2012 Tunnel of Oppression

LSU students, faculty, staff, and people of the Baton Rouge Community came to Kirby Smith on Tuesday to experience the Tunnel of Oppression.  More than 100 people journeyed through rooms that included homelessness, body image, cyber bullying, lesbian/gay/transgender issues, human trafficking and sexual abuse.  Instead of just telling why issues are important, different campus organizations acted out the various types of oppression, allowing the viewers to feel as if they were the ones being oppressed.  

Coming up to the 8^th floor of Kirby Smith Hall, people were able to see the derogatory names towards all different types of races.  

 

There were also grave stones of those who died solely because of what they looked like and what they stood for.

For me, it is saddening to know the issues that were shown still exist, however it was so impactful seeing all the people witness this experience.  There are many people who will go on and can be very oblivious to critical issues that are happening in today’s society. 

Sometimes, it takes that one person to challenge someone else and let them know what’s really going on, and I feel that this event did just that.  However by bringing this to the LSU community, the Social Justice Committee was able to put on this impactful event that showed how real these situations are.  

The Social Justice committee puts on events and programs that deal with issues of to sex, gender, sexual orientation/identity, religion, ethnicity, and many others.  This committee shows how certain views, stereotypes, and judgments can impact a resident living on campus.  The Social Justice Committee has been working on this event since the beginning of last semester, because they wanted others to realize how important and realistic these issues are. It was a way for the committee to help residents and all people open their eyes and let them know this could be the story of someone they know, and what we can do to eliminate that.

After going through the Tunnel of Oppression, students wrote on the Wall of Change, pledging what they would do to eliminate the ignorance and negativity many people in this world still have today.

Saying you are diverse is one thing, but taking a chance and stepping outside your comfort zone is another.  There is a difference between tolerance and acceptance and it is important to know that once we stop tolerating one another, and accept each other, we can make this world so much smaller.  It only takes that one person to say something when a negative or derogatory word is thrown out.  It starts with one person having a positive impact on another and what this world could potentially be…Will it be you? I hope so.

To read the Reveille article about the Tunnel of Oppression, please click here:

http://www.lsureveille.com/news/tunnel-of-oppression-targets-injustices-1.2696709

Want to see more pictures from this event?  Checkout the facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/LSUResLife

Healthy Food for the New Year!

It’s that time of year again! A year full of resolutions, goals, and change!  Now many students have been talking about being healthier for the year of 2012.  I wish I was a bigger fan of exercise, but I’m a huge fan of wonderful food!  I decided that in order to stay healthy, it’s important to eat healthy as well.  Now I am not the one to count calories or make sure I have the right amount of food on my plate.  I eat what is tasty, and will keep eating until I’m absolutely full.  However I found a few recipes that seemed very delicious, healthy, and you can stay in your residence hall to make them!  Here are a few of my favorites that I found:

Twice-baked Microwave Potatoes
4 large Russet potatoes
3 green onions, chopped
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. shredded cheese
pepper to taste

Arrange potatoes on a microwavable plate. Pierce potatoes with a fork in several places. Microwave potatoes for 8 minutes, turning them halfway through. Remove potatoes from microwave and let them stand for 8 minutes or until they are cool enough to handle. Meanwhile combine green onions and butter in a microwave-safe bowl, cover and microwave for 1 minute. Cut potatoes in half and scoop insides into mixing bowl. Mash insides with butter and green onion mix, milk, salt and pepper. Spoon mixture back into potato skins, then sprinkle the cheese on top. Microwave for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.  (www.heb.com)

Gaucamole Dip

• 2 avocados
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 ripe tomato, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Peel and mash avocados in a medium serving bowl. Stir in onion, garlic, tomato, lime juice, salt and pepper. Season with remaining lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Chill for half an hour to blend flavors. (www.delish.com)

Chili Dip

1. Grab some Hormel Chili with no beans, some shredded cheese and a block of cream cheese.
2. In a microwave safe pan, spread the cream cheese evenly on the bottom. Add the chili on top, evenly once again, and then sprinkle the cheese on top as well.
3. Cook on high in the microwave for about 5 minutes or until the cheese in the middle of the pan starts bubbling.
4. Serve with chips. (www.coedmagazine.com)

Microwave Omelet 3 eggs 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine cheese,chives or bacon bits for filling salt and pepper Whisk 3 eggs together and add filling ingredients. Melt butter in either a 9 in. glass pie pan or a large cereal bowl. Add the egg mixture. Cover with paper towel and cook in microwave approximately 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Let stand 3 minutes before eating. Add salt and pepper to taste. (www.heb.com) Nachos The Yummee Yummee Team often makes these for a quick and easy lunch. Tortilla chips on a plate topped with refried beans, shredded cheese, bacon bits, salsa ... In the microwave for a minute or so and then top with fresh diced tomatoes and sour cream. Make them mild or hot and spicy to match your tastebuds. Lunch is ready. Come and get it!  (www.yummeeyummee.com) Now these are just a few of my favorite dishes that are fun, healthy, and easy to make in the leisure of your own residence hall!  There are plenty of websites that I found very helpful with quick and easy recipes that will help you follow through with your new year’s resolutions!!!  Good luck! http://coedmagazine.com/2011/04/04/10-best-dorm-room-microwave-recipes/ www.101cookbooks.com www.yummeeyummee.com www.delish.com/recipes http://www.onlinecollege.org/2009/10/13/100-delicious-dirt-cheap-recipes-for-the-starving-student/

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble....

