SBCTC News Links

NEWS LINKS | Jan. 10, 2012

2012-01-10T14:57:00.001-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

Higher-ed woes tied to state 'leadership vacuum'

A new report by national education experts says Washington politicians have abdicated their leadership role in higher education, leaving the state with a disjointed system that doesn't produce enough bachelor's degrees and forces employers to go out of state to find skilled workers. … Other state education experts said the Penn researchers did a good job of analyzing the state's higher-education woes, but didn't pay enough attention to how devastating deep budget cutbacks have been. The researchers mistakenly believe "a fundamental fiscal problem can be solved by rearranging governance deck chairs," said Bill Lyne, an English professor at Western Washington University and president of the United Faculty of Washington State. … Earl Hale, a member of the Higher Education Coordinating Board and former head of the Board of Community and Technical Colleges, said the state needs to tie together its budget and higher-education policy issues, and view them as a whole. "… The state should look at policies that help students start their degrees at community colleges without penalizing four-year schools for accepting transfers, he said.

The Seattle Times, January 10, 2012

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2017199331_higheredstudy10m.html

Report Criticizes Higher Ed Policy Making in Washington State

Inside Higher Ed, January 10, 2012

http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2012/01/10/report-criticizes-higher-ed-policy-making-washington-state

Susan Palmer appointed as a Renton Technical College trustee

Gov. Chris Gregoire has appointed Renton-resident Susan Palmer of Renton to the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees. Palmer is known to many for her work for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 751 in Seattle.

Renton Reporter, January 10, 2012

http://www.rentonreporter.com/community/137045358.html

GETTING TO WORK: SVC’s Veterans Club looks to help vets
During the first meeting of winter quarter for Skagit Valley College’s new Veterans Club, members and supporters were gathered to get to work. Skagit Valley College President Gary Tollefson summed up what the new club was about, urging club members to be advocates for the veteran student population to ensure its needs are met. “Make sure you advocate for your cause,” he said. As one of its first charitable activities, the club is arranging for veterans to get help signing up for their veteran ID cards, which allow them to get the various medical and other benefits afforded to former military...
Skagit Valley Herald, January 10, 2012
http://www.skagit.edu/files3.asp_Q_pagenumber_E_2960

Nonprofit asks CBC to give all state high school grads access to aid

Ricardo Sanchez, director of the Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP), told the Columbia Basin College board of trustees Monday that undocumented students, without enough money to pay tuition, are blocked from applying for state-funded financial aid for higher education.

Tri-City Herald, January 10, 2012
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/10/1976618/nonprofit-asks-cbc-to-give-all.html

Despite own obstacles, Sahaya helps others
… while stylists Amy and Monica of Illusions Hair Design in West Seattle, cut her hair for Locks of Love, Sahaya shared details of her life journey. Born in India and left at an orphanage run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, Sahaya believes her birth family just couldn’t handle the expense of her disability. … At age 22, Sahaya Corkern is deceptively small. But, even born with spina bifida, she doesn’t see herself as confined to a wheelchair. “I do almost everything for myself,” she says. Now pursuing her GED, she is in her second year at Highline Community College. “I started late because I was recently in the hospital for almost a year,” she says. “I used that time to try to find my birth family.”

The Highline Times, January 9, 2012

http://www.highlinetimes.com/2012/01/09/features/despite-own-obstacles-sahaya-helps-others

Schools, health and social services focus on state budget work

Higher education has taken a beating in recent sessions, too, and for that, Yakima Valley Community College president Linda Kaminski said she's not holding out much hope. … Like many in both higher education and K-12, Kaminski says she doesn't know where further cuts will come from.

Yakima Herald, January 9, 2012

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/01/9/schools-health-and-social-services-focus-on-state-budget-work

Aspen Competition Drives Innovative Ideas for Community Colleges

Deborah A. Santiago, vice president for policy and research at Excelencia in Education, a group that seeks to help Latino students succeed, says she had an "aha! moment" while judging finalists: She realized the large volume of short-term technical certificates community colleges award. Higher-education policy tends to focus on associate and bachelor's degrees, she says, but credentials deserve more attention. "There are a lot of people earning these credentials," she says, "and they are not being counted as completers." … Valencia, which receives $600,000, shares the $1-million prize with four runners-up: West Kentucky; Walla Walla, in Washington state; Lake Area Technical Institute, in South Dakota; and Miami Dade College.

The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 1, 2012

http://chronicle.com/article/Aspen-Competition-Drives/130188/?key=QGklIwVrZCAdZipjZTlAZ2xTaXI5ZUt3NXZNOntxbl9XFQ%3D%3D.

This premium article will be available to nonsubscribers at the link above for five days

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

Rationing and Rationality / Confessions of a Community College Dean

Since their funding is entirely disconnected from their enrollments – astonishing, but true – the only way the colleges can make do on shrinking state allocations is to turn people away. While most campuses have resorted to the easy and time honored “first come, first served” method of allocating seats, a couple campuses have started consciously rationing seats, giving priority to entering students and/or students identified as likeliest to graduate. … A close variation would look at the profit and loss generated by each program, and treat losses as costs. Pick the programs that cost the institution the most – that is, the ones that lose the most money – and eliminate those.
Inside Higher Ed, January 10, 2012

http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/rationing-and-rationality

Nuancing of Access and Success

Because the nation is rightly fixed on improving degree completion rates, the discussion about America’s higher education agenda is at risk of becoming so pedestrian that terms like access and success lose their meaning. … Students, in chronicling their success in college rarely mention a student support office. They are more likely to reference the human

elements of support services. Missing this aspect of student support services might be likened to building the most advanced hospital and then staffing it with medical professionals who offer great patient services but poor patient care. For many low-income and minority students who are the first in their families to attend college, success is often marked by encountering faculty and staff who see and care about their personhood, believe in their potential, and provide them an opportunity to develop it. I wonder if this is what people mean by improving student success?
Inside Higher Ed, January 9, 2012

http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/nuancing-access-and-success

Unemployment Varies by College Major, Study Finds

The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 4, 2012

http://chronicle.com/article/Unemployment-Varies-by-College/130212/?sid=cc&utm_source=cc&utm_medium=en

Community Colleges Struggle to Train Workers With Limited Funds

High unemployment and state budget cuts have made it harder for two-year colleges to offer work-force training, according to a new report. … community colleges are being pushed to offer "quick" job training without academic credit. That limits colleges' ability to invest in more expensive long-term programs, the report says, in fields like allied health, engineering, and information technology—the very fields that need more workers and tend to offer better pay. Forty-two members indicated that their states need more funds to expand programs in those areas. … The report ends with a warning. "Even as community colleges have long been known for persisting despite budget cuts and enrollment increases," the authors say, "we are left wondering whether the sector has neared its limits."

The Chronicle of Higher Education, December 21, 2011

http://chronicle.com/article/Community-Colleges-Struggle-to/130143/?sid=cc&utm_source=cc&utm_medium=en

Estimates Show End to Surge in Community-College Enrollment

But that doesn't necessarily mean the economy has improved or students are in better financial circumstances, the report says. While the number of full-time students fell, those attending part time went up. Over all, the proportion of community-college students receiving Pell Grants rose by 17 percent, to more than 2 million, between the first quarters of 2010 and 2011 …

The Chronicle of Higher Education, December 20, 2011

http://chronicle.com/article/Estimates-Show-End-to-Surge-in/130141/?sid=cc&utm_source=cc&utm_medium=en

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Jan. 9, 2012

2012-01-09T16:51:00.001-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

Temporary homes found for district’s science magnet school

The Vancouver school district, Clark College and Washington State University Vancouver have come together to bring Clark County one step closer to its long-planned STEM high school … The school will move to a permanent site eventually, said Bob Knight, president of Clark College. But in the meantime, having high school students mingle with college kids at WSUV is a win-win for everyone involved, Knight said. The younger students can get comfortable with a college atmosphere, he added.

The school district will pay rent, as yet undetermined, to Clark. And Clark College hopes the ambitious kids will sign up for its courses after they graduate, he said.

The STEM students also will be able to earn college credits while working toward their high school diplomas.

The Columbian, January 5, 2012

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jan/05/temporary-homes-found-for-districts-science-magnet/

Despite recent tragedy, students prepare to become park rangers

Nationwide, there are nine accredited academies for entry level law enforcement park rangers. Several students said they chose the course at Skagit Valley College because it has a reputation for being one of the best.

KOMO News, January 5, 2012
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/In-wake-of-recent-tragedy-students-prepare-to-become-Park-Rangers-136782803.html?tab=video&c=y

'The Pregnancy Project' due as book and TV movie
Gaby Rodriguez, then a 17-year-old high-school honor student in Toppenish, Wash., landed in the media spotlight when she announced that she had feigned a pregnancy as an experiment for her senior project. The widespread attention…led to a book contract with Simon & Schuster, as well as a TV movie deal with Lifetime. The author, who is now a freshman at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash…
Publishers Weekly, January 5, 2012
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/50051-the-pregnancy-project-due-as-book-and-tv-movie.html

E-Books To Cut College Costs

Rep. Reuven Carlyle's new legislation that builds on the Open Course Library.

KUOW NPR, The Conversation, January 6, 2012

http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=25602 - Jump to the end of audio clip to 13:15

‘Having a lovely time at SPSCC’: Auction shows off community creativity

“Wish You Were Here,” an exhibit of postcard-inspired — and postcard-size — art, opens Wednesday at South Puget Sound Community College. The unjuried exhibit features more than 250 works by about 75 artists who range from the well-known — including Joe Batt, Marilyn Bedford and Steven Suski — to the novice — including 9-year-old Kianna Peebles.

The Olympian, January 6, 2012

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/06/1937736/pick-up-striking-souvenirs-from.html

Budget, future plans among topics at Clark College President Bob Knight's annual address

It's no secret that state support for public higher education has declined over the past years. Clark College, for instance has gone from a state-supported institution to a state-assisted one. … Funding for Clark College has dropped by more than $10 million since 2009. As a result, the burden to pay for education has shifted more heavily on students.

The Oregonian, January 5, 2012

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2012/01/post_18.htm

U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee touts RTC's importance to economic recovery

Gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee visited Renton Technical College's campus on Friday afternoon and heard from students and instructors on the present state of education. Inslee, who represents the state's 1st District in Congress, got a quick tour of selected campus programs and then sat down for a roundtable discussion with students, RTC Board of Trustees member Susan Palmer and RTC President Steve Hanson. Inslee's opponent, Rob McKenna, visited the campus recently as well.

The Renton Reporter, January 6, 2012

http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/136855288.html

Governor appoints Auburn mayor to Green River Community College Board of Trustees

Gov. Chris Gregoire’s office announced Tuesday the appointment of Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis to the Green River Community College Board of Trustees. The appointment fills a vacancy left after Trustee Larry Brown was appointed in November by Gregoire to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

Auburn Reporter, January 6, 2012

http://www.auburn-reporter.com/news/136822023.html

Raising the barriers: restricting access to scientific literature will hurt STEM education

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (New York) and Congressman Darrell Issa (California) are co-sponsoring a bill to restore the limits on public access to NIH-funded research. I've written many times before about the challenges that community college faculty and students have in getting access to scientific papers. … Maloney and Issa might not be aware of this, but faculty and students at 1,167 community and technical colleges will be negatively impacted by this bill. Many community college faculty rely on open access materials. Not only are these publications important tools for keeping our understanding current, we rely on these publications to help educate our students. … At Shoreline Community College students in the Molecular Biology course give presentations on research papers. … What? Why didn't our students go to the library? Community colleges don't carry many journals since subscriptions are often too expensive. As a faculty member, we were told not to request journals since our library was prohibited from ordering them.

By Sandra Porter, formerly of Seattle Central CC

Science Blogs, January 6, 2012

http://scienceblogs.com/digitalbio/2012/01/raising_the_barriers_restricti.php

Boat fabricator carves himself a niche

Chad Crozier is a great example of a homegrown entrepreneur on the North Olympic Peninsula. … Chad owns Crozier Craft, which is one of the three aluminum boat fabricating companies on the North Olympic Peninsula … Chad spent his youth in Joyce and then headed east to attend Spokane Community College to take advantage of the welding and fabricating program. … Chad began Crozier Craft in the fall of 2008, and since then has built nine mono-hull boats ranging from 16 feet to 28 feet.

The Peninsula Daily News, January 7, 2012

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120108/NEWS/301089980/david-g-sellars-on-the-waterfront-boat-fabricator-carves-himself-a

INHS to offer paramedic course

Inland Northwest Health Services will begin offering a paramedic training program in March, filling a gap left after Spokane Community College stopped offering those courses for budgetary reasons. Since SCC dropped its paramedic program in the fall, the closest place that training has been available is the Tri-Cities, school officials said. The classes here were often filled with firefighters from Eastern Washington and North Idaho, as well as employees of American Medical Response, which provides ambulance service locally.

Spokesman Review, January 7, 2012

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/07/inhs-to-offer-paramedic-course/

Class lets EdCC environmental anthropology students dig dirt

Environmental anthropology students plant trees for salmon

The Herald, January 9, 2012

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120109/NEWS01/701099968

‘Leadership Vacuum’ Undermines Higher Education in Washington State, Study Finds

The State of Washington has developed a reputation as a well-educated place, teeming with high-tech wizards who work in the computer industry. But that image masks policy problems that threaten the state’s economic future, according to a report from the Institute for Higher Education Research at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 9, 2012

http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/report-on-wash-state-says-leadership-vacuum-undermines-higher-education/39605

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

Opposing view: Three-year degree is not a solution

The three-year bachelor's degree has been hailed by some as the solution to cutting college costs, allowing students to graduate and enter the job market sooner. It has one fundamental flaw, however, in that it benefits only those students who have the highest academic aptitude and the financial means to attend college full-time, year-around, for three years. … Critical to this nation's economic competitiveness is a focus on the success of all students. This focus must include those who come from low-income households, minorities, first-generation college-goers, and older adults who completed some college but fell short of having earned a degree. All told, it's a wide swath of the population, consisting of individuals who likely need some remedial education, who need to work while attending college, and for whom the three-year degree has no utility whatsoever.

USA Today, December 14, 2011

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/story/2011-12-14/three-year-bachelors-degree/51932594/1

Cash-strapped universities look at cutting remedial classes

McClatchy News, December 28, 2011

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/12/28/v-print/134299/cash-strapped-universities-look.html

Minimal changes to Pell Grant are met with relief

Congress avoided an overall reduction by making a few changes expected to affect a smaller number of students — though some of them severely. Among the changes that start in July:

• Pell Grant eligibility was reduced from 18 semesters to 12 semesters, meaning that once students use a Pell Grant for six years, they are cut off from additional funding. The measure is expected to affect 100,000 students nationally.

• There's a change in how aid is calculated for some low-income families. …

• Only those students with a high school diploma or GED certificate will be eligible for Pell Grants. [i.e. Ability to Benefit no longer a criterion]

STL Today (St. Louis), January 3, 2012

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/minimal-changes-to-pell-grant-are-met-with-relief/article_b5c8c965-8265-5688-bca5-12cdbe9d4af4.html

Two-year colleges in California move toward rationing student access

Inside Higher Ed, January 5, 2012
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/01/05/two-year-colleges-california-move-toward-rationing-student-access#.TwXY5-KKFv8.email

Axing Access for Community College Students
New America Media, January 8, 2012

http://newamericamedia.org/2012/01/axing-access-for-community-college-students.php

Shifting gears: Lansing CC's West Campus enrollment drops 23% as curriculum changes
The classrooms at Lansing Community College were emptier this fall than they were the year before. … it was enough to signal that the enrollment boom of the last few years, driven by a sour economy and an outpouring of federal retraining money, had begun to taper off. … And it was not solely driven by a slowly improving economy or dwindling federal support for retraining, but also by a reassessment of which technical programs were worth keeping in a dramatically changed economy. Michigan has shed hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs over the past decade, and, as it has done so, community colleges gradually have shifted their energies away from technical and industrial education.

Lansing State Journal, January 8, 2012

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20120108/NEWS06/201080450/Shifting-gears-LCC-s-West-Campus-enrollment-drops-23-curriculum-changes?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL

State Sen. Prentice won't seek re-election

State Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, said she plans to retire from the Legislature after this year's session, which starts Monday.

Seattle Times, January 5, 2012

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017171238_prentice06m.html

26th District legislators discuss state's budget challenges

Seaquist, D-Tacoma, Rep. Jan Angel, R-Port Orchard, and Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, spoke at a reception Thursday evening hosted by the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce. … [Kilmer] added that it's impossible to have "a 21st-century economic development strategy with a 1980s level of higher education funding." … One problem Seaquist cited is a shortage of workers in the state who have the skills required for thousands of available jobs that pay well. He supports expanding community college programs such as those offered at Olympic College in Bremerton.

Port Orchard Independent, January 8, 2012

http://www.portorchardindependent.com/news/136795128.html

Gregoire prepares for her final year as governor

The Herald, January 8, 2012

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120108/NEWS01/701089936

BLOG: Lawmakers Back Today to Write the Worst Budget They Dare

Washington State Wire, January 9, 2012

http://www.washingtonstatewire.com/home/13362-lawmakers_back_today_to_write_the_worst_budget_they_dare_–_will_finish_the_job_they_started_in_november.htm

Despite bad budget, lawmakers want to talk policy

Kitsap Sun, January 9, 2012

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jan/08/despite-bad-budget-lawmakers-want-to-talk-policy/

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Jan. 4, 2012 - The Catch-Up Edition, part 2

2012-01-04T17:19:00.001-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

HEADS UP

Open Course Library champion takes to the airwaves

Rep. Reuven Carlyle will be on KUOW’s “The Conversation” with Ross Reynold tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 5, at noon for an interview on eBooks, Open Course Library, and community colleges tomorrow at noon.

http://www.kuow.org/conversation/

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

Amateur winemakers offer their best to judges in Camarillo

"I was in the wine program at South Seattle Community College," Swank said. "I was an analytical chemist by trade, and I used my science background to start making wine."
Ventura County Star, November 30, 2011
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/nov/30/amateur-winemakers-offer-their-best-to-judges-in/

After a fireworks accident left him crippled, Ian Reynolds now has a foothold in life

His upbeat attitude comes from pursuing a career that meshes with his passion for helping people and his artistic aptitude. It was a sparkler accident that changed his life, along with a choice few people can even imagine. … Ian Reynolds got on a waiting list for a prosthetic/orthotic technician program at Spokane Falls Community College. In the spring of 2009, he started the program. “The first year was orthotics — I loved orthotics. I learned so much,” he said. “The second year was prosthetics. …”

Daily Inter Lake (Kalispell MT), December 3, 2011

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/featured_story/article_e0c12c22-1e3b-11e1-aa98-001871e3ce6c.html

Bellevue College honors two employers for supporting students

The Developmental Education department at Bellevue College recently awarded Literacy Partners Awards of Excellence to two local employers for going out of their way to help working students succeed. The Safeway store at Evergreen Village in Bellevue … is covering the cost of tuition for Bellevue College student Eldin Juzvin. Managers at the Marshalls store at Overlake Fashion Plaza in Redmond … encouraged student Elena Semaykina to take English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and created a work schedule that allows for regular attendance.

