02/03/2003 • Issue #80

News & Views

College Seeking Budget Reduction Ideas
The 2003-04 budget and planning process is now underway. Meetings will be held this month with classified, exempt and faculty groups to discuss their special concerns and issues. There will also be “Budget 101” brown bag lunches to discuss how the state and local budget processes work and to answer any questions. Date and location information will be coming soon. The Planning Council has already started to solicit ideas for reductions and efficiencies throughout the campus. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please submit them to Vice President of Administrative Services Barbara Martin.

National Video Spotlights BCC Programs
It was “lights, camera and action” last week when a film crew from Boston public television station WGBH visited the BCC campus. The WGBH Educational Foundation, in collaboration with the American Association of Community Colleges, is producing a series of educational videos that highlight the National Science Foundation’s innovative Advanced Technology Education projects operating at community colleges throughout the nation, including the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies at BCC. IT students Kennedy Symekher and Hilda Villavicenzio were profiled in the video. The “Pathways to Technology: The Community College Route” videos and CD-ROMS will highlight the experience of students involved in a range of fields and can be used by community college personnel to educate policymakers, parents and guidance counselors; recruit students; and encourage expanded involvement of business and industry members. A companion website will expand on the topics covered in the videos and provide additional information through text, interactive activities and streamed clips. The educational materials will be available for distribution in early 2004.

Construction Begins on A Building
Construction began last week on the A Building and will continue through October. The south end of the building is being upgraded with seismic reinforcements, fire sprinklers and voice/data wiring in classrooms and offices. The remodeled wing will feature new electronic classrooms as well as new sound-proof music labs. More changes include the addition of a student study open area, similar to the L Building lobby, upgraded bathrooms and the addition of an elevator. Pedestrian access around the perimeter of the work zone is likely to be affected for the duration of the project. If you have any questions, please contact Interim Director of Campus Operations and Capital Projects Don Bloom at 564-2491 or Construction Supervisor Dennis Herman at 564-2849.

New Scholarship Opportunities for Students
The BCC Foundation has made scholarships available to even more BCC students seeking financial assistance. Foundation general scholarships are now open to part-time as well as full-time students. Students must take 5 credits or more and earn a 2.5 grade point average to be eligible for Foundation scholarship consideration. Scholarship applications are due to the Foundation office (A102) at 4 p.m. on April 4. For more details, contact Administrative Assistant Brian Freeman at 564-5074 or via campus e-mail. Several scholarship listings, requirements and applications are available on the Web at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/scholarships.

Stay Connected to the Capitol
Are you looking for a way to keep up with governmental changes that affect community colleges and state resources? The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges publishes “Legislative News,” a weekly newsletter that brings you updates on budgets, bill status reports, college events, legislative calendars and more. New issues are posted each Friday afternoon during the legislative session. The current issue, along with a weekly bill status, is available online at http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/Legislative/CurrentLegSession.asp.

TRiO Students Recognized for Academic Achievements
BCC TRiO students were honored for their fall quarter academic accomplishments during an awards reception last month. Students received either gold, silver or bronze certificates, which correspond to levels of academic achievement, along with personal congratulations from Associate Dean of Multi-Cultural and Student Success Programs Ron Taplin and Director of TRiO Student Support Services Barbara Brodsky. More than half of the recipients received gold certificates for earning a quarterly GPA of 3.50 or higher. Guest speaker and Executive Dean of Instruction Ron Leatherbarrow inspired and encouraged the audience to pursue their goals no matter how formidable the obstacles may seem. TRiO students have achieved an average 3.0 GPA, and 84% of program participants have continued toward the completion of their academic degree since the program debuted at BCC in 2001. The 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.

In Brief

• The Washington Community College Administrators Association is offering a $1,000 scholarship to assist classified and exempt employees who are attending college to obtain a degree toward a career as a community or technical college administrator. This program has assisted many people with college expenses as they took courses to make the transition from classified or exempt positions to administration. Visit http://www.learningconnections.org/Association/scholarships.htm to view the scholarship rules and application procedures. Please submit your completed application to A201 for review by President Floten by February 28.
• The BCC Library Media Center has posted a list of internet links related to the Space Shuttle Columbia. These links include official statements about the explosion, information on the history of the Columbia and its crew, and news reports. These links are available at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/whatsnew/columbia.html

Movers & Shakers
Congratulations to:

• Credentials evaluator Catherine Kwong was named the classified staff association’s ‘Employee of the Month’ for January. Some of Catherine’s many fans raved, “Catherine is one of the most conscientious and caring employees on the BCC campus,” and “She works under pressure while maintaining a wonderful positive attitude.” Coworkers appreciate her caring spirit, patience and dedication to excellent results.
• Art instructor Pat DeCaro’s etchings are included in an exhibition entitled “North Meets South” that is featured in Oaxaca, Mexico this month. The exhibit and conference is a bi-cultural exchange between a group of Mexican printmakers and Seattle artists.

Coming Attractions
Mark your calendars!

