Small crowd but lively discussion at Shoreline CC public meeting

Shoreline CC public meeting

Text and photos by Steven H. Robinson

Shoreline Community College held an open meeting on Thursday, June 13, 2019 to give the public an opportunity to hear about the College’s future plans – including the student residence hall slated to open in fall and a new Allied Health, Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing Building in the works.

It was an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to College leadership.

Very few citizens attended the event, but they were rewarded by being able to ask every question they had.

All questions were answered completely

QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC:

What will be happening to remove the traffic bottleneck at the intersection of N 160th and Innis Arden Way?

SCC is working with the city and school district to redesign the traffic flow. Construction will be completed by 2025. Prior to the dormitory's opening, sidewalks will be improved along N 160th, Greenwood Avenue and the north side of Innis Arden Way leading to the front of the College.

Does the college intend to preserve the soccer field and track or turn it into a parking lot?

At the current time there are no plans to change the soccer field and track. There is currently no plan to create parking in that area of campus.

How is the college addressing lower enrollment?

The college has noticed a small reduction in state students and and a substantial decrease in out of state students. This has resulted in the reduction of the budget for the college. This is a challenge throughout higher education in the state and nation.

The college has developed strategies for the coming academic year to cover the downturn in the budget without going to drastic cuts. All departments are helping to make some cuts in their budget and full-time employees should be covered for the coming academic year. Strategies for recruiting students to SCC are being implemented.

How does the college fit into the 'Pre-Kindergarten - 16 years of education' plan?

The college has various programs in early learning in the community, middle and high schools related to training and interaction in programs. The college has STEM and Bio-tech classes during the summers. There are other programs that encourage academic plans at the college.

Is there permitting in process for the new Health Science and Advanced engineering building, and has a location for the new construction been selected?

The architects for the new building are having a meeting with the campus administrator for the involved programs on Friday June 14. The building was planned for replacement of 70,000 sq ft of current out of date facilities. The approved money provides for only 55,000 sq ft leaving only 3 floors of the four story building able to be built given current costs of construction. The site of the new building will be on land currently occupied by existing buildings which will be removed for new construction. New construction will depend on the outcome of the planning sessions currently taking place.

Is Shoreline considering 4 year degrees and will the college drop community from their name?

There is no plan to drop community from the college’s name. Community is an important part of what Shoreline Community College is to the area. The Board of Trustees has authorized the college to research the addition of a Bachelor degree in Dental Hygiene. The State of Washington will need to approve any 4 yr program at SCC.