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…
A College Student’s Summer Guide to Exploring Bellingham
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…
Kulshan Trackside: A Place to Hang Out
Now that summer is getting into full swing, people are looking for outdoor spots to hang out with friends and grab food and drinks. This has led people to the popular Kulshan Trackside and the Waterfront Container Village, where they can hang out and play some cornhole or grab some…
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…
The Return of Drama Productions
The pandemic put a roaring stop on drama productions throughout the state, as folks could no longer gather to watch and be entertained, but Gerry Large wants it to make a comeback. Large, Whatcom Community College’s Visual & Performing Arts Department Lead, had decided that this quarter his actors would…
Whatcom County Introduces New Alternative Policing Programs
Whatcom County has implemented two new crisis response systems: the Alternative Response Team (ART) and the Sheriff Co-responder Team. These programs, introduced at the beginning of 2023, aim to enhance the handling mental health emergencies by involving behavioral health specialists. According to a study by the Treatment Advocacy Center, “People…
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…
Volunteers Aid Students in Their Goal to Learn English
By Nathan Welch and Miles Vander-Vennet An English-Language Learners class led by Catalina Hope ended in celebration, as students and ELL volunteers alike came together after the class successfully completed their English assessments for the quarter. During the class’s celebration, students spoke amongst their classmates, family members, and instructors, eating…