By Alison Blazer

It’s that time of year once again for Oregon State’s annual Moms and Family Weekend. This means that from May 4-6, the Beaver Nation will be swarmed with mothers, fathers and siblings galore! For those of you who have yet to participate in OSU’s Moms Weekend, it is an event put on by the Memorial Union Program Council (MUMomsPC) each year. The MUPC fits over 45 activities into a family filled three days, both all around campus and throughout the greater Corvallis area. Activities include an OSU Fashion Show, a comedy show, arts and crafts fairs and brunches. A full schedule of events can be found at http://mu.oregonstate.edu/mupc/momsweekend. Check it out and make sure the send the link on to your parents!

Having been through Moms and Dads weekend in the past, I can say with confidence that the key to getting the most out of Moms Weekend is to try new things! It is not unusual for college  students to be weary of parents invading their “university bubble,” but look at it as an opportunity, not a burden. The MUPC organizes a plethora of activities so that you and your family can fill your time together with new and exciting experiences.

Last year, my Mom made the trek up from California for the event weekend. My Moms Weekend experience was particularly special because not only was it my birthday, but my first birthday away from home sans family and childhood friends. Having her here was wonderful! I spent three days showing my mom around the town I have grown so fond of.

I think most students would agree with me when I say that the best part of having your parents or any visitors in town is the chance for a delicious meal. Have you been wanting to try that fancy restaurant you can’t afford on a college budget? Pair your family time with some great eats for an added bonus!

For many of us out of state students or even those with busy schedules, seeing your parents mid-term is a rare opportunity. So fill your Moms Weekend with a stroll around the arts and crafts fair or a baseball game, but most of all appreciate those who have travelled to Corvallis just to see you!

By Joce DeWitt

If there’s one thing I know about being a student at OSU, it’s that spring term, with its beautiful weather and its sweet promise of summer vacation, is a killer when it comes to being academically productive. Studying for tests and completing homework assignments gets put on the backburner when the sun is shining. In fact, summer seems like it is so close that it is sometimes easy to forget we’re still in school—but don’t tell any of my four advisors that I said that.

When it gets down to it, the sun is not the only thing that’s a distraction to hard-working students spring term. The activities are endless, especially since the availability of the outdoors means no limitations in fun. Those activities include Spring Sports, and let me assert here, however, that just because spring sports at OSU are fun to watch and play, does not infer that students have to fail their classes to enjoy them.

Here is the list of Beaver sports that everyone can go watch:

Baseball

Softball

Gymnastics

Spring football

Men’s Golf

Women’s Golf

And here is the list of Intramural sports available spring term:

Softball League

Soccer League

Team Golf League

Team Tennis League

As well as a plethora of tournaments and day-long activities.

As a senior, there hasn’t been a single spring term in my four years that I haven’t gone to baseball games. As most know, Beaver baseball has a pretty impressive résumé as National Champions of the College World Series in 2006 and 2007 and for that reason alone they are worth watching. I could argue that going to enjoy an all-American past time with a bag of sunflower seeds and a soda in the student section is another reason to go. Such is the case with the other sports as well. While I do not recommend giving the games top priority over your school work spring term, they offer another fun activity to indulge in when you have a night of free time.

Happy Spring!

By: Monica Racicot

As some of you may know, my favorite hobby is photography. I look forward to spring term at OSU because my passion is photographing flowers. While we haven’t had too many sunny days so far this spring, we have had a few. When these rare occurrences happen, I drop everything to be outdoors.  As a southern California native, I need me some sun.

There are tons of exciting events and activities during spring term that students should take advantage of. One of my favorite activities to participate in, when the weather is nice, is the Saturday Market down by the riverfront. This farmer’s market is open from 9am to 1pm every Saturday from now until November. Every weekend includes a live band or two, various local growers and a whole lot of food.  If you are also a fan of flowers, they have tons of booths that sell bunches from local gardens. The walk from the OSU campus to the Saturday market takes about 20 minutes. I always stop for lunch at Great Harvest Bread Company because, in my opinion, they make the best sandwiches in Corvallis.

If the sun is shining, and the birds are chirping, another fun activity that costs nothing is hiking! As most of you probably know, or at least have heard, there are numerous hiking trails around the Corvallis area that are easily accessible. My favorite spot is Mary’s Peak. Bald Hill is a popular spot, as well as Dimple Hill. Trail information and directions can be found online or by asking around! An important side note, always go with a partner and bring water and sunscreen.

Looking for a weekend getaway? Or maybe just an afternoon? Take a short scenic drive out to the coast. Newport is only an hour away from OSU, which is funny coming from a girl who grew up 15 minutes from the beach, but hey. The sun sets are spectacular, the clam chowder is to die for, and the local art scene is awesome.

