SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
'From Bothell to Ethiopia': Global awareness and engagement at Cascadia Community College
It was one part student activism, one part cultural education and one part celebration at Cascadia Community College as Mobius Hall was filled Tuesday night with the sights, sounds and even the fragrances of Ethiopia. The impetus for the event was a book drive, spearheaded by Cascadia students earlier this year, which resulted in thousands of books delivered to schools in rural Ethiopia. … Cascadia students received support from students at Bellevue College, Lake Washington Institute of Technology and Seattle Community Colleges, as well as from Cascadia faculty and staff and community members of Bothell and Woodinville.
Bothell/Kenmore Reporter, November 17, 2011
http://www.bothell-reporter.com/community/134089919.html
Shoreline City Council to Host Summit on the “State of Education” in Shoreline
On Wednesday, November 30, the Shoreline City Council will host a community summit on the “State of Education” in Shoreline. Superintendent Sue Walker of Shoreline School District and President Lee Lambert of Shoreline Community College will present the “State of Education” in Shoreline and discuss the challenges they face in today’s economic and political environment.
Shoreline Patch, November 18, 2011
Kitsap leaders see glimmer of hope in report on new Boeing line
Kitsap has taken big steps to produce more engineers and tradespeople that could transfer to aerospace jobs, with its unique WSU mechanical engineering degree offered at Olympic College and the plethora of Navy-related apprenticeship opportunities available through an OC-Puget Sound Naval Shipyard partnership. … Gov. Christine Gregoire's proposal Wednesday to produce more engineers in Washington has local leaders claiming Kitsap is ahead of the game. Gov. Gregoire called for $7.6 million to expand capacity at the University of Washington and Washington State University to enroll 775 more engineering students. OC President David Mitchell was not surprised that boosting education to produce more engineers was the focus Wednesday. The WSU engineering program at OC has made "a lot of sense for us," he said. "I think WSU is looking at doing this at other locations."
Kitsap Sun, November 16, 2011
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/nov/16/kitsap-leaders-see-glimmer-of-hope-in-report-on/
Funding secured for cybersecurity program
A consortium of West Coast organizations, led by Mt. San Antonio College, has been awarded a $3 million grant over four years from the National Science Foundation to establish the only cybersecurity center in the region. The grant will allow the school to establish and operate a regional on-campus center in cybersecurity from 2011 through 2015 and support CyberWatch West programs. ... Other schools in the CyberWatch West consortium include Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Dominquez Hills, Cal State San Bernardino and Whatcom Community College in Washington.
Pasadena Star-News, November 18, 2011
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/business/ci_19367505
Aerospace grant funds short-term CNC Operator program at Bates
Those interested in a career in manufacturing and aerospace now have another opportunity for training. Armed with $91,229 from the Governor's Investment in Aerospace grant, Bates Technical College is offering a Computer Numerical Control Operator course that prepares students for entry-level employment in the state's manufacturing and aerospace industries.
South Sound Business Examiner, November 22, 2011
http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/aerospace-grant-funds-short-term/
Beyond potatoes: Idaho emerges as wine destination
Many people associated with the Idaho wine business or wine-themed economic development draw parallels to the early days of winemaking in Walla Walla, Wash.
"Walla Walla has been a great role model for the Treasure Valley," Fujishin said. "They have shown how you can shape a primarily agricultural community into a wine community with wine tourism and ag tourism combined." In the past decade or two, downtown Walla Walla has sprouted dozens of tasting rooms and thousands of wine-loving tourists. The area has about 200 wineries now, "and there's this great symbiotic relationship between the new wine industry and existing agriculture," he said… One of Walla Walla's prime wine business assets is the viticulture program at Walla Walla Community College, which provides research and trains future winemakers. The Treasure Valley followed that lead, although on a much smaller scale, by opening a similar program at Treasure Valley Community College in Caldwell.
The Idaho Statesman, November 19, 2011
All eyes now turned to 737 future for Boeing in Renton
There is no question that Washington state is the best place in the world to build the Boeing 737 MAX jetliner,” Gregoire said last week. Leaders from across the state, including Renton Mayor Denis Law, attended Gregoire’s announcement at Renton Technical College, which will play a key part in her plan to train future Boeing workers.
Renton Reporter, November 22, 2011
http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/134340218.html
Locals concerned with governor's sales tax hike plan
While local service providers and educators say Gov. Chris Gregoire's newly released budget is not as painful as her October proposals, they warn that her cuts would still have a "devastating" impact on clients and students. As for her proposal to offset the blow with a "small" sales tax increase, Central Washington legislators remain unconvinced that taxes are the only way to raise revenue.
… Her budget also cuts $160 million from higher education: 13 percent from community colleges and 16 percent from the smaller state schools, such as Central Washington University. … "Actually, it's a little bit better" than the October proposals, said Yakima Valley Community College President Linda Kaminski, referring to a proposed cut now of 13 percent instead of 15 percent, or $2 million. But, she said, "It's still going to have devastating effects on students, unfortunately," in limiting the classes offered.
A proposed suspension of the state work study program would also hurt the students who rely on it to pay for college.
