Shoreline Community College joined in the launch of a new national effort to encourage sustainability practices in all aspects of campus life.  The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) introduced STARS (Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) version 1.0 and formally launched its online Reporting Tool on January 19, 2010. 

To date, over 115 higher education institutions have registered as STARS Charter Participants and Shoreline Community College is proud to be one of them.

“Responsible environmental stewardship is the key to addressing climate neutrality.  We must think differently about how we use natural resources and must challenge ourselves to put those thoughts into practice,” Shoreline Community College President Lee Lambert said.

Prior to signing the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment agreement in September of 2007, Shoreline Community College had already made significant progress toward creating a sustainable campus, with one of the core values of the college’s Strategic Plan being to recognize and sustain our natural environment. 

An environmental policy was approved by the Board of Trustees in 1996, at which time a Sustainability Committee was implemented.  Shoreline joined the City of Seattle as a founding partner of Seattle Climate Partnership in 2006 and hosted the Washington State Odyssey Days that year to heighten public awareness of alternative fuels.  Since that time, the college has become a leader in environmental sustainability, offering the first solar design and installation program for credit in the state. 

President Lambert testified (by invitation) before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on green job skills.  Additionally, a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions was conducted and recorded, and development of an institutional action plan was developed, with completion set for May of 2010. 

AASHE’s STARS program is the only one of its kind that involves a comprehensive process of collecting and publicly reporting information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance in education and research, operations, and planning, administration & engagement.

“The advantage of STARS is that all aspects of campus life are taken into consideration with regard to the ability to earn credits,” said AASHE Executive Director, Paul Rowland. “From providing sustainability coursework, to dorm cleaning products, to energy efficiency in campus buildings, there are lots of opportunities for a school to identify and track its sustainability progress.”

Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education in the US and Canada and the criterion that determines a STARS rating is transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions around the country.

“We are looking forward to the enthusiastic participation from our students and staff, as well as watching our sustainability efforts grow on campus through the STARS program,” Lambert said.

About Shoreline Community College:

Shoreline Community College offers excellent academic, professional-technical and work force training programs to meet the lifelong learning needs of its community. The area is nationally known for its recreational and cultural opportunities, which richly complement academic life. Just 10 miles north of downtown Seattle, Shoreline is located near the beautiful Puget Sound and the majestic Olympic Mountain range is only a ferry boat ride away.  

The college, established in 1964, operates under the regulations of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.  It is governed by the Board of Trustees of Shoreline Community College, District Number Seven.  The college is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges and the Association of Community College Trustees.

Sustainability efforts at SCC:
“We, at Shoreline Community College, affirm our commitment to protect and enhance the environment through our learning, research, service, and administrative operations,” President Lambert said.  “We seek to foster a community that sustains ecological systems and educates for environmental awareness, local action, and global thinking.  We seek to incorporate environmental principles and environmentally responsible practices as fundamental and integrated components of all SCC operations and programs.”

The fundamental principles are to:

• Incorporate environmental concerns as a significant priority in College decision making.

• Seek alternative practices and procedures to minimize negative impacts on the environment.

• Conserve natural resources and restore environmental quality.

• Protect the biodiversity of our region and serve as a living laboratory and habitat for local species.

• Consider the social, economic, and environmental impacts of Shoreline Community College’s operational policies and foster a participatory process in developing these policies.

All college decisions and actions are guided by the College’s Mission Statement, reflective of the College’s resources, and informed by the Board of Trustee’s Policies and the College’s Strategic Plan. 

“As a learning institution, we recognize that planning for sustainability will be an evolving practice,” Lambert said.

About AASHE:

AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation by providing resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about AASHE, visit www.aashe.org.

For more information about the STARS program, visit the web

site: www.aashe.org/stars.  

Nationally known saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa will perform as a special guest soloist at Shoreline Community College Concert Band’s Winter Concert, “Facets of Love” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at the Shorecrest Performing Arts Center.  Kashiwa, a former student of Ken Noreen, director of the Concert Band, is considered one of the most successful saxophonists in the smooth jazz genre, making his name as a member of the popular group, The Rippingtons in the late 1980s.  He is currently working on his sixth solo CD.

Ever since Estes joined the college as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach in Spring 2008, he has been keeping an eye on the outstanding high school basketball players in the region. 

“The goal of the recruitment is to improve the program as well as the talent level of the team,” Estes said.  “Compared with last year, there is definitely a tremendous improvement in quality of this year’s players.”

When talking about his recruiting criteria, Estes said that he looked for athletic players with both good basketball skills and character.

Estes said recruiting is an all-year job consisting of three parts: identify the players, evaluate their abilities, and reach out to the players and their families. 

“We want to make sure that the player is a good person,” Estes said, adding that grades are only one measure.   “As long as he’s a good player and a good person, we’ll take a look at him,” he said.

While he hasn’t had a chance to get the new players on court at SCC in an official practice session, Estes said he likes what he’s seen. “They’re a talented group who are used to winning and are highly self-motivated to go onto a four-year university,” Estes said.

Recruiting is all about the person doing it and according to his new players, the college found the right person to take on the task, saying they are looking forward to working with Estes.

“I first met him when he came to watch me play at a game,” said one of the new players, Joseph Holyfield.  “He also came to my house to explain the basketball program to my mom.  I believe he can help me to develop my skills into the next level.”

The feeling was echoed by another new player, Sam Hsu: “He’s a great guy who definitely knows a lot about basketball. I’m just excited to be coached by him.”

