10/4/2000 • Issue #41 News & Views Growth for Non-Traditional Learning Programs BCC learning programs for students with home and work commitments have shown steady growth in the last year. After its debut last fall, BCC’s Weekend College program has more than doubled its course offerings this year. Now students may choose from 20 diverse class offerings, up from 8 courses last fall, in areas like English, media, oceanography, information technology and interior design. Transfer and professional/technical courses are offered, and a future goal is to allow students to complete a transfer degree in three years through Weekend College. Enrollment is also up in BCC’s Distance Education program. This fall, almost 1700 students registered for online classes compared to nearly 1400 students last fall. The WorkFirst Program at Work BCC’s WorkFirst program was recently recognized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for its participation in the Neighborhood Networks program.  WorkFirst Project Manager Gaye Ishimaru spoke of their participation and accomplishments at the dedication of a new activity and computer center at the Hidden Village Apartments, a King County Housing Authority complex, in September. Through a grant project, WorkFirst funds an outreach coordinator to help residents develop strategic personal, educational and employment plans.  Residents are encouraged to participate in community activities and to enroll in one of the many WorkFirst programs at BCC that offer free training, tuition, books and fees. Currently, 23 residents are enrolled at BCC this quarter.  Two residents completed certificate programs and one resident passed the GED exam. Congratulations to the entire WorkFirst staff on this wonderful achievement! Making a Difference Through the Annual Fund The BCC Foundation kicked off the annual fund drive last week and set a goal for 100% participation from BCC employees this year. Contributions will fund student scholarships, campus programs and projects like the Margin of Excellence Awards. Thornton “TP” Perry and Vicki Wheeler are this year’s employee co-chairs.  Last year, employees raised over $11,000. You can mail in a pledge or drop it off in the Foundation office, A102. If you have questions or would like more information, please call Becky Baumgardner at 564-5074 or Kay Gough at 564-2282. Hop On the Bus, Gus… …and get $20 off your bus pass! BCC students, faculty and staff can take advantage of reduced-fare Metro bus passes to help alleviate campus congestion. You may purchase your bus pass at the cashier’s office (B126) from the 25th of the prior month through the 10th of the month when the pass is valid. Route information is available in the Campus Information Center (C106) or online at <http://transit.metrokc.gov>. Riding your bike or taking a car- or vanpool are other great transportation alternatives. For more information, go to <http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/bccweb/news/announcements.stm> on the BCC website. A Great Source of Information Need a stamp right away? How about a reduced-price movie ticket for that new blockbuster coming out this fall? Stop by the Campus Information Center and Convenience Store in C106 on the main floor of the Student Union Building. The Information Center also offers student identification cards, bus schedules, a student registration kiosk and a variety of school supplies. The Information Center is open daily at 9:30am. For more details, call 564-2297. Keep the Music Playing New general manager Steve Ramsey has taken the helm at KBCS radio station just in time to kick off the fall pledge drive. The listener-supported, non-commercial station relies on membership drives as its most important source of financial support. Tune into 91.3 FM for a diverse mix of folk, jazz and world music in addition to cultural features and public affairs programming - and consider making a donation between October 9-15. For more information, call 564-2424. Open Enrollment Begins in October Open enrollment for medical and dental insurance takes place October 23 - November 20 (with changes effective January 1, 2001). Informational materials from the Health Care Authority, including upcoming health fair dates and locations, will be mailed to your home this month. The Eastside health fair will be held at Lake Washington Technical College on November 3. For more information, go to http://ww.wa.gov/hca and click on “Public Employees Benefit Board.” Take a Break from Smoking If you’d like to stop smoking, consider joining a campus smoking cessation group this fall. The group, sponsored by the Alcohol and Drug Studies program, Student Programs and Human Resources, meets every Wednesday from October 11 - December 6 at 12:30 - 1:30pm in room C120B. For more information, contact Paul Weatherly at 564-2081 or via campus e-mail.   Scare Up Some Fun Get ready for Halloween festivities! Institutional Advancement will sponsor a Halloween costume and office decorating contest. If your department would like to participate in the office decorating contest, please e-mail Lori Tiede in College Relations by Friday, October 20. We'll send our 'secret judges' out to view your decorating flair between October 25-27, and we'll announce the winner on Tuesday, October 31. To participate in the costume contest, come to Institutional Advancement, A102, to have your photo taken between 9:30 a.m. - noon on Tuesday, October 31. The entire campus is invited to stop by for refreshments and vote for their favorite costume between noon - 2:00 p.m.  