03/26/2002• Issue #68

News & Views

New Electronic Publishing Opportunities from Art-Zones
Continuing Education’s Art-Zones department and Microsoft have partnered to launch a comprehensive program for eBooks, electronic books that can be downloaded from the Internet directly to a personal, pocket or laptop computer. A virtual library, which will be housed on BCC’s website, will be home to books, artists' and architects’ portfolios, and photo journals by emerging and experienced authors and design professionals. Textbook authors are also encouraged to submit their work for possible inclusion in the eLibrary. Other aspects of the program, which is supported by a $7,500 grant from Microsoft, will include integration of eBooks publishing concepts into the college’s Continuing Education writing, art and photography curricula; eBooks training for public school instructors; and public lectures on the business and leisure aspects of eBooks to help educate the community on this new medium. If you would like to submit your work for possible inclusion in the virtual library, please contact Cheryll Leo-Gwin at 564-2610 or via campus e-mail.

Seeking Participation for Visiting Scholar Program
BCC is organizing its first scholar-in-residence program, and you have a chance to participate. During the 2002-2003 academic year, BCC will host distinguished international educator and community leader Nawang Dorjee on campus. Dorjee is the director of education for the ministry overseeing the education of all exiled Tibetan children living in India, a member of the public service commission for the Dalai Lama, and chair of the Indian Fulbright Committee. Dorjee’s visit will be coordinated by BCC’s new Center for Liberal Arts as its first major initiative to advance the excellence of liberal arts teaching and learning. A steering committee is now being formed to develop learning opportunities and special events surrounding this exciting residency. Committee members will develop programs for the campus and general community and serve as ambassadors and evaluators for the residency. The committee is open to faculty, staff, students and community members. To learn more about committee opportunities, please attend an informational meeting from 2 - 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 in room R203. If you can’t attend this initial meeting but would like to be involved, contact Diane Douglas, Executive Director of BCC’s Center for Liberal Arts, at 564-2550 or via campus e-mail.

Software Donation Supports New Accounting Curriculum
Bellevue Community College has received a $163,000 donation of software, technical support and training from Microsoft Great Plains Business Solutions, enabling the college to expand its accounting curriculum.The donation of Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics software, an enterprise resource planning package geared to small- and medium-sized businesses, will give the college’s accounting students the opportunity to learn directly on the type of sophisticated software they are likely to use on the job. In addition to using the package in existing accounting programs, the college intends to launch a new, six-month certificate program built specifically around the software, intended primarily for displaced workers who want to make a quick career change. The new certificate program, called Accounting Information Systems, launches spring quarter.

Visiting Expert Shares Knowledge of Non-Native Speakers
Last week, Sheryl Holt, a University of Minnesota instructor and administrator for programs for non-native speakers, visited campus to share her expertise with BCC educators. Holt, who has 25 years of experience in the field, reviewed curricula in English, Educational Development, Applied Linguistics and Language, and International Programs; visited BCC’s reading and writing labs; and met with staff and faculty members. She also shared her views on assessment, the need for English as a Second Language instructional specialists, and issues surrounding program consolidation and collaboration. Holt may return at a future date to further discuss the needs of non-native speakers and conduct training sessions for faculty and staff.

New Policy for Student Identification
Individual social security numbers are currently used as the primary identifier for student records on campus. However, a privacy protection bill passed by the state legislature last year restricts colleges from using social security numbers for this purpose after June 30. A new system is being implemented and new student identification numbers will be assigned to all BCC students. The conversion is scheduled to occur the last weekend of April. Enrollment Services staff will notify students, faculty and staff of the policy change and its effects in the coming months. For more details, contact Associate Dean of Enrollment Services Tika Esler at 564-2205 or via campus e-mail.

BCC Participates in Regional TRIO Event
Staff from BCC’s TRIO Student Support Services program attended the first ‘Regional TRIO Day’ on March 11 at the University of Washington. The event corresponded with ‘National TRIO Day,’ which recognizes students, staff and individuals who have contributed to regional TRIO programs. During the event, a proclamation by Governor Gary Locke designating February 22 as National TRIO Day was presented and read to the nearly 100 participants in attendance. Participants included educators, representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and the president, president-elect and past president of the Northwest Association of Special Programs, which co-sponsored the event with University of Washington’s Office of Minority Affairs. University of Washington President Richard McCormick spoke in support of the need for TRIO programs and the need for greater diversity in higher education. TRIO Student Support Services is a federally-funded program that provides free academic support services to eligible students who are first-generation college students, financially disadvantaged or have a documented disability.

