By Brook Stallings.
On Wednesday in room C120, Vice President of Administrative Services Rachel Solemsaas gave BCC faculty and staff an “Update of Budget Strategies”
Tuition and class fees at BCC will increase 5% a year through 2011. There is currently a 7% state cap on tuition increases, which could be lifted if the budget situation became sufficiently dire.
Students will get an increase in federal financial grants from the stimulus package passed by Congress. Pell Grants, the principal federal grant program, will be increased from a maximum of $4,731 this year to $5,550 in 2011. Also, there will be a new $2,500 tuition federal tax credit.
Low income Washington students will get larger State Need Grants. This will be offset by giving less money to moderate income students.
Faculty received an up-to-the-minute briefing on state budget cuts and how they affect BCC through July 2011.
The talk gave a recap of the state’s financial woes, what Governor Christine Gregoire and the legislature are proposing, BCC’s financial status and the planning principles BCC will use.
Solemsaas began her talk with the recession. There is a familiar pattern to the events unfolding, she said. As the unemployment rate goes up, enrollment at community colleges goes up. Community college enrollments were up over 6% in 2008.
As demand for worker retraining increases, state funding for retraining decreases. Worker retraining full time enrollments (FTEs) are up 26% from 2007 to 2008.
One FTE is one person takig 15 credits for 3 quarters in one academic year, Solemsaas said. Governor Gregoire’s earlier budget proposal relied on a 2009-2011 shortfall estimate of $5.9 billion. It attempted to minimize the impact of budget cuts on children, while proposing no new taxes, according to Solemsaas.
The most recent state revenue estimate puts the predicted deficit at $8.2 billion. The next estimate will be in March, and may be even higher, Solemsaas said.
Strategies the state may use to offset the revenue shortfall are new taxes and use of the state rainy day fund, now around $600 million. Planners are also expecting about $1 billion dollars for education in Washington State from the federal stimulus plan.
However, the new estimate is prompting the state senate to consider $1.6 billion in additional cuts. 58% of the state budget is off limits. Higher education can be cut, however, and is 10% of the total state budget, or $3.6 billion.
Solemsaas now expects a $5.1 million cut, up from previous estimates of $2.5 million. After cost-cutting measures such as dropping leases, the shortfall would be $1.7 million. This could mean an additional 6% cut across the board in operating funds.
State funds make up 58% of operating funds, used to fund day-to-day operations. 79% of operating funds go towards salaries and benefits.
The state government wants to maintain current enrollment levels, keep college affordable for lower income students, take into account the different purposes of two-year and four-year colleges and fund programs that train students for high-demand professions.
Solemsaas expects the college to proceed by finalizing plans for the 4.1% state funding cuts in 2009, by making plans for a “worst case scenario” of an 11.9% state funding cut and by using budget surveys to help identify areas to protect.
New state cut for BCC estimated at $5.1 mil
Full Text: Executive Dean of Instruction resigns as of May 2009
The following was sent as an email to BCC faculty and staff.
Dear Members of the BCC Community,
I have notified President Floten that I will resign as Executive Dean of Instruction as of May 29, 2009. I have reluctantly concluded that my personal life events are making it infeasible for me to immerse myself into the needs of the college and its future at this moment.
