Proposed Bond for LBCC: Is $34 Million Too Much?

Next month Linn and Benton county residents will be asked to cast their vote on Measure 22-130, requesting taxpayers to foot the bill for vast improvements to four campuses in the LBCC network.

Proposed plans to use the $34 million are expected to not only increase the number of students able to enroll in particular programs, but will also offer more courses in programs already in place.

The Benton Center is set to receive $8 million for expansion of parking and classroom space. The Advanced Transportation Technology Center (ATTC) will get $2 million for additional shop and classroom space, relocating the entire program. The Samaritan Health Systems Campus in Lebanon will aquire a $8.05 million building to accommodate lab and classroom for all healthcare occupations students.

With the transfer of healthcare and ATTC students, the Albany campus will get $12 million to renovate and modernize nearly 200,000 sq. ft. of previously occupied space.

Of the 20,000 enrolled students on all campuses in 2015/16, over 16,000 are Linn and Benton County residents.

The Student Leadership Council (SLC) and the Oregon Student Foundation (OSF) ran a campaign in 2014 with a goal to register 3,000 students to vote in preparation for the November midterm elections. After three terms of combined effort, they exceeded their goal registering over 4,000 students.

With emphasis on Measure 86 appearing on the Oregon ballot allowing the state a certain debt to provide funds to post secondary education students, and locally, Measure 22-130 to decide the fate of the proposed $34 million bond; LBCC student advocates raised awareness on the importance of young people voting.

This term 100 students were polled presenting the question: Is $34 million too much for LBCC to ask from the community? The level of information students had on the exact usage of the proposed bond varied, however nearly a quarter of those asked felt it was indeed too much.

"The taxes are already high for property tax payers, so I don't know if that's the best way to go about it," said student and homeowner Kelly Stoner.

If passed, the bond will not change the payments currently made by homeowners. As bond rates are now, it's designed to maintain the same rate per thousand at .18 cents. Taxpayers will contribute to the proposed $34 million bond until 2032.

Other students were on the fence considering what is already available at LBCC.

"It might be a little too much to ask, but it might be a worthwhile investment if we can open up the opportunity for more classes and the opportunity for people to get better jobs," said student Sarah Tunstill.

When healthcare occupations students and automotive students move from the Albany campus, the ability to refocus on growing programs to benefit the community can then be assessed.

"We've had a lot of backing from area businesses looking for trained employees, so it will give us space for some specific needs," said Dale Stowell, executive director of college advancement.

Other students didn't hesitate by saying the funds for improving education were a need and not a "want" for LBCC.

"This is probably one of the better schools I've been to and I've been impressed with the instructors and the quality of education," said student Jordan Clay. "It's really good for the community and I highly support the funding of education."

If the bond is passed, payments from taxpayers will not start until those from the bond passed in 2000 for $19 million have completed in 2016.

"It's structured so that payments never stack on top of each other, one is paid off and another begins," said Stowell.

The Birdhouse Project: Visual Art on LBCC Campus

The courtyard will soon be home to birdhouses.

This November, students will see the introduction of five hand-crafted poetry birdhouses that have each been transformed with artistic approaches of paint, ceramics, metal, or collage. Each will have a poem inscribed inside.

"This is a marriage of visual arts and poetry. We would hope the addition of artwork would really bring joy to people," said Victoria Fridley, AART chair.

The Arts and Aesthetics Resource Team (AART) is comprised of LBCC staff and faculty committed to promoting art and improving the aesthetics on campus. Working with the Corvallis Arts Center and the LBCC Foundation, Fridley, along with Chair of New Art M'Liss Runyon, succeeded in organizing the "poetry birdhouse" project on campus.

The Linn County Cultural Coalition, funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust, recently granted the college $2,800 fund the project.

Corvallis carpenter Tom Olson was commissioned to build the cedar birdhouses, each one unique and with a functioning door. Five local artists were selected to adorn the birdhouses. Five poems, one of which will be written by a LBCC poetry club member, will be added inside each house. Their metal poles were produced by the LBCC Welding Club.

"We really want to strengthen the sense of community here," said Fridley, "We have student clubs involved and that was very important."

