By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Community, Students

Kamilah Mirza/ The Mainstream Council works for more inclusivity on campus The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, or D.E.I., is currently in the beginning stages of work to create and promote a more inclusive and diverse atmosphere on campus. The D.E.I. wants to start a campus-wide dialogue regarding students’ needs related to diversity, equity and inclusion. They are also working on implementing a cultural competency plan for campus in accordance with the Oregon HB 2864 bill and the HECC Equity Lens. 2014-2015 Report In 2015 the Higher Education Coordination Commission (HECC) created a work group to analyze and develop recommendations based on data regarding underrepresentedRead More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Community, Staff, Students

Owen Cherry / The Mainstream Chemistry professor discusses common obstacles and success strategies for chemistry students Joseph Villa, who has a doctorate in analytic/environmental chemistry, has been a chemistry professor at Umpqua Community College since 2014. Villa spent 13 years studying chemistry. Here he shares some of his educational story with insights on how to succeed as a chemistry student. What drew you to study chemistry? Up until the 10th grade I was convinced I was going to be a child psychiatrist. That was what I thought I wanted to do. But in 10th grade I took a biology course with a really great teacher,Read More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Community, Students

Katelyn Buxton/ The Mainstream Study groups enable students to succeed The average college GPA for a math major is 2.90 with only 2.78 for chemistry majors, according to a study done by Kevin Rask of Wake Forest University. For anyone struggling with these subjects, this is not surprising. However, majors and non-majors alike can get help through UCC’s study groups. Study groups are dedicated meetings with an academic coach. While students may meet with the coaches other times, study groups enable students to come together and discuss the subject as a body. Students are often pleased with the results of attending academic coaching. “Study groupsRead More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Community, Entertainment, Events, Sports

Josh Whetzel/ The Mainstream Riverhawks break four game losing streak with win over Cougars UCC’s volleyball team sought retribution Oct. 19 against Clackamas Community College after previously conceding a 3-0 loss to the Cougars. The RiverHawks (17-14, 3-7 NWAC South Region) managed to clinch a win against the Cougars (10-20, 2-8 South) that went to five sets. The win broke their losing streak of the past four games in spite of facing a team that had defeated them in three sets previously. Set scores were 25-14, 22-25, 18-25, 26-24, 15-9. This match earned UCC  their third win in the Northwest Athletic Conference in the SouthRead More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Community, Environmental, Health

Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus has killed 11 people in the United States in 2019 alone. This year has seen an unusual increase in the number of reported cases and deaths. Every year in the United States, there are typically only five to 10 human cases reported, with only 30% of all cases resulting in death. Many survivors experience ongoing neurological problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Eastern Equine Encephalitis, more commonly known as EEE, is a rare cause of brain infections. This should not be confused with the Zika virus, which usually has no symptoms or mild symptoms, and isRead More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Community, Entertainment, Events

Most wedding couples are looking for a venue that is not only elegant but also truly unique. They want their guests to let out a big “Wow!” when walking into the wedding. Loft 753, a new event space in Roseburg, Oregon, is being billed as that type of unique event space. It is located in downtown Roseburg at      753 SE Main Street. During a recent phone interview, event planner and Loft 753 curator Andrew Calvert explained how he got started. “Don Martinez, the owner of the professional center on the site, had the third floor vacated. He didn’t know what he could do with that.Read More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Health

Editor’s note: While reporters do not normally share personal experiences, Kamilah’s own experience with domestic violence helps add depth and insight to her story. A quarter of people living in the U.S. are directly affected by domestic violence, so the probabilities of knowing a person affected by domestic violence are high. “More than 1 in 3 Women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the U.S. (have) experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an in intimate partner in their lifetime,”  according to a survey provided by the CDC. This is not only a national issue; domestic violence affects us here atRead More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Students

Photos: Katelyn / Mainstream Starting in January, students at Oregon’s colleges and universities may begin to get some relief from textbook prices thanks to the passage of House Bill 2213. This is only the most recent in a line of laws enacted to change the way students use textbooks. This bill necessitates that colleges set measurable goals for increasing textbook affordability. Previous bills created a state-level Open Educational Resource librarian position to support the use of OER in Oregon, which was soon followed by House Bill 2871. This bill required community colleges to designate no-cost and low-cost textbook courses. Open educational resources are free teachingRead More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Community, Students

Photo: Silas / Mainstream The cafeteria closure this summer led to some students protesting with a failed petition while others shrugged it off. But the need for a place to sit, relax and study while eating is ongoing. “It was nice place to sit and talk. Good food,” said George Turner, a second year UCC student. Connor, another student, added, “The close was disheartening because it was a place to relax and get food.” Some students decided to stand their ground and rounded up some votes for a petition, which failed to circulate among the entire student body. The petition itself then ultimately failed.  Turner,Read More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Community, Events

Photo: Lisa / Mainstream “My work is a constant outpouring of singular impressions…I give fleeting thoughts as much consideration as monumental ideas”Heather Goodwin The free UCC Art Gallery, located in Whipple, is hosting the exhibit, “Permanent Record” through October 24 featuring Heather Goodwind, a Portland based artist. Susan Rochester, art associate professor, sent out a call for entries to show at the gallery this year. “This is a national announcement that we will have exhibit openings, and artists apply with concepts. We then try to select and schedule exhibits that will relate to and resonate with what is being taught in our classes during aRead More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Sports

UPDATE, 8:30 P.M Oct. 15: Last week, samples were taken from all three floors of the building. Two small storage rooms on the first floor, both of which had been deemed as non-living quarters, tested positive for low levels of lead dust. The rooms have been sealed off and the contractor is working on abatement. After the abatement is complete, the areas will be retested.“Safety for our students is our number one priority,” Dr. Debra Thatcher, UCC’s president, said. “The building’s owner and the contractor on this project have been responsive and cooperative throughout this entire process.”The contractor informed UCC it is not uncommon toRead More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Graduation, Students

Out of a group of 94 eligible UCC students, three have been nominated for the Jacoby Award. The three finalists are Taylor Strickland, Monica Botwinick, and Eric Anderson. The nominees were evaluated by their scholastic achievement, college service such as participating in college events, and community service. To be considered for nomination, students needed to complete at least 72 credits and six terms at UCC, have a GPA above or at 3.5, and have all graduation requirements completed by the end of summer term 2019. After a committee led by Georgann Willis narrowed the choices to three nominees, interviews were held in order to determineRead More →

By:
On:
In: Campus Life, Community, Events

UCC took gold in welding and second and third in the automotive contest during the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference at Camp Withycombe on March 15 to 16 in Clackamas. UCC has been competing in association with SkillsUSA since 1985. Derek Meier took first for gold in the welding category. Ian Fisher is the lead welding instructor for the current 26 students in UCC’s program. In the automotive category, Garrett Wene won second and Kelton Sivola won third. Kevin Mathweg is the automotive instructor for roughly 21 students. “The students need to be at a comprehensive caliber to go to the competition. There areRead More →