Danielle Cervantes and friends handed out white armbands before a peace rally on the steps of the Memorial Union Quad. Cervantes said, as a Muslim student, she was a little afraid to return to classes Monday after a firebombing at a local mosque. Date; Dec. 2, 2010 (photo: Theresa Hogue)

About 150 Oregon State University students, faculty and staff gathered on the steps of the Memorial Union Quad today to send a message of peace out into the community. The last week has brought a lot of attention to the Corvallis community as word of an alleged bombing attempt in Portland and the subsequent fire bombing of a local mosque made news, and generated fear.

In response to these incidents, a number of student organizations joined together to take a stand and send out a message of peace and support. The Rally for Peace in the MU Quad took place at noon Dec. 2 on the steps of the Memorial Union. Speakers discussed recent events and the hope for peace, and participants will be encouraged to wear white armbands, which were distributed at the event.

Larry Roper, OSU Vice President for Student Affairs, said when he woke up Sunday morning and heard about the fire at the mosque, he was deeply pained by the news. He said during the rally that he was proud that OSU students chose a peace rally in response to the events, instead of responding with hate or anger.

“The decision to claim it as peace is a really profound one,” he said. “This is a positive act and it’s not just symbolic.”

Ali Alnakhli, an international student from Saudi Arabia and activity coordinator of the Saudi Arabian Student Association at OSU, said he’s felt that the OSU community is supportive of Muslim students. However, he said after he heard news of the attempted Portland bombing, he decided not to leave his Arabic scarf, a shemagh, in his car, so that it wouldn’t be recognized as being owned by an Arab.

Ali Alnakhli, an international student from Saudi Arabia and activity coordinator of the Saudi Arabian Student Association at Oregon State University, addressed a crowd during a peace rally in support of the Muslim student community. Date: Dec. 2, 2010 (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Before the rally, Alnakhil said that the OSU rally provided an opportunity for student groups to take a stand against violence.

“Violent actions only reflect an individual’s ignorance,” he said. “I think it is significant to deliver our love, caring, and support through the individual personal friendships that any of us could have with our Muslim brothers and sisters.”

He said it’s important to remember that the root of the word “Islam” is “salaam” which means peace and submission, submission to Allah “God” and peace to all humanity.

Omar Mohamed is a member of the Muslim Students Association, and said Wednesday that education is an important component in making the campus a safe place for all students.

“I think OSU is doing a good job,” Mohamed said. “The MSA is working with student
groups to educate campus about Islam and I think that is the biggest concern. If we can educate students about Islam and Muslims then we will have a better response.”

He said the candlelight vigil held Tuesday night at the mosque helped make him feel very supported by the community.

Student Fatimah Alramadhan, one of the event organizers, pointed out that Muslims come from many different backgrounds and cultures, and while tied together by a common faith, cannot be lumped together under one category. She said taking the time to get to know Muslim individuals is crucial for increasing understanding.

“Talk to Muslim people and learn from them,” she said. “We are always happy to answer questions. Or search and learn about the basics of Islam yourself.”

Executive Director of Diversity Programs for ASOSU Milikaleakona "Tonga" Hopoi gets emotional as she addresses a crowd in front of the Oregon State University Memorial Union during a peace rally. Hopoi said it was important to show visual support for peace on campus by wearing white armbands. Date: Dec. 2, 2010 (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Executive Director of Diversity Programs for ASOSU Milikaleakona “Tonga” Hopoi said it was important for non-Muslim students to help with the rally as well, and provide support to fellow students.

“In these crucial times, this is where we rise together as a community to show the country that Oregon State University does not condone hate,” she said before the rally.

Hopoi said the white armbands that were distributed at the rally are especially important, because they allow OSU students to display a visual symbol of support that indicates that OSU promotes a safe environment for all students. She also said it was a symbol of empowerment.

Before the rally she spoke about how the week’s events had made her feel.