Bellevue Reporter, December 5, 2011

http://www.bellevuereporter.com/business/135060088.html

Focus on high-tech education grows in county
Local K-12 school districts are working with Clark College, Washington State University Vancouver and Educational Service District 112 on a regional approach to high-tech education.

The Columbian, December 12, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/12/focus-on-high-tech-ed-grows-in-county/

Education cuts create a short-term fix but long-term problems

At the UW, tuition has more than doubled over the last decade, as state funding has been cut in half. With an increasing share of costs shifted to students, the average Washington senior now graduates with student loans of more than $22,000. … Community college budgets haven’t been spared either: At Tacoma Community College, classes are overflowing as it tries to do more with less. Entire programs have been dropped, and many students have a difficult time finding the courses they need. Without a well-funded system of higher education, the future will find us with fewer qualified Washingtonians prepared to fill a growing number of specialized jobs.

The News Tribune, December 1, 2011

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/01/1927859/education-cuts-create-a-short.html

Gregoire's education reform proposals piloted in North Mason, Bremerton
On Tuesday, Gregoire suggested that schools statewide adopt a program that Bremerton High School tried last year with a one-time federal grant. Last year, the federal money enabled all Bremerton High seniors to receive paid-for assessment tests of their math skill from Olympic College. The idea was to ensure graduating high schools students would be ready for community college math. Previously, students had to pay for their own assessment tests.

Kitsap Sun, December 13, 2011
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/dec/13/gregoires-education-reform-proposals-piloted-in/

U.S. approves Naches Heights, Washington's 12th wine region
… On Wednesday, the U.S. government announced it has approved the Naches Heights American Viticultural Area (AVA) a region near the city of Yakima … Beveridge, a lawyer by trade, wrote the petition for the AVA, though he and Cline worked closely together on it, and they were assisted by two students at Yakima Valley Community College.
Tri-City Herald, December 15, 2011

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/12/15/1754066/washington-gets-12th-wine-region.html

A Q School Tale - Richard Lee

Lee's route to the PGA Tour as a Q School graduate is less convoluted than his route to becoming a Washington Husky. … Obsessed with golf, he dropped out of Newport High School in Bellevue, Wash., as a sophomore and went to the Philippines to train under a friend on the Asian Tour. But after two years, he was homesick. "I missed home, missed school, missed my friends," he said. He returned home but had fallen behind in school … and successfully pursued a GED (high-school equivalency certificate) and played golf for Bellevue College. …

Cybergold News, December 8, 2011

http://www.cybergolf.com/golf_news/a_q_school_tale_richard_lee

Russian-born interpreter helps in Spanish too

Anastasiya Timkina was 10 when she arrived, she knew no English. … There was an English as a Second Language program, she said, but her meetings with the instructor were sporadic. … By high school, she was taking honors classes. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 2008. Now she’s taking prerequisites at Spokane Falls Community College, gearing up for medical school. With its 33-character alphabet, Russian is a difficult language, she said. But knowing it made it easier to learn Spanish, which she began to study in high school and continued at SFCC.

Spokesman Review, December 15, 2011

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/15/translating-christmas/

Editorial: Big Bend is at risk from state cuts

Officials at Big Bend Community College recognize they have a message problem. The college is receiving recognition in the media for doing great things, but too many people aren't aware of BBCC's dire financial situation. Too many close friends of the college are making comments like, "Sounds like the college is doing great." The fact is: Big Bend Community College is in a state of financial emergency.

Columbia Basin Herald, December 15, 2011
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/opinion/editorials/school/article_6ea5d262-2743-11e1-8067-0019bb2963f4.html

Higher education Cuts jeopardize EvCC's core mission / Guest commentary by David Beyer, president of Everett Community College

There's a great amount of discussion about the "skills gap" -- employers have jobs, but potential employees lack the skills they need to fill those vacancies. Continued reductions of state funding compound this problem by creating a "training gap" -- those reductions prevent EvCC from offering adequate numbers of courses that prepare students for the workplace.

The Herald, December 17, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111217/OPINION03/712179997

Vancouver district board approves science, technology magnet school

The school — its working title is Magnet STEM School of Choice — will be part of a collaborative effort to improve high-tech education in Clark County. Clark College, Washington State University Vancouver, Educational Service District 112 and local K-12 school districts are working with local industries to provide mentors and real-world learning opportunities

The Columbian, December 17, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/17/vancouver-district-board-approves-science-technolo/

Making Science Leap From the Page

Other publishers are also experimenting with technologies that enliven the static pages of electronic technical textbooks and documents. … Wolfram Research … introduced a new format … that allows readers to change a problem’s parameters and watch as the illustration re-computes and re-forms accordingly. … At Walla Walla Community College in Washington, Eric Schulz, who teaches mathematics, used Wolfram’s tools to create an interactive, digital version of the textbook “Calculus,” written by William Briggs and Lyle Cochran and published by Pearson.

The New York Times, December 18, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/business/online-textbooks-aim-to-make-science-leap-from-the-page.html?_r=1

Don Mee Choi finds freedom in poetry

Meet Don Mee Choi, a GED instructor at Renton Technical College who recently won a $50,000 Whiting Writers' Award for poetry

The Seattle Times, December 18, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2017040878_choi18.html

No, I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up

Column by Kyler Lacey, junior at Kingston High School participating in the Running Start program at Olympic College

Kingston Community News, December 19, 2011

http://www.kingstoncommunitynews.com/community/135876673.html

Communicating through visuals: "The High Bar" drinks in Tacoma

The High Bar, which shot at Seattle's SCAN TV in its early days, has since moved to on-location interviews for its second season, with a new look and feel. … Beginning in February, The High Bar will be, among other stations, broadcast from Tacoma's KBTC. … The High Bar has twice shot on location in Tacoma and utilized Tacoma-based professionals … and, under the guidance of instructor Brian Parker, an array of eager and talented interns from Tacoma's Bates Technical College's Digital Media Department.

The Weekly Volcano, December 21, 2011

http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/entertainment/arts-feature/2011/12/the-high-bar-television-series-with-Warren-Etheredge-drinks-in-tacoma/

Tank farm contractor donates to charities

Four charities received contributions Wednesday from Washington River Protection Solutions and its partners … Columbia Basin College, $65,000, for its worker retraining program. The donation will enable 24 people to receive a year's worth of retraining support.
Tri City Herald, December 22, 2011
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/12/22/1762180/tank-farm-contractor-donates-to.html

Highline Community College starts new project

A U.S. Department of Labor grant awarded to Highline Community College’s Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation, and Logistics is targeting one of Washington State’s strongest and relatively unknown sectors: supply chain management.

Tukwila Reporter, December 22, 2011
http://www.tukwilareporter.com/community/136110898.html

LWIT in Kirkland part of state program to curb cost of books

According to the Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship, the cost of textbooks has risen 6 percent a year since the 1980s, twice the rate of inflation. Textbook publishing is currently a $9 billion industry. But the Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland is one of the main institutions in the state attempting to curb that cost dramatically through an Open Course Library (OCL). The program is funded by a grant from the state and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The State Board of Community and Technical Colleges and other learning institutions are trying to utilize the internet to replace the textbook.

Kirkland Reporter, December 23, 2011
http://www.kirklandreporter.com/news/136113518.html

Big Bend to celebrate 50th anniversary

Big Bend Community College turns 50 in 2012 and the college is celebrating with special events and alumni outreach.
Columbia Basin Herald, December 26, 2011
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/bbcc/article_64039b58-2fe7-11e1-a491-001871e3ce6c.html

Aviation, aerospace training leap to forefront
The key to much of the current success in aerospace skill training is a consortium known as Air Washington. Members include 12 community and technical colleges, two aerospace technology centers, the Center of Excellence, the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee and 14 regional Workforce Development Councils. … [Everett Community] College's Aviation Maintenance and Technology School has room for 100 students and it's full, but Bonner says the college hopes to add an evening session to serve another 25 students. … Working with the Aerospace Futures Alliance of Washington, a trade association for the state's aircraft makers, Edmonds Community College created an industry-driven program responsive to those companies' needs for young, highly skilled workers.

Snohomish County Business Journal, December 29, 2011

http://www.snohomishcountybusinessjournal.com/article/20111229/SCBJ02/712299974/-1/SCBJ

Smart grid careers: New year, new opportunities

Smart grid workforce training programs funded by the U.S. Energy Department are offered at various locales across the country, from the Community College of Rhode Island to Centralia College in Washington State.

Smart Grid News, December 29, 2011

http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/Business_Strategy/Smart-grid-careers-New-year-new-opportunities-4334.html

Enrollment Up At CBC

Enrollment numbers for the Winter quarter at Columbia Basin College are up nearly 3% over last year
KVEW, January 3, 2011
http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2012/jan/03/enrollment-cbc/

Tiger Mountain couple opens mom and pop winery

While tours talked a lot about wine, the guides never got into how it was made, Rod [Ahrens] said. “Wine making was a mystery, and no one wanted to divulge the secret.”

His curiosity drove him to start taking winemaking classes at South Seattle Community College in 2007. “I just wanted to see how good I can make it,” he said.

The Bellevue Reporter, December 19, 2011

http://www.bellevuereporter.com/business/125980603.html

As college turns 50, Big Bend figures reminisce
Columbia Basin Herald, January 3, 2011
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/bbcc/article_502357a4-3631-11e1-b96c-0019bb2963f4.html

Need for medical professionals who serve seniors growing

When Janessa Cobb’s grandmother was bedridden for eight months by a severe infection, Cobb took on the equivalent of a crash course in caregiving, [inspiring] the 21-year-old Vancouver resident to pursue a career as a caretaker for the elderly and disabled. She’s studying at Clark College to become a certified nursing assistant.

The Columbian, December 20, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/20/help-wanted-need-for-medical-professionals-who-ser/

Donations land 2 airplanes for EvCC
Mukilteo Beacon, January 4, 2011
http://www.mukilteobeacon.com/schools/features/article.exm/2012-01-04_donations_land_2_airplanes_for_evcc_

Bellingham Technical College Receives Aerospace Training Grant

BTC is one of 13 community and technical colleges statewide to receive part of a $1.5 million dollar grant from the Governor’s Investment in Aerospace Fund.
KGMI, January 4, 2011
http://kgmi.com/Bellingham-Technical-College-Receives-Aerospace-Tr/11902106

New Presidents or Provosts: Lake Washington Institute of Technology …
Inside Higher Ed Inside Higher Ed, January 4, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/01/04/new-presidents-and-provosts-james-madison-lake-washington-tech-lee-lincoln-muw

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

Here's a hot item: Bellevue is a hive of techies

Nearly half of Bellevue's college-educated residents have degrees in science and engineering, an unusually high number, according to the Census Bureau …

The Seattle Times, November 30, 2011
http://today.seattletimes.com/2011/11/heres-a-hot-item-bellevue-is-a-hive-of-techies/

The Olympian welcomes Earl Hale to its editorial board

Join us in welcoming Earl Hale, former executive director of Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, as the newest community representative on The Olympian’s editorial board.
The Olympian, January 4, 2011
http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/04/1935066/the-olympian-welcomes-earl-hale.html

POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL

Rep. Jay Inslee Introduces FUTURE STEM Act

The FUTURE STEM Act establishes a pilot undergraduate student fellowship program to award competitive grants to partner institutions to provide student work experience that will overall improve education and training in support of STEM fields. Under the grants, students will engage in a ten-week fellowship and be placed in real research settings in community colleges, universities, businesses, and National Laboratories. …Industries such as aerospace, solar power, and advanced biofuels industries would be eligible to compete to host STEM students in the pilot program. For example, in Washington state, students could be employed at Boeing, Washington State University, Everett Community College, or Edmonds Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), among many others.

The State Column, December 20, 2011

http://www.thestatecolumn.com/washington/rep-jay-inslee-introduces-future-stem-act-to/

Compiled by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges

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Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
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NEWS LINKS | Jan. 3, 2012 - The Catch-Up Edition, part 1

2012-01-03T17:34:00.001-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

Around the County

Chris Gregoire has appointed Snohomish pharmacy owner Janet Kusler to Everett Community College's Board of Trustees.

The Herald, November 28, 2011
http://heraldnet.com/article/20111128/NEWS01/711289935

Edmonds Community College professor wins state conservation award
Thomas Murphy, chairman of the anthropology department at Edmonds Community College, was selected for the Washington Association of Conservation Districts' Conservation Teacher of the Year Award.

The Herald, November 29, 2011

http://heraldnet.com/article/20111129/NEWS01/711299937/-1/news01

Big Bend starts new pilot program

Students in the helicopter pilot program will be enrolled as Big Bend students, said Big Bend Flight Instructor John Swedburg. "Inland Helicopters will recruit for us, and they have Veteran's Administration and federal financial aid funding options to help students," he said.

Columbia Basin Herald, November 29, 2011

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/bbcc/article_b258755e-1aab-11e1-ba14-001cc4c03286.html

Aerospace Report: Kitsap County part of regional strength

Kitsap County was mentioned in the report, produced by the consulting firm Accenture, as one of the regional strengths thanks to its available industrial zoning, a large contingent of retired military workforce, training programs at Olympic College and the shipyard, and its long history of manufacturing at the shipyard.
Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, November 29, 2011
http://kpbj.com/headlines/economy/2011-11-29/aerospace_report_kitsap_county_part_of_regional_strength

Battle Ground, Ridgefield vie for Clark College satellite campus

North Clark County branch would boost job growth, city leaders say

The Columbian, November 29, 2011
http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/nov/29/battle-ground-ridgefield-vie-for-clark-college-sat/

New accelerated adult ed program hopes to get students better jobs

More education is the key to a bigger paycheck. Fortunately, for those with only a GED or high school diploma, help is on the way. The Accelerating Opportunity program at eight community colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System will give qualifying adults a chance to earn college credits and skills that can lead to better-paying jobs. … [Jay Box, chancellor at KCTCS] and KCTCS President Michael McCall attended a conference at the Gates Foundation headquarters in Seattle about a year ago and learned of the new initiative, which is based on the successful I-BEST program that was launched in 2006 in community colleges in Washington state. Kentucky was one of 11 states to receive the initial planning grant in early spring and is in the running for a $1.6 million implementation grant to be given to five states over three years.
Lexington Herald Leader, November 29, 2011

http://www.kentucky.com/2011/11/29/1976761/merlene-davis-new-accelerated.html#storylink=cpy

New Helicopter Training Program Starts at Big Bend Community College
A partnership between Big Bend Community College and Inland Helicopters of Spokane will provide opportunities for students to become helicopter pilots while earning an associate degree ... “This is another example of the type of public/private partnerships we must establish to create new programs in today’s economy,” said BBCC President Bill Bonaudi.

RotorPad, November 30, 2011

http://rotorpad.com/training-simulation/new-helicopter-training-program-starts-at-big-bend-community-college-in-2012.html

National award honors Providence for EvCC partnership

The Council for Resource Development is honoring Providence Regional Medical Center Everett as the Benefactor of the Year for Region 10 for the hospital’s exceptional support for Everett Community College and its students. … “The hospital’s generous annual financial and in-kind gifts, collaborative nursing education and residency programming and supportive community advocacy have established the hospital as a true partner in education,” said EvCC President David Beyer.
Mukilteo Beacon, November 30, 2011
http://www.mukilteobeacon.com/community/article.exm/2011-11-30_national_award_honors_providence_for_evcc_partnership_

Dr. David Woodall named Lake Washington Institute of Technology president

Kirkland Reporter, November 30, 2011
http://www.kirklandreporter.com/news/134772618.html

A Cleaner Weld: South Puget Sound CC's Lab Grabs LEED Gold

Construction Digital, November 30, 2011

http://www.constructiondigital.com/green_building/a-cleaner-weld

Amateur winemakers offer their best to judges in Camarillo

Jennifer Swank of Thousand Oaks was a judge at the tasting. "I was in the wine program at South Seattle Community College," Swank said. "I was an analytical chemist by trade, and I used my science background to start making wine."
Ventura County Star November 30, 2011

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/nov/30/amateur-winemakers-offer-their-best-to-judges-in/

Gov. Gregoire Appoints Frederick Mendoza As Highline College Trustee

Attorney and community leader Frederick Mendoza has been appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire to serve on the Highline Community College Board of Trustees.
The Waterland Blog, December 1, 2011
http://www.waterlandblog.com/2011/12/01/gov-gregoire-appoints-frederick-mendoza-as-new-highline-college-trustee/

Kitsap Aerospace Alliance... Gets Lift — Gains Altitude

Months of brainstorming gave birth to the Kitsap Aerospace Alliance (KAA) — an affiliation of business leaders and elected officials from throughout Kitsap County. Their efforts positioned Kitsap to participate in the Pegasus Project, and to develop strategies for our Port, businesses, K-12 schools, Olympic College, and our local workforce, to play a greater role in the future of our region’s world renowned aerospace industry ...
Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal December 2, 2011
http://kpbj.com/headlines/2011-11-30/kitsap_aerospace_alliance_gets_lift_gains_altitude

Opinion: Boeing, Machinists show how to get something done; are politicians next?

We must strengthen our math and science programs at all levels of education and train or retrain workers at such important two-year colleges as Renton Technical College where necessary production skills are learned. Our four-year universities are wilting under Olympia’s failure to adequately fund education. We favor an increase in the sales tax to staunch that red ink.
Renton Reporter December 2, 2011
http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/134911023.html

LCC professor reaches across international borders with webcam lectures
Sixty students on the opposite side of the world have a new understanding of American women as political activists — and in return, the students gave [Dr. Courtney Shah], a Lower Columbia College history instructor an international perspective on the subject.