My next suggestion may come as a surprise to those of you who are from Oregon, but just remember…I am from California. The Enchanted Forest! Located just north of us in Salem, the Enchanted Forest is this fairy tale themed adventure park that has rides, shows and attractions. What’s not to like?! I haven’t been yet, but I’ve made it a goal of mine to check it out before I graduate this June. I know it’s no Disneyland, but it looks like it has some great backdrops for pictures. Zapping evil dragons? Yes please! Starting May the park is open Monday through Friday but for the remainder of April it’s only open on the weekends. General admission is $10.25 and it doesn’t include the rides. But you can buy a bracelet that gives you unlimited access to rides and attractions for one fee.

My last suggestion doesn’t have anything to do with being outdoors; in fact it is played in a pool. But I just discovered this strange activity recently and I couldn’t help but share it! Who has heard of Underwater Hockey?? There is an underwater hockey club here in Corvallis that plays/swims at the Osborn Aquatic Center here in town. According to their meetup site, they play Wednesday nights from 7-8:45 pm. All they ask you to bring is a swimsuit and any gear you may have-mask, snorkel and/or fins. Obviously it doesn’t need to be nice out for you to take part in this activity, but it sure sounds like a fun sport to try out during spring term!

There are plenty of other opportunities to take advantage of in the spring so it’s important to stay on top of it if you really want to make the most out of your spring term. Check event calendars around the area and keep up with Facebook pages of your favorite clubs and organizations. There is always something to do; you just need to be proactive! Don’t be afraid to try something new and step out of your comfort zone because most of the time it can lead you to some really great people and memorable experiences.

By Leah Anderson,

Spring term at OSU is both the best of times and the worst of times. The sun is finally out (usually) and Corvallis comes out of hibernation. Suddenly there is so much to do. Frisbees need throwing, hikes need to be taken, not to mention the wide array of slip-n-slides and lawn volleyball games that are suddenly popping up everywhere. Unfortunately, you are also still a student…taking classes that still need your attention. Like I said, the best and worst of times.

Personally, I take a kind of divide and conquer approach to surviving this mixed bag of a term. Each day I separate my homework into two categories: that which I can do while soaking up the sun, and that which I have to do inside. The trick is to be honest. Are you really capable of reading that incredibly long textbook while basking in the warm sunlight, or are you just asking for a nap?

Secondly, I make constant use of my planner. Spring term is typically packed with barbecues with friends, crazy activities in the quad (snowboarding anyone?), and community-sponsored events downtown –you are going to find your precious free time packed with fun things to do. Make sure you are setting aside time to study for your upcoming midterms and quizzes. Nothing’s worse than the anxiety of school keeping you from having a good time with your friends.  Visit the Academic Success Center in Waldo 102 to attend a workshop on test taking or talk with an academic coach about managing your time so that you are making the most efficient use of your study time.

Beware of procrastination. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed or lacking motivation to press on with your studies (aka spring fever), consider making an appointment with your academic advisor. These people are full of helpful suggestions and resources that can help you get back on track. I’ve also found that putting together informal study groups with my peers helped to keep me accountable for the schoolwork I am so tempted to avoid. Good luck!

By Kerry Thomas, Academic Advisor

Hey First year students,

Can you believe it? You made it all the way to spring term of your first year in college! By now, you probably know which dining hall is the best (and worst), where to go when you really need to get some studying done, and where the best coffee in town is.  Your first year of college is full of discovery, change, and transition. Many of you changed roommates or dorms, eating and exercise habits, sleep habits, and developed a new group of friends here in Corvallis.

In the name of celebrating this year of transition, our College and Major advising offices would like to invite you all to a matriculation ceremony to learn more about your current or prospective major. You probably already received an E-vite for your current major ceremony, but you might not be sure what to expect.

Basically this is an opportunity for you to meet your major advisor and other first year students who have the same major. There will also be faculty and upper class students from your major who will talk about classes, involvement, research opportunities, and other cool aspects of the department. When you get ready to sign up for fall term classes, you will need to get a new registration pin from your major advisor; attending this ceremony is also a great opportunity to meet them prior to the start of registration in mid-May. If all that wasn’t exciting enough, there’s also going to be pizza, so make sure to check it out!

If you know that the major you have declared is not the one you want to keep, feel free to check out another matriculation ceremony to get a sense for what other majors in the college are like. It is very common for students to change majors at least once during their time in college.  These ceremonies provide a unique opportunity for you to “meet your major” before making the decision to declare that major.

See the table below for a complete list of all of the ceremonies across the College of Liberal Arts.

* Students interested in Ethnic Studies should attend this ceremony.

By Randi Williams

Hello fellow beavers and welcome to spring term! Though the weather may seem no different than winter, trust me, once things to start to warm up, spring in Corvallis is great. All the big events happen in the spring, and maybe it’s just me, but I think the sun puts people in  happier moods. That being said there’s something else we college students have to consider this time of the year, what to do with summer vacation. Now that we are “grown-ups” we are expected to be slightly more productive than those lazy summer days in high school, but it can be hard to know where to start mapping  out a worth while yet still enjoyable summer. As a senior, I have three years of summer experience though to share with you!

