Legislators continue budget negotiations on
2015-17 operating and capital budget proposals as the first special session nears
an end on Thursday, May 28. If legislators are unable to agree on a state
spending plan, the governor may call another 30-day special session.
Senate committee
hears transfer presentation
May 14 — The Senate Higher Education Committee held
a work session on Washington’s nationally recognized transfer system. Speaking
on behalf of the two and four-year higher education systems were Dr. Joyce Hammer, SBCTC transfer
director, and Dr. Jane Sherman,
Council of Presidents associate director for academic policy and WSU vice
provost for academic policy and evaluation. They shared how the two sectors
work together to make sure credits transfer and students know which courses to
take. Among the highlights:
·
Transfer
students earned 40 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded at Washington
public colleges and universities with emphasis in business, allied health,
education, biology and social science.
·
71
percent of community and technical college students who transfer with an associate degree successfully
complete a bachelor’s degree.
·
Direct
transfer agreements and common course numbering create a clear route for
students to continue their college education in upper division coursework.
·
Work
groups such as the Joint Transfer Council bring together college and university
representatives to solve issues and further improve Washington’s transfer
system.
Sherman
and Hammer also explained work is underway to create a major-related transfer pathway
in computer science and fine arts.
Also
presenting were Jim West, Washington
Student Achievement Council associate director of academic affairs; Tom Fitzsimmons, Independent Colleges
of Washington vice president; and Ben
Laskey, University of Washington Tacoma student.
PACTC meets with
key legislators
 |
| Representative Chris Reykdal and PACTC |
May 15 — The Presidents’ Assistants for
Community and Technical Colleges (PACTC) recently met to discuss Washington’s
rulemaking process and learned more about the SBCTC. Marty Brown, SBCTC executive director, took PACTC members on a tour
of the capitol, where they met Rep.
Chris Reykdal, D-Tumwater, and Rep.
Ross Hunter, D-Medina.
 |
| Representative Ross Hunter and PACTC |
Community and technical colleges highlight
college and career pathways in D.C.
May 5-7 — Jon
Kerr, SBCTC Basic Education for Adults director and Alison Grazzini, SBCTC legislative director, accompanied Seattle
Central College graduate Taleah Mitchell
to Washington, D.C. to discuss college and career pathways for nontraditional
students.
 |
| Senator Murray with Taleah Mitchell, Jon Kerr and Alison Grazzini |
Mitchell
was invited by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, to testify before the
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) regarding her
pathway to college through Seattle Central’s I-BEST program. Mitchell also discussed
how a comprehensive financial aid package coupled with advising services led to
her successful completion of a Business Technology certificate.
Sen.
Murray and members of the HELP committee are holding summer work sessions to
discuss reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). This Act is
important to the higher education system as it funds the Pell Grant and other
important programs.
Future
editions