Longview Daily News, December 1, 2011
http://tdn.com/news/local/lcc-professor-reaches-across-international-borders-with-webcam-lectures/article_31b17070-1bca-11e1-8f2b-001cc4c03286.html

University branch campuses are worth the cost

Here in the North Puget Sound, we have a great deal of evidence of how job-related and economic aspirations are tied to the expansion of higher education. As the home of Boeing, we understand the close link between education and prosperity, and realize the paramount importance of educating the future employees for aerospace and other high-tech industries. So, as a WSU regent, I was doubly excited, both for this community and for my university, when the Legislature approved a bill to create a process by which WSU could take over management of the University Center at Everett Community College in 2014.
The Herald, December 3, 2011
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111203/OPINION03/712049991

Education often touted as reason to close tax exemptions

Current budget cuts mean a Kitsap person wanting to become a firefighter or emergency medical technician will now have to travel somewhere else to get the right training, which is ending at Olympic College. The one-year EMS program used to have two groups of 24 going through it at any one time. Now, one group of 15 is finishing up, then the program will be shut down. The fire science situation is similar, with many students headed onto Kitsap departments. Also ending is the college's auto mechanics program

Kitsap Sun, December 3, 2011

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/dec/03/education-often-touted-as-reason-to-close-tax/

Rotary Club hears about health care
All three administrators praised Big Bend Community College's nursing program, saying it has provided them with an adequate supply of nurses where hospitals in other areas have experienced a shortage. "We enjoy something here that most of the nation does not and that is we have an adequate number of nurses in this community," said Bair. "Most organizations are spending a tremendous amount of money in their recruiting. They have recruiting budgets. I don't have one." Big Bend's nursing program ensures he doesn't need a recruiting budget, he said.

Columbia Basin Herald, December 4, 2011

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_58ffc5d8-1d0e-11e1-908e-0019bb2963f4.html

Five Pierce County colleges partner for workforce training

Five Pierce County community and technical colleges are partnering in a new venture to provide businesses a single source for workforce training. To introduce the new Invista Performance Solutions to the community, the schools are hosting a free luncheon Jan. 18 … Invista can call on the resources of five Pierce County post-secondary schools, Tacoma Community College, Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College and the two Pierce College campuses in Lakewood and Puyallup to provide training for workers. … The idea for Invista originated with the Legislature’s call for colleges to cut costs and improve services to the business community.
The News Tribune, December 6, 2011
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/business/2011/12/06/five-pierce-county-colleges-partner-for-workforce-training/

Redmond Marshalls Store Honored by Bellevue College for Support of Working Student

Bellevue College has recognized managers at a Marshalls department store in Redmond for their support of an employee who is taking English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at the school. The college recently presented Marshalls with a Literacy Partners Award of Excellence for its efforts in helping employee Elena Semaykina create a work schedule that allows her to regularly attend ESL classes.

Redmond Patch, December 6, 2011
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/business/2011/12/06/five-pierce-county-colleges-partner-for-workforce-training/#storylink=cpy

Peninsula College chooses interim president

Brinton Sprague, a retired community college leader now living in Port Ludlow, will be Peninsula College’s interim president, taking over for outgoing President Tom Keegan on Feb. 6.
Peninsula Daily, December 7, 2011
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111207/news/312079995/peninsula-college-chooses-interim-president

Highline Community College launches export resource web portal
The Washington Export Resource Center is managed by Highline Community College and the Center of Excellence for Trade Transportation and Logistics, contributing to the State Export Initiative under the direction of the Department of Commerce through the Community and Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) grants awarded in 2010.

Highline Times, December 8, 2011

http://www.highlinetimes.com/2011/12/08/news/highline-community-college-launches-export-resour

Salmon donation to feed Bellingham's hungry

The Bellingham Food Bank has a healthy entrée in store for its clients: 650 ... servings of salmon, raised by students at Bellingham Technical College. The salmon donation was a coordinated effort among the college, Bornstein Seafoods and SeaShare, a national nonprofit that facilitates donations from the seafood industry to food banks.
The News Tribune, December 9, 2011

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/09/1938018/salmon-donation-to-feed-bellinghams.html

Budget cuts cause concerns over digital record preservation
Earlier this month, users of the state archives branch at Bellevue College learned that longtime archivist Greg Lange had his position cut. … The Bellevue College branch will still have talented researchers and the records will not be destroyed, but Handfield said the public will see more delays with less staff at all branches.

Seattle Post Intelligencer, December 10, 2011
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Budget-cuts-cause-concerns-over-digital-record-2393399.php#ixzz1iRl1PyS7

Local view: Clark College needs help to avoid more cuts

Cuts in federal and state funding have impacted services and programs — including those at public colleges and universities. Clark College is no exception. As recently as the 2008-2009 academic year, the state of Washington provided 61.6 percent of our total operating budget. One year later, state funding had declined to 52.5 percent of our total operating budget. It’s now 41.5 percent and will likely drop below 40 percent by the end of this academic year. Instead of being state-supported, Clark College is now state-assisted.
The Columbian, December 11, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/11/clark-college-needs-help-to-avoid-more-cuts/

More Americans put retirement on hold

The reasons people work past 65 are varied: Some love their work. Some hesitate to walk away from the security of a paycheck or health coverage. And some stay because the troubled economy of the past few years pulled the rug out from under them. … Joy LaJeret, 68, of Redmond, is currently taking classes at Bellevue College, with the help of a federal program to retrain older workers, in order to gain certification to teach online courses. She works 16 hours each week at the student help desk, and also has an internship developing a curriculum for a criminal justice class.

The Seattle Times, December 31, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017136017_olderworkers01m.html

Community-college pioneer George Corcoran mentored leaders

George Corcoran [Seattle Community College District president from 1974 to 1977] mentored a generation of Seattle leaders and championed the cause of community colleges. And he was known for sending out hundreds of handwritten letters every year — long, thoughtful notes that inspired and motivated the people who received them.

The Seattle Times, December 31, 2011
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017130210_corcoran31m.html

Illinois receives $1.6 million grant from Jobs for the Future's Accelerating Opportunity Initiative [I-BEST]

Helping adults in Illinois earn the credentials and skills they need to get and succeed in family-sustaining jobs are keys to fueling the economy and boosting employment. …

… The Accelerating Opportunity program seeks to enhance the way adult basic education is delivered by putting adult students on track to earn a postsecondary credential so they can seize the opportunity to earn family-sustaining wages and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. … For program and implementation expertise, Jobs for the Future (JFF) has engaged the National Council on Workforce Education, National College Transition Network and the Washington State Board of Community & Technical Colleges as partners

Aledo Times Record, December 15, 2011
http://www.aledotimesrecord.com/news/x795105946/Illinois-receives-1-6-million-grant-from-Jobs-for-the-Future-s-Accelerating-Opportunity-Initiative

Patricia McKeown shines in first year as BTC president

Her first year on the job was a busy one, with increased enrollment and shrinking financial support from the state. [Bellingham Technical College] lost 38 percent of its state funding over the past three years and may have to endure another 13 percent cut this year. … “I stay positive by thinking about our faculty and the amazing students who go through these programs,” she said. “We’re really making a difference in their lives.” With the drop in state funding, McKeown has focused on bringing in grants to make up the difference. … “We used to get just a few state grants. Now we aggressively look for grants,” she said. “But you have to be careful with grants because they come with a lot of strings attached. So you have to make sure they line up with your mission.”

The Bellingham Business Journal, January 2, 2011

http://bbjtoday.com/blog/patricia-mckeown-shines-in-first-year-as-btc-president/12668

Wenatchee Valley College professor makes literary history

Wenatchee Valley College professor Stephen Berard has written and published "Capti," a modern novel, entirely in Latin, which he hopes will help reawaken interest in the language.

KING-5 News, January 2, 2012

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Wash-prof-writes-novel-in-Latin-about-Seattle-dancer-136597558.html

Video: http://www.kgw.com/video?id=136597558&sec=547787

Immigrants Hope To Resume Health Care Work In US

The Welcome Back Center [at Highline Community College] is part of a nationwide effort to help immigrants like Nishino who were trained in the health care profession in their home country. … The Welcome Back Center is trying to fill a need in health care. Industry observers had been projecting large numbers of doctors, nurses and other health care providers to retire.

KUOW News, January 3, 2012

http://kuow.org/program.php?id=25541

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

Economic alliance pushes multiple aerospace goals

Apprenticeship programs need to be created and expanded, including ones in Snohomish County, he said, so that such things as lean manufacturing techniques, composites development and other programs can be taught in high school and college. Preparing for an expanded aerospace-trained workforce, he said, means reaching out to areas such as research and development, engineering, intellectual properties, computer sciences and the environment.

Snohomish County Business, November 30, 2011

http://www.snohomishcountybusinessjournal.com/article/20111130/SCBJ02/711309981/-1/SCBJ

Duncan Calls for Urgency in Lowering College Costs
New York Times, November 29, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/education/duncan-calls-for-urgency-in-lowering-college-costs.html?_r=1

Community Colleges Take Major Step in Defining Role, Effectiveness

Following 18 months of intensive research, analysis and pilot testing, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and its partners today launch the first-ever custom framework to measure how 2-year colleges perform in serving their more than 13 million students
PR Newswire, December 1, 2011

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/community-colleges-take-major-step-in-defining-role-effectiveness-134826028.html

The New Community College Leader
Inside Higher Ed, December 2, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2011/12/02/essay-challenges-future-presidents-community-colleges

Introverts and extroverts have different effects on your workplace

The Herald, December 5, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111205/BIZ/712059960/1005

Study: Labor shortage looms in South Dakota
State labor officials say increasing the workforce involves more than just creating additional college graduates. While there have been great strides in technical school, community college and online programs, education has to become even more portable

Sioux Falls Argus Leader, December 23, 2011

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111223/NEWS/312230008/Study-Labor-shortage-looms-South-Dakota

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.

NEWS LINKS | Dec. 30, 2011

2011-12-30T13:21:00.000-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

College’s wind technology program fills good-paying jobs

Walla Walla Community College launched its wind technology program last year. The 18-month course prepares students to work in the fast-growing field, where graduates can expect starting wages of $15 to $20 per hour. “We need more wind technicians as we put more projects on the ground,” said Liz Salerno, director of the American Wind Energy Association’s industry data analysis team. She estimates that the U.S. wind industry employs about 4,000 technicians, responsible for keeping turbines operating.

Spokesman Review, December 12, 2011

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/12/colleges-wind-technology-program-fills-good/

Focus on high-tech education grows in county

Clark County’s biggest educational agencies are nourishing STEM starts, with the hope of seeing high-tech opportunities blossom. In education, STEM is shorthand for science, technology, engineering and math. Local K-12 school districts are working with Clark College, Washington State University Vancouver and Educational Service District 112 on a regional approach to high-tech education. … Clark College President Bob Knight said he will make a presentation at a February meeting of the Clark County High Tech and Community Council.

The Columbian, December 12, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/12/focus-on-high-tech-ed-grows-in-county/

Richland woman works with CBC teachers to get dryer patented

A 64-year-old Richland woman whose idea for a foot-and-toes dryer has received a U.S. patent with hopes the device will help diabetics. Guadalupe Olvera announced this week that a years-long effort to obtain the patent was possible because of help and encouragement from teachers at Pasco's Columbia Basin College, close friends and her faith in God.

Tri-City Herald, December 12, 2011

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/12/1941954/richland-woman-works-with-cbc.html

CBC popular with high school grads in Tri-Cities

Enrollment at Columbia Basin College dropped slightly last year compared with the two previous years, but the college still is the most popular destination by far for Tri-City high school graduates. Numbers reported Monday to the college's Board of Trustees show CBC draws more Tri-City students than do all other Washington public colleges and universities combined. The report also showed how many students each high school sends and how many of them identify as Hispanic.

Tri-City Herald, December 13, 2011
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/13/1943210/cbc-popular-with-high-school-grads.html

Walla Walla Community College among top 5 in U.S.

Walla Walla Community College was named one of the top five community colleges in the nation Monday and received $100,000 in prize money at an event in the nation's capital. The school was one of four "finalists with distinction" for the inaugural Aspen Prize, created to highlight two-year colleges that do exceptional work in educating students and training them for good jobs. … "I think what this does is really shine a spotlight on community colleges, as a game changer for really strengthening the economy," said Walla Walla President Steve VanAusdle, who flew to Washington, D.C., to accept the award.
Tri-City Herald, December 13, 2011

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/12/13/1751434/walla-walla-community-college.html

Washington college grant program favors vocational over liberal education

Last year, as Washington State faced a severe budget crisis, legislators embraced a novel way to fund student financial aid: a public-private partnership between the state and private corporations. Called the Opportunity Scholarship Fund, the fund attracts private donations and matches them with public money in order to support students in science, technology, and other “high demand” fields. [also Running Start, WGU-Washington]
Inside Higher Ed, December 20, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2011/12/20/essay-washington-college-grant-program-favors-vocational-over-liberal-education#.TvDBv9sm2mo.email

Whatcom Community College gets grant for cyber security training

Bellingham Herald December 27, 2011

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/12/27/2323726/whatcom-community-college-gets.html

Ag awards to honor 5

Rich Cummins of Columbia Basin College will receive agriculture award on Jan. 26

Tri-City Herald, December 28, 2011

http://www.columbiabasin.edu/home/index.asp?page=10&recordid=3522

Shoreline Community College introduces mobile apps

Shoreline CC first community college in the state to launch full-featured apps for Apple and Android mobile devices

Shoreline Patch, December 28, 2011

http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/shoreline-community-college-introduces-mobile-apps

Everett Community College trains people for aerospace jobs

Snohomish County Business Journal, December 29, 2011

http://www.snohomishcountybusinessjournal.com/article/20111229/SCBJ02/712299974/-1/SCBJ

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

The Non-Campaign Campaign: Beloit College skips traditional comprehensive fund-raising campaign in favor of a project-based approach.

The college is developing a plan, which administrators are referring to as a “modular” or “project-based” strategy, through which it will raise money one or two projects at a time over a shorter time frame than a traditional campaign. Administrators hope the approach will set them apart from other institutions, motivate faster giving, and excite donors who can see a quick turnaround on their investments. In total, administrators believe the new approach will raise as much money, if not more, for the college than a traditional model.
Inside Higher Ed, November 30, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/11/30/beloit-forgoes-traditional-campaign-favor-project-based-approach

Essay on challenges for future presidents of community colleges

Inside Higher Ed, December 2, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2011/12/02/essay-challenges-future-presidents-community-colleges

3 bills pass to shore up aerospace industry

Seattle Times, December 13, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017017803_legboeing15.html

Boeing's Insitu plant will remain in state

The Herald, December 15, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111215/BIZ/712159922/1005#Boeings-Insitu-plant-will-remain-in-state

WWU fires admissions director of 21 years

Seattle Times, December 21, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017057648_wwu21m.html

Governor names panel for [Opportunity] scholarship program

The Columbian, December 21, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/21/governor-names-panel-scholarship-program/

Let’s Play ... Spot the Contradiction!

Inside Higher Ed, December 22, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/let%E2%80%99s-play-spot-contradiction

Montgomery College follows remedial math revolution

Inside Higher Ed, December 23, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/12/23/montgomery-college-follows-remedial-math-revolution#.TvSvbzG0EII.email

Daytona State reins in its push toward e-textbooks

Inside Higher Ed, December 23, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/12/23/daytona-state-reins-its-push-toward-e-textbooks#.TvSyCgeSd94.email

Technology is game-changer in lives of today’s boys

.. today’s boys [are] more averse to risk than previous generations. “You can’t do something risky and not expect it to be brought up (on social media),” Howe said. Parenting styles and rules-oriented schools also dampen impulses to take risks, he said. … Gen X, Americans born roughly between 1965 and 1979, commonly grew up as latchkey children fending for themselves while their parents worked. Their backlash against baby boomers’ nonchalant parenting style has ushered in one of “the greatest eras of child protection in history,” Howe said. A barrage of media reports about child abductions, sex abuse and other crimes against children also instill fear about what could happen to children if they’re unsupervised.

The Columbian, December 27, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/27/wired-differentlytechnology-is-game-changer-in-liv/

Instead of Work, Younger Women Head to School

… many of the workers on the sidelines are young people upgrading their skills, which could portend something like the postwar economic boom, when millions of World War II veterans went to college through the G.I. Bill instead of immediately entering, and overwhelming, the job market. Now, as was the case then, one sex is the primary beneficiary. Though young women in their late teens and early 20’s view today’s economic lull as an opportunity to upgrade their skills, their male counterparts are more likely to take whatever job they can find. The longer-term consequences, economists say, are that the next generation of women may have a significant advantage over their male counterparts, whose career options are already becoming constrained. … While these roles evolve, community colleges are reporting record enrollment.

The New York Times, December 29, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/business/young-women-go-back-to-school-instead-of-work.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL

Military spouses may get expedited state licensing

Sen. Derek Kilmer, a Democrat from Gig Harbor, said some spouses have difficulty getting licensed in the state when they arrive through military transfers. His proposal would give military spouses access to a temporary license if they were previously licensed in another state.

The Herald, December 15, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111214/NEWS03/712149798#Military-spouses-may-get-expedited-state-licensing

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Dec. 9, 2011

2011-12-09T16:48:00.001-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

Just a small dose of News Links. Catch-up edition next week. Promise.

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

Getting Help in Becoming an American / Citizenship Day at Centralia College

The Centralia Chronicle, November 22, 2011

http://www.centralia.edu/news/chronicle/Citizenship_11-22-11.pdf

College students to rally against budget cuts in Olympia

College students will descend on Olympia today as the legislature kicks off a special session to tackle the state’s budget shortfall. Nearly a dozen schools have banded together to send busloads of students to the capitol. [Seattle Central CC, Shoreline CC]

KPLU NPR, November 28, 2011

http://www.kplu.org/post/college-students-rally-against-budget-cuts-olympia

Homelessness was a side trip on an amazing journey

Having worked with adult GED and ESL students getting ready for college over many years, I realized Bill had the goods. However, to Bill, this was an alien notion, something that wasn’t remotely part of how he viewed himself or his abilities. However, Bill did go on to Tacoma Community College. It wasn’t easy at first. His writing skills were not at college level, and there were large gaps in his education. Still, he is a determined man. He took courses to fill in those deficiencies and eventually started to do well in college-level courses. As he was already working with people in Alcoholics Anonymous groups, he gravitated towards a major in human services. Bill not only managed college, he thrived. … But Bill was not done yet. After graduating with honors from TCC, he continued his education at the Tacoma campus of The Evergreen State College.

