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News Links | September 15, 2020

September 15, 2020 by SBCTC Communications

System News | Opinion

Report analyzes impact of Guided Pathways practices at community colleges

... Over the years, higher education institutions have used the “cafeteria model,” meaning students enter college with a number of options to choose from and spend time “making choices and taking courses to hopefully end up with a degree or ‘square meal’ at the end of the cafeteria line,” according to Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, president of South Seattle College.
Diverse Education, Sept. 15, 2020

Wenatchee Valley College offering resources for students affected by wildfires

Wenatchee Valley College is offering resources to students affected by recent wildfires. “We know that right now some of our students are facing very difficult situations due to wildfires across service district,” said WVC President Dr. Jim Richardson. “We want to be flexible and offer as many resources as possible to help students access college this fall.”
iFiber One, Sept. 14, 2020

Comment: For success, more students need education, training

... At Everett Community College, students meet with an adviser (via video or phone now) to create a custom education plan before they begin their first quarter that takes into account their previous credits and their future goals. Advisers help students identify a clear path to earning a certificate or a degree and beyond; whether that’s transfer to a university or employment.
Everett Herald, Sept. 13, 2020

Centralia College employee tests positive for COVID-19; Four total cases at college

A Centralia College employee has tested positive for COVID-19, the college reported on Thursday, bringing the total number of positive cases by employees and students at the college to four. Two students and two employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since March  — on March 16, July 20, July 23 and Sept. 2, according to Amanda Haines, Centralia College’s Director of College Relations.
The Daily Chronicle, Sept. 11, 2020

Skagit/Islands Head Start, San Juan Island Community Foundation, and Skagit Valley College Foundation partner to expand Head Start access in Friday Harbor

... Skagit Valley College’s Skagit/Islands Head Start (SIHS) program began in 1968 and reaches San Juan, Island and Skagit counties. The new modular will allow SIHS to add an Early Head Start classroom to their program and convert their preschool Head Start programming to full day offerings.
Islands Weekly, Sept. 11, 2020

State of the community: Education

... 2020 State of Olympic College Shelton [Video].
Mason Web TV, Sept. 11, 2020

Whatcom Community College builds its first housing

Cedar Hall is the first student housing built at Whatcom Community College. The building is off Cordata Parkway at 204 Short St. in Bellingham, Wash. [Video].
Bellingham Herald, Sept. 10, 2020

Three positive COVID-19 cases at Columbia Basin College dorm

Three students at Columbia Basin College (CBC) have tested positive for COVID-19. According to a letter to students from the President of CBC, Columbia Basin College received notification of three positive cases of COVID-19 among current residents of Sunhawk Hall. All three individuals are asymptomatic, meaning they are showing no symptoms of the disease.
KEPR, Sept. 10, 2020

EvCC group’s Empowerment Lunch connects community virtually

More than 80 “womxn” gathered virtually Wednesday afternoon to take a break from work for an hour and a half of self-care and networking. The Womxn Empowerment Lunch was the inaugural event for Everett Community College’s chapter of the American Association for Women at Community Colleges (AAWCC), a national group formed in 1973 to support and uplift women. EvCC’s chapter started in February and is the first in Washington.
Everett Herald, Sept. 10, 2020

State colleges grapple with fewer international student enrollments

... Former Gov. Gary Locke, who is the Interim President of Bellevue College (BC), agrees that enrollments at colleges and universities across the state are down, especially among international students, and the drop is hurting education institute revenues. ... Childs shared that in Seattle College’s most recent quarter, Summer 2020, they enrolled 4,155 FTES, 8% less (357 FTES) than their 2019 Summer enrollment. “It’s important to note that both Seattle Central College and North Seattle College increased FTES compared to Summer 2019, despite remote operations and the majority of online-only classes due to COVID-19,” she said. ... “South Seattle College, our college that offers proportionately more hands-on professional technical and apprenticeship programs and faced traffic impacts due to the West Seattle bridge closure, decreased by 37% (520 FTES),” she added.
Northwest Asian Weekly, Sept. 9, 2020

Trends | Horizons | Education

Report analyzes impact of Guided Pathways practices at community colleges

... Over the years, higher education institutions have used the “cafeteria model,” meaning students enter college with a number of options to choose from and spend time “making choices and taking courses to hopefully end up with a degree or ‘square meal’ at the end of the cafeteria line,” according to Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, president of South Seattle College.
Diverse Education, Sept. 15, 2020

Facebook launches student-only networking site

Social media giant Facebook, which started as a networking site for college students, has come full circle, announcing the launch of a platform exclusively for students. Facebook Campus is described as a “dedicated section of the Facebook app designed for students,” where shared content can only be seen by other people attending the same institution.
Inside Higher Ed, Sept. 14, 2020

Right-sizing for the future

Capital investment on community college campuses had grown increasingly tricky to calculate correctly even before the coronavirus pandemic, as enrollment fluctuated, more students took online courses and employer needs continuously changed. To date, COVID-19 hasn’t radically altered anyone’s planning. But with that added factor thrown into the equation, college leadership must continue to “right-size” their campuses.
Community College Daily, Sept. 11, 2020

Building community

Community colleges are finding innovative ways to maintain or increase student engagement during a global health pandemic that has left most switching to online-only formats for the fall. Two-year colleges serve diverse populations that include high school students in dual-enrollment courses, senior citizens, working adults and traditional-age students.
Inside Higher Ed, Sept. 11, 2020

OpenStax to double OER textbooks

Open educational resources publisher OpenStax plans to develop dozens of new free textbook titles -- doubling its current catalog of 42 textbooks. OpenStax has so far secured $12.5 million in grants to support this goal, including support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Support also comes from the Charles Koch Foundation and its parent nonprofit organization, Stand Together, formerly known as the Seminar Network. 
Inside Higher Ed, Sept. 11, 2020

Politics | Local, State, National

Biden beats Trump in higher ed contributions

Though the nation finds itself deeply divided, it’s clear whom employees at the nation’s higher education institutions are supporting financially in the presidential race. According to federal elections records, those who listed their employer as a college or university have given Democratic candidate Joe Biden about $4.9 million in contributions, more than five times as much as the $890,000, including donations from for-profit college executives, that they have given President Trump.
Inside Higher Ed, Sept. 11, 2020

Commentary: Washington watch: Training grants deadline approaches, ED issues final 'free speech' rule

As most of Washington is on standby waiting to see if congressional leaders and the White House reach a deal on another pandemic recovery bill, there were two developments this week regarding Trump administration actions important to community colleges.
Community College Daily, Sept. 10, 2020

Last Modified: 9/11/24, 11:59 AM
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