SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
Eatonville farmer and former airline pilot Bruce Lachney announces campaign for state senate
He was an airline pilot for Delta Airlines, is currently a trustee for Clover Park Technical College and is a former Eatonville School Board member.
The News Tribune, February 6, 2012
Survival guide for the adult student
Thank goodness for the Olympic College Poulsbo campus and online classes, which make higher education accessible to those of us on the north end. No matter how tough or inapproachable they look, chances are the other — younger — students are more nervous than you are. Strike up a conversation and you’ll discover most of them are perfectly lovely people who are relieved to have someone to talk to
Kingston Community News, February 6, 2012
http://www.kingstoncommunitynews.com/lifestyle/138798344.html
Day shelter opening in Kennewick
They are partnering with others, including the bachelor of social work program at Heritage University and Columbia Basin College …
TheNewsTribune.com, February 6, 2012
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/06/2014440/day-shelter-opening-in-kennewick.html
College Bound scholarship program could face test as more apply
The new College Bound Scholarship program helps pay for college for low-income students, but its supporters worry that the money may run dry. … The state of Washington will cover their cost to attend an in-state postsecondary school — a technical school, a community college or a four-year university — at at public-school tuition rates, after other financial-aid awards are taken into account.
The Seattle Times, February 5, 2012
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017434773_collegebound06m.html
Editorial: Lawmakers - Stop the bleeding of college opportunity
It's a longstanding legislative tradition to use the state's higher education system – universities, community and technical colleges – as a rainy day fund when the economy turns bad and cash reserves run out. … Once word gets around that Washington gives relatively low priority to higher education, good luck recruiting teaching and research talent. And good luck keeping Washington’s brightest in the state to build the economy. When students go away to college, they often stay away. Higher education can create jobs, pull families out of poverty, end welfare dependency, give employers the skilled workers they need to expand, and consummate the labor of public school teachers. But it can’t do any of this well without the backing of the Legislature. Lawmakers must not let 2012 become the year state colleges were given their final tip over the edge.
The News Tribune, February 4, 2012
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/05/2013262/lawmakers-stop-the-bleeding-of.html
2-year colleges truly do transform lives
The editorial board met this week with the presidents of the local two-year colleges – Tacoma Community College, Pierce College (Fort Steilacoom and Puyallup), Bates Technical College and Clover Park Technical College. Their schools have already absorbed big budget hits, and they wanted to convey their concerns about what yet more cuts could mean for the students they serve.
The News Tribune, February 4, 2012
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/opinion/2012/02/03/2-year-colleges-truly-do-transform-lives/
CWU Dual Admission Program to include EdCC students
The dual admission program is available now at CWU campuses co-located with Big Bend Community College, Edmonds Community College, Everett Community College, Green River Community College (Kent Campus), Highline Community College, Pierce College at Ft. Steilacoom, Wenatchee Valley College, and Yakima Valley Community College. By spring quarter, however, the program will be available to students at all 34 community and technical colleges …
Edmonds Beacon, February 3, 2012
Opinion: Stormy week in Puget Sound politics
After the storm, I joined the president of Highline Community College and other trustees in Olympia to meet with legislators regarding the need to support higher education as well as K-12. Highline has experienced significant reductions in state assistance at a time when they are trying to prepare the next generation for a four-year college or the workforce. The Legislature is considering a bill that would put a half-cent sales tax increase on the ballot in April. If passed, it could help the college, schools and other needed services. It is a hot issue that has yet to achieve consensus, and the final product isn’t known yet
Federal Way Mirror, February 3, 2012
http://www.federalwaymirror.com/opinion/138612829.html
Woodworking School Looks to Train Vets
Tim Lawson, director of the Port Townsend School of Woodworking, has proposed a $5 million project, beginning in July, to train Army veterans in woodworking skills by having them renovate a dilapidated former U.S. Army barracks buildings. … The woodworking school received renovation grants for projects in in 2009 and 2010 in partnership with Fort Worden State Park, Peninsula College and the Washington Veterans Conservation Corps and the Washington Conservation Corps.
Woodworking Network, February 3, 2012
Skagit Valley College receives grant for Early Child Education Workers
Skagit Valley College, in partnership with Whatcom Community College, was awarded one of three statewide workplace-based learning grants for early childhood education adult workers who want to earn college credits. Awarded by the Workforce Education and Training Board and the U.S. Department of Labor, the nearly $200,000 grant will fund scholarships for assistant teachers, aides, and those currently unqualified to progress in their careers due to limited credentials.
