh fissure has formed, producing new undersea lava flows and seismic activity, according to earthquake authorities.
Making a moment a memory
Over 350 students will graduate this spring in the ceremony set for 6 p.m., June 12, at the Swanson Amphitheater.
Four student leaders shared some UCC memories and advice. Jennifer Abel is a peer tutor who is majoring in sociology. KC Perley is the PTK chapter president, a Leader of Promise and UCC Outstanding Student in Calculus. Ellis Poole was a former ASUCC Vice President. Scoot Nicholson was an All Oregon Academic Team winner and is a peer tutor for Anatomy and Physiology.
Internships take education off the campus
The end of the spring school term opens up opportunities for internships across Oregon and the nation.
Although the life of an intern is often arduous, it can bring skills and resources which assist in resume building or training. Internships offers exposure for participants to networking for job positions and allows them to see if a certain job is right for them.
Internmatch.com offers opportunities for internships mainly centered around the Portland and Eugene areas with positions in nearly all fields. Applications can be found at internmatch.com for Financial Representative for Northwest Mutual, for Software Developer at IBM, for Sales and Marketing at Zeeluh and many more positions.
Talented art students showcase their work
Vincent van Gogh’s quote “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart” represents the art students who presented at this year’s Umpqua Community College student art show. The time and effort is shown by the imagination and creativity of each piece of art in the show. This year hosted a number of diverse entries from drawings, paintings, ceramics, sculptures to photographs.
“It is one of the first impulses that humans have as far as communication goes; we can look back 38,000 years and see proof of that in cave painting,” said Susan Rochester, associate professor chair of fine and preforming arts, gallery director. “Students who take art class see things differently, and that is a valuable skill regardless of where you end up.”
ABC’s on how to cure your spring time fever
As the days of spring term drag along, staying focused on studies and finding the motivation to go to class becomes harder and harder. When a serious case of spring fever is contracted, don’t lose hope.
Spring fever — a term now recognized by those in the medical community — has recently been attributed to a biological change in hormonal levels in conjunction with rising temperatures and increased sunlight, according to what Michael Smolensky, Ph.D. told WebMD. Other experts agree. Go figure.
Restructuring adult high school diplomas
The average salary for a high school graduate is $10,000 more than a non-high school graduate, a number which in Douglas County could mean the difference between being poverty stricken or having the means to live and thrive. However, Douglas County’s adult high school program at the Woolley Center is facing restructuring that will affect students enrolled in the program.
Local high schools will no longer refer their students to the Woolley Center for its adult education program after the spring term. The program instead will focus its attention on students no longer eligible to attend a high school. “There are around 10,000 adults that reside within Douglas County who still do not have their high school diploma,” April Hamlin, adult basic skills coordinator at the Woolley Center, said.
Resources for local housing challenges
Homelessness is frequently listed among the biggest concerns for the state of Oregon. Oregon’s problems persist with all forms of homelessness, from veterans to chronic homelessness. Although this statistic has gotten slightly better over the years, Oregon’s continued low ranks remain a blemish on the state as a whole.
Roseburg serves as a base for many homeless, this being an area where 17% of Douglas County’s poverty percentage comes from. The recent recession and the crumbled housing market marked an influx of new homeless in 2009. 16% of homeless people are listed as chronically homeless, meaning they have been without a home for over a year. About 1 in 50 homeless are children; and rates for teenagers and college students has risen in the past years.
Celebrating National Poetry Month
The beginning of April once again signifies the start of National Poetry Month, started in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets. The intent of the month is to celebrate poetry as an art form for both poets and people who do not usually care to read poetry.
Poetry is an often misunderstood form of literature, seen as either too complex or too simplistic. Gregg Smith, associate professor of English at UCC, teaches poetry and talked about why poetry matters to the world. “It affects us in different ways . . . not because the subject matter, but how it’s said,” says Smith. “It’s about anything and everything. It’s a means of articulating something that couldn’t be said; . . . it speaks to us. It’s applicable to everyone.”
Oral Health Fair
The phrase “bad oral hygiene” is often associated with third world countries or clichés about the British; it isn’t exactly a phrase brought up in polite conversation. But it should be – according to local dentist Alexis Atchinson, oral cancer kills one person per hour, 24 hours a day. Over 45,000 people will be newly diagnosed this year.
On Saturday, April 25, the Douglas County Health Action Group will present its inaugural Oral Health Fair. Free oral cancer screenings as well as blood pressure screening will be given by dentists, physicians and dental hygienists. Children can meet the “Tooth Fairy” as well as get a chance to win prizes from the UCHC’s “Wheel of Smiles.” Each adult screened will be entered into a raffle for prizes. The screenings are quick and painless, about three to five minutes.
Capturing adventure one bicyclist at a time
Although a little over two million adults rely on a car for transportation, nothing beats a bicycle for creating experiences, stories and opportunities for human interaction while traveling. No one knows this better than Greg Siple.
Since 1982, Siple has captured images of bicyclists from all around the world and recorded their stories of peddling through the Adventure Cycling Association headquarters in Missoula, Montana. For serious bicyclists, passing through the headquarters and getting their photo taken for the association’s wall is considered a rite of passage.
Former student creates hope for children
Venturing beyond home to explore the world’s terrains and people, its environments and ecosystems, may be the grandest adventure of all. But for most people, those wishes never evolve into plans.
