Bert's Alerts - September 23, 2016
In the Spotlight
Did you know that September is Suicide Awareness month? As part of College of Western Idaho’s ongoing commitment to serve students, this visual reminder was placed outside of the Ada County Campus Pintail Building as part of the College’s Annual Student Resource Fair. In all, 362 yellow flags were put up to represent each Idahoan who died from suicide last year. One student said the display “really put things in perspective” for him.
News Highlights
CWI Strategic Plan Summary Now Available
A new handout has been created to highlight key components of College of Western Idaho's (CWI) comprehensive strategic plan for fiscal years 2018 to 2022. The brochure summarizes in a visual way the main sections addressed in the strategic plan, providing a quick overview for individuals of where the College is headed in its vision for the future.
Key components in the brochure include:
- Core Ideology
- SWOT (Environmental Scan)
- Gap Analysis (Priorities for Education and Training)
- 5-Year Focus (Objectives and Indicators of Success)
To view the summary online visit cwi.edu/planning. Printed copies are also available upon request by contacting the Marketing and Advancement department.
Fiesta Cultural at CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage month with its first annual Fiesta Cultural event. This celebration of cultures will take place at CWI's Nampa Campus on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Fiesta Cultural will offer the community a chance to experience, engage, learn, and have fun attending a multi-cultural event. Numerous cultures will be represented in music, dancing, games, art, and demonstrations.
Activities will range in age and interests; there will be something for the whole family to enjoy. Experience Azteca, salsa, and Tahitian dancing performances, live music, and a classic car show. Kids will love the piñata workshop, sugar skull art, and face painting. On the more competitive side; bubble ball, boxing, and an obstacle course race will take place during the event. Enjoy a diverse variety of food from local food trucks and vendors. The event will conclude with car show awards and a closing ceremony.
Fiesta Cultural kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the CWI Nampa Campus Academic Building off of Idaho Center Boulevard in Nampa. – View Map
Please contact melissamallory@cwi.edu or osterhernandez@cwi.edu for more information.
Register to Vote at CWI on Sept. 27
On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Idaho residents will have the opportunity to register to vote from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at four College of Western Idaho (CWI) campus locations. The college’s honor society chapter, Beta Sigma Pi, is organizing the event in support of National Voter Registration Day. The student group aims to raise awareness about voter registration and break down barriers that traditionally keep people from voting. In addition, absentee ballots will be available for people interested in voting early or are unable to vote in person on Nov. 8.
“College is where many people come to learn about the world and how it works, and how to make a place for themselves inside the bigger picture,” says CWI Beta Sigma Pi Chapter President, Jason Ward. “The CWI honor society chapter believes in our students' ability to not only understand how politics shapes everyone's lives, but to be a part of the leadership that charts the course. They may only need to know the importance of their voices.”
Members of the community who are eligible to vote in Idaho can register at one of the following CWI locations:
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center (1360 S. Eagle Flight Way, Boise)
- Nampa Campus Academic Building (5500 E. Opportunity Dr. Nampa)
- Nampa Campus Micron Center for Professional Technical Education (5725 E. Franklin Road, Nampa)
- Canyon County Center (2407 Caldwell Blvd., Nampa)
In addition to voter registration attendees can also find a variety of voting details at the event, including:
- Information on CWI’s November 2016 Ballot items
- Absentee Ballots
- Polling Locations
- Voting Precinct Information
“Registering to vote is taking the stand that your voice matters and you will have a say in how the future takes shape,” adds Ward. “Register to vote Sept. 27.”
The voter registration initiative serves as part of a requirement for CWI’s Beta Sigma Pi chapter to earn top national rating with the organization. Please contact communications@cwi.edu for more information.
New Student Planning System Now Available
Did you know that Spring 2017 registration starts Nov. 14? College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to introduce Student Planning, which is a new and improved way for students to plan and register for classes.
Here is how the new Student Planing system will be beneficial to students:
Planning
- Create an education plan so students know the exact semester they are eligible to graduate
- View days and times of when classes are offered
- Connect with advisor to make sure students are on the right track
- Check out current progress toward a declared or new major
Registering
- Search and filter class selection by availability, location, day, time, and instructor
- Register for Spring 2017 classes on Nov. 14
Questions?
