10/18/2002 • Issue #76

News & Views

College Welcomes New Vice President
Welcome to Gaynor Hills, who joined BCC as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Bellevue Community College Foundation this month. She brings to her new role strong fundraising, strategic planning and communication skills. Hills will oversee fundraising, alumni and communications programs to meet the growing needs of BCC. She comes to the college from Seattle’s Intiman Theatre, where she served as Director of Institutional Advancement. Previously, she was the executive in charge of major gifts at KCTS Television and the Capital Campaign Manager at ACT Theatre. She serves on the Board of the Washington State Association of Fundraising Professionals.

‘Late Start’ Provides New Opportunities for Students
BCC is currently experiencing the highest student enrollment to date. Due to a high demand for fall quarter classes, BCC is offering a series of “Late Start” credit classes. The seven-week classes began this week and will end the same week as all other fall quarter credit classes. Courses, which are held at North Campus and on the main campus, are offered in English, math, psychology and Administrative Office Systems. Late Start classes may be offered in upcoming quarters if demand persists.

Scare Up Some Fun on Halloween!
Get ready for Halloween festivities! Institutional Advancement will sponsor a Halloween costume contest on Thursday, October 31. To participate, come to Institutional Advancement, A102, to have your photo taken between 9:30 a.m. - noon on October 31. The entire campus is invited to stop by for refreshments and vote for their favorite costume between noon - 2 p.m. The winners will be announced on the Web that afternoon. Take a look at last year’s creative entries at <http://intranet.bcc.ctc.edu/halloween>. Mark your calendar for some tricks and treats this Halloween!

Distance Ed. Expands Online Degree Offerings
BCC Distance Education recently expanded its partnership with Washington State University (WSU) to enable students to continue their academic careers with more online degree options. Students now have the opportunity to complete a WSU Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science completely online following completion of their Associate in Arts and Science transfer degree at BCC. Online baccalaureate degrees from WSU are also offered through the partnership in general business and management information systems (MIS). For more information, please visit the Distance Education website at http://distance-ed.bcc.ctc.edu/degreesframe.htm.

Grant Provides Cheaper Commuting Options
Thanks to a new “Commuter Challenge” grant, BCC employees who work 20 hours a week or more for at least nine months of the year and receive benefits are now eligible to take part in the commute trip reduction (CTR) program. Previously, this program was only available to employees who worked 12 months a year for a minimum of 30 hours per week. The subsidized monthly bus pass can be purchased at the cashier’s office (B126) from the 25th of the prior month through the 10th of the month when the pass is valid. With the new subsidy, costs are $9 for a one-zone off-peak pass, $10.80 for a one-zone peak pass and $14.80 for a two-zone peak pass. You’ll find detailed information about CTR under the Human Resources tab in MyBCC (http://adminportal.bcc.ctc.edu). Sign-up forms are located in the Forms Library under the “Forms” tab in MyBCC – just click on “Parking and Commuting.” Carpooling, biking and walking incentives are also available. Simply complete a CTR registration form, and return it to Lois Harrison in Campus Operations at mail stop K100.

TRIO Students ‘Go for the Gold’
Earlier this month, BCC’s TRIO students were honored for their academic accomplishments during spring and summer quarters. Students received either gold, silver or bronze certificates, which correspond to levels of academic achievement, along with personal congratulations from Executive Dean of Instruction Ron Leatherbarrow, Interim Dean of Student Services Tika Esler, and Director of TRIO Student Support Services Barbara Brodsky. Guest speaker Dr. Thomas Pritchard, division chair for Social Sciences, entertained and inspired an audience of 90 students, faculty and staff members with stories of his own academic challenges and achievements. Students who received silver or bronze certificates said it motivated them to “go for the gold!” TRIO students have achieved an average 3.0 GPA, and 83% of program participants have continued toward the completion of their academic degree since the program debuted at BCC last year. TRIO Student Support Services program provides advising, individual and group tutoring, study skills training and other tools to students who are financially disadvantaged, have a documented disability or are first-generation college students.

Do You Know a Stellar Student?
Nominate a BCC student for the All USA Academic Team, a prestigious annual competition that recognizes the outstanding academic and service contributions of community college students. Students nominated to the All USA Team will automatically be named to the All Washington Academic Team, where they may qualify for stipends and scholarships. Team members will be honored with their counterparts across the state at ceremonies in Olympia next spring. Nomination forms, which are available in the Arts and Humanities office in room R230, are due on November 18. For more details, contact Jeff Cofer at 564-4186 or via campus e-mail.

