• Students at The Evergreen State College were as engaged as students attending schools that scored in the top 10 percent on the Level of Academic Challenge benchmark.
• Evergreen students reported slightly higher engagement in Active and Collaborative Learning than students studying at schools who performed in the top 10 percent on this benchmark.
• Evergreen first-year students were as engaged as students attending colleges who scored in the top 10 percent in terms of Student-Faculty Interaction
• Evergreen seniors were as engaged in Enriching Educational Experiences as seniors in the top 10 percent of colleges.
• Evergreen students perceive a level of Supportive Campus Environment that is equal to that of students at the top 50 percent of institutions.

Evergreen students scored strongly on Academic Challenge because they spend more time preparing for class, engaging in coursework that requires synthesizing, analyzing and making judgments about the value of information. They also reported reading more assigned texts. Compared with other first-year and senior-class students who reported to NSSE, Evergreen respondents indicated that they more frequently asked questions and contributed to discussions in class and gave class presentations. They also indicated that they more often worked with other students on projects during class and outside of class, as well as discussed ideas from reading and classes with others outside of class, all measures of Active and Collaborative Learning. In terms of Student-Faculty Interaction, Evergreen students more often discussed ideas from class with faculty members outside of class and more frequently received prompt feedback about their work than students at other institutions.

Evergreen seniors were significantly more likely to have participated in several Enriching Educational Experiences than seniors at other colleges and universities, including participation in a learning community, study abroad, independent study, and more frequent conversations with students who are different from themselves in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, political opinions, or values.

Six-hundred and ten colleges and universities participated in the survey. Evergreen conducts the National Survey of Student Engagement annually as part of its ongoing institutional assessment plan. The survey helps Evergreen to sustain effective and engaging educational practices and to identify areas for improvement. In addition, Evergreen’s regular participation in the survey provides a national context and multi-year trend data through which to examine educational practices, emphases, and challenges.

The survey had high participation at Evergreen with a response rate of 31 percent of the large random sample. Results were received from 24 percent of all enrolled first-year students and 21 percent of enrolled senior-class students.

The Evergreen State College is a nationally recognized public liberal arts college known for its distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum, high level of student/faculty engagement and emphasis on putting learning into action.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 6 p.m. doors open, forum to begin at 7 p.m.
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts - Stage I

This is a FREE event and open to the public

The Evergreen State College will join with St. Martin's University, South Puget Sound Community College, and Centralia College for a community forum to be held January 30, 2008 at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

Creating a Climate of Change: A Community Forum on Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest, will begin at 7 p.m., and will bring together local and state government officials, scientific experts and community members to discuss ways we will address climate change locally. This will be a moderated discussion with plenty of time for audience questions and responses. The partnering institutions are proud participants in Focus the Nation, a nationwide campaign that is focusing on bringing communities together to find solutions to global warming issues.

For more information on the evening events: focusthenation.evergreen.edu
Directions to The Washington Center

For more information on Evergreen's daytime events: focusthenation.evergreen.edu/evergreen.html
Directions to Evergreen

Although many of Evergreen’s campus events and activities focus on issues of diversity each and every day, the yearly observance, Day of Absence and Day of Presence, asks the entire campus to think about racial diversity for two days each year.

The Day of Absence was originally a unity dinner celebrated by our African American faculty in the mid 70’s. It grew to become an opportunity for all students, staff and faculty of color to gather off-campus for an educational and community-building retreat.

The idea for the Day of Absence came from a play of the same name by African American playwright, Douglas Turner Ward. Presented in 1965, the play is a social commentary on race relations in the U.S. and satirizes the South's refusal to see the African American as an equal member of the community. In the play, a town wakes up to find all of the African Americans missing, leaving those left to reflect on the meaning of their community without these valued members.

In the mid 90’s, the Day of Presence was added by students and staff of color in order to reunite the college community and honor diversity and unity as a whole campus.

On the Day of Absence, while students and staff of color are off campus, typically, a group of white students and staff plan educational workshops and invite guest speakers to campus to work on issues of multiculturalism from an ally perspective.

