Reed Resources: GCC Basement
Are you a first year still bumbling around campus, unsure of where things are? Or maybe you’re a junior that simply can’t remember where the Recycling Center is after the last year and a half of online school. Well look no further! The Quest is here to help. Welcome back to the Quest’s weekly Reed Resources column where we give you the rundown on all the resources Reed has to offer (and trust me, there are a lot of them). This week’s focus will be on the Gray Campus Center—otherwise known as the GCC—or more specifically, its basement. To give you a sense of direction, we’ll move from west to east, starting with the Recycling Center.
Recycling Center
The Recycling Center accepts plastic film (grocery bags, bread bags, ziploc, bubble wraps); styrofoam; #6 plastics (ex: Red Solo™ Cups); bread bag tags; writing utensils; personal care products (must be empty); dental hygiene packaging (toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, mouthwash bottles); rigid plastics not accepted by Portland's recycling program (smaller than 6 oz. and/or not tub shaped); fabrics (including scraps) and shoes; electronics and ink cartridges; light bulbs; chip bags; snack and bar wrappers and bags; crinkly, non-rigid and non-film plastic; instrument strings; contact lenses and blister packaging; corks (plastic and real); #5 rigid plastics (always bring to center instead of Portland recycling program to maintain longer lifecycle of #5 plastics); and cigarette butts, according to Reed College website’s Recycling page. Email sustainability@reed.edu if you are interested in volunteering.
Mail Services
Mail Services is open weekdays between 9 a.m.–4 p.m. They mail and ship through USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL, and their cash register only accepts cash or check, according to the Reed College website’s Mail Services page. They have carts that you can borrow to move large packages, you just have to leave something of yours in exchange as collateral. Also, pro tip, you can order safer sex products for free online from the Sexual Health, Advocacy & Relationship Education (SHARE) program, and they’ll leave them in your mailstop. Just submit a Google form through Reed College website’s SHARE page. They also ship off campus.
Lockers
For students living off campus, you can reserve one of the lockers across from Mail Services for free. Students can reserve a locker by filling out an online form through the Office for Student Engagement.
Pool Hall
The Pool Hall is open from 6:00 a.m. till 2:00 a.m. with swipe access. There are six pool tables and an assortment of couches and chairs in varying condition. The Pool Hall hosts a tournament every Thursday night starting at 8:30 p.m. with a $3 buy-in.
Graffiti Bathrooms
The bathrooms across from the Pool Hall are known for the mass amounts of graffiti that they accumulate throughout the year. The school paints over it every summer and the walls quickly fill back up once the school year begins.
Homer’s Hut
“For Late Night Reedies there is Homer's Hut, our on-campus convenience store. It is open from 5 p.m.–2 a.m. when classes are in session and provides you with a wide variety of healthy snacks, frozen foods, drinks, plain old junk food, as well as a basic selection of dorm supplies and personal care items,” according to the Reed College Bookstore website. They also have a microwave and water so you can prepare your instant ramen, well, instantly.
Reed College Bookstore
The Bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 12 p.m.–5 p.m. They are a non-profit and sell used books for at least 25% below the cost of a new book, and at the end of the semester they offer a book buyback where they pay roughly 20-40% of the new price of Reed academic books (even if it was bought used), according to their website.
Info Shoppe
Clubs and other Reed organizations can reserve the Info Shoppe for meetings, and the room acts as a common space when not in use by clubs and other organizations. Currently the Info Shoppe is going through some renovations like new flooring, ceiling tiles, lighting, wiring for better WiFi, and the school is adding custom shelving and storage. It will be open to the student body after Fall Break.
By the Staircase
Next to the Info Shoppe is a US Bank ATM. It is Reed’s only ATM on campus, according to Reed’s website. There is also an elevator.
Honor Council
According to Reed College website’s Honor Council page, “Some common reasons people get in touch with Honor Council are to talk or get advice about conflicts with roommates, friends, on campus groups, ask questions about the mediation process, Title IX process, or other hearing board proceedings/codes, discuss an ongoing Judicial Board proceeding with a confidential peer, [and/or] get resources for on and off-campus help.” To access Honor Council services, students can stop by council members’ office hours or email members directly. Clara Park’s office hours are on Mondays from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.; Aliya Ghassaei’s are on Thursdays from 3–4 p.m.; Max Teaford’s are on Thursdays from 5–6 p.m.; and Kiana Cunningham-Rodriguez’s are on Fridays from 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Publications’ Office
The Quest, Grail, and other student publications utilize the Publications’ Office and often host open-door editing nights. Reach out directly to publication leaders for more information about how to get involved.
The Multimedia Loan and Lending Library (M.L.L.L)
Reed’s comic book library hosts manga, comic books, and graphic novels. The Multimedia Loan and Lending Library (the M.L.L.L.) is also available from 6:00 a.m. till 2:00 a.m. with swipe access. Reading materials remain in the library, and are not available for checkout. It’s the second largest (formerly the largest) privately curated collection of comics on the West Coast.
Print Shoppe
Students can screen print shirts and other materials in the Print Shoppe. You must get trained by a Print Shoppe manager before you can print anything. Reach out to the signator, Cleo Schaumann, for training and schedules.
Darkroom
The Darkroom is a photo dark room and is equipped with all of the materials you might need to develop film and digitize it. Similar to the Print Shoppe, you need training or must show proof that you know how to develop film before you can access the Darkroom on your own. Reach out to the signatories, Nerissa Wright and Rajni Louise, for training and schedules.
Pride Center
The Pride Center acts as a social space for the LGBTQ+ community and is also open from 6:00 a.m. till 2:00 a.m. Students can ask for access by filling out an Access Request & Space Acknowledgement form. It is still going through some of its own additions and renovations such as new shelving and seating, and a small area for a microwave and coffee/tea station. After submitting the form, students will receive the access code to the room
The Reed College Community Pantry (RCP)
The RCP is run by Students for Education, Equity, and Direct Service (SEEDS). “The RCP provides nonperishable food items, toiletries, hygiene products, clothing, books, and more at no cost to members of the Reed community. This resource is open to Reed students, faculty, and staff,” according to the Reed College website’s SEEDS page. The pantry is open on Mondays from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5–7 p.m.; Tuesdays from 3–7 p.m.; Wednesdays from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5–7 p.m.; Thursdays from 3–7 p.m.; Fridays from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; Saturdays from 3–5 p.m.; and Sundays from 5–7 p.m.
Band Practice Room
The band practice room is at the east end of the GCC. Unfortunately the room is in pretty bad shape after years of misuse and the space is offline for repairs. The Office of Student Engagement will be working with Senate to best determine the use of the space moving forward.
Graffiti Staircase
The staircase near the band practice rooms connects you directly to the Student Union (SU) and the walls are covered in graffiti. Students take photos and generally enjoy the space, typically before, during, or after SU Balls.
Tune in next week for next week’s Reed Resources!