[Wsssc] SBCTC Consolidated Email Update

[Lauren Hibbs]

Dear WSSSC,



I want to express my gratitude for your attention to reviewing these important updates. I also want to acknowledge that I've been sending out quite a few emails lately, and I'm conscientious of the impact it may have on your inbox.

To streamline our communication and make it more manageable for you, I'm implementing a new approach. Instead of sending multiple emails throughout the week, I will consolidate all updates and non-urgent information into a single brief email towards the end of the week. This will provide you with a comprehensive overview and reduce the depth and frequency of emails you receive from me. Of course, for urgent or pressing matters that require immediate attention, I will continue to use my best judgment and communicate those as needed.  Your questions or follow-up on these items are always welcome as we strive to improve our processes and ensure effective communication. Below include updates and follow-up items from this recent week.


FAFSA FAQ's Coming Next Week and FAFSA Position Paper in Process
Understandably, FAFSA delays are causing anxiety across our system. To help alleviate at least some of the pressure on colleges, SBCTC will send out two sample FAQs next week: one for students, and the other for faculty and staff.  Colleges can then use, rewrite, or edit without starting from scratch.  A team of SBCTC policy experts representing student services, financial aid, business operations, and IT will vet the FAQs and any subsequent communications to you about FAFSA. You might also find the Washington Student Achievement Council's webpage for students<https://wsac.wa.gov/2024-25-FAFSA-Updates> helpful. SBCTC Laura McDowell is coordinating this communication effort.


Additionally, a collaborative effort is underway to put together a FAFSA Position Paper. A team consisting of small representations from WSSSC, FAC, SBCTC Student Services and IT, and BAC is working on this initiative, with Karl and Krista leading the way. We're making great progress and hope to share the final outcome of our collective efforts in the next few weeks.

Student Success RFP Taskforce
The SS RFP taskforce will have its second meeting next Monday afternoon. An additional member has been added to the taskforce representing FACTC, Lucas Myers, from LCC. Also, the co-chairs have communicated a more ambitious timeline and are intended to move this process through completion in 12 months, not 18 months. WSSSC reps remain Ruby (Lake Washington) and Karl (Tacoma).

ctcLink Prioritization: ctcLink Prioritization Proposal One-Pager<https://www.sbctc.edu/resources/documents/blogs/ctclink-connect/ctclink-prioritization-proposal-one-pager.pdf>
>From WSSSC STAC Liaison, Dave Pelky, "This process is a significantly streamlined process as compared to the original process. It was done essentially at the request of the Presidents to have moved quickly. It should actually streamline the process. I believe Grant and his team as well as STAC have worked to create efficiency in the process. As discussed at our last WSSSC meeting it does continue to require that we continue to move toward common process and practices. I do not believe there are negative impacts to WSSSC or our commissions. It is going to be important that as WSSSC leaders we accept and lead to the common practices that CTC Link requires to work effectively."

Guided Pathways Work Plan Overview
Please see the attached one pager from SBCTC Monica Wilson for an overview of the 2024-2026 Guided Pathways Implementation Work plan.

VP Orientation Diversity Equity and Inclusion Presentation
Sophia Agtarap, Melissa Williams, and Robert Britton presented fantastic resources related to our statewide DEI efforts and legislation during the recent VP Orientation. This document provides all the links, including a great timeline for what needs to be implemented when based on legislation. [?docx icon]  SBCTC EDI helpful links for CTCs.docx<https://sbctcedu-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/sagtarap_sbctc_edu/EWK3ZjwK-DlCvw159paN0noB_xUFNOc7mtbwz0pOnWHwsA?e=0pSbaY>


The Promising Practices Exchange - March 12

This CTC webinar provides an opportunity to highlight "what's working" within our system and dive deeper into emerging areas of opportunity.  We want to hear from colleges on their latest innovation and strategies to make a difference for students. Please visit the Promising Practices Exchange<https://www.sbctc.edu/about/task-forces-work-groups/strategic-enrollment/promising-practices.aspx> to view past webinars and to submit current practices for consideration. Upcoming webinar topics will include March 12, 1:00 - 2:30 pm - "Connections:  Building and Sustaining Innovative Partnerships with Industry and Community-Based Organizations to Improve Economic Mobility for Adult Learners."



Opportunity Grant

We are collaborating across the department to continuously improve various aspects of the Opportunity Grant, including policy and procedure, timelines for the funding survey, and streamlining the program approval process over the coming months. Additionally, we plan to host an educational webinar with stakeholders next fall. Thank you for your patience and stay tuned for more updates!

2025 Legislative Survey Update
WACTC has been provided an extended deadline to March 8 to complete the 2025 WACTC Legislative Priority survey.  Each college will provide their feedback through a single survey completed by their President. WSSSC Executive welcomes your participation to dialogue some of the common legislative priorities within the commission. Contact Claire (Skagit), Rob (Centralia), Patrick (Spokane), Krista (Peninsula), Michele C, (Clarke). or Michele W. (Bellingham Tech). or Jessica Gilmore (Renton Tech).

Student Services 2024 Legislative Appropriations Updates
This past week the House and the Senate posted their initial supplemental budgets. Below include where we are seeing Student Services policy investments.
In the House Budget we see Edmonds College Veterans Support: Funding is provided for students who are military veterans, focusing on counseling services, financial assistance, and reentry services. Higher Ed Opioid prevention ($412k): funding is provided for implementation of Second Substitute House Bill 2112 (Higher ed. opioid prevention) which includes additional opioid and fentanyl prevention education and awareness, including for staff working in residence halls on the use of naloxone. Low-income housing study: Funding is provided for a study on low-income student housing opportunities on community and technical college campuses. A report on the rental housing market, need for low-income student housing, and cost estimates for operating low-income student housing is due June 30, 2025. And fully funding Student Basic Needs Navigators ($553k).
In the Senate Budget:  We see fully funding COLA's. We also see proposal to further the HB 1835 Financial Aid Outreach Specialist ($850k); Funding is provided to expand the Student Aid Outreach and Completion Initiative pilot program in RCW 28B.50.940 to participating community and technical colleges located in Capital Region Educational Service District 113.

Ultimately, we will need to wait to see how these budgets progress and are finalized in the Governor's budget in the next few weeks. Here is where SBCTC posts weekly legislative<https://www.sbctc.edu/blogs/legislative-news/> updates throughout the session.

New Student Services Administrative Assistant, Edith Abbenhaus, eabbenhaus at sbctc.edu<mailto:eabbenhaus at sbctc.edu>
Finally, Student Services welcomes a new administrative assistant, Edith Abbenhaus. We look forward to introducing you to Edith in-person at the spring commission meeting at Centralia.


If you made it here, congratulations, we have a LOT going on, don't we! Thank you for staying engaged and all you are doing to lead our colleges! Have a great weekend!

[Compass]
Lauren Hibbs, Ed.D
Director, Student Services
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
lhibbs at sbctc.edu* o: 360-704-4334 *
sbctc.edu<https://www.sbctc.edu/> * Twitter: @SBCTCWashington<https://twitter.com/SBCTCWashington> * Facebook: @WASBCTC<https://www.facebook.com/wasbctc/>

SBCTC Vision:

"Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities."



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