Whidbey Examiner, February 2, 2012
http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=7251
Warren Etheredge and 'The High Bar' belly up to Tacoma's KBTC
Tacoma’s Jason Ganwich is the executive producer and Bates Technical College’s Digital Media program provides production interns for the show when it films in Tacoma …
The News Tribune, February 2, 2012
Rising tuition, falling aid pose risk
Justin Draeger, the president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, spoke during the public affairs lecture series at Washington State University Vancouver. American higher ed is being privatized, Draeger told The Columbian -- not in terms of public versus private schools, but in terms of who’s paying for college. … A few years ago, the state paid about 60 percent of Clark College’s operating expenses, Bob Knight, the college’s president, recently said. By the end of this year, the state is expected to cover less than 40 percent, he said
The Columbian, February 2, 2012
http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/feb/02/rising-tuition-falling-aid-pose-risk-college-block/
Green-job training put on hold after program produces few jobs
The modest success rate of green training programs didn't come as a surprise to administrators at Everett Community College. In late 2010, the college conducted its own study of green jobs and training, by determining possible programs and policy going forward. The college's findings suggested "that a general green education and, specifically, such an education offered through a community college certificate program, lacks vocational applicability in the present job market."
The Herald, February 2, 2012
http://heraldnet.com/article/20120202/BIZ/702029905/1060/COMM0619
MY TURN | OC mosaic is far more than beer bottles
It discussed building plans at the Olympic College Bremerton campus for a new $50 million structure containing 48,000 square feet in three stories. … During the 1950s, the mosaic was designed and brought to life through the efforts of Harrison Blass, a talented artist and OC's first art instructor. … The article also mentions that OC's historic mosaic, titled "The Progress of Man," would be brought from storage and incorporated into an interior wall of the building. … In total, the mosaic is about 35 feet long and 10 feet high and is a rich blending of color, texture and images. For example, Neptune, with an elegant curl in his deep green tail, plies the murky depths. Vivid red fish swim with sinuous energy. Early industrial man is a powerful blacksmith working at his forge while a great city grows behind him. The mosaic is a wonderful tribute to the pioneering spirit of people who worked to create a college out of a humble set of post-World-War-II surplus buildings.
Kitsap Sun, February 2, 2012
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/feb/02/my-turn-oc-mosaic-is-far-more-than-beer-bottles/
Other images: http://www.olympic.edu/Students/AcadDivDept/SocialSciencesHumanities/Anthropology/Mosaic+Report/images.htm
A little history: http://www.druryconstruction.com/news/8.31.07.htm
Big Bend alumnus from Quincy earns award
Big Bend Community College Trustee Mike Blakely … first met Christian Ramon when he served as a judge for high school senior projects. Ramon and her friend Lupe Cortez volunteered at Quincy Community Health Center and visited orchards, teaching migrant workers about dental care, nutrition, AIDS prevention, and general health issues and sanitation practices. The pair won the national "Heroes of Health Award for Healthy Systems," sponsored by the Washington Health Foundation and the Healthiest State Campaign in 2008.
When Ramon's education goals came up, Blakely asked how she intended to reach them. "She kind of gulped a couple times," said Blakely. "She said, 'I'm not sure.'" Later, Blakely found Ramon crying in the hallway, overcome with emotion that someone had taken a personal interest in helping her achieve her education goals. "My mom always told me that if I didn't want to be poor for the rest of my life, I had to go to school," said Ramon. "I've always been into learning, so it was not an option to not go to school. But then when I got to high school, when I graduated, I realized I didn't have the money to continue, so I didn't know what I was going to do and then Mr. Blakely, he took me under his wing and helped me get some scholarships and he's been helping me ever since." Blakely helped Ramon apply for scholarships to Big Bend Community College and she was awarded $6,000 by the Weinstein Beverage Co. to complete her Associate degree. … She graduated from Big Bend with honors and now attends the University of Washington on an academic scholarship, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. She plans to go on to pursue a Master's degree in neurobiology.
The Columbia Basin Herald, January 31, 2012
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/bbcc/article_e7e70014-4c29-11e1-97bd-0019bb2963f4.html
National truck driving organization recertifies Bates program
The Professional Truck Driver Institute has granted Bates Technical College's Commercial Truck Driving-Entry Level program recertification. PTDI certification, valid for five years, means the career education program meets or exceeds industry standards.