We'll announce the winners on the Web at 3:30 p.m. Mark your calendar for some tricks and treats this Halloween! Fall Events at BCC Autumn heats up with plenty of interesting events at BCC: National Sonographer’s Awareness Week - October 2-8 is a time to recognize healthcare professionals who work in the field of sonography, which is often referred to as ultrasound. Join BCC students and faculty this week in their appreciation of this important health field. Coffee House Performance Series - Student Programs presents a weekly series of free music performances in the Student Union lounge from October 4 - November 8. Enjoy an espresso drink and great music each Wednesday from noon - 1p.m. in October and  from 2 - 3 p.m. in November. The varied performances include acoustic guitar, folk and adult contemporary music. For more details, go to http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/stupro/Cab/cab.htm Faculty Art Show -Stop by the BCC Art Gallery in the library to view recent works from 16 BCC faculty and staff members. You’ll be treated to paintings, drawings, sculpture and photographs from our talented artists October 17 - December 1. The gallery opens at 7 a.m. Monday - Friday. You can stop by after lunch on October 16 to chat with the artists and enjoy some treats during a special “Art for Dessert” event on College Issues Day. Election 2000 - The Campus Activities Board sponsors “Election 2000,” a lecture with Rick Shenkman, journalist, historian and author of Presidential Ambition: How the Presidents Gained Power, Kept Power and Got Things Done. Rick will discuss the upcoming presidential election and how to be an effective voter on October 19 at 2 p.m. in room N201. For more information, contact Maureen Majury at 564-2296. Halloween Blood Drive - Blood supplies are lower than ever. Please considering giving blood during the Halloween Blood Drive from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on October 30-31 in the main courtyard. Movers & Shakers Congratulations to these BCC faculty and staff on recent accomplishments: Faculty from the Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Across the Curriculum (CTILAC) project are keeping busy even as their project funds come to an end. Faculty members recently presented at workshops at BCC, Clark College and the University of Michigan. Congratulations to faculty members Carol Burton, Cathy Lyle, Sayumi Irey, Leslie Lum, Shahla Rowhani, Melodye Gold and Donna Sharpe. NWCET Associate Director Peter Saflund was the only community college panelist participating in a recent national teleconference about networking curriculum. He is also a member of the 21st Century Workforce Commission. The NWCET was highlighted in their latest report. For more details, visit the NWCET site at http://www.nwcet.org/whats_new/whtsnew.htm Instructor Pat Mesch received a Richard Hugo House Fellowship to teach creative writing to adults and high school students. The Richard Hugo House is a non-profit community center dedicated to the literary arts. Pat looks forward to working with students to spark their creativity and intellectual curiosity. Off the Vine Some BCC globetrotters were on the move this summer: Director of Printing Services Marc Heriot, his wife Diane and their two sons spent two months in Nicaragua this summer to volunteer with Food for the Hungry. While sharing a home with iguanas, lizards and spiders, the Heriot family helped with administrative tasks and taught English at a local school. Rob Jackson, Drama department chair, spent last year on sabbatical studying Spanish and theater in Mexico. He took the scenic route - sailing with his wife to Mexico, Hawaii and back to Puget Sound. They logged about 10,000 miles in one year and enjoyed the magnificent scenery and people along the way. Diagnostic Ultrasound Program Chair Ann Polin is on a one-year sabbatical from the college to set up the first ultrasound program in sub-Saharan Africa. This summer, Ann and her two children left for Kumasi, Ghana, where she  serves as the program director, teacher and trainer at the Aninwah Medical Center. While adjusting to her new home and starting the new ultrasound program, Ann is making many new friends in West Africa. To receive a more detailed account of Ann’s adventures, please contact Kara Witsoe via campus e-mail. Deanna Veyna, secretary in the Social Science office, and her husband got a close look at the central Oregon scenery a few weeks ago during a seven-day bike trip. They rode 50 - 100 miles a day with altitude gains of over 6,000 feet. Deanna says it was an inspiring and exhausting ride. Campus Calendar October 4, Coffee House Performance Series begins (through Nov. 8), noon, Student Union Building October 9-15,  KBCS Pledge Drive October 16, College Issues Day - No Class |  “Art for Dessert” event in BCC Gallery after lunch October 17, Faculty Art Show in BCC Gallery through Dec. 1 October 19, Election 2000 lecture, 2 p.m., N201 October 20, Foundation Annual Fund Drive ends October 23, Open Enrollment for Insurance Begins (through Nov. 30) October 30-31, Halloween Blood Drive, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., main courtyard October 31, Halloween Festivities in College Relations, A102 November 10, Professional Development Day - No Class November 23-24  Thanksgiving Holiday Up-to-date campus events may be found on the BCC Intranet at: http://intranet.bcc.ctc.edu (click on Events Calendar). College Relations Corner On the Web Facilities Scheduling Online Discussion & Training Be part of a discussion and learn more about Reserve™. You are invited to provide input for the Reserve Software and issues concerning use and functionality. A session begins at 10:30 a.m. on October 17 in N201. Check the events calendar for details. Coming later this month: Vocational program "cyber brochures" Expanded degree and certificate information Advance winter credit schedule