Measure 91: Yes or No

Stop the war on drugs! Repeal prohibition, break the grip of cartels and gangs, and manage through regulation.

On Oct. 21, LBCC hosted a forum with guest speaker, LEAP volunteer, Inge Fryklund. LEAP stands for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Fryklund brought her knowledge on Measure 91. If approved on the Nov. 4 election day recreational marijuana would be legalized for people ages 21 and older.

Legalizing marijuana would eliminate the unnecessary convictions and free up the jails and prisons for more severe cases and criminals. There are at least 12,000 arrests and citations for marijuana each year across Oregon counties. While preventing the illegal use of marijuana is a necessity, so is preventing crimes in neighborhoods. Freeing up police officers to serve and protect neighborhoods would reduce car thefts and robbery.

After a conviction it remains on your name. A drug conviction makes it difficult for people to gain employment. Not being able to gain employment only hinders the person searching for work. Employers want an employee whose background checks out and shows that the potential person is responsible. Having a misdemeanor can even affect your possibility of finding work.

"Treat addiction, never get over a conviction," said Fryklund.

“Today in Oregon, kids are buying readily available marijuana from unknown, unregulated sources,” said Fryklund. She wrote this in an article from The Bulletin. This is becoming an increasingly popular with newer generations of teens. Marijuana has become so easily accessible that parents can’t control what their children are doing these days. Not knowing what ingredients are in a substance can cause major effects. Some may even lose their own lives.

The purpose of LEAP to better inform the community. It is also to allow regulation on the things we put into our bodies on a daily basis. Without regulation who knows what the future will hold for a youth.

“Measure 91 establishes regulatory framework. Vote Yes on 91,” said Fryklund.

There are several ways to become involved with LEAP. You can sign on to LEAP’s email list, like them on Facebook, follow on Twitter, check them out on YouTube, become a supporting member, or simply volunteer.

Fee-less Print

LBCC uses the Pay4Print software in labs, the library and the Learning Center. The cost of the software is roughly $25,000 with an additional maintenance fee of $2,000 a year. This doesn’t include the staffing fees related to the software.

Pay4Print was first introduced to LBCC approximately seven years ago. The reason for the implementation of the software was to stop students from abusing resources such as paper and toner and to cut back on printer service. Staff had noticed students were printing documents that weren’t course-related papers.

The first two weeks of fall term 2013 totaled 18,680 printed pages. In the first two weeks of fall term of 2014 printed pages totaled 33,252. This term, the fee for printing was lifted and printing has doubled.

“Students are burning through paper,” said Michael Quiner, chief information officer.

The software provider, Heartland Payment Systems, has decreased the amount of system updates needed to keep the system current. LBCC has yet to look at today's software alternatives.

“Pay4Print is cumbersome and difficult to use,” said Quiner.

The print usage on campus isn’t being monitored completely; however, staff are encouraging students to use other forms of submitting assignments such as email, thumb drives, USB, and Moodle.

If students can monitor their own usage, the Pay4Print software will no longer be necessary on campus. Located with student used printers is information regarding the “fee-less” printing instructions.

The elimination of the Pay4Print software will save money that could then be used for other departments on campus.

"Our concerns relate to sustainability and improving the experience of our students," said Russell Rinker, manager of network systems. “The college is paying for printing supplies and absorbing fees.”

According to the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA), each person in the United States uses about 749 pounds of paper each year. That equates to two pounds of paper a day. There are over 6,000 students on campus this term.

Using recycled paper would be ideal. However, the printers on campus become jammed when using 100 percent recycled paper. This unfortunate fact limits what paper products are available to LBCC.

“I refill paper and toner everyday,” said Jacqui Winkler, library aide.

LBCC administration will continue to monitor printer usage and will make a decision by December of this year.

While the term progresses and “fee-less” printing continues, students should try to be more aware of their print usage. Paying attention to the formatting and print preview before finalizing the print process will eliminate excessive pages printing.

If students can prove to administration that they can use the “fee-less” print appropriately, then the Pay4Print system will be potentially eliminated and we will no longer be paying out of pocket to print.

Feeling well on the Wellness Trail

Pine needles on the Wellness Trail.
Photograph by Melissa Jeffers

If you're feeling bogged down, overwhelmed with your classes, or just need a break then LBCC has a solution for you.

For the first time ever at the Albany campus there will be a recreational group meeting twice a week at the Wellness Trail. On Sept. 30 the debut of the LB Roadrunners activity group dawned a new era of healthiness on campus as they announced their plans to meet weekly.

Leslie Hammond, associate dean of liberal arts, will meet every Tuesday and Thursday at noon behind the Activities Center with LB Roadrunners to enjoy some healthy living as they walk or run together.

There is no fee or sign up sheet to join. All you have to do is show up and enjoy a walk or run with a friendly face.

“I like being able to run for miles and miles,” said Hammond.

Students are constantly in their books, studying, and staring at computer screens instead of getting the exercise that they need. The Department of Health and Human Services recommend that healthy adults should spend 150 minutes a week practicing moderate aerobic activity.

“I run for enjoyment and health,” said LB RoadRunner Josh Carper.

The Wellness Trail originated from the need of track and cross country runners to have a softer place to practice and train. Initially made with a layer of bark dust, the trail didn't hold up to the elements well. The Wellness Committee kickstarted the transformation of the trail to what we have today. Money for improvements came from fundraisers and Track and Field donations.

Leslie Hammond takes a noon job on
the Wellness Trail.
Photograph by Melissa Jeffers

The Wellness Trail has two loops to utilize. By walking or running the entire figure eight, users will have gone one mile. Walk or run the smaller trail and you will have completed half a mile.

Along with the Wellness Committee, fundraisers, and donations there were people who helped with the physical labor of the rebuild. Brad Carman, a physical education instructor, was one of the people responsible for construction of the trail. He helped excavate the former trail and lay the new material down.

“The track and Wellness Trail have been convenient resources for our campus community for years. I hope many of you will be able to take advantage of those areas for exercise or as a place to go for a break and fresh air,” said Carman.

No matter your fitness level LB Roadrunners can move at your pace. Take 30 minutes twice a week out of your schedule to walk or run for your health. If noon doesn’t fit into your schedule there is also a walk or run at 1 p.m.

For questions regarding the LB Roadrunners Wellness Trail walk or run...

Contact: Leslie Hammond, Associate Dean of Liberal Arts

Phone: (541) 917-4911

Office: SSH 101

Email: hammondl@linnbenton.edu