A Reminder to Take Time for Yourself
OTTER FACT: River otters can close their nostrils and remain underwater for more than eight minutes at a time.
Good morning Otters!
It’s that time of the quarter again. Though not all of us, a good chunk of the scholars at South are either studying or recovering from a rough week of midterm exams.
This is why I stress the importance of taking time for yourself now and then. It can be a very draining time, and not taking a break could be very detrimental to your health. Which is why I invite you all to this week’s newsletter with open arms. Relax, sit back, and enjoy this week’s updates with a special treat in the form of a short story for this week’s student section.
Don’t let this be the only time you allow yourself to relax however, I encourage you all to at least add a small walk or a 20-minute reading session to your schedule. I promise it is worth it.
Happy studying Otters!
Student Section: “My school is haunted” by Ashwak Samatar.
My school is haunted.
A simple yet terrifying fact that I discovered late at night after practice one day.
I had just finished locking up at the request of our coach who left early that day. It was empty and dark, the sun having set already and my teammates on their way home. I didn’t mind the emptiness, and enjoyed the night breeze I felt coming in from the windows before closing them.
It was pretty standard up until that point, walking down the hall and entering the cafeteria. It was only as I turned toward the exit that I felt something off. The hair on the back of my neck and arms rose, and I suddenly went still.
It felt like I was being watched.
The unfamiliar feeling of a set of eyes piercing into you so late at night, and the horrifying realization that the person behind those set of eyes was silent and still in the shadows cast by the moonlight.
It was a terrifying feeling that I ignored as I started toward the door. Though I tried to mimic being nonchalant, I was anything but. My quickened pace proved just as much.
It’s probably nothing, I assured myself. My horror movie obsession is just finally getting to me.
The thought only put more frightening images in my head, and my feet worked even faster.
I’m almost there.
3..2..1..and...
“Excuse me?” A gritty voice cut through the silence, accompanied by the appearance of an old man seemingly out of nowhere.
I stopped myself inches from bumping into the man’s chest. He was freakishly tall, and the appearance of his hallowed-out cheekbones, long white hair covering most of his face, and claw-like fingernails would freak anyone out.
Anyone who didn’t know Frank, that is. “Frank!” I exclaimed, restraining myself from embracing the familiar man in front of me out of gratitude. “What are you doing here?”
Surprisingly, the usually talkative janitor stayed quiet. Though I couldn’t see his eyes, I noticed his body was positioned slightly away from me. Like he was addressing my shoulder.
Or something over my shoulder.
One after another, things clicked into place. The voice hadn’t even come from Frank, his voice wasn’t that deep or gravelly. And even more alarmingly, the feeling of being watched had never left.
It had intensified.
Frank’s gaze shifted, and I saw his face tilt lower, lower, lower as a sickening feeling dawned on me.
He was looking at the spot right over my shoulder, as if whoever or whatever had been watching me was now mere centimeters away from me.
I felt a breath on my shoulder, and an icy, awful feeling of terror gripped me.
“Excuse me?” The thing spoke again, this time painstakingly inhuman.
This week:
Valentines Party! You’re all invited.
Join South students at Oregon State University for the annual Washington/Oregon Sustainability Conference, March 6-8.
Students will attend workshops to discuss environmental justice, decarbonization, Indigenous knowledge and more.
All travel, hotel and registration fees included. Application deadline: January 26.
For more information, contact Zoe.Schuman@seattlecolleges.edu, our United Student Association Sustainability Officer.
Conference website: https://wohesc.org/program/
Exciting Events for International Students!
Weekly Meeting
All SSC students are invited to our weekly USA meetings, every Tuesday from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Discuss your concerns as a student and get involved in student leadership. Meet us in JMB 128, the conference room inside the student life building!
Environmental Activism Group
Want to get involved in community building, work towards environmental change, and have opportunities to earn volunteer hours? Join the Environmental Activism Group! Zoe, our sustainability officer, will be hosting every Thursday from 2:00 - 3:00pm in JMB Student Life 128. See you there!
Sign up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHyeY6a6Utmj2xNma0y39ePy4Ujr4S-AO0aoTXYp_6spp4Ww/viewform
Interested in starting a student club?
Student organizations are a big part of building communities on campus. USA is focused on getting student clubs off the ground this year, after the loss of them due to COVID.
First, let’s clarify what a student organization is, it’s a group of students that come together to meet, hold events, and support other students. Student clubs can be created over majors, advocacy, culture, hobbies, special interests, and more. There are many benefits to being a part of a club, and each club will have different benefits depending on its focus.
The problem USA is facing right now is we are lacking enough student leader interest in starting a club. So, if you are interested in becoming a student leader and starting a club do not hesitate! I know students already have a hefty load to carry with school, work, life, and more so USA is here to help you get the club started and running smoothly. This is an opportunity you can put on your resume to show leadership skills and to network with your peers.
If you are interested in starting a club please email yana.goddard@seattlecolleges.edu.
WSA Student Advocacy Sign-Up Form
The Washington Student Association is the official, nonpartisan, statewide representation for students in higher education. As the largest student-run, student-led organization in the state, their mission is to make higher education accessible and affordable for everyone in Washington.
This Winter, the WSA is working to pass several bills whose goal is to address the impact of increasing cost-of-living expenses, and lack of basic needs resources. These include initiatives around affordable housing, food insecurity, campus mental health resources, childcare, financial aid, and more! The only way these bills will succeed is through direct advocacy efforts by current students. By sharing your story and your experience as a college student, legislators can be convinced to pass legislation that will benefit hundreds of thousands of students.
Use this form to sign up to be a part of these historic efforts! By filling out this form, the WSA will know to contact you with opportunities to testify during the 2023 legislative session, as well as future chances to get involved.
Student Advocacy Interest Form
Check out WSA’s website at www.wastudents.org to find out more about the bills they are working on this Winter, as well as more about their organization and history of advocacy. If you have any questions, please email the WSA Organizing Manager, Molly Walker at molly@wastudents.org.
Interested in meditation?
Come down to the Food Pantry!
The food pantry is open to everyone, come down for snacks/groceries and toiletries.
Resources:
On-Campus Operations Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Phone/Voicemail: 206-934-5387
Counseling: If you are currently experiencing a crisis situation, please call 988, 911 or contact CRISIS CONNECTIONS: 1-866-427-4747 (24-HR Crisis Line)! Requests for consultation and/or non-emergency educational and personal counseling appointments should be sent to southcounseling@seattlecolleges.edu.
Hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays 11 am - 2 pm.
LOCATION: Jerry Brockey Student Center Office of Student Life, room 134 (same building as Bookstore but at the south end).
If you are in urgent need to access the pantry, please visit the Office of Student Life in JMB 125 or email Monica.Lundberg@seattlecolleges.edu to schedule an appointment.
Hours: 5:30 A.M. - 10 P.M (Monday through Friday)
Location: Robert Smith Building (RSB 50)
Primary Phone: 206-235-0911
Secondary Phone: 206-934-0911.
Additional:
If you want more information on the newsletter, or have any requests/suggestions, you can reach me at ashwak.samatar@seattlecolleges.edu.