In Brief

• The NWCET’s 2001-02 annual report, "Standards, Services and Security," is now available. You may download the report at http://e2e.nwcet.org/annualreport02.pdf.
• After receiving nearly 1,100 pledges, radio station KBCS raised more than $80,000 during a fall pledge drive. Over 85% of the station’s budget comes from individual and company donations. Thanks to all who supported the station during the successful pledge drive. Tune into 91.3 FM or visit http://kbcs.fm to see what’s new on BCC’s favorite station!

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

• For her many contributions over the last decade, Dr. Susan Quattrociocchi, Director of the Northeast Tech Prep Consortium, received the Outstanding Service Award from the Washington Association of Career and Technical Education in August. In September, she was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes professional achievement and community contributions, from Oakland University in Michigan. Earlier this summer, Dr. Q published Help, I’ve Got a Middle Schooler! A Practical Guide for Families. The book is a helpful resource for parents dealing with the challenges and joys of adolescents and a planning guide to make the most of a child’s future education.
• Skar Sato, Director of Testing for Continuing Education, was recently appointed to the national advisory board for testing by Prometric, an organization that provides technology-based testing and assessment services. During his three-year term, Sato will examine the future of information technology certifications, test center operations and security issues with members of the advisory board. He reports that BCC’s Prometric Testing Center for Computer Certifications is currently ranked #1 in the nation for volume of tests delivered!
• Kyra Olson, administrative assistant in the President’s Office, was named the “Employee of the Month” in September by the classified staff association. Admiring coworkers say, “Kyra is a warm, caring individual who brings a sense of heart to our office and to others,” and “She is one of those quiet, unsung heroines who help make BCC such a wonderful place to work.” Congratulations!
• Parent Ed/ Early Childhood Education faculty members Stephanie Sloan and Judy Witmer spent part of their summer conducting educational visits. Sloan spent time observing the indoor and outdoor learning environments at the Froebel Kindergarten in Germany, where she was impressed by the school’s extensive play area and level of parent involvement. Witmer visited the Boulder Journey School in Colorado, where she appreciated the innovative influence of the Reggio Emilia schools of Italy on the school’s naturalistic environment. On a separate visit, she was joined by Director of Parent Education Julie Soto to participate in an international exchange during a visit to the village school of the Bribri Indian community in the Costa Rican jungle region. Despite the language barrier, the two groups developed friendships while sharing food, stories and songs. The BCC instructors were impressed with the parent involvement and naturalistic environments at each of the three schools visited over the summer.
• Student members of BCC’s UNICEF Club recently raised over $5,000 in donations for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. The donations helped fund the delivery of textbooks, notebooks and school supplies for teachers and students in every school district in Afghanistan.

Coming Attractions
Mark your calendars!

• Art Faculty Exhibition – Stop by the BCC Library to see the annual BCC Art Faculty Exhibition from now through November 1. You’ll see paintings, sculptures, constructions, drawings and photographs from BCC’s talented Art faculty and staff.
• “Women in Islam” Forum – Learn more about the past and present status of women in Islamic countries from community members and academic experts during an informative forum from 7 – 9 p.m. on Friday, October 25 in the Carlson Theatre. This free event is sponsored by the BCC Muslim Student Association, Campus Activities Board, ASBCC, Multi-Cultural Services, KBCS and The Jibsheet.
• BCC Fun Run – Lace up your running shoes! The BCC Cross Country team hosts an “All-Comer College Fun Run” on Saturday, October 26 at 10 a.m. at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island. Students, staff and alumni are encouraged to participate in this 5K (3.1 mile) run. Awards for men and women will be given to top runners in the 25 and under, 26-40, 41-55 and 56 and older age groups. The entry fee is $5. For more details, contact Stella Orechia in Athletics at 564-2353 or via campus e-mail.
• Flu Shots -- The Student Health Center is sponsoring a flu ($17) and pneumonia ($25) shot clinic on Tuesday, November 12. Stop by room L100-C from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. or from 5 - 7:30 p.m. For more details, contact Student Health Services at 564-2489.

Off the Vine
Jodi Adams, accountant in the Finance department, gave birth to her first child – daughter Cyan Emery (7 pounds, 19”) – on October 4. Congratulations to the new family!

Last week, Campus Operations staff went on a rescue mission for some wild kittens. After a student caught the feral mother cat, several staff members spent their breaks hunting for the three-week old kittens. Gardener Paul Maxwell located the kittens behind Building C, and they were safely reunited with their mother.