Shawn Pittman, a former UCC journalism student and recent University of Oregon graduate, also possessed the desire to experience adventure through travel. Initially fearful to explore the world or make a difference in the lives of others, Pittman credits his journalism courses with helping him develop the confidence to lead a life worth sharing.
“I used to be a very fearful person,” said Pittman; “this meant not even talking to strangers, and meeting new people terrified me. My journalism courses at UCC and UO and at times working for publications at both schools was my first step towards shedding that fear.”
Suffering Social Anxiety
Cheyanne Young, an associate general studies student, suffers from social anxiety depression. For as long as she remembers, she has seen counselors and tried countless medications, none of which worked for her.
“Social anxiety is not something you can control. It’s not a choice,” she says. Social anxiety is an inconvenient disorder in many situations in life, but for a student it can be especially difficult. “Sometimes when I need to ask a teacher for help, I wait until the last minute. I get so nervous that when I ask my question sometimes I stutter, or I worry that I will be a burden. In some cases, it has hurt my grade because I have waited too long to ask for help. I also worry that the teachers think I am not trying because it looks like I am not participating,” Young says.
Free online tools expand learning opportunities
No matter a fifth grader, an undergraduate student, a truck driver, a retired salesperson, or a medical doctor, every individual has the opportunity to learn almost anything on the Web – completely free.
Since 2008, hundreds of universities all over the world have provided free online access to their course materials through a nonprofit initiative called the Open Education Consortium. Countless nonprofit organizations and individuals also offer online instruction via YouTube video lectures and interactive programming.
Undoubtedly, a degree from an accredited institution suggests a certain level of competence in a given area and shows employers that a person can commit to a goal, persevere and acquire new skills. There is enormous benefit to being in a physical classroom with a live instructor who holds students accountable and engages them in real, face-to-face discussion.
Spring ideas for bucket lists
Tim McGraw sums up the spring break motto: Live life like you’re dying. A bucket list is the perfect way to prepare for spring break, or really, your future in general.
As Paulo Coelho, famous author of The Alchemist says, “One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.”
The term bucket list originates from “kick the bucket,” stemming from the Middle ages, referring to execution by hanging when victims as they fell to their death kicked the bucket they were standing on.
Local food offers healthier choice
Local food, such as that sold at the Umpqua Valley Farmers Market is growing in appeal to millennials.
According to a recent U.S. News and World report, 18-to-34 year olds take their food shopping especially seriously: “millennials are hard-wired to do their homework before making any decision or purchase.”
Millennials also expect “a high connectivity with the foods they are eating,” according to author Kelsey Lindsay.
Blomkamp, story simply “okay” in Chappie
The disappointment of expectation may be worse than its fulfillment. With his first outing, “District 9” director Neill Blomkamp created an aura of splendor around his science fiction pictures. The film positioned his future endeavors as those to keep an eye on, and to accept as being as revolutionary as his first. “District 9” was exciting to watch, but featured a strong narrative allegory for the South African Apartheid history in the treatment of its aliens. Blomkamp’s follow-up, “Elysium,” was crushed beneath expectation, never truly separating itself from its former’s success. It was a failure in its story as well as its blatant representation of the divide between the rich and poor. As muddled as the film was, it still gave the audience a message to consider after the credits had rolled. Perhaps, that is where the anticipation for his newest film, “Chappie,” was created, and then became its downfall.
Kitzhaber's actions
Abuse of public resources, controversial payments for consulting, a sham marriage, and a pot-growing scheme before marijuana was semi-legalized: these are some of the scandals dogging Cylvia Hayes, fiancée of John Kitzhaber, Oregon’s longest serving governor. And the outcry over these conflicts and the investigations into these alleged ethics violations led to his recent resignation.
Governor John Kitzhaber, who began his career in Roseburg, Oregon, officially announced his resignation on Feb. 13, stepping down from his position as Oregon’s recently re-elected governor. Secretary of State Kate Brown (D) was sworn in as the governor of Oregon, effective Feb. 18.
Governor Kate Brown
With the resignation of John Kitzhaber, Oregon now has a new governor. Kate Brown is the second female governor for the state, the first being Barbara Roberts who served from 1991 to 1995. According to Brown’s biography on the Oregon State Governor’s website, Brown has served as Secretary of State since 2008, prior to which she served five years as a State Representative and 12 years as a State Senator. Furthermore, Brown was the first woman to serve as the Senate Majority leader, after being elected by colleagues in 2004.
Free money available for college
but students must act quickly
Hundreds of thousands of dollars are now available to Umpqua Community College students in the form of scholarships available through UCC’s Foundation. However, the deadline is quickly approaching. Foundation scholarships are due by 11:58 p.m., March 9.
Scholarships are, in essence, “free money” awarded to students based on conditions. Some scholarships are given to those who can show financial need; others are rewarded based on merit and good academic standing.
SaVE Act targets sexual abuse
When the Center for Disease Control finds that 20 percent of women on college campuses report being raped, America obviously has a serious problem. And the problem is prevalent throughout college. Recent media accounts report athletes, coaches, scholars, donors, teachers, students and even online instructors commited acts of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
These issues prove that America has an ever-growing need for stronger, clearer punishment policies, education and counseling.
What exactly are you smoking?
The legalization of recreational use of marijuana may cause problems for the community as marijuana dispensaries start to sell products beyond just for medical use.
In states where marijuana is legal, the media is reporting that dispensaries have been selling products that are harmful to un-informed users’ health. Part of the problem is dosing.
Most buyers understand that different breeds of cannabis do yield different strengths; however, some buyers are unaware of the dangers of new, stronger dosages.
