SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
Financial worries for some colleges despite record enrollment
The budget news brought a sudden declaration of a financial emergency from the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. The move allows them to lay-off tenured faculty, all at the time of record enrollment. This declaration essentially gives community colleges like Seattle Central the option of laying off tenured staff but it doesn't necessarily mean they will follow through with it. Even still, students here say it's a sign we are in bad shape. Carolyn Randall represents many of the students at Seattle Central. She's in the worker retraining program and this is her second chance. "I'm a dislocated worker and the things that these people have done for me I can't tell you what that means to me," said Randall. Seattle Central Chancellor Jill Wakefield says with record enrollment, she understands the need for community education. At least this college, she says, will do what it can to avoid lay-offs.
KING 5 News, September 15, 2011
Latest forecast calls for $1.4 billion less; more cuts expected
…Higher education is one of the more vulnerable, unprotected areas of the budget. But there's resistance to make deeper cuts there.
With a $2 billion shortfall, "if you were to do across-the-board cuts, you'd wind up taking about 30 percent of our higher-ed investment," said House Ways and Means Chairman Ross Hunter, D-Medina. "I just don't think we're going to do that."
Responding to Gregoire's earlier call to plan for budget cuts, the state Board of Community and Technical Colleges on Wednesday voted to declare a financial emergency for the two-year college system, which gives the colleges the authority to expedite layoffs for tenured and tenure-track faculty.
The Seattle Times, September 15, 2011
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016215473_staterevenue16m.html?prmid=head_main
State budget shortfall may force LCC to make more cuts
In response to the latest dose of bad financial news, the state's community college system has declared a financial emergency, a step that allows colleges to lay off tenured instructors without going through a lengthy process.
Even though Lower Columbia College may have to clip away 10 percent of its $10.7 million 2011-12 budget, layoffs to faculty will be the college's last resort, LCC President Chris Bailey said Thursday.
"Some institutions are at the point where they probably don't have any other choice," he said. "(Layoffs) will be our last line of considerations."
The Daily News, September 15, 2011
http://tdn.com/news/local/article_569884e0-e002-11e0-b413-001cc4c03286.html
Scholarly Investment: Despite nation’s continuing economic woes, cost of higher education usually pays off
…Don Bennett, executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, says a four-year university isn’t the only way to pursue education and training after high school. “When we talk about going to college these days, we really need to open up our perspective of what that means,” he said, adding that vocational certificates or two-year degrees are career paths that can pay off. “Really, no matter what kind of field a person wants to go into these days, some additional training beyond high school is important.” For 19-year-old John Blankenfield, vocational school makes more sense for his career path and financial situation. He’s working to get into a nine-month program at Spokane Falls Community College with the hopes of landing a job as a park ranger.
Spokesman-Review, September 14, 2011
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/sep/14/scholarly-investment/?print-friendly
CBC names alum of the year
This morning CBC named Deb Bowen, the executive director of Junior Achievement in the Tri-Cities, as its alumnus of the year.
KVEW TV, September 14, 2011
http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2011/sep/14/cbc-names-alum-year/
'Stand Down' offers homeless vets access to services, benefits, clothes
Some three hundred homeless veterans went to Seattle Central Community College on Thursday for a "Stand Down" event where they could access health care and counseling and learn about disability benefits or other services. At the end, they could leave with a new backpack, a jacket, socks and other essentials for life on the streets… The event was a cooperative effort launched by veteran and student Sam Barrett, 30, and involved more than 50 agencies and organizations. Barrett is a Seattle Central graduate now attending Seattle University, and both institutions helped sponsor the event.
The Seattle Times, September 15, 2011
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016222258_veterans16m.html
Also covered on KUOW: http://kuow.org/program.php?id=24573
More students seeking help managing college costs
Columbia Basin College's Student Tuition Easy Payment Plan also known as "STEPP" is not new, but this program which is designed to help students better manage their tuition has seen a huge increase since the school announced tuition hikes. Classes begin Monday September 19th at CBC. What that means is students have to register for their classes, buy books, and sort out how they're going pay for school. “We've probably gone up in numbers on the "STEPP" program by about 500 already for fall," explains Jennifer Brady of Columbia Basin College.
In 2010, the program had 1489 students on the first day of school. Currently there are 1500 enrolled and it's a week before the first day.
KNDO/KNDU News, September 15, 2011
http://www.kndo.com/story/15476023/more-students-seeking-help-managing-college-costs
'Rock star' course for high school teachers
A new method of teaching is rocking its way into Washington schools - only it's teachers who are getting a lesson in science, technology, engineering and math. The unique program is hosted by the National Resource Center for Materials Technology Education (MatEd) at Edmonds Community College before school starts. Only 16 teachers from around Washington were picked to be a part of the workshop.
NWCN, September 14, 2011
http://www.nwcn.com/news/education/Rock-star-course-for-high-school-teachers-129803548.html
Business Briefs: New nursing building breaks ground at EvCC
Everett Herald, September 15, 2011
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110915/BIZ/709159959
Transfers thrive in new environment
James Moody is sitting on a bench, talking about adjusting to college life. He's not the stereotypical Gonzaga student. He isn't a baby-faced freshman, straight out of high school. Moody, a 38-year-old mechanical engineering major, doesn't fit the mold. His college career started in the early '90s, and, as he put it, "failed miserably." Since then, he's worked a variety of jobs, mainly in the construction sector. After growing sick of the seasonal layoffs and the mismanagement of certain companies, Moody said he started attending Spokane Community College and, after getting his associates of arts degree, transferred to Gonzaga.
