south seattle community college · south seattle community college update page 3 candace and...

South Seattle Community College

“Serving the campus since 1977” November 16, 2011

Wine ReleaseNovember 14

(L-R) Rochelle Tapscott and Heather Foss

(L-R) Representatives Joe Fitzgibbon, and Bob Hasegawa, Catherine Arnold and Robert Williams of Union Bank, Representative Phyllis Gutierrez-Kenney, South Seattle Community College President Gary Oertli.

UpdateSouth Seattle Community College

The ASSOCIATIONSouth hosted nearly 150 members of

the ASSOCIATION for the organization’s final conference of the year. The all-day event, held November 8 in the Brockey

Center, was highlighted by presentations from two gubernatorial candidates – Jay

Insley and Rob McKenna – interviewed by Lynne Varner. Keynote speaker, Seattle

Times Publisher Frank Blethen, spoke about his Greater Good campaign to stop

disinvestment in higher education.

Washington State Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (34th district) met on campus with South’s United Student Association November 9 to discuss the importance and need for community college education.

Student and South Veteran’s Club President, Ryan Shannon (far left) led a Veterans Day ceremony at the school entrance flagpole on November 10. President Gary Oertli acknowledged South’s student veterans and those that support them and make it possible for them to continue their education. Earlier this year, G.I.Jobs magazine designated South as a Military Friendly School for 2011 – 2012 for the second year in a row. Day CeremonyVeterans


Candace and Honorary Captains James Worthy, UNC, and Magic Johnson, Michigan State.

Candace and Mario Lopez, host of EXTRA.

Ahoy!Interim Director of Communications Candace Oehler spent November 5-12 as a production/broadcast/media relations volunteer for the inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic held 11/11/11 aboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in San Diego. The historic event featured an ESPN-televised basketball game on the carrier deck between No. 1 University of North Carolina and Michigan State, and a post-game concert. In attendance were 7,000 spectators, mostly members of the military, and the nation’s chief basketball fan President Obama, accompanied by Mrs. Obama.

Navy Rock Band

did you know?


Let’s Do Lunch!Let’s Do Lunch is a Student Life program that enables students to invite a faculty member to dine at Café Alki, Alhadeff Grill or the cafeteria. Students obtain a Let’s Do Lunch application in Student Life, JMB Student Center 135. The student then needs to obtain the instructor’s signature on the application to confirm an appointment has been made. A $30 meal ticket is then issued to the student. After lunch, the student and instructor will be asked to complete a simple evaluation form. For more information call 934-6750.

Open Enrollment InformationBenefit Changes for 2012Below are websites to assist you in understanding the benefit changes coming for 2012, and instructions for completing the changes you decide to make during the Open Enrollment period Nov 1 – 30, 2011. Information can also be found on Inside Seattle Colleges under Payroll and Benefits/Benefits Open Enrollment. Please contact Theresa Leahy with any questions at 934-4115 or [email protected].

Find the following information on the PEBB home page: Open Enrollment Videos http://www.pebb.hca.wa.gov/emp_meddental_video.html

Group Health 2012 Certification of Coverage https://asset.ghc.org/ghc-resources/pdf/employer/fehb- brochure.pdf

Uniform Medical Plan (Classic) 2012 Certification of Coverage

http://www.ump.hca.wa.gov/medical/docs/ump_classic_2012_coc.pdf

Posting & Publicity PolicyGet the permission you need to display your flyers and posters on campus.

If you are: Receive Permission From: Student Life / D & R staff Student Life, JMB 135

Faculty/Campus Department PIO, RSB 154 Community Member PIO, RSB 154

CommencementPositive feedback was received regarding this year’s afternoon commencement at Benaroya Hall. In 2012, Spring quarter ends on Friday, June 15, and South’s commencement would normally be Thursday, June 14; however, Benaroya is already booked. Therefore, South’s commencement will take place on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 2:30 p.m. at Benaroya. Important note: The change in date affects the 2011-2012 instructional calendar (June 14 should be June 19).

Year One and CountingThe college has submitted its Year-One Accreditation Report to the Northwest Commission. The document identifies our mission, our four core themes, and how we intend to measure them.

TRIO RenewedSouth Seattle Community College’s TRiO-Talent Search grant has been renewed by the US Department of Education for the period 2011-2016. This is good news for more than 600 Highline and Seattle Public School students served each year under the grant, which provides a comprehensive array of intensive college access services to low-income students who would be the first in their family to attend college.