Snyder’s mission touches community, UCC
When it comes to accomplishments, Ethan Snyder’s resume boasts a long list of achievements. As the interim director of learning skills, he is much more than the friendly, helpful personality that he so freely offers.
Born and raised in Roseburg, Snyder has not only been involved with this community, but he has also touched the lives of people around the globe in his many travels. After graduating from Roseburg High School in 2010, he went on to attend UCC, where he was elected student body president. “I like to be involved. I like to stay busy,” Snyder said.
Love: How to make it last
Although presents are a large part of showing affection and love to that “special someone”, a couple of our own UCC students and faculty believe that having a good relationship goes deeper than gifts and surprises.
Laura Vellines, a current UCC student, said that communication is one of the more significant sentiments that makes a relationship last. “Being able to talk with and understand the other person is what makes a relationship stand the test of time,” Vellines said.
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Engineering Expo creates tomorrow’s tech experts
Every year an exhibit is held in the Danny Lang Center. The attendance for this year’s expo increased by almost one hundred people. The purpose of this expo was to help find careers. Booths had information pertaining to starting a new career. Representatives from colleges like Oregon Tech Oregon State and Air Force attended.
“This has been an annual event at UCC for the last eight years. It is a wonderful event that provides an opportunity for students to learn about programs at UCC.” Clay Baumgartner UCC Chair, Engineering and CIS Department, said, “This year we had the highest attendance yet, estimated at 300 people.”
Romance movies
for a romantic evening
Valentine’s Day, the holiday of sappy love and emotional enrichment, may begin with heart-shaped chocolate boxes, romantic dinners, and whatever sensual activities follow, but ends with another favorite tradition: Hollywood entertainment.
The highly anticipated “50 Shades of Gray” releases Feb 13, drawing a lot of attention to the theatre. For those wanting to spend more time personally in their living room, better options come from Netflix or DVD. Here are six selections to make this Valentine’s Day a special one.
Book encourages turning talents to passion
For high school and college students, the question, “What do you want to do?” looms large, often inciting feelings of anxiety and confusion.
While many have no defined career pathway, one thing is clear: millennials want to enjoy their work.
Hugo Chavez, 20, a student in pursuit of his AAOT, said that enjoying his work was his top work priority, along with having “a good salary” and “feeling accomplished.”
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Love stories and statistics: Students still believe in love
While some people consider Valentine’s Day a master marketing strategy designed by the corporate machine, love does still exist on campus. Students Greg Vincent and Jonathan Munion are excited about their upcoming wedding.
Keeping it local:New Roseburg businesses provide expanded community options
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, dinner and a movie may seem like the perfect date night. A restaurant that strives to serve locally sourced, fresh ingredients may be just the ticket.
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Poor passwords lend false security
The news has been on fire lately with stories about hackers and compromised cyber security. The jarring topics clogging our media outlets cause many to ask the question, “Just how secure are we?”
The answer is “not very.” While nothing is absolutely foolproof, following a few methods can decrease the chances of being hacked.
Best picture contenders crowd Oscar Race
Since the nominations for the 87th Academy Awards were announced, the most prestigious award show for filmmaking is now set. Following the Golden Globe reveals a week earlier, the Academy has set the stage for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, and so on.
Health care fee in effect on taxes
When Umpqua Community College staff and students sit down to complete their taxes this year, there will be one significant difference that may surprise some people. This year those who did not have health insurance coverage may have to pay an additional fee.
“That’s really messed up. I can’t afford health care, so I have to pay a fee?” UCC student Kevin Branton says. Katie Slone, second year UCC student, was also not aware of the fee. Despite this surprise, the 2014 tax year health care fee may not penalize as many people as it seems.
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The art of be-longing
Embedded within Whipple Fine Arts building, artist Mika Aono Boyd unveils her complex creations of repetition in overlooked life.
“Be-longing” is a showcase of approximately 15 pieces of art. This is not an exact number however, because many of the exhibits could be considered collective pieces joined together. Regardless, this art incorporates fractals as a major design focus.
Influenza: the thug of all bugs
When little things like homework, student debt, a car loan, a half-crazy employer and rent hang over your head, worrying about the flu may seem silly. It shouldn’t. Not so long ago, one-eighth of the U.S. population died from a single flu virus.
Some may believe these kind of flu epidemics are a thing of the past, but they are actually common occurrences. “The United States experiences epidemics of seasonal flu each year, and right now all of CDC’s influenza surveillance systems are showing elevated activity,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Creating Christmas miracles
Getting into the spirit of giving can be difficult for students who are strapped both for cash and time. But before you get your Grinch on, you might want to consider that a study published by Health Psychology has shown that volunteers who give their time for unselfish reasons live longer than those who don’t volunteer. Volunteering will also reduce some of that stress we’re often too familiar with, according to Jeanie Lerche Davis of WebMD Health News.
In the spirit of the season, we’ve compiled a list of opportunities for giving, many of which involve giving time rather than money. Our list includes both local and national organizations.
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Food for free
Go with a friend, volunteer some time, save money, meet new people, make a memory
Meals to please a crowd as well as your wallet
The holidays are coming upon us very quickly and I know that at my family’s house, the anticipation for mouthwatering meals is palpable. For my family and most other families, around this time food seems to be the star of the show.
Turkey, ham, potatoes, pies, you name it. The whole nine yards will be presented as we all sit around the table. However, at the end of the meal you may be thinking about the pounds you have just piled on as your wallet gets thinner.