Depending on the ideas generated in the committee, the events look different every year. The primary function of the event has always been to give the campus an opportunity for community building and reflection around issues of culture, heritage and diversity.  Currently the open organizing committee is meeting weekly and would like to extend an invitation for anyone from the Evergreen community to participate, for more information contact Norma Alicia Pino or Raquel Salinas at First Peoples’ Advising Services, (360) 867-6467.

The Evergreen State College is a nationally recognized public liberal arts college known for its distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum, high level of student/faculty engagement and emphasis on putting learning into action. 

Individuals interested in applying for admission or evaluating their academic standing should bring an unofficial copy of their college transcripts to the event. Those interested in applying for financial aid should bring a copy of their 2006 tax returns.

Prospective students who can’t attend the December 3 open house can take part in one of the weekly information sessions offered either Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The Evergreen State College’s Tacoma Campus offers upper division courses for students ready to begin their junior or senior year. Evergreen offers up to two years of transfer credit for graduates of Washington community and technical colleges. Students can earn a bachelor arts degree with emphases in such areas as Social & Human Services, Law, Justice & Public Policy, Education, Outreach, Public Health, Environmental Studies and Cultural & Media Studies.

"Many students have accumulated college credits over the years, sometimes from several sources, but they haven’t managed to complete their degree," explained Evergreen Tacoma Executive Director Artee Young, PhD, JD. "We will have admissions staff on hand to help people with the application and transfer process and learn more about how Evergreen Tacoma can help them reach their goals. Many times people are much closer to finishing than they think – especially given the flexibility of Evergreen’s academic model – but they’ve been putting it off waiting for a better time. We tell them it’s best just to get started because there will never be a perfect time. If you don’t start, you can’t finish."

Members of the community are asked to please reserve the afternoon of Saturday, November 17, 2007 beginning at noon for the Olympia premiere of Gypsy Caravan.   The film will be shown at Capitol Theater at 206 5th Avenue S.E. and will be followed by a reception hosted by doranne's family from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Heritage Room at 604 Water Street, next to the Water Street Café.

The Greener Commuting Event encourages students, faculty and staff to make a habit of alternative commuting.   It is being led by the Greener Commute Program, formerly known as Commute Trip Reduction. The event runs from November 5 to November 16 and is part of Evergreen’s commitment to raise awareness about global warming and reduce the college’s carbon footprint.  

Event features include the following:

• CARPOOLS PARK FREE
  Carpool groups of three or more can stop by the McCann Plaza Parking Booth to receive a carpool day pass at no charge. Bring expired carpool passes to the Greener Commuting tent on Red Square to enter a prize drawing.
• RED SQUARE RIDE BOARD
  Stop by our Red Square ride board to connect with Greeners who are willing to ride-share. The ride board will be available daily November 5 to November 16 on Red Square near the library building entrance.
• FREE REFLECTIVE ANKLE/ARM-BAND: RED SQUARE
  The first few dozen bicyclists or walkers to stop by the Greener Commuting tent on Red Square next week can receive a free LED arm band. These armbands are a must for all bicyclists and walkers as the winter days shorten. 
  
• BIKE HELMETS: $4 on RED SQUARE
  Thanks to a grant by the Thurston County Surface Transportation Program, the Greener Commute Program will be able to offer bike helmets at a very low cost to our community. This is a great opportunity to stay safe at a low cost.  Medium and large size helmets are available while they last.
  
• ENTER TO WIN AWESOME PRIZES
  Carpoolers and commuters who take our survey can enter to win prizes from dozens of local businesses, like a $50 gift certificate to Traditions Cafe or Ice Cream from Baskin Robbins. Just bring expired carpool day-passes or fill out a survey and enter to win.
• FREE 'SHARE THE ROAD' LICENSE PLATE EMBLEM
  Evergreen students are invited to pick up Share the Road license plate emblems, offered free by the Greener Commuting Program while supplies last.  
  

Why Alternative Commuting?