Nuevo DomainTo support marketing efforts targeting the Latino(a)/Hispanic population, South has created a new landing page, PorqueSouth.com. It complements our other targeted sites, WhySouth.com and WhyGeorgetown.com, that all link to our main college site.

Lunch & LearnThe Office of Diversity and Retention is hosting two sessions to discuss the book, Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment: A Developmental Strategy to Liberate Everyone, by L. Nieto and M. Boyer.The sessions will be held in Brockey 135 on Tuesday, November 15 and Thursday, January 19,11:30 – 12:30 pm. For reading material please contact [email protected].


There’s a STORM a’brewin’The Seattle Community Colleges Basketball season has started.There are both men’s and women’s teams. Schedules are listed on the North website. Home games are free for all students, staff and faculty within the District. Just show your current ID. Go Storm!

College Council College Council is a means for issues of campus-wide concern to be conveyed to the president. Students, faculty or staff can suggest items to be added to the council’s agenda. All campus constituents are welcome to attend council meetings.

Many thanks to 2011-12 Chair Catherine McCollum and her group for their continued hard work and dedication.

ClassifiedCatherine McCollum, Suzanne Sittner, Mike Rudnev, Pablo Basilio, Pedro Reyes

Faculty Paula Herd, Marla Lockhart, Jennifer Evans

ExemptKatie Frazier, Ben Taves, Kelly DeForrest

Standing MemberRicardo Leyva-Puebla

StudentsEric Owen, Dante Obcena

EDAC (Exempt Development Activities Committee)Mission Statement: EDAC coordinates and facilitates communication and professional development opportunities for South’s exempt employees, which further enhances the campus community.

EDAC Committee Members Years on CommitteeDuncan Burgess 2Kelly DeForrest 2Ellen Gordon-Georgetown Campus 1Lauren Hadley-Georgetown Campus 2Cessa Heard-Johnson, Chair 2Chad Hickox 2May Toy Lukens-Title III 1Laura Matson-Continuing Education 1Irina Minasova 2Kathy Vedvick, Standing Member

Upcoming MeetingsEDAC Management Meetings (6th Tuesday of every quarter)Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 2 – 3:30 pm, Little TheaterTuesday, May 8, 2012, 2 – 3:30 pm, Little Theater

District-wide Management/Exempt Committee MeetingsWinter QuarterTuesday, March 13, 2012, 2 – 4 pm, CentralSpring QuarterTuesday , May 22, 2012, 2 – 4 pm, North

did you know?

Student Outreach On The Go!10/1 FAIR: Bridge the Gap Resource Fair Renton Pavilion Event Center10/1 PRESENTATION: Filipino American Educators of Washington’s Pista Sa Iskwela Cleveland HS10/18 PRESENTATION: Chief Sealth Seniors Chief Sealth HS10/19 FAIR: Kent Phoenix Academy Fair Kent Phoenix Academy10/19 FAIR: Renton School District College Fair Hazen HS10/19 FAIR: Federal Way SD Fair Performing Arts Center Decatur HS10/25 FAIR: Rainier Beach HS (UW Ambassador Program) Fair Rainier Beach HS10/26 Seattle Community College’s College Bound Kick Off South Seattle Community College (78 students!)10/28 FAIR: TYEE Mini-College Fair TYEE Campus11/02 PRESENTATION: Transition Day South Seattle Community College11/04 FAIR: National College Fair Seattle Convention Center11/04 FAIR: National College Fair Seattle Convention Center

Upcoming Events11/22 PRESENTATION: Seattle Christian School 11/22 FAIR: Pacific Middle School11/29 PRESENTATION: High Point Seattle Housing Authority’s Higher Ed Project11/30 TOUR: Collins HS12/1 FAIR: Lindbergh HS Trades Fair12/3 PRESENTATION: White Center Community Summit WC Heights Elementary12/13 PRESENTATION: New Holly Seattle Housing Authority Higher Ed Project New Holly

Fitness Center HoursMonday & Wednesday: 12 – 4 pmTuesday: 9 – 4 pmThursday: 9 – 6 pm Friday: 12 – 5 pmClosed Saturday and Sunday


did you know?

2012 NISOD EXCELLENCE AWARDSFaculty RecognitionEach year South Seattle Community College honors two South faculty members with NISOD Excellence Awards for outstanding teaching and service to the college. This award is bestowed annually by the National Institute for Staff and Organization Development (NISOD) Community College Leadership Program through the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin.