You really don’t have to be guilty after a big holiday meal. There are ways to avoid those few extra pounds gained over the holiday without breaking the bank. My mother passes along easy tips on saving with a couple wallet friendly recipes.
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How to get the best Christmas deals around during this holiday season
Two things are on students’ minds right now: finals, and Christmas presents.
Many websites offer deals, but how do you find those stocking stuffer savings?
Websites like Groupon, SkyMall, dealnews, bensbargains, slickdeals and gottadeal publish the latest greatest deals. These organizations track anywhere form 2,000 to 6,000 retailers for you then publish the best sales, coupons, rebates and store rewards. Anything from electronics to vacations, from health and beauty to home and garden can be found at seriously discounted prices.
Veteran’s Day parade shuffles focus
Once a year, Roseburg puts on a parade to honor our service men and women who serve this country. This year the parade consisted of about 100 entries: veterans, local businesses, schools, clubs, organizations and current military personnel.
As a soldier in the National Guard, I volunteered to be in the parade with my brother, Hank, who is also in the Guard.
Mary Jane gets the “OK” in Oregon But a “Big N.O.” on Campus
Measure 91 or The Oregon Legalized Marijuana Initiative was passed in a state wide ballot last week on Nov. 4. So what will this mean for UCC?
Going into effect July 1, 2015, Measure 91 will allow people ages 21 and older to possess 8 ounces of dried marijuana and up to four plants within a household. This among other things were configured within measure 91.
Sexual violence issues on college campuses
Stopping the cycle of unhealthy relationships
The topic of sexual violence on college campuses, or anywhere, is difficult to approach. The vast amount of statistics can dehumanize and overwhelm, even though they remain very relevant. The personal stories needed to show the prevalence of sexual violence take courage to share and are not always treated with the respect and sensitivity they deserve. This presents quite the bind. Often that bind creates silence. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, “an average of 60 percent of assaults in the last five years were not reported.”
Interstellar travels between science and science fiction
Humanity was born on Earth. It was not meant to die here.” This ponderable quote from the film Interstellar is one of many we are introduced to throughout the movie. It serves as one of the greatest underlying questions presented in this 21st Century world: if other planets are habitable, and if they can be colonized.
Interstellar gives little to no indication of its time setting; from the looks of the clothing and technology it is left to the viewer’s interpretation on whether we are in a current day climate or a future one.
VP of Student Services Hired
A new face is on campus this week. Joyce Coleman, the new vice president of Student Services, started her first day as a UCC employee Oct. 30.
Coleman says she was drawn to UCC after reading information from Olson on the college website; three words resonated with her personal values: equality, equity and education. Read More
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Dreamsavers Offering Matching Funds
for Tuition, Home Repair, Housing, Technology
What do 46 small business owners, 129 students, and over 100 homeowners have in common? Every one of them achieved their dream with only a fraction of the necessary funds coming out of pocket. The NeighborWorks Umpqua program DreamSavers matches Oregon residents’ financial deposits with a 3:1 return. Read More
Textbook Alternatives At UCC
School books are outrageously expensive. I said it; we're all thinking it. From 2012 to 2013 textbooks rose an average of 82 percent according to USA Today. Great, now how do we poor college students afford them while living on shoestring budgets? Some UCC students spent nearly $1,000 this year. Read More
New Additions to Library Staff
If you've popped into the UCC library anytime lately, you may have noticed a few changes and some new faces. UCC welcomed Carol McGeehan this summer as the new library director and Jennifer Lantrip this fall term as the reference librarian. Carol McGeehan has spent 35 years as a librarian and has been working in libraries since sixth grade. Read More
Umpqua Scholars Give Back to community
Students in the new Umpqua Scholars program started their programs required 10 hours of community service. Each student gets to choose where they get to complete their volunteer hours. The most recent one was a group of students volunteered at the Savings Grace animal shelter. Some of the events the students have volunteered for were the Harvest fest, Blood Drive, different theatre productions and foundation projects. Read More
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Go Behind the Scenes of Movie Production
The theatre darkens, and in the seconds after the screen lightens, you are transported into another existence. It is easy to become so enveloped within a film that the intricacies which make it something greater are lost. Within film, an inconspicuous richness and texture will allow us to transcend “entertainment” and enter art if we learn how to look. Read More
Art exhibit showcases student talent
Students are displaying a wide variety of their artwork in the Art Gallery at Umpqua Community College in the annual student art show now until June 5. Out of 300 student entries, 59 were selected for display. Read More
Oregon Shakespeare Festival stages “The Tempest”
UCC literature teachers are finding ways to bring creativity into the classroom. In an attempt to utilize the weather rather than being stuck in classrooms reading Shakespeare, Amy Fair and Jillanne Michell have brought Shakespeare to life for their students. Each year they offer spring and summer term literature classes the chance to attend plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Read More
Climbing class completes epic ascent
For the last seven years, Orton has added a twist to his spring Rock 2 classes, a horizontal traverse between the towers of Old Man and Old Woman rocks off the North Umpqua Highway. This epic crossing had only been done successfully by two groups before Orton began taking his students on the adventure. Read More
Summer Field Botany class goes on the road
From the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range, Botany professor Ken Carloni has been opening the eyes of students and community members to a whole new world with his annual field botany tour. Carloni will lead students on a six day journey starting June 17 that will tour some of the planet’s most diverse ecosystems in southwestern Oregon and northern California. Read More
Elected officials represent top elites
With Congress currently polling at 80 percent disapproval and waves of special interest money flooding politics, many people believe that representative democracy is slowly slipping away, but they are wrong — the republic is already dead. Read More
I’m not that Mike Lyon
A woman that I went out with recently Googled my name. No big deal, really, a lot of stuff out there that I am proud of, in fact, I encouraged it. I hadn’t done it in a while, so I Googled myself, and there it was — my name and the words “arrested for filming sex acts.” Read More
Local artist Dave Archer reaches for the stars
Standing beside a 4-foot metallic orb with a mysterious looking wand in his hand, local artist Dave Archer reminisces about his life in the art world and San Francisco beat culture as he prepares to transfer 1 million volts of electricity onto paint applied to a pane of glass. Archer pioneered the process known as reverse glass painting which employs the use of a Tesla Coil to shock paint onto a sheet of glass. Read More
Native voices series starts with a boom
Fish Martinez grew up with Native American dancing and music. He started “fancy dancing” at the University of Oregon Longhouse pow wows when he was 5-years-old and can’t remember a time when Native music was not part of his life.