Evergreen’s rural location means that students, staff, and faculty need to travel further distances to get to campus.  As a result, 24 percent of all of Evergreen’s greenhouse gases are emitted by commuters.   Alternative commuting is an excellent strategy to save energy and reduce climate-changing emissions.

Guest speakers include Michael Colson, two-tour Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and outreach coordinator for the Seattle Vet Center; Tracy Simpson, co-director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Women’s Trauma and Recovery Center; and Doris Kent, Gold Star Mother of fallen soldier Jonathan J. Santos.

About Michael Colson

Michael Colson is a former Navy Commander and chaplain who is now the outreach coordinator for the Seattle Vet Center, assisting returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.  He is a National Service Fellow and a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal.  Colson holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Sociology and Human Services.  He has worked for over 22 years in a variety of challenging military and humanitarian assignments, holding positions ranging from public school teacher and principal to college professor and Foreign Service Officer. 

About Tracy Simpson

Tracy Simpson, Ph.D. is the Co-Director of the Women’s Trauma and Recovery Center at the Seattle Division of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. Dr. Simpson has worked at Seattle VA as a clinical psychologist, specializing in the care of women veterans with military trauma histories, for over seven years. Her primary areas of interest are evaluating treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  among women veterans, developing a better understanding co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders, and helping the VA better address the needs of both our existing women veterans and the new women veterans who will seek care at the VA in the near and long term future.

About Doris Kent

Doris Kent is a Gold Star Mother.  Her oldest son, Specialist Jonathan J. Santos with the 9^th Psychological Operations Battalion, 4^th Psychological Operations Group (airborne) was killed by an improvised explosive device in Karabilah, Iraq on October 15, 2004.   Jonathan Santos and Doris Kent are members of a family with a tradition of military service, including service by Jonathan’s father, stepfather, and both of his grandfathers.   Doris Kent has made a commitment never to forget the sacrifice of any soldier and to remind us all that the impact of war can not be conveyed with casualty numbers alone.

The Evergreen State College is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW in Olympia.  For driving directions and a map of the campus, visit www.evergreen.edu.

(Olympia, Wash.) The Evergreen State College is planning a presentation to the community by the master plan consultants Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, on November 14. The community meeting will be held in Lecture Hall 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Evergreen State College is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW in Olympia. For driving directions and a map of the campus, visit www.evergreen.edu

Evergreen State College is a nationally recognized public liberal arts college known for its distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum, high level of student/faculty engagement and emphasis on putting learning into action.

Sustaining nature requires a sustained commitment, and The Evergreen State College is gaining recognition for four-decades of dedication to environmental leadership and visible action on campus.

In October, Evergreen accepted the Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Practices, the state’s top environmental honor.  In presenting the award, Kathleen Drew, the governor’s executive policy advisor on sustainability and Jay Manning, director of Washington State’s department of ecology highlighted Evergreen’s Seminar II building.  Seminar II is Washington’s first publicly funded education facility certified Gold by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The building makes use of natural ventilation, recycled and sustainable materials, and green roofs. 

The award also recognized Evergreen’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and work to achieve a ‘climate neutral’ campus by 2020, including completion of its first greenhouse gas inventory in 2007. 

In September, The Evergreen State College received an honorable mention with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Sustainability Leadership Award, a national honor that recognized the college for mitigating 100 percent of its electricity consumption thanks to a self imposed student fee.   The Evergreen State College was one of only six organizations recognized by the association, which also noted that 40 percent of on-campus food at Evergreen is locally grown and/or organic product.  

And in August, Evergreen was recognized as one of Grist Magazine’s Top 15 Green Colleges and Universities for its strong commitment to sustainability, for its organic farm, for its composting program, and for its student-voted commitment to purchasing 100 percent green power. 

Maintaining Momentum

 “We have a long history of concern about the environment at Evergreen,” says College President Thomas L. "Les" Purce, “but our challenge now is to do more to make a difference through commitments to conservation that enrich students’ lives and enhance students’ role in our democracy.”

