Western Weekly for April 1, 2009

DATE: April 1, 2009 4:39:02 PM PDT

WWU launches new events calendar

Western Washington University has launched its new events calendar, the goal of which is to list in one place all WWU events that are open to the public. Visit the calendar here.

"The Omnivore's Dilemma" selected as next Western Reads book

WWU has selected Michael Pollan's acclaimed "Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals" as the Western Reads book for the 2009-2010 academic year.

All new freshman and transfer students will receive a complimentary copy of "Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals" at orientation while other students may purchase the book at a discount. All will be invited to participate in a variety of Western Reads activities during the academic year, including discussions, faculty presentations and guest lectures.

Daniel Guyette named new dean of CFPA

Daniel Guyette has been appointed to serve as dean for the College of Fine and Performing Arts, Provost Dennis Murphy announced this week.

"It became clear through the interview process that Dr. Guyette had strong support from both the search committee and members of the College," said Murphy. "We're excited he's going to be here, and we look forward to many long years of service."

Guyette, the current dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of South Dakota, will begin at Western on July 1, and was selected following a national search. He will replace Ron Riggins.

Home sports this week

Sun., April 5
- Track: WWU Multi-Events, all day at Civic Stadium in Bellingham

Mon., April 6
- Track: WWU Multi-Events, all day at Civic Stadium in Bellingham

The Skagit Valley Herald

Budget cuts could hurt colleges for years
It could take years for the higher education system to recover from “draconian” budget cuts that the state Senate and House are proposing, said Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard.

“(The cuts) are unlike anything any state has ever done,” Shepard said Tuesday after the House unveiled its proposal. “It would take us out of the running in a competitive market.”

The Seattle Times

OPINION: Tuition wars coming
The tuition wars are coming. Over the next few weeks, Washington residents will have to think hard about what they are willing to pay to maintain quality and access at institutions of higher learning.

Budget negotiators in Olympia must now hammer out a deal
The final fight over how to hack billions out of the state budget kicked off Tuesday with the release of the House proposal. Negotiators from the House, Senate and Governor's Office will move back behind closed doors to work out a compromise, now that all three branches have released their spending plans for the next two years.

OPINION: Even slimmed down, the state must put education first
The budget released by the Washington State Senate reflects the harsh realities of the state's economy. Given the size of the problem — $6 billion shortfall after the receipt of federal stimulus money — most of the $3.8 billion in program cuts make sense. Lawmakers should cut the number of state employees more and education less. Every dollar spent on education represents the best possible social program and wisest long-term investment.

The Bellingham Herald

House budget released - higher ed hit hard
The Washington House released its budget today, and higher education is taking the biggest hit. The House version calls for cutting $683 million from higher education, compared with the Senate’s call for cutting $513 million.
But, K-12 education is saved a bit in the House budget, which includes $625 million in cuts, compared with $877 million in the Senate budget. Now the work begins to combine the budgets.

WWU student wins design contest
Western Washington University junior Justin Lund recently won the Gold Award at the 2009 Northwest Design Invitational for invention.
Lund, an Industrial Design major from Waterloo, Iowa, designed a timer that helps children monitor their computer use. BEEP helps deter arguments about getting off the computer by reminding kids how long it’s been and putting the computer to sleep after a set amount of time.

Job losses, real estate market hurting Whatcom County
With the weather finally getting better, will Canadians travel across the border into Whatcom County? The numbers don't look promising so far. During the last three months, the number of southbound border crossings in Whatcom County has been between 648,173 and 687,413 each month - which is less than the months following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks eight years ago, according to the data from the Western Washington University Center for Economic Business Research.

Both Ferndale superintendent finalists have WWU backgrounds
A California school administrator and former Whatcom County administrator have been selected as finalists for the open superintendent position in the Ferndale School District.Superintendent Roger Lehnert is retiring at the end of the 2008-09 school year, after leading the district for 19 years.

Sports news this week:Vikings in sixth place after two rounds; WWU's Flem out for season; Western softball falls on the road; Rowing wins four races at Daffodil Regatta; Central sweeps in softball; Myre leads Vikes at Spring Break Open; Graham leads West all-stars

Kennedy Space Center

Veteran shuttle astronauts selected for Hall of Fame induction
WWU's George “Pinky” Nelson, William M. Shepherd and James D. Wetherbee will join an elite group of American space heroes as they are inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame during a public ceremony at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Saturday, May 2, 2009. They will be welcomed to the ranks of legendary space pioneers like Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Jim Lovell, Sally Ride and John Young - distinguished members of this unique Hall of Fame.

Canada.com

Simon Fraser to apply for Division II membership, would join GNAC
Simon Fraser University will apply for NCAA Division II membership by this year's June 1 deadline and, if approved, plans to move all its teams there by the 2011-12 season.

SFU would join the D2 Great Northwest Athletic Conference, which includes the likes of Western Washington University.

WWU News Releases

The fine print: Western Weekly is compiled and edited by Matthew Anderson in the Office of University Communications. Some links have time limitations and may not be accessible in the near future. A few articles may require registration to view. If you prefer to be removed from this list, e-mail matthew.anderson@wwu.edu. For the latest Western athletics news and schedules, see http://wwuvikings.cstv.com/.

printer friendly