Gonzaga Bulletin, September 14, 2011
http://www.gonzagabulletin.com/news/transfers-thrive-in-new-environment-1.2591078
Monday marks 70 years for Everett Community College
Everett Herald, September 14, 2011
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110914/BLOG40/110919871
Centralia College named military friendly school
Centralia Chronicle, September 14, 2011
http://www.chronline.com/news/article_f831d6be-defc-11e0-8771-001cc4c002e0.html
Hundreds turn out for Elwha River science talks at Peninsula College symposium
Peninsula Daily News, September 16, 2011
Bellevue College Names Student Union for Former President Floten
Bellevue College unveiled the naming of its student center as the Jean Sarto Floten Student Union at a ceremony Wednesday. BC Board of Trustees President Vicki Orrico made the dedication remarks and unveiled the new sign on the building honoring the former college president. The student center is the hub of BC campus student activity. It houses student lounges, coffee shops, meeting rooms and study areas as well as the college cafeteria. The second floor of the complex is home to student government, a variety of clubs and the campus newspaper, the Jibsheet. Floten’s tenure as Bellevue College president began in 1989. She announced her resignation in May. The BC Board of Trustees has appointed Laura Saunders as interim president and begun a national search for a new president. The public is invited to provide input on the Presidential search at http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/presidentsearch/
Bellevue Business Journal, Sept 14, 2011
Colonel donates $100,000 to Big Bend
The last Larson Air Force Base commander, retired Air Force Col. Clyde W. Owen, donated $100,000 to the Big Bend Community College Foundation. Owen has been a foundation board member for 10 years and the first executive manager of the Port of Moses Lake.
Columbia Basin Herald, September 15, 2011
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_2f2a6984-def2-11e0-ad3f-001cc4c03286.html
BC North Campus Holds Grand Opening
Yesterday afternoon the new Bellevue College Continuing Education North Campus opened its classrooms, bookstore and computer rooms to the public. It was interesting to prowl the art rooms, admire the lovely computer set-ups, meet with business and professional certificate instructors as well as learn more about Telos for retirees.
Bellevue KOMO News, Sept. 14, 2011
http://bellevue.komonews.com/news/events/668116-bc-north-campus-holds-grand-opening
Bellevue College Offers Free ESL Classes
Bellevue College invites Bellevue residents interested in taking English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to attend registration events…
The classes are free to those who meet these requirements: non-native English speakers living in Bellevue and immigrants, refugees or citizens interested in working now.
Bellevue KOMO News, Sept. 15, 2011
http://bellevue.komonews.com/news/events/668520-college-offers-free-esl-classes
Bellevue College to partner with Year Up training program
Bellevue College and Year Up Puget Sound have partnered to provide college credits to urban youth completing Year Up’s one year IT training program. Lauded by President Barack Obama, Year Up is a national nonprofit organization that provides IT career training to urban young adults and helps them secure internships with U.S. companies. Successful completion of the intensive, one-year program enables graduates to move into full-time employment and higher education.
Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 2, 2011
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/news/129125668.html
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
Continuing Financial Strain Dims Prospects for Public 2-Year Colleges, Report Says
As the United States tries to recover from a recession, a new report by the Education Policy Center at the University of Alabama paints a dreary picture of the aftermath: Students are taking on more debt to pay for college, and community colleges are unable to meet the expanded need to retrain workers. And the future doesn't look any sunnier. The report predicts cuts to state operating budgets at community colleges, public regional universities, and public flagship universities. Tuition will increase across all higher-education sectors and state-financed student aid will continue to dwindle or remain flat.
Chronicle of Higher Education, September 15, 2011
http://chronicle.com/article/Continuing-Financial-Strain/128995/
New Approach to Cuts
When the recession hit in 2009 and colleges and universities saw many sources of funds contract, they did reasonably well making cuts to services that did not touch the academic core of the university, according to the latest annual report by the Delta Project on Postsecondary Education Costs, Productivity, and Accountability. The Delta Project’s report, now in its third year, attempts to provide a broad picture of the revenue that colleges take in and how they spend it. In addition to finding that colleges and universities protected the academic core, this year's report found that community colleges were the hardest-hit during the first year of the recession; that tuition increases at public universities were not enough to cover decreases in state funding; and that all types of institutions did a better job graduating more students and getting them to graduation with fewer extra course hours. In aggregate, the report paints a picture of colleges and universities approaching budget cuts in a fundamentally different way than they did in previous recessions.
Inside Higher Ed, September 14, 2011
Heritage University is flourishing -- 'I don't think there is a limit here'
When John Bassett assumed the presidency of Heritage University last summer, he pledged to help make it into a school anyone would be proud to attend. Slowly but surely, staff members say that's happening. "His experience coming from a really deep and varied history in higher education was just a perfect fit for the steps we need to take next," said Michael Moore, vice president of advancement.
"He wants to create a better life for everybody here. That's really terrific to hear from any leader, in particular for a leader of this institution. That's so much a part of this university's DNA." To that end, Bassett, 69, has hired a record number of new faculty this fall. He took part in developing the university's 10-year expansion plan, and he's devoting more resources to help students achieve their career goals.
He's even questioning whether Heritage can develop a research agenda to investigate everything from health care to land-use policies in the Yakima Valley.
Yakima Herald-Republic, September 15, 2011
The Gated Community College
Inside Higher Ed, September 16, 2011
UW ranks 42nd among universities
Seattle PI.com, September 13, 2011
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/UW-ranks-42nd-among-universities-2168353.php#photo-2
FRIDAY LITE NEWS
Superintendent apologizes for accidental teacher pay raises
When is a raise not a raise? When your boss makes you pay it back…
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44552224/ns/us_news-weird_news/
Treasured pickle in family for 135 years
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44534529#44534529
Therapy dog [Henry James] gives comfort to nervous travelers
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44534853#44530219
Compiled by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
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