In response to: A brief history of crime at BCC, Volume 75, Issue 6
Having just finished reading the Jibsheet article entitled “A brief history of crime at BCC,” (Vol 75, Issue 6, October 21, 2008), as the Director of Public Safety, I want to emphasize that the safety of the students, employees, visitors and property on Bellevue Community College is the primary concern to the Administrators of the College and to the BCC Public Safety Department. Public Safety’s charter is to help provide a safe environment for everyone to be able to enjoy the campus for all of the various reasons that people would be here, whether they are here for their educational pursuits, it is their workplace, or they are here for an event. At all times, every day of the year, to include weekends, holidays, severe weather days and days when no one else is on campus, there is always at least one Public Safety Officer on duty to provide this service. I would encourage each individual on campus to spread the word that. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason walking anywhere on campus, whether it is dark, rainy, snowy, or you just have a funny feeling on the back of your neck, a Public Safety Officer will escort you. You never have to feel like you are alone or without resources! In the article, the telephone number for Public Safety was incorrect; the correct number is 425-564-2400. This is easy to remember because Public Safety is open 24 hours a day from! Understanding crime is a key for preparing for your security. For crime to occur, three elements are needed: the perpetrator’s desire to commit the crime; the perpetrator’s ability to commit the crime; and an opportunity to commit the crime (wrong place, wrong time/ you have been sized up/ you have what I want/ I feel I will not get caught). Although you can not influence a perpetrator’s desire or ability, you can do things to lessen the opportunity. The Jibsheet article discusses some methods to protect yourself while walking around campus (or, in reality, anywhere); the suggestion is to carry your keys in your hand to defend yourself. While this is a commonly cited method, it is one that needs to be practiced, practiced and practiced some more for it to be effective. Trying it out for the first time when you are being attacked is not going to produce the desired result. The best ways to protect yourself are: be aware of your surroundings, avoid places/situations that would make you a target or make targeting you easier, be self-assured in the way you walk, and, most importantly, listen to your “gut feelings.” When you are looking at that long, dark stairway with bushes lining the sides, and something in your brain says, “Don’t go there,” there is a reason that you have that feeling. Listen to it! The article describes a murder that happened off-campus on a trail in 2005, that leads down toward the Department of Social and Health Services. It is important to remember that this tragedy definitely happened off the BCC campus; but it was on a secluded, darkened trail, lined on all sides by shrubs/trees. It was during the day; but again the victim was alone in a secluded, darkened trail, lined on all sides by shrubs/trees. The perpetrator was caught, charged with murder in the first degree, plead guilty, and sentenced. If any group, club or organization would like to have a presentation on personal safety, please feel free to contact me to arrange a time and date.
Maggie Whetsel Director of Public Safety BCC
Madagascar sequel a feel-good flick
By Emma Sargeant
The Uptown Cinema on Queen Anne in Seattle was packed with children and adults waiting the special early screening of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Children dragged their parents from the wine bar and the aroma of deliciously toxic Dick’s hamburgers filled the air.
Directed by Tom McGrath, a native of Edmonds, Wash., Madagascar surprises with its hints of political wit and capitalism comedy. The sequel opens with a flashback to the childhood of the eccentric metro-sexual lion, Alex, voiced by Ben Stiller, who in lives Africa with his father. He finds it difficult to conform to the standards of the normal ways of a carnivore. He’s then unsuccessfully kidnapped by poachers and finds himself floating his way to New York City to land a gig as a dancing king at Central Park Zoo. With the hopes and dreams of fun and excitement, the lion and his zoo friends venture out of the “concrete jungle” to party in Madagascar. 
Marooned on Madagascar, the animals crave to return to what they know as success by building a plane to fly back to their adopted home of New York. But of course, the animals find it difficult to construct an airplane (although they manage to filter out potentially hazardous passengers who posses scissors and hand cream in their luggage), so they crash, landing on the terrain of their beloved Africa.
Alex the lion is reunited with his alpha lion father who is voiced by the late
About the Artist
Cady Smola is a performer of the BCC stage whose most recent appearances include Shelly in “The Buried Child” and the saucy maid Petra in “A Little Night Music”. She has also received two Irene Ryan Scholarship Competition nominations for her portrayal of Mary in “The Speed of Darkness” last fall and for Cecily in “The Importance of Being Earnest” last spring. She said she is incredibly excited to be a part of “7 Minutes to Midnight” to be premiered at BCC in November. This play is a new, collaborative project being devised by director/playwright Dennis Schebetta and the student-actor cast. Smola is currently working toward transferring to a four-year college in order to obtain her B.A. degree in Fine Arts and she said she looks forward to learning and performing for the rest of her life.
