SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
Green River staff member honored with Equity and Student Success award
Dani Chang, director of Student Affairs, Leadership and Involvement at Green River Community College was recognized by the Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges with the Equity and Student Success Award. She was presented with the award during the TACTC spring convention in Anacortes on Thursday, May 16.
The Enumclaw Courier-Herald, May 27, 2013
http://www.courierherald.com/community/209111581.html
Green River approved for first bachelor’s degree program
Students will be able to complete a Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS), Information Technology, Network Administration and Security at Green River Community College when the school begins its first four-year degree program in September 2013. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges approved Green River’s proposal to start a bachelors of applied science degree on May 9.
The Enumclaw Courier-Herald, May 27, 2013
http://www.courierherald.com/news/209113361.html
Maple Valley Reporter, May 23, 2013
http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/208732601.html
Higher education and healthcare are changing with the times (Columbia Basin, Highline, South Seattle, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Seattle Central, North Seattle, Green River)
Cost is a big issue in higher ed, too, and a reason for much of the change in that sector. That’s provided an opening for the community and technical colleges, for whom the label “two-year colleges” is increasingly incomplete, given the number that are now offering four-year degrees that they believe get students to in-demand careers at lower cost.
The News Tribune, May 26, 2013
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/05/26/2612436/higher-education-and-health-care.html
Off food stamps and employed – with taxpayers’ help
Dede O’Loughlin is among thousands of Washington residents who, since 2005, have gone from collecting public assistance to collecting paychecks — a switch footed by taxpayers. The state contracts with community and technical colleges and nonprofit groups to help steer people into promising fields. The YWCA, for instance, runs an eight-week BankWork$ program in the Puget Sound area to train bank tellers. There also is a certified welding program at South Seattle Community College and culinary training for the homeless at FareStart, among others.
The Seattle Times, May 28, 2013
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021075564_foodstampsxml.html
Building success – a thriving regional shipbuilder has big plans
The name may be new to some, but not for long. Portland, Oregon-based Vigor Industrial is on a roll, looking for expansion opportunities well beyond its traditional base in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Another training center is in the works with South Seattle Community College. The Harbor Island Training Center is slated to open in Vigor’s Seattle Shipyard by June 1. Vigor also works with trade unions, industrial development authorities, and other workforce agencies in the communities where it operates to provide training and encourage interest in shipyard work.
The Maritime Executive, May 28, 2013
http://www.maritime-executive.com/magazine/Building-Success-2013-05-28/
Whatcom Community College offers support to veterans
Throughout America, record numbers of veterans are returning home from service and enrolling in college thanks to the benefits of the post-911 GI Bill. The financial support is a meaningful way to recognize veterans' service. However, at Whatcom Community College, we recognize that encouraging veterans to achieve post-military goals requires more than covering the cost of tuition.
The Bellingham Herald, May 27, 2013
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/05/27/3018651/whatcom-community-college-offers.html
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
Students propose tuition increase for faculty raises
Whether a college is a good value depends not only on what students pay, but also on what they get for their money. That’s why a student group at the University of Washington led by Michael Kutz has proposed increasing tuition to support faculty raises—unless the state comes through with more financial support.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 27, 2013
Is college still worth what it costs?
Many students are tempted to believe that college is no longer a value proposition for them. After all, costs have risen over 1,100% since 1978, far outpacing inflation. Fifty percent of the class of 2011 was unemployed or dramatically underemployed. In another survey, only 16% of employers reported that new hires from four-year colleges were "very qualified" for the workforce.
USA Today, May 26, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/05/26/colleges-need-fewer-inefficiencies/2351643/
Race and inequality
Most discussions about diversity in higher education focus on the admissions process at selective colleges. Rarely considered are problems due to the segregation of disadvantaged students at community colleges. Two new research papers, released last week alongside a broad policy report from the Century Foundation, attempt to shift the conversation by focusing more attention on racial and economic stratification in the two-year sector.
Inside Higher Ed, May 28, 2013
Online learning gets fresh look from a heavyweight
With college costs continuing to climb beyond Americans' ability to pay, there is a real possibility that the world of higher education will join the ranks of newspapers, steel, autos, music and other industries that have experienced disruptive changes. However, American colleges, which predate the original tea party, have remained particularly resistant to change.
CBS News, May 24, 2013
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500395_162-57584878/online-learning-gets-fresh-look-from-a-heavyweight/
Graduation rates are not the only measure of educational success
Graduating from college is a threshold step in the American dream. Not just for students, but for their families, and for past and future generations. When we focus our attention only on the students, we tend to lose sight of the trans-generational significance of higher education.
Huffington Post, May 26, 2013
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-paul/graduation-rates-are-not_b_3339497.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
More young adults hold degrees, boost in the job market, U.S. says
The educational attainment of young Americans has increased over the past two decades, and those who have completed more education earn more money, on average, and are more likely to be employed. That's just one corner of the picture painted by "The Condition of Education 2013," the annual treasure-trove of data from the U.S. Department of Education, released on Thursday.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 24, 2013
http://chronicle.com/article/More-Young-Adults-Hold/139473/
An economic case for more community college funding
Eduardo Padrón, president of Miami Dade College, uses Florida’s statewide course numbering system to illustrate discrepancies in higher education funding in his state. Courses that have identical numbering—to allow community college students and others to easily transfer and carry over credits to four-year state institutions—have the same academic rigor.
Community College Times, May 23, 2013
Proposals to bring student-loan interest rates under control
On July 1, 2013, interest rates on federal subsidized Stafford student loans, which are provided to low- and middle-income students, are scheduled to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Congress acted to prevent an identical rate hike from going into effect on July 1, 2012, and is preparing to act to keep rates low again this year. There are key differences, however, between the various proposals to do so and unfortunately some of the proposals are worse than the status quo.
American Progress, May 23, 2013
POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL
FEDERAL
House passes bill tying student-loan interest rates to the market
Defying a threatened presidential veto, Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would tie student-loan interest rates to the free market. If enacted, the bill, HR 1911, would prevent interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans from doubling on July 1, and put an end to the temporary fix that has kept rates low over the past year.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 23, 2013
http://chronicle.com/article/House-Passes-Bill-Tying/139467/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
Compiled by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE | PO Box 42495 | Olympia, WA 98504 | eclips@sbctc.edu
Distributed via email to State Board members, SBCTC staff, CTC presidents, PIOs, Trustees and NEWS LINKS subscribers.
Subscribe: NEWS LINKS LISTSERV | Previous posts: SBCTC News Links Blog | Subscribe to RSS feed 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.
Alison Grazzini Smith | Legislative Director
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
Subscribe to SBCTC’s Legislative News.
Subscribe to SBCTC’s News Links.