Business Examiner, January 30, 2012
http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/national-truck-driving-organization-recertifies/
Olympic College Selected For "Top 50 Fastest-Growing Public Two-Year Colleges - Enrollments 5,000-9,999"
Sacramento Bee, January 27, 2012
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/27/4220423/olympic-college-selected-for-top.html
Sorry state economy factor in Lower Columbia College students defaulting on loans
The Daily News, January 26, 2012
SFCC hoists new planetarium dome onto science building
The skies have opened up for Spokane Falls Community College students interested in studying the universe as the school recently opened up a new high-tech planetarium that's giving young people a new view of the stars. … The planetarium was originally the idea of SFCC Astronomy Instructor John Whitmer. The state built the round room, but donations, including $200,000 from the student body, paid for the majority of the state-of-the-art projector, the domed ceiling and the new dome outside.
KXLY TV, January 25, 2012
http://www.kxly.com/sports/30298796/detail.html
Red wines from the red-roofed barn in Walla Walla
The success of their winemaking talents, blended with friendship, prompted [Myles Anderson and Gordy Venneri] to hire Bill vonMetzger in 2002. … Anderson, founding director of the renowned Walla Walla Community College viticulture and enology program, hand-picked vonMetzger while still a student.
Whatcom Magazine, January 25, 2012
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/01/26/2363089/walla-walla-vintners-continues.html
Bastyr University and Cascadia Community College announce partnership to benefit students
In an effort to increase opportunities for students seeking baccalaureate degrees in the natural health arts and sciences, the presidents of Bastyr University and Cascadia Community College have announced an agreement that will help to propel students through the higher-education pipeline in the form of smoother transfers between the two schools. “This is a perfect example of how educational institutions can work together to expand opportunities and services for their students,” says Eric Murray, president of Cascadia Community College …
Bothell/Kenmore Reporter January 24, 2012
http://www.bothell-reporter.com/community/138006948.html
Project Connect reaches out to homeless Wednesday
Culinary students from Olympic College are preparing the meal. It costs about $6000 to put on an event of this magnitude, according to Elliott, in addition to in-kind contributions.
Kitsap Sun, January 23, 2012
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jan/25/homeless-help-connect-through-annual-project/
In Our View: Clark College Gets Creative
To understand the challenge facing Clark College President Bob Knight, connect these dots and try to design a sustainable business plan:n State support of the college’s operating expenses has dropped from about 60 percent a few years ago to a projected 40 percent by the end of 2012.
• In that same time period, enrollment at the college has soared 30 percent.
• Tuition (set by the state) has increased by double-digit percentages in the past two years and will climb another 12 percent next year.
• Gov. Chris Gregoire has recommended another 13 percent cut in higher education. That could reduce state help to Clark College by about $3 million, with about $1 million added by the tuition increase.
The Columbian, January 24, 2012
http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/24/clark-collegegets-creative/
Impressive list of leaders added to Ag Hall of Fame
[Rich] Cummins is the president of Columbia Basin College and in 2004 helped revive the once disbanded agriculture program there. For that, and many other reasons, he will receive this year's Visionary Award.
Tri-City Herald, January 24, 2012
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/24/1798614/impressive-list-of-leaders-added.html
Use of social assistance programs rises sharply in Cowlitz County
Employees at Lower Columbia CAP, the area's largest independent social service agency, say they're seeing many "first-timers" among those applying or reapplying for food stamps and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the state's welfare program. The new faces include young parents, recently discharged military service members, people with college degrees and "underemployed" minimum-wage workers whose hours have been cut.
Longview resident Jabboa Tegerstrand, 21, went on food stamps and TANF for the first time in October to support herself, her boyfriend and their 2-year-old son. Since her boyfriend was laid off from Pizza Hut last spring, the family has been getting food from friends and food banks.
Tegerstrand, who works as an office assistant 20 hours a week at CAP through the agency's Community Jobs program, earns minimum wage and receives $467 in food stamps. Having obtained her GED from Lower Columbia College in November, Tegerstrand hopes to attend college to become a medical assistant because "there's always growth in that field."
Longview Daily News, January 21, 2012
Editorial: Will state's leaders work to champion universities?
An outside report on problems in Washington's higher education system pointed a finger of blame at this state's political leadership -- and prompted quite a bit of conversation about what the state should do about it. … One of those solutions is replacing the Higher Education Coordinating Board with a new Office of Student Achievement. The new panel, scheduled to go into effect July 1, will include appointed citizens and presidents of the state's four-year colleges and universities, and leaders of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and the Workforce Education and Training Coordinating Board.
