ENROLLMENT UPDATE

CAMPUS ENROLLMENT AT SFCC

Post Covid campus looks a lot different

Mattingly Kreider COMMUNICATOR

The last few years colleges across the country have seen a decrease in enrollment. Though undergraduate enrollment has been on the decline even before Covid-19, the pandemic has stopped potential students in their tracks, making them ask the question if college is the right move for them. Since the pandemic Spokane Falls Community College has been different. Even now, Covid cases are down, vaccinations have rolled out but the atmosphere around campus seems to be at a standstill.

“Compared to two years ago, the college is down on enrollment about 10-11%” Jim Brady, Vice President of Learning said. “25% lower compared to three years ago.”

Three years ago was just before the pandemic hit. Slowly, enrollment is creeping up, when the school will get back to the numbers it once was is a bit of a mystery.

“The numbers we are at now, which certainly have gone up in the last quarter, might be the schools normal.” Brady said “returning students and potential first time students had to stop and think what was going to be best for them in the current world we all are living in.”

Right now SFCC has 4,055 students enrolled for fall 2022. Fall 2021, 3,950 students. Fall 2020, 4,260 students. Fall 2019, 5,352 students. Numbers provided by Brian Frederiksen, Institutional Research and Data Assistant.

“It is pretty quiet around here, but it was way quieter last year” said second year student Justefanie Strachan-Goodner “Walking around campus seems disconnected from other students, but the SUB and game room always have people in it hanging out.” Many class courses are running online or hybrid now. “¼- about ⅓ of classes are on ground. About ¼ are hybrid and a little less than half are fully online” Brady said. “Some of the best parts of teaching are the person to person relationships that occur in a classroom”

Jim Brady called it his “Organic approach” when deciding which classes are online or in person.

“From our perspective, we want to make sure there is a balance of choice. We don’t want to drive students online because we are more comfortable online. We don’t want to force students on ground because we have buildings to fill. We want to let student demand and student desire help drive what we offer.” Brady said.

The benefits that online classes allow for many students make getting a college degree easier and more accessible.

“You don’t have to be in a class at 9:30 AM on a Tuesday with an online course.” Brady said “There are certain conveniences, a student doesn’t have to interrupt their job or their life to be in class. They can do the work on their time.”

It is important to note that online doesn’t work for everyone. For those who see learning from home as beneficial, others find online difficult and hindersome.

“We have got to be careful because if we start to depend on online, we start to assume everyone has access to online.” Brady said

Spokane Falls Community College has taken a hit over the last few years and though the impact has changed the way the campus runs and the environment students engage in, one thing is certain, students are back and ready to restart this once lively campus.

Mattingly Kreider | PHOTO Students A, B, and C playing pool in the SUB’s game room

SCHOLARSHIP SEASON TIPS

Planning ahead and doing your research pays huge dividends when trying to secure that extra funding.

Fiona Whitver COMMUNICATOR

The CCS Scholarship Foundation enables students to comfortably cover the costs of their education. Fall 23’ funding opens in January. Annually giving students $266,000 for books, tuition, and other associated costs of college, the Scholarship Foundation has opportunities open and often left sitting idle.

Christine DeGeare serves as Scholarship & Alumni Relations Manager for CCS Scholarship Foundation, guiding students to scholarship success.

“We have scholarships that cover smaller things such as bus passes,” DeGeare said, “ and others that help with tuition and books. That amount can range anywhere from $22.00 up to $5,000.00 per year, with various amounts in between.”

Just after winter break, the application for Fall of 2023 funding opens.

“Right now we run two rounds a year, cycles,” said DeGeare, “the next round will be January 17, to March 17, 2023. For this cycle, students will be applying for funding for the Fall of 2023.”

With a new round just about to begin, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities.

“I will have around 120 to 125 different scholarships that are available. Some of those scholarships offer five or 10 different ones,” DeGeare said, “It could be 200 to 300 individual scholarships, so I definitely don’t want to just leave that on the table.”

The vacancy of scholarship applications is seen annually by the foundation.

Unapplied for scholarships remain within the CCS fund, and will hopefully be awarded in the next academic cycle.

“We start one [cycle] in the winter,” DeGeare said, “Then we run a second cycle in the summer.”

The CCS foundation is understanding towards unforeseen circumstances and the chaos that comes with collegiate life.