Exploring your campus: The public artwork of BCC
By Cole Seidl – Student Reporter
As one enters the BCC campus, the sound of running water can be heard. It’s coming from the first piece of public art that was built for BCC, the “Bellevue Community College Fountain.” It is viewed as an entrance to the main section of the campus, but is only the first of many pieces of artwork to be found around BCC.”Art on display in public makes a place more human,” said Ray Jensen, designer of “The Doorway,” which is one of the most prominent sculptures on campus. The “Bellevue Community College Fountain” has three large sheets of metal, which serve as a surface for water to flow down. The brick retaining wall around the pool at the bottom contains the title “Bellevue Community College.” The piece seems to be more part of the architecture than a standalone piece of art. However, many of the projects funded for BCC tend to blend in to the architecture, according to art instructor and art gallery director Dale Lindman. Lindman, who has served several times on the arts committee, which makes the decisions regarding new public art pieces at BCC, states that much of the art is funded by a commission from school construction projects, such as new buildings and remodeling. Art is a large part of the BCC campus and community. The public art is on campus to be enjoyed by all according to Lindman, because art should be a part of everyone’s life. Another very recognizable piece is the bronze sculpture “The Doorway.” Located in front of the C building, “The Doorway” depicts a young man and a young woman, walking through a large metal doorframe. It was designed by Ray Jensen, a former BCC faculty member. According to Jensen the statue is meant to symbolize community college as a doorway to improving lives. “The Doorway” is dedicated to Doris Katz and, according to www.bellevuecollege.edu, is an “inspirational and gifted teacher whose creativity, vision, and dedication helped turn the dream of this sculpture into a reality.” The plaque also states that “The Doorway” was funded through a grant from the Bellevue Arts Commission as well as donations from Ditty Properties, BCC faculty, staff, students, and other individuals throughout the community. Most other pieces were funded through the Washington State Arts Commission. One of the newer statues is “Process.” It is located in the grass in front of the Library and Media Center. It is a large stone, with a cup shaped object on top. The object on top of the stone, referred to in the sculpture’s plaque as a vessel, is intended to fill with rainwater until reaching its tipping point. Once the water is emptied, the process begins all over again. The sculpture was created by Mark Calderon in 2007. “Psalm 61,” located just in front of the theater is large statue by Stu Branston. It was created in 1976 and is accompanied with a plaque that takes text from the Bible. The statue is made of many connected white circles that form a sort of loop. “The Millennium Garden” was created in 2000 by Virginia Paquette. Its plaque simply states: “Celebrating the new millennium, education that creates the connection and the garden.” “Ring of Fire,” which is located just in front of the R Building is large piece made of four metal pillars and a metal roof with fire-like designs cut into it. There are light bulbs under the roof, which light up at night, simulating fire. There is a new, as of yet unnamed, piece currently being commissioned. It is being created by Lead Pencil Studio, which consists of Anne Han and Daniel Mihalyo, two Seattle based architects and artists. Jensen said that viewing these public pieces of art is part of the learning process beyond the classrooms. He feels that the pieces reflect many things happening in the art world today, and would love to see more. The public art on campus is seen by the state of Washington as an important benefit to our community. Throughout the day, many students and faculty members can be seen sitting near the pieces either studying in the richer environment Jensen says art creates. The art on campus are permanent fixtures like the library and the cafeteria. Take some time out to enjoy them as you would a little quite time in the library or a bagel from the coffee shop. It is here to enhance the learning experience and to be enjoyed by the BCC community as whole.
Apartment decorating on a student’s budget
By Kali Clemans – Student Reporter With more than a few college students being short on cash because of the economy and living expenses, decorating an apartment may seem out of the picture. Here are some ideas as to what you can use (and have enough money to buy your morning latte, too). Instead of going out and buying everything brand new, take a good look around at places like your parents’ house. Paintings, picture frames, and bed sheets from the parents will cut about $150-$200 off of your expenses. Melissa Bouche, a design consultant at IKEA, says another way to save money is to buy things that have more than one purpose. “IKEA has wall mounted tables that can be used as a study station or a dining room table,” Bouche said. BCC student Ryan Blair didn’t have any problem finding items, but said after he got everything for his apartment he “had problems deciding where to put it all.” “My parents were kind enough to let me have all the furniture,” said Blair. My apartment was just too small to try and fit everything in.” Be sure you have some idea of what you want each room to look like before you shop. Take size into consideration. Buying too little will make it look plain and underdone, but too much will make the room look smaller. Picking color schemes first and then deciding on patterns makes choosing items much easier. www.SoYouWanna.com has good d
In Response to: Jibberish Volume 75 Issue 3
To the editor:
Bellevue Community College believes in inclusion and respect for differences. These values are expressed in the Affirmation of Inclusion and Pluralism Compact that are posted in most rooms of the College.
After reading the “Jibberish” section of the Jibsheet in the September 30 edition, I believe it provided something more than the humor that was intended. It provided a moment to reflect on how our words and behavior may have inadvertent and potentially hurtful consequences.
The “Happy Gay Silly Horoscope” and the “Gay Cinema Wordsearch” were meant only to be funny, I know, yet for some they had an unintended effect. They perpetuated the isolation of our LGBTQ [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning] community, chipped away at the inclusiveness of our campus environment and hurt a number of our friends, both students and employees, in a very personal way.
Stereotypes are harmful and hurtful. Humor that takes its punch from belittling others, although rampant in today’s society, takes away some of our humanity.
Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.” In order for us to become a truly inclusive, pluralistic college will require conscious efforts by all of us to be more aware of the shadows thrown by our own words and deeds, efforts we must pursue as a responsible and caring community.