Cafeteria ConfigurationsNew study space has been designated in the Cafeteria Monday-Friday from 2 – 6 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am – 1 pm. Funds from S&A fees will pay for an hourly staffer to monitor the area. In addition, a reserved table for faculty and staff has been designated to encourage colleagues to join each other for lunch.

Award recipients will be recognized at the 2012 NISOD International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, to be held in Austin, Texas, May 27-30. The deadline for nominations is noon, Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Please submit your nominations or request a nomination to mailstop 4RS 202 or by email [email protected]. Both hard-copy and

email nominations will be accepted. You may re-submit a previous nomination. Please verify with Karen that she has the previously nominated materials and information.Eligible candidates for this award include both part-time and full-time faculty, as defined in the SCCFT Contract. Nominations may be made by any member of the college community (faculty, staff, students, or administrators), including self nominations.

Administrative Service Team WorkshopsThe Administrative Service’s Team will be providing workshops once a month on a variety of subjects. All workshops will be held from 2-3 pm in Olympic Hall 206.The schedule for the year is as follows:December 9 Safety and Security January 10 BudgetFebruary 10 EH&SMarch 9 TravelApril 10 Facilities update/processesMay 10 Q&A session with the Administrative Service’s TeamJune 11 Media ServicesJuly 10 ITS updateAugust 10 Q&A with the Administrative Service’s TeamSeptember 10 JMB/Rental processes/ Meeting Room Manager

Skill-Up at GeorgetownOn November 3, President Oertli welcomed attendees at the Skill-Up Washington conference held at our Georgetown Campus. The conference theme was Giving Credit Where Credit is Due: Strategies for Turning Life Experience into College Credit, and featured a panel that included Chancellor Wakefield and Georgetown Campus Executive Director Holly Moore.

Career Link RecordsThe recently-released 2010-2011 Career Link Annual Report shows record enrollment, record diversity, and record success. Highlights: the program served students from 59 schools in 19 districts; over 70% of the Career Link students were students of color; and quarter-to-quarter retention averaged 90%. The program served 144 students, and awarded 46 diplomas, up from 15 in 2007-2008.

South a Top ProducerThe Institute of International Education and the Fulbright Program’s sponsor, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, has recognized South as one of this year’s Fulbright Scholarship “top producers.” Top-producing institutions in all Carnegie Classifications were highlighted in the October 24 digital edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education. Fulbright Scholar Program campus representative Mary Jo White, South’s Dean of Education Services, was also recognized for her strong contributions to the program’s success at South.

College Bound SuccessSouth welcomed 78 College Bound Scholarship students from Chief Sealth, Cleveland, Rainier Beach, and West Seattle High School to campus on October 26. They are among the first group of College Bound-eligible students who will be graduating in spring 2012 from the Seattle Public Schools. In post-event evaluations, the majority of students found the sessions overall to be “helpful” in their understanding of college.


President’s ForumAn informal President’s Forum was held on November 7, in the President’s Boardroom. These forums offer students, staff, and faculty an opportunity to informally discuss issues and current South news. The next forum is on Monday, December 5.

Scholarship Recipients A ceremony was held to honor South’s five

recipients of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)/

Walmart Foundation Scholarship. (L to R) Theresa Teleni, Paul Nguyen, Meiling Cheng, Vi Nguyen, and Misi Tupuola.President Oertli represented South at

the APIASF 6th Annual Today’s Minds, Tomorrow’s Future™ Scholarship Benefit on November 1 in New York City. Ten South students have received APIASF scholarship

in the past two years.

Newly-Tenured FacultyKristin Lysaker (L), Engilsh as Second Language and David Weber, Welding.


Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell held a press

conference in the Aviation building to announce a $20

million grant to increase training for the aerospace

industry. South’s share will be $1.4 million.

(Pictured L-R) Garden President Jonathan Geiger, South President Gary Oertli, former President Peter Ku and Chancellor Jill Wakefield unveil the plaque that will be placed at the entrance to the Courtyard.

The Seattle Chinese Garden celebrated its partnership with South Seattle Community College with a wine reception on October 3 in the Knowing the Spring Courtyard. A plaque was dedicated to past presidents Jerry Brockey, Peter Ku, and David Mitchell as well as current President Gary Oertli, Chancellor Jill Wakefield and the college faculty and staff who have worked together to help create the Garden. A selection of wines from the Northwest Wine Academy were served to the guests.

South President Gary Oertli flanked by the Senators and industry representatives.

Celebrating a Partnership!

A Great Day for South!


Chad Hickox and Aimee Goodwin are married! But not to each other: Pictured (L-R) maids of honor Sandy Long and Danisha Rawlings, Chad and Aimee representing Academics Programs on Halloween.