For Estes, basketball has been a big part of his life.

Growing up in North Carolina, Estes started early playing basketball. He played as an off-guard in high school and at the University of North Carolina under legendary Tar Heels coach Dean Smith. Estes was a graduate assistant for Smith and then began his coaching career on the East Coast.

Estes compiled a winning record over nine years as head coach at Furman University and went 69-22 over three years at Miami-Dade Community College. Estes was also an assistant at the University of Miami and then at Seattle University after moving here in 2007.

With all the coaching experience, Estes has decided on the best style for the new men’s team.

“I like to fast-break, but at the same time to have an unselfish offense,” Estes said.  “Everyone will share the ball and it will be nothing like one person gets all the points and the others don’t.”

As for defense, the team will use multiple systems, varying from man-to-man, zone, and full-court press.

The team will start the first training sessions on Oct. 19. The schedule will be intense, with practices set for two and a half hour a day, six days a week.

Despite the recruiting success, Estes said he’s still looking for more players and tryouts will be scheduled for early Fall quarter. 

“The tryouts are open to everyone,” Estes said.  “But it’s a competitive thing because we can’t take more than 15.”

For SCC/Jocelyn Chui

Learn how to make your garden more drought tolerant and easier to maintain at a gardening class at the Lake Forest Park campus of Shoreline Community College.  “Victoria’s 12 Step Program for a Fabulous Garden,” taught by Master Gardener and garden designer, Victoria Gilleland, will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 13 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2009.  The class fee is $59. 

Call 206-533-6700 to register and for more information or visit the Continuing Education website at www.shoreline.edu/ce for further information.

Shoreline Community College’s Lake Forest Park campus is located at 17171 Bothell Way NE in Suite A220.

The Shoreline School Board has approved three proposals to be placed on the ballot at a special election Feb. 9, 2010.

• A four-year replacement of expiring levy for educational programs, maintenance and operations levy. The levy averages $22 million per year for each of the four years, 2011 through 2014. The maintenance and operations levy, which replaces the four-year levy passed by voters in 2006, would provide the district with about 20 percent of its general operating budget.

• A $150 million bond for the modernization/replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools. The 2006 bond approved by voters included funds for the planning and design for the two high school projects, but not for the actual construction costs.

• A four-year capital levy for technology improvements and support. This levy would support the District’s instructional technology program and services and technology equipment replacement.

If all three proposals are approved, the estimated new combined levy and bond rate in 2011 would be $5.25 per $1,000 of assessed value, and a stable $5.15 in the years following. Current 2010 rates are $5.29 per $1,000, so this represents no change to the average taxpayer. (See attached Levy/Bond fact sheet)

Proposition 1 – Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs, Maintenance and Operations

The district’s current four-year maintenance and operations levy will expire next year. These are the projected levy amounts beginning in 2011:

Year    Amount            Estimated rate per $1,000 of assessed value
2011    $21.5 million     $2.48
2012    $21.75 million    $2.48
2013    $22.2 million      $2.49
2014    $22.65 million    $2.49
The current levy, which is expiring, funds basic education programs, as well as nurses, family advocates, librarians and instructional materials. Funds are also used to support extra-curricular student activities, including music, drama and athletics.  The levy helps fund special education, highly capable, remedial and vocational education programs, maintenance, utilities, and transportation.

Proposition 2 – Bonds for Replacement/Modernization of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools

For more than two years, the Shoreline School District has been planning for modernization/replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools. The School Board adopted educational goals for the projects. The Shorecrest and Shorewood design teams were made up of faculty, staff and parents from each high school and community representatives from each of the middle schools and elementary schools in the respective sides of the District. Each team held three community meetings to gather input from the public, which the architects used to help create the preferred designs for Shorecrest and Shorewood.

Upon passage, the district would be authorized to sell up to $150 million in bonds. The district would make annual payments on the principal and interest to bond purchasers through proceeds from annual property taxes. The timeline for completion of both Shorecrest and Shorewood is summer 2013.

Proposition 3—Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support

Year    Levy Amount    Estimated rate per $1,000 of assessed value
2011     $3 million        $0.35
2012     $3 million        $0.34
2013     $3 million        $0.34
2014     $3 million        $0.33
This levy would provide a funding source for technology in all aspects of the district’s program.  Currently, the general fund is required to support approximately $2 million in expenses annually.  Such expenses include  software, licenses, subscriptions,  technology equipment replacement,  professional development and training for staff, and  infrastructure to support current and emerging information technology.

To validate these levy and bond proposals, 40 percent of those voting in the November 2009 general election must vote. The two levies require a simple majority to pass, the bonds require a 60-percent majority for approval.

Craig Degginger/Shoreline Public Schools

Congratulations to Joyce Fagel, UW and SCC academic advisor at SCC. Fagel was recently awarded the 2010 National Academic and Advising Association (NACADA) Academic Advisor award. This national award is given to those individuals who demonstrate a record of excellence in academic advising. Fagel was recognized at the 2010 Regional Conference held in Seattle, Washington (January 25-28).

Fagel has worked at Shoreline Community College as an academic advisor for about 10 years. She provides advising services in both the Science and Advising and Counseling departments. She is an exemplary advisor who exhibits personal boldness, an in-depth advising knowledge base, a caring heart, and commitment to assisting students with reaching their dreams and aspirations. Additionally, she works closely with faculty and staff on both campuses to enhance advising tools, programs, and services.