SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
Bates awarded aerospace grant
More jobs in the South Sound's aerospace industry, and increased interest in local aerospace training, resulted in a $193,108, two-year grant to Bates Technical College. The funding, provided through the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, will be used to expand the Industrial Electronics and Robotics Technician program.
Business Examiner, January 7, 2013
http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/January-2013/Bates-awarded-aerospace-grant/
The Suburban Times, January 7, 2013
Exit 133, January 8, 2013
http://www.exit133.com/7324/grant-increases-capacity-in-bates-aerospace-program
City of Tacoma working to avoid skilled worker shortage
With the boomer generation set to retire, and Boeing and other aerospace companies ramping up building and production efforts throughout Washington State, the City of Tacoma and Pierce County have redoubled their efforts to maintain and build a highly trained worked force. Bates Technical College offers college level training and certifications in areas such as welding and composites. Clover Park Technical College’s South Hill Campus is the place for all things aviation.
Composites World, December 17, 2012
http://www.compositesworld.com/news/city-of-tacoma-wash-working-to-avoid-skilled-worker-shortage(2)
Cascadia Community College awarded prestigious green building certification
Cascadia Community College kicks off winter quarter and a new year with an announcement that its Global Learning and the Arts Building has been awarded LEED Platinum, the highest level of certification recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council. This certification makes Cascadia’s the first LEED Platinum building in Bothell and the third higher education facility in the state.
January 8, 2013
http://www.bothell-reporter.com/news/186044461.html
Students hit the books and the book prices hit back
Thousands of students started back to Clark College and Washington State University Vancouver on Monday and were faced with a jaw-dropping reality: expensive college textbooks. Books have risen in price by 812 percent since 1978, according to a story in "The Atlantic" last week. That's more than health care, homes or inflation.
The Columbian, January 7, 2013
http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/jan/07/students-hit-books-book-prices-hit-back/
Clover Park Technical College completes $2.4 million renovation
Clover Park Technical College used the proceeds from their land sale to Clover Park School District to renovate and redesign their nearly 40-year-old library into a learning resource center designed to meet the needs of today’s learner. The renovation will be unveiled Jan. 9 during an open house event at 2 p.m. at the Lakewood Campus of CPTC.
The Suburban Times, January 7, 2013
http://www.thesubtimes.com/cptc-completes-2-4-million-renovation/
Edmonds Community College to offer LPN program
Edmonds Community College is launching a new nursing program. The college currently is accepting applications for its Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program, which starts spring quarter. It has been tailored to a specific group of people, according to Kyra McCoy, who has been hired as the nursing program director. Both Shoreline Community College and Everett Community College have well-established Registered Nurse (RN) programs. Edmonds Community College specifically looked to serve a different student clientele.
My Edmonds News, January 8, 2013
http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/01/edmonds-community-college-to-offer-lpn-program/
Lower Columbia College to conduct skills tests for county job applicants
Potential applicants for Cowlitz County government jobs will now take pre-employment skills tests through Lower Columbia College. Previously, the tests were given by the county only when there was job opening. Now, people interested in working for the county can take the tests at any time.
The Daily News, January 7, 2013
Skills gap in workforce ‘a critical long-term issue’
During the past year’s seemingly endless political campaigning, candidates at all levels talked nonstop and with great urgency about creating jobs. But a related issue that got far less attention is the skills gap — a shortage of skilled workers and professionals needed to fill jobs in growth industries and to replace all those Baby Boomers heading into retirement. Olympic College in Bremerton is involved in efforts to address both aspects of the skills gap.
Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, January 7, 2013
Gregoire appoints new Skagit Valley College trustee
Gov. Chris Gregoire has officially appointed Oak Harbor resident Christon Skinner as Skagit Valley College’s new trustee, and his name will be sent to the Senate for confirmation.
Skagit Valley Herald, January 8, 2013
http://www.skagit.edu/files.asp_Q_pagenumber_E_2960
Cold stretch brings wine’s just dessert
Last week's sub-freezing temperatures provided the opportunity for those of us involved in growing and winemaking program at Walla Walla Community College to harvest our cabernet sauvignon vines at The Center for Enology and Viticulture that have been earmarked for ice wine production for each of the last two years.
