Bert's Alerts - September 9, 2016
In the Spotlight
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of placing a general obligation bond on the November 2016 ballot. Seen here is Boise Mayor Dave Bieter speaking at a press conference where the decision was announced. For more information, please read the full story below. You can also visit cwi.edu/bond for details about the bond measure and voting.
News Highlights
College of Western Idaho Trustees Vote to Pursue Bond Measure in November
At a special board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 6, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Board of Trustees voted in favor of placing a $180 million general obligation bond on the November 2016 ballot. The bond would fund campus development in Boise and Nampa to expand program offerings and serve more students.
The bond would impact Ada and Canyon county taxpayers based on property assessed value. The bond would cost taxpayers an estimated $22.31 per $100,000 of taxable value each year for 25 years. The College of Western Idaho Bond Measure will be on the November 8, 2016 ballot in both Ada and Canyon County.
CWI has grown from 1,200 students in its first semester in 2009 to serving more than 20,000 students a year with projections for continued growth in the years ahead. This is the first time Ada and Canyon County voters have been approached for a bond since the College was founded.
“College of Western Idaho’s impact on the Treasure Valley since its inception is tremendous,” said Board Chair Mary Niland. “As we look to the future of the Valley, we understand the need for affordable, innovative, industry-driven higher education is going to continue to grow. We are committed to strategically positioning CWI to ensure it not only supports the community now, but well into the future.”
The Board has identified several major development projects that are needed to support CWI’s current student population while also positioning the College to meet projected growth and demand. The list of proposed projects include:
Nampa Campus
Health Science & Central Services Buildings
- State-of-industry health career training in support of high demand jobs including:
- Nursing
- Medical & Surgical Technicians
- Emergency Response Professionals
- Centralized infrastructure facility serving all current and future campus buildings
- Campus site infrastructure including utilities, roadways and campus commons that will save the College money and prepare for future campus growth.
- Designed to provide flexibility for future campus growth through sustainability and high efficiency systems
Student Success Center & Career Technical Facilities:
- Student Success Center will serve as central hub for supporting students, staff and the community. Services and resources, including:
- Library Learning Commons
- Registration and financial advising
- Career advisement and transferability
- Clubs and Organizations Center
- Community Meeting Space
- Career Technical Facilities will centralize and expand program support for high demand agriculture, horticulture and truck driving career ready programs
Ada County Campus in Boise
-
New urban campus supporting Boise metro students, businesses and community
- Initial phase of Boise campus to include high-demand programs such as two-year associate degrees that transfer and career technical programs including Information Technology, Management and Business Support Services
- Designed with strong flexibility for training labs, dynamic classrooms and meeting spaces
- House programs already offered in Boise serving more than 7,000 students with anticipated growth
CWI’s Trustees have been in ongoing discussions about the best way to address challenges associated with the College’s explosive enrollment growth since opening its doors in 2009.
“College of Western Idaho is at an exciting and critical point in its history,” said CWI President Dr. Bert Glandon. “As we plan for the future, we must continue building a sustainable infrastructure and prepare for anticipated growth in demand for new programs and more offerings. CWI is positioned to expand its role as a catalyst for education and the economy in the Treasure Valley for years to come.”
CWI Information Session for ITT Tech Students
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be offering an information session for former ITT Technical students impacted by the institution’s recent closure. The session is intended to answer questions and share options that are available to these students through CWI. The information session will take place:
Monday, September 12
5 to 7 p.m.
CWI’s Ada County Campus Pintail Center, Room 1205
1360 S. Eagle Flight Way, Boise - View Map
CWI will be waiving the $25 application fee for former ITT students who attend the information session.
Anyone who has questions about the information session, or would like to speak with a CWI representative prior to Monday, is encouraged to contact Luis Caloca at luiscaloca@cwi.edu or 208.562.3396.
Connecting Students to Community Through Books
A vital program to help people learn the basic skills they need to work, live, and connect with the community has received a much-needed financial boost. US Bancorp Foundation and two, local Walmart stores selected the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation to receive grants that support CWI’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Book Project.
Learning in Action
Four days a week, the sounds of people who speak several different languages fill the halls at CWI’s Ada County Campus Mallard Building. In one classroom, students are learning how to break down job descriptions and applications so they can apply for jobs.
“Can anyone tell me what a ‘people person’ is,” Janelle Gilson, a basic skills instructor, asks her class.
In another class, students are challenging their skills by filling out crossword puzzles using common words they have learned and will regularly use. Down the hall in another classroom, an instructor is using her own driver’s license to show her class how the information is used in real-world settings.
Students who demonstrate they are determined to learn the English language are given a book they can take home to study; reinforcing what they learn in class. That’s where the ESL Book Project enters the picture. The grant pays for bilingual picture dictionaries in more than 30 different languages.
The books effectively help students:
- Participate in job interviews
- Access community services and resources
- Ask questions
- Get directions
- Engage in their children’s schools
- Grocery shop
- Prepare for further education or training
- Independently function in American society
Supportive Community Partners
“We are all about diversity,” Daren Lannigan, the assistant manager at Walmart Store #4180 in Nampa, said. “We work with a lot of non-native language speakers at our store, so this initiative makes perfect sense for us to support in our community.”
The Walmart Community Grants Team at Store #4180 in Nampa contributed $1,500 for the project. Walmart Store #2508 in Boise awarded $250, and US Bancorp Foundation contributed $4,035. The combined funding will help purchase roughly 230 books.
ESL classes at CWI are offered free of charge and at six different levels. For more information, click here or call 208.562.2571.
CWI and US Attorney’s Office Collaborate to Show Film
In recognition of National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Department of Social and Human Relations is co-sponsoring an event with the United States Attorney’s Office. The event will feature a screening of the film “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict”. The screening will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building (Room 102E). All students, employees, and their guests are welcome to attend.
The film is a documentary collaboratively produced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in response to the growing epidemic of heroin and opioid abuse across the country. The film is designed to raise awareness and educate young adults of the dangers posed by these drugs.
After the film DEA Diversion Investigator, Charles Wahl, will give a brief presentation about the scope of the opioid and heroin problem here in Idaho and nationally.