“You can apply every year,” DeGeare said, “I would encourage students to apply both [cycles].”

Attesting to the assistance that the CCS Scholarship Foundation offers to its students, recipient Brandi Pinette was awarded the Krumble Scholarship for second-year students enrolled in the Business AAS program. Pinette is one of over a hundred students that will recieve the $4,000 scholarship over the next five years.

“My scholarship experience has been fairly easy,” said Pinette, “ … writing an essay has been the most tedious task I have had to accomplish, and some of them did not even require that. The most difficult part was trying to figure out what to write.”

Pinette offers advice for prospective scholarship applicants, guiding future applicants towards success.

“Apply for everything you qualify for.” said Pinette, “Take the time to apply for the scholarships that require more effort, be yourself in your essay, letter, the biggest thing in applying for scholarships is to set yourself apart and stand out. The best way to do that is to be authentic.”

Sign up for the CCS Foundation newsletter at ccsfoundation.org to stay updated on scholarship opportunities, application deadlines and email reminders.

Essay Anxiety?

“It doesn’t need to be an intimidating process,” said DeGeare, “ I tell students to not think of it as a major paper. That’s not what the foundation is looking at.

What we’re looking for is for you to answer the question thoroughly and thoughtfully, and be genuine.”

Christine asks students to keep the scholarship committee at mind and consider: *Career goals, *Post-grad plans, *Personal stories that contribute to what has shaped you,

SEEKING SOLACE IN DOWNTOWN

Riverfront Park scuplture combines expression, nature

Shahn Smith COMMUNICATOR

Spokane has always prided itself on its culture, the biggest way being through its artwork. From the many murals that are scattered around the town to the sculptures from local artists, there’s plenty of art to see and love. One of the biggest cultural hotbeds in the city is Riverfront Park. Home to many different sculptures and pieces from different artists, Riverfront is a local cultural icon for the city of Spokane, always looking to add Fiona Whitver | PHOTOS more to its repertoire. The newest piece to join its roster? The Seeking Place. Coeur d’Alene-based artist Sarah Moore created her work “The Seeking Place” at RFP to reflect Spokane’s unique geographical features, specifically the basalt columns that dot the landscape.

The Seeking Place is a sculpture designed to encompass Spokane’s melting pot of culture and artistic expression. Resting on the top of a hill just below the iconic Pavillion, The Seeking Place is Riverfront’s newest spectacle. A professional artist for 15 years, Coeur d’Alene artist Sarah Moore designed this piece to relate to the Spokane region.

“I’ve always been intrigued by the geology of our region,” Moore said. “I’ve always liked the geology, so the Seeking Place is really based off of that inspiration, specifically the columnar basalt formations.”

True to her word, the Seeking Place does the region justice, as the sculpture itself resembles a geological structure. Creatively shaped rocks lay inside the structure, while the holes in the metal create unique shadows when hit by the sun’s light, creating a unique experience almost every time one enters.

“With my work, it’s a deeper exploration of myself,” Moore said, smiling. “The piece is meant to be explored. For me it’s exploring the ideas around creating works that pertain to the environment. For the people of Spokane, I hope it becomes a spot that people want to return to, becomes emblematic of Spokane, and something that over time develops its own layers and meaning.” The Seeking Place is a work that took two and a half years to complete. The start of the project was Moore entering her name and portfolio to the city of Spokane in early 2020. “They took those entries and narrowed it down to four or five artists,” Moore said. “Then those artists create and submit a design. I was selected as a finalist and I submitted my design for The Seeking Place later that year.” The city took a liking to Moore’s work and she was chosen to create and showcase her piece in Riverfront. Through the selection progress and COVID delays, Moore’s sculpture is now cemented into the legacy of the city. “I’m very proud of it,” Moore said in regards to her sculpture. “I feel like the feedback has been really great as well. You get so bogged into the nuts and bolts that you never know until the very end how “The piece is meant to be ex- it’s actually going to be. I’m very pleased with how it turned out.” plored ... something that over Moore’s sculpture will now time takes on layers of meaning.” forever be ingrained into the city’s culture and artistic landscape. Sitting on its hill for all to admire, The Seeking Place is a unique spectacle Sarah Moore in a city full of unique spectacles. Make sure to check out Sarah’s magnificent sculpture next time you find yourself at Riverfront Park, and share your own exploration.