The News Tribune, November 28, 2011

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/28/1923736/homelessness-was-a-side-trip-on.html

CBC students continue to transfer to achieve higher education

Students are no longer satisfied with just their associates degree, and are moving on to earn their Bachelor's. "After getting my GED diploma I plan to keep studying for nursing and well get a better life for me and my daughter", says Elena Martinez. Elena Martinez attends Columbia Basin College with the goal of transferring to a four year institution. And CBC is finding stories like Elena's are becoming more of the norm: It’s even adjusted its math program with these students in mind.
KEPR TV, November 25, 2011

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/CBC-Students-Continue-To-Transfer-To-Achieve-Higher-Education-134515593.html?tab=video

Community College Trustees Support Governor's Call for New Revenue for Higher Education

Insurance News Net, November 25, 2011

http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=303528

First Independent announces $15,000 in scholarships and grants

[Includes grant to Clark College Teaching & Learning Center]

Vancouver Business Journal - Nov. 25, 2011

http://www.vbjusa.com/2011/11/25/first-independent-announces-15000-in-scholarships-and-grants/

Clark College department earns honors

Battle Ground Reflector - Nov. 23, 2011

http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_f0ab1856-148a-11e1-8a45-001cc4c03286.html

Clark appeals to students from abroad

The Columbian - Nov. 21, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/nov/20/clark-appeals-to-students-from-abroad/

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

State Of Young America: Indebted And Dubious Of Attaining American Dream

The Huffington Post, November 9, 2011

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/09/state-of-young-america-poll_n_1084866.html

In Tenn., A Possible Model For Higher Education

But part-timers and commuter students are much less likely to finish — most part-time students are still without a degree or a certificate after eight years. Higher education is desperately looking for strategies that improve those numbers. …. Many higher-ed institutions brag about all the choices they offer: lots of courses and majors to choose from, pick your own schedule. But for some students, choice can be the enemy, says James King, vice chancellor of the Tennessee Technology Centers, a state-supported career-training program with 27 locations strung across the state.

NPR Weekend Edition, November 27, 2011

http://www.npr.org/2011/11/27/142759691/in-tenn-a-possible-model-for-higher-education

Editorial: Reporting Abuse

College administrators need to contact law enforcement authorities immediately when they receive allegations of criminal conduct.

New York Times, November 29, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/opinion/reporting-sexual-abuse.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Leading the "Lazy" Generation

… I work with a team of mostly young people. They are not lazy. They are different than my friends and I were when we entered the workforce 30 or so years ago.

I’ve noticed that young people entering the workforce are more empowered and technologically savvy than any other generation I’m aware of. They’ve been taught since they were small children not to accept everything they’re told simply because it comes from someone in authority and they don’t want to spend time doing mindless things that appear to them to be a waste of time.

Forbes Magazine, December 7, 2011

http://www.forbes.com/sites/tykiisel/2011/12/07/leading-the-lazy-generation/

Completion Conundrum

The state funding outlook for community colleges is too bleak for the completion agenda to succeed, according to a national survey of statewide leaders of two-year institutions.

Inside Higher Ed, December 8, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/12/08/state-budget-cuts-make-completion-goals-difficult-community-colleges

POLITICS | STATE, NATIONAL

Colleges must give industry what it needs, Kitsap legislator says

… A third education priority for Seaquist will be a push to create a new board overseeing all aspects of education from pre-kindergarten through graduate schools. It would include the current Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board and others. He and state Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, will meet with the governor on Wednesday to propose the idea "to try to make sure that our whole education system was working effectively."

Kitsap Sun, November 25, 2011

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/nov/25/colleges-must-give-industry-what-it-needs-kitsap/

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Nov. 22-23, 2011

2011-11-23T14:01:00.001-08:00

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

http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/shoreline-city-council-to-host-summit-on-the-state-of-education-in-shoreline

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

http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2011-11-19/Beyond-potatoes-Idaho-emerges-as-wine-destination/51244768/1

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

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/school_news/article_5c53626c-152a-11e1-aa36-001cc4c002e0.html

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

http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/for-vets-returning-from-war-shoreline-cc-offer-opporunities-and-support

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

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/11/22/connecticut-merges-community-colleges-and-four-year-system

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

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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.

NEWS LINKS | Nov. 21, 2011

2011-11-21T18:23:00.001-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

Global view of learning celebrated at Clark College

With 75 international students, Clark College welcomes the world every day. But a more focused discussion of “Perspectives on Global Citizenship” is at the heart of Clark College’s celebration of International Education Week 2011.

The Columbian, November 15, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/nov/15/global-view-of-learning-celebrated-at-clark/

Gregoire pushes training as way to win 737 MAX

At a news conference at Renton Technical College, Gov. Chris Gregoire said 20,000 aerospace jobs and $500 million in annual tax revenue are at stake in the site decision, which Boeing has said it will make by spring.

The Seattle Times, November 16, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016783250_gregoireboeing17.html

OPINION: Cuts in funding – not salaries – are at heart of college budget problems / By Sen. Derek Kilmer, 26th District

A recent op-ed by Sen. Mike Carrell rightly voiced concerns about rising costs facing students in Washington’s institutions of higher education. Unfortunately, Carrell diagnosed the problem as primarily driven by rising salaries and administrative costs. … Washington’s colleges and universities have made double-digit cuts in administrative expenses. In fact, the cost of educating each student has remained flat for 20 years and is lower today than in 1990. So, if administrative increases aren’t driving tuition prices up, what is? State disinvestment in higher education. … For Washington’s economy and budget to recover, the state can’t continue to reduce support for colleges and universities. First, education investments are the cornerstone of a 21st century economic development strategy. The International Economic Development Council reports that the availability of skilled workers is the No. 1 factor businesses consider when making location decisions.

The News Tribune, November 16, 2011

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/16/1908124/cuts-in-funding-not-salaries-are.html

College may boot protesters over sanitation

After a health-department inspection of the Occupy Seattle encampment found overcrowded living conditions, unsanitary food preparation and no access to bathrooms during the day, Seattle Central Community College officials are looking at ways to evict the protesters from campus.

Seattle Times, November 19, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016801374_occupy19m.html

WA tracks kids from kindergarten through college

State officials hope to use the information they are gathering about college enrollment to help others better prepare for college and succeed once they get there and they expect to expand their reports in the near future. … "The silver bullet is to pay attention to people all the way through," said David Prince, director of research and analysis for the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. The state's new and improved data center meshes well with efforts in Washington's K-12 and college systems to help kids understand what they need to do to prepare for college-level math, for example, Prince said.

The Seattle Times, November 19, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016804106_apwatrackingchildren1stldwritethru.html

Clark College appeals to students from abroad

When two Clark College officials visited seven cities during a four-country Asian tour, they wound up as “poster Penguins” for a lead story in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Bill Belden, vice president of student affairs, and Jody Shulnak, interim international programs manager, were photographed at a desk with a banner bearing a familiar message: “Clark College, The Next Step.” It was taken in an unfamiliar setting, the China Education Expo 2011 in Beijing.

The Columbian, November 20, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/nov/20/clark-appeals-to-students-from-abroad/

Job Training in Aerospace Takes Flight at Community College in Washington

Students who pass an intensive course at Edmonds Community College get an automatic interview with the Boeing Company, a deal that has proved beneficial. … The alliance had sought an educational partnership with a community college for at least six years, but after shopping the idea of an outside training center to several such colleges in Washington, it found no takers, in part because the industry is a high-maintenance partner, driven by quarterly results and tight deadlines. Edmonds was the first to sign up. "We have to be quick and industry-responsive," says Cyndi Schaeffer, executive director of Edmonds's Business Training Center. "That means we have to hire subject-matter experts to develop curriculum immediately. We don't have a couple of quarters to develop curriculum, and it has to be done right, validated not only by the large aerospace companies but by the small and medium-sized companies as well."

The Chronicle of Higher Education, November 20, 2011

http://chronicle.com/article/Job-Training-in-Aerospace/129852/?key=SWIlIgU1biVMM3lmYToSYGkEaXw4MkNwNnAfb3MkblpQEQ%3D%3D.

This premium article will be available to nonsubscribers at the link above for five days

Moses Lake stakes 'front-runner' claim for Boeing's new 737

Kim Foster, corporate counsel for Moses Lake landowner ASPI Group, noted Gregoire's focus on aerospace education and training. "I think we emerge as a front-runner," Foster told the Herald. "We have a fantastic facility at Big Bend Community College."

Seattle Post Intelligencer, November 21, 2011

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/boeing/article/Moses-Lake-stakes-front-runner-claim-for-2280621.php

All Aboard

An influential foundation says Massachusetts' community colleges need to do better on workforce development, and calls for more direct oversight by the state. … Schatzberg said she hoped the report’s spotlight on the impact of declining public investments would help catch the attention of state leaders. The report cites community college systems in several other states as examples of strong, effective governance. Virginia in particular gets good marks, in part for meeting workforce demands. And in touting performance-based funding, the report lauds systems in Ohio and Washington.

The report cites Washington state:

· Page 13 - States with community colleges that are known to be highly successful workforce and economic development engines—including Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington—all operate through strong centralized, state-run community college systems that are governed separately from other higher education systems. This singular focus allows these systems to advocate for effective policies that can strengthen the ability of community colleges to align their programming with each state’s workforce needs.

· Page 20 - In Washington, the Student Achievement Initiative (SAI) employs an innovative performance funding system that has twin purposes: to “improve public accountability…and provide incentives through financial rewards to colleges for increasing the levels of achievement attained by their students.” Ultimately, education leaders look to SAI to help them achieve their goal of raising “the knowledge and skills of the state’s residents” by increasing educational attainment across the state.

Inside Higher Ed, November 21, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/11/21/foundation-calls-statewide-community-college-board-massachusetts

Kennewick lawyer named to CBC board

A Kennewick lawyer with deep ties to the Mid-Columbia is the most recent addition to the Columbia Basin College Board of Trustees. Salvador Mendoza was appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire to replace longtime member Salvador Beltran on the board that governs the college.

Tri-City Herald, November 21, 2011

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/20/1913701/kennewick-lawyer-named-to-cbc.html

Editorial: Cuts to higher education system could well be catastrophic

President Gerald Pumphrey said South Puget Sound Community College had a $17.5 million in state funds in 2007. That has been slashed to $13.5 million. Total state reductions when health care and other items are factored in, total $6 million, Pumphrey said. Student tuition has increased 40 percent. At Evergreen, President Les Purce said the college’s 2008 budget included $36 million in state funds. Today the state provides $18 million – half. … Both Purce and Pumphrey say that enrollment levels simply cannot be sustained with additional cuts. More students will be denied admission and – depending on cuts to student financial aid, work study and federal Pell grants – fewer students will be able to afford a college education. Purce notes that 81 percent of Evergreen’s students are receiving some form of financial aid and 41 percent are at the poverty level.

The Olympian, November 21, 2011

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/11/21/1885099/cuts-to-higher-education-system.html#ixzz1eMTrkHqh

Editorial: More budget raids on higher education imperil the state's future

The way out of the Great Recession in Washington is through the state's two-year community and technical colleges and four-year baccalaureate offerings. Quit limiting access through tuition increases and program cuts.

The Seattle Times, November 20, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2016797288_edit20highered.html

New Research Shows that Transfers Support Both Alma Maters

A widely held belief is that transfer students shift their allegiance and giving from their community college to their four-year institution. Because of this, many community college fundraisers have thought there was limited value in pursuing alumni relations efforts with transfer students. However, new research challenges this belief. Lisa Ann Skari, vice president of institutional advancement at Highline Community College in Des Moines, Wash., recently wrote her doctoral dissertation on the characteristics of community college alumni donors. In her research, Skari found that almost 73 percent of community college alumni donors gave to another organization in the last five years, with 36 percent of them giving specifically to their four-year alma mater.

CASE Briefcase, November 2011

http://www.case.org/publications_and_products/briefcase/briefcase_2011/november_2011/research_and_news_of_note.html

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

Rules could prompt colleges to pull online programs from some states

Higher-education officials say their institutions don’t have budgets for expensive adjustments to ED's ‘state authorization’ rule

eCampus News, November 17, 2011

http://www.ecampusnews.com/technologies/rules-could-prompt-colleges-to-pull-online-programs-from-some-states/

OPINION: Today’s students do have it harder / By Wolfgang Franz, retired Central Washington University economics professor

… So for a student to "work his way through college," in 1961, to earn $102 at the minimum wage of $1.15 it took 90 hours, while now at the minimum wage of $8.67, it takes 346 hours to earn $2,994. Thus, after adjusting for payroll taxes, it took 10 hours per week of work during the 10-week quarter in 1961, but close to 40 hours per week now. As a full-time student, working 10 hours per week is doable, but working about 40 hours per week is not reasonable. … The reason I had to pay only a token of $15 for tuition per quarter all four years was because the state of Washington paid almost 100 percent of the cost … It is unfortunate that many older folks do not seem to appreciate what society did for them, and do not seem to realize how good they had it. So we need to quit blaming the young who in many ways have it tougher than we did.

The Ellensburg Daily Record, November 19, 2011

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/guest-column-today-s-students-do-have-it-harder/article_e50255ae-1242-11e1-9cba-001cc4c03286.html

Redefining Public Relations in the Age of Social Media

Public relations has changed from "trying to manage the message an entity was sharing with its different audiences" to "facilitating the ongoing conversation in an always-on world."

The New York Times, November 21, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/business/media/redefining-public-relations-in-the-age-of-social-media.html?_r=1&emc=eta1&pagewanted=print

SHORT WEEK [LONG DAYS] LITE NEWS

Art the size of a postcard: deadline Nov. 30

The Olympian, November 11, 200

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/11/11/1873279/art-the-size-of-a-postcard.html

Visions of Thanksgiving

Some inventive ideas for the holiday. For my money, I like hilly potatoes with broccoli trees.

The New York Times, November 19, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/11/19/opinion/sunday/20111120_Op-Art.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=thab1

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.

NEWS LINKS | Nov. 17, 2011

2011-11-17T15:56:00.001-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

College readies first four-year program

In a first for Centralia College, administrators and officials have announced the creation of a four-year bachelor of applied science degree, contingent on approval

from the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges.

Centralia Chronicle, November 10, 2011

http://www.centralia.edu/news/chronicle/BAS-degree_11-10-11.pdf

Editorial: Centralia College Gets an A+ with Four-Year Program

Centralia Chronicle, November 10, 2011

http://www.centralia.edu/news/chronicle/BAS-editorial_11-10-11.pdf

Composites manufacturer targets January opening in Bremerton

A Canadian nonprofit soon will open a manufacturing operation employing a handful of veterans to make lightweight composite crutches. Working with Olympic College and others, Profile Composites North America will draw from a dozen people, most of them veterans seeking to enter the civilian workforce, to work at its operation … By December, those workers will be the first to have completed two quarters of instruction at OC for a new certificate in composites manufacturing. … The veterans were saluted by Gov. Chris Gregoire Friday at Olympic College. Gregoire earlier had chosen the OC-Profile Composites effort and its partners to receive $100,000 in federal funding.

Kitsap Sun, November 11, 2011

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/nov/11/composites-manufacturer-targets-january-opening/

BTC receives $570,000 grant for health-care program

Bellingham Technical College recently received a grant for more than $570,000 to help hospital and health-care workers get the education they need to earn degrees and certificates in more advanced areas in the industry. The 2011-12 Hospital Employee Education and Training grant helps BTC and other colleges fund job re-training classes and programs, advising, childcare, transportation and other things currently employed health-care workers need to go back to school. … . The school is partnering with Skagit Valley College; Whatcom Community College; Northwest Workforce Council; employee unions Service Employees International Union Healthcare, United Food and Commercial Workers 2 and the Washington State Nurses Association; and Northwest Alliance for Health Care Skills at five regional hospitals.

The Bellingham Herald, November 16, 2011

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/11/16/2274059/btc-receives-570000-grant-for.html

Occupation Fatigue

Move over Berkeley and Harvard; Seattle Central Community College has become an increasingly high-profile and tense campus home for the Occupy movement.

Inside Higher Ed, November 17, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/11/17/tensions-grow-between-seattle-central-community-college-and-occupy-seattle

CBC likely to regain status as Hispanic Serving Institution
Amidst the gloomy budget forecasts for colleges this year, there has been some bright news for Columbia Basin College. The Pasco school is on track to regain its federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, which it lost last year after federal agencies changed their accounting methods. That means it once again will be able to compete for federal money that in the past has paid for programs benefiting all students, not just those of Hispanic heritage. After dipping below that percentage last year, CBC now is confident its Hispanic enrollment will exceed 25 percent when official state numbers are released in December, said Martin Valadez, vice president of diversity and outreach.
Tri-City Herald, November 14, 2011

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/13/1904102/cbc-likely-to-regain-status-as.html

Green River Community College awarded funding to help increase study completion among students

Green River Community College has been awarded two-year funding from Campus Compact to pilot a program intended to help community college students persist in school and ultimately graduate. The grant will fund Connect2Complete (C2C) pilots in Florida, Ohio and Washington state, on three community college campuses in each state. Campus Compact has received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to launch Connect2Complete.

Maple Valley Reporter, November 10, 2011

http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/community/133624438.html

Edmonds Community College wins grant aimed at helping students graduate

Edmonds Community College announced Tuesday that the school has been awarded two-year funding from Campus Compact, a Boston-based national nonprofit organization, to pilot a program intended to help community college students persist in school and ultimately graduate. In Washington, those schools are Edmonds, Big Bend and Green River community colleges.