Before and AfterVolunteers have been working hard in the Arboretum to create a beautiful garden and pathway. They did all the

work by hand so the work went slowly, but thanks to all the dedicated alumni, students and South’s Claire Hendrickson,

there is a lovely new spot in the Arboretum.

Continuing Education Director Luisa Motten was surprised with a milestone birthday celebration which

included a beautiful and delicious cake baked by South’s own pastry department.


FallEvents calendar

Thursday, November 3 – Wednesday, December 14Nichole C. DeMent“Oracle”Art Gallery; 934-5337

Thursday, November 17Wine Tasting1 – 4 pm Northwest Wine Academy; 934-5809

Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19Northwest Wine Academy Fall Release12 – 5 pm Northwest Wine AcademySaturday, Bicycles for Humanity will be collecting used bikes to send to Africa.934-6846

Sunday, November 20Music Northwest presents EUROPA in Russian Masterpieces3 pm Olympic Recital HallGeneral admission $18; Seniors $16Free for students age 25 and under, must be reserved in advance.(206) 937-2899

Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25Thanksgiving.College is closed!!

Thursday, December 1Leadership Methods in Project Management with Cass Tang, PMP7:30 – 10 am Georgetown CampusRegister: http://bizbreakfast.eventbrite.com

Thursday, December 1 and Friday, December 2Northwest Wine Academy Holiday Wine Tasting1 – 4 pm Northwest Wine Academy934-6846

Monday, December 5Informal President’s Forum1 – 2 pm President’s Boardroom

Save the DateTuesday, June 19, 2012South’s Commencement2:30 pm Benaroya Hall

Our Core ThemesStudent Achievement

Teaching and Learning

College Culture and Climate

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Follow us at twitter.com/SouthSeattleCCFind us on Facebook at southseattle.edu/facebook

Garden Center Blog: pugetridge.blogspot.com


In the news

Links to the following articles may be found in News & Press on South’s website.

College-bound scholars tour South, West Seattle Herald, 10/27/11.

Les Dames scholarship endowments benefit South students, West Seattle Herald, 10/25/11.

Family and friends say good-bye to Ed Kingston, West Seattle Herald, 10/22/11.

Senators Cantwell & Murray unveil new program to train aerospace workers, Airport Business, 10/17/11.

Veterans Club organizing at SSCC, West Seattle Herald, 10/14/11.

Aerospace training in state gets $20 million boost from federal grant, The Herald, 10/15/11.

Strengthening Washington’s dominance over aerospace, KEPRTV.com, 10/14/11.

Senators in West Seattle to announce job training program, West Seattle Blog, 10/14/11.

Story of our prisons is a crime (profile of South student), Seattle Times, 10/10/11.

Garden salutes South Seattle Community College, Seattle Chinese Garden Blog, 10/06/11.

Education is a viable solution to the jobs crisis, Huffington Post, 9/28/11.

Awards announced under TAARP to benefit South, West Seattle Herald, 9/26/11.

Passionate Civil War expert offers course, West Seattle Herald, 9/24/11.

Two recent West Seattle Herald articles about our student veterans:

South Veterans Club President Ryan Shannon was interviewed on KING TV’s New Day Northwest in a segment about the Hometown Heroes raffle that benefits the Veterans Innovations Program (VIP) fund.

Ryan was also featured in the Lottery’s video about the Hometown Heroes raffle that concluded on November 11.

411 on the 934Here’s the latest ...What are we doing to notify our community?To ease the transition to the new ‘934’ prefix, we’ve rolled out intercept messages for callers still using the old prefixes to reach the Seattle Community Colleges. The courtesy connect intercept messages advise callers that the prefix they’ve dialed has been changed to ‘934’, and then the courtesy connect completes the call. Next month, we’ll change this intercept to one that advises callers of the prefix change, but doesn’t complete the call. This will further encourage callers to use ‘934’ to reach the Seattle Community Colleges, as they’ll be advised to hang up and redial using the new prefix.

What can I do?• If you haven’t done so already, please use ‘934’.• Change your email signature to reflect the new prefix

(and new email address: first name.last [email protected])

• Let your students, colleagues, vendors, etc., know of the change.

• Change your contact information on any distribution lists you may be a member of.

• Help get the word out.• Please remember to order new business cards to

reflect the prefix and email changes. If you have any questions about ordering contact Mary Kohl at

934-6873, [email protected].

