Women's Program Newsletter

Fall 2001

Women’s Program Receives National Award

The Women’s Program had a great year during 2001.  Last Spring term, we received recognition as a national model program, and in early summer, we moved the Women’s Program into Lane’s new Student Services building, which vastly improved our workspaces and student lounge. 

The work of the Women’s Program was recognized by receiving a 2001 Model Program Award from the American Association of Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC).  This award gives recognition to the work of all of the Women’s Program staff at Lane.  Kate Barry, Women’s Program Director, accepted the award on behalf of the college at the AAWCC Annual Convention in Chicago in April 2001.  Barry credited the exceptional work of the Women’s Program staff in providing model services and opportunities for women students at Lane, and also thanked then Vice President Mary Spilde for her support of programs and services for women (Spilde is now President of Lane).   “This award is particularly meaningful for us,” Barry stated, “as it comes from an organization which is itself dedicated to furthering women’s leadership.”

Then, in mid-June, we moved out of our old location in the Center Building in the middle of campus, and into space on the second floor of the brand new Student Services Building.  The new building is considered to be the “front door” of Lane’s 30th Avenue campus and is located on the west side of campus, near the new LTD bus stop.  We’re extremely proud of our new space, especially given where we started so many years ago.

New digs for Student Services!

For over 25 years, the Women’s Program has been dedicated to providing a supportive environment where women can pursue education and life goals.  The program began in 1975 in space hardly larger than a custodial closet; in fact, legend has it that it was a custodial closet.  We have grown from a small space with a couple of staff, to a program which now includes a Women’s Center, a very successful Transitions program, activities where women and girls can explore nontraditional careers, mentorship programs, and the sponsoring of workshops, conferences, and other special events.   Now we have space which can accommodate our many activities.  Instead of a tiny lounge area, we have room for students to study, use our two computer stations, gather for films or discussions, or just hang out between classes.  The separation of space makes it easy for students to receive services or get information and resources in one area of the Women’s Center, while gathering for casual social interaction in another.  Students also benefit greatly from the new proximity of all Student Services areas to one another.  Current or prospective students can go to StudentsFirst!, Counseling, Testing, the Women’s Center, the Multicultural Center, Disability Services, the TRIO Program and others, all in the same building.   In this way, students’ multiple needs can be conveniently met under one roof. 

We’d like to cordially invite everyone to visit us in our new home, as we continue to provide a space within which women are supported in making their lives better.  Now more than ever, this is extremely important work to do. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

WOMEN STARTING COLLEGE WORKSHOPS
Tuesday, Nov. 20, 6-7:30 pm
Fri, Nov. 30, 10 am – noon
Thurs, Dec. 6, 6:00-7:30 pm
Bldg. 1, Room 212

Free workshops are scheduled for women who are anxious or unsure about starting school, and balancing school, family and work. Women learn how to get started, find support, and use resources.  For information or to pre-register, call the Women’s Center at 463-5353.

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP
Tues,  Dec. 4, 10:00–11:00 am  --  Bldg. 1,  Room 212

Calling all women who may need help in completing their FAFSA forms: the Women’s Program and the Financial Aid Office are offering free FA Workshops. These are “drop-in” workshops and will be offered once each month.    For more information, call the Women’s Center at 463-5353.

TRANSITIONS TO SUCCESS ORIENTATIONS
Every Tuesday, 1:30 pm & 6:30 pm
Every Wednesday, noon (through November)
Bldg. 1,  Room 212 (except Thanksgiving week)

For women who are interested in learning more about Transitions to Success, and for women who already know they want to enroll in TTS. These Orientation Sessions provide needed information and application procedures for women to enroll in the Transitions to Success program. Sessions are limited, so call the Women’s Center at 463-5353 and reserve a spot in the next session.

Brown Bag
BROWN BAG TALKS are sponsored by the Women’s Program to provide information on a diverse range of topics. These talks are free to everyone and are held in the Board Room of the Administration Building (Bldg. 2) on the main campus. For further information, please call 463-5796. Bring a lunch and join us for the following discussion:

• FEMINISM AND ACTIVISM
  Tuesday, November 27, 11:30-1:00
  Boardroom, Admin. Bldg., main campus
  A panel of local activists will talk about how they put feminist theory into action on a variety of issues ranging from local to global in scale.  They will share slides and information about the leadership role of women in social change movements.  Join us for this exciting presentation.  Call Patsy at 463-5352 for more information.

Transitions to Success Graduation
December 13, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Cafeteria, Main Campus

The Transitions to Success program will hold its graduation ceremony for the three fall term TTS classes on December 13. This fun, inspiring event offers friends and family the opportunity to join the graduating Transitions students in celebrating their accomplishments and goals.  Everyone is welcome. 

Soroptimist Foundation Scholarship

Applications due by Dec. 15

Soroptimist International sponsors Women’s Opportunity Awards each year.  Candidates should be heads of household completing undergraduate programs, or entering vocational or technical training programs.  Local award winners become eligible to receive regional awards, and regional award winners become eligible to receive a $10,000 international finalists award. Awards applications are available in the Women’s Center, Building 1 (Student Services) Room 202, and the application deadline is December 15.  For more information, call the Women’s Center at 463-5353.