My Edmonds News, November 17, 2011

http://myedmondsnews.com/2011/11/edmonds-community-college-wins-grant-aimed-at-helping-students-graduate/

Gregoire announces $3 million available for aerospace training

Chris Gregoire announced this week $3 million in Workforce Investment Act funds are now available to help nearly 500 workers learn the skills necessary for Washington's aerospace industry. … As a result of the governor’s investment, Renton Technical College will be able to offer skills training for the Aerospace Manufacturing Core Certificate and the Aerospace Assembly Mechanic Certificate,” said Steve Hanson, president of Renton Technical College.

Renton Reporter, November 17, 2011

http://www.rentonreporter.com/business/122171453.html

Editorial: Education will keep aerospace jobs aloft in Washington

Washington needs to be ready to take advantage of the employment opportunities represented by Emirates Airlines' investment in Boeing 777s. Educate and train our workforce for the jobs in place and those to come. … As the Legislature meets in special session and looks ahead to grim budgetary realities in the 2012 session, recall progress already made.

This year, the University Center of North Puget Sound was set in motion. The collaboration of eight public and private schools on the Everett Community College campus will eventually be headed by Washington State University. Exploit every opportunity to produce engineers and skilled workers to fill jobs in aerospace.

The Seattle Times, November 16, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2016775004_edit16boeing.html

Chinese official visits Kirkland tech college

China's vice minister of education visited a small college in Kirkland on Tuesday with hopes of picking up some ideas for improving technical education in her country. Xin Lu also expressed enthusiasm for working with Lake Washington Institute of Technology on a number of cooperative projects, including an ambitious plan to send teachers from China's technical colleges to the United States to learn about U.S. teaching methods. … College President David Woodall welcomed the proposals and made plans to continue the discussion when he visits China early next year. The delegation proposed a number of possible ways they can work together, including sharing both curriculum and students

The Seattle Times, November 16, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2016775662_chineseeducation29.html

Gregoire grants 'Best Practices' awards to businesses

The four recipients, Gregoire said, demonstrate the ability of public-private partnerships to connect job-seekers with employers in need of skilled workers.

Puget Sound Business Journal, November 15, 2011

http://www.bizjournals.com/mobile/seattle/news/2011/11/15/gregoire-grants-best-practices.html

Gov. Gregoire announces Best Practice Awards

Governor Chris Gregoire has recognized four Washington programs for their ability to strongly connect workforce training to employer needs. The 2011 Governor's Best Practices Awards for Workforce and Economic Development were announced yesterday. Each has a community or technical college connection.

· Program helps unemployed land aerospace jobs - This partnership has helped a growing aerospace manufacturer meet demand for exports while making sure to the greatest extent possible that jobs are filled from laid off workers with the ability to contribute. Partners include Bellingham Technical College

· Youth program nurtures Seattle's manufacturing pipeline - SODO, Inc. combines manufacturing-related certifications and other job readiness training with internships with area industries and other employers, providing valuable work experience for disadvantaged young adults. Partners include South Seattle Community College Apprenticeship and Education Center, Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center

· Assessments improve employer-jobseeker matching - Spokane is using a national assessment test to build stronger ties between the region's employers and its jobseekers. The goal is to have a comprehensive picture of Spokane's work readiness that can serve as a business recruitment tool. Partners include Community Colleges of Spokane

· College program upskills rural workers into key jobs [CDL I-BEST] - Big Bend Community College makes it possible for low-skilled workers to learn how to operate large trucks and acquire a Commercial Driver's License, helping to meet the transportation demands of the region's agribusinesses. Partners include Big Bend Community College, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

http://www.wtb.wa.gov/GovernorsBestPracticesAwards2011.asp

Veterans facing tough job market

Our veterans have the drive, discipline, and self-confidence to succeed in any workplace," Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash, said in a statement. "But for too long at the end of their career we've patted them on the back for their service and pushed them out into the job market alone." In the county, veterans like Carl Mattson are seeking jobs where their military training is seen as an asset. After leaving the Marines in 2010, Mattson served in the National Guard and became a longshoreman. As a newer worker, he's last in line for jobs, so he's pursuing more stable work. Mattson started in a two-year mechanic program at Lake Washington [Institute of Technology], then heard about the shorter-term training at the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center in Everett.
Everett Herald, Nov. 11, 2011
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111111/NEWS01/711119869

Budget cuts, space needs doom Renton Technical College sewing

Due to budget cuts and not being able to find another location for the class on campus, the college decided to halt the program. “We are expanding our basic studies and aerospace assembly mechanic programs and we need the additional space,” said Susanna Williams, college relations and foundation director for RTC in a statement. “Due to four years of budget cuts from the state, Renton Technical College no longer has the room to sustain smaller programs like sewing, which have served the community for years

Renton Reporter, November 17, 2011

http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/134053473.html

Education key to keeping Boeing jobs, says Gov.

Gregoire said Washington has already been investing in training Boeing’s future workers, with 22 of the state’s community and technical colleges already working with Boeing. Walla Walla Community College recently dropped its carpentry program to make room for aerospace training.

Wenatchee World, November 17, 2011

http://m.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/nov/17/education-key-to-keeping-boeing-jobs-says-gov/

State Must 'Grow' More Engineers If It Wants Boeing 737 MAX

Speaking in a classroom at Renton Technical College, Governor Gregoire said she wants the 737 MAX to be built in Washington state. … Meanwhile, the classrooms that could generate future aerospace employees have some empty work stations. College officials say just a two–month program can lead to a stable aerospace job, but their classes are not filled to capacity. Don Hansen is one of the current students at Renton Technical College. He graduates in December. He says he spent 30 years in construction, but has been unemployed the last three years. Hansen: "So, career change seemed like the way to go." Hansen is working on an assembly mechanic's certificate. He says he couldn't find any state help with the tuition which costs $4,800. Luckily, his family came through.

KUOW NPR, November 17, 2011

http://kuow.org/program.php?id=25130

Ground breaks for new health sciences facility

Clover Park Technical College celebrated the groundbreaking Nov. 16 of its new health sciences facility located in the center of campus. Clover Park Technical College offers the largest number of healthcare related programs in Pierce County. The college’s 11 health-training programs have long since outgrown Building 14, built in 1981.

Tacoma Weekly, November 17, 2011

http://www.tacomaweekly.com/news/view/city-briefs-november-17-2011/

Edmonds CC anthropology instructor named state Conservation Teacher of the Year

Dr. Thomas W. Murphy, Chair of the Anthropology Department at Edmonds Community College, has been named the Washington Association of Conservation Districts’ Conservation Teacher of the Year.

My Edmonds News, November 17, 2011

http://myedmondsnews.com/2011/11/edmonds-cc-anthropology-instructor-named-state-conservation-teacher-of-the-year/

Do online textbooks have a future in Washington higher-ed?

University [college] students — who today face tuition increases and budget cuts — spend about $1,200 per year on textbooks, according to the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). Earlier this month, the Washington State Open Course Library (OCL) introduced 42 courses worth of ready-to-use, adaptable online material for university [college] faculty. … “[The OCL] helps faculty find new ways and resources for teaching and helps students with free or very inexpensive options [for course materials],” said Tom Caswell, an Open Education Policy associate and project lead. … State Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, who has been the major proponent of OCL, is enthusiastic about breaking what he calls the commercial monopoly of the textbook industry, which he believes hurts students. … “[The OCL] is about the power of the Internet, the power of textbooks and sharing, and the power of coordinating and collaboration.” Carlyle expressed his hope that the “UW embraces Open Education Resources as religion and realizes the profound impact at a high quality learning capacity.” “This is an example of where the state Legislature has made a smart investment,” Caswell said. “[The state] put $750,000 towards Open Course Library even during a time of cuts.”
Queen Anne View, November 17, 2011

http://www.queenanneview.com/2011/11/17/do-online-textbooks-have-a-future-in-washington-higher-ed/

Shoreline Community College Students Rally Against Education Cuts

Overcoming outrage with action, students at Shoreline Community College, with the blessing of the school's administration, took a break from their studies and took it upon themselves to advocate for the cause of higher education in Washington state on Wednesday. … Another speaker at the event, Madeleine McKenna, last year’s University of Washington Student Body President, said that community colleges were an “integral part of the higher education equality system in our state.” Higher education spending in this state includes funding for six public universities, and 34 community colleges and technical schools. Madeleine McKenna, who is the daughter of Rob McKenna, the Washington Attorney General and Republican contender for governor in 2012, said that community colleges needed to be funded just as much as four-year universities.

Shoreline Patch, November 17, 2011

http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/shoreline-community-college-students-rally-against-education-cuts

Forecast: State revenue slides again

Washington is projected to bring in $122 million less in revenue in the next two years than previously expected, according to new figures released Thursday by the state’s top economist. The downward forecast was considered a minor adjustment to the last quarterly forecast in what has been grim budget news all around.

Seattle PI, November 17, 2011

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/11/17/forecast-state-revenue-slides-again/

Foreign enrollment skyrockets for UW

The state's community colleges also do a brisk business internationally, and many recruit overseas to help sell the concept of a two-year school to foreign students.

"Community colleges are a mystery in other parts of the world, and it is my pleasant job to explain to them that getting into a very good state university is eminently possible" by starting out in a community college, said Ross Jennings, an associate vice president of international relations for Green River Community College. This fall, about 13 percent of Green River's enrollment is international. … Tuition paid by international students allows Seattle Central Community College to offer more courses, opening up classes that otherwise wouldn't be available, said Andrea Insley, executive dean for international education programs for the Seattle Community College District. "As the state cuts and cuts, these are the kinds of things colleges need to be doing, or we would have to serve fewer local students," she said. … On Tuesday, Xin Lu, the vice minister of education for China and the country's second-highest-ranking education official, will tour Lake Washington Institute of Technology. … Lin Zhou, associate dean of extended learning at Lake Washington, said the vice minister wants to learn how vocational training programs work with local industries to help guide the technical-college curriculum.

The Seattle Times, November 14, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016769522_international15m.html

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

Editorial: Rise in foreign students at UW is a message to lawmakers

Continue on a path of disinvestment and college admissions become as much a statement about budgets as SAT scores. Gov. Chris Gregoire and lawmakers must grasp how cuts to institutions of higher education have come at a terrible cost to access and degree production for homegrown students.

The Seattle Times, November 16, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2016783595_edit17uw.html

Faculty Myths About Trustees

Trustees are not the bean-counting "suits" that many professors think -- and colleges must reach more mutual understanding between the two groups, Steven C. Bahls argues.

Inside Higher Ed, November 15, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2011/11/15/banishing-myths-about-college%E2%80%99s-board-and-administration

Editorial: Education will keep aerospace jobs aloft in Washington

Seattle Times, November 16, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2016775004_edit16boeing.html

EDITORIAL: College students can’t take too many more financial hits

Among the cuts proposed by Gov. Chris Gregoire is another $166 million from higher education – the state’s college and university system. The budget reduction represents an additional 15 percent reduction to a category of state spending that has undergone multiple cuts during the last three years

The Olympian, November 15, 2011

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/11/15/1877382/college-students-cant-take-too.html

POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL

Students oppose Pell Grant cuts

Students from the Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) and the Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA) collected more than 4,000 signatures in opposition to the U.S. House of Representatives’ proposal to cut the Pell Grant Program by $4.2 billion.

Echo Press, November 14, 2011

http://www.echopress.com/event/article/id/89609/group/News/

Warnick looks ahead to sessions

In her position on the Higher Education Committee, Warnick said she's attended several "listening sessions" over the past few months to see what the state's universities, community colleges and trade schools are doing to "become meaner and leaner" in their practices. Last year the Legislature gave colleges more leeway to offset state cuts by raising tuition rates, but Warnick said 2012 still promises a tough road for higher education. She pointed to Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, which recently declared a fiscal emergency to allow possible renegotiation of employee contracts. On the plus side, Warnick said there are more than 60,000 unfilled, skilled private sector jobs in Washington, positions she suggested could be filled via partnerships between colleges and companies. She again highlighted Big Bend, which has worked with local industries on training workers to use specialized equipment.

The Columbia Basin Herald, November 17, 2011

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_ff45af10-1076-11e1-94f5-001cc4c03286.html

Rep. Kagi receives “Distinguished Service Award” from Shoreline Community College Foundation

State Rep. Ruth Kagi … was honored last week with the “Distinguished Service Award” by the Shoreline Community College Foundation. The award was presented at the Foundation’s annual Student Success Campaign Community Breakfast, which helps raise money for student scholarships and emergency loans. Kagi, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, is a longtime advocate of higher education access for all.

Shoreline Area News, November 12, 2011

http://www.shorelineareanews.com/2011/11/rep-kagi-receives-distinguished-service.html

New Policy Brief: Declining support for education threatens economic growth

Washington’s ability to create jobs and build a strong economy is closely linked to providing quality education and making it widely available. But progress is jeopardized by potential options that lawmakers will consider when they meet in special session later this month to respond to the ongoing revenue crisis. Some key highlights of the brief:

-The average cost to attend college has risen 94 percent since 2007 at four-year institutions and has risen 54 percent at community and technical colleges. Current proposals would cut an additional 15 percent of state support from higher education.

-Over 20,000 eligible students were unable to receive financial aid in 2010 due to insufficient state resources. Financial aid for 70,000 students is on the line in the next round of budget decisions.

Schmudget, The Washington State Budget and Policy Center Blog, November 16, 2011

http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/new-policy-brief-declining-support-for-education-threatens-economic-growth

David Frockt to fill Scott White's Senate seat

The Seattle Times, November 15, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016769403_frockt15m.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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Nov. 10, 2011

2011-11-10T16:13:00.001-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

BTC Awarded Grant For Hospital Employee Training Program

Bellingham Technical College is getting a big grant to continue helping local hospital workers move forward in their careers. The more than $570,000 grant from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges will support BTC’s “Hospital Employee Education and Training” program

KGMI Radio, November 9, 2011

http://kgmi.com/BTC-Awarded-Grant-For-Hospital-Employee-Training-P/11427745

Low-income Running Start teens get break

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) voted at its Oct. 27 meeting to grant tuition waivers to low-income high school students who take more than 15 credits of college courses through Running Start.

The Herald, November 9, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111109/TWH06/711099926

Meeting today will discuss how to help students in times of budget cutting

Educators and state lawmakers will host a community forum at 6 p.m. today on how to serve the needs of students in public schools and colleges in times of budget cutting. State Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, and Reps. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, and Luis Moscoso, D-Mountlake Terrace, are organizing the free event. Among those joining them are Eric Murray, president of Cascadia Community College; … and David Woodall, president of Lake Washington Institute of Technology.

The Herald, November 9, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111109/NEWS01/711099823

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

7 Community Colleges Open an Online Doorway to Better Grades and Graduation Rates

Its Online Student Portal learning system, a Web site, assesses the learning styles of at-risk students (whether they learn best through reading, hearing, or hands-on work) and helps them understand how their personality traits might connect to study and career choices. It also provides a ready link to college counselors and instructors, allowing them to send so-called "early alerts" Now Central Piedmont, with money from Next Generation Learning Challenges, a nonprofit group focused on improving college readiness and completion, is providing the technology, free, to six other colleges to see if the Web portal can produce similar results in other places. "We just had a 13-percent budget cut, and classes grew from 24 to 30 students," says Sue Olesiuk, interim dean for academic success at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, also in North Carolina, which started using the system this summer. "This technology makes it much easier for us to stay in contact with students." And frequent contact translates into successful students, she says.

The Chronicle of Higher Education, November 6, 2011

http://chronicle.com/article/7-Community-Colleges-Try-an/129605/

Former Gates Official to Lead WGU Texas

Mark David Milliron, who recently announced his resignation from a high-profile position with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been named chancellor of Western Governors University Texas.

Inside Higher Ed, November 10, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2011/11/10/former-gates-official-lead-wgu-texas

Gov't. effort: $10 Internet, $150 computers

A third of Americans don't have high-speed Internet service at home, and that can be a challenge as daily life, from schoolwork to job hunts, increasingly goes online.

Now, the federal government is trying to open up access to more people with a new initiative to provide $150 laptops to free- and reduced-school lunch-eligible families, and two years of $9.95 per month Internet service to free school lunch-eligible families. Executives and non-profit leaders from leading Internet service providers, technology companies, and non-profits have made in-kind commitments. "Connect to Compete" -- a national private and non-profit sector partnership run outside the government -- will implement the initiatives. Connect to Compete will launch national pilot programs beginning in the spring of 2012.

CBS News, November 10, 2011

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-502303_162-57321326/govt-effort-$10-internet-$150-computers/

Retaining the STEM Dropouts

A recent story in The New York Times highlights the high attrition rate among STEM majors. … According to the NYT, some 40% of students that enter college planning STEM majors end up switching to other fields or failing to get a degree at all. … Much of the focus on STEM education shortfalls has been on the failures of K-12 classrooms to adequately prepare students. But as the NYT points out, this doesn't begin to explain the whole story of what is happening, particularly at the college level. The students who are abandoning science and math majors aren't just those who've struggled in science and math; they are some of the brightest students, those with great aptitude, good high school backgrounds and strong AP and SAT scores. And they're also the students at some of the most prestigious and competitive schools in the country.

Inside Higher Ed, November 10, 2011
http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/hack-higher-education/retaining-stem-dropouts#ixzz1dLiMsXeC

POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL

For-Profits See Opportunity in Texas Higher Ed Woes

For-profit institutions see opportunities in the declining state support for public institutions, disappointing graduation rates, and questions about productivity and efficiency.

Such schools, often referred to as career colleges, have their own well-publicized problems, including steeper price tags than some public schools, higher student loan default rates than other sectors and lingering suspicions about quality. It’s not uncommon to see an exposé questioning a for-profit college on the evening news.

Texas Tribune, November 10, 2011

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/-profits-see-opportunity-texas-higher-ed-woes/

THURSDAY LITE NEWS

Who did it?

The trash can has been raided with the contents spread all around the kitchen floor. Who is the culprit?

Horizon Animal Hospital Videos, October 22, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaRtHs4_3fE&feature=related

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Nov. 9, 2011

2011-11-09T15:10:00.001-08:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

Editorial: Tackling the high cost of textbooks

The real prize is $41 million in annual savings if all faculty at the state's 34 community and technical colleges begin assigning open-source texts to their students. Credit state Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, for laying the groundwork with key legislation two years ago that invested $750,000 in state money — with a match from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — to develop the library. Faculty, designers and librarians set out to create high-quality learning materials.

