Bert's Alerts—Feb. 12, 2021
News Highlights
CWI Snow Information and Tips
With winter weather upon us, College of Western Idaho (CWI) crews are working to keep campus locations safe and clear of ice and snow. Please keep in mind, winter conditions can be dangerous and require everyone's attention to prevent slipping and falling. We are all responsible for exercising good judgment when walking on icy or slippery conditions. No matter how well snow and ice is removed from parking lots and sidewalks, it is important to be prepared and continually aware of slippery surfaces. Parking space may be limited in some areas due to snow piles from plowing.
Keep the following safety tips in mind:
- Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice. Neoprene and non-slip rubber are best. Avoid shoes with smooth soles and heels.
- Walk S-L-O-W-L-Y. Plan extra time so you are not rushing.
- Be careful when you shift your weight. When stepping off a curb or getting into a car, be careful since shifting your weight may cause an imbalance and result in a fall.
- Avoid taking shortcuts. Shortcuts are a good idea if you are in a hurry, but may be a bad idea if there is snow and ice on the ground. A shortcut path may be treacherous because it is likely to be located where snow and ice removal is not possible.
- Walk like a penguin. Point your feet out slightly and shuffle. Spreading your feet out slightly improves your stability. Bend slightly and walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over your feet as much as possible. Keep your hands out of your pockets and extend your arms out to your sides to maintain balance.
- Plan ahead. While walking on snow or ice on sidewalks or in parking lots, walk cautiously. Look to see where your feet will move next to anticipate ice or an uneven surface. Occasionally scan from left to right to ensure you are not in the way of vehicles or other hazards.
- Look up. Be careful about what you walk under. Injuries also can result from falling snow/ice as it blows, melts, or breaks away from awnings, buildings, etc.
- Use your eyes and ears. While seeing the environment is important, you also want to be sure you can hear approaching traffic and other noises. Avoid listening to music or engaging in conversation that may prevent you from hearing oncoming traffic or snow removal equipment.
- When you arrive at your indoor destination, remove as much snow and water from your feet as you can to prevent water buildup on the floors.
- Enter a building carefully. When you get to your destination such as school, work, shopping center, etc., be sure to look at the floor as you enter the building. The floor may be wet with melted snow and ice.
- When using stairs, always use handrails.
- Anticipate ice. Be wary of thin sheets of ice that may appear as wet pavement (black ice). Often ice will appear in the morning, in shady spots or where the sun shines during the day and melted snow refreezes at night.
To report icy conditions on campus or if you have questions, please call Facilities Planning and Management at 208.562.3545 or facilities@cwi.edu.
Scholarships Open for Spring 2022 Semester
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation scholarship application period for the Spring 2022 semester opens Nov. 1. One application makes applying for scholarships at CWI easy providing students automatically-generated scholarship matches, in addition to allowing students to self-select scholarships of interest. More than 200 scholarships have already been awarded to students in both academic and career-technical programs at the College for the 2021-2022 academic year!
Students interested in applying for scholarships must have the CWI admission application completed, be accepted, and have myCWI login information. The application closes Nov. 30, 2021.
Visit the Grants and Scholarships page to learn more or apply.
2021 President’s Writing Award Submissions
Get paid to do your homework! College of Western Idaho (CWI) President, Dr. Bert Glandon, invites all students to submit their writing to his annual contest for a chance at publication on the College’s website and a cash prize. First-place winners in each category receive $250, second-place winners receive $175, and third-place winners receive $100.
“This award is a celebration of the power of writing and its importance in to all academic disciplines,” Glandon said. “My wife and I look forward every year to this opportunity to review this amazing writing and great academic work that is done.”
Submission categories include:
- Creative Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Fiction
- Critical Analysis
- Literature Based Writing
- Original Research
- First-Year Writing
- Technical Writing
The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. March 6, 2021. You must be a CWI student to submit, and the writing must have been completed for coursework at CWI. Previously published writing will not be accepted. One submission per category is allowed. Submissions may not be submitted to more than one category.
Visit the President’s Writing Awards webpage for submission link and guidelines.
Wilson Named Faculty of Distinction for January
Congratulations to Greg Wilson, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for January 2021. Wilson has been at the College for eight years. He currently teaches in the Integrated Studies department and is the General Education Coordinator. Courses he has taught include Intro to Philosophy, Intro to Ethics, Intro to Humanities, and English 101.
“My background is in English literature, history, and philosophy. I have master’s degrees in both Theology and English Literature,” Wilson said. “Having taught at other colleges and universities, I know what a special place CWI is for students. Here, they get instructors who teach and who are here because they love to teach. We all work together to support our students. It's a great place to work, and a great place for students.”
