Shoreline Community College is getting ready for employees to jump in the pool, a carpool that is.

The college is establishing four dedicated carpool parking spots on campus as part of compliance with the Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act, a state law first passed in 1991 and updated in 2006. The law requires local governments in urban areas to develop programs that can help reduce traffic congestion.

A new carpool parking space sign in the employee lot just south of the PUB.

“This is part of our obligation to help ease traffic congestion around Puget Sound,” said Mary Kelemen, Executive Director for Auxiliary and Logistical Support Services.

There will be two carpool parking spaces in the employee lot just to the south of the PUB and another two spaces near the 2500 building, Kelemen said. All four spaces are identified with signage.

Drivers who want to use the carpool spots will have to apply for a carpool permit and their riders must also register. To qualify as a carpool, there must be at least two registered employees, a driver and at least one passenger, in the car when using the carpool spots. Those registered for a permit must commit to carpooling on a regular basis, which is defined as a minimum of three days a week. Carpool permits may not be used for parking in the designated spots when the driver is alone. When the driver is alone, the permit is valid for parking in regular employee parking areas.

The permits will be free and made available on a first-come, first-served basis. The permit applications will be available starting Monday, Feb. 3, at the Safety and Security office on the first floor of the FOSS (5000) building.

There will be as many permits given as there are carpool parking spots. Each permit will be valid for one quarter. At the end of each quarter, and if there are more applicants than spots, the permits will rotate through the next applicants on the list.

“We’ll give this a try and then evaluate,” Kelemen said. “We are committed to meeting our obligation to take steps to reduce commute trips to campus.”

Here is a list of things happening on and around campus this weekend through to Monday!

Friday, Jan. 31:

Canvas Training on the grade book in room 1308 from 11:30-1 p.m.

Seahawks rally at 12:30 in the square by the PUB. Join us as we raise the 12th flag with Dolphie!

The Board will be holding a Special Meeting—a Training Session on Multicultural Competencies as well as on Cognitive Errors convening at 2:30 p.m. in the Board Room.

Last chance to see Alley Kids by Scott Kolbo in the art gallery.

Sunday, Feb. 2:

(#GoHawks!)

Monday, Feb. 3:

New art gallery exhibit: Shibui–One Westerner’s Interpretation. Shoreline faculty member Matt Allison’s work borrows aspects of the long human tradition of functional ceramic vessels while exploring one Westerner’s interpretation of the modern Japanese aesthetic.

Shoreline Community College is making a leadership change in the Financial Aid department. Ted Haase, the department director, has left the college effective today, Jan. 29, 2014.

“Financial aid is an incredibly important facet in our efforts to increase student recruitment and retention,” Executive Director for Business and Student Support Services Stuart Trippel said. “While not all of our students receive aid, those who do must be able to rely on an efficient, customer-focused approach to the delivery of these vital services.”

Until a new director is on board, administrative oversight for the Financial Aid department will be provided by Registrar Chris Melton. Staff in the department will continue to report directly to Kristi Kallander, a Program Specialist 3.

“We have a highly knowledgeable and dedicated staff in our Financial Aid department,” Trippel said. “I appreciate the complexity of what they do and their commitment to serving students. We need to be able to make the maze of requirements and regulations readily accessible to our students and parents, while in no way sacrificing the integrity of program administration.”

Recruitment for a new director will begin immediately, Trippel said.

Email your name to pio@shoreline.edu and be at the square by the PUB at 12:30 on Friday.

Then, the crowd will vote by applause and noise on which of the entrants has the most Seahawks spirit.

The winner will then have the honor of raising the Flag!

I’d like to remind you that Shoreline students have access to free online tutoring in 15 subjects through the college’s membership in the Western eTutoring Consortium.  Students can chat with a tutor in real time, submit eQuestions, and submit papers to the eWriting Lab.  The service, made possible through the college’s membership in the Western eTutoring Consortium, is available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. This Flyer lists the subjects offered for eTutoring, briefly explains how the consortium works, and shows the 44 colleges and universities currently members of the consortium.

Please take a minute to check out the eTutoring site.

If you have any questions about eTutoring, please contact me.  I am the campus eTutoring coordinator.

Thank you,

Grace Rhodes