The Seattle Times, November 7, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2016712556_edit08textbooks.html

Steve Jobs' Plans to Disrupt the Textbook Industry. How Disruptive Were They?

Some textbook publishers and e-reader apps are wising up to that model. You can purchase individual chapters via Inkling, for example. And instructors can remix textbooks via Flat World Knowledge, so that students only have to buy the chapters they actually need to read. If the launch last week of Washington state's Open Course Library is any indication, we'll probably see more and more initiatives that try to take advantage of existing OER materials so that instructors can provide affordable digital textbooks to students.
Inside Higher Ed, November 9, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/hack-higher-education/steve-jobs-plans-disrupt-textbook-industry-how-disruptive-were-they

Washington State guarantees cheap and open courses & courseware for students

We've discussed a bunch of times how the lack of market forces in the textbook market has allowed publishers to jack up the prices massively. It's why various textbooks can cost around $200, and students can spend over $1000 a year just to get the textbooks they're required to buy for school. Aaron DeOliveira points us to an interesting story involving Washington State trying to end such practices by setting up an Open Course Library that will make course details and courseware much, much cheaper for students:

Techdirt, November 4, 2011

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111103/19245716629/washington-state-guarantees-cheap-open-courses-courseware-students.shtml

College professors host classes in Occupy Seattle

In the dead of night … Karen Strickland tried to teach Occupy Seattle protesters how to get their message across to politicians. Other lessons — including the history of labor movements, writing a "position statement" and the language of a Martin Luther King letter — were held as community college instructors from around the Emerald City gave free classes earlier this week in an attempt to bolster a protest that had been struggling to capture the attention of a city with a vibrant history of protests. … In Seattle, the teacher's union for the city's community colleges supports the protesters and quickly organized the lessons at Seattle Central Community College, where the local movement recently relocated.

CBS News, November 5, 2011

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501369_162-57319197/college-professors-host-classes-in-occupy-seattle/

Clark College: In the Spotlight

Clark College is shining in a bright spotlight. The college earned a 2011 Spotlight Award from the Portland Metro Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) during its annual awards ceremony on Oct. 27. … Clark’s Communications and Marketing Department received three awards at the District 7 conference of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR). Clark earned a gold medallion in the media success category for the 2011 State of the College address.
The Oregonian, OregonLive: My Vancouver, November 3, 2011

http://blog.oregonlive.com/my-vancouver/2011/11/clark_college_in_the_spotlight.html

Rice Fergus Miller wins three awards

The Bremerton-based architectural and design firm of Rice Fergus Miller has won awards for three projects throughout the Puget Sound region it has been involved with.

The Sophia Bremer Child Development Center at Olympic College in Bremerton won the People’s Choice award from the International Interior Design Association’s North Pacific Chapter. The LEED Silver building, which includes seven dedicated childcare rooms, administrative offices, and a classroom is a teaching facility and childcare center that serves approximately 100 children. … One client commented about the space, “I love this place! It’s magical inside and out.”

Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, November 4, 2011

http://kpbj.com/people/promotions_and_recognition/2011-11-04/rice_fergus_miller_wins_three_awards

Editorial: Area's pitch for Boeing plant will take the max
Boeing Co. has decided to name the updated version of its best-selling 737 the 737 MAX. … Consultant Accenture is preparing an in-depth analysis of Washington’s strengths and vulnerabilities in the competition for the MAX. Its report is due before the Legislature’s special session later this month. Woodard expects a plan of action for lawmakers, probably for next year’s regular legislative session. Spokane hardly figured in Accenture’s assessment until representatives came for a visit. They found an airport with a recently extended runway, and a new aircraft painting facility, with hundreds of acres of available land nearby easily accessed by railroad and Interstate 90. There are several aerospace suppliers on site or nearby, with a total of about 80 in a regional aerospace consortium. Spokane Community College and the Workforce Development Council are increasing education opportunities.

The Spokesman Review, November 6, 2011

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/06/editorial-areas-pitch-for-boeing-plant-will-take/

WA gov. outlines plans for $2 billion budget deficit

Gov. Chris Gregoire brought the statewide conversation about Washington's $2 billion budget gap to Vancouver on Monday. … ‘At Clark College in Vancouver, students are not looking forward to potential reductions in staff and course offerings. "I'm actually here because of budget cuts," said Clark College student Bo Bowden. "I used to have a really good job as a subcontractor, but when they changed how much money they were spending there, I lost my job with the state. Now I'm here trying to find a new profession."

KPTV Fox 12, November 7, 2011

http://www.kptv.com/story/15982315/governor-gregoire-outlines-plans-for-2-billion-budget-deficit

Shoreline Community College Students Organize to Protest Budget Cuts
On Nov. 16, Shoreline CC's student government is sponsoring a “teach-in” where faculty and students can gather outside of normal class to talk about specific budget-related issues.

… “We will collaborate with other colleges to bring students to Olympia in a walkout day,” said Thaweesuk. … “We aim to persuade the legislators to dedicate funding for higher education. Simultaneously, college students from other districts can protest in their regions to raise statewide awareness.” In addition, the students are working with faculty to create advocacy workshops. The workshops would focus on areas such as how community colleges operate, learn more about the current economic situation, learn how the budget cut affects equity and develop and practice public speaking skills.

Shoreline Patch, November 4, 2011

http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/shoreline-community-college-students-organize-to-protest-budget-cuts

'Overwhelming' demand for spots in engineering program at OC

Come spring, Port Orchard native Sarah Thon will graduate out of Olympic College and straight into the shipyard, where she will become a mechanical engineer pulling down a salary somewhere in the mid-50s. She is only 22, and part of the first group of 14 students coming out of Washington State University's mechanical-engineering baccalaureate program at OC.. … We really do need to grow our own," said Judi Brown, OC dean for mathematics, engineering, science and health. The mechanical-engineer baccalaureate is even more in demand among students, who take two years of preparatory classes including math and science as part of the OC curriculum before jumping track for the final two years under the WSU curriculum to get a WSU degree.

Kitsap Sun, November 7, 2011
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/nov/07/overwhelming-demand-for-spots-in-engineering-at

After serving Capitol Hill parents for decades, SCCC childcare center faces shutdown

Capitol Hill Seattle, November 5, 2011

http://capitolhillseattle.com/2011/11/05/after-serving-capitol-hill-parents-for-decades-sccc-childcare-center-faces-shutdown

All About Everett

The blue-collar Snohomish County city just 25 miles north of Seattle recently asked WSU to take over the University Center where graduates of its community college can go on to complete four-year degrees in a variety of disciplines, including engineering. Snohomish, Skagit, and Island counties have been underserved by the state’s four-year programs. by Hannelore Sudermann

WSU Magazine, Winter 2011

http://wsm.wsu.edu/s/index.php?id=916

Water center expands at WWCC
A major expansion of a center exploring new ways to manage water resources got its official debut Friday. The $6.8 million project at the William A. Grant Water & Environment Center added laboratories, classrooms and offices to the facility located at Walla Walla Community College. … Nearly half of the project funding came from a $3 million grant from the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Additional support came from Walla Walla County, the Port of Walla Walla, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Pacific Power Blue Sky Renewable Energy Program

East Oregonian, October 17, 2011

http://www.eastoregonian.com/news/regional/water-center-expands-at-wwcc/article_bd4ff8ba-f8c8-11e0-9aa0-001cc4c002e0.html

A lady named Wendy who creates awesome container designs

Wendy [Welch] has earned a huge reputation as one of the Northwest’s best container designers. Her work can be seen all over the Seattle metropolitan area and has been featured at local nurseries, the Northwest Flower and Garden Show and she is a fellow part time faculty member at Edmonds Community College where she teaches container design.

Seattle PI blog, November 8, 2011

http://blog.seattlepi.com/gardening1/2011/11/08/a-lady-named-wendy-who-creates-awesome-container-designs/

Rocker Peter Frampton to come alive in Walla Walla

The artist who once played stadiums with seating capacity of 50,000 or more, will play at Walla Walla Community College Dietrich (Dome) Center, which has a seating capacity of 2,800.

East Oregonian, November 7, 2011

http://www.eastoregonian.com/news/regional/rocker-peter-frampton-to-come-alive-in-walla-walla/article_07e8bf1e-0955-11e1-9a96-001cc4c03286.html

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

A Secret Rule

Among the many new program integrity rules the U.S. Education Department issued a little over a year ago was one that went relatively unnoticed at the time: a rule that defines the “last date of attendance” for students who withdraw from online programs more stringently than in the past, and differently than for students in a traditional classroom. ... But before the program integrity rules took effect in July 2011 -- and even before they were published publicly, in October 2010 -- the Education Department was already using the new definition of “last date of attendance,” which varied considerably from the previous version, to begin investigations and, in some cases, collect financial aid refunds for students who dropped out . ...How the government defines the “last date of attendance” is important because institutions are responsible for recouping federal financial aid from students who drop out early in the semester and returning the unused portion to the federal government.
Inside Higher Ed, November 4, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/11/04/education-department-enforced-distance-education-rule-it-was-published

Guest editorial: Rising college costs, debts, crushing best and brightest

America's middle class is being priced out of an opportunity to succeed. But smart kids know that their lifetime earning potential is significantly increased by obtaining a college degree. So they saddle themselves with debt to keep alive the hope that comes with an education. That hope is being crushed by bills that outpace post-graduation jobs, if the jobs even exist. … First came the homeownership bubble, which in some ways contributed to the original Tea Party anger. Now comes the student loan debt bubble. About two-thirds of graduates with a bachelor's degree have student loans, according to the College Board, with the average debt about $24,000. The promise was that you'd get a good job coming out of school, so you could handle that. But not if no one's hiring. Not if you're working at Starbucks.

Tri-City Herald, November 4, 2011

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/04/1704810/rising-college-costs-debts-crushing.html

Confessions of a Community College Dean: Academic Advising:

Quick, what’s the most vexing aspect of academic advising at a community college?

Inside Higher Ed, November 9, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/confessions-community-college-dean/academic-advising#disqus_thread

Online Grows, Doubts Persist

… One new feature of this year’s survey was the inclusion of data on how academic leaders feel about open educational resources, or OER. Spearheaded years ago by organizations such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, and the University of California at Berkeley, among others, OER has expanded and matured, with investments from governments, such as Washington State; organizations, such as Saylor.org; and even commercial vendors, such as Blackboard, which recently took steps to make it easier for instructors to find and use open resources. The majority of academic leaders see OER as potentially valuable for their institutions: 56.6 percent agreed that “open educational resources will be of value for my campus,” with less than 5 percent disagreeing (the rest abstained from taking a definitive stance).

Inside Higher Ed, November 9, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/11/09/survey-shows-online-enrollments-have-boomed-doubts-about-online-quality-persist

POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL

College students urged to vote

Washington college students now rack up more debt than ever before to pay tuition, while the state gives less and less money to higher education. And yet, the age group that includes most college students has the lowest voter turnout of all sectors of the population. If students are unhappy about state higher education budgets, they need to vote -- that was the message delivered Thursday by three speakers at Washington State University Tri-Cities. The event titled "The Importance of Voting" featured Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland; Fran Forgette, a Kennewick lawyer who sits on WSU's board of regents; and Shirah Thietje, director of legislative affairs for the Richland campus' student government

Tri-City Herald, November 4, 2011

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/04/1704902/college-students-urged-to-vote.html

Home-care training initiative passes easily

The Olympian, November 9, 2011

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/11/09/1869424/home-care-training-initiative.html

McKenna: Cut number of state workers

Kitsap Sun, November 8, 2011

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/nov/08/mckenna-cut-number-of-state-workers/

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Nov. 3, 2011

2011-11-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

… Edmonds CC Board of Trustees

In October, Governor Gregoire appointed two new members to the Edmonds Community College’s Board of Trustees: Diana Clay of Edmonds to serve a term through September 2013 and Wayne Brown of Mill Creek through September 2016. … Clay is co-owner of Clay Enterprises, LLC, a family business involved in real estate development, investments, management, and leasing in South Snohomish County … Brown is Operations leader for Boeing Commercial Airplane’s Manufacturing and Quality organization.

My Edmonds News, November 2, 2011

http://myedmondsnews.com/2011/11/edmonds-woman-named-to-edmonds-cc-board-of-trustees/

UW students have plan for helping higher ed

University of Washington students say they have come up with three ideas to raise money for higher education without increasing state taxes. The three-pronged proposal includes: allowing colleges and universities to invest operating funds in higher-yielding investments; partly closing a tax break that gives business-and-occupation and sales tax credits to high-tech firms for research-and-development spending; and giving community and technical college districts the ability to raise money through ballot levies. … And students say giving community and technical college districts the ability to raise money by putting levies on the ballot would indirectly benefit four-year schools because more students could complete their first two years in a less-expensive community college, then transfer to earn a four-year degree.

The Seattle Times, November 3, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016673776_uwstudents03m.html

EDCC Faculty Help Create Courses for New Open Course Library Program

Faculty at Edmonds Community College, particularly those in the English department, were actively involved in developing some of these open courses, said EDCC communications consultant Michele Graves. Among the teachers and their courses were Nancy Kennedy, Introduction to Literature; Amanda Laughtland, English Composition I; and Marcia Woodard, Technical Writing. In addition, Dean of the Business Division Andy Williams helped with instructional design and instructional quality. And Vice President of Instruction Marty Cavalluzzi and Learning Resources Director Lauri Kram helped select faculty to develop the courses. The Open Course Library aims to cut down textbook costs and improve course completion rates, helping more students earn the industry-recognized degrees and credentials they need to enter the workforce.

Edmonds Patch, November 3, 2011

http://edmonds.patch.com/articles/edcc-faculty-help-create-courses-for-new-open-course-library-program

State Board unveils new online textbook collection

Whatcom Community College E-Learning Director Michael Shepherd says the new technology is available to anyone…
KGMI 790, November 3, 2011

http://kgmi.com/State-Board-Unveils-New-Online-Textbook-Collection/11372026

Green River CC gears up for new projects

Green River Community College in Auburn will soon begin work on a renovation of its Science, Mathematics and Technology Building

The Daily Journal of Commerce, November 3, 2011

http://www.djc.com/news/co/12034872.html

Student Success, in the Classroom / Essay by Vincent Tinto

How then should colleges proceed? First and foremost they must direct their actions to the classroom, especially for those in the first year … Lest we forget, many students, certainly those in community college, commute to college and work and/or attend part-time. For them, if not for most students, the classroom is one, and perhaps the only, place where they meet with faculty and other students and engage in learning activities. Their success in college is built upon classroom success, one class and one course at a time. If our efforts do not reach into the classroom and enhance student classroom success, they are unlikely to substantially impact college success. … The Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges developed the Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) initiative that enables students in technical and vocational courses to get academic support from basic skills instructors while earning credit toward a certificate or degree. This is achieved through the collaboration of basic skills instructors and faculty who jointly design and teach college-level technical and vocational courses. As a result, students learn basic skills and program content at the same time from a team of faculty. The result is that I-BEST students fare better on a variety of outcomes (e.g., credits earned, completion of workforce training) when compared with traditional students at the same proficiency level.

Inside Higher Ed, November 3, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2011/11/03/essay-focus-student-success-efforts-what-happens-classroom

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

21st-Century Commission deliberates recommendations

To understand the challenge facing a blue-ribbon commission charged with mapping the future priorities of community colleges, look at its agenda for this week’s meeting: workforce leadership, rethinking resources, technology as a tool, and connecting postsecondary education and the economy. And that’s just the tip of iceberg for the 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges. There’s also college completion, college readiness, student aid, transitions from K-12 to postsecondary education, and equity and diversity.

Community College Times, October 18, 2011

http://www.communitycollegetimes.com/Pages/Campus-Issues/21st-Century-Commission-begins-to-discuss-recommendations.aspx

Branch campus cuts won't fix budget crisis, universities say

KING 5 TV, November 2, 2011

http://www.king5.com/news/education/Universities-branch-campus-cuts-133048243.html

College Students' Borrowing Hits An All-Time High
NPR, November 3, 2011

http://www.npr.org/2011/11/03/141951756/college-students-borrowing-hits-an-all-time-high?sc=ipad&f=1001

Department of Labor Pushes Online Career Tool

An official with the U.S. Department of Labor Wednesday urged community college leaders to steer students to an online career tool the department created earlier this year

Inside Higher Ed, November 3, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2011/11/03/department-labor-pushes-online-career-tool

How Technology Is Eliminating Higher-Skill Jobs

We used to think about machines taking over mundane jobs, like twisting a screw into a toaster on an assembly line over and over again. But more recently, technology is eliminating higher-skill jobs. … Other economists say innovation will save the day: New industries and new technologies will spring up with new kinds of jobs for people that we can't yet anticipate.

NPR, November 3, 2011

http://www.npr.org/2011/11/03/141949820/how-technology-is-eliminating-higher-skill-jobs?sc=ipad&f=1001

POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL

UW Students Call for Closing Tax Loopholes, Say They're Headed to Olympia on Nov. 28 to Demand Action

The Stranger, November 1, 2011

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2011/11/01/uw-students-call-for-closing-tax-loopholes-say-theyre-headed-to-olympia-to-demand-action

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Nov. 2, 2011

2011-11-02T17:29:00.001-07:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about � and of interest to � Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

LCC on track to break ground on new fitness center next spring

In 2005, Lower Columbia College students voted to begin charging themselves a fee of $2.50 per credit until they reached about $2 million. Students approved the fee even though most knew they'd graduate long before they'd ever get to use the facilities. "They saw a need and they decided to assess themselves a fee knowing they probably wouldn't be reaping the benefits, but other students would," [Nolan Wheeler, LCC's interim vice president of administration] said.
The Daily News, November 2, 2011

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_e7cd7d66-04e8-11e1-b647-001cc4c03286.html

开放课程 降低教材开支 / Open course to reduce material costs

华盛顿州社区及技术大学委员会 Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, SBCTC）宣布开通"开放课程图书馆"（Open Course Library, 共提供42门大学热门课程的课程教材、教学大纲、其他阅读材料、课后习题等

The Epoch Times, November 2, 2011

http://www.epochtimes.com.au/opencourselibrary or Google Translation

Valladolid y Seattle colaborarán en la formación de sumilleres / Valladolid and Seattle collaborate in the training of sommeliers

The International Culinary School Fernando Perez de Valladolid and the Northwest Wine Academy, based in Seattle [at South Seattle Community College] have signed a partnership agreement under the International Course Professional Sommelier 2012. The event was attended, among others, by Washington State Lieutenant Governor, Brad Owen, the honorary consul of Spain in the states of Washington and Oregon, Luis Fernando Esteban ….

