Cultural Met Gala
OTTER FACT: The sea otter is only found in saltwater.
Good morning Otters!
There are a lot of exciting new developments in the upcoming weeks, including a cultural met gala taking place at South on May 30th. This gala, planned by United Student Association (USA) officers, plans to include a fashion show showcasing beauty from across the world. Make sure to keep a lookout for more information on this event in future newsletter articles!
For now, here is an informative student section on the importance of a support system in dealing with stress (courtesy of the psychology classes I’m taking this quarter).
Check out this week’s updates, and have a great week Otters!
Student Section: “Quiet” by Ashwak Samatar
There is a quiet to the world when you’re stuck in the middle.
You’ve experienced enough to not want to be here anymore, but not enough for incentive to leave. You’ve experienced it all, yet nothing at all. You’ve cried and yelled and gasped, but you’ve never wailed and screamed or lost your breath.
You haven’t done anything, not really. But you’re too scared to pursue the path that would let you experience it all. You’re too scared to step off and branch out. And that’s fine. Wallow in that quiet walk. Walk and walk and walk and ignore the snaps of branches that seem to synchronize with your every step.
You choose not to look. What if it’s unpleasant? Or even worse, what if it’s pleasant? You’d be burdened by the knowledge that you could’ve looked long ago. Your cowardice kept you from that pleasantness. And now you’re back to that quiet in-between. Not happy. Not miserable.
You choose to believe that whatever is following you means you harm. It excites you for a millisecond, but then just becomes another reason for you to keep walking.
Besides, you’re perfectly content in experiencing the world through the eyes of others. You’ve taken countless psychology classes and have watched more movies than you can possibly remember. You’ve probably watched some multiple times, unaware of the repetition. After a while, the plots become so predictable that the film world is also silent. Stuck in the middle.
For a short time, you considered that you might be a psychopath. Yet, the classes you’ve taken quickly disprove that notion.
You’re not a psychopath.
Just quiet.
This week:
AA&PI Heritage Celebration
Student Survey
Weekly Meeting
All SSC students are invited to our weekly USA meetings, every Tuesday from 1:00 - 2:30 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!
Meditation
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 ashwak.samatar@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.
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.