Jazz Band Shares Music and Views in China
Members of the BCC Jazz Band are bringing the sounds of American jazz to China during a week of performances over spring break. Under the direction of Hal Sherman, the 20-member band is performing at four universities in Beijing - Tsinghua University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing Normal School and Beijing Contemporary Institute. In addition, two BCC students will take part in an exchange of views with their Chinese counterparts at a forum at Beijing Normal School, and Jazz Band Director Hal Sherman will make two presentations to Chinese music teachers on how to teach jazz improvisation to beginning students. The group will tour a number of cultural sites in the Beijing area, and return to the U.S. on April 1. The BCC Jazz Band has performed for enthusiastic audiences in Paris, Berlin and Munich in recent years.

College Celebrates 20th International Night Dinner
Don’t miss your chance to travel the world without leaving the college during “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - 20 Years of International Night.” BCC’s wildly popular International Night Dinner takes place from 6 p.m. - midnight on Saturday, May 4. You can sample delicious food from around the world, see native costumes during the “Parade of Nations” fashion show, enjoy the company of co-workers, and dance the night away! Tickets are $10 and will go on sale April 1 in the Student Information Center, C106. Don’t delay - this popular event sells out every year. For more details, contact Nora Lance in International Student Services at 564-2330 or via campus e-mail.

Scholarship Opportunity for Classified Staff
If you are planning to take a class next quarter, then let the classified staff association (CEABCC) help with the costs! The Classified Employees Association Scholarship Committee will award $75 and $100 scholarships that may be used for college credit, community service or continuing education classes at BCC or other educational institutions. These awards can also be used for seminars, workshops or conference attendance. You may request an application from Kathy Colasurdo, 564-6154 or campus e-mail. Applications are due to Kathy tomorrow. Take a few minutes to fill out a form, and let CEABCC help fund your education!

Movers & Shakers
Two thumbs up for:

• Rick Turner, BCC Athletic Director and men’s basketball coach, was named the North Division ‘Coach of the Year’ by the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC), an organization which manages sports for 36 community college in Washington and Oregon. Rick’s recent honor was covered in the Eastside Journal. Read more online at http://www.eastsidejournal.com/sited/story/html/85226
• Anthropology instructor Nancy Gonlin was named to the 2002 edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. The bi-annual publication recognizes outstanding teachers who are nominated by their students.
• Parent Education Director Julie Soto was invited to participate in the “Getting School Ready” conference in Seattle a few weeks ago. Researchers, educators, parents and caregivers gathered to discuss the needs of early childhood programs in regard to preparing children for success in kindergarten.

Coming Attractions

• Expanding Your Horizons - BCC will host “Expanding Your Horizons” conferences on campus tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. and March 30 at 8 a.m. Expanding Your Horizons is an organization dedicated to increasing interest in science, math and technology careers among young women. The conferences provide an opportunity for middle- and high school girls to participate in hands-on workshops, meet successful role models and learn about jobs in the respective fields.
• College Fair - High school juniors who wish to learn more about higher education options are invited to attend a college fair at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 28. The event, sponsored by the Washington Council on High School and College Relations, will give students the chance to meet with representatives of public and private colleges and universities to answer questions and learn about admissions information. For more information, contact Vicki Wheeler at 564-2205 or via campus e-mail.
• TRIO Open House and Awards Reception - Swing by the Garden Room (C130) in the cafeteria on April 10 between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. to meet students and staff in BCC’s new TRIO Student Support Services program. Participants in the TRIO program will be honored with academic achievement certificates during an awards reception. Stop by to learn more about this exciting program and support hard-working students!
• Blood Drive - Participate in the blood drive on April 14-16 to help those in need. You may donate between 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Puget Sound Bloodmobile in the main courtyard.
• Scholarship Luncheon - Friends of the college will gather at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bellevue on April 17 with one mission in mind - supporting students. The annual “Opening the Door” fundraising luncheon, sponsored by the BCC Foundation, will raise money to fund scholarships and help students achieve their educational goals. Last year, the Foundation raised over $90,000 for scholarships. For more information, contact the Foundation office at 564-2386.
• Service Connections Fair - Representatives from many local non-profit organizations will gather on campus from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on April 17 to meet with students about volunteer and service learning opportunities. For more details, contact Christina Petty at 564-6148 or via campus e-mail.
  