• KBCS Homelessness Marathon – On Wednesday evening from 7:30 – 10 p.m., KBCS 91.3 fm radio station will air a live broadcast on homelessness. Homeless residents of Seattle’s Tent City, homeless youth from Capitol Hill’s Lambert House, members and clients of Street Outreach Services, and homeless women from the International Peace and Justice Center will converge at the KBCS studios as part of the 6th Annual Homelessness Marathon. KBCS will provide coverage of this national event for the Puget Sound region – tune into 91.3 fm to catch this fascinating and educational program with first-hand stories and messages from our region’s homeless population.
• Valentine’s Day Blood Drive – Roll up your shirt sleeves and help those in need during BCC’s annual Valentine’s Day Blood Drive. Stop by the Bloodmobile in the main courtyard from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on February 12 – 13.
• BCC Kids Fair - Families are invited to attend a day of fun and learning at BCC! Stop by the Student Union on the main BCC campus on February 15 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and visit over 30 informational booths to learn about health, nutrition, literacy, mentoring and safety programs. Free snacks, prizes for children, arts and crafts, games, and family entertainment will be provided. This free event is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, ASBCC, Campus Activities Board, Student Programs and local service agencies. For more information, call BCC Student Programs at 564-6150.
• BCC Staff Go to the Movies – Join your colleagues for a free viewing of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding!” You can catch a showing of this popular movie at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. on February 20 in the Library Media Center (D124). The event – and free popcorn – are sponsored by the Employee Pluralism Committee and the Library Media Center Diversity Grant.
  

Off the Vine

BCC mourns the loss of a dear member of the college community. Elaynne Rousso was a sociology instructor and program chair who started teaching at BCC in 1992. All those who knew Elaynne appreciated her vivacious spirit, dedication and knowledge. Remembrances can be made in her name to the Kidney Foundation and the King County Humane Society.

Congratulations to Early Learning, Family and Childcare Center teacher Yelena Zlotnik, who became a U.S. citizen on January 7!

Welcome & Farewell

Welcome to new BCC staff and faculty:
Marcella Stachurski, Advisor/Articulation Specialist, NE Tech Prep Consortium
David Houseberg, Campus Security Officer, Security
Helen Bakker, Early Childhood Teacher, Student Child Care Center
Danette Saunders, Project Manager, WorkFirst
Leonard Ellis, Maintenance Custodian, Campus Operations
Morgan Goldbloom, Program Assistant, High School Programs
Theresa Donohue, Experiential Learning Coordinator, Career Center

A fond farewell to departing BCC employees:
Sheila Walton, Program Coordinator, Student Services/Educational Planning & Advising Center
Melanie Davey, Secretary Lead, Health Science & Related Programs
Amy Edwards, Cashier II, Finance/Cashiering

Campus Calendar

February 5               College Transfer Fair, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Student Union
                                   Homeless Marathon on KBCS 91.3 fm, 7:30 – 10 p.m.

February 6-8            Jazz Band Festival, Carlson Theater

February 12-13       Blood Drive, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Central Courtyard

February 13             Board of Trustees Meeting, 12:30 p.m., Board Room

February 15             BCC Kids Fair, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Student Union

February 17             Holiday – Campus Closed

February 18             CEABCC General Meeting, 1 p.m., Room L220

February 20             Free Movie: “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 3 p.m., Room D124

March 12                  Board of Trustees Meeting, 12:30 p.m., Board Room

March 21                  Winter Quarter Ends

March 24-28            Spring Break, No Credit Classes

March 31                   Spring Quarter Begins

College Relations Corner

In the News

President Jean Floten is quoted in a January 20 Seattle Times article about the quandary that community and technical colleges face between the increasing demand and decreasing funds for many popular programs. Read more at http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=techcollege20e&date=20030120&query=Bellevue+community+college .

She was also interviewed for an article supporting greater funding for higher education that appeared in the January 5 edition of the Seattle Post Intelligencer. Read the article online at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/102091_focushied5.shtml.

BCC was featured twice last month in the national print and online magazine Network World. The first article includes a look at various aspects of BCC’s IT/Networking program and mentions the use of advisory boards to keep programs current and relevant. Program chair Mike Littlefield is quoted in the story. BCC’s Computing Security Professional Certification program is also mentioned. Read the article online at http://www.nwfusion.com/careers/2003/0106man.html. The college’s IT programs were also mentioned in a separate article in the Network World management strategies newsletter, available at http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/manage/2002/01682744.html.

Called the “Eastside’s best-kept basketball secret,” an article about the BCC men’s basketball team appeared in the January 23 edition of the King County Journal. Coach Rick Turner is interviewed for the story. Read more at http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/119253.

Office assistant and new women’s basketball coach Deanna Veyna was interviewed about the BCC team in a January 21 article in the King County Journal (http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/119067).

On the Web
New Sites Coming Soon:

• The College Channel
• Mobile Computing
• Digital Gaming
• Internet Application Development
• International Student Programs
• Student Programs

Catalog Available Online
The BCC 2003-04 Course Catalog is now posted at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/catalog (Look for the HTML version in a few days)

MyBCC News
http://adminportal.bcc.ctc.edu

• Reserve facility scheduling is being replaced by a new application called EMS (Event Management Systems) effective today. Click on the “Tools” tab and look under the “Applications” menu. (Note: this is only available to users with scheduling privileges at this time.)
• BCC’s organizational chart was recently updated. Click on “Reference” tab and look under “Campus Information.”

Advertise Your Event on the BCC Website
You can easily submit your event information to be posted on the BCC Events Calendar by filling out a publicity request form online.

• Sign onto MyBCC, click on the “Forms” tab, then select the “Communications” category
• Go directly to the form at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/bccweb/promotion.stm