SPOKANE’S ARTHOUSE CINEMA

Throughout the decades, Magic Lantern has kept alive the dream of alternative small-scale screenings

Taryn Eastwood COMMUNICATOR

Smiles and the aroma of popcorn in the air bring a warm welcome upon walking up to the Magic Lantern theater in Spokane. It brings a cozy vibe of alcoholic refreshments, candy, comfortable seats, and helpful, bright eyes that welcome you with a feeling of appreciation for community and art.

“I have been going to the Magic Lantern for over 10 years; I work a shift every week and absolutely love the menu, and the environment there is awesome,” Javi Sparks, manager at the Saranac Public House.

It has deep roots in the commu- Taryn Eastwood | PHOTOS nity as a small, independent, family-run arthouse theater located with- The Magic Lantern’s current llocation in the Saranac Building in Spokane is just the latest in its long and varied history. in the Saranac building in downtown Spokane off Main Ave. Jim Sheehan is the founder of the Community Building campus and its ethic. And his daughter, Katy Sheehan, helps run the building itself. While Joe Sheehan, his son, and Jonathan Abramsom, a long-time colleague, took over running the theater.

Jim Sheehan writes in “OneBlock Revolution,” edited by Summer Hess, that “our project is just one of many ways to ground money in place to co-create spaces that nurture our communities.”

It began in the early 1970s, before Spokane hosted its 1974 World’s Fair. After a few different owners opened and closed the doors, the theater was dormant for nearly 30 years until it was brought to life within the Saranac building. Many renovations had to be done in order to make the theater profitable.

It was a struggle for the theater to really get profit margins to livable levels due to a non-profit setup that the current owner from 2008–2010, Joe Davis, a doctor completing his residency program at Sacred Heart Medical Center, had wished to accomplish. Joe Sheehan was the building manager at the time and would help with the theater often. When this didn’t happen according to plan, the theater closed its doors again. But in 2016, Sheehan came back to help with the art house. Until COVID-19 shutdown, the theater had seen its highest success rate since it moved into the Saranac Building in 2007. Abramsom would book the movies, handle all the shipping details, build the shows on the software, and make the film schedule according to “One-Block Revolution.” Sheehan would handle venue bookings, community outreach, negotiations, and would take turns running the front. “I really enjoy getting excited about upcoming movies and getting the chance to be one of the first people in the city to see them,” Joe Sheehan said. Many customers are regulars, while students, film buffs, and community members come to enjoy the unique movies that are shown here at the Magic Lantern. Senior days are Wednesdays with ticket prices discounted at $7.50, and booklets are offered with 10 movie tickets discounted at $80. The Spokane International Film Festival, or SPIFF, has been with the Magic Lantern for years. This remains the busiest week of the year and is set to begin in February, 2023. The arthouse frequently works with its neighbors in the Saranac building, including 350 Spokane, KYRS Thin Air Radio, The Lands Council, Blueprints for Learning, Save Our Wild Salmon, Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, and more! “We turn to our relationships to guide us toward life inside a legacy of love, but not perfection,” Katy Sheehan said in “One-Block Revolution.” Sandy Williams, who ran The Black Lens, has hosted numerous fundraisers for her independent newspaper and the Carl Maxey Center; coming up on December 1st will be a movie night of remembrance. Come celebrate her memory with a showing of The Woman King. The event will include a

“The environment there is really awesome.” Javi Sparks The exposed-brick lobby of the Magic Lanter feels more speakeasy than corporate chain movie palace. silent auction, and all proceeds will go to the Carl Maxey Center of Spokane.

“We love to have as many people come through as possible,” Sheehan said.

GOODBYE, BUILDING 06

AFTER 56 YEARS HOUSING CREATIVES ON CAMPUS, LIMITED TIME LEFT FOR THIS ORIGINAL STRUCTURE

On track to be Fiona Whitver demolished late in 2023, Fine Arts COMMUNICATOR Building 06 has limited days left on the SFCC campus. The vintage structure is one of the last two remaining original buildings first built as part of the original campus in 1967. Building 05, The Spartan Theatre (Playhouse) is the other.

Monitoring the Fine Arts overhaul transition is CCS Capital Projects Construction Coordinator, Teresa Lumberg.

