News Links | March 5, 2020

System News | Opinion

Health-care students on the front lines

A group of students studying and training in health-care disciplines at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology, a public institution in Kirkland, Wash., which has been hard hit by the coronavirus, has been self-quarantined at home for 14 days after possible exposure to the virus in health-care settings. Four students at Los Rios Community College District, in California, were directed by public health authorities to self-quarantine after being exposed to the virus in the course of their professional medical duties.
Inside Higher Ed, March 5, 2020

The coronavirus threatens to upend higher ed. Here are the latest developments

... Students at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, near Seattle, may have been exposed to the virus, according to the Kirkland Reporter, after visiting a nursing facility where cases have been confirmed. On March 4 the college announced that a faculty member had tested positive for Covid-19 and the campus would be closed through the weekend. The college said the unidentified faculty member had been self-quarantined.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 5, 2020

South Sound technical college shuts down after student goes into coronavirus quarantine

Clover Park Technical College shut down campuses in South Hill and Lakewood after a student was put in quarantine with suspected coronavirus symptoms. The student only attended classes at the South Hill location and is under quarantine at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup awaiting results of those tests, according to a statement released by the college. As a precaution, classes at both campuses were canceled.
KIRO, March 4, 2020

From the studio: SFCC Drama presents "Fire, Melt Stone"

Spokane Falls Community College Spartan Theatre is producing the world premiere of "Fire Melt Stone," Kemuel DeMoville's historical drama about the Great Fire of Spokane. Cast members Sarah Plumb, Megan Barlow Jones, and Chris Hansen perform a preview and discuss the play. [Audio]
Spokane Public Radio, March 4, 2020

Steak for $10? SPSCC culinary students serve high-end lunches at bargain prices

Imagine sitting down to lunch chosen from a menu including salmon with blood orange gastrique, paella, chicken in cider cream sauce — oh, and daily specials including coffee-crusted New York steak. Imagine your meal begins with an amuse-bouche, a free one-bite appetizer. Imagine the restaurant serving this upscale fare is right here in Olympia and that the cost of entrées starts at $7. No, this isn’t a story about an imaginary restaurant — though it sounds almost too good to be true. This is reality at the Percival Restaurant on the campus of South Puget Sound Community College.
The Olympian, March 4, 2020

Whatcom Community College students can now apply to live on-campus for fall quarter

Whatcom Community College is accepting applications for its first on-campus residential hall. Cedar Hall will be ready for the fall quarter, according to a news release from the school. The four-story building can have 233 residents, who will each have their own bedroom in either two- or four-bedroom suites. There are also a limited number of studios and one-bedroom apartments. All units will be fully furnished with a kitchen, appliances and a smart television. The $28 million building will also have study room, recreational areas and a laundry facility.
The Bellingham Herald, March 3, 2020

Leaving a lasting legacy

... Willie’s family recently gave a gift of $55,000 to create the Earl C. “Willie” Williamson Memorial Scholarship Endowment, available to students enrolled full time in the [Clover Park Technical College] upholstery program who intend to work in automotive upholstery or related vehicle customizing fields. The program is nearly the only one of its kind in the United States, drawing students from across the country. While some schools provide upholstery basics as part of their automotive trade programs, or classes for hobbyists, Clover Park is the only school to offer the full-meal deal – auto, furniture, marine and aviation upholstery. On the automotive side, that includes cutting, sewing and fitting, and covers everything from convertible tops to custom door panels. 
The Suburban Times, March 4, 2020

New report highlights students' struggle with food, housing

According to a new report, six out of 10 community or technical college students in Washington State experienced hunger or housing insecurity over the past year, even though most of them are working. ...The survey reinforced [South Puget Sound Community College's] focus on addressing food and housing barriers that impact students’ ability to stay in school and earn a degree. In 2017, an SPSCC student senator saw the need for food assistance among her peers and helped implement a food pantry. Partnerships between Student Leadership, SPSCC Foundation, and Thurston County Food Bank have helped it grow to now offer frozen, refrigerated, canned, and fresh food options. The number of student visits is growing each year; the food pantry has seen over 600 visits since Sept. 2019.
Thurston Talk, March 3, 2020

