Notes from the President

Many people across departments have been working on campus continually over the past 18 or more months, and this coming late-November more staff will be returning to campus to provide direct support to students as they register for classes and familiarize themselves to ctcLink. In Winter Quarter, 40-50% of courses will be offered in-person, either fully on-campus or in a hybrid mode. I look forward to experiencing that bustling campus feel as more of our students and employees return to campus.

As a reminder, starting December 13, all classified, exempt, temporary hourly, and student workers will be returning to working on campus at least two days per week. This is in preparation for a more “normal” work schedule for Winter Quarter. You can expect to hear soon about return to campus plans for Winter Quarter, specific to your work unit.

Native American Heritage Month

This November we celebrate Native American Heritage month, a time to explore the rich culture, traditions, and diversity of Indigenous people. Excellent online resources are available on nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov, and PBS offers a great series of videos. I also encourage you to include the College’s Land & Territory Acknowledgement, which recognizes that our campus resides on the traditional land of the Coast Salish Peoples, in your events and activities.  

Updates

Distribution of Much Needed Financial Support to BC Students.

In May 2021, the College received $7 million for emergency aid grants to students under the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF3) Act. Thanks to the incredible work of our Financial Aid team, as of October 2021, the College has disbursed:

• $750,000+ to 832 students in Summer Quarter 2021
• $1,6+ million to 1773 students in Fall Quarter 2021

More funding will be granted to students throughout the upcoming year. More than 1,200 students responded to our Fall Quarter HEERF survey regarding their needs. You might find it interesting how these needs break down:

1. Books & Supplies – 75% of Students
2. Cost of Housing – 62% of Students
3. Other Technology: internet, software, etc. – 41% of Students
4. Adequate Food – 40% of Students
5. Reliable Transportation – 34% of Students
6. Computer/Laptop – 31% of Students
7. Cost of Childcare – 10% of Students

You can learn more about HEERF funds, eligibility and how students can apply at the HEERF page on the Student Central website.

Vice President of Human Resources

The screening committee has interviewed candidates for the Vice President of Human Resources position and will introduce finalists to campus through virtual interviews the week of November 15th. The President’s Office will inform the BC community about the finalists and their interview days soon.

Launch of the Social Justice Center

The Social Justice Center (SJC) was recently launched on campus to foster and grow BC’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice. The Center, spearheaded by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, will provide a welcoming space designed to serve as a resource to students, faculty, and staff on issues related to social justice, antiracism, equity, and community growth. You can learn more about the SJC and SJC fall programming here.

Apply to the Equity Education Advisory Committee (EEAC)

The application to join the inaugural EEAC is available to students and employees. The EEAC supports BC in fulfilling its responsibilities to lead with intentionality and ensure equity and fairness in all opportunities for student learning and in employee workspaces. Members of the EEAC will be expected to plan and evaluate diverse and adaptive learning opportunities across the College and make equity education accessible to all students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Applications are due November 19, 2021.

Make Time for Personal Wellness

Improve your health and vitality by participating in wellness and fitness classes offered by the BC Wellness Center. No experience is required and there is no need to sign up in advance. You can find the current schedule of classes, as well as recording of previous classes, at the BC Wellness Center website.

Kudos

Congratulations Sara Gardner for securing a $100,000 grant from Microsoft. This grant funds a pilot program for faculty teaching in Bellevue College’s BAS in Data Analytics and BAS in Information Systems & Technology programs. These popular and successful programs prepare students for careers as systems administrators, security analysts, data specialists, data analysts, data technicians, and application developers. Sara is also starting a Disabled Students Navigating STEM cohort program which is a hybrid of the existing Neurodiversity Navigators and STEM to Stern cohort programs.

Congratulations to Chris Anderson and the Marketing team for being recognized by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR.) NCMPR exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. Bellevue College’s work has been declared a finalist in the Social Media or Online Marketing Campaign category of the 2021 Medallion Awards.

Acknowledging our Military Veterans

On November 11, the College will recognize Veterans Day, a time to acknowledge the service of our military veterans. You can learn more about the history of this important holiday on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. On November 10, I invite you to enjoy a Veterans Day Interview with Quinn Ewanchyna, BC’s Veteran Students Affinity Coordinator, and James Dalton, Director of the Veterans Resource Center. To members of our community who are serving or have served: we honor and appreciate your sacrifices and contributions to our nation and protecting our freedoms. 

Gary Locke

Interim President