The new board will focus on getting high school graduates prepared for college and transitioning students from community colleges to four-year schools.
Yakima Herald-Republic, January 21, 2012
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/01/21/will-state-s-leaders-work-to-champion-universities
List: Clark College tops PCC
Clark College edged out Portland Community College in enrollment to top the Business Journal's list of area schools. The Vancouver-based college had 10,207 students enrolled in fall 2011, up from 9,721 a year ago. PCC had 10,138 student enrolled in fall 2011, up from 9,327 in fall 2010.
Portland Business Journal (blog), January 20, 2012
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2012/01/list-top-community-colleges.html
PTDI certifies driver training courses as hours-of-service final rule brings industry changes
Gina Buda, president, Progressive Truck Driving School, has been in the industry 37 years and said PTDI standards offer the best training program she has seen. “As long as we follow Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) curriculum and certification standards, our students will be very well prepared.” … The truck driver training courses that received PTDI recertification in December are Bates Technical College; Iowa Central Community College; John Wood Community College, Quincy, Illinois; Swift Driving Academy; and Tennessee Technology Center.
Layover.com, January 20, 2012
http://www.layover.com/news/article/ptdi-certifies-driver-training-courses-as-hos-fina-16974.html
Basic education extends beyond high school
While recognizing K-12’s priority in the decision, the long-range impact could be a game-changer for higher education as well, because the court acknowledged that a “basic education” must include meaningful employment skills and knowledge. Increasingly, higher education provides that training. … If CBC [Columbia Basin College], for example, is reduced another 13 percent, as is currently proposed, it will have lost almost 40 percent of its state funding in three years.
Tri-City Herald, January 22, 2012
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795554/basic-education-extends-beyond.html
Business owners recognized by USHCC foundation Green Builds Business Program
The winners from the 2011 Green Builds Business program in Pasco include:
Derek Brandes and Brett Riley of Columbia Basin College. Brandes and Riley aim to establish a LEED certification program at Columbia Basin College and will take this additional training opportunity to learn the details of what is required for a LEED certification program, and how to implement that process effectively.
Tu Decides, January 20, 2012
http://www.cyberbackups.com/tudecides/issues/Vol6Issue2E.pdf (page 20)
College Assistance Migrant Program
Melinda Martinez, Outreach Specialist for CAMP at Columbia Basin College, mentioned “I believe the best part of the program, aside from meeting and bonding with about 64 other CAMP Scholars, is the intrusive advising and support structure we offer, along with providing students with the resources they need to be successful throughout their college career.
Tu Decides, January 20, 2012
http://www.cyberbackups.com/tudecides/issues/Vol6Issue2E.pdf (page 23)
CBC bell-ringing honors Martin Luther King Jr.
What started as a personal acknowledgment of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy has become a part of the annual celebration of his life. A group of school children placed red roses at the foot of King's statue at Pasco's Columbia Basin College before speakers remembered King during the 21st annual bell-ringing celebration Monday.
Tri-City Herald, January 17, 2012
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/17/1789754/cbc-bell-ringing-honors-martin.html
Learning center helping people get back on track
In this struggling economy and challenging job market, many people are choosing to go back to school, but what about if you don't even have your high school diploma or GED? Many are finding help at Yakima Valley Community College Learning Centers across our area.
KNDO TV, January 15, 2012
http://www.kndo.com/story/16525381/learning-center-helping-people-get-back-on-track
Bellevue College joins launch of $1 billion 'Green Challenge'
Bellevue College has joined 32 other leading institutions of higher learning to launch the Billion Dollar Green Challenge. The goal is to invest a cumulative total of $1 billion in energy efficiency upgrades on participating campuses. Bellevue College is the only institution in Washington state to be involved in the program.
Bellevue Reporter, January 12, 2012
http://www.bellevuereporter.com/news/137217953.html
Pasco Business Owners Recognized by USHCC Foundation Green Builds Business Program
The winners from the 2011 Green Builds Business program in Pasco include: Derek Brandes and Brett Riley of Columbia Basin College [who] aim to establish a LEED certification program at Columbia Basin College and will take this additional training opportunity to learn the details of what is required for a LEED certification program, and how to implement that process effectively.