ABC News Madrid, October 24, 2011

http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=974168 or Google Translation

More at Lt. Governor part of wine school exchange signing ceremony

New Digital Tools Let Professors Tailor Their Own Textbooks for Under $20

The cost crunch is why Washington State is adding its own open-source repository to the fray. Thanks to a $750,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the state is gathering community-college professors to build the Open Course Library, which will feature online course materials for the state's 81 most-enrolled classes, with a price cap of $30 per course. … Traditional publishers still customize printed books, too. Melonie D. Rasmussen, a professor of mathematics at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, in Washington, recently used a copyrighted statistics textbook for which she didn't need all the chapters. So she contacted the publisher and asked for a shorter, cheaper book. "And they've been willing to do that," she said. Ms. Rasmussen is also part of the state's Open Course Library project, and she has been using open content for years, but so far she is part of a small minority.

The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 9, 2011

http://chronicle.com/article/New-Digital-Tools-Let/129309/

Whatcom writer sets zombie novel in downtown Bellingham

Clean-cut and well-spoken, Robert DeCoteau keeps busy with classes at Whatcom Community College, with the hope of eventually earning a business degree at Western Washington University. He's also a single dad, raising his 6-year-old boy, Chance.

Bellingham Herald, October 31, 2011
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/10/31/2248069/whatcom-writer-sets-zombie-novel.html

Idaho's wine industry is gaining ground

"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

Idaho Statesman, October 16, 2011

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/10/16/1841219/idahos-burgeoning-wine-industry.html#ixzz1caKDKv1o

Get a taste of what's happening across America on Make A Difference Day

Across the nation, millions of Americans are clearing their calendars to make way for USA WEEKEND Magazine's Make A Difference Day next Saturday. Corporations, kids and communities are joining the action on the nation's largest day of volunteering. The Trio Club of Centralia College in Washington plans to package donated coats, shoes, gloves and hats for needy families.

USA Weekend magazine, October 13, 2011

http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20111014/LIVING03/310140008/Get-taste-what-s-happening-across-America-Make-Difference-Day?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage

New class of Whiting Award winners announced

While many literary awards are for a single work or a body of completed work, the Whiting Awards are made to authors early in their careers who have demonstrated exceptional promise. Past recipients include Michael Cunningham, Jeffrey Eugenides, Jonathan Franzen, Terrance Hayes, Yiyun Li, Tony Kushner and Los Angeles poet Douglas Kearney -- an impressive list. The 2011 Whiting Foundation award winners include Don Mee Choi, who teaches Adult Basic Education / GED prep at Renton Technical College's downtown Seattle campus.

Los Angeles Times, October 26, 2011

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/10/2011-whiting-award-winners.html

Age no limit for ambitious, teenage student teacher

Kathryn Dozier-Quine is a co-teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School in Yakima, finishing up her bachelor's degree and teacher certification at Heritage University. … She plays more than 20 musical instruments and does charity shows with her sister. She distributes Avon products on the weekends, spent two years helping at a center for the deaf, and has dreams of teaching in China. And she's barely 18 years old. … Dozier-Quine was forced to wait until Yakima Valley Community College changed the 16-year-old minimum age so she could take the Compass entrance test and start Running Start college classes at age 14. Her sister, who is almost 21, waited and entered at the same time. She earned her associate of business degree from YVCC and is now an accounting major at Heritage.

Yakima Herald, October 23, 2011

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/10/23/age-no-limit-for-ambitious-teenage-student-teacher

County mulls Boeing lure

They want to see communities that are 100 percent ready for development," said Robin Toth, Greater Spokane Incorporated's vice president for business development.

She and Todd Woodard, marketing director for Spokane International Airport, are co-leaders of a local Project Pegasus task force that has been at work since August.

The task force also includes representatives of Spokane, Spokane County, the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council, Community Colleges of Spokane and � soon to be added � the state Department of Transportation. … Spokane's competition would include Washington cities that already have Boeing plants or possibly Grant County, which has a large runway and cheap electricity. So far, though, Project Pegasus members are focused on beating back other states, such as South Carolina or Texas.

Spokesman Review, November 1, 2011

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/01/county-mulls-boeing-lure/

Lighting up lives

When the sun set on Claver Hategekimana's childhood home in Rwanda, he and his family devised clever ways to light their lives. In an African neighborhood where electrified homes were rare, Hategekimana's parents and five siblings beat the darkness by playing evening games under city street lamps and completing homework assignments by the glow of candles, wood fires and kerosene lanterns. Now, at age 40, Hategekimana has devised one more clever way to light Africa's rural homes ― a cheap array of solar-powered lights that, he believes, could illuminate African life by extending the day to allow more education, money-making tasks and family social time.

… "This isn't rocket science," said Hategekimana, coordinator of Wenatchee Valley College's Teaching and Learning Center. "It's easy, simple, cheap, lightweight and very powerful. I like to say that it'll light homes and brighten lives."

Wenatchee World, October 27, 2011

http://m.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/oct/27/lighting-up-lives/

People on the Move: Lua Pritchard

Lua Pritchard has been appointed to the board of trustees at Clover Park Technical College. She is the executive director of Asia Pacific Cultural Center and former executive director of Korean Women's Association

South Puget Sound Business Examiner, October 20, 2011

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/people-on-move-375/

Chief Sealth, West Seattle HS College Bound scholars tour SSCC

Yesterday was College Bound Kickoff Day as Chief Sealth and West Seattle High School seniors in the College Bound Scholarship program toured South Seattle Community College. "We helped put the event together and structure it," said Vanessa Reed Calonzo, Student Outreach, Admissions, Recruitment at South. She [addressed] groups of seniors on preparing paperwork for student loans and other details to remain qualified for the scholarship. …"I'm talking to students who really know what they want to do, while some students just have no idea. I think in their senior year they're trying to come to terms with that. The pressure's on. As they're exploring it can be overwhelming to some, whereas others are ready to go … A big thing is that they see the students here in their element and I think that can make a big difference in whether they actually feel like they can see themselves here …"

West Seattle Herald, October 27, 2011

http://www.westseattleherald.com/2011/10/27/news/chief-sealth-wshs-college-bound-scholars-tour-ssc

Competitiveness key to 737's future in state

Boeing has yet to reveal where it will build its re-engined jet, and government, business and education officials say it's crucial that Washington maintains its skilled workforce to keep the 737 here. In the past, Washington has faced competition for aerospace work from states such as South Carolina, Texas and Kansas. Washington's advantage has long been its skilled workforce, which includes roughly 89,000 people. However, thousands of aerospace workers are expected to retire over the next decade as Boeing increases jet production. That has created a challenge for Boeing and Washington to develop skilled workers to replace those who retire. …
Although the study isn't complete yet, Washburn believes it will indicate that Washington needs to focus on workforce development as well as transportation improvements. Elson Floyd, president of Washington State University, emphasized the importance of education in retaining Boeing. He said he sees a need for overhauling the kindergarten to 12th grade education system. Floyd also said universities like WSU should be able to align their curriculum to meet the needs of major employers like Boeing. WSU is partnering with Everett Community College to offer engineering courses to help meet Boeing's need for engineers. "If we have engineering in Everett that's meeting Boeing's workforce needs, then Boeing is more likely to stay there," Floyd said.

The Herald, November 2, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111102/BIZ/711029950/1005

More opportunities for science students at EdCC

Edmonds Community College's newest program to encourage students to study math and science and offer more opportunities for science students is Relationships in Science Education-RISE. "We know we need to increase the number of students obtaining degrees in STEM fields to provide a workforce for a healthy economy in the 21st century. It's a great time to be studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics!" said math instructor Deann Leoni. RISE is a National Science Foundation-funded project, with $1 million awarded to Edmonds Community College over five years, to increase the number of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math-STEM students graduating and transferring.

Edmonds Beacon, October 20, 2011

http://www.edmondsbeacon.com/news/article.exm/2011-10-20_more_opportunities_for_science_students__at_edcc

Learning English is key to immigrants' success

Executive Director Van Dinh-Kuno understands the challenges. An immigrant from Vietnam, Kuno came to the U.S. with her family in 1975. … Kuno joined Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest in 1985. The agency has six offices in five counties. Kuno works out of the office at Everett Community College.

Their primary mission is to help immigrants learn English; without it, most are relegated to low-income jobs and a difficult transition to a new country.

"You have to learn English as fast as you can," Kuno said. Clients are expected to take 16 hours of class each week, plus tutoring, plus work at non-profits where they have to speak English, forcing them to get up to speed quickly.

… Kuno said it's not unusual for a professional such as a physician to end up as a janitor, or an accountant to be working at a sandwich shop � simply because they can't master a new language. "They come to school here to try to get back to the profession they once knew," she said. "Perhaps 25 percent succeed." Many of the immigrants Kuno sees are escaping persecution. In fact, she said up to 75 percent are escaping religious persecution.

Mukilteo Beacon, November 2, 2011

http://www.mukilteobeacon.com/schools/features/article.exm/2011-11-02_learning_english_is_key_to_immigrants__success

Auburn School District District to honor Auburn Performing Arts Center Custodian Lyubov Grinakh

Growing up in Ukraine, Grinakh learned that public spaces, particularly theaters, are a privilege and should be treated with care, Grinakh has dedicated six years of service to this position and thanks her mother for modeling a strong work ethic. Grinakh also has dedicated herself to learning the English language. She attended [ESL] classes at Green River Community College and often learns about the English language from her 11-year-old daughter, Oksana.

Auburn Reporter, October 19, 2011

http://www.auburn-reporter.com/community/132165148.html

Auburn extends a handshake, far and wide

Auburn is aggressively carving out a place for itself in the changing global economy. Having already established productive economic, educational and cultural ties with Tamba, Japan, civic and business leaders have opened talks with dignitaries from Guanghan, China, and Pyeongchang, South Korea, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics. …

With sagging sales tax revenues forecast in a recession-pinched state, outside business can only help. Auburn continues to extend a handshake. Just as the Lions Club helped shape the Tamba relationship, Green River Community College remains a strong partner in a promising China tie-in. The college has a large contingent of foreign students from China and supports a solid aviation program, similar to Guanghan.

Auburn Reporter, October 20, 2011

http://www.auburn-reporter.com/opinion/132211048.html

Grant beefs up science, engineering classes
The Snohomish School District will offer even more science and engineering training for students in the coming years. Everett Community College has partnered with the local school district to win a three-year $879,725 grant from the National Science Foundation. The NSF grant aims to prepare students for advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs by bringing higher levels of math and science into the classroom, in the form of both equipment and instruction. The grant will create the Snohomish County Advanced Manufacturing Project (SnoCAMP). … The grant will help meet industry demand for skilled employees, and Snohomish County has the greatest number of manufacturing jobs in the state, EvCC President David Beyer said in a press release. … "Whatever we can do to help them recognize that those opportunities exist here and how they can pursue an education and training program to become employed in that, we think that's real beneficial to students," Cotterill said. In addition to the extra equipment and training, the program works to align curriculum from the high schools with college courses, to make that transition easier for students, Bennett said. The program also pairs technical college students with technical high school students in a mentorship program.

Snohomish County Tribune, October 12, 2011

http://www.snoho.com/stories_2011/10_October/101211_grant.html

Nurse assistants class leads directly to local jobs

Peace Island Hospital's need for nurses assistants and a new class at Friday Harbor High School means employment for locals. The students, made up of both adults and youth, meet Wednesday evenings and many Sundays, acquiring the skills for state certification. … With the expanding health care opportunities on San Juan Island, organizers hope this partnership will lead to a more formal set of educational programs involving Skagit Valley College or Bellingham Technical College.

San Juan Islander, October 31, 2011

http://www.sanjuanislander.com/island-newshome/more/education/1137-nurse-assistants-classes-leads-directly-to-local-jobs

Workplace wellness program saves Regence $9.2 million

Companies increasingly seek to curb health care costs through an employee wellness program, but experts say it's not always clear whether the programs work or save money. To find out, Regence Finance and Human Resource departments partnered for a hard look at the health plan's award-winning employee wellness program. In contrast to most published studies, Regence wanted a comprehensive accounting of all direct program costs to calculate the return on investment (ROI).

Clark College made the Washington Health Care Authority's list as a Washington Well Workplace.

The Columbian, November 2, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/oct/31/workplace-wellness-program-saves-regence-92-millio/

Clark College to honor more than 200 industry professionals who volunteer time to help train students

At Clark College, more than 200 community members, business owners and industry professionals volunteer to train and advise students enrolled in technical programs.

The school will honor them at an evening reception Thursday. … "These are individuals who work out in the community and are very knowledgeable in the field," Clark College spokeswoman Barbara Kerr said.

The Oregonian, November 2, 2011

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2011/11/clark_college_to_honor_more_th.html

How a carbon-fiber key chain could lead to building a 787 / Aerospace workshop to expose teenage girls to career possibilities

With an aging aerospace workforce, local industry leaders are looking for ways to recruit younger workers. In some cases, that means reaching out to students in middle and high schools. Next month, six local teenage girls will attend a three-day workshop at the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center in Everett. "We're really trying to get young students interested in aerospace," said Cyndi Schaeffer, executive director for Edmonds Community College's Business Training Center. The college oversees the training center, which was established by the Aerospace Futures Alliance and Snohomish County. Linda Lanham, executive director for Aerospace Futures Alliance, said efforts like this are "crucial to the survival of the aerospace industry."

The Herald, November 1, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111101/SCBJ22/311019997/1005/BIZ

SCC Spearheading Statewide Aerospace Training Initiative

With Boeing ramping up production on airliners over the next few years there's a new initiative to fill aerospace jobs in Washington, and Spokane Community College is working to train people to get their foot in the aerospace industry's door.

KXLY TV, October 28, 2011

http://www.kxly.com/news/29619739/detail.html or Watch video

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

A better community starts with better education
If you think of cities that were once struggling but are now thriving, such as Pittsburgh, Boston or Seattle, all of them are anchored by outstanding universities. UNLV, meanwhile, has faced budget cuts of $73 million and staffing cuts of 700, while its students have confronted tuition increases of 73 percent in the past four years. Professors have had their salaries and benefits cut. Programs have been eliminated and professors lost to competing universities. Morale is flagging. … Education is, of course, no panacea. But in America today, the data is clear: Educated people and the cities they live in are far better off ― and not just financially ― than the rest. … More smart people. Less dumb people. Elitist? Yes, but also a simple public policy solution to our many problems.

Las Vegas Sun, November 1, 2011

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/01/better-community-starts-better-education/

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE ・ PO Box 42495 ・ Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Nov. 1, 2011

2011-11-01T16:12:00.001-07:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

OPEN COURSE LIBRARY LAUNCH

Low-cost textbooks for college students make debut

The state community-college board is creating low-cost textbooks and course materials and distributing them online for free in a new program that rolled out Monday.

Michael Kenyon's students at Green River Community College used to pay nearly $200 for a new pre-calculus textbook. But this quarter, they'll pay only $20 for a book — or use it online for free. Kenyon, a math instructor, is one of the early adopters of the state's new Open Course Library, an effort pioneered by the state Board of Community and Technical Colleges to create low-cost textbooks and other course materials for students in Washington — and the world. Kenyon's pre-calculus textbook was written by community-college faculty members David Lippman and Melonie Rasmussen, who teach at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, in Lakewood. … Tom Caswell, project lead for the Open Course Library, hopes less expensive textbooks, or free online copies, will lead to better course-completion rates. … Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, sponsored the legislation that set aside $750,000 in state money for development of the Open Course Library, and he plans to introduce a similar measure in next year's legislative session to develop open-course books for K-12 classes, which would save school districts money.

The Seattle Times, November 1, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016659112_opencourses01m.html

The State and OER

Advocates for open educational resources, or OER, have had mixed success in getting the federal government to invest public money in open course materials. … But while OER advocates have gotten inconsistent backing in Washington, D.C., they were able to claim a small but potentially significant victory on Monday in Washington State. The community and technical college system there celebrated the first major landmark in a state-funded push for open courses that it expects will save students hundreds per year in textbook costs, and that OER proponents hope could provide an example of how public investment in open materials is not charitable, but strategic. ... State Representative Reuven Carlyle, a Seattle Democrat and one of the library’s biggest legislative champions, suggested that lowering the cost of textbooks could create savings for the state in its financial aid programs.

Inside Higher Ed, November 1, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/11/01/advocates-say-public-money-open-educational-resources-smart-investment

More Open Course Library news:

· News coverage of the October 31, 2011 Open Course Library Launch

· Listen to telephone press conference

· Visit the Open Course Library

· The Student PIRGs conducted an informal study to evaluate the Open Course Library's impact on textbook costs. Read the report: Affordable Textbooks For Washington's Students: A Cost Analysis of the Open Course Library

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

Big Bend declares financial emergency

The resolution is the first step of a process that would allow the college to consider layoffs during the current biennium. It directs Big Bend President Bill Bonaudi to monitor future budget cuts to the college that would require layoffs to maintain the core functions of the college. Since 2009, Big Bend has lost $3.7 million in state funding and lost 27 positions, including eight full-time instructors. Class offerings have been reduced and fall enrollment fell 9.6 percent. College officials must cut another $800,000 from the 2012 budget, representing cuts of 40 percent from 2009 operating levels

Columbia Basin Herald, October 25, 2011

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/bbcc/article_701db3a0-ff41-11e0-b697-001cc4c03286.html

Educators say 'demoralizing' cuts would have lasting impacts

Suspending the Work Study Program keeps higher education out of reach for some of the students who need it most, says Yakima Valley Community College president Linda Kaminski. Add in the proposed 15 percent cut in state support to higher education, and the school would be forced to offer even fewer classes, she said.

