In the Media

Monday, November 28, 2011 - The Seattle Times

WASHINGTON state cannot afford to gamble with spending on higher education. Lawmakers, who meet for a special session beginning Monday, must reject Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposed $160 million cut to colleges and universities.

That is a nonstarter. No more cuts to higher education, as we said on this page a week ago. Not a penny and certainly do not subject higher education to the whims of recession-weary voters — as the governor is proposing with a half-penny-per-dollar sales tax increase to restore those cuts and others.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - The News Tribune

One question for the people accusing Gov. Chris Gregoire of grabbing for new taxes instead of downsizing state government:
Where on Earth have you been for the last three years?
Faced with the worst fiscal crisis in a lifetime, she and the Legislature have been paring state services relentlessly.
The K-12 system has been squeezed. Washington’s public colleges have lost a third to a half of their state funding, depending on the school. Health insurance for the poor has been nearly strangled. Many state employees have had wages cut or been laid off. State agencies – large and small – have been turned upside down and had the change shaken out of their pockets.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - Puget Sound Business Journal

Microsoft Corp. is weighing in on Gov. Gregoire’s recommendations to close a $2 billion state budget gap, and the Redmond tech giant is calling for state leaders to avoid more cuts to higher education funding.
In a corporate blog post Monday afternoon, Microsoft’s general counsel and senior vice president Brad Smith said “education is the foundation for the state’s future economic growth and the ability of companies to create and fill jobs” in the state.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - The New York Times

On Monday, Congressional leaders failed to agree on a plan to balance the country’s budget. As a result, automatic cuts to federal programs are set to take place beginning in 2013. Student financial aid programs — including Pell Grants — will find their current funding levels in jeopardy unless government officials reach consensus on an alternate approach.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - National Parks Traveler

Its name evokes visions of lofty, snow-covered crags and wild America. A place where few venture far off-road and where wild things roam, an untamed landscape rich with rewards if you have the mettle to explore its mountains.

And yet, while North Cascades National Park was designated in 1968, the park embraces an incomplete landscape, one that could be made more robust and attractive to visitors with the addition of nearly 238,000 acres, according to a group pushing for park expansion.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - The Bellingham Herald

Scientists should communicate with the public about their research. We've been hearing variations on that for years, but a recent decision by a group of scientists to use crowdfunding to ask for research dollars directly from the public has revisited this notion in a new way. I'm excited to be a part of it.
Why is it a good idea for the public to do essentially what it already does - that is, support scientific research? The answer lies in the way it is funded. Crowdfunding relies on a lot of people making a small donation. All these donations add up to a bigger chunk of money that can support a project. It's like paying a little more in taxes, but getting to choose what your money is spent on. With crowdfunding, people choose to support the science that excites them. It gets them engaged in the act of discovery. They are buying into the research. Literally. Most crowdfunded projects offer rewards to the funders -- from a thank-you card to blog updates about the project, these rewards will keep the scientists meaningfully and directly engaged with the people who make their research possible.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - The Bellingham Herald

Teens and parents wanting to learn more about financial aid options for college are invited to upcoming information meetings.
People can choose from two sessions: 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, at Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave., or 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 119 Texas St.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - National Parks Traveler

There is a false sense of security in the National Park System surrounding officially designated wilderness. And political actions, or, rather, inaction, demonstrates why there should be concern for the long-term fate of lands with wilderness qualities.

It is true that the National Park Service manages these lands as de facto wilderness. But there's no assurance that sometime down the road decisions couldn't be made to cut roads into them or build lodges or other facilities within these areas. That's particularly true with current efforts to exempt the Border Patrol from adhering to the Endangered Species Act, The Wilderness Act, and other environmental laws.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - The Bellingham Herald

Forward Kristin Schramm had a team-high 17 points and was named tournament MVP as Western Washington University defeated Northwest University, 87-67, in final-day action Saturday, Nov. 26, at the 15th annual Lynda Goodrich Women's Basketball Classic being held at Sam Carver Gymnasium on the WWU campus.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - The Bellingham Herald

Guard John Allen tied for game-high honors with 22 points, including five critical ones in the final 1:12, lifting Western Washington University to a 78-74 victory over Northwest University in the Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic men's basketball game Saturday at Sam Carver Gymnasium on the WWU campus.
It was the fifth consecutive win for the Vikings, who improved to 7-1 overall. Forward Rory Blanche had 15 points, 13 in the first half, and seven rebounds for WWU.