The Wall Street Journal, January 12, 2012
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pasco-business-owners-recognized-by-ushcc-foundation-green-builds-business-program-2012-01-12
Murray told of progress in aerospace training and education
Already, Everett Community College and Edmonds Community College have undergraduate students who could transition into the WSU engineering program in Everett, said David Beyer, president of Everett Community College. But the industry doesn't need just engineers. There's also demand for skilled workers
The Herald, January 12, 2012
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120112/BIZ/701129937
Building opening ceremony all about jobs
Many of the jobs are in manufacturing, for which a Peninsula College course has been created to train new workers for the growing composites industry, Rauch said. The graduates of that program will be guaranteed an interview at ACTI, he added. The company also will need support staff, including IT technicians, and accounting and quality control personnel, he said.
Peninsula Daily, January 11, 2012
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120111/news/301119985
CBC trustees asked to name forensic lab after instructor
Columbia Basin College's forensic science lab should be named for long-time law enforcement instructor Jim Ownby. That is what 18 active and retired law enforcement officers, a Benton County District Court judge and the president of CBC recommended this week.
Tri-City Herald, January 11, 2012
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/11/1978211/cbc-trustees-asked-to-name-forensic.html
Peninsula College leaders name building for Keegan
Sequim Gazette, January 12, 2012
http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2012-01-12_p_c__leaders_name_building_for_keegan
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
Taking More Seats on Campus, Foreigners Also Pay the Freight
At the University of Washington, 18 percent of the freshmen are foreigners, and each pays about three times as much as students from Washington State. … With state financing slashed by more than half in the last three years, university officials decided to pull back on admissions offers to Washington residents, and increase them to students overseas. … Nationwide, higher education financing has undergone a profound shift in recent years, with many public institutions that used to get most of their financing from state governments now relying on tuition for more than half their budgets. But legislators and taxpayers still feel deep ownership of the state institutions created to serve homegrown students — and worry that something is awry when local high achievers, even valedictorians, are rejected by the campuses they have grown up aspiring to. “My constituents want a slot for their kid,” said Reuven Carlyle, a Democrat state representative from Seattle. “I hear it at the grocery store every day, and I’ve got four young kids myself, so I get it.
The New York Times, February 05, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/education/international-students-pay-top-dollar-at-us-colleges.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
Davidson’s no-loan policy brings results and attention
Five years ago Davidson College became one of the first colleges and universities nationwide to eliminate loans from student financial aid packages. The decision now drives fundraising and recruiting as the college strives to stay affordable and diversify. On at least one level it appears to be working: Davidson is enrolling more minorities and students from other “underrepresented” groups. And 44 percent of this year’s freshman class qualified for need-based financial aid, up from 33 percent four years ago. … Davidson calls its no-loan program The Davidson Trust. The college now pledges to meet 100 percent of all students’ financial need, which it defines as costs beyond what financial guidelines say a family can pay. Students get grants and work-study jobs to make up the difference.
Davidson News, February 2, 2012
http://davidsonnews.net/blog/2012/02/02/davidsons-no-loan-policy-brings-results-and-attention/
Nurses Will Need Four-Year Degree Under New Bill
Under a new piece of legislation in New York's Assembly, all new nurses in New York would need to earn a four-year Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) degree - within 10 years of passage of the bill. Under the initiative, dubbed "BSN in 10," a two-year associate's degree leading to Registered Nurse (RN) licensure would be sufficient for up to a decade.
WNED Buffalo/Toronto, January 11, 2012
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wned/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1892494/WNED-AM.970.NEWS/Nurses.Will.Need.Four-Year.Degree.Under.New.Bill
POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL
State needs strategic investment in infrastructure
By State Sen. Derek Kilmer
In addition, investing in construction trades programs such as those at Lower Columbia College in Longview and in facilities and equipment in other higher education institutions throughout our state not only puts folks to work now, it improves the state’s ability to train more people for jobs in high demand from employers.
The Columbian, February 5, 2012
http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/feb/05/state-needs-strategic-investment-in-infrastructure/
Jobs today, jobs tomorrow
By Reps. Hans Dunshee and Mike Sells
We must put people to work now on projects with lasting benefits
At Everett Community College, we propose to do upgrading of a laboratory that will give students access to the latest equipment, to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.
The Herald February 5, 2012
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120205/OPINION03/702059985/1122/SPORTS
Jobless tell Murray of struggles getting by
Simmons, 49, is employed part time as a teacher at South Seattle Community College.
The Seattle Times January 11, 2012
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017216039_unemployment12m.html
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