Bert's Alerts - April 1, 2016
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is asking the community to support student scholarships this month with a fun evening at the Nampa Rollerdrome. CWI invites employees, students, and the public to join the first-ever Skate Night FUNraiser on Thursday, April 21. This family-friendly event will take place from 6-8 p.m. For more information on the FUNraiser, read the complete article.
News Highlights
CWI Expands College Credit Initiative to Vallivue High School
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has expanded an impactful initiative aimed at helping Spanish speaking high school students earn college credits. In February, CWI’s Dual Credit Office coordinated an effort that allowed 62 Vallivue High School students to take the Spanish Language CLEP Exam. The test provides an opportunity to earn college credit through proficiency testing.
The students from Vallivue earned 760 college credits that can be applied to CWI or any other college or university that recognizes CLEP. CWI partnered with Vallivue to utilize the state’s Fast Forward program to cover the cost of the exam. Beyond what the Fast Forward program could cover, CWI paid the remaining fees. Students took the exam and a campus tour at Boise State University.
“When this initiative was inaugurated in the fall of 2014, we recognized how empowering this credit bearing opportunity was for students,” says Steve Jenkins, CWI’s Dual Credit and College Readiness Project coordinator. “We understand that higher education advances knowledge, intellectual growth, and the formation of life-long friendships. We feel every student should have an opportunity to experience college, which is why we have endeavored to expand the on-ramp toward college.”
The goal of the CLEP initiative is to help promote college to students who face obstacles in pursuing higher education. Of the 62 Vallivue students, for example, 66 percent would be the first in their family to attend college. Similarly, two-thirds of the students said Spanish is the primary language spoken in their home.
CWI has been leading the Spanish CLEP initiative since 2014, with the initial focus being alternative high school students. Along with Vallivue, participating schools include; Canyon Springs High School, Vallivue Academy, Union High School, and Initial Point High School. To date, 1,485 college credits have been earned. The Dual Credit Office plans to provide more opportunities to non-alternative high schools in hopes of reaching even more students.
CWI to Celebrate Artwork, Collaboration
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is inviting the public to celebrate a one-of-a-kind work of art set to be unveiled at CWI’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. On Thursday, April 14, CWI will host an event to reveal the College’s first campus mural. The evening will include:
- 6:00 p.m. - Welcome
- 6:15 p.m. - Artist Lecture
- 6:45 p.m. - Mural Reveal, Question and Answer
- 7:00 p.m. - Reception
The mural was created over the course of six months by Boise artist Alma Gomez. She fittingly titled the artwork, Spirit of Collaboration, after working with CWI students to help complete the unique project. The mural is comprised of three large panels that will cover a seven by twelve foot space in the Micron Center lobby. It depicts actual students in CWI’s Liberal Arts and Professional Technical Education programs.
Funding for the mural was made possible by grants from the Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation, the Idaho Humanities Council, and a private donor.
CWI to Host First Comic Con
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Student Life department is happy to announce the first-ever CWI Comic Con is coming to campus on Saturday, April 2. The free event will take place from 1-8 p.m. at the Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. Activities will include an artist alley, a costume contest, gaming rooms, and more. Visit the CWI Comic Con Facebook Event for more information.
CWI Event to Spotlight Business of Healthcare
On Friday (April 8), College of Western Idaho (CWI) will welcome a group of guest speakers to campus for an event showcasing the Business of Healthcare. The event, which is presented by CWI’s Entrepreneurship Club and Exercise and Health Science Club, will take place from 1-5 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Academic Building.
Guest speakers will include:
- Karl Keeler, President of Saint Alphonsus Nampa/Ontario
- Betsy Hunsicker, CEO of West Valley Medical Center
- Shad Priest, Director Government Affairs for Regence Blue Shield of Idaho
- And more
CWI Department of Life Sciences Sponsors Guest Lecture
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Department of Life Sciences invites you to a special guest lecture by Dr. Michael Edgehouse on Friday, April 8. Dr. Edgehouse, who is an associate professor at Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC), will visit CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building for a lecture titled Dragons, Damsels, and Snakes Oh My!!! Eat, Be Eaten, or Specialize. The event will be held in room 106. Light refreshments will be provided at 5 p.m., with the lecture following at 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Edgehouse will discuss his research and answer questions from students interested in transferring to LCSC or, more generally, interested in opportunities to engage in research as undergraduates. Dr. Edgehouse has been investigating dietary habits of Mountain Garter Snakes (Thamnophis spp.) for over a decade, often with the assistance of undergraduate students. He spent a great deal of his time in graduate school living in a tent, studying snakes, to determine if they eat toxic newts.