Although the birdhouses may never house a bird, there will be resident writing journals in each. Designed to be interactive with students, a page from a journal can be used by those inspired to write in response to what they see or read.

"They can respond back with a note and then shut the door," said Runyon. “I would love to have people enjoy the houses in multiple ways.”

LBCC already has a plentiful and growing collection of art.

The birdhouse project is one piece of an overall effort to highlight art displayed on campus. This term, pamphlets were displayed around campus guiding an art walk where students can view the campus collection.

"It's not like we're going to finish this project and it's done—it’s the tip of the iceberg," said Runyon.

North Santiam Hall has been transformed by a donation from Bill and Jane Siebler who purchased artwork for LBCC from local artist Earl Newman. The creation of the mapped tour is part of AART's future aspirations to receive more grant money for expansion.

"We have a lot of concrete so I started thinking of a 10-year plan to work in the beauty, not only in, but outside the buildings," said Runyon.

The goal of selection includes both Albany and Corvallis artists and poets. The call for submissions will go out to both communities in the near future.

For inquires contact Victoria Fridley at fridlev@linnbenton.edu.

Hinduism: "Being" Brahman, Atman and Moksha

To be immanent something is inherent, inseparable, existing or operating within. Related to theories of the Devine, in this context, the word suggests that it can be found in the material world. Transcendent would be considered the opposite of immanent, something beyond the material world that exists outside of what’s considered a human experience. In relation to Devine, it may suggest that it sets itself apart from limitations of our world, beyond physical laws, and potentially beyond comprehension. While immanent suggests the Devine is always present and accessible in the material world, transcendent is a state of being where one is independent of limitations. It can be achieved through prayer, ritual or meditation.

The goal of classical Hinduism is to achieve Moksha, liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth (Samsara). The idea is that no matter the good you do in this life you will ultimately die. With any good you do there will always be bad, but hopefully your karma, or cosmic bank account, will help an individual achieve Moksha, even if over several lifetimes. Perfecting dharma during your lifetime (i.e. living a “correct” life though ethics, ritual, class and time period) will help make order in the universe possible. Comparing immanent and transcendent to the goals of Hinduism makes sense. Dharma is something you can achieve in the material world, immanent, because the concept is based on behaviors found in the material world. Moksha is something you may not achieve in one particular life therefore it can be transcendent. To quote Chandogya Upanishad, “All these creatures here, once they have emerged into Being do not know they have emerged into Being. Whatever they are in this world, whether tiger or lion, wolf or boar, worm or moth, gnat or fly, that they become again.”

Brahman is overall function of the universe and everything in it. Brahman gives life but is not a person. It didn’t necessarily create the universe but has all the wisdom of “god”. It cannot be exactly defined or have a specified beginning. Brahman can be described as “sat-cit-ananda” the highest reality (being, conscious, bliss). It transcends earthly being. Atman is more localized than Brahman and could be considered the essence of each human, or their soul. Atman is your true self. To quote Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, “He looked around, saw nothing but Himself. The first thing he said was, ‘It is I,’ hence I became His name. Therefore even now if you ask a man who he is, he first says, ‘It is I’, and gives what other name he has.” Realizing your “self” and how you connect with everything will help you evolve in your next life reincarnated, an important idea in Upanishad. Realizing your Atman leads to Brahman which leads to Moksha. Atman is immanent in this lifetime.

As it's written in Isa Upanishad, “Into deep darkness fall those who worship only the immanent in the body, and to greater darkness fall those who worship only transcendent spirit,” it is suggesting that you cannot have one without the other. You can’t simply worship your “self” if you don’t understand where your “self” came from, who it is, what it is, where it is going. You can’t worship Brahman if you don’t worship your “self”, as Atman leads to Brahman. They are symbiotic. For example, “Without knowledge, drops into a pit of darkness, as do those who only follow Knowledge without wise action.” This verse is comparing “knowledge” as Atman and “Knowledge” as Brahman. The action refers to the yogas, or religious disciplines you practice. The yogas you practice in your lifetime, “Overcomes even death and with this understanding reaches the level beyond time into immortality.” In the highest state of oneness there is no difference between you and god thus you cannot achieve without worshiping both.

LBCC: To Vote or Not to Vote, That is the Question

There are seven universities and 17 community colleges in Oregon—that’s a lot of students.