Come check out some great soccer action! The undefeated Geoduck men's team plays in the Arno Zoske Tournament Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Evergreen soccer fields. The #2 ranked women's soccer team plays their home openers Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Since 2002, Evergreen has hosted this quality Labor Day weekend soccer event, inviting some of the best small college men’s teams in the Pacific Northwest and western Canada. Tournament play begins on Saturday when Simon Fraser University takes on their Canadian rival University of Saskatchewan at 11:00 a.m. The Evergreen men open against The University of British Columbia on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. All games are at The Evergreen State College soccer fields.

Arno Zoske Tournament Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 1
11:00 a.m. - Simon Fraser University vs. University of Saskatchewan
1:00 p.m. - The Evergreen State College vs. The University of British Columbia

Sunday, Sept. 2
11:00 a.m. - The University of British Columbia vs. University of Saskatchewan
1:00 p.m. - The Evergreen State College vs. Simon Fraser University

Women’ Soccer Sept. 1-2
The #2 ranked women’s soccer team plays their home openers this weekend. On Saturday at 3:00 p.m. they take on British Columbia’s Thompson Rivers University, and on Sunday, also at 3:00 p.m., they face local rival Pacific Lutheran University. Both games are at The Evergreen State College soccer fields.

Ticket Prices (per day)
$4 – Adults
$3 – Seniors, military personnel and teens 13-17
$1 – Children 12 and under
Evergreen students Free with ID

(Olympia, Wash.) The Evergreen State College Career Development Center will host the 16th Annual Graduate School Fair on Wednesday, October 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Evergreen's College Recreation Center (CRC).

The event is free and open to the public.

Representatives from Evergreen's Master of Public Administration, Master in Teaching, Master of Environmental Studies and soon to be launched Master of Education programs will be on hand to field questions and provide counseling. Recruiters from American University, Antioch University of Seattle, Bainbridge Graduate Institute, Bastyr University, the California Institute of Integral Studies, Chapman University College, Eastern Washington University, the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Islandwood, the Japan Exchange & Teaching Program (JET), the Leadership Institute of Seattle, the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, the Peace Corps, Sarah Lawrence College, Savannah College of Art & Design, the School for International Training, Seattle University School of Law, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The Evergreen State College, the University of Puget Sound, the University of Washington, the University of Washington Information School, the University of Washington-Bothell, the University of Washington-Tacoma, Vermont Law School, Western States Chiropractic College, Western Washington University, Willamette University College of Law and other colleges and universities will also be available to provide information on their graduate programs.

Prospective graduate students will learn about undergraduate requirements, the importance of standardized tests, transcripts and other credentials needed for graduate school admission, and interdisciplinary study options.

The Evergreen State College is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW in Olympia. For driving directions and a map of the campus, visit www.evergreen.edu. For more information about the Graduate School Fair contact the Evergreen Career Development Center at 360-867-6193.

The Evergreen State College is a nationally recognized public liberal arts college known for its distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum, high level of student/faculty engagement and emphasis on putting learning into action.

(Olympia, Wash.)  The Evergreen State College Longhouse will host the Third Northwest Native Wood Carvers Gathering. The gathering is an event in which Native carvers convene to exchange information and techniques as well as to discuss issues related to Native carving. The event is free and open to the public on Sunday, October 28, between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. without prior registration.

This year there will be a special focus on international indigenous cultural exchanges from the perspectives of indigenous carvers from New Zealand, Hawai’i and Canada.  Master carvers Kala Willis (Native Hawaiian), Takirirangi Smith (Maori) and Dempsey Bob (Tahltan/Tlingit) will be speaking about indigenous cultural exchange.

The workshops this year will focus on tool making, restoration techniques for historical figures and regional Native design styles. Carvers also have the opportunity to present their work (in slides or PowerPoint format).  Some of this year’s featured carvers include Joe David (Nuu-Chah-Nulth), Greg Colfax (Makah), Andrea Wilbur-Sigo (Squaxin Island), Dempsey Bob (Tahltan/Tlingit), Takirirangi Smith (Maori) and others.