Since arriving at LCSC his research has diversified to include invertebrate animals as well as continuing to investigate snake diet. His lab team at LCSC has described a new behavior in Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) referred to as “predatory luring.” This interesting behavior has been one of the many ongoing projects in Dr. Edgehouse’s lab that students transferring to LCSC might benefit from or even participate in. When not studying snakes he is most likely found steelhead fishing, chasing powder, or playing hockey with his sons.
Midnight Registration Party Announced
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will kick off class registration for the upcoming summer and fall semesters with the first-ever Midnight Registration Party at CWI’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. The event will promote early registration and assist students in person with need to know details about registering for classes. In preparation for registration opening at midnight on April 11, the event will start at 10:30 p.m. on April 10 and run until 1 a.m. In addition to advising services and registration assistance; there will also be a pajama party theme, raffle giveaways, games, snacks, and music.
For more information about registering for the upcoming summer and fall semesters, including class schedules, visit cwi.edu/current-students/register-classes. Please contact Kyle Nelson at 208.562.2451 or Kurtis King at 208.562.2308 with questions about the Midnight Registration Party.
Inaugural CWI Connections Event Set for April
On Friday, April 29, College of Western Idaho (CWI) will celebrate student projects with the first CWI Connections Project event. The day will feature CWI students presenting research, class work, and projects from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. There will also be community dance performances, live music, food, and the Presidential Writing Awards Ceremony. Connections Project Awards will be given out at the end of the event.
Please support students and help choose the winners by participating in the judging process. Contact jenicadraney@cwi.edu with any questions or for more information about the event.
Facilities Projects Completed Over Spring Break
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Facilities Planning and Management offices were busy over Spring Break with a number of projects being completed around campus.
- Carpet was updated in the Guard House building that is used by the CWI Horticulture program. The new carpet, while looking great, came at a very reasonable price.
- The Nampa Campus Academic Building received an upgrade to the lighting in the atrium. New LED fixtures were installed that are self-dimming and will modulate to maintain lighting levels in the atrium throughout the day. When natural light is available the fixtures will provide low output and automatically increase output as natural light diminishes. As part the Idaho Power Easy Upgrades energy rebate program it is estimated that the new fixtures will reduce energy consumption by 13,479 kWh per year which equates to a savings of $766 per year. CWI will also receive incentives in the way of rebates for this work. Annual maintenance cost will also be reduced by $800 to $1200.
- Also at the Nampa Campus Academic building, two shipping containers were relocated from the dock area in preparation for a new hazardous materials storage shed. Construction on the new shed will commence mid-April. The two containers are now located adjacent to other containers east of the east parking lot.
- A classroom improvement project was finished at the Canyon County Center that renovated room 220. New LED light fixtures were installed with associated controls to facilitate a higher level of instructor control within the space.
- At the Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building, a full lamp replacement is complete. A similar update will follow at subsequent buildings.
Thank you again to everyone who assisted and helped coordinate all this work.
STEM Captures March Madness Trophy
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has been named winner of the second annual CWI March Madness competition. Hosted by CWI’s Center for Teaching and Learning, the event puts programs in head-to-head competitions of sharing classroom best-practices. Faculty vote for the winners in each of the bracketed matches. Over the course of two weeks in March, faculty had a chance to read about best practices in creating engaging and effective classrooms from programs and schools within Academic Affairs, Professional Technical Education, Workforce Development, and Basic Skills Education.
STEM Department Chairs Nicole Frank, Maia Kelley, Rhonna Krouse, and Willard Pack received the CWI March Madness trophy on April 1.
CEEC Presents Step Up Challenge
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Culture and Employee Engagement Committee is happy to announce its first ever Step Up Challenge. Beginning April 11, CWI employees are invited to challenge themselves and co-workers to walk as much as possible throughout the remainder of the month. At the end of April, prizes will be awarded to the highest steppers at each building. All that is needed to participate is a step counter and a tracking log. Step counters are available for people that do not have one. Please email CEEC@cwi.edu with questions.
Employee Benefit Fair is April 14
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host an Employee Benefit Fair on Thursday, April 14, at multiple locations. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ada County Campus Pintail Center common area and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Micron Center for Professional Technical Education in room 1701 A/B. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions about insurance, retirement, and much more.