“Follow-up data on the effectiveness of Transitions to Success has indicated that a proportion of women graduating from the program feel a strong need for an advanced Life Transitions class …”

New! Transitions to Success II
Life Transitions II, a new three credit class designed by lead instructor Cara DiMarco, is full of Transitions graduates this fall. 

Follow-up data on the effectiveness of Transitions To Success has indicated that a proportion of women graduating from the program feel a strong need for an advanced Life Transitions class during their second term in school.  This class offers additional personal, academic and career survival skills as women transition into college.  Students are examining ways to learn from change, explore new patterns, evaluate strengths and limitations, strengthen resiliency and self-efficacy, and much more.

Kristen Hunt is the instructor for this new fall term class.  Kristen is not new to Transitions, as she has been a discussion group facilitator for TTS for the past 3 years.

Life Transitions II is offered this fall term only due to funding constraints

Social Security & Medicare
‘TIL DIVORCE DO US PART? A person may be eligible for widow’s/widower’s benefits even if the former spouse died after the divorce. To be eligible you must have been married at least 10 years, be at least 60 years old (50 if disabled), and be entitled to a smaller benefit on your own than the benefit based on your ex-spouse’s would have been. (You would get the larger of the two benefits, not both.) The catch: You must be currently single unless you remarried after age 60.
For more information go to the new Social Security Web page for women, www.ssa.gov/women or call 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778).

Women in Information Technology
The WIT group meets twice a term during the school year to provide personal networking and support to women in the CIT and Electronics Programs. Women who are currently enrolled in classes or who are considering careers in technology related fields are invited to attend. For more information, contact Donna “LaRosa” Rose in the Women’s Program, 463-5722 or Mari Good, CIT Program, ext. 2838.

CONGRATULATIONS!
The Women's Program would like to congratulate our scholarship recipients for 2001/2002.  Quenby Ravenwood was awarded the $500 Paschelke Scholarship, and Jennifer Jeffries was awarded the $500 Barr/Kaib Scholarship.  The Women's Program has been offering these two scholarships for the past several years.  In addition, this year marked the first year we were able to award the new Velma Reetz scholarship for Junction City residents.  This new scholarship for $1,000 was awarded to Tamera McClaughry.  Congratulations to all three recipients!

Women’s Center hosts video series
In response to the current political crisis, the Women’s Center hosted a series of four videos during October and early November which focused on Muslim and Middle Eastern women.  These four excellent videos included: A State of Danger, a BBC documentary on the Intifada focusing on Palestinian and Israeli peace activists; Four Women of Egypt, which explores opposing religious, social and political views in contemporary Egypt through the friendships of four very different Egyptian women; My Home, My Prison, based on the autobiography of Palestianian peace activist and journalist Raymonda Hawa Tawil, and My Journey, My Islam, a look at the lives of Muslim women living in the West.  It seems increasingly important to look at ways in which women are involved in peacemaking and social justice activities around the world.

WOMEN’S CENTER HOURS - Fall 2001
Fall:
Monday, 8 am - 3 pm & 4 - 6:pm
Tuesday, 8 am - 6:30 pm
Wednesday, 8 am - 5 pm
Thursday, 8 am - 6:30 pm
Friday, 8 am - 4 pm

The Women’s Center is a resource and referral center available to campus and community members. For more information about the services available, contact the Women’s Center at 463-5353 or come by Building 1 (Students Services Bldg.) room 202, Main Campus and see our new “digs!”

FALL 2001 CALENDAR
Tuesday, Nov. 27 --  11:30 - 1:00 p.m.-- Brown Bag: Feminism and Activism

Tuesday, Nov. 20 --  6:00 - 7:30 p.m.  --  Women Starting College Workshops
Friday, Nov. 30   10:00 a.m. – noon     --  Women Starting College Workshops
Thursday, Dec. 6,    6:00 -7:30 p.m.     --  Women Starting College Workshops 

Tuesday, Dec. 4  -- 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. --  Financial Aid Workshop

Thursday, Dec. 13 -- 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. -- TTS Graduation – Cafeteria, Main Campus

Friday, Dec. 14 --  by 4:00 p.m. -- Soroptimist Scholarship deadline

For more information about any of these events, contact the Women's Center at 463-5353 or drop by our new space in Building 1 (Students Services) room 202, Main Campus.

WOMEN’S PROGRAM STAFF

• Kate Barry - Program Director
• Patsy Raney - Administrative Specialist
• Jill Bradley - Women’s Center Coordinator
• Charleen Maclean - Transitions Coordinator
• Cara DiMarco - Transitions Instructor/Counselor
• Marge Barnhart - Transitions Advisor
• Sharon Braaten - Transitions Office Specialist
• Linda Gonzalves - Transitions Instructor
• Debora Landforce - Transitions Instructor
• Kristin Hunt - Transitions II Instructor
• Donna (LaRosa) Rose - ACCESS Advisor

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