- Tutorial videos are available on Blackboard or on the new Student Planning section, cwi.edu/studentplanning
- Workshops will be available too, for dates and times go online to cwi.edu/studentplanning
- Get an appointment with advisor by calling One Stop Student Services at 208.562.3000
Parking lot resurfacing at the Nampa Campus Administration Building
The property managers at Aspen Creek announced that part of the Administration Building parking lot will be resurfaced tomorrow (Saturday, September 24, 2016). Please find the area marked in PURPLE on the map attached.
Please do not park in this defined area. If cars are left in the area, they will be towed at owner's expense!
If you have questions, please call Facilities at 208.562.3545.
The August Staff of the Month is Phil Varrick
Phil started his CWI adventure as a Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist and is currently a Budget Analyst in the Business Office. He has an Associate of Arts in Visual Communication (Photography), a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and is currently working on his MBA in Finance and Accounting.
Phil’s nomination notes that “he has always exemplified what an ideal employee is and demonstrates all of our core values. Phil does every aspect of his job with the upmost integrity. Since taking on the role as Budget Analyst, Phil has been continuously working on the budget process to make it easier on our internal customers as well as to ensure the integrity of the data in the system.” His nomination also states: “Phil also follows all laws and in any situation that could be unethical always does what is right even if it is not the popular decision. Phil’s attention to detail and assurance of accuracy will help sustain the college for future generations.”
His nominations continues by stating: “No matter the question Phil provides a full detailed response with everything they need. While helping people Phil always keeps a calm demeanor and a caring attitude. He truly cares about the job he does and the people he works with. Phil truly takes people’s opinions and ideas into account when working with them.
Phil always looks for ways to improve what we have. An example is this year he is helping develop the Position Control module into Colleague. This will help streamline the budget process for positions between HR and the Budget Office.”
In 1998, Phil moved to Idaho with his future wife to be near her family. Over the past fifteen years, they have been caregivers to various family members, mostly grandparents. Their “children” are all rescue animals, including two cats, eleven turtles, a gecko, and, now, two chickens. When not studying, taking care of family and pets, he also teaches motorcycle safety with the Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety program. He has been an instructor for ten years and loves coaching riders on the skills needed to be safer on the roads.
A fun fact about Phil you might not know is that he has had the privilege to meet and photograph many interesting people over the years. One of his favorites was of Stephen King while on his book tour. He was only autographing copies of the book to be auctioned off for charity. Phil overheard that he was having trouble with his 1950’s era Harley Davidson (on which he was riding for the book tour) and he was able to get him in to a local shop for repairs that day. In return, King autographed a copy of his book for Phil. The picture shown is from that day.
Please join us in congratulating Phil.
September Faculty of Distinction - Dan Schults
Dan Schults (Horticulture Technology) has been selected as the September Faculty of Distinction. Dan was nominated by a student who had, in part, the following to say about him:
“Dan is one of the most forward thinking people I have ever met. He instills values in his students without pushing, simply by being a leading example. Dan is really light hearted and likes to keep things amusing and fun, an encouraging way to learn! Sometimes in classes our discussions become heated due to differing opinions and everybody wanting to be right. Dan has this way of acknowledging the legitimacy of opinions, giving credit for the thought process it takes to form the opinion and then also provides another way of thinking. He always puts it in a way that leaves the learner with the option to choose either way”.
Dan grew up in Salt Lake City and earned a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Utah State University. He met his wife, Jillian, while attending Brigham Young University and together they have two girls and a son that was just born on September 13 . . . which also happens to be Dan’s birthday! In his spare time, Dan enjoys gardening, camping, basketball and (in his words) “trying to play guitar”.
Help Recognize Outstanding Faculty
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Faculty Recognition Committee would like to remind employees that it is continuously accepting nominations for the monthly Faculty of Distinction award. Faculty, staff, students, and administrators are encouraged to nominate a faculty member that they feel is doing an outstanding job of meeting one or more of CWI’s Core Values:
- Acting With Integrity
- Serving All in an Atmosphere of Caring
- Sustaining our Quality of Life for Future Generations
- Respecting the Dignity of Opinions
- Innovating for the 21st Century
- Leaving a Legacy of Learning
Please submit nominations through the You Rock form. Please note, every field in the You Rock form does not need to be completed as nominees aren’t expected to necessarily meet every Core Value. Meeting one Core Value very well is sufficient.
