Today’s Friday letter is one part soapbox and one part shout out. Let me pull out the bullhorn.
The soapbox…
In a little more than a week, we will exercise our democratic right to vote. We will (hopefully) think about the impact of the various candidates and ballot measures, and will make decisions based on how we believe they’ll affect our country, our communities, our families, and us as individuals.
As the election process unfolds, I want first to recognize that people often experience real and overpowering emotions when results do not align with how they voted. I want to encourage us to remember that, while we may disagree that certain outcomes are “for the best,” the value of a democracy is to allow for a multiplicity of views. It is my hope that we will live our Cascadia values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and engage one another in productive exchanges of ideas and beliefs. Despite the outcomes next week, our collective efforts to educate, inform, and discuss remain the foundation of our community.
Election 2018 provides us with an opportunity to talk about the challenges in our country as well as the different methods available to us to resolve them. It also gives us an opportunity to model the civility so needed in the rest of the country. I hope we can be that example for others.
Stepping off the soapbox and focusing the spotlight on…
…The United Way Benefits Hub. It is now up and running in the ARC. United Way representatives provide services regarding financial coaching, housing navigation, access to food & utilities assistance, and so much more. They are engaging UW and Cascadia faculty & staff to assist with the coaching. Thanks to those who are participating. I encourage you to send students there who might need services and to stop by yourself to check it out. I did yesterday. I hope it catches on.
…Our folks in Financial Aid. “In our ever-growing efforts to provide a seamless admissions process for students, I want to give a huge shout out to the Student Financial Services team. Deann has been open to partnering with Outreach & Admissions efforts in offering FAFSA/WASFA support for events on campus, and off. Most recently, she allowed time in Brett & Martin’s schedules to attend three high school financial aid events – presentations, individual support, and Spanish language translation (gracias, Martin!). Also, a shout out to Tracy & Shawn for opening up time, and to Fidely for also supporting Spanish language efforts. Really, it sends a strong message to our local area high schools that we are here to serve the students and provide accurate and attainable information. Huge thank you to sharing time and efforts!” (- from Sara)
…Our Disability Support Services. October is Disability Awareness Month and to celebrate, Disability Support Services (DSS) and The Center for Culture, Inclusion, and Diversity presented a student panel yesterday that examined current issues of accessibility and allowed reflection upon participants’ experiences. It was a great opportunity to promote independence, integration, and inclusion for all individuals with disabilities. Thanks to Brian and Larissa for your leadership.
…International visitors. This week International Programs hosted a group of Japanese High School students. They were 38 students and 4 chaperones from Seisho High School in Nara prefecture. They engaged in a variety of science-oriented activities on- and off-campus throughout the week. The program was made possible by Peggy Harbol (Chemistry) and Pat Malek (IS) who connected me with Japanese scientists in Seattle a year ago, and also by Midori Sakura (Earth and Environmental Sciences) who kindly agreed to provide the wetlands tour to the group. Without their help, Cascadia wouldn’t have been chosen as their program destination and it is truly our grassroots effort that brought this high school to Cascadia. Thank you, Peggy, Pat and Midori!
…The Cascadia Foundation. Thank you for such outstanding participation in its first survey. Now for part two. On Monday, the Foundation will be inviting you to participate in a shorter follow-up survey. You will be able to find it on the homepage of go.cascadia, along with a summary of results from the first survey. Or you can access it through this link. If completed by 5:00 pm Friday, November 2nd, you will be entered in a drawing to win a $25.00 gift card from Stopwatch Espresso.
… Bowling. This week’s highlight goes out to Team Nevermore. At the top of the picture, Sharon Saxton (and moving clockwise), Charles Sapien, Marah Selves, (frequent substitutes) Zeke and Ely Levett, and Chris Byrne.
Shout outs and program awareness can be forwarded to FLShoutout@cascadia.edu.
Have a great weekend.
Integrate It! 
