BCC Expands Educational Options in Japan
Yesterday BCC signed an international education contract with ISA Inc., the largest international study agency in Japan. The company will promote and offer registration on their website for BCC online classes. Once enrolled, Japanese students will take BCC classes with the same requirements as students in the U.S. to receive BCC credit. ISA Inc. now offers online high school and college credit courses and hopes to one day provide a bachelor's degree for U.S. institutions completely online.

Market Research Will Provide Valuable Data
Northwest Research Group was recently hired by the college to conduct market research in the community. In the next week, the research firm will be contacting students, faculty, staff and community members to recruit for participation in focus groups. The focus groups will be conducted February 12 - 13, followed by more comprehensive telephone surveys. The results of the research, which will provide input into the public perception of BCC and important factors people consider when selecting a college, will be available in April. For more details, contact Kay Gough in Institutional Advancement at 564-2282.

Artists Journey to China for Cultural Exchange
Art-Zones Director and artist Cheryll Leo-Gwin, Director of World Languages & Travel René Siegenthaler and four Northwest artists have been invited to China for a cultural exchange in May. The group is scheduled to meet with Chinese artists to exchange ideas and information while touring the art and culture of China. They’ll stop in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Yixing and Hong Kong. In 2003, five Chinese artists will travel to the Northwest to continue the cultural exchange. Their collaborative work will be presented in a public venue. BCC Continuing Education is arranging a tour to accompany the artists. For more information, call 564-3145.

Turn It Down or Turn It Off!
In response to the power supply shortage in the western states, Governor Locke has issued an urgent directive asking the people and businesses of the state of Washington to conserve energy. The governor requested that everyone take steps to decrease total electricity and natural gas use in state buildings and offices by ten percent, particularly during the peak periods of 8 - 10 a.m. and 4 - 8 p.m. Among his suggested measures were turning off lights and computers when not in use, decreasing use of space heaters during the day, and turning down thermostats and water heaters. Please do your part to decrease our energy use at BCC.

More Help from the Help Desk
To accommodate the needs of BCC employees who arrive early or stay late, the Help Desk has extended service hours from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call with your technical questions or log onto their new self-help website at <http://help.bcc.ctc.edu/>. This site was developed to provide employees with a broad spectrum of information about computers, software, telephones, purchasing computers and much more. Learn how to back-up your important data, protect yourself from virus attacks and get answers to frequently asked questions. You can report your technical problems using the new website or simply dial ‘HELP' (4357). If you have suggestions for the website, e-mail comments to helpdesk@bcc.ctc.edu.

BCC Grads Return for Job Fair
Representatives from nine major health care institutions presented information at a job fair at BCC on January 9 for the Radiologic Technology program. Of the 18 speakers at the job fair, 11 were graduates of BCC's x-ray program from past years -- from as far back as 1971 and as recent as 5 years ago. The job fair was held to provide students with information on different facilities and for the health organizations to recruit potential employees. All of the representatives had job openings and were actively recruiting, including offers of scholarships to pay students' tuition in return for employment at their hospital for one to two years after graduating. The institutions represented included Harborview Medical Center, Virginia Mason, Group Health, Swedish, Overlake and Evergreen Medical Centers.

Movers & Shakers
Congratulations to faculty and staff on these recent accomplishments:

Winter Events at BCC
Take advantage of more great entertainment at BCC this winter:

Big Band Jazz Festival - Join Hal Sherman, talented students and guest artists for lively jazz performances during the fifth annual Jazz Band Festival! The festival takes place February 9-10 with competitions between middle and high school bands. The three finalists will join the BCC Jazz Band for an evening presentation with guest trombonist Jeff Hay (Feb. 9) and with saxophonist Jim Snidero (Feb. 10). For more details, call 564-3114.
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Lecture & Concert - KBCS 91.3 FM presents a free demonstration and lecture on the history of Hawaiian slack key guitar. Stop by the Carlson Theatre at noon on Tuesday, February 13 for an entertaining presentation of the slack key 12-string guitar hosted by renowned guitarist, singer and storyteller George Kahumoku Jr. Join Kahumoku and guitarist/singer Led Kaapana later that evening for an energetic performance at 7:30 p.m. in the Carlson Theatre. Concert tickets ($20 for general admission, $15 for students and KBCS members) are available by calling KBCS at 564-2418. Enjoy a taste of the islands in January -- don’t miss this entertaining lecture and performance!
Blood Drive - This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of blood! Stop by the Bloodmobile in the main courtyard on February 13-14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and help someone in need.
“Two Gentlemen of Verona” - Spice up your weekend with a classic Shakespearean comedy! The BCC Drama Department gives a musical production of “Two Gentlemen of Verona” on March 2-3 and March 8-10 at 8 p.m. in the Carlson Theatre. Call 564-3114 for more information.

Off the Vine
A woodpecker paid a visit to BCC at the start of the quarter when it became trapped in the Student Services Building. Laurie Wilson of Student Services called the Audubon Society and the Wild Birds Unlimited Store for advice on how to trap and release the bird. She was advised to try and catch the woodpecker with a net. Fortunately, the Science Division proved to be a likely source for nets. Joan Miller responded to a request for help, and she and Chris Gonzalez, Jim Ellinger and Carol Burton brought nets and the chase began. This provided great entertainment for the several hundred students who were watching. Finally, Amy McCrory of the Assessment Office was able to direct the woodpecker to a sliding door where it escaped from the building. Laurie Wilson sends her thanks to the kind-hearted, bird-chasing folks in the Science Division.

Up-to-date campus events may be found on the BCC Intranet at:
http://intranet.bcc.ctc.edu/ (click on Events Calendar).

Hot Off the Press
See the new winter issue of BCC Today featuring cover boys Rob de Grasse, Paul Hensley and John Carroll! You can read stories about the transformation of the campus over the last few years, Hal Sherman’s impact on the BCC Jazz Band and BCC’s 35^th anniversary. Copies of the magazine will be available on campus next week or you can read it online at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/bcctoday