Bert's Alerts - February 28, 2014
In the Spotlight
On Saturday, Feb. 22, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Media Club took in a valuable educational experience courtesy the local NBC affiliate KTVB. The TV station opened its doors to the students for a behind the scenes look at its operation and newsroom. Students were given a tour by weekend Weather Anchor, Brian Holmes, and also had the chance to watch the 5 p.m. newscast from the production booth. Seen here is (back left to right) Holmes, Lee Hoalst Jr., Nicholas Mendoza, CJ Lock, and (front left to right) Jessica Argyle, Michelle Mahoney, Kitzia Nava, and Chad Hawkley.
News Highlights
CWI Board Approves 2015-19 Strategic Plan
On Feb. 18, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustees approved the College’s 2015-2019 Strategic Plan. The updated Strategic Plan includes objectives and measures for five approved Institutional Priorities: Student Success, Employee Success, Fiscal Stability, Community Connections, and Institutional Sustainability. To view the Strategic Plan, which will be delivered to the Office of the State Board of Education next month, please view the Plan tab at cwi.edu/info/planning-statistics-and-reports.
Tuition and Fees Proposal Approved by Board
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustees voted to approve the 2014-15 Tuition and Fees proposal. As part of the proposal, CWI’s cost-per-credit will remain $136 for in-district Idaho residents, regardless of the number of credits taken. The Board did approve a significant change to fees, however, removing the College’s $30 graduation fee. Students who have already applied for graduation for the 2014 spring semester or beyond will receive a credit of the $30 graduation application fee to their student account from CWI. If there are no outstanding charges on the student account, a refund will be issued.
College of Western Idaho Student Named 2014 New Century Scholar
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Liberal Arts major, Belinda Reyff, received a prestigious recognition on Wednesday (Feb. 26) as one of only 51 college students nationwide to be named 2014 New Century Scholars. The New Century Scholars Program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges.
More than 1,700 students were nominated from more than 900 community colleges for the New Century Scholars and All-USA Community College Academic Team recognitions. Recipients were selected based on grades, leadership, activities, and how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.
“I was stunned and at a loss for words to here I was selected,” says Reyff. “This honor means that struggles, challenges, and other complications can be overcome--that you can turn obstacles in life into accomplishments.”
Reyff, a first generation college student, was selected based on her nomination for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society All-USA Community College Academic Team. New Century Scholars are the highest scoring students from their respective states through the nomination process. In being selected, she will receive a $2,000 scholarship and be presented at the American Association of College Presidents (AACC) Convention in Washington, D.C. She is also eligible for inclusion in the All-USA Academic Team, which will be announced later this spring.
“This scholarship will help me move forward because it will relieve the stress of how I was going to pay for my last semester in order to graduate with my degree. I am the first in my family to go to college and now thanks to receiving this scholarship I will be able to fulfill my dream of obtaining my degree and set a great example to, not only my fellow classmates, but also to my boys.”
CWI Introduces New President's Writing Award
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) English department is excited to announce the introduction of the President's Writing Awards; established to recognize and honor excellence in student writing at CWI. The awards will be an annual initiative that celebrate the power of the written word—the beauty and necessity of thoughtful communication.
The contest will be open to all current students with the following categories:
- Creative nonfiction
- Critical analysis
- Fiction
- Poetry
- Research-based writing
The submission deadline for the inaugural President’s Writing Awards is 11:59 p.m., March 21. Visit cwi.edu/english for more information on eligibility, the submission process, and categories. Please contact Matthew Haynes at matthewhaynes@cwi.edu with questions.
Haynes Serving as Honor Society Associate Regional Coordinator
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Assistant Professor for Languages and Arts, Matthew Haynes, recently received a significant professional honor as he has been asked to serve as the Rocky Mountain-Cascade Associate Regional Coordinator for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Haynes, who is currently the advisor for CWI’s Beta Sigma Pi chapter, will serve as a resource for advisors and students in Oregon, Utah, and Idaho.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity,” says Haynes. “It allows me the opportunity to work more closely with students to help cultivate their professional skills. I am excited to have the chance to help them in a much broader way.”
CWI Night at the Stampede Tonight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) and the Idaho Stampede are teaming up to make Friday, Feb. 28, CWI Night at the Stampede, providing a fundraising opportunity for student clubs. This is a great opportunity for the College community to take part in an event full of fun and camaraderie, while enjoying a night of basketball downtown and supporting CWI student clubs. The Stampede, Boise’s affiliate of the NBA Development League, will take on the Santa Cruz Warriors at 7 p.m. at CenturyLink Arena. CWI student clubs sold tickets to the game and will receive 100 percent of the proceeds.
More information on CWI Night at the Stampede can be found at cwi.edu/studentlife or by contacting Michelle Cain at michellecain@cwi.edu.
Leave Bank Drive Ends, Need Continues
Did you know that vacation leave balances cap at 240 hours, which is six weeks of vacation time? Once a staff member hits that number, vacation leave accrual stops until the balance goes below that point. Basically, if you don’t use it you are losing it.
How close are you to 240? Or are you there? Consider donating to the Employee Leave Bank to help those who have no leave time and are in desperate need. Just eight donated hours can make a big difference to someone who is facing leave without pay due to an extended illness.
With the end of February, the Employee Leave Bank Drive is ending. But the need will continue. Donations can be given year round.
CWI Staff Senate and Human Resources would like to thank all employees who donated during this drive and made a positive impact on the CWI family.
Employee Appreciation Day Reminder
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Rewards and Recognition Committee is excited to announce that the first annual Employee Appreciation Day will be held next Friday, March 7. This is a time to show appreciation for all the hard work CWI employees do.
There will be cupcakes and treats for CWI employees at the following locations and times:
- CWI Eagle River, RM100, 10-11 a.m.
- Canyon Counter Center, RM218, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Micron Center for Professional Technical Education, RM1602, 11 a.m. - Noon
- Nampa Campus Administration Building, RM201B, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Nampa Campus Academic Building, RM106, Noon - 1 p.m.
- Ada County Center, RM1230, 1-2 p.m.
The Rewards and Recognition Committee looks forward to seeing everyone there.
