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By Robyn Scobie

Waiting: Charles Benson, an active Belleville community member and volunteer, shows the tubing equipment he uses with his at home dialysis unit Wednesday, Jan. 20. Photo by Robyn ScobieCharlie Benson is Loyalist College’s student number one, the first ever to register. He’s also number one in the hearts of many members of the Belleville community because of his extensive volunteer charity work. But now, Benson needs help. He needs a new kidney.
Kidney disease isn’t new to Benson, who has suffered with a milder stage of the disease, nephritis, for the past 18 years. But in November 2009, his kidney function diminished to about 15 per cent of their normal ability and it became necessary to start looking for a donor.

By Adrienne Eisen

Want to help those in Haiti but don’t know how?
From Jan. 25 to Feb. 19, Loyalist will be raising money to help the Rotary Club of Belleville send shelter boxes to Haiti.
Each shelter box contains enough supplies to support 10 people for up to six months.
“It comes with a tent for 10 people, 10 sleeping bags, tools, cooking aids, heat, light and clean water,” said Jake Van Rooy, Board of Governors student leader.
Donation boxes will be set up at the security kiosk, in the cafeteria, and in the Shark Tank Pub.
The objective is to raise $5,000 for five boxes as each box costs $1,000.

By Meagan Leonard

When it comes to the student government budget, Loyalist students find one of the top five priorities to be the campus security program Walk Safe to be of vital importance.
In a mirror survey to the one issued by student government, the Pioneer newspaper found students would like to see their money spent on: bands, orientation barbeques, graduation photos and student ID cards.
Walk Safe is a student-staffed service, which exists to provide safe transportation between campus facilities. It is free of charge and employment is voluntary.

By Bill Samuel

Many people will recall when they were kids and lost something mom would always tell them it was wherever they had left it.
At Loyalist College, if you lose something you should go and see the security staff at the information kiosk at the main entrance of the Kente building.
Staff and students regularly turn in clothes, wallets, jump drives, and bank cards.
Security has limited space so items are only held for 30 days. After that, lost property will either go to Goodwill or the books are given to the library.
If you are looking for something you will be asked to describe it and I.D may be required.

As part of an ongoing analysis, The Pioneer compared the statements within the transcripts of a live chat held recently of two top representatives in the current contract negotiations between the provincial government and the union. Here is the result:

By Bill Samuel

Defibrillators are just one a step in responding to a medical emergency.
Automated External Defibrillators are becoming more common in public places, now that the technology makes it safe for anybody to use.
“Unless you’re right beside the defibrillator; grabbing it is the last thing to worry about,” said Lauren Deans, RN, student services campus nurse. “You need to administer first-aid to the best of your ability and call for help first, but someone should stay with the victim until help arrives.”

By Bill Samuel

A new Facebook group has students venting frustrations about a possible strike by faculty at Ontario’s community colleges.
“I heard about the strike vote coming,” said Graeme McNaughton, the administrator of the group. McNaughton is a first year, journalism, print and broadcast student at Humber College. “I just wanted to raise awareness.”
McNaughton formed the group on Dec. 7 at 9:00 p.m., and as of publication it had 6,713 members.

Loyalist College will say goodbye to students for the holidays. This will be the last day of classes for students. Visit www.loyalistc.on.ca for more information.

By Joanne Mumby Ray

Both the OPSEU and provincial colleges negotiating teams are scheduled to return to the bargaining table on Dec. 14 and 15 the two sides didn’t seem any closer to reaching an agreement.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union, representing 9,000 full-time college faculty, put a revised proposal for settlement on the bargaining table Nov. 30.
The colleges’ negotiators didn’t waste any time rejecting the offer.
Rachel Donovan, chair of the colleges’ bargaining team, said the union’s proposals would add $218 million in annual costs to the colleges.

By Shanelle Mullin

The Tlama Clean Water Project visited Loyalist College on Dec. 3 to raise money and awareness for Tlamacazapa, a developing village in the mountains of Guerrero, Mexico.
The water project, an organization dedicated to water purification and catchment in Tlama, organized an art sale with pieces inspired by the village, which was isolated for nearly 500 years.

By Meagan Leonard

Loyalist student government will be making the holiday season a little brighter this year by assisting other facets of the college in their efforts to provide needy families with gifts.
In a decision made at its Dec 3 meeting, the student government voted in favour of donating $100 to the Child and Youth Worker program’s initiatives to aid community families, and $400 to the Greg Gavin Health Centre’s toy drive for families within the college.

By Steve Pettibone

Employment counsellors estimate that the average person will change careers seven times in their lifetime and, for some, this non-linear career path begins at the college or university level.
With the end of first semester rapidly approaching, staff and students at Loyalist College are preparing for the annual student withdrawals and program changes that occur prior to the winter semester.

By Joanne Mumby Ray

The future sustainable skills, technology, and life sciences centre is expected to provide Loyalist's students with experiences and skills that will align them with the future.
Seeing and doing are to be a big part of the programs that will occupy the skills, technology and sciences centre.
"The intent is that it has a very open concept and people passing through the atrium will be able to see us there on display," said Karen Holder, professor and co-ordinator of the environmental program.

As contract talks between the provincial government and the college faculty union continue, Ted Montgomery, chair of the negotiating team for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, will be sittin

The Online Pioneer will be hosting a virtual chat with Don Sinclair, the executive director of the Ontario College Compensation Council on Friday, Dec. 4 at 12 noon.