On Sunday, October 28, carvers will demonstrate different techniques and styles. The public can see carvers working on projects and talk to them about their work. Demonstrations will take place between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the Longhouse on The Evergreen State College campus. A limited number of works may be for sale.   Saturday, October 27, is closed to the public, but open to individuals registered for the Gathering.  Individuals are invited to register to participate in the Gathering. The registration form is available in the “Current Newsletter” on the Longhouse’s website www.evergreen.edu/longhouse. For more information please contact the Longhouse staff at (360) 867-6718 or e-mail longhouse@evergreen.edu. 

The Evergreen State College is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW in Olympia.  For driving directions and a map of the campus, visit www.evergreen.edu/tour. 

The Evergreen State College is a nationally recognized public liberal arts college known for its distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum, high level of student/faculty engagement and emphasis on putting learning into action.

Contact the Longhouse staff:
(360) 867-6718
longhouse@evergreen.edu
 

The Princeton Review's list is compiled through a combination of statistical analysis, campus visits and student surveys which the authors characterize as "qualitative and anecdotal rather than quantitative and scientific." Its rankings represent the top 10 percent of colleges and universities, both public and private, in the nation. The book includes 62 rankings lists across 8 categories, based on feedback from more than 120,000 students across the U.S. The complete lists are posted on www.PrincetonReview.com.

These honors follow last week’s recognition of Evergreen’s outstanding First Year Experience, Learning Communities, and Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects in the "Outstanding Academic Programs" category of U.S. News & World Report’s 2008 America’s Best Colleges guide. The magazine also ranked Evergreen 27^th among more than 60 master’s universities in the Western region.

To learn more and purchase tickets in the Evergreen sections for The Evergreen State College Night at the Mariners, visit www.evergreen.edu/alumni.

The women's soccer team headlines the Geoduck sports show. Head coach John Purtteman has a strong returning class in his first year at the helm. Add a talented group of newcomers to the roster and this season's team will be fun to watch. Midfielder Jenine Adam ('06 All-Conference/All-Region honors) and defender Marissa Major ('06 All-Conference honors) are the standout returners. Look for newcomers Tivoli Farler of Olympia (midfielder) and Katie Cagle of Estacada, Ore. (keeper) to make an immediate impact.

This weekend the women open their season on the road against the University of British Columbia on August 24, and Simon Fraser University on the 25th. Their home openers will be Sept. 1, against Thompson Rivers University and Sept. 2 vs. Pacific Lutheran University in Evergreen's Arno Zoske Tournament.

Coach Purtteman is confident that the men's soccer team will fare better than the team's 7th poll position. James Pratt, All-Conference honoree and one of the team's top scorers in '06, leads the eight returners. Senior Matt Curry has strong attacking experience on the front line. Josh Hacker and Jesse Wheelock, both midfielders, are top new additions to the team.

The men opened their season August 20 with a 5-1 home win over the University of Great Falls. They take on The University of British Columbia Sept. 1 and Simon Fraser University Sept. 2 at home in Evergreen's Arno Zoske Tournament.

In harrier action, the women's cross country team has more depth than any time in its history. Their pre-season 8th place conference ranking may not be reflective of this team's potential, according to head coach Craig Dickson. Leading returners include Emily Uhlig (18th at '06 conference championships) and Kelly Beckham (19th at '06 conference championships). Two transfers from NCAA Division I programs join the team in '07. Ana Casillas of Puyallup (Bellarmine Prep HS) and Ariel Taylor of Olympia (Capital HS) will bring additional experience and talent to the Geoducks. Casillas and Taylor previously attended Montana State and E. Washington University respectively.

With only one '06 team member lost to graduation, the '07 men's cross country team will benefit from experienced veterans. Like the women, the men ranked 8th in pre-season polling. Senior James Hudson (18th at '06 conference championships) and sophomore Brian Rakestraw (14th at '06 conference championships) have promising seasons ahead. Chris Johnson of Sumner High School will join the team as the top freshman.

