Wondering what all this talk of tuition-setting authority means in terms of the price tag on education?
Senate Committee Services released a report Monday that lays out possible future tuition rates under the maximum-limit provisions of SB 6562.
The measure seeks to grant University of Washington, Washington State University and Western Washington University the authority to set resident undergraduate tuition -- without approval from the Legislature -- for the academic years 2011-2012 through 2017-2018.
The 2010 Winter Olympics aren't until next month, but students and staff at Wade King Elementary School are already celebrating the international sporting event.
On Tuesday, Jan. 26, students got a chance to participate in their own Olympic games and earn gold medals. And while ice skates and bobsleds were traded in for paper plates and scooters, respectively, students still got an understanding of what it would be like to be part of the rigorous competition.
"It's hard to do those sports," said second-grader Emily Gaven. "It takes courage to do that kind of stuff."
Doug Adelstein, the director of human resources and grant money for the Lynden School District, is leaving to take a job in the Western Washington University Human Resources department.
Adelstein, who has been with the district just shy of 19 years, will have his last day in Lynden on Friday, Jan. 29.
With about two years of increased company closures locally, the business climate is looking tough for 2010, but there is some cautious optimism seen by local counseling experts.
According to records kept by The Bellingham Herald, 89 brick-and-mortar businesses closed by the end of December, up from 83 in 2008 and 35 in 2007.
There were significantly fewer restaurant closures in 2009 compared to the previous year, but a significant increase in the number of other retailers, particularly ones that have been around more than five years.
Chad Peterson, 51, has performed with a variety of ensembles, both vocal and instrumental. His current project is honkey-tonk/blues band Stirred Not Shaken, which plays on a regular basis at Chuckanut Ridge Wine Company on North State Street and at Skylark's Hidden Café in Fairhaven, including on Saturday, Jan. 2. Stirred Not Shaken will also perform at the next Chuckanut Radio Hour on Jan. 12 at the Leopold Crystal Ballroom.
Pete Holeman of Bellingham has the energy and the time, so he's opening his own portrait photography business. Not especially big news these days, except that he's 92 years old.
Don't talk to Holeman about being too old to start anew. He's on the mend from heart surgery, but he's feeling pretty good and he's lived a life of grit and hard work and he isn't ready to take things easy just yet.
"I am having a very interesting life," he said. "I'm not using the past tense."
For the past 21 years, Viva Barnes has been measuring her life in 12-week increments and batches of flashcards.
In 1988, the single mother began taking one class per quarter while she worked in Western Washington University's cashier office. On Saturday, Dec. 12, Barnes, now 55, graduated from Western with two degrees.
"That felt great," said Barnes, who now works in the anthropology department and hopes to stay there. "I felt like I actually accomplished something. I feel like I walk taller. I feel proud of myself."
Friends and colleagues of Boise State University professor Tom Trusky, who died Nov. 28, have been sharing memories and photos of Tom via e-mail, conversations and Facebook.
A photo of the "floaty pen" exhibit Tom organized is on the "Remember Tom Trusky" Facebook page created by Cheryl Shurtleff. It touches on something Meggan Laxalt Mackey told me.
"One thing many people may not know: He loved kids - bright kids, that is. My daughter, Erin, happened to fill that lot, as he learned more about her.
According to state law, employees' personal holiday hours must be taken by Dec. 31, or the personal holiday is forfeited. The day may not be carried over to the next year.
Employees will accrue new hours that will be available Jan. 1. Available balances are available on employees' earnings statements.
The winter break day must be taken between Dec. 14, 2009, and Jan. 4, 2010.
More clarification on eligibility for these leaves is available in the Professional Staff Handbook or the various bargaining units' Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Each January, employees whose year-end sick leave balance exceeds 480 hours may convert the excess unused hours earned in the previous calendar year into monetary compensation.
Any converted sick leave hours cannot reduce the calendar year-end balance below 480 hours. Monetary compensation for converted hours is paid at the rate of 25 percent and is based on the employee's current salary.
For winter quarter, the WWU Wellness Program is expanding its offerings with new classes, new times and new instructors.
A listing of the Wellness Program class offerings for winter quarter is below. To sign up for specific classes, click the appropriate link and include your name, W number and phone number in the e-mail. Classes must have a minimum level of participants.
Two H1N1 vaccination clinics will be offered this week. The Whatcom County Health Department has removed the restrictions on the vaccine, so it’s now available to all current WWU students and staff.
The clinics will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, both at the Student Health Center, located on the second floor of the Campus Services building.
Cyndie Shepard, wife of Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard, spoke before the state House Education Appropriations Committee on Thursday, Dec. 3. Shepard talked about the Compass 2 Campus program, which aims to get more kids thinking early about college with the help of mentors and role models to show them the importance of higher education.
The Western Front is currently seeking an at-large community representative to take part in the newspaper's twice-weekly Frontline editorial discussions during winter quarter 2010. Anyone within the Western community—students, faculty and staff—are encouraged to apply. This role is entirely voluntary, however the editor in chief has requested any interested parties send an e-mail with brief description of their role within the Western community and why they are interested, as well as contact information.
A dance performance from the Associated Students Swing Kids club highlighted the annual holiday party at Western Washington University Tuesday.
Under the theme “A Season of Giving,” the event included a 50/50 drawing, with half of the proceeds benefiting the WWU Employee Distinguished Scholarship and the other half going to the winning ticket holder.
A planned dance performance by the Associated Students Ritmo Latino (Latin Rhythm) Cub had to be scratched due to injury.
Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard and his wife, Cyndie, are inviting WWU faculty and staff to the annual holiday celebration from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room.
Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard and his wife, Cyndie, are inviting WWU faculty and staff to the annual holiday celebration from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room.
Two H1N1 vaccination clinics will be offered on campus in early December. Please read below to see if you are eligible to receive free H1N1 vaccine, and if so, how to reserve your appointment.
From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, and from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, both in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room, WWU nurses will be providing free H1N1 injectable vaccine to the following categories of people:
Two H1N1 vaccination clinics will be offered on campus in early December. Please read below to see if you are eligible to receive free H1N1 vaccine, and if so, how to reserve your appointment.
From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, and from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, both in the Viking Union Multipurpose room, WWU nurses will be providing free H1N1 injectable vaccine to the following categories of people:
Whatcom County voters will decide next April whether to approve a sales tax increase for Whatcom Transportation Authority.
If voters pass it, the increase will take effect next fall and will raise about $6 million a year.
After hearing public testimony Thursday, Nov. 19, the WTA board voted 6-2 to ask voters to increase the local sales tax by two-tenths of 1 percent - equal to 20 cents on a $100 purchase. The added money would stave off cuts in WTA bus service.
One H1N1 vaccination clinic will be offered on campus next week. Please read below to see if you are eligible to receive free H1N1 vaccine, and if so, how to reserve your appointment. If you are unable to obtain vaccine next week, the Student Health Center does anticipate additional H1N1 vaccine clinics on campus after Thanksgiving break.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, in the Viking Union Multi-Purpose Room (VU605), from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., WWU nurses will be providing free H1N1 injectable vaccine to the following categories of people:
