Final Article

To Work, Study, or do Both
Alx George
The Commuter

What you probably didn't know about work study: it's flexible, it's a great work experience and applying is easy as one two three. Beverly Gering, director of Financial Aid and Veteren's Affairs (at LBCC), took a break from the books to explain the mystery of how work study works.

To cut it down to size, work study is a program available to students who apply via their FAFA. All you have to do is check the box indicating that you're interested in doing work study. After that, the FAFSA will indicate to financial aid whether or not you would qualify for the program. Gering strongly encourages all students to "fill out their FAFSA early (asap)".

Once you've applied and then (hopefully) been accepted, you need to do a few more easy steps (listed in the How to Completely Apply box) before you can actually start working. Once those are completed and you're situated in your new job, you're all set to go for a term (or several). So where does the flexiblity come in? As you may have seen (in the box) you get to set up when you work and for how long (term wise). Gering explained that the managers (of wherever you work) are happy to work things out with you. After all, "school comes first".

Here's another thing Gering wants students to know about work study: "...it's a great learning experience". Considering you're working like you would at practically any other job, work study provides students with the opportunity to gain  work experience and job skills that they will be able to take with them wherever they go. You will have to perform the duties required of your position as well as exercise skills of being on time (though you probably already do that for your classes), working on a team (with your coworkers)...skills like that which are very valuable.

There's work study in a nutshell: it's a great flexible program that provides a good learning experience and applying is much easier than you probably thought. With the click of a button, you could be on your way to having some of your financial and time management problems solved. Why not give it a shot?

How to Completely Apply:

• click interested box on FAFSA
• wait for an email notification from LBCC
• turn in required documents (W-4, etc)
• wait to be awarded (six to eight weeks)
• check out your award on your SIS account
• go to the Career Center and pick a place to work
• set up your schedule with your manager
• get to work!

Important Websites:

• FAFSA: www.FAFSA.ed.gov
• LBCC: www.linnbenton.edu
• LBCC Financial Aid: www.linnbenton.edu/go/financial-aid

Possible Work Places:

• Courtyard Cafe
• Hot Shot Coffee Cart
• Library
• Student Union
• Learning Center
• Go to the Career Center and check out more

For more info, please either go to www.linnbenton.edu/go/financial-aid or go to the Financail Aid office in Takena Hall on the Albany Campus

Neighborhood Photo Essay

Chris Cochran (left), a sophomore at Philomath High School, looks busy with the register at the Philomath Dairy Queen. Brian Jones (center), plays around on his bike while at the Philomath Skate park. Thomas Garrettson (lower right) age 5, bounces a basketball during a Philomath High School boy's basketball practice.

 

Sport Photo

Jacob Erickson, a sophomore at Philomath High School, prepares to pass or shoot during a Friday after-school practice.

Delayed Summary of Journalism Conference in Wilsonville

Last weekend (Nov. 14) some staff and students from the Commuter (including myself) went to Wilsonville to hear a journalism textbook author  speak about how journalists (particularly those who work for newspapers) can be successful today.

The very first thing he talked about was that there are two things a journalist/newspaper needs to focus on: attracting eyeballs and delivering information as efficiently and effectively as possible. Today, that involves using multimedia (videos, podcasts, etc.). Another thing that may be involved is breaking up a story.

Now this took hours to explain, however I'm pretty sure most people got it. And quite a few were probably excited about incorporating it. And here "it" is: stop writing such long winded stories. Write a few paragraphs, and use other things to tell the story (interview boxes, question and answer boxes, fact boxes, how-to boxes, etc.). SCANDALOUS!!!!

Or is it? Today, most people are incredibly busy, so they rarely have time to sit down and skim the newspaper let alone read it. So how can we (as journalists of any kind) make people want to find time to look at the stuff we're pumping out for them? Attract their eyeballs and efficiently and effectively deliver the information (does this sound familiar?).

Take home message(s):

Go ahead and break up that story
Use multimedia
Take time to make your stuff attractive
And remember: journalism is about the readers, not the journalists.

Legendary Talent at the Hot Shot

Alx George
The Commuter

The Hot Shot Coffee House offers students real world experience.

Upon the creation of Hot Shots, management and worker positions opened up. With the aid of the Hot Shot Talent Grant and work-study positions, students have been running the Hot Shot Coffee Cart for about five years
   
The staff of Hot Shots consists of baristas, who are in a work-study program, and the student manager, who is supported by the Hot Shot Talent Grant. The talent grant presents the opportunity for one business student, with some assistance from staff in the student union building,  to run the coffee cart. Andrew Bowder is the current manager of the coffee cart and receiver of the grant.
   
“It’s a challenge I wanted to take,“ said Bowder.

In the job, Bowder gets to learn general management skills, such as creating proposals, ordering and  purchasing supplies and looking for ways to improve the flow at the coffee cart. He is also always looking for students in the work-study programs to be potential baristas.

“Every term is different,”  Explained Bowder.