The Yakima Herald, November 22, 2011
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/11/21/locals-concerned-with-governor-s-sales-tax-hike-plan
Tulalip Tribes program trains American Indians for construction trades
The construction program is one of three under the umbrella of the Native American Career and Technical Education Program, director Maureen Hoban said. The others are in hospitality, such as event planning, and tribal business management. The programs are funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, set aside specifically for American Indians. This year's total is $493,000, she said. The program employs instructors from local colleges, such as Newland, who is on the faculty of Edmonds Community College.
The Herald, November 21, 2011
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111121/NEWS01/711219904
An Innovative Tech Trio Puts Students in Solid Jobs
… Kitterman founded 180 Skills to offer this new kind of education. A prime example of how it works can be found in Washington State, where his company is part of a novel partnership with Boeing, the aerospace manufacturer, and Edmonds Community College … The three organizations have created a 12-week program that begins with students enrolled in online classes designed by 180 Skills. In the first eight weeks, students work full time through self-paced courses, learning core concepts in manufacturing processes, terms of art, and the kinds of machines used in Boeing plants. Virtual simulations developed by 180 Skills teach students exactly how to use sophisticated manufacturing equipment.
…Unlike in most colleges, where creating the impression that Student A must have some knowledge because he hung out with Professor B is a pretty good working definition of quality control, there is good evidence that graduates of the 180 Skills-Edmonds-Boeing partnership have actually learned something. A badly educated worker quickly becomes obvious when interacting with the machines and processes that make something as fantastically delicate and complicated as a Boeing 787. … Novel arrangements like this are more likely to bloom in technical and job-focused programs in public two-year colleges, because those students and institutions sit at the bottom of the postsecondary status hierarchy
The Chronicle of Higher Education, November 20, 2011
http://chronicle.com/article/An-Innovative-Tech-Trio-Puts/129826
In our view / 737 MAX production A fight we can't afford to lose
Even in the face of a $1.4 billion state budget shortfall, some new investments are absolutely necessary. Case in point: Gov. Chris Gregoire's $9.8 million plan to help win production of Boeing's new 737 MAX. Most of the money is focused on education and training, an effort to maintain Washington's biggest edge in the multi-state battle for Boeing production: its highly skilled aerospace workforce.
The Herald, November 20, 2011
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111120/OPINION01/711209964
Microsoft vet Marty Taucher cultivates new winery
A native of Oregon and an avid wine collector, Taucher joined Microsoft in 1984, two years before the company went public. He spent 15 years at the software giant, leading public relations and event marketing. But for the past decade, Taucher has been passionate about wine. The angel investor participated in the enology program at South Seattle Community College and eventually earned an internship at DeLille Cellars where he met Peterson.
GeekWire, November 19, 2011
http://www.geekwire.com/2011/microsoft-vet-cultivates-winery
Program for Bellingham's Heath Tecna wins state best practice award
The award recognize programs and projects that create additional jobs and economic activity throughout the state while at the same time helping Washington workers get the training they need to land a job and earn a living-wage. Heath Tecna partnered with a variety of public and private groups, including the Northwest Workforce Council and Bellingham Technical College, to help find and train people for new jobs. The partnership resulted in 400 workers hired mostly from the ranks of the unemployed,
Bellingham Herald, November 23, 2011
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/11/18/2277094/program-for-bellinghams-heath.html
Should colleges ban smoking on campus? Many in NW think so
At South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, students used to be able to have a quick smoke as they hustled between classes last year. Not anymore.
In September, every square inch of campus became a tobacco free zone – meaning no cigarettes, no pipes, no chew, nada. Kellie Purse Braseth, spokeswoman for the college, says the main reason for the change is health …
KPLU News, November 21, 2011
http://www.kplu.org/post/should-colleges-ban-smoking-campus-many-nw-think-so
Big Bend receives award from governor
Big Bend Community College's commercial driver's license program helps the state economy and they have the award to prove it. Big Bend's Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) commercial driver's license (CDL) program was awarded the Governor's 2011 Best Practice Award.
Columbia Basin Herald, November 22, 2011
EvCC's Student Fitness Center wins awards for its architecture
The Herald, November 22, 2011
http://heraldnet.com/article/20111122/NEWS01/111129948/-1/news01
For Vets Returning From War, Shoreline CC Offers Opportunities and Support
School serves 300 veterans mostly from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts who face adjustment to college and a new career path
Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Patch, November 22, 2011
Gov. Gregoire visits South Seattle CC; Pushes half-cent sales tax increase for education
First state sales tax increase in nearly 30 years
The West Seattle Herald, November 22, 2011
http://www.westseattleherald.com/2011/11/22/news/update-2-gov-gregoire-visits-sscc-pushes-half-cen
Gov.'s budget plan riles up education stakeholders
One student at South Seattle Community College asked why the governor is proposing an increase to the state's already regressive tax system, where the poor pay more than their share for state services, instead of pushing for an income tax. She replied that the voters have spoken: They rejected a proposed income tax on the wealthiest Washington residents last year. … Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard said he and his team would be "fighting like the dickens" to make sure a balanced approach — a combination of cuts and new revenue — prevail in Olympia. He said his job is to make sure everyone understands the consequences of another $7 million cut in state support for Western. Included on a list sent to the university community of potential impacts were: eliminating colleges, cutting academic programs, replacing Washington students with more out-of-state students, eliminating classes and replacing regular faculty with part-time teachers. Shepard said the biggest concern he hears from parents is that students get a quality education and graduate on time. On average, if every student takes an extra quarter to graduate, the total bill for the parents of the university's 12,500 full-time students would be $75 million, Shepard said.
