Board of Trustees Recap for Aug. 18-19

[ Editor’s Note: After each Board of Trustees meeting, Western Today provides a recap of decisions and discussion. ]

WWU Trustees Briefed on Shannon Point Marine Center Outreach

The Western Washington University Board of Trustees heard reports on the marine science public education initiative being conducted by Shannon Point Marine Center (SPMC), during the trustees meeting Aug. 18 and 19 at the marine center.

SPMC Director Steve Sulkin told the trustees that Shannon Point, nationally recognized for its marine research and its education of the next generation of marine scientists, has for many years also reached out to better educate the community about ocean issues and marine science. Although Shannon Point faculty, staff and students have participated in K-12 and community activities in the past, their scope has been limited due to a lack of resources. Recently, however, the marine center has been able to expand those efforts.

The trustees heard from Denise Crowe, public education specialist at SPMC, who described one new program, which is aimed at increasing knowledge of major ocean environmental issues. The new program reaches out to audiences ranging from elementary school children to adults, and includes lectures and other activities that explain issues such as the impact of global climate change on the marine food web, impacts of ocean acidification, causes and effects of toxic algal blooms and other issues that affect human use of the marine environment and its living resources.

A key component of the funding was a $25,000 payment from the Port of Anacortes and $25,000 from Kimberly-Clark to the marine center fund at the Western Washington University Foundation. The effort is also being supported by a $2,100 donation from the Flounder Bay Yacht Club in Anacortes and by $9,500 from the Borman Family Foundation that funded the Mobile Ocean Science Information System that brings living marine organisms to schools and public events in the region.

The trustees also heard from SPMC marine scientist Jude Apple, who described an outreach to community college faculty and students through funding from the Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) program of the National Science Foundation.

For instance, on Aug. 22-26 SPMC will be hosting a Community College Faculty Institute, which will bring together community college educators and scientists who are conducting marine and climate research. During the institute, participants will engage with researchers, evaluate teaching materials, and participate in experiential learning activities. This institute will bring together community college educators and scientists who are conducting marine and climate research. During the institute, participants will engage with researchers, evaluate teaching materials, and participate in experiential learning activities.

Also on the agenda at the Aug. 18-19 Board of Trustees meeting, the trustees:

  • Heard from President Bruce Shepard, Sherry Burkey, associate vice president for University Relations, and Bill Lyne, faculty associate to the president and provost, on highly collaborative and effective efforts during the last legislative session by a wide range of university supporters, including trustees, students, faculty, alumni, parents and many others.
  • Heard a presentation by Provost Catherine Riordan and Steve VanderStaay, vice provost for Undergraduate Education, on academic examples of how Western’s brand is lived out in the classes WWU students take and the experiences they have over the course of their education at Western. Topics covered included the strength and value of Western’s liberal arts core, student satisfaction with opportunities for student/faculty interaction, and recent efforts to preserve and enhance opportunities for dynamic academic engagement.
  • Heard a presentation titled “Rethinking Instructional Space” by Debra Jusak, vice provost for Academic Resources, and Francis Halle, director of Space Administration and Management.
  • Heard a presentation by Rich Van Den Hul, vice president for Business and Financial Affairs, on the Banner Intitiative Project Upgrade.
  • Welcomed John Furman, new director of Facilities Management, and Earl Gibbons, vice provost for Extended Education. Gibbons also made a presentation later in the day Friday titled: “Extended Education: Building on the Past While Preparing for a Bright Future.”
  • Welcomed new student trustee Jacob Whitish.
  • Welcomed 2011-12 Faculty Senate President Karen Stout.
  • Approved a consultant contract for design services for classroom and lab upgrades and delegated the authority to award the consultant contract for the Mathes Hall renovation.
  • Approved a revised policy and procedure on naming university buildings, large open spaces and all other university facilities, and approved a policy for naming colleges and all other institutes, centers and programs.

Meeting documents are available at the Board of Trustees Web site. A replay of the Aug. 18 and 19 meetings is online. View part 1, part 2 and part 3.