“Hearing about the arson at the mosque, my heart just wept for the trust that OSU has now lost with many of the Muslim students that have come here for higher education,” Hopoi said. “I can’t change what has happened in our community but I can organize an opportunity for our fellow OSU students who want to support our Muslim students in this time of need.”

“In times like this we have the opportunity to remind ourselves and each other about who we want to be, and the kind of community we envision for our future,” said OSU Dean of Student Life Mamta Accapadi. “I am inspired by the outpouring of compassion and care that Oregon State University and the entire Corvallis community has offered to not only the Muslim community, but also the community at-large. “

“I am proud of our students for sending a clear message about the OSU community- their words say it best- together we stand for peace.”

The rally was organized by the Muslim Student Association, International Students of Oregon State University and the Associated Students of Oregon State University.

~ Theresa Hogue

On the surface, students who are sleeping in their cars or struggling to pay for food don’t look all that different, so the issue may not be one that is readily apparent. Also,  students whose fundamental needs aren’t being met are likely to also struggle with smaller issues, like getting to class or turning in their assignments on time.

In September 2009, the doors of the Human Services Resource Center (HSRC) opened to provide a place for students facing major challenges to their survival. Staffed part time by GTA DeeDee Overholser and five to seven undergraduate students, the center is housed in 233 Snell Hall as part of the ASOSU community.

“It’s a one-stop location that provides access to resources on and off campus,” Overholser explained. She and her staff have been forming a close relationship with organizations throughout the community who provide food aid, housing assistance and other programs that could mean the difference between a student staying in school or dropping out.

While HSRC staff keep a stash of non-perishable food in the office for emergencies, they’re more likely to refer students to the campus food pantry, which is currently seeing about 80 students come in each time they open their doors. Staff also help students fill out food stamp application forms, and have a representative from the Department of Human Services come in once a term to process applications.

Students also can apply for the campus-based MealBux program through ASOSU. The program gives students up to $250 per term to spend at campus food vendor locations. During winter term, 635 students applied for the program, and about half were able to receive MealBux.

The center has served between three and four homeless students per term since the center opened. For some students who are simply in between apartments or waiting for another living situation to arise, staff can sometimes work with University Housing and Dining Services to provide a temporary room for up to 30 days. For more serious housing issues, staff refer students to Community Outreach Inc., which provides shelter space for displaced people.

Students may not know where to turn for help, but additionally, Overholser said they may not know what to ask for or what is available.

“They may ask for one thing, but as we talk to them, more needs come up,” she said, “and we may know about resources for them.”

Staff also are willing to make the calls to multiple agencies for the students, so that they don’t get discouraged by being turned down several times before finally finding an organization that can help. And they can also give agencies a heads up that a student is coming to speak to them, so that they are able to process them quickly.

Currently, former OSU Dean of Home Economics Clara Pratt is conducting a needs assessment based on information provided by the 1,000 students who have already used the resource office. While Overholser doesn’t have a complete account of student demographics, she said it generally reflects the OSU population at large, and is spread evenly among departments and groups.

The center is overseen by an advisory board, consisting of 30 partners, including campus members and representatives from a number of community organizations.

The proposed budget for next academic year for the center includes funding for a full time non-classified staff member to run the center, so that students can be served on a full-time basis. The position would be funded with student fees. Additionally, Overholser hopes to include a rental assistance subsidy that would help prevent students living on the edge of homelessness. She’ll know the status of the budget by the end of February.

Overholser hopes that faculty and staff who encounter a student in need of assistance can direct them to the resource office. She is depending on word of mouth, as well as a modest marketing campaign, to inform the campus community about what the center has to offer.

For Overholser, making sure every student is keeping their head above water just makes sense.

“When students uproot from their home towns and come here to give OSU four or more years of their life, we have an ethical obligation to provide a safety net for them.”

To contact the Human Service Resource Center, call 541-737-3747 or vist the office in 233 Snell/MU East. You can also contact the center at asosu.hsrc@oregonstate.edu

~ Theresa Hogue