Printing Services will be closed on Thursday, November 7th and Friday, November 8th and will reopen on Tuesday, November 12th. Please plan accordingly and contact Greg Jensen via email or phone at (206) 546-4674 if you need assistance with your printing needs.
Celebrating Veterans Day 11/11/24
November 5, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Shoreline Community College will be closed Monday, November 11 in honor of Veterans Day. We would particularly like to acknowledge and offer our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our Shoreline Community College veterans’ community: students, staff, and faculty alike. A Veterans Day Appreciation Wall is located outside the Veterans Resource Center (VRC – FOSS 5225A). All are invited to stop by, add your words of thanks, and attach a picture of your favorite veteran!
Veterans Day in the United States started out as a celebration of Armistice Day, commemorating the end of fighting of World War I, with the Armistice of Compiègne taking effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – 11 November 1918 at 11am (the official end of World War I would not come until the Treaty of Versailles in 1919). It was officially declared a legal holiday by Congressional act on May 13, 1938. The day as we know it now came about through a 1945 delegation to then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower led by World War II veteran Raymond Weeks, who recommended Armistice Day be extended to all veterans. Eisenhower supported the idea and, during his first term as President, signed a bill declaring November 11 “Veterans Day” in 1954.
It is important to note that Veterans Day is not the same as Memorial Day. Memorial Day, celebrated in May, is a day for remember those who gave their lives serving in the US Military. Veterans Day may include the fallen but is generally a celebration of living US veterans, alongside Women Veterans Day (June 12, though not yet nationally recognized).
Veteran & Military Student Services will be hosting a Veterans Day Chili Feed in the Veterans Resource Center (FOSS 5225A) on Wednesday, November 6, to celebrate our veterans and military-connected students.
Need Something Positive to Focus On? Leave a Wish on the Wishing Tree from 11/4-11/7
November 4, 2024 by Leave a Comment
What do you wish… for your family? For our community? For the world? The campus community is invited to share their wishes by writing them down and hanging them from one of the wishing trees that will be on campus from Mon. 11/4 to Thurs. 11/7. A tree will be located in the PUB lobby and wishes can be hung up from 12-2pm each day. Another tree will be located in either the FOSS or Library lobby and wishes can be hung up during business hours. Help us put some positive energy out into the universe and share your wish with us!
If you have any questions, please e-mail studentlife@shoreline.edu.
Election Support & Resources
November 4, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Dear Colleagues,
As Election Day approaches, we reflect on the value of freedom of expression and the power each voice holds in shaping our shared future. With many passionate conversations happening across the country, we encourage all to engage respectfully, seek to understand, and honor the community spirit that makes our college strong.
Resources
If you are experiencing stress or anxiety, please remember that there are resources to help.
- The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has published a wide range of resources to help you navigate what will likely be a lengthy time to wait for final votes to be tallied.
- Pre-election support — Elections: Pre-election Support Resource Guide (PDF)
- For managers/leaders – Elections: How Managers Can Support Employees Resource Guide (PDF)
- Post-election support – Elections: Post-election Support Resource Guide (PDF)
- As always, employees seeking emotional or mental support may access resources through the state Employee Assistance Program (877-313-4455) and students may access services at the Counseling Center (206-546-4594).
Safety
We also recognize that elections can bring up public safety concerns. We want to assure you that the College takes these concerns very seriously and that we are dedicated to ensuring a safe & secure campus environment through both internal security operations and information sharing with our liaisons at Shoreline Police and the FBI.
- There is a uniformed campus security presence on campus 24/7 providing safety, security, and courtesy services.
- For assistance during business hours, please contact the office first at 206-546-4633.
- After business hours or if the office doesn’t answer, you can reach the on-duty officer at: 206-235-5860
Our Values
Given that we are an institution that is focused on equity and improving our practices to serve all of our community, this is a time to acknowledge support for all, while being proactive and reaching out to our most vulnerable community members to see how they are doing and to assess what needs they might have. State Board (SBCTC) representative William Durden, Director of Basic Education for Adults reminds us in a memo to CBS on November 1st of Governor Inslee’s Executive Order 17-01 which reaffirms “Washington’s Commitment to Tolerance, Diversity, and Inclusiveness,” (which) directs the state of Washington to remain a welcoming jurisdiction that embraces diversity with compassion and tolerance and recognizes the value of immigrants. Further, executive and small cabinet agencies are directed to continue to provide assistance and services to Washingtonians, regardless of citizenship or legal status, to the extent allowed by law.”