Wenatchee Valley College student undergoing tests for coronavirus

A Wenatchee Valley College student is under quarantine as Cascade Medical Staff test them for coronavirus, according to a press release issued by college staff. The patient recently attended some classes at the college. WVC is responding and has cleaned the campus overnight, using best practices for sanitization to prevent the spread of illness. Custodians focused their efforts on sanitizing areas with large numbers of students including classrooms, computer equipment, labs and common areas. The campus was cleaned with antiviral cleaners.
iFiber One, March 3, 2020

Communicating about coronavirus

As reports of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases increase in the U.S., colleges and universities are preparing for potential disruptions and closures. While the risk to the general public in the U.S. remains low, colleges are reviewing emergency management plans and connecting with local health agencies. Many community colleges also are issuing statements telling students, employees and the community that they are monitoring the situation. In King County, Washington, circumstances evolved quickly over the weekend. A local high school student tested positive for coronavirus. Everett Community College (EvCC) was fast to react, issuing a statement from President Daria Willis reassuring people that the student had likely not been on EvCC’s campus.
Community College Daily, March 3, 2020

WVC Omak screening "Older than the Crown"

Wenatchee Valley College Omak’s Red Road Association will be screening the film “Older Than the Crown” at 7:00 pm Thursday, March 5th at the Omak Mirage Theater. Multicultural Affairs Coordinator Livia Millard said the film follows the trial of a Sinixt tribal member who was charged in 2010 with hunting as a non-resident, challenging at controversial 1956 Canadian ruling that paved the way for hydro-electric development in the area. “Years ago the Canadian government declared the Sinixt band extinct. The Sinixt are one of the twelves bands of the Colville Tribe, they are also called the Arrow Lakes.” explained Millard, “They are not extinct. We have many that live here.”
560 KPQ, March 3, 2020

WCC to offer new business management bachelor's degree

Whatcom Community College will offer a new bachelor’s degree in the fall. The Northwest Commission on Community Colleges & Universities approved WCC to offer an online bachelor of applied science degree in applied business management. The degree addresses the shortfall in bachelor-level education for Whatcom County’s small- to medium-sized employers. This is the College’s second BAS degree, offering more educational options for Whatcom students at a lower price and with more flexibility than a typical university bachelor’s degree.
KGMI, Feb. 27, 2020

Governor comes to town for student careers

Washington Governor Jay Inslee made his way to the Clarkston community on Tuesday. Speaking with students at Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) and Clarkston High School in Clarkston. After he covered flood damage and other concerns in Walla Walla County. In Clarkston, he emphasized to students that Washington State has the best financial aid package in the United States. Encouraging students to use the funding for college to make an impact as the next generation.
KLEW, Feb. 26, 2020

Trends | Horizons | Education

NAFSA weighs in on CDC travel guidance

The president of NAFSA: Association of International Educators issued a statement Tuesday in relation to a guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention telling colleges to "consider" canceling upcoming exchange programs and to "consider" asking current program participants to return to their home countries in light of the global spread of the new coronavirus. The CDC statement was ambiguously worded, causing some confusion and concern among international education professionals. While many colleges have canceled programs in specific countries with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, the CDC statement advising colleges to re-evaluate all their exchange programs caught some by surprise.
Inside Higher Ed, March 4, 2020

Politics | Local, State, National

Murray: March deal on HEA will be difficult

The U.S. Senate education committee’s top Democrat, Patty Murray, threw some cold water yesterday on Senator Lamar Alexander’s hope of reaching a deal on reauthorizing the Higher Education Act by the end of this month. Alexander, the Republican chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, had said he hoped to get a bill out of the panel by the end of March in order for it to have time to pass the entire Congress by the end of the year. But asked about that goal Tuesday, Murray said, "I think that's going to be difficult to do. But we are working on trying to get an agreement."
Inside Higher Ed, March 4, 2020

Updating, expanding the Apprenticeship Act

Democrats on the House education committee are working on a bill to authorize $400 million in federal grants for apprenticeships that would double to $800 million by 2025. The 149-page “discussion draft” of the bill also would bring apprenticeship programs — including youth and pre-apprenticeship programs — under one umbrella. There’s also a good chance that Republicans on the committee may back the legislation. Democrats released their draft bill to reauthorize the National Apprenticeship Act prior to Wednesday’s House Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee hearing on reworking the law, which has remained almost unchanged since it was enacted in 1937.
Community College Daily, March 4, 2020