This November, Oregonians will cast their votes on 2014 general election ballot measures. Since 1996 an average of 12 measures have appeared on the Oregon ballot, this year being below average with only seven.

Decisions will be made on judicial authorities and elections, immigration laws, civil rights, legalization of marijuana, and labeling of genetically modified foodstuffs (GMOs). Most important for students to pay attention to is Measure 86; amending the constitution to require legislation to create funds for Oregonians pursuing post-secondary education.

Additionally, on the Linn and Benton county ballots will be a decision of the proposed $34 million bond for LBCC (as discussed in last week’s edition) used for renovations and expansions of LBCC campuses and programs.

This month, over 100 LBCC students were asked if they will be casting their vote. Of those asked, 33 percent said they do not intend on voting.

Of those students not voting, 85 percent that said they will not be voting because "it doesn't affect me." The majority of the rest said they choose not to vote because they "don't know enough."

If Measure 86 is passed, the state will be allowed to create a certain debt with extended credit to college students, including those in technical, professional, and career training programs.

LBCC has nearly 100 programs to offer roughly 7,000 enrolled students.

A two-year program at LBCC costs the average state resident around $9,000, not including books and student fees. For many students cost matters and assistance to pay for school could make a difference between completion and withdrawal.

In 2015 tuition at LBCC will increase adding more financial responsibility on students. If Measure 86 does not pass, students will not have access to an exclusive fund set aside by the state to assist in the cost of tuition.

Here are a few responses from students and their reasons to vote or not to vote.

"I feel like as a member of community I should voice my opinion and be an active member."

- Brianna Anderson

"I believe in being politically active. Obviously how the country is now run is not my perfect ideal and the difference I can make is to do something."

- Anika Hall

" I haven't yet (voted) and it's kind of a scary thought. It's a big decision."

- Ethan Taylor

"I feel like voting is how I will make a difference in the world and most of the people in charge are stuck in the past."

- Jessica Drexler

"I joined the military and it's a right I joined to protect; freedom."

- Daniel Pace

"I'm not informed and if you're not informed you can't make a decision. The media presents to you whatever they want to. They twist things so you get lies anyways."

-Veronica Perez

"I feel like everyone has a right to vote and it's better to use that right."

-Ali Knox

"I've registered, I just haven't learned a lot and don't want to just blindly vote."

- Rachael Choquette

Free Money: Scholarships at LBCC

School can be expensive!

This Wednesday and Thursday is a free scholarship workshop for all students interested in money to help pay for school. No registration to the workshop is necessary. It will be held in the Calapooia Center room 203 from noon to 1 p.m. both days.

"Anyone can come, bring your lunch and stay as long as you want," said Sharon Wall of the financial aid office.

Wall, in a joint effort with the LBCC Foundation, is organizing the event to help guide students through the process of finding available scholarships, filling out applications, collecting required documents, and to caution of common preventable mistakes that can lead to a denied application.

"We hope to make a difference in the number of applications we receive," said Wall.

Students will get help with how to look in the scholarship database for one best suited for you, inform of where the money comes from, and to discuss conflicts scholarships may or may not have with preexisting financial aid.

The terms of the scholarships and those who qualify for them can vary. Some have age requirements, some require a certain declared major, some require you to reside in a particular county, or some may be based on future goals you outline in an essay.

The workshop will help you learn where to look for one you can claim. Each year scholarships go unclaimed, the money is there, you just need to find it.

This term, the deadline to turn in applications is Oct. 24 at 5 p.m.

At that point, a committee will look at potential applicants who submitted complete paperwork. The decision process will take roughly a month to hear back your results.

"The committee reads everything so neatness counts. You want your best presentation," said Wall.

If you are rewarded a scholarship you will be eligible to receive the money at the start of winter term.

Here are a few tips to prepare yourself for the application process.

If you are a recent high school graduate, you will need to provide a transcript to establish your GPA. It's also helpful to show involvement in any activities such as sports, student government, or community projects. They can benefit your eligibility.

Everyone should prepare two letters of recommendation. They should not be from a parent as it will result in a denied application. They need to be someone on a professional level such as a teacher, coach or employer.