Jessica Strickland and the Transitional Studies team have already been very proactive in engaging faculty in these discussions as has our VP of DEIA. These opportunities to provide support will continue post-election. I have also reached out to some organizations that provide support to immigrant, international, and diverse communities to see if there are additional resources that can be provided through the President’s Office. We are dedicated to serving our communities in every capacity we can, and we must work together to support our mission with a particular eye toward our most vulnerable communities.
Events
Lastly, I would like to share two election related events with you. I invite you to join me for “Coffee with the President” on Wednesday November 6, 2024, from 10:00-11:00am in the Quiet Dining Room (9208) of the PUB. This is intended as a post-election hangout space for folks who want to just be together regardless of political preferences. I know this is a challenging time right now for our country and I want to provide a comfortable space for all of you, and to help keep our focus on students no matter what the outcome.
The second event is “Healing through Community” facilitated by the DEIA Office.This event will be held on Thursday November 7, 2024, from 12:00-1:00pm in the 1000 Building Boardroom (1010M) and is designed to allow our community to take a moment to come together post-election and reflect on how we are doing and share how we are taking care of ourselves during this time. This special post-election session is focused on coming together to support each other and finding a pathway towards intentional self & community care.
Thank you for your commitment to fostering a welcoming, supportive environment at Shoreline. Together, let’s continue to build a community that values each voice, supports one another, and prioritizes the well-being of all.
Jack
Press Release: Donors Bridge FAFSA Gap for Students at Shoreline Community College
October 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Donors Bridge FAFSA Gap for Students at Shoreline Community College
Shoreline, WA – [October 17, 2024] – The U.S. Department of Education promised a streamlined financial aid process for students this year by reimagining the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, instead of making things easier, the rollout of the new form has been riddled with delays and technical issues. Released months behind schedule, the updated FAFSA left colleges scrambling to process aid packages. Errors in the form nearly cost students $1.8 billion in federal aid, and even after a fix was implemented, further delays ensued. Additionally, a technical glitch prevented many non-citizens and their children from completing the application, adding to the frustration.
These delays have disproportionately impacted low-income students who rely on federal aid to meet essential needs such as rent, childcare, and food. Without timely access to these funds, many students faced frustration and financial insecurity, threatening their ability to remain in school.
In response, this summer the Shoreline Community College Foundation (SCCF), supported by generous donors, established a special emergency fund to bridge the gap between when students were awarded aid and when they received the funds. The Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) Financial Aid Office administered these funds to ensure students could stay enrolled despite the delays.
“Research from 2024 highlights that financial barriers remain one of the leading causes of student attrition,” said Ryan Aiello, Vice President of Student Services at Shoreline Community College. “A recent survey conducted by Western Washington University and the Washington State Achievement Council found that nearly 50% of students at two-year colleges have experienced food or housing insecurity.” Using Donor funds in this way alleviated financial stress on low-income students, keeping these students in school, giving them a better chance to complete their degree or certificate training, and move into living-wage jobs.
Wendy Coates, Executive Director of the SCCF, praised the donors whose contributions made this initiative possible: “This was such a unique situation. We knew the FAFSA rollout was delayed so we were able to find a solution to bridge the gap for our most financially fragile students before they were negatively impacted.” Through this program, 111 students received stipends ranging from $500 to $1,000 totaling $60,000 overall to cover critical living expenses, including rent, food, childcare, and transportation.
“I am deeply grateful to the donors to the SCCF who make emergency programs like this possible.,” Coates added. Every dollar not only impacts individual students but strengthens the entire Shoreline community.”
Aiello also underscored the emotional and mental health benefits of the emergency support: “This donor-backed initiative provided immediate relief for over 100 students, alleviating their financial stress as they prepared for the academic term. Beyond addressing physical needs, this assistance also contributed to students’ mental wellbeing by reducing the overwhelming anxiety that often accompanies financial uncertainty.”
“I am incredibly proud of our financial aid staff for their incredible dedication to our students at this time and to our Foundation and donors who really stepped up to serve students during this national federal aid crisis. It really demonstrates the commitment our community has for student success,” said Shoreline President Dr. Jack Kahn about this important initiative.
If you’d like to learn more about the work the Shoreline Community College Foundation does, or if you are interested by playing a positive role in the lives of our students by becoming a donor, please visit https://www.shoreline.edu/foundation/ or contact Wendy Coates at wcoates@shoreline.edu
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