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Volume 42 | Issue 5
SFCC security takes precautions after MLK bomb threat Ashley Hiruko Lauren Miller
The Communicator The bomb threat against Spokane on Jan. 17 had SFCC take additional safety precautions in case of life threatening emergencies. “If you ever see anyone who is acting suspiciously or a suspicious package or activity, the first thing you should do is call security,” Dennis Hauenstein, Head of Campus Security, said. The number for campus security is posted on all
building entrances. If a student makes a report it must be detailed so that security can fully assess the situation. According to Hauenstein, campus security stayed alert during the Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon because of the attempted bombing downtown. “We just figured that we needed to act so we implemented our emergency management program,” Hauenstein said. “We met with the administrators in the morning, figured out a plan, called the Spokane Police Department and talked to their liaison to get help from them. “We ended up not locking down the building but we posted people inside to look for suspicious packages.” During the luncheon, there were Spokane Police offi-
cers patrolling the parking lot and campus. Extra security was in place asking teachers and students to leave backpack and bags at the door. “Given the incident downtown on Monday, let us be more attentive today in our efforts to monitor any backpacks or other suspicious items left alone near or around this event today,” Gregory Roberts, Associate Dean of Student Life, said in a precautionary email. Though no threats were made to the school, SFCC has been trying to raise vigilance among teachers and students. “We’re the people who go to the problem,” Hauenstein said. “If you’re in a room and someone is out in the hall SECURITY | Page 2
CCS Foundation offers scholarships Stephen Artman
The Communicator Tuition costs a full-time SFCC student $934 or more per quarter. With scholarships, the entire cost can be covered. Financial aid can offer assistance. However, even if a student qualifies it may not cover all of their needs. Student loans can cover the entire cost of school, except every cent borrowed needs to be paid back. Scholarships, on the other hand, offer what is essentially free money. Investing an hour or two into applying for a scholarship can result in hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in aid.
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SCHOLARSHIPS | Page 2
Simplified math placement procedures for incoming students My Math Test (MMT) will be extended for placement through pre-calculus Lauren Miller
The Communicator New math placement tests and standards are coming to campus. On Jan. 13 the Testing Center and Math Department met to discuss the placement process. It was concluded that “SFCC will discontinue using the Math Placement Test- General (MPTG) as part of its placement process. In its place, SFCC will extend MMT testing up to or through Precalculus and then use COMPASS for higher level
INDEX
placement.” These developments are expected to be in place March 15. “Transition is hard sometimes when adjustments must be made along the way,” Jim Minkler, Vice President of Learning, said. “But we will get it right, and I think we are well on our way to doing a much better job of placing students in the correct math courses so they can be successful.” Math testing is also now a required step for new students. Until recently only the English placement test was required to sign up for classes. “The policy has been changed beMATH | Page 2
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PERSPECTIVES...................3
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SFCC student Andrew Parish takes My Math Test, a required test for all new SFCC students. Previously, only the English placement test was required to sign up for classes.
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Nicole Denman | The Communicator
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