Union-Bulletin, January 8, 2013
http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/jan/08/cold-stretch-brings-wines-just-dessert/
Rep. Larsen: fiscal cliff could affect higher education
Few details were offered Tuesday, Jan. 8, as U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, met with representatives from local colleges to talk about the next steps in the fiscal cliff debate. But one thing was certain: The fiscal cliff - a combination of expiring tax cuts and automatic cuts to federal spending - could impact higher education. Larsen met with Whatcom Community College President Kathi Hiyane-Brown, Bellingham Technical College President Patricia McKeown, Western Washington University Vice President of University Relations Steve Swan and representatives from Northwest Workforce Council at the WCC Foundation building in Bellingham.
The News Tribune, January 8, 2013
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/01/08/2428278/rep-larsen-fiscal-cliff-could.html
TRENDS| HORIZONS | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | EDUCATION
Is linking funding to graduation rates ‘misguided’?
A growing number of states are looking to link a portion of their higher education funding to graduation rates. Many call it a logical next step in the drive for accountability that began some years ago in primary and secondary education systems.
Education News, January 7, 2013
Study links state higher-education spending to demographics and economy
A new analysis of state spending on higher education finds that states with a diverse economy, low unemployment, and a history of support for higher education are likely to maintain public spending on colleges. Conversely, states that do not have those characteristics have a hard time overcoming fiscal challenges to create a robust system of higher education.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 8, 2013
$10,000 bachelor’s degree is proposed in California legislation
A California state legislator is the latest elected official to push for public colleges to offer bachelor's degrees at bargain-basement prices. Assemblyman Dan Logue, a Republican, has introduced a bill to create a pilot program for students to earn a bachelor's degree at a cost of no more than $10,000.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 3, 2013
http://chronicle.com/article/10000-Bachelors-Degree-Is/136437/?cid=cc&utm_source=cc&utm_medium=en
Getting a better education and paying for it
Recently student loans have emerged as the most ubiquitous of consumer debts, and the unemployment rate among recent college graduates remains persistently high. All finger-pointing aside as to the underlying causes, these two economic birds could be killed by borrowing one stone from the world of syndicated lending, where interests are often properly aligned.
The Washington Post, January 3, 2013
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Ag industry’s value means big money for this state
When the world thinks of Washington state and business, most of the attention focuses on the state’s high-tech and manufacturing sectors. And for good reason; this state’s businesses for decades have set the standard in computers, airplanes and coffee connoisseurship. But down on the farm — Washington state’s many farms — an agricultural powerhouse long ago took root.
Yakima Herald, January 9, 2013
http://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/editorials/698918-8/ag-industrys-value-means-big-money-for-this
Report: Chris Hansen close to buying Sacramento King for $500 million
Seattle arena investor Chris Hansen has reached a deal with the owners of the Sacramento Kings to purchase the struggling NBA team for approximately $500 million, according to Yahoo Sports. The agreement, which has not yet been finalized, would send the Kings to Seattle for the 2013-14 season, pending approval by the NBA.
The Seattle PI, January 9, 2013
POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL
STATE
David Schumacher will take the lead on the budget for Jay Inslee
Schumacher is a former Boeing lobbyist and an expert on the state budget, having worked at the Office of Financial Management and directed the nonpartisan staff on the Senate's Ways and Means Committee.
The Olympian, January 9, 2013
http://www.theolympian.com/2013/01/09/2378462/david-schumacher-will-take-the.html
Rep. Carlyle: universities must be more accountable
State Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, is a major supporter of higher education and the architect of a bill that gave the state’s universities tuition-setting authority two years ago. So it’s worth hearing what he has to say about Monday’s offer by state university presidents to freeze tuition – just as long as the Legislature gives them an additional $225 million over the biennium.
The Seattle Times, January 8, 2013
Attorney General to look at whether I-1185 affects tuition increases
Did Initiative 1185, the voter-approved measure that requires a two-thirds vote in the state Legislature to increase taxes, rescind tuition-setting authority that was granted by lawmakers in 2011 to Washington universities? Initiative supporter Tim Eyman and state Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, say it did.
The Seattle Times, January 9, 2013
Compiled by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
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Alison Grazzini Smith | Legislative & Communications Associate
Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE, Olympia WA 98504
p: 360-704-4394 | e: agsmith@sbctc.edu | www.sbctc.edu