Martinez shared some of his experiences Tuesday with UCC students in the first of a series of presentations by local Native Americans. The presentation marked the end of a self-imposed hiatus for Martinez, who had not drummed for two years out of respect and mourning for his father. Read More
Science club members examine bacteria growth
Shake a hand, accept some change, or pick up a book and there is an exchange of bacteria and other forms of microbial life. Science club enthusiasts have been collecting samples from all around campus, and recently compiled the results of their research. Read More
Website seeks to help lower travel expenses
Couchsurfing is a free accommodation website that connects travelers to a worldwide community. The site aims to connect like-minded people through a series of shared experiences between complete strangers. Through interactions such as providing housing for travelers and hosting people during community events, Couchsurfing has become a cultural phenomenon. Read More
Community garden to support culinary program
A few dozen straw bales fill a fenced garden space, overlooking the Technology Building on the northeast side of campus. Changing weather adds warmth and light to the growing land as the soil waits for planting. Past the large fence, the serenity of the North Umpqua River comes into view. The UCC Community Garden is transitioning from a deserted wasteland to a productive garden due to the efforts of the Environmental Sustainability Club. Read More
Competency-based education would give college students new options
The U.S. education system revolves around providing training and knowledge to students, one class period at a time, but an emerging alternative may one day give many students a new level of control over learning.
Competency-based education allows students, for better or worse, to take their education into their own hands. Students work at their own pace through their courses, taking an assessment for each competency a class provides. Read More
Til death do us part: signing out of Google Chrome
For most people using a public computer at a library, school, or friend’s house is just a part of life. For many Google Chrome users, however, this practice has become a mortifying public tell-all. Signing into Google while using Chrome on a computer with multiple users leaves your search history, bookmarks, and possibly other even more sensitive information potentially available for others to view who use that same computer. Read More
Men march against domestic violence
The sounds of dragging heels echoed down Jackson Street April 25 as Douglas County men protesting domestic violence plodded down the pavement in women’s shoes.
The annual “Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser drew over 100 walkers with a crowd of over 200, double the size of last year, according to a representative from Battered Person’s Advocacy who sponsored the event. Read More
Hiking From Mexico To Canada
Umpqua Community College transfer student, David Henry, has always tried to get the most out of life. Although he is only 32-years-old, he has experienced many adventures, from working at several national parks to experiencing the rigors of being a father and aspirations of furthering his education. But his biggest adventure came on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2008. Read More
Trails in Douglas County abound
Douglas Umpqua Basin area is renowned as an outdoor recreation wonderland. However, with the sheer volume of hiking destinations, figuring out the best trails can be a daunting task. Read on for a short guide to some of the best local hiking options. Read More
Independent voters of Oregon seek primary vote
A growing number of UCC students, local citizens and a few faculty members have recently decided to start doing something about the lack of choices regarding the way our elected officials are selected. They have formed a group called the “Independent Voters of Oregon.” Though the group is not affiliated with Umpqua Community College in any way, many of its members can be found across campus. Read More
Standoff in the desert, What's Your Opinion?
The Bureau of Land Management found itself in a standoff with Nevada rancher Clive Bundy and a group of heavily armed supporters earlier this month. Fortunately the tense situation was defused when the federal government backed down and de-escalated the situation. We asked students at UCC what they thought of this complex situation. Read More
New apps promise anonymity
A new generation of anonymous social networks is sweeping the country. Secret, Whisper, and Yik Yak have become popular smart phone apps on many college campuses but like other gossip sites, such as Juicy Campus, that have come and gone, it is difficult to discern the actual utility in the midst of all the trolling, threats and slander. Read More
Nick Tratz visits the land of coffee, salsa and shopping malls
While most students were doing their best to decompress and taking a much-needed break from studies, Spanish instructor Nick Tratz was in the South American country of Colombia after being invited to give a series of lectures at Javeriana University where his friend and former schoolmate Sandra Mina teaches. Read More
Cosmos returns after 34 years
Cosmos, a new television series currently airing on FOX, may seem familiar to those who were around in the 1980s when PBS aired a television show created by Carl Sagan titled ‘Cosmos: A Personal Journey.’ Now, 34 years later, Cosmos has been revived with its sequel now airing on FOX (Sundays at 9 p.m.) and the National Geographic channel (Mondays at 10 p.m.). Read More
Local cinema options to expand
Good films inspire audiences and showcase the creative potential of the human mind, playing a prominent role within every community. But what happens to that inspiration when available cinematic experiences are limited?