Does this change include fax numbers?Yes, fax numbers have also changed to the 934 prefix.You’ll want to change your fax cover sheet information to reflect the new number.

What about your old prefix? Will it still work?Yes, your old prefix will continue to work through the end of the year. The intercept message will only be played for callers dialing the old prefix. If they’re dialing your new “934” number, the call will connect directly.

If you have any questions, please contact Betty Lunceford at 934-4195, [email protected].


South Staff StuffWelcome New Staff! Sergio OlivaresMedia Technician SeniorSergio will be supporting media services equipment, hardware and software in the Media Services Department. He has extensive experience in college level media support as well as special technical skills. He was the Media Director at Baptist Bible College in Missouri for the last six years and recently moved back to Seattle.

On the Move!Laura KingstonInterim Associate Dean of Academic ProgramsLaura returns to South as the Interim Associate Dean after a brief time at the Siegal Center where she has been the district Faculty Development Coordinator since the beginning of the current academic year. She is a tenured English instructor at South and was one of the founding members of the Teaching ad Learning Center Association program. Laura brings nine years of teaching experience, including two years at Western Washington University where she earned a Master’s degree in 2003.

Ali Omar TRiO Student Success Services, Learning SpecialistOmar is a TRiO-SSS/South alumnus who graduated from the University of Washington in 2011 earning a BA in Medical Anthropology and Global Health with a Minor in Human Rights.

Contact PIO 4-6 weeks prior to an event you want publicized via press release and/or readerboard.

The Update is South’s monthly newsletter produced by the Public Information Office: Glenn Gauthier, Graphic Design Specialist and Photographer; Candace Oehler, Interim Director Communications; Mary Kohl, Communications Assistant; Jason Gruenwald, Web Manager.

We want to hear from you!

More photos? Go to the G drive, PIO folder, Photos of South folder.

Autasia “Sia” SagiaoFitness Center Coordinator for Campus Recreation/LifeSia is a recent graduate of South and worked in the Fitness Center while attending school. He was among the first group to graduate with an AA degree with the emphasis on API (Asian Pacific Islander) Studies.

Kilia ShanklinIntramural Activities Coordinator for Campus Recreation/Student LifeKilia graduated from South in 2007 and went on to earn a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Washington and is now working on a BS in Physiology. She will be working to provide students with new opportunities in intramural sports and recreational activites.

South Seattle Community College

“Serving the campus since 1977” November 15, 2011

Wine ReleaseNovember 14

(L-R) Rochelle Tapscott and Heather Foss

(L-R) Representatives Joe Fitzgibbon, and Bob Hasegawa, Catherine Arnold and Robert Williams of Union Bank, Phyllis Gutierrez-Kenney, South Seattle Community College President Gary Oertli.

Congratulations!

Christa Colouzis was awarded the 2011 Jobsite “Shero” Award by Washington Women in Trades. Christa is an Environmental, Health & Safety Specialist here at South. She and the other awardees were honored at the fifth annual Dream Big Dinner on November 5.

Washington Women in Trades Association was founded in 1978 by and for women working in the trades to gather and share information. The goal is to educate, promote, celebrate and facilitate access for women in the skilled trades.


Student Eric Roux gave a special bagpipe concert for his rock music class. Eric is an enthusiastic piper and also a member of the Elliot Bay Pipe Band. How does this bagpipe playing relate to rock music you ask? Instructor Diane Schmidt confirms AC/DC has recorded with bagpipes.

This series will focus on how to provide a welcoming and safe environment for all underrepresented groups. The goal is to provide opportunities where individuals can gain knowledge and understanding to further equity and social justice for students and staff of underrepresented religious affiliation, social economic status, race, undocumented and more. Workshops will include current issues in Higher Ed, panels and interactive activities.

Workshops take place from 1:30 – 4 pm in the Brockey Center.

Thursday, December 8, 2011Allyship/Advocacy

Friday, February 17, 2012Ability/Age

Thursday, April 12, 2012Race/National Orgin

Friday, May 18, 2012LGBTQ

Thursday, June 14Religion

If interested, you must RSVP to Ricardo Leyva-Puebla at [email protected], or call (206) 934-6455.

Participants will be certified Safe Zones Allies if they attend 5 out of 6 workshops. The first, second and fifth modules are mandatory for any participants to be officially certified.

Diversity Workshops Z NE

Safe

National Coming Out DayOctober 11


Good food! Good fun!Please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the food bank.

Wednesday, December 7, 20112:30 – 4:00 p.m., Brockey Center

Lots of games!Lots of prizes!