The Seattle PI, November 22, 2011
http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Gov-s-budget-plan-riles-up-education-stakeholders-2282545.php
Gregoire: Tax hike, not ed cuts, is the answer
Community college officials are warning of huge enrollment reductions if Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposed 13 percent budget cut is approved by the Legislature. … What's all the fuss about? The alternative is a 13-percent cut at community colleges. Take the welding course at South Seattle Community College. Students get the necessary one-on-one mentoring. The sparks will fly, and with budget cuts, there will be no blue light specials. "Our welding program is full, and our aviation programs are full. So we run the risk of closing the doors to programs to put people back to work," said Gary Oertli, president of South Seattle Community College. Oertli told me with no new taxes, 40,000 fewer students will go to community college, and 1,000 fewer at South Seattle.
The Seattle PI, November 23, 2011
http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Gov-s-budget-plan-riles-up-education-stakeholders-2282545.php
College board kicks Occupy Seattle campers off campus
The board of trustees for Seattle’s community colleges voted today to bar Occupy Seattle protesters from camping at Seattle Central Community College because of unsanitary conditions.
The Seattle Times, November 23, 2011
http://today.seattletimes.com/2011/11/college-board-kicks-occupy-seattle-campers-off-campus/
Access to higher education is shrinking due to cuts
Reduced state support for higher education has pushed the bulk of costs to students and families. Due to dramatic increases in tuition, the average cost to attend college has risen 94 percent for students and families at four-year institutions since 2007. The cost has risen 54 percent at community and technical colleges.
Schmudget Blog., November 22, 2011
http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/access-to-higher-education-is-shrinking-due-to-cuts
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
Holiday retail workers stack their shifts to make ends meet
Some say stacking part-time jobs reflects a drop in full-time opportunities since the recession began in 2008, causing workers to take two or more part-time positions to make a living.
The Seattle Times, November 23, 2011
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016830028_retailworkers23.html
Microsoft: 'Avoid further reductions' in higher ed funding
Puget Sound Business Journal, November 21, 2011
http://www.bizjournals.com/mobile/seattle/news/2011/11/21/microsoft-avoid-further-reductions.html
Career Technical Education gets a second look
In fact, a study by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce found that someone with no more than a certificate in Engineering earns more than the average person with a bachelor's degree in Education. Career Technical Education programs, once known as "vocational school," are where a lot of those engineers, as well as workers in other fast-growing fields like health care, get their start. And those numbers led the Harvard Graduate School of Education to conclude in a report that "The argument that CTE is for 'other people's kids' ignores the likely direction of the economy."
WLBZ TV (Maine), November 22, 2011
http://www.wlbz2.com/news/article/180166/3/Career-Technical-Education-gets-a-second-look
Mergers and Apprehension
Inside Higher Ed, November 22, 2011
Connecticut is merging higher education systems to save money and improve degree production. The still-forming board is working to convince community colleges they won't get lost in the shuffle
THANKSGIVING LITE NEWS
Americans Enjoying Thanksgiving Tradition Of Sitting Around At Airport
http://www.theonion.com/video/americans-enjoying-thanksgiving-tradition-of-sitti,14188/
Domino's Introduces Thanksgiving Feast Pizza
http://www.theonion.com/articles/dominos-introduces-thanksgiving-feast-pizza,9354/
Oh, and don’t forget ….
Art the size of a postcard: deadline Nov. 30
Need a little creative outlet that can also help raise money for future art exhibits? The Minnaert Center for the Arts Gallery at South Puget Sound Community College has put out a call for entries for an upcoming fine art postcard exhibit that will run Jan. 11 to March 1, 2012. For a $5 entry fee, you can submit as many as five original, postcard-sized artworks based on the theme "Wish You Were Here." [I, for one, am entering my handiwork.]
The Olympian, November 11, 200
http://www.theolympian.com/2011/11/11/1873279/art-the-size-of-a-postcard.html
Compiled by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE | PO Box 42495 | Olympia, Washington 98504 | www.sbctc.edu
Distributed via email to State Board members, SBCTC staff, CTC presidents, PIOs, Trustees and NEWS LINKS subscribers.
Email subscription: NEWS LINKS | SBCTC News Links blog: http://sbctcnewslinks.blogspot.com/ |RSS feed subscription: NEWS LINKS BLOG
Links are time-sensitive and may expire after the date of publication. The SBCTC does not control or endorse the content of the links and websites.
All articles are copyrighted by the newspaper or website in which they appear. Please do not use these articles without following the permission process of the newspaper.
Some sites require free registration. SBCTC does not link to articles or news sites where a fee or paid subscription is required for viewing/access.