This has become a frequent question asked by movie fans throughout Douglas County. With only two active theaters in Roseburg, the opportunity to view films is limited. Further complicating this issue is the absence of available movies in Douglas County, due in large part to monetary conflicts. Read More
Library staff hosts annual poetry contest
In honor of National Poetry Month, the UCC library is hosting an April Poetry Contest. The focus of the contest is to celebrate poetry by engaging students in a successful and fun element of literature. The contest will run from April 7 to April 25.
In order to enter the contest, select a “library photo” from the library display or the library blog post announcing the contest, write a poem inspired by one of the photos and submit contact information, the photo choice and the inspired poem to the library staff. Students can turn in their poem at the circulation desk or submit it online. Read More
Facebook Conspiracies Revealed
You know that complacency we all feel about our private information on Facebook? You know that “I don’t have anything to hide” feeling we tend to get before sharing some innocuous information? Or, how about those “conspiracy theory” posts we all ignore? Read More
McCutcheon ruling continues to break democracy
Buckley v. Valeo decided that money equals speech. First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti established corporate personhood. Citizens United v. FEC gave entities known as Super PACs the ability to unlimitedly raise and spend on political campaigns. Now, another Supreme Court ruling washes away even more of the United States’ already tattered campaign finance laws. Special interests couldn’t be happier. Read More
Ukraine transfer to UCC may be affected by Conflict
The Ukrainian controversy may be 6,000 miles away, but the effects are being felt on the UCC campus. Through the Open World Program, a group of delegates has visited UCC from Ukraine annually for the last seven years. These delegations have led to many ties with Ukraine on campus. Another member of a previous year’s delegation will be potentially coming over as an instructor next year. Read More
Runnin’ for a reason
In the Color Me Rad 5k walk/run participants will be able to navigate their way along the course while trying to see how color blasted they can get. This run consists of a 3.1 mile long course that is full of color. As participants walk or run through the course volunteers will throw brightly colored cornstarch on the passing runners. Read More
Time to get down, dirty, and dash
Eugene’s Dirty Dash run is a bit more hard core. This mud run is an obstacle course in bootcamp style. Contestants “trudge up mountains of sludge, overcome uncompromising obstacles, wallow in pits of mud” and have fun. Read More
Play brings audience together over border divisions
Immigration—one of the most powerful, emotional and divisive issues of our time—was the controversial subject of the bilingual play Cuentame Coyote, performed by the Milagro Theatre Group on campus Feb. 25. Framed from the viewpoint of two cousins seeking to flee Mexico for a better life in the United States, this powerful and emotional play takes an uncompromising look at the difficulties many illegal immigrants face when trying to cross the border. Read More
Bringing awareness to cleaning and maintaining local skate parks
While the Roseburg Skate Park is tucked away behind Fred Meyer’s grocery store, it is front and center in the minds of five students who cleaned up the park as part of their coursework for their Small Group Discussion class this term. Read More
Donuts, bagels, and more, Oh My!
The Donut and Bagel Factory, which opened January 6, is serving up freshly baked goods and so much more to the Roseburg area. While there are other doughnut shops around Roseburg, this one serves up not only traditional doughnuts, but some real unique doughnuts as well. Some of these specialty doughnuts are banana coconut, birthday cake, strawberry cheesecake, and many more. Read More
Freezin’ for a reason: take a plunge for Douglas C.A.R.E.S.
Freezing water, Dutch Bros Coffee and people in goofy costumes, if that sounds like fun then be a part of this year’s Penguin Plunge. Douglas C.A.R.E.S, a private non- profit organization that is dedicated to treating children who have been physically or sexually abused and neglected, is hosting the fourth annual Penguin Plunge and is looking for participants. Volunteers will plunge together into the 40 degree Umpqua River March 15 at River Forks Park. Read More
Crisis in Ukraine explained
The situation in Ukraine is currently very fluid and volatile. Nothing is simple regarding the country’s current political situation, but to gain a basic understanding of what is going on, here are some things to know. Read More
Student Leadership conference fights back against big money in politics
Activism echoed through Portland State University as nearly 500 student leaders attended a conference at the end of February that addressed some of the greatest political issues facing the country. Citizens United became one of the common themes during this time; Citizens United is a reference to the 2010 Supreme Court decision which grants unlimited raising and spending of money to Super PACs for spending on political campaigns. Read More
Rain not enough to hold off water woes
The North Umpqua is full to the brim, the ground is soaked and it would seem that any thoughts of a drought must have vanished with the rain and snow of the last several weeks. But this is an illusion, a magic trick performed by nature. The drought is still here, the water table still perilously low, the snow pack in the mountains dangerously thin. Read More
Eyes that tell a thousand “tails”
Looking into the eyes of an animal at shelter is a heartbreaking experience. Either the sad eyes of an innocent creature shine forth or the feral eyes of a captured savage.