Both the women's and men's cross country teams will open their season September 7 at the Northwest University Invitational in Seattle.

Clay Blackwood is in the process of rebuilding the Geoduck volleyball team. As the recently hired Evergreen head coach, his goal is to put together the best team possible by their September 7 home opener against Corban College. Senior Madeline Blevens and sophomore Kandice Gleaves return as the 3rd and 2nd best point scorers respectively. Lauren Allen, Erin Caldwell and Alysse Eaton round out the top returners.

For more information about pre-season sports polls visit the Cascade Conference and NAIA websites.

Evergreen Tacoma Campus Open House
Offers Guidance for Completing Bachelor’s Degree

(Tacoma, Wash.) The Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus is hosting an open house from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15 to help prospective students chart their course to finishing their bachelor’s degree.  Recent community college graduates and mid-career adults who have started but not yet finished their bachelor’s degree are encouraged to attend.

Staff and faculty will offer information about academic programs, transfer opportunities, financial aid, student and alumni experiences, and details related to completing a bachelor’s degree at Evergreen Tacoma.  There will be an introductory session at 4:30 p.m. and additional information sessions will repeat during the course of the event.  The college is located at 1210 6th Avenue in Tacoma.  For more information, visit www.evergreen.edu/tacoma or call 253-680-3000.  Fall classes start September 24.

For those who can’t attend August 15, there will be a second open house on September 12 with the same schedule and content.  Prospective students can also attend weekly information sessions offered on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The Evergreen State College’s Tacoma Campus offers upper division courses for students ready to begin their junior or senior year.  Evergreen offers up to two years of transfer credit for graduates of Washington community and technical colleges.  Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with an area of emphasis in a wide range of fields.

“Many students have accumulated college credits over the years, sometimes from several sources, but they haven’t managed to complete their degree,” explained Evergreen Tacoma executive director Artee Young, PhD. “We will have admissions staff on hand to help people with the application and transfer process and learn more about how Evergreen Tacoma can help them reach their goals.  Many times people are much closer to finishing than they think – especially given the flexibility of Evergreen’s academic model – but they’ve been putting it off waiting for a better time. We tell them it’s best just to get started because there will never be a perfect time.  If you don’t start, you can’t finish.”

For more information: http://www.evergreen.edu/tacoma

View or print the announcement/flyer: Tacoma Open House (PDF)

Evergreen Tacoma Campus Open House
Offers Guidance for Completing Bachelor’s Degree

(Tacoma, Wash.) The Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus is hosting an open house from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12 to help prospective students chart their course to finishing their bachelor’s degree.  Recent community college graduates and mid-career adults who have started but not yet finished their bachelor’s degree are encouraged to attend.

Staff and faculty will offer information about academic programs, transfer opportunities, financial aid, student and alumni experiences, and details related to completing a bachelor’s degree at Evergreen Tacoma.  There will be an introductory session at 4:30 p.m. and additional information sessions will repeat during the course of the event.  The college is located at 1210 6th Avenue in Tacoma.  For more information, visit www.evergreen.edu/tacoma or call 253-680-3000.  Fall classes start September 24.

Prospective students who would like to have their transfer credit reviewed should bring an unofficial copy of their prior transcripts. Those who want an evaluation of their financial aid potential should bring a copy of their 2006 income tax forms.

Individuals who cannot attend the open house on September 12 can take advantage of weekly information sessions for prospective students offered on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The Evergreen State College’s Tacoma Campus offers upper division courses for students ready to begin their junior or senior year.  Evergreen offers up to two years of transfer credit for graduates of Washington community and technical colleges.  Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with an area of emphasis in a wide range of fields.

“Many students have accumulated college credits over the years, sometimes from several sources, but they haven’t managed to complete their degree,” explained Evergreen Tacoma executive director Artee Young, PhD. “We will have admissions staff on hand to help people with the application and transfer process and learn more about how Evergreen Tacoma can help them reach their goals.  Many times people are much closer to finishing than they think – especially given the flexibility of Evergreen’s academic model – but they’ve been putting it off waiting for a better time. We tell them it’s best just to get started because there will never be a perfect time.  If you don’t start, you can’t finish.”

