Summer Update, July 31

After a first place showing at the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia, LBCC's Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir learned it has advanced to the finalist round of the American Prize in Choral Performance, the fifth year in a row it has done so. LBCC’s choir, under the direction of James Reddan, is the only community college choir on the American Prize finalist list, which includes 10 choral groups from around the country. LBCCs Concert Choir also advanced to the semi-finalist round in the competition for a third year. The Chamber Choir will compete for the American Prize against university choirs from California, Utah, North and South Dakota, Georgia, New Jersey, Texas Virginia, Illinois and Ohio. Winners will be announced in September. Read more about the choirs' World Games performance in the Democrat Herald article: http://democratherald.com/news/local/lbcc-choir-wins-gold-certificates-at-world-choir-games-in/article_0d223b44-110a-11e4-bec3-0019bb2963f4.html

For those wondering why we have so many weeds growing around campus, LBCC grounds manager George Van Keulen would like to shed some light on the subject. Conventional ways of spraying chemicals to kill weeds and insects on our college campuses have not been used for a few years, says George. Instead, the college implemented a statewide Integrated Pest Management system, which incorporates using little or no spray and rather hand weeding, using ground cover techniques such as chip mulch, and working to keep the soil healthy to prevent plant diseases. To help build soil health, George is working with Soilsmith Services, a local company specializing in soil amendment and conditioning using different types of compost and compost teas to reduce disease and insect problems. Although great for the environment, no-spray techniques are more labor-intensive, and George and his limited staff have a lot of ground to cover. So maybe take a moment and pull a weed or two when you’re out and about. Your effort is sure to be appreciated, and will go a long way to help our college image.

George Van Keulen discuses soil treatments with
Shep Smith of Soilsmith Services.

Weekly Update, April 4

LBCC Phi Theta Kappa students honored business and accounting faculty member Jack Stone at their annual Induction Ceremony held Feb. 21. The students honor one LBCC staff each year at the ceremony.

Rich Bergeman, former journalism instructor and current LBCC Art Gallery coordinator, has published the book “Exphrasis II: A collaboration of poets and artists from LBCC." Images and poetry from the book are on display as part of an exhibit in the South Santiam Hall Gallery through May 2. LBCC's Poetry Club will sell copies of the book for $20 during the exhibit reception Tuesday, April 15 from 3-4 p.m. in the gallery, or purchase online for $19.79, plus approximately $8 shipping, at: www.blurb.com/b/5158933-exphrasis-ii

"Better Know Your Data" statistics show that 61 percent of LBCC students who started fall term 2013 are currently re-enrolled for spring term, with an average of 11 credits apiece. Stats from “Better Know Your Data” and the Institutional Research team.

Plan to attend the president's forum Thursday, April 10 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Forum, room F-104. Hear from President Hamann on LBCC directions, opportunities and challenges. Come prepared to ask questions.

LBCC’s landscape is a bit “greener,” thanks to grounds manager George VanKeulen and his team. The college has not used any pesticides or herbicides to combat weeds and bugs for more than a year. Instead, George's team focuses on keeping the grass cut and laying down copious amounts of wood chips to suppress weed seeds. But, you may see a few more dandelions in the grass, says George, which, by the way, are edible and quite good for you. His team also is working to remove a large number of plants around campus and at the Benton Center that died over the winter due to freezing temperatures. Those plants will be chipped and used around campus to help suppress weeds.

New Rules, New Look for Campus Grounds

Grounds manager George Van Keulen talks about the new
wood chips that were spread on the beds over the summer.

LBCC student and part-time grounds crew Andrew Larson
lays wood chips in the beds by Calapooia Center.

LBCC grounds maintenance is in transition - to become as organic as possible.

This past summer, grounds manager George Van Keulen has been busy figuring out how to take care of the 104-acre Albany campus, the Benton Center campus and the horse center grounds with a staff of two full-time people, himself and fellow grounds employee Mick Clark.

And he has to do it all while keeping in mind the new legislative policy, Senate Bill 637, which took affect July 1 and applies both indoors and outdoors on public campuses.

The new Integrated Pest Management legislation, or IPM, requires the following: excludes the application of pesticides on a routine schedule for purely preventive purposes, other than applications of pesticides designed to attract or be consumed by pests; excludes the application of pesticides for purely aesthetic purposes; provides for a proactive strategy that focuses on the long-term prevention or suppression of pest problems through economically sound measures.

The bill also states that all Oregon public schools have an IPM in place that includes ways to reduce pesticide use and considers human health and ecological impact along with feasibility and cost effectiveness.

LBCC has always had an IPM in place, says George, but the new rules have required the plan to be much more specific.

“LBCC is in transition to becoming organic in its methods for controlling weeds, fungus and insects,” said George. “My philosophy has always been not to spray for insects unless absolutely necessary, because you kill the good insects along with the bad.”

Conventional methods include applying fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides to keep lawns green and kill the weeds and bugs, says George.

With LBCC's new IPM, grounds staff will be checking the health of the soils regularly, then will apply organic fertilizers, lime or sulfur as needed, and only spray for insects in certain high-traffic areas.

“In areas where we find clover that is in places that people use, such as the sports fields, and where there’s the potential that someone might get a bee sting, we will continue to spray,” said George.

The difference with the new IPM, says George, is grounds staff are required to notify campus 24-hours in advance of spraying, and set up notification signs in the area being sprayed. Records must be kept of what was used, when and how much.

To help mitigate the need to spray for weeds, over the summer George had 400 yards of wood chips delivered to campus, which were then spread on the bed areas in front of the buildings and on the parking lot berms. The blonde-colored chips were applied in thick layers to help keep weed seeds from germinating.

Another change to note is the areas around the lampposts, the corners around parking lot entrances, and walkway areas in the parking lots. These areas are being covered with paver stones, which will help keep weeds down and make mowing around posts easier.

In some places, like parking lot berms, grounds will spray weeds when needed to mitigate fire danger.

“It’s an investment of time and money now, but it will pay off later in time spent maintaining these areas,” said George.

How can you help? Don’t allow food in the classrooms. Food left behind, even crumbs, attracts critters, ants and pests which often requires pesticide use. Pick up litter when you see it. Oh, and don't walk by that weed, reach down and pull it.