What Bowder really wants students and staff to know about the Hot Shot Coffee Cart is that even though coffee service stops at noon, the Hot Shot is still open until about 4 p.m.

“It’s a cool place to meet new friends. This place is a really relaxing place for homework,“ said student Coddie Marshall.

According to Terry Gordier, department secretary for Student Life and Leadership, there used to be a little recreation area where the Hot Shot is currently located. This recreation area had pool tables, games and activities for students to use, all for a small fee that would go back into the school.    
Unfortunately, the funds generated by this student recreation area could not play their part in sustaining LBCC’s activities. So, students in the ASG put their heads together and came up with the idea of changing the recreation area into space for a coffee cart. With that, the Hot Shot Coffee House  was created.

Over time, to make it look more like a coffee house, furniture was added, along with the television and computers that are there now to make it more like a coffee house.
   
“It’s a really just laid-back hangout kind of place," says barista Jamie Butler. "And you don’t have to be into coffee to hang out here. We offer lots of other drinks besides coffee."

Photo Essay Brain Storm

I want to do something called People Behind the Register. I'd take pictures of people at a register (that would be the theme), but from a variety of places (restaurants, stores, etc). I need to make sure to get a variety of people and places. It'd be kind of hard to tell it in a story format, hence why the register is crucial for unifying the subjects.

Photo Critique

Like many others, I've fallen in love with the romantic idea of going to Italy. With that in mind, I searched Google Images for an interesting photo. I found this one and was taken away by the beautiful layering of the buildings (it looks like they're on terraces). I also love the beige/green colors that are constant the main focus of the photo. The water even gives a nice glow to the photo without glaring. As a photojournalist, I have to say that I'm disappointed about the lack of people in the photo. I know there are a few on the bank, but their faces aren't visible. As a tourist, I'd like to see more available pictures of people enjoying Italy rather than looking at pretty scenic photos.

Second Attempt at a "News Photo"

Baristas Michelle Evans and Jamie Butler swiftly and happily prepare coffee at LBCC's Hot Shot Coffee House.

Edited Construction Article

Campus Improvements
Alx George
The Commuter

   
    As construction progresses on the Linn-Benton Community College’s new science building, Madrone Hall, students can look forward to an eco-friendly space for their studies.
    Fred Haynes, dean of Instructional Facilities Planning and co-dean of Science, Engineering & Technology explains that with the roof and ceiling up and the electricity running, the building’s interior is being painted and textured. Next week is the anticipated date to start putting in two elevators. The overall finish date is tentatively expected to be in December.
               “Hopefully it will be ready for student occupancy in January [when winter term begins],” said Haynes.
    However, that’s just phase one of this project. The second phase involves the existing Science and Technology building. Haynes explains that the plans are to “gut” the interior (to remove asbestos) and then make it earthquake safe. The projected start date for this phase is February 2010.
    According to Haynes,  one of the aims of this project is upgrading the science labs, which were originally built in the 1970s. The other aim is to provide more study and work space for students, which includes adding more classrooms.
    As for going green, Haynes let us in on some interesting plans. “We’ll add some things like energy efficient windows and a green roof. This will help LBCC lessen its carbon footprint, which are carbon emissions that contribute to global warming." Haynes also explained that going greener would help LBCC financially.
    Haynes explained that the project will offer modern facilities and will provide study space and access to improved science labs.
    “It also increases LBCC’s ability to reach out to more students in math and science,” Haynes said.

Capturing the Action

Disclaimer: there are no photos to accompany this blog. I'll explain later in this post.


Friday, Nov. 6: One of my friends and I where hanging out on OSU's campus. We were just walking back from Subway when we heard an alarm sounding in a near by building. As we walked, we speculated on what could've happened. While we were guessing and walking, a police car pulled into the area. Shortly after, two fire trucks came onto the scene. My friend and I walked to about a block from his house and parted ways. He went home; I went back to the scene, adjusting my camera as I walked. I got back there and started taking some shots. It was all very nice, except that it was so dark outside and the flashing lights were moving so fast, no matter what setting I was on, it just didn't work out. However, on the bright side, I did have my "action moment". I'll still be on the look out, but each time I've gotten more comfortable diving into the drama.

Different News Photo

Scott Brant safely leans in to sand the panel in preparation for painting the new building additions at LBCC.

Photo Critique

I typed in "running" in the search bar on flikr and this was one of the first photos to show up in the thumbnails. My first response: this is running? I enlarged it, read the caption (blue man running...) and then thought: ok, I kinda see it.

I respect that some people can look at things and see images that other people may not be able to. So I'll try to be fair in my critiquing.

I love the colors. Whether or not they've been painted, photoshoped, or something else, I don't care. They're still amazing. I wish I could see the purple thing (I think it's a flower) in better detail. I know the focus is on the blue shapes, but the purple flower is so beatufil that I think it deserves a bit more attention.

I also like how the person was able to see people in those blue shapes. Like I mentioned before, I respect that. Over all, it's a nice colorful abstract photo.