For more information: http://www.evergreen.edu/tacoma

View or print the announcement/flyer: Tacoma Open House (PDF)

(Olympia, Wash.)  The Evergreen State College students Erin Genia (Sisseton Wahpeton), Peter Boome (Upper Skagit), Kayeri Akweks (Upper Mohawk) and Charlie Bloomfield (Pyramid Lake) are featured in the Native Art exhibit currently in the McClelland Gallery at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. Evergreen graduate Bruce A. Cook, III (Haida) is also in the exhibit.

Artists were juried into the show, which is part of the upcoming "In the Spirit"Northwest Native Arts Market and Festival, scheduled to take place July 21-22 at the Washington State History Museum in downtown Tacoma. The festival features 30 Native art vendors, and performances by Native dancers and musicians in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors have the opportunity to view the exhibit and vote on "People’s Choice" award.  The winning artist will receive $1,000.

Evergreen students and graduates who are selling work include Andy Peterson, Peter Boome and Bobbie Bush.

The festival is open from 10 AM – 5 PM on Saturday and Noon to 5 PM on Sunday. The event is the 2nd annual festival co-sponsored by the Longhouse at The Evergreen State College and the Washington State History Museum.

For more information: http://www.washingtonhistory.org/arts-festival/index.htm

Dr. Maxine Mimms, Evergreen faculty member emeritus and long time educational pioneer delivered the commencement address.

"March Fourth," marching band from Portland, Oregon led the procession with a horn players, drummers, stilt walkers, hula-hooping, and other great stuff.

2007 Commencement Ceremony Details

• Evergreen's Graduation Web Page
• The Olympian's Graduation Coverage
• March Forth Marching Band
  
  

Olympia, Wash. - The Evergreen State College President Thomas L. " Les" Purce today joined over 250 other college and university presidents in formally committing to sharply reduce and eventually eliminate all of the college's global warming emissions. President Purce also pledged to accelerate research and educational efforts to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate. The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment was adopted today at a summit of higher education leaders in Washington, D.C. President Purce is a founding member of the Steering Committee for this national initiative.

"Since 1971, Evergreen has built a national reputation for environmental studies at the undergraduate and graduate levels," Purce explained. " Its graduates and faculty are leaders in addressing environmental challenges locally, nationally and globally. By joining the Presidents Climate Commitment, and building sustainability into our strategic plan as a top priority, we are sharpening our focus on climate issues and environmental responsibility. We hope to set an example others can follow."Evergreen has set a goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2020 and is developing an institutional action plan to achieve that goal. As part of the plan, Evergreen has completed its first comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory to establish a baseline and help track progress.

Evergreen has a long list of activities and initiatives already underway to promote environmental, social and economic sustainability (see below). For example, thanks to a self-imposed student fee, 100% of Evergreen' s electricity comes from "green" sources. Evergreen also built the state's first public L.E.E.D. gold certified building-Seminar II - with a wide range of energy efficient and environmentally friendly design features.

"Sustainability isn't just a bandwagon we're hopping onto," Purce emphasized." It's woven into the very fabric of our identity, and history, as an institution."

The Presidents Climate Commitment is the first such effort by any major sector of society to set climate neutrality - not just a reduction - as its target. This undertaking by America's colleges and universities is inspired by efforts like the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the U.S. Climate Action Partnership and other collective efforts by states and businesses.

"Colleges and universities must lead the effort to reverse global warming for the health and well-being of current and future generations," said Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University and chair of the ACUPCC Steering Committee.

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate. Under the guidance and direction of university presidents, the Commitment is being supported and implemented by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Second Nature, and ecoAmerica.

Learn more at: www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.

Sustainability at The Evergreen State College

Since 1971, The Evergreen State College has been a leader in environmental education.  In recent years, the college has stepped up its commitment to sustainability to reach beyond the classroom and even the campus.  Here are just a few examples of Evergreen’s wide ranging sustainability initiatives. 