“The current Fine Arts Building 06 demo project, bid pack 04,” says Lumberg, “will go out to bid for the demolition work after we get the current folks all moved out of the building. Work may start late 2023 to early 2024. We work with the state Department of Enterprise Services (DES), for bids and contracting, so with this project still a way out, we don’t have set dates yet.”

Since its start in 1967, Building 06 has been home to various factions of creative programs, including interior design, photography, and fine arts.

Professor Carl Richardson has taught his creative courses in Building 06 for nearly 27 years.

“It started as a music building first,” Richardson said, “then once music got their building, art and photography and interior design was in here. Eventually photography moved out, photography moved out and interior & graphic design moved out. When I started here in ‘95 there were still a couple of graphic design instructors who were in this space because that building was just new. So, it was around the early 90’s when it became exclusively Fine Arts.”

In addition to its educational courses, the Fine Arts Building is wellknown for its gallery, hosting a plethora of art installations from numerous artists with a variety of mediums over the years.

Also serving as art faculty and dually as the Gallery Program Director is professor Cozette Phillips.

“We have about roughly two shows per quarter.” said Phillips, “and I research in-person by traveling to different museums and galleries, but I like to represent a broad range of artists in terms of cultural, social differences and interests that reflect the students and the community of Spokane and their interests. I also look towards the gallery as a teaching tool, to reflect the disciplines that the artists and faculty members are working towards here.”

While the current Fine Arts Gallery will always hold a special place in many artists’ hearts, the transition to a modernized and updated gallery will both mirror and magnify the legacy of arts and culture that Building 06 is leaving behind.

TOP: Fall scenery outside Building 06. MIDDLE: Art Club mural representing variety of famous artists. BOTTOM: Groundbreaking ceremony of orginal campus, 1967.

TOP: Rendering, outside Future FAA Building 32 BOTTOM: Rendering, inside Future FAA Building 32 ALSC Architects | PHOTO

SFCC BUILDING LEGEND

02 Library 05 Humanities (Spartan Playhouse) 06 Fine Arts 07 Student Athletic Center 09 Lodge 10 Maintenance 11 Photography 13 Physical Education Annex/ Stadium 15 Music/Performing Arts 16 Human Services 17 Student Union Building (Student Services)

18 Computing, Mathematics, Business Technology 19 Technical Arts 23 Storage 24 sn-w’ey’-mn (Business, Social Science) 25 Baseball 26 Drama Storage 27 Magnuson 28 Science 29 Early Learning Center 30 Falls Gateway 31 Future Softball 32 Future FAA

ALSC Architects | PHOTO

HELLO, BUILDING 32

Coming soon: Fine Arts, Photography Arts

Fiona Whitver COMMUNICATOR

Expecting to open in time for the quarter of Fall 2023, the new Fine & Applied Arts Building (32) will house Photography and all programs encompassed under the Fine Arts umbrella.

CCS Capital Projects Construction Coordinator Teresa Lumberg is overseeing the sizable job. “We are working with the local architectural firm of ALSC Architects,” stated Lumberg. “ Our lead architect is Iren Teran. HGA Architecture out of St Paul Minnesota worked with ALSC to design the new art building. HGA worked on the interior theme that is leading all of the furniture for the new building.”

The interior design features unique bird-themed study areas as well as a distinctive art display built into the glass-face of the building. Alongside the aesthetics, Building 32 will also house the new and upscaled Fine Arts Gallery, as well as a Photography Gallery. Fine Arts Gallery Program Director, Cozette Phillips will be transitioning Building 06’s Gallery to meet the space of the gallery in Building 32. “There will be two floors, the [Fine Arts] Gallery will be on the first floor. The photo gallery will be right next to us. So there’s two great reasons to come see art, beyond and addition to the student art we hang on the walls, that tradition will carry forwards as well.” A plethora of murals, sculpture, canvas, and so much more will be transferred to the new gallery to preserve student art history.

“It’s going to be a beautiful space,” said Phillips. “that really serves the art department but also reflects nature and connection to the land with the big windows and lobby. I see it as a place that the college campus community might like to come to.”

Building 32 has many expectations to meet and uphold in terms of serving artists and preserving the curations that Building 06 has been home to over the past 56 years. This fresh and advanced setting will undoubtedly serve to inspire future artists, students and the Spokane Falls community.