Festive Dress!!!


International Student Transfer Fair The International Student Transfer Fair was held

November 3 in the Brockey Center. There were 48 schools represented and student attendance was

way up from last year.

End of an Era! New Electronic Readerboards are Here!!!

Management MeetingOn October 18, South welcomed our colleagues to

the quarterly District-wide Management Meeting. Highlights included updates from the Chancellor and

Chief Human Resources Officer Charles Sims.


We Will Miss You Mike! The staff said goodbye to Dean Mike Ryan who is leaving South to relocate with his family in sunny and warm Arizona.

CAmPus Security Reports

October 3Security received a report that a student’s personal belongings were stolen from a locker in the men’s locker room. The locker was not locked. A pair of Levis, a jacket, and a Samsung Galaxy cellphone were taken. The total loss was $335. There are no suspects at this time.

October 4A WorkSource employee reported a male individual was driving recklessly in the South parking lot. The driver was speaking loudly and appeared to be either on the phone or video recording himself. When asked by the head of security if there was a problem, the individual pointed toward the WorkSource employee, accused him of complaining about him, and stated he was going to sue. The driver refused to identify himself and then made a gesture toward both of the men. He then sped away. Seattle Police Department was called.

October 10A student parked and locked his bike outside the Foundation offices. The lock on the bike was cut and the bike was stolen. There are no suspects.

October 13An automotive instructor reported a verbal altercation between two students. The students were asked to leave. The students remained and the fight escalated almost to the point of physical violence with one student removing his shirt. The instructor interceded and both students left the campus. The cause of the confrontation is unknown.

October 26After having a conversation with the suspect at the bus stop, a student reported the suspect began to stalk her. The suspect stood outside the victim’s classroom and continued to follow her despite being clearly told to leave her alone. The victim was walking with a witness when the suspect handed them a note. The note upset the victim who then reported the incident to Student Services.


Closure Annoucement Posting Sites(as circumstances allow):

• www.schoolreport.org• Local television and radio stations (using schoolreport.org

information)• Main campus phone message line (206) 764-5300 • www.southseattle.edu (Use “refresh” to ensure you see

updated information.) • Campus Alert to computers and cell phones (sign up

required: https://alert.seattlecolleges.edu/LogIn.aspx )• Official South Facebook (southseattle.edu/facebook) and

Twitter (twitter.com/SouthSeattleCC) sites

Only closures are announced. (Broadcast media do not accept “we’re open” messages because they create confusion.)

Don’t call Security; they are not in the closure decision loop and do not have road information.

Closure Announcement TimingDay classes/officesConditions permitting, decision announced by 5 a.m. Evening classes/officesConditions permitting, decision announced by 2 p.m. SaturdaysCampus decisions and announcements will be made if students and staff are on campus for classes or workshops.

SundaysColleges will make individual determinations for any campus activity.

Weekends during break periods as listed on the District Instructional CalendarColleges will make individual determinations for any campus activity.

Single campus closuresEach campus will make its own decision and announcement for closure due to weather-related emergencies such as snow, or in situations that affect only one campus (such as power outage, fire). The decision will be communicated to the chancellor or designate.

District-wide closuresIn event of widespread or catastrophic emergency, a decision and announcement will be the same for all campuses and offices of the district, following discussion by the college presidents and chancellor (or their designees), or by the Emergency Communications Committee, as called for in the district-wide emergency communications plan.

Weather Closure ProcessNOTE: In a power outage, the campus phone system will operate only for about 30 minutes of backup power, and our web site could be impacted.

Campus divisions, offices, faculty and staff should change their personal recorded telephone greeting to reflect closure information. This can be done from home by dialing (206) 587-6999, entering your extension, password, then pressing 3 and following the instructions for changing your personal greeting.

If the campus is open, but you are unable to get here, notify your department. Call or leave a message on your department’s main phone line, not on a support staff member or administrator’s personal line. If your message is left on a main line, anyone who makes it to campus can retrieve the message.

As your own status or the campus status changes, please update your personal voice mail message immediately, so that students and staff are able to get the most current information. Don’t rely solely on your department’s support staff to be able to relay your status to students.

For contracted events at South (e.g., a meeting in the Brockey Center) alternate closure action may be necessary. For example, if meeting participants are able to reach the campus and wish to continue their meeting, that event location on the campus may need to remain open. Decisions about specific building opening/closing and staffing in these situations will be made by the President or designate and senior staff involved.

I implore you

to wear

warm attire.

Emergency Closure Communications

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