More than 8 million pets end up in shelters per year across the United States, according to The American Humane Association. These animals have not had an easy life. Read More
Umpqua Singers jazzed about performance
In spite of a small crowd, the Umpqua Singers filled Jacoby Auditorium with a jazzy fusion of vocal ecstasy Feb. 6. The Umpqua Singers opened in preparation for Marti Mendenhall and the Moment’s Notice performance. Read More
War Horse gallops onto Centerstage screen
UCC’s theater department in conjunction with London’s National Theater will broadcast the long running Handspring Puppet Company’s production of War Horse Feb. 27 through March 2 on the screen in the Centerstage theater located in the Whipple Fine Arts building. Read More
Dental Van offers free dental care
If you have dental needs and do not have the resources necessary to receive treatment, you have an opportunity to apply for care before noon, Feb. 24. On Thursday, Feb. 27 and March 6, the ASUCC Student Leadership funded Dental Van will arrive at UCC to give dental services to students without insurance who are under 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Read More
Free tuition in Oregon’s future?
The struggles of financial aid and the nightmare of student debt may become a thing of the past.
If the Oregon House and Gov. John Kitzhaber approve SB 1524, all high school graduates may get free community college education. Read More
Black History Month controversy
Black History Month, celebrated in February, is a controversial topic. Some want nothing to do with it or are strongly against it. Others, like Nike, are extremely supportive. Nike specifically designs a Black History Month shoe collection each year.
There are three sides, unless you can think of more. As I see it, there are those who love it, those who hate it, and those who are on the fence Read More
Free dental care coming on Donated Dental Day
Uninsured students and individuals may have an opportunity to get free dental care this Friday, Feb. 7.
Donated Dental Day is coming back for its 13th year in order to provide free care to less privileged individuals who are under 200 percent of the poverty level and meet certain requirements. Read More
New tax law impacts servers
Serving in a restaurant as a waiter or waitress is one of the more common jobs among students. In 2012, more than 2.3 million people worked as servers, making $8.92 per hour. Unfortunately for these workers, the Internal Revenue Service passed a new law in January 2014 that discourages servers from charging service charges and states that service charges are treated as income rather than a tip. Read More
The Hannah and Haley Show
Just how well do you know the people in your life- such as your friends, siblings or significant other? “The Boyfriend/Girlfriend Tag” is a series of question than can be found now on a variety of sources online. This is a great activity to pass time at a restaurant, during a long car ride or while socializing around campus. Read More
Faculty art show final days in Whipple Gallery
The “works x five” art show is in its final days on display in Whipple Fine Arts gallery.
The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read More
Local venues offer Valentine’s entertainment
Six local venues are kicking it up a notch for Valentines Day this year including the Annual father Daughter Dance, Parkview Skating Center, Sandy's Steak House, Brix Chill and Grill, O'Tooles Pub and Splitz Bar and Grill. Read More
Higher education gets a new leader
Oregon’s higher education system will consolidate decision-making power into one commission in a reinvention that aims to curb bloated government bureaucracy.
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission, known as HECC, have a much broader range of powers later this year as HB 3120 recharts the commission’s authority. Read More
Student’s surge protector causes fire
Most people buy surge protectors to keep their home safe, but for UCC Graphic Design major Ginger Johnson, that purchase became the source of a nightmare. The surge protector shorted out, and while she and her family were gone, the fire took nearly everything: pets, pictures, artwork, clothes and decades’ worth of memories. All gone. In less than twenty minutes. Read More
Warming Centers provide safe haven for cold nights
For some college students, their biggest worry is paying for college, but for others, the biggest worry is where to sleep at night. Winter is the hardest time of year for people without homes. However, the Umpqua Valley Warming Center is assisting by providing shelter on nights where the temperature reaches below 30 degrees. Read More
CDC, Health Department encourage precautions to avoid H1N1 virus
You may not be sick yet, but the flu is definitely here.
Currently, 36 states, including Oregon, are reporting widespread outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Oregon alone, at least two are dead and 87 hospitalized due to the H1N1 virus. Read More
Low cost health resources
Knowing when to go to the doctor and how to access low cost resources can help make flu season go a lot smoother and safer.
Even though professional medical attention is recommended during flu season, some very simple and stress free home treatments help alleviate flu symptoms and speed recovery. Read More
Live from London: Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus”
UCC’s Centerstage Theatre begins its 2014 season on Jan. 30 with the live broadcast of London’s National Theatre production of “Coriolanus” by William Shakespeare.
The first showing of Coriolanus at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 30 will be live. The additional showings on Friday and Saturday will be a recording of the live show.
“This production contains strong performances from some of the best people out there working right now. If there is any reason to get out of the wintertime blues and the rain, this is it,” Newman said
“Coriolanus,” a violent clash of ideologies
Just because many of Shakespeare’s words are still part of our everyday language doesn’t mean, however, that most people are familiar with every Shakespearian play. Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus” is relatively unknown.
“Coriolanus” is a Shakespearean tragedy in the same vein as Julius Caesar and King Lear. Read More
Romeo & Juliet, first ever Shakespeare production at UCC
The tragic love story of Romeo & Juliet is coming to Centerstage Feb. 14 through 22. It is the first Shakespeare play to ever be performed at UCC, according to Stephanie Newman, theatre director.
The Feb. 14 opening will include a Valentine’s Day dinner and roses event in the Danny Lang Center. Culinary Arts students will cater Italian cuisine, and Southern Oregon Wine Institute vintages will be available. Guests will be able to enjoy the sunset and the views from the Center before the show. Tickets for this package are $50 per person. Read More
Businesses to shed corporate ethics
The primary goal of for-profit corporations is to maximize profits for shareholders, but with a recently passed Oregon law, some corporations may soon become a whole lot friendlier.
Benefit companies are a new type of limited liability company (LLC) or corporation that operates under a recently passed state law. This law uniquely gives corporations with shareholders the ability to make decisions that consider the impact on society and the environment instead of just profit. Read More
What are you hoping for under your tree?
