Review of the Forum Computer Lab at LBCC

Often times, it is easy to overlook some of the less visible services available to LBCC students. Let’s face it, without a bright neon light most things go unnoticed around here.

One thing that went unnoticed for me was the Forum Computer Lab; that was until I desperately tried to complete a battery of projects for a computer science class, and with a broken laptop, I was up a creek without a paddle. 

A fellow classmate gifted me with a bit of invaluable information, as he happened to notice me pacing a hole through the carpeting, waiting for a library computer to free up. That afternoon I had been watching “that guy” finish completing his RPG third level dragon master certification. I practically pulled my hair out while coming to my wit’s end.

My classmate informed me that there is, in fact, a room full of computers complete with a knowledgeable staff capable of answering every single question I might be able to dream up about computers, computer programs, homework assignments, or how the galaxy came to be. Well that last one is not really their department. The point is that I wasn't on my own when I needed help with my computer questions.

" fall term my USB was corrupted due to manufacture error and Lance (One of the lab assistants)b spent a week recovering as much of my USB as he could and saved me from loosing all of my homework." 

Heather Obrien is a Web/Database technology student here at LBCC. she spend a lot of her time here on campus working in the Forum computer lab. She explained to me that the Forum computer lab offers a quite,respectful working environment.    

Ryan Sapp is an AAOT Student at LBCC and he said, “It is a great place to study because there is always a computer open if you need one”

 Tucked away… almost hiding… the Forum Computer Lab is located on the second floor in the oval-shaped section of our school called the Forum Building. Between the Learning Center and the South Santiam building, room F204 is a place where computer magic knows no bounds.

 The Forum Building is more notably home to The Commuter, the Student Leadership Council, and the Hotshot Café. There, on the left side of the second level corridor, like the back ally door of some hotel, is the entrance to the computer lab.

 Drop off your drink by the door and sign in to the computer with your student X number. Sound like any other computer room around campus so far? Don’t worry the Drink Depot and the actual computers are the only similarities to be encountered.

 Leighana Coe, the Forum Computer Lab manager,  said, "the forum lab has actually been part of this school for quite some time." At one point, she was a computer lab aide while attending college herself. In 2008, she was approached by the school about the job and in June of that year took the position.

 “I hear from a lot of students that they didn’t know we were here! I really wish this would be pointed out in Destination Graduation or orientation; especially since we ARE the main computer lab!”

 If you find yourself in the situation where you need a computer or need questions answered regarding computer issues, head over to the Forum Computer Lab. There you will be able to complete your assignments, be it for a computer science class or a communication paper that you can’t seem to get the margins right on.  The Forum Computer Lab is for all LBCC students; get in there and get your learn on!

At a glance :

What : Review of the forum computer lab at Linn-Benton Community College.

Contact: Leighana Coe

Did you know: The forum Computer Lab is open Monday-Thursday 8am to 9pm, Fridays 8am to 9pm from noon until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. 

Alert, conservative activist group on campus

 Students from the LB sponsored club Students for Life conducted conversations while canvasing  the Learning Center expressing their views on pro-life issues. The topics included abortion, possibles alternative to abortion and less know facts regarding abortion.

 The group introduced themselves with vigor as the Students for Life Club Each time they approached a table in the Learning Center. As the first of these conversations came to a close, the group handedout some fliers and invited the small group of students they had been talking with to their weekly meeting. 

 Stunned students at the table continued having a conversation about abortion as the group of activists advanced to the next unsuspecting table.

Like a well-oiled machine, the group casually fired up and quickly got to work. The group began explaining their views on the topics of pro-life and anti-abortion and not so much as flinch phased any of the group members while shocked looks replaced the at first skeptical expressions on the students. Handing out more of their fliers, the group left the table to and continued on their path.

“I grew up in a Christian, pro-life home, but abortion was never really discussed in length, and I never really thought about it beyond 'abortion kills a baby and it's wrong.' When I went to D.C. for the SFLA [Students for Life of America]http://studentsforlife.org/about-us/ conference and Walk for Life in 2012 Bowser said, “it opened my eyes to how huge the issue really is".

 “Students for Life started in 2012 after I returned from Washington D.C. I came home with a new-found passion for pro-life activism, and I set out to start the club. I soon found that I wasn't the only one who was interested in starting a pro-life club, and many faithful members began to join in.”

Rebecca Long, One of the groups outspoken group members said, “We started the group on campus because we were all passionate about providing help to women in need as well as defending life from beginning to end. Starting a club on campus was a great way to take what we were passionate about and do something about it in our daily lives as students at LBCC.”

 At the group's most recent weekly meeting, there was a crackling of excitement among the group’s different members about an award they earned. The "Club of the Month Award” is given out to different school groups around the country by the SFLA, which has been instrumental in the club’s creation.

Long explained, “The Club of the Month award is an award that is given to the club that demonstrates the utmost commitment to defending women and their unborn children.”

Lang provided a description of what the award represents.

At the weekly meeting, with standing room only, the large group barely crammed into one of the conference rooms located in the LBCC Library. The club worked through their agenda with ease, in part to a well-organized formal agenda. The meeting had not only group members in attendance, but faculty members and political representatives as well. The group systematically discussed both current events and upcoming events that the group has involvement in. Members collectively exchanged ideas about new tactics and concepts in an effort to become more effective.

Vikki Maurer is this club’s sponsor, as well as the Learning Center Coordinator and mathematics instructor here at LBCC. During an interview, Maurer quickly expressed her confidence in the group by saying, “It is an honor for me to be the adviser for this group. These are exceptional students who have a deep respect for life. They are caring, respectful, polite, enthusiastic and hard working.”. Maurer made time in her schedule to be interviewed further via email regarding her support for the school sponsored club. Maurer expressed that the group is very active on campus and in the community at large by saying.

“The group is focused on education and supporting students who find themselves pregnant by making sure they are aware of resources. and that " the Students for Life have reinforced the idea that at the college level we can have respectful conversations about issues, even if we do not agree."

“We have hosted many campus wide demonstrations and displays this past year some of which include our 'What Has Roe Done for Us?' Display where we showed the effects that legal abortion has had on our country, our 'Post Abortive Panel of women' testimonies and questionnaire, our 'Planned Parenthood' display where we showed who really benefits from abortions, and our 'cemetery of the innocent' display, memorializing the children we have lost to the abortion industry.”

Lang said, “Be on the lookout for our group in the coming months! We plan on hosting a twice weekly table in the courtyard where pregnant women on campus can find out what resources LBCC provides pregnant and single mothers who are trying to earn an education!”

At a glance

Who: The student club called "Students for life"

What: A pro-life conservative activist group. 

Leaders: Steven Bowser 

Club Sponsor: Vikkie Mauere

Contact info: LinnBentonStudentsforLife@gmail.com

First Attempt at Story

Students for Life started in 2012.

I cant wait to introduce one of the most active groups of people here at school. It is amazing the amount of information i have been able to procure in just a few days. 

Can students make a difference? This group of young adults has not stopped to think about it, as they continue steaming ahead on their mission to in their presidents words " Help people to know that we are here to offer information, resources, and understanding to anyone who is in need or is interested in life issues like abortion."

LinnBentonStudentsforLife@gmail.com

r.langfish@gmail.com

The Facebook page is Linn Benton Students for Life

   

feel free to drop a line if you can think of anything you would like me to consider.