Jean Sasaki, administrative assistant in the Office of Instruction and golfer extraordinaire, made a hole-in-one while golfing at Allenmore Golf Course in Tacoma on September 28. (The big event occurred on the second hole, which was a 130-yard, par 3 using a 7-iron.)

Welcome & Farewell
Welcome to new BCC staff and faculty:

• Barbara Rowan, Graphic Design Manager, Printing Services
• Avon Barquist, Food Service Worker, Food Services
• Neng Xiong, Food Service Worker, Food Services
• Pamela Quintero, IT System Specialist II, IR/ Computing Services
• Mala Krishnan, Early Childhood Teacher, Childcare Center
• Darla Hughes, Media Technician Senior, Library Media Center
• Julie Oltman, Early Childhood Teacher, Childcare Center
• Angela Dial, Early Childhood Teacher, Childcare Center
• Dimitri Azadi, Interpreter Coordinator, Disability Support Services
• Louis Watanabe, Faculty, Business Division
• George Walker, Faculty, Social Science Division
• Bat-Sheva Stein, Faculty, Health Science/Nursing Program
• Judith Paquette, Faculty, Business Division
• Nicole Henry, Librarian, Library Media Center
• Wayne Allewell, Faculty, Business Division
• Haakan Sorensen, Faculty, Business Division
• Scott Bessho, Faculty, Arts & Humanities Division
• Kevin Boileau, Faculty, Arts & Humanities Division
• M. Lee Buxton, Faculty, Arts & Humanities Division
• Spencer de Mille, Faculty, Arts & Humanities Division
• Nawang Dorjee, Faculty, Arts & Humanities Division
• Keith Gamache, Faculty, Arts & Humanities Division
• Daniel Beert, Faculty, Arts & Humanities Division
• Thomas Almli, Faculty, Arts & Humanities Division
• Joseph Martin, Faculty, Radiologic Technology Program
• Sybil Weber, Faculty, Nursing Program

Congratulations on recent promotions or changes:·

• Peggy Day, Program Coordinator, Assessment
• Jeffery Custer, IT System Specialist V, Information Technology Services

A fond farewell to departing BCC employees:

• Jillane Peterson, IT System Specialist II, Computing Services
• Tobias Cullins, Interpreter Coordinator, Disability Support Services
• Alyce Green, Director, Continuing Education Marketing
• Ashlee Anderson, Program Coordinator, Continuing Education Fast Track

Campus Calendar

Now – November 1
Art Faculty Exhibition, BCC Library Gallery

October 22
Transfer Student College Fair, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Student Union Building
CEABCC General Meeting, 1 p.m.

October 25
Women in Islam Forum, 7-9 p.m., Carlson Theatre

October 26
BCC Fun Run, 10 a.m., Luther Burbank Park

October 31
Halloween Festivities, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Institutional Advancement

November 5
Volunteer Tutor Program Information Session, 5:30 p.m., Room R108

November 6
Board of Trustees Meeting, Noon, Board Room

November 11
Professional Development Day – No Class
Veterans Day

November 12
Flu Shots, 10 a.m. & 5 p.m., Room L100-C

November 19
CEABCC General Meeting, 1 p.m.

November 28-29
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Class

December 9
College Issues Day – No Class

December 12
Fall Quarter Ends

College Relations Corner

In the News
BCC’s new Center for Liberal Arts and scholar in residence Nawang Dorjee made the news in two feature stories recently. Read about Dorjee’s class on Tibetan history and culture in the October 8 edition of the Seattle Times at http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=tibet08e&date=20021008&query=seeking%2Bnirvana

A September 20 article in the Seattle Post Intelligencer features interviews with Dorjee, the Center’s Executive Director Diane Douglas and President Jean Floten. Learn more at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/87853_liberal20.shtml

BCC was mentioned in an October 14 issue of the Seattle Times about surging enrollments at community colleges this year. The article mentions that enrollment is up by 3% over last year at BCC and that the state community college system added 8,500 new students this fall. Read more online at http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=dige14m&date=20021014&query=Enrollment%2Bup%2C%2Bcommunity%2Bcolleges%2Breport%2B

A similar story about high enrollment ran in the Eastside Journal and South County Journal on October 13. The article mentions expanded offerings from BCC’s Fast Track program. Automated fingerprint identity, Web security and wireless communications technology are popular Fast Track programs. Read the article online at http://www.eastsidejournal.com/sited/story/html/108268.