Whether you're staying on campus this break or heading home, healthy eating can still be a part of your plan. Check out LSU Dining's advice and dining options here:
http://www.lsu.edu/departments/gold/2011/11/thanksgiving.shtml

SPLATTERBEAT 2011!

"It’s messy fun! When students strike trash cans to the beat of the music, paint in the lids splatters everyone in the vicinity. Splatterbeat is an annual part of the Homecoming festivities." - LSU News on Tumbler




 Presented by LSU RHA, Splatterbeat 2011 was awesome!  Check out pictures here! 

Boo in the Shoe: It's a Zombie Party!

Boo in the Shoe is a chilling Halloween tradition at LSU. It was hosted in Evangeline Hall, and is in its eleventh year of existence. The event featured a DJ, an array of food and beverages, pumpkin painting, and a zombie-themed thrill-attraction in the basement.

Boo in the Shoe's participants spared no expense in the costumed department. Pictured: Marge Simpson

Residents were excited to display their Halloween costumes and show spirit by painting pumpkins and dancing the night away. Songs ranged from contemporary pop and hip hop to Halloween classics like "Thriller" and "The Monster Mash".

Boo in the Show was a crowded and lively event.

The biggest attraction at this year's Boo in the Shoe was easily the zombie outbreak. Beginning with a Tiger TV news-brief about a zombie pandemic, attendees were moved through the basement of Evangeline Hall where they descended into terror. Actors in HAZ-MAT suits escorted the event patrons through the ghoulish setting as they were pursued by hungry zombies. The zombie outbreak was a huge success. Many residents went through the spine-chilling zombie filled basement multiple times!

A zombie eyes the Purple Polo's correspondent with sinister intentions.

Residents decorate pumpkins in a ghoulish fashion.

Zombies hunted the scared Boo in the Shoe attendees.

Tiger TV reports on the zombie outbreak.

A Look At Kirby Smith Hall

The new and improved Kirby Smith Hall is back in business.

Re-opened in August 2011, Kirby Smith Hall has become a popular residence hall and quite the social hangout. Morgan, a first-year Kirby Smith Hall resident talks about living in the hall, "I love living in Kirby Smith. I know people who lived here years ago before the renovations when I bring up living here they have all kinds interesting comments on the hall."

Kirby Smith Hall prides itself on its newly renovated state.

Kirby Smith is the largest residence hall on campus, standing at 154 feet tall and having 13 floors. Named after Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, the hall was built in 1967. Kirby Smith Hall remained active as an all male residence hall until 2006. It was taken out of commission and reopened as a co-ed hall in the Summer of 2011.

Vintage picture of Kirby Smith Hall from 2005.

The first seven floors are used specifically for student housing while the remaining floors are used for university offices and other uses. Kirby Smith Hall may not completely resemble the hall it was five years ago, but is still held with high regard and respect by the residential community.

Fall Break leaves campus sparsely populated but full of life.

Two students who have decided not to leave campus shoot the breeze.

Student activity on campus was noticeably less busy than usual over Fall Break last week, but res halls were still bustling with students choosing to stay on campus While the Quad and Student Union were eerily quiet, the Purple Polo caught up with students who stayed on campus over the break. Here’s what you missed if you went home…

John watches ESPN on Saturday of the break, while his comrade gets some much needed rest.

John, a first-year student from Herget Hall said, "It's a good weekend to hang out, do laundry, catch up on your schoolwork, catch up on your sleep and watch some football." 

Parking lots were nearly empty on fall break.

The albino squirrel was spotted twice by the Purple Polo during fall break. Regrettably, he was unavailable for comment.

Nick, a senior living in the East Campus Apartments described his fall break experience as, “I stayed in and studied for most of the break, I went downtown on the weekend and had a great time."

Michelle, a sophomore living in Miller Hall expressed a similar story about her break, "I went to the volleyball games on Friday and Saturday, and pretty much just studied for the rest of the weekend."

Kirby Smith Hall was totally deserted with only the desk assistant on the first floor.

While the majority of students left campus and visited their friends and family, students who stayed on campus were able to have fun and rest up for the upcoming week. No matter if it’s during a break or in the middle of session semester, there are always things going on at LSU's residence halls and apartments.