Yakima Herald, October 27, 2011

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/10/27/educators-say-demoralizing-cuts-would-have-lasting-impacts

Tri-City education officials fear potential cuts to their budgets
Tri-City school and college officials bristled at potential cuts to their budgets that Gov. Chris Gregoire suggested Thursday. The governor unveiled a list of reductions for legislators to consider during the upcoming special session, which begins Nov. 28. Lawmakers are trying to close a projected $2 billion budget gap. …The proposal painted an equally dire picture for higher education. The proposed 15 percent cut to all colleges in the state would translate to about $3 million less for Columbia Basin College, said President Rich Cummins.
Tri-City Herald, October 28, 2011
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/10/28/1883148/tri-city-education-officials-fear.html

More cuts proposed; CBC could lose money
To fill a $2 billion budget shortfall, Gov. Chris Gregoire is proposing many new state cuts, including trimming another 15% from higher education. NBC Right Now met with the head of Columbia Basin College to find out what the cuts would mean for students and staff. Rich Cummins says they would mean programs like work study, that allow students to work at the college while still hitting the books with help from the state, could be suspended. Also, it could mean $166-million will be cut from higher ed. CBC officials say with this budget, over three million could be cut from Columbia Basin College alone.
KNDU, October 27, 2011
http://www.kndu.com/category/189473/video-center?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6393509

College teachers focus lessons on Occupy Seattle

Beginning Sunday evening, instructors at Seattle Community College campuses are teaching classes in support of Occupy Seattle

Seattle Times, October 31, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016653386_apwaoccupyseattle.html

TCC's Stokes Honored As Distinguished Lyon College Alumnus
Dr. Tim Stokes, Tacoma Community College Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, will be honored this weekend as a Distinguished Alumnus of Lyon College.

Stokes graduated from Lyon, a small liberal arts college located 90 miles northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas in 1992.

University Place Patch, October 20, 2011

http://universityplace.patch.com/articles/tcc-s-stokes-honored-as-distinguished-lyon-college-alumnus

Boeing Partnering With Local Schools

Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center, Yakima Valley Community College and Perry Tech are partnering with Boeing helping students prepare for a possible future building airplane parts.

KAPP TV, October 18, 2011

http://www.kapptv.com/article/2011/oct/18/boeing-partnering-local-schools/

National grants sustain STEM studies

Guest commentary by Dick Van Hollebeke and Jean Hernandez, Edmonds Community College. Edmonds Community College has made $6 million in cuts in the past four years and we're looking at having to cut our budget yet again. But here's some good news. We're not cutting back on opportunities for students -- particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies. EdCC has received a total of 18 National Science Foundation grants -- and our three latest grants of more than $1.5 million over five years mean more support services and scholarships for students in STEM fields. … We've been aggressive about going after these resources because workers educated in STEM fields are critical for the nation's economy. … many of these grants specifically leverage resources to support low-income and first-generation college students.

The Herald, October 22, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111022/OPINION03/710229997/-1/OPINION#National-grants-sustain-STEM-studies

Lisa Chin named to Bellevue College board

Lisa Chin of Bellevue has been appointed to the Bellevue College Board of Trustees by Gov. Chris Gregoire. Her five-year term of office continues through September, 2016. Chin is the founding Executive Director of Year Up Puget Sound, a one-year job training and internship program for young adults.

Bellevue Reporter, October 25, 2011

http://www.bellevuereporter.com/news/132525048.html

Bellevue College construction in Issaquah could start next year

Bellevue College could start construction on a campus in the Issaquah Highlands as early as next year, college and city officials announced, as the project gains momentum despite budget cuts and a dismal forecast from Olympia. The college purchased about 20 acres last year in a complicated transfer of development rights designed to preserve Tiger Mountain forestland from construction and open additional highlands land to builders …

Issaquah Press, October 25, 2011

http://www.issaquahpress.com/2011/10/25/bellevue-college-construction-could-start-in-2012/

WGU Washington announces advisory board

State-endorsed online university WGU Washington, has selected 12 leaders in business, healthcare, education, and philanthropy to serve on its Advisory Board. The Board will provide counsel to WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten on Washington state-specific needs and trends to help shape the direction and continued success of the university and its four colleges. The newly appointed WGU Washington Advisory Board members include: … Dr. Carver Clark Gayton, Consultant in education and workforce development; Dr. Rich Cummins, President and CEO, Columbia Basin College; Dr. Gary Livingston, Former Chancellor, Community Colleges of Spokane

PR Newswire, October 26, 2011

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wgu-washington-announces-advisory-board-132650293.html

Ocean Academy moves to Waterfront Center

The Port of Everett joined with Everett Community College to site its Ocean Research College Academy program in the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Center. ORCA, EvCC’s early college program for high school juniors and seniors, provides students with field experience in marine science.

The Snohomish County Business Journal, October 27, 2011

http://www.snohomishcountybusinessjournal.com/article/20111027/SCBJ04/710279952/-1/SCBJ

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

For families on edge, getting by is getting harder [Self-Sufficiency Calculator]

Kim Nieves, a freelance translator and student at Bellevue College, is a whiz at budgeting, her son brags. But she says every time she saves up a few dollars, she ends up spending it on an emergency like car repairs. … East King County, where Nieves lives to be close to college and job opportunities, has the highest self-sufficiency standard in the state, requiring $65,690 for a family with one parent, one preschooler and one school-age child, … The same size family living in southwest Washington's Wahkiakum County, which has the lowest self-sufficiency standard in the state, saw its expenses increase by 13 percent during the past two years, to $32,997. According to the self-sufficiency standard, only adults living alone can afford to get by on minimum wage, and only in some counties. The center also offers a calculator that looks at the issue in reverse and is designed to help people figure out if they will be able to survive on the hourly wage they have been offered at a prospective job.

Seattle PI, October 31, 2011

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/For-families-on-edge-getting-by-is-getting-harder-2243570.php

President Obama announces new plan for student loan payments
College students who are in debt and strapped for cash may have an easier time meeting their financial obligations thanks to a new plan from President Obama. …Columbia Basin College student, David McCormick, has more than $3,000 in student loan bills with more on the way. "I am taking out another $3,000 for this year" said McCormick. The Richland resident is going back to school for a career change - and like everyone else, more classes mean more money.

KVEW TV, October 26, 2011

http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2011/oct/26/president-obama-announces-new-plan-student-loan-pa/

In the shadow of student debt

It seems that one way we have dealt with higher education's economic challenges is by largely shrugging the cost of educating the next generation onto that generation. That's not only a partial repudiation of a traditional obligation, but there is reason to think, looking at that generation's challenge of paying off its loans while educating its own children, that it can only work once.

The Oregonian, October 30, 2011

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/10/in_the_shadow_of_student_debt.html

Editorial: State must prepare aerospace workers of the future

Washington state needs 21,000 new aerospace workers in the next decade. Sen. Maria Cantwell is getting the industry, workforce-training programs and educational institutions engaged. … This is not about out-innovating the world, but matching the right skills with future jobs. Many of the best jobs of the future will require skills in science, technology, engineering and math education. … This is not about out-innovating the world, but matching the right skills with future jobs. Many of the best jobs of the future will require skills in science, technology, engineering and math education.

Seattle Times, November 1, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2016658399_edit01stem.html

Through STEM, make opportunities for Washington's own children and businesses

Washington state is a center of new innovation jobs and major importer of people with college degrees to take jobs. Guest columnists Rosemary McAuliffe and Ed Lazowska urge Washington students, parents, policy and elected leaders to wake up to the opportunity.

Why this gap? It is not only a consequence of the vibrancy of our technology sector. Washington awards a very small number of technology degrees relative to our employment in these fields. We rank among the bottom producers on a per-capita basis.

There are pipeline issues. We have one of the leakiest high-school-to-college pipelines in the country. Of those students who do move directly from high school to college, too many are unprepared for college-level STEM work.

Again, why? The "preparation gap" begins with our earliest learners. Quality early learning is a prerequisite for student success, but more than one-third of eligible kids in Washington are not served by early-learning programs.

In addition to being a pipeline issue, it is also a higher-education capacity issue. At the University of Washington, half of the students who successfully complete the prerequisites for an engineering major must be turned away because of lack of capacity. Three-fourths of the students who successfully complete the prerequisites for the computer science and computer engineering majors must be turned away.

The Seattle Times, October 29, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2016635887_guest29mcauliffe.html

More Students Migrate Away From Home / Public universities expand recruitment efforts in quest for out-of-state money

While conceding that out-of-state tuition at Arizona State would be higher than in-state tuition at any California university, Mr. Baertsch said students would get all of the classes they needed to graduate in four years, a not-so-subtle dig at the perpetual shortage of course offerings at the state universities.

The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 30, 2011

http://chronicle.com/article/The-Cross-Country-Recruitment/129577/

POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL

Gregoire outlines grim choices for budget cuts

The single largest cut is a $166 million hit to higher education — a 15 percent drop in state funding for public colleges and universities. … The governor noted the cuts unveiled Thursday are just recommendations, and that she'll talk to the communities and groups that would be affected before releasing a full budget proposal after the Nov. 17 revenue forecast.

Seattle Times, October 28, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016627558_budgetcuts28m.html

Gregoire budget starts with $2 billion in cuts, but will tax increase follow?
Facing another crippling budget deficit, Gov. Chris Gregoire on Thursday outlined $2 billion in reductions in state spending she says will cut painfully "through the muscle and into the bone" of public services. ... Her proposals would slash funds for higher education, make classes larger in public schools and ax dozens of health care and human service offerings.

The Herald, October 28, 2011

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111027/NEWS01/710279848#Gregoire-budget-starts-with-%242-billion-in-cuts-but-will-tax-increase-follow

Affordable child care helps parents keep their jobs

Schmudget, The Washington State Budget & Policy Center Blog, October 24, 2011

http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/child-care-provides-vital-economic-security-for-families

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

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NEWS LINKS | October 27, 2011

2011-10-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

Protesters not welcome to camp at SCCC

Officials with Seattle Central Community College have pulled up the welcome mat for Occupy Seattle activists. In an open letter to the movement on Wednesday, the college said protesters are not welcome to camp on its property. Seattle Central said it supports free speech, but said Occupy Seattle "will not be allowed to interfere" with any lease agreements it has for the campus property, including the Broadway Sunday Farmers Market and Halloween events sponsored by the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Seattle Times, October 27, 2011

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016617345_occupyseattle27m.html

SCCC's Open Letter to Occupy Seattle

The Stranger, October 26, 2011

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2011/10/26/scccs-open-letter-to-occupy-seattle

Occupy Seattle plans to camp at Seattle Central Community College

Occupy Seattle is scheduled to start occupying at SCCC on October 29. The move will be marked with a march at 5 p.m. Saturday from Westlake Park to the school campus.

"We have not been formally invited to SCCC," a statement from the group reported. "There are indications that the SCCC administration will not welcome us there. However, we are confident that we have tremendous support from both students and faculty to counterbalance this."

Fox News, October 25, 2011

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-occupy-seattle-plans-to-camp-at-seattle-central-community-college-20111025,0,6612649.story

Clark College receives $1.68 million grant to support student success

Battle Ground Reflector, October 26, 2011

http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_7c82d532-fe95-11e0-a50c-001cc4c002e0.html

Clark College cooking instructor [George Akau] honored at Oregon’s Chef of the Year dinner

The Daily Insider October 26, 2011

http://www.dailyinsider.info/clark-college-cooking-instructor-honored-at-oregons-chef-of-the-year-dinner/

Cascadia Joins Community Colleges Across the State In Celebrating Adult Literacy Week

Cascadia Community College, along with Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Edmonds, Everett, and Shoreline community colleges, is joining with students and area employers to celebrate Washington State’s Adult Literacy Week from October 17-21. The colleges are committed to educating adult learners so that they can master basic skills in order to move into better jobs and support the state’s efforts to build a strong workforce. Currently, one in six adults in Washington lacks the education and training necessary to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. For those individuals, adult basic education can open doors to self-sufficiency. People with high school diplomas or GEDs earn 24% more over their lifetimes than non-graduates, according to state statistics.

Woodinville Patch, October 17, 2011

http://woodinville.patch.com/articles/cascadia-joins-community-colleges-across-the-state-in-celebrating-adult-literacy-week

KGRG brings new sounds with familiar format

Green River Community College's KGRG 89.9 FM radio station took a step backward Thursday with its newest on-air offering, "The Puget Sound Underground", hosted by Jeff Stark. Born in Texas, Stark found himself in Washington after a stint in the Navy. He originally enrolled in the communications program at Shoreline Community College, where he had the chance to intern for the KISW 99.9 FM "Mens Room" show.

Auburn Reporter, October 20, 2011

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/aub/entertainment/132275703.html

Record breaking number of scholarships awarded

Record breaking number of scholarships awarded. A record breaking number of scholarships were awarded Friday afternoon. Hundreds of people were at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco. They were there to watch the Columbia Basin College foundation hand out more than 322 scholarships. In total, $417,000 in scholarships were given out to student. It's the most the college has ever given away. It broke last year’s record of more than $360,000 in scholarship money that was donated.

KNDU/KNDO, October 21, 2011

http://www.kndo.com/story/15771354/record-breaking-number-of-scholarships-awarded

Community colleges declare state of financial emergency

The declaration would allow schools to fast-track program closures and teacher layoffs

Q-13 Fox News, October 19, 2011

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-state-community-colleges-declare-state-of-financial-emergency-20111019,0,7607332.story

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

Occupy colleges? How to shut down student debt

Reuters, October 14, 2011

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/14/idUS139496254520111014

Community-College Enrollments Slow After Years of Growth

Students flocked to the two-year colleges in the first few years of the recession, but some may now find it unaffordable to attend.

Chronicle of Higher Education, October 18, 2011

http://chronicle.com/article/Community-College-Enrollments/129462/?key=HW50clAzaCNCNH5nZz4TZzdRYHA%2FMkN6ZSIca3Aibl9SEg%3D%3D.

This premium article will be available to nonsubscribers at the link above for five days

Recap of the National 'Rebellion' Against High Textbook Prices

The Huffington Post, October 19, 2011

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicole-allen/in-the-public-interest-re_b_1018705.html

The Faculty-Staff Divide

A thoughtful correspondent wrote last week to express concern about what she perceived as a growing rift between faculty and professional staff on her campus.

It’s one of those issues that waxes and wanes, but never really goes away….Although friction between faculty and administration gets most of the press, friction between faculty and staff can be quite real, and sometimes toxic. … Even such basics as “how was your summer?” can be grating if you spent most of your summer in cubicle hell. … Well-meaning “welcome back” messages can have the same effect on people who never left.
Inside Higher Ed, October 23, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/faculty-staff-divide

Whatcom County adults turning to online school established by state

After searching through all the "incredible programs," she found Western Governors University-Washington, the bachelor and masters' degree-granting online college established by the Legislature last spring. "The best thing is it's right there, it's online, it's at your fingertips and is truly available," said the 46-year-old. "I'm a lifelong learner ... but my family is so important to me, I wouldn't give them up. If I had to choose, I wouldn't have gone back to school."

Bellingham Herald, October 24, 2011

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/10/24/2242212/whatcom-county-adults-turning.html

Advanced Degrees for Fire Chiefs

A fire chief without a college education sparks disagreement about growing value of degrees for firefighters.

Inside Higher Ed, October 27, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/10/27/college-degrees-increasingly-help-firefighters-get-ahead

POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL

Gregoire eyes worker benefits

The Olympian, October 27, 2011

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/10/27/1853738/gregoire-eyes-worker-benefits.html

Warning by States as Tax Revenues Fail to Rebound

Despite belt-tightening budgets, uncertainty still reigns in states like Washington, California, New York and New Jersey.

The New York Times, October 20, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/20/us/states-warn-that-tax-revenues-arent-rebounding.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington

NEWS LINKS | Oct. 19, 2011

2011-10-19T16:55:00.001-07:00

SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges

SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS

$1.6M grant to help Clark College students stay on track / Money will be used to design program to retain first-generation scholars

Clark College has received a $1.68 million federal grant to help students complete their education. The five-year grant will allow Clark College to advance its timetable for a program to increase student success, said Shanda Diehl, associate vice president of planning and effectiveness

The Columbian - Oct. 16, 2011

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/oct/15/16-m-grant-to-help-clark-college-students-stay-on/

Getting the Most out of Academic Libraries—and Librarians

The extent to which college students are unprepared to conduct research may be surprising to those who assume that young adults are automatically proficient at any computer-related task. … professors aren’t always aware of the kinds of guides, classes and personal assistance the library offers. All the librarians agreed that programs and resources vary from one school to the next and even across disciplines, and that some librarians must struggle to get education programs off the ground. …

“Persistence pays off,” says Mary M. Carr, dean of instructional services at Spokane Community College. “At both community colleges where I have helped to guide the inclusion of information literacy in the curriculum, it has been a slow, steady process.” Ms. Carr adds that programs at her college have been expanding.

… All the librarians I talked to were hopeful that their mission will ultimately be received and embraced. Ms. Carr says, “Over time, it is possible to show results. Students of all stripes do better when armed with information-literacy skills. The faculty see that the time spent means grades are better, and more students persist and succeed. So those faculty convince other faculty that the program is worth incorporating.” At Spokane Community College, she adds, information literacy is even used as a retention strategy by the enrollment committee.

Chronicle of Higher Education, October 18, 2011

http://chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2011/10/18/getting-the-most-out-of-academic-libraries%e2%80%94and-librarians/

Keegan leaving as Peninsula College president

Peninsula College is looking for a new president in the wake of Dr. Tom Keegan's announcement last week that he been hired to lead Skagit Valley College, based in Mount Vernon. His transition is expected in early 2012. The college will seek interim leadership and then a permanent replacement.

Port Townsend Leader, October 19, 2011

http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=30222

TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION

It's Not Me. It's You.

After three years of appropriations cuts, public colleges use tuition increases to draw attention to what the state is no longer providing

Inside Higher Ed, October 19, 2011

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/10/19/public_universities_changing_the_politics_of_tuition_hikes_after_three_years_of_approprations_cuts

Auditor: State workers used state time, computers for personal gain

KOMO TV News, October 18, 2011

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/132107783.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.

Sherry Nelson | communications and outreach associate

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
1300 Quince St SE · PO Box 42495 · Olympia WA 98504-2495
slnelson@sbctc.edu | p (360) 704-4308 | f (360) 704-4415 | c (206) 369-6509

» checkoutacollege.com » sbctc.edu » twitter.com/SBCTCWashington