Since the year’s grand finale is just around the corner, many people are putting the final touches on their Christmas lists or hastily throwing them together. If you’re in the latter group, then here are some gift ideas taken from UCC students and Amazon.com’s lists of most popular gifts. Read More
Students Making Coffee
Working at a coffee stand can be a convenient source of employment for college students because it fits so well with a college student’s schedule. It is important to provide the best product one can while in class and the same thing goes for being a barista, a coffee preparer and server. Read More
Comparing Local Coffee Stops
Many people can tell you the name their favorite coffee, but how do these assumptions hold up to a blind taste test? With the help of a group of very willing volunteers, we put the coffee from the six closest coffee stops through a blind taste test. Read More
Opinion with Alex Ivey: Women take the prize for greater enrollment in higher education
In the study of gender in higher education, one face is very clear — and it is female.
Research continues to support the fact that men attend college less and fail to thrive as well as women. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, men make up about 43 percent of college enrollment. UCC follows this trend with higher enrollment and graduations of women. Read More
Food stamp cuts dished out for the holidays
As the clouds turn dark and rain begins to pour, many underprivileged Oregonians face another cold reality as food stamps nationwide have been reduced just before the holidays. Recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, will feel more hunger pangs this holiday season due to an automatic cut in the program which began Nov. 1. Read More
Art instructor photographs Chernobyl
Susan Rochester, department chair of Fine and Performing Arts visited Ukraine spring 2013 as a part of the UCC team.
Rochester, who was on sabbatical, arrived before the team partly in order to photograph the ghost town of Chernobyl, the site of the 1986 nuclear power plant explosion. The land is still extremely radioactive, and Rochester had to be scanned on the way in and out of the site. She also photographed aspects of Ukrainian culture. Read More
A dogged problem: dogs left in cars
Leaving a dog unattended in a vehicle in hot temperatures is an act that can have serious legal ramifications. “In summer we end up charging people with neglect. Sometimes I have to take animals out of vehicles and I have to charge people.” Deputy Lee Bartholomew of Douglas County Animal Control said. Read More
Employers demanding soft skills
The reason that recent graduates may be finding difficulty in obtaining employment in their field of study is a lack of “soft skills.” Soft skills include written and oral communication, adaptability and managing multiple priorities, making decisions and solving problems, planning, organizing, and working with diverse groups of people and leading teams. Read More
Dental van provides help on campus
The dental van is a relief program that visits the college campus multiple times a year. The dental van offers small procedures such as tooth extractions and fillings for free.
“ASUCC Student Leadership pays $700 to bring the van to campus. On average the van provides $3000 worth of service,” Director of Student Life Marjan Coester said. Read More
Behind The Curtain: “Bus Stop” brings together a diverse cast and crew
Enjoying a night at the theater can be an opportunity to escape the routines of a day. Live theater can blur the lines of reality so well that the audience may sometimes forget that the entertainment delivered is a labor of many individuals who each bring their own unique skill set to the final product.
“Bus Stop” debuts this weekend in the Centerstage Theatre in the Whipple Fine Arts building. The play a dramatic comedy written by William Inge tells the story of a group of travelers forced to seek shelter from a snowstorm in a diner 25 miles outside of Kansas City in the 1950s. Read More
Facebook trend inspires reflection
Several UCC students joined the Facebook trend of counting their blessings during the month of November in honor of Thanksgiving. The trend is to daily post something for which one is thankful.
“I just have to think of something different that I am thankful for every day for 30 days and post each of them as a status on Facebook,” Emilie Smart, a pre-nursing student, said. Read More
Health insurance deadlines still dead silent
All Oregonians who want federally subsidized health insurance, including college students, must enroll with the state-run online health insurance marketplace, Cover Oregon, by Dec. 15 if they want to be covered come Jan. 1, 2014.
The Associated Press reports that approximately 600,000 people are uninsured in Oregon. These residents must have health insurance by March 31, 2014, or they will face a fine unless specific exemption requirements are met. Read More
London’s National Theatre broadcasts come to UCC Centerstage for first time
Frankenstein will be the next London National Theatre broadcast showing in Jacoby Thursday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m., just in time for Halloween.
Theatre director Stephanie Newman has been trying to provide community members with new enriching entertainment options. Read More
Pay it Forward program aims to eliminate college tuition
Future students attending college in Oregon may be lacking one major part of the current higher-education experience: student loans. The Pay it Forward program, unanimously passed by the Oregon House and Senate earlier this year, aims to eliminate the need for taking out expensive school loans. Instead, graduates will pay a percentage out of their paychecks for a period of 20 years, with money funding future student’s tuition. Read More
Government shut down had little effect on UCC
The first half of October marked the third longest government shutdown in America at 16 days, but what does a “government shutdown” mean, and how has it affected students at UCC? Read More
Student Survey: How has the government shutdown affected you or someone you know?
Read how other students respond to this question. Read More
Women’s basketball clothing drive
You don’t need to give the clothes off your back to make a difference. The UCC women’s basketball team is hosting a drive to collect any unwanted clothing and textiles. The intent is to make a big difference in the lives of many people by providing the “Clothes For A Cause” organization with 10,000 pounds of clothing and textiles by Nov. 3. Read More
The $140 million question
A new Oregon state law will grant $140 million to state education, but the $40 million going to higher learning will unlikely reverse tuition costs and has set an unsettling precedent in state politics. Read More