As his students navigate various challenges, Wilson strives to provide them with the support they need to be successful.
“I think one of the best ways CWI prepares students is by giving them the foundational skills they need to succeed in academics and life in general. We provide students with such a strong foundation in the basic skills of thinking, communicating, and problem solving which they can take anywhere they go after their time with CWI.”
Among his most memorable moments are reading through his class discussion board posts.
“To see students open up and share powerful things they would never say in person often leads to profound discussions, and it is an amazing privilege to be a part of those.
As the General Education Coordinator, Wilson started revision of the General Education Value Rubrics, has been instrumental in aligning General Education courses with new CWI Degree Outcomes, and has pushed for increased faculty recognition for best practices as part of the annual state GEM awards.
“Greg has truly hit the ground running in his first year as the General Education Coordinator,” commented Department Chair of Integrated Studies, Kim Scheffer. “He is, simply, one of those people at CWI who gives 110% of his time and effort. He is always the first person to volunteer and jump in with help, and always with a smile. His knowledge and expertise is unmatched. I am a better Department Chair because of his ongoing support of me, our instructors, and our programs.”
Wilson is an Idaho native born in Boise. After graduating from Capital High School, he continued his education at University of Idaho where he became the first in his family to graduate from a 4-year university.
“After finishing my upper graduate work, my wife and I, along with our son, spent 10 years in Nigeria working as a nurse and teacher. While there, we adopted our daughter. It has now been more than 10 years since we have been back in Idaho, and we have enjoyed every minute of it.”
Outside of the classroom, Wilson enjoys movies, books, and traveling.
Selena: The Series Latinx Social
Join Latinx Student Services in celebrating the life and musical influence of Mexican-American artist, Selena, during a virtual showing of the first episode of Selena: The Series, Feb. 17 from 4 to 5 p.m. Through “Daydream” attendees will gain insight as to how music became a large part of Selena’s life and how it paved the way for her to become the “Queen of Tejano Music”.
Virtual Link: Selena, The Series Social
Email latinx@cwi.edu or visit Latinx Student Services online with questions or to learn more.
CWI Movie Night: Just Mercy
Craving a night out? Join Student Affairs and Latinx Student Services, Friday, Feb. 19, during CWI Movie Night for a showing of the movie, Just Mercy (PG-13), at Cinemark Majestic Cinemas in Meridian. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. showing. Attendees will receive a free, large popcorn and large fountain drink. Those planning to attend must RSVP using the link below.
Movie Synopsis: After graduating from Harvard, Bryan Stevenson heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or those not afforded proper representation. One of his first cases is that of Walter McMillian, who is sentenced to die in 1987 for the murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite evidence proving his innocence. In the years that follow, Stevenson encounters racism and legal and political maneuverings as he tirelessly fights for McMillian's life.
RSVP for CWI Movie Night Feb. 19
Contact Amber Eubanks at ambereubanks@cwi.edu with questions.
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes Rachael Mayer
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series is proud to welcome artist, Rachael Mayer, for a virtual talk and cardboard loom weaving workshop Friday, Feb. 19.
Mayer is a fiber artist based in Boise, Idaho. Bridging her Bachelor of Art in Anthropology and Ethnic Studies and Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, she creates work themed around communities, social networks, and systems. She uses her experiences traveling across the country with her family as a child and young adult to contextualize social constructions within landscape and topography. Mayer’s work has been exhibited across the United States. She has interned at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee and has been published in the Surface Design Journal.
All are invited to join us Feb. 19 from 1 – 3 p.m., via Zoom, as Mayer discusses her work with textiles and weaving, as well as her professional development as an artist. Her talk will be followed by a cardboard loom weaving workshop which will cover the basics of tapestry design, weaving with texture, and finishing stitches will be covered. At the completion of the workshop, participants will have created a wall hanging they can display in their home and will have the knowledge and resources to continue to weave in their free time.
Participants are asked to assemble the following materials for the workshop:
- Flat piece of cardboard (approximately 8 x 10 inches) + cardboard scraps
- Scissors
- Skinny yarn or twine
- Variety of colors, textures, and thickness of yarn
- Paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Tapestry needle (optional)
- Masking or painters tape (if not purchasing a tapestry needle)
CWI’s Visiting Artist Series is made possible through a grant from Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by National Endowment for the Arts. Visiting Artist Series workshops, featuring visual and performing artists, are free and open to the entire CWI community. Mayer’s talk and virtual workshop is suitable for all ages and will be sign interpreted in American Sign Language.
Zoom Link: Cardboard Loom Weaving Workshop
Meeting ID: 971 9776 9392
Passcode: 072958
Contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu to learn more or with questions.