Off the Vine
Congratulations to new mom Julia McCallum! Julia, project manager for i-BCC, and her husband Tim welcomed their daughter Natalie Renee on March 14 (7 pounds 13 ounces, 20 inches).

Terri Halsey, program assistant in Campus Operations, is an accomplished cake decorator. One of her culinary creations was selected from nearly a thousand cakes exhibited at a convention last year and is featured on the International Cake Exploration Societe website at http://www.ices.org/newsletters/cakes/cakes.htm (click on the top right cake or visit http://www.ices.org/newsletters/cakes/Cake%20Images/march/Halsey.jpg for a closer look). This work of art took between 30-40 hours to complete. Congratulations Terri!

Welcome & Farewell
Welcome to new BCC staff and faculty:

• Dee Ann Perea, Early Childhood Program Specialist, Childcare Center
• Angelina Brown, Secretary Senior, TRIO Student Support Services
• Dana Gran, Assistant Financial Aid Director, Financial Aid
• Mary Banbury, Early Childhood Teacher, Childcare Center
• Carol Ryckman, Office Assistant III, Science Division
• Mark Cassel, Head Start Teacher, Childcare Center

Congratulations on recent promotions or changes:

• Lynn Redman, Credentials Evaluator II, Enrollment Services
• Nelli Kasparova, Credentials Evaluator III, Evaluations/Graduation Office
• Sharon Felton, Division Chair, Educational Development
• Gregory Schmidt, Program Assistant, Cont. Ed. Support Services
• Rissa Wabaunsee, Director, Workforce Development
• Matthew Groshong, Director, Evaluations and Assessment

A fond farewell to departing BCC employees:

• Laura Berge, Early Childhood Specialist, Student Child Care
• Claire Talltree, Research Analyst I, Administrative Services
  

Campus Calendar

March 27            Guaranteed Education Tuition Program Meeting, 6 p.m., N201
March 27 & 30  Expanding Your Horizons Conferences
March 28            College Fair, 9:30 a.m.
April 1                  Spring Quarter Begins
April 4                  Scholar in Residence Steering Committee Meeting, 2 p.m., R305
April 10                TRIO Open House, 11 a.m., Garden Room (C130)
April 14-16          BCC Blood Drive, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Courtyard
April 17                BCC Foundation Scholarship Luncheon, Hyatt Regency
                              Service Connections Fair, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
April 26                Professional Development Day - No Class
May 4                   International Night Dinner, 6 p.m., Student Union

College Relations Corner

In the News
BCC’s programs for international students were mentioned in a March 18 article in the Seattle Times. The article mentions the growing number of international students who are often attracted to BCC by cheaper tuition, smaller class sizes and a more intimate environment than is usually found at four-year universities. Cris Samia, director of International Student Services, and students Mustafa Taleb, Shane Rai and Rene Smith were interviewed in the article. You may read the story online at http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=foreignstudents18m&date=20020318&query=bellevue+community+college

Les Feistel, BCC’s representative to the All-Academic Team, was mentioned in the “Applause” column of the Eastside Journal on March 11. Feistel and other outstanding students from community and technical colleges were honored by Governor Locke at a ceremony in Olympia earlier this month. Read more online at
http://www.eastsidejournal.com/sited/story/html/85316

On the Web
Two BCC sites recently got a fresh new look:

• Department of Applied Linguistics and Language
  http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/intp/all/index.html
• Academic Advising
  http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/advising

If you weren’t able to attend the Employee Open House at the Early Learning, Family, and Childcare Center two weeks ago, you can see the highlights on the Web at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/foundation/earlylearning/photos/index.htm