Bert's Alerts - December 11, 2015
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebrated cultures from around the world on Dec. 10 with the inaugural World Village Day event at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building. Hosted by the CWI Art Club and English as a Second Language program, World Village Day included student presentations and performances that showcased cultural diversity. Performance groups included Ballet Folklorico, Hombres Derancho, and Boise’s Bosnian Dancing group.
News Highlights
College of Western Idaho Proceeding Forward with Purchase of Property in Boise
Upon completion of due diligence for the property at the corner of Main Street and Whitewater Blvd. in Boise, the College of Western Idaho Board of Trustees has decided to waive conditions and continue forward with the intent to purchase the land as amended with a reduction of $150,000. The Board made their decision based on a thorough review of factors such as cost, environmental test, land surveys, audits, development options, comments from city officials, and community input.
“After reviewing all the factors associated with long-term development on the property, we believe it will be the best solution for a permanent Ada County Campus,” stated Guy Hurlbutt, CWI Board Vice Chairperson. “The property offers great access and the capacity to build a campus that meets the needs of our community, with the added potential to be a great anchor for Boise’s West End.”
At this time, CWI will continue providing classes in the leased facilities in the Black Eagle complex while the College continues work on programming and design for the permanent campus.
“The process of community input through the insight and visioning session conducted by CTA Architects Engineers was a great start that will aid us in our continued exploration of programming and designing a campus,” notes Vice Chair Hurlbutt. “Currently, the College has completed programming for two additional buildings on the College’s main campus in Nampa for a Health Sciences building and a Student Success Center, a mixed use building that includes student support services. Consolidation of leased building and development in both Ada and Canyon Counties will ensure educational offerings are accessible to students throughout our community.”
CWI’s enrollment has grown to more than 20,000 students a year being served through academic and workforce training. To keep up with the demand for an educated and career ready workforce, the College has assumed leased spaces in business complexes that cost more than $2 million a year. These locations are not ideal for long-term sustainability and program growth. To continue to help bridge the skills gaps of individuals and businesses of Ada and Canyon Counties, CWI is planning for the future by investing in permanent campus facilities in Boise and Nampa along with robust online tools.
POST Designation Granted to CWI Law Enforcement Program
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Law Enforcement program has received an important designation, being granted full certification by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The POST Assessment Team conducted a site visit on Dec. 1 and recommended full certification at the organization’s quarterly meeting on Thursday (Dec. 10).
The certification is for one year initially and will move to a two year accreditation cycle following another assessment in December 2016.
Law Enforcement Program Chair, LeRoy Forsman, said the Assessment Team, the Deputy Director of POST, and numerous Council members were highly complementary of CWI’s program. “They were impressed that we started building our program less than one year ago and have been so successful in so little time.”
CWI Groups Volunteer for Shop with a Cop
On Saturday, Dec. 5, students from the College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Law Enforcement Program and Criminal Justice Club spent the morning at a local Kmart wrapping presents for 87 children. The volunteer effort was all in support of the Shop with a Cop program.
Officers from Canyon County, Owyhee County, Nampa Police, Parma Police, Wilder/Greenleaf Police, and Homedale Police met with children for breakfast at a local church. They proceeded to Kmart with lights and sirens in a low speed procession where they were greeted by nearly 100 volunteers and Santa. Each child shopped for gifts for their families with an officer before meeting with Santa and receiving a personal gift.
The CWI students participated by wrapping gifts, locating special items on the gift lists, and helping shoppers navigate the store. This marks the third consecutive year CWI students have taken part in the event. Many of them have described the morning as eye opening and life changing.
CWI Law Enforcement Program Chair LeRoy Forsman, who volunteered as Santa, adds that the event is amazing each year. “I’ve been involved in this almost every year since it started, first as an officer and now as Santa. The kids truly have the Christmas Spirit. As Santa, I’ve been asked for everything from gifts for their siblings, to getting their divorced parents reunited, to making people just be nice to each other. It really tugs at your heartstrings”.
The program has been in place locally for nearly 25 years. Children in need are identified through schools and other means. The officers volunteer their time for the event. Shop with a Cop is financed through community and civic organization donations as well as law enforcement organization donations.
President Glandon Joins First Fireside Chat Video
College of Western Idaho (CWI) President Bert Glandon is the featured guest in the first video recorded Fireside Chat with Faculty Senate President, Charles Dickinson. The video is a new take on the weekly email update that Dickinson shares with faculty. Thanks to the CWI Communication program and students with the Media Professionals Club, Glandon and Dickinson recorded a short conversation about the future of the College. Topics include an update on the Boise property purchase, the Nampa Campus Master Plan, and CWI’s role in helping the State Board of Education reach its Complete College Idaho goal.
CWI Holiday Schedule
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be changing its hours of operation surrounding the upcoming holidays. Here are some of the important dates and times to note.
- Dec. 24-26 – closed
- Dec. 31 – close at 5 p.m.
- Jan. 1-2 – closed
For more information on CWI’s hours of operation please visit cwi.edu/info/hours-operation.
Business Office Presents Annual Training
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Business Office will be presenting its annual Deep Dive Training on common Business Office procedures, Dec. 15-16. All CWI employees are invited to attend. The trainings will be used to introduce new Business Office forms, processes, and information, and answer any questions, problems, needs, and concerns of the group.
Anyone interested in attending should contact Brian Smith at briansmith2@cwi.edu to indicate which training they will attend.
Dec. 15, 9 a.m.-Noon, Ada County Campus Quail Building RM2210
Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Micron Center for Professional Technical Education RM1701A/B
Starting February 2016 a new employee class, Business Office 101, will replace the current Deep Dive training. Business Office 101 will include a series of classes that the Business Office will present on a recurring basis. This will allow employees to pick and choose which classes they would like to attend. Whether it’s to learn more about a certain topic or to get a refresher on a topic before a department takes on a new project, the Business Office will be here to help. More details will be released soon.