Creating community on post-COVID campuses

A college campus is a community that includes students, faculty and staff. Change can affect that community in many ways. Changes can be transitory, such as the graduation and leaving of students or faculty, or far-reaching events that affect faculty, staff and both current and incoming students. The COVID-19 shutdown…

What students enjoy about the visual arts at WCC

The students of Whatcom Community College’s visual arts classes are sharing themselves and their identities in the pieces they make — and their work calls for more than a second or third glance! Rob Beishline, arts professor and Visual Arts Faculty Lead at WCC, said one of his favorite things…

ASWCC Student Government gives every student a voice

The ASWCC Student Government, which includes the Executive Board and the Senate, is working on several projects aimed at improving students’ experiences at WCC and amplifying their voices. ASWCC is the acronym for Associated Students of Whatcom Community College, whereas the ASWCC Student Government is the group of students selected…

Serving Students: How WCC’s Intercultural Center Makes an Impact

The Peer Mentor Program at the Simpson Intercultural Center (SIC) of Whatcom Community College is making a significant impact on student success and retention. Created two years ago, this center aims to provide support and mentorship to students from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds. By fostering a sense of belonging…

A College Student’s Summer Guide to Exploring Bellingham

The summer is right around the corner for Whatcom students, and what better way to spend it than enjoying the beautiful places Bellingham has to offer? Many people, especially college students who are unfamiliar with this area, find themselves stuck wondering what to do in Whatcom County. With so many…

Exploring the Salish Sea

Rain or shine, “Introduction to the Salish Sea” finishes up their most exciting field trip yet: a three-day camping trip to San Juan Island. “The trip to San Juan Island was a fun experience because I got to apply the knowledge I obtained over the course of the quarter to…

DVSAS Comes to WCC

This quarter, Whatcom Community College has partnered with Whatcom County’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) to provide more resources on campus for survivors and people in need. The overall mission of DVSAS is to support the victims of domestic violence (DV) and sexual violence (SV) and help the…

Washington State Implements Comprehensive Assault Weapon Ban

In a groundbreaking move aimed at enhancing public safety and curbing gun violence, Washington State has taken a decisive step by implementing a comprehensive assault weapon ban. The measure, which has gained significant attention and support, seeks to restrict the availability and possession of certain firearms known for their high…

Tenant Protections in Whatcom County

A Brief Look Into Rent Control, Assistance and Landlords by Sorrel Thoerner, Simon Shultis, and Ian Degnin. Renters in Whatcom County are collectively exhausted with the cost and quality of their rental units. Prices of units are on the rise and the quality of units is steadily decreasing. Rent control is…

ChatGPT: The AI That Took the World by Storm

Since ChatGPT’s release, it has gained global popularity, with around 100 million users using it monthly. Schools around the U.S. have implemented policies regarding using generative artificial intelligence tools for schoolwork.  OpenAI released ChatGPT on Nov. 30, 2022, as a successor to InstructAI, their previous AI model. ChatGPT unlocks new…