News Links | November 17, 2020
System News | Opinion
Jerry Weber, former Bellevue College president, dies at 70
Jerry Weber, who served as president of Bellevue College from 2017 to March of this year, died Wednesday. He was 70. Weber had recently been
diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, and died at home, according to Bellevue
College. He was with his wife, children and grandchildren. Weber had a decades-long
career in higher education as an instructor and administrator, which culminated with
his role as Bellevue College president.
The Seattle Times, Nov. 13, 2020
With industries in flux, retraining gives workers options
Edmonds College and Everett Community College report increases of workers interested in education. ... “Every week we are seeing
these workers as their layoff notices come, wanting to know about retraining opportunities,”
Certain said last month. In a time of uncertainty, she said, education provides a
path to stability.
The Everett Herald, Nov. 15, 2020
Early snow, cold kills fall colors in Spokane, region
It’s been a drab fall in the Inland Northwest. Instead of a landscape replete with
vibrant oranges, reds and yellows, our region’s trees are cloaked in a brown, desiccated
coat of leaves – a coat that will likely persist through the winter. “They went from
green to brown,” said Cindy Deffe, an environmental sciences instructor at Spokane Community College who teachers arboriculture.
The Spokesman-Review, Nov. 15, 2020
Changes planned for Thanksgiving dinners
... In Mount Vernon, the Skagit Valley College culinary arts program will deliver meals to local families as it has done for more
than two decades, though fewer people will be involved. “This year will look different
than past years, but we are happy to keep it going and provide meals for 25 families
in our community,” said Lyn Highet, food services manager for the culinary program.
Skagit Valley Herald, Nov. 14, 2020
Clark College art students receive scholarships
The Clark College Art Department announced its 2020-2021 Art Scholarship Award recipients. A total
of $12,000 from Clark College Foundation Scholarship funds was awarded to 13 students.
Students submitted portfolios in the annual scholarship juried event, showcasing six
pieces of work.
The Columbian, Nov. 14, 2020
Students with cognitive differences say COVID-19 derailed their routines
Abby Leaver can fit her whole life into a dorm room. Within the confines of small,
apartment-style student housing, the Bellevue College resident assistant (RA) attends online classes and violin lessons, participates in
Zoom happy hours and online games with friends, and cares for her cat. She’s doing
the things many college students are doing this semester as they cope with the coronavirus
pandemic — but she happens to be doing it with autism.
Teen Vogue, Nov. 13, 2020
Author Daudi Abe to discuss Sir Mix-A-Lot, Digable Planets, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in Auntie’s virtual event
... Daudi Abe’s latest book, “Emerald Street: A History of Hip Hop in Seattle,” details
the development of rap on the other side of Washington. ... Abe, 50, who teaches a
hip-hop culture class at Seattle Central College, happened upon hip hop in a Seattle record store in 1979. “My dad said to pick a
record, and the reason I selected this album was due to the cover, which had a logo
that swirled and looked like candy,” Abe said while calling from his Seattle home.
The Spokesman-Review, Nov. 12, 2020
Trends | Horizons | Education
Commentary: A strategy to ensure equity, retention amid Covid
As colleges continue online instruction for spring 2021, it is important for student
service, success and support professionals to consider the impact on students, their
success and outcomes. Now more than ever, it is important to anticipate student needs,
reach out and connect them to services and supports and engage them in the life of
the college, and with key personnel who can guide them through their educational journey.
Community College Daily, Nov. 17, 2020
When career advancement feels impossible
More than half -- 52 percent -- of Americans say it is difficult for them to get a
good job or that their opportunities to advance at work are limited, according to
new survey data from the Strada Education Network, a research and advocacy organization
focused on the link between education and employment.
Inside Higher Ed, Nov. 17, 2020
A huge drop in international students
Community colleges experienced an 8.3% decline in international students in 2019-20,
according to the 2020 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. Overall,
the number of international students declined 1.8% at all types of higher education
institutions in 2019-20 compared to the previous year, according to the annual report
from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and
the Institute of International Education (IIE).
Community College Daily, Nov. 16, 2020
Waiting for a vaccine
Many plans, memos, letters and campaigns from colleges and universities about COVID-19
have often included six words: “until a vaccine becomes widely available.” Although
an available vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, appears
closer on the horizon now than it did last spring, medical and public health experts
say it may not be an easy fix for the problems facing colleges and universities. Additionally,
whether colleges and universities will be able to inoculate their student bodies themselves
is still unclear.
Inside Higher Ed, Nov. 13, 2020
Politics | Local, State, National
Jill Biden reiterates support for free community college
Illustrating how she is expected to be a voice in the White House for making community
colleges free when she becomes first lady next year, Jill Biden pledged support to
the effort Monday. Speaking at a symposium sponsored by College Promise Career Institute,
a nonprofit promoting economic mobility, Biden said of her husband, President-elect
Joe Biden, “Joe and I will stand by you in those efforts because we know just how
crucial this work is, because we know how our economy depends on it, because we know
our students deserve nothing less.”
lnside Higher Ed, Nov. 17, 2020
Biden wants to help pay some student loans, but there's pressure to go further
President-elect Joe Biden has affirmed his support for erasing some student debt "immediately."
Student debt forgiveness was a major campaign plank of some of his more progressive
rivals for the Democratic nomination, but it remains controversial even among some
Democrats. In answer to a question at a Monday press conference, Biden repeated his
support for a provision passed as part of the HEROES Act, which the Democratic-controlled
House updated on Oct. 1.
NPR, Nov. 17, 2020
Gov. Inslee orders sweeping restrictions on indoor gatherings, restaurants, bars, gyms as COVID-19 cases surge in Washington state
... “Today, Sunday, November 15, 2020, is the most dangerous public health day in
the last 100 years of our state’s history,” Inslee said in prepared remarks. “A pandemic
is raging in our state. Left unchecked, it will assuredly result in grossly overburdened
hospitals and morgues; and keep people from obtaining routine but necessary medical
treatment for non-COVID conditions.”
The Seattle Times, Nov. 15, 2020
