Bert's Alerts - November 17, 2014
In the Spotlight
With the first weather closure of the academic year in the books, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Marketing Department would like to remind employees to verify their contact information is current for CWI’s emergency notification system. Employees are automatically enrolled to receive alerts through Rave Mobile Safety to their email and any phone numbers provided when joining the College. Contact information can be updated by visiting cwi.edu/alerts. Please email communications@cwi.edu with any questions.
News Highlights
Changes to 2015 Spring Address and In-Service
This academic year, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) spring semester will start a week earlier on Jan. 12. Due to the shortened winter break between fall and spring semesters, the College will not hold a Spring Address and the In-Service activities held on Jan. 5-9 will be adjusted to afford faculty preparation time.
Additionally, faculty In-Service activities will be modified to focus on division and departmental needs, which will eliminate non-instructional division presentations during the week. Non-instructional divisions are encouraged to work with instructional deans, assistant deans, and department chairs to determine alternative presentation opportunities for information and training that would typically be offered during In-Service week.
In-Service meeting schedules will be finalized and communicated to faculty in December prior to finals week. Communication will come from department chairs and/or assistant deans.
CWI Closed Nov. 27-28 for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be providing time off for students and employees to observe the holiday. CWI’s campus locations will be closed on Nov. 27-28. There will also be no classes for credit programs and Basic Skills Education, Nov. 24-29. As a result of the Thanksgiving closure, Bert’s Alerts will not be sent on Nov. 28. The weekly employee newsletter will resume its regular schedule on Dec. 5.
Free College Application Week Extended at CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has announced it is extending this year’s Free College Application Week in light of the Friday weather closure. Due to high demand, future students can apply to CWI through Friday, Nov. 21, and the $25 application fee for admissions will be waived. Applications can be completed until midnight on Friday (Nov. 21) online by visiting cwi.edu/apply. All questions should be directed to CWI’s One Stop Student Services at 208.562.3000.
Dr. Jorcyk to Visit CWI to talk Cancer Research
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host the next installment of its Visiting Scientist Series, Thursday (Nov. 20), with Dr. Cheryl Jorcyk presenting about her work on breast cancer tumor progression. Dr. Jorcyk, a professor at Boise State University, will speak at 6 p.m. at the CWI Library in the Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building. A reception will be held before the presentation at 5:30 p.m. The event is a great way for students to gain visibility to possible future studies while making connections with research faculty and students with mutual interests.
In its fourth year, the Visiting Scientist Series is bringing a diverse group of Idaho scientists and teachers to CWI to discuss their work and opportunities for students when they transfer to a four-year college or university in Idaho. Employees and the community are also invited to attend and enjoy refreshments and discussion. For more information, please contact Steve Lysne at 208.562.3360 or stevelysne@cwi.edu.
CWI Welcomes Boise School of Rock
A group of Boise School of Rock instructors will visit College of Western Idaho (CWI) on Dec. 5 as part of CWI’s Visiting Artist Series. Devin McComas, David Gluck, and JD Stephan will be providing a guest lecture and demonstration from 4-6 p.m. in room 106 of the Nampa Campus Academic Building. All three are music teachers and active performing musicians in the Treasure Valley. They will be performing along with sharing their personal stories about how music has shaped their lives. Employees are invited to join students for the presentation.
For more information please contact Jeff Davis at jeffreydavis@cwi.edu .
CWI Phlebotomy Supports Community Event
On Oct. 25, students from College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Phlebotomy program offered through Workforce Development participated in the Mountain Home Health and Wellness Day, helping draw blood at the community education event. Students were joined by Phlebotomy instructor, Erin Thornbrugh, at the event which was hosted by St. Luke’s Elmore.
Tech Talk: Blackboard and Beyond
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Information Technology (IT) Department is presenting a new series of Bert’s Alerts articles intended to share updates at CWI as well as relevant technology topics.
GoPrint Update
The GoPrint printing client has successfully been installed in classrooms and Library in the Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom and Multipurpose buildings. IT will be installing the software on machines in the Nampa Campus Academic Building on Tuesday (Nov. 18), the Micron Center for Professional Technical Education on Wednesday (Nov. 19), and the Canyon County Center on Thursday (Nov. 20).
Copier Maintenance
Effective Friday, Nov. 14, maintenance and support for all copiers has been switched to Boise Office Equipment (BOE). BOE will be attaching an identifier label with contact information to all of the copiers. Employees experiencing any issue with a copier should please contact their local technical support specialist.
Blackboard Discovery Day
Members of IT, Online Learning, and Workforce Development recently attended a “Digital Ecosystems for Success” Blackboard conference at Boise State University. Topics included improving student engagement, the use of essential Blackboard tools, preventing cheating, and building online communities. CWI may host a similar conference in the near future.
CWI Foundation Art Contest is Back
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation is proud to present its third-annual Holiday Art Contest, which is open to all students. This year’s theme is ‘What does education give you?’
Submissions will be accepted in the following formats:
- Drawing in pen, pencil, and/or markers only. Submission must be on an 8.5 x 11 inches piece of paper with a .05 inch border of white space. There is a template available on myCWI.
- Digital Photograph. Must be a high resolution with a minimum of 300dpi.
- Digital Rendering. Must be high resolution with a minimum of 300dpi.
There is no fee to enter the contest. Official entry forms are available on myCWI and in the Foundation office located in Suite 102 of the Nampa Campus Administration Building. Hard-copy drawings need to be submitted by Nov. 17 to the Foundation Office and digital copies can be submitted by email at foundation@cwi.edu.
Prizes will be awarded for first place ($125), second place ($100), and third place ($75). The Foundation may also incorporate first-place artwork into a holiday card that will be sent to supporters of the College.
Questions about the contest should be directed to the CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu or Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu.