One great opportunity that all college students should take advantage of at least once is a summer internship. A summer internship allows you to spend an extended period of time gaining experience in your field while not having to worry about homework and classes. Depending on the amount of time you are willing to commit, internships can be full or part-time.  Both are without a doubt beneficial, however I recommend a full time experience so that you can get a true sense of what a career in your field will feel like. Another appealing aspect of internships is that some are paid; you can gain experience and little extra spending money! I encourage you to pursue an internship even if it is unpaid, as was the case with mine. The networking and experience will be worth it in the long run. Most importantly though, internships add real world experience to your resume so that you can show future employers that you have experience doing what they would need you to do.

Finding internship opportunities can be a challenge.  A good strategy is to simply research the type of company/business you would love to one-day work for and see if they offer internships. If they don’t, approach them about creating one. This shows initiative, and few people will turn down free help, that’s the tactic I used to create my internship. If you’re at a loss as to where to work or can’t find anything appealing I suggest simply being aware of opportunities advertised on campus. There are signs posted on every bulletin board for different groups and opportunities, and inevitably as summer approaches they begin to recruit for summer internships. KidSpirit for instance is a program through OSU that allows interns to spend all day outside working with kids and getting paid.  Make sure that you check with your major advising office as well as career services, they often have employers contact them looking for undergraduate interns.

As wonderful as internships sound they aren’t always an option. You may find yourself in the same situation I did two years ago with a bank account so low that you can’t afford to be picky about getting career-related experience. While this may not be  ideal, all experience is good experience in my opinion, and whether or not they work in your field any boss can give you a recommendation in the future, so be sure to make a good impression. Jobs that you wouldn’t have looked for as a career can also open your mind up to ideas and people you wouldn’t have normally encountered. Personally, working as a maid in a 5-Star hotel one summer exposed me to new levels of both wealth and poverty, knowledge that I will be able to apply to my future career as a teacher.

However your summer ends up looking, make sure to enjoy the time you have to relax, bask in the sunshine and catch-up with friends and family you may not get to see during the school year. And remember, any experience can be worthwhile.

By Alison Blazer

Welcome to Spring Term in Corvallis! Believe it or not, now is the time to start looking for off campus housing for the upcoming Fall. For many students who plan to leave the Residence Halls at the end of the school year, the housing search is a brand new process. When I was a Freshman I was clueless as to when to start the process or what the process itself entailed. I’m here to give you a few helpful tips. This is the information that every student planning to move off campus needs, but doesn’t know to ask for!

Tip #1: Start Early!

Starting your housing search early is the key to finding the right property for you, especially if you’re interested in living close to campus. The rule of thumb is that after spring break (although many students begin their searches even before winter term ends) is the time to start seriously looking into your housing options.

Tip #2: Find compatible roommates

Starting the search is easier said than done if you have yet to lock down roommates for next year. Consider those who are closest to you and who you can see yourself living with, but beware of drama! There’s always the possibility that you could run into points of disagreement, even when living with your best friends. Living with someone puts a new kind of stress on relationships/friendships so make sure to discuss some “house rules” and cleanliness preferences before committing!

Tip #3: Utilize property management companies

How do you go about finding a place to live? Unfortunately, “looking” for a place to live is not as simple as picking a place you like and figuring out who’s in charge of the property. However, Corvallis has dozens of property management companies designed to help you in this process! These companies are located all around town and can be found easily online (just Google “Corvallis property management” and your computer will be flooded with options). Each of these companies owns properties around Corvallis and can provide you with a comprehensive list of their currently vacant properties as well as explain the steps of their application process. From here on, it’s relatively smooth sailing.

Tip #4: Lock down a location

Once you’ve found an available apartment/house etc., the next step is locking down the space, guaranteeing that you’ll have a “home sweet home” to come back to in Corvallis after the summer. Once you’ve turned in an application for a property, and it has been accepted, there are just a few remaining steps. The majority of properties require: the signing of a lease (the housing contract), a co-signer agreement (for those who don’t plan on paying rent by themselves, but have help from their parents or another source etc.), a security deposit (to cover any possible damages that could occur during residency) and first and last months rent. The details of the requirements for specific properties can be found on the management company’s website.

Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Property management employees know that they’re renting to a lot of first time renters, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t feel like you’re signing a contract by walking into a management office—they’re there to help you! Give them a call with a simple question or drop into any office to get a walk through of the application process and see what properties are available. No one expects you to be an expert! Don’t hesitate to ask upperclassmen for help, and a quick phone call to the parents, the most experienced people of all, couldn’t hurt either.

Follow these tips and you will have a place to call home next Fall! Good look to each and every one of you on your search, and remember to celebrate. Moving into your own apartment/house is one step closer to adulthood and independence, embrace it!