Planning and Leadership

• Evergreen built sustainability into its updated strategic plan as a specific strategic direction for the next several years. www.evergreen.edu/president/docs/strategicplanup07.pdf
• It has an active Sustainability Task Force to work within the college to research and inform college decision making related to sustainability.  www.evergreen.edu/committee/sustainability/
• It is moving its Sustainability Coordinator position from part-time to full-time in the coming year. 
• It has signed onto the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment and has established an initial goal of being carbon neutral by 2020.  As part of that commitment, it has completed its first greenhouse gas inventory.
• Evergreen is actively planning activities leading up to the Focus the Nation (global warming awareness) events in January 2008.
• Evergreen served as host for the regional E3 Washington (Education, Environment, Economy) summit, a statewide initiative to address environmental issues.  www.e3washington.org/

Academics, Education and Student Activities

• Evergreen offers a robust undergraduate program in environmental studies www.evergreen.edu/catalog/2007-08/planningunits/env.htm as well as a Master in Environmental Studies www.evergreen.edu/mes/history.htm. For over 25 years, Evergreen has offered full-time interdisciplinary programs in energy studies, environmental design, and ecological agriculture.
• Synergy Sustainable Living Conference – An annual, student-driven event to build awareness of sustainability issues – ecological, social, economic – and practices. www.evergreen.edu/events/synergy/
• Curriculum for the Bioregion a curriculum and faculty development initiative, “Curriculum for the Bioregion” is launching a five-year effort to engage 30 colleges and universities in the Puget Sound region in the integration of sustainability concepts across the general education curriculum. https://www.evergreen.edu/washcenter/project.asp?pid=62 
• Organic farm and Center for Ecological Living and Learning on campus to teach sustainable agriculture in a hands-on environment www.evergreen.edu/cell/aboutcell.htm

Operations and Facilities

• Sustainable Campus – Evergreen’s 1000-acre campus includes about 800 acres of woods, forest and saltwater beach used for teaching and learning, but also incorporates nature and learning within its more developed areas.  The college is continuing to change its landscape for the better with green roofs, replacement of non-native plants (.e.g. English Ivy) with native vegetation, and installation of teaching gardens.  http://academic.evergreen.edu/projects/arboretum/home.html
• Evergreen built the Seminar II building – its newest teaching facility – as a L.E.E.D. gold-certified green building.  Seminar II also won a number of other awards for its environmentally friendly design. www.evergreen.edu/news/releases/april05/greenprojectaward.htm
  
• Evergreen’s students have established a self-imposed fee for purchasing green, non-polluting energy at a cost of $100,000 per year (100% of Evergreen’s electricity is green).  In 2006 the EPA recognized Evergreen as one of the top 10 collegiate green power purchasers in the nation.  www.evergreen.edu/cleanenergy www.evergreen.edu/news/releases/feb06/greenpower.htm
• Sustainable Food Service – Evergreen’s local, local organic and organic food purchases amount to between 28% and 38% per week.  The college now purchases 18% of the food for its Dining Service from within 150 miles of the campus with a goal of expanding that percentage.
• Sustainable Housing Checkout – 2006 effort resulted in donations to 10 local non-profits (useable clothing, furniture and other items).

Dr. Maxine Mimms, an Evergreen faculty member emeritus and long time educational pioneer will deliver the commencement address. Mimms is founder of the college's Tacoma campus and during the 1950's and 60's, she served as a role model for African American elementary students. She has also served as a national educational consultant and most recently founded the Maxine Mimms Academy, a non-profit organization in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood established to serve youth expelled or suspended from public schools. The program prepares students to succeed when they re-enter school. She also served as assistant to the director of the Women's Bureau in the U.S. Department of Labor in the 1970's.

The ceremony is a bookend to a year where the college received significant national attention for work in eliminating E.coli from the food chain using Phage research, national acclaim for the level of academic challenge from the National Survey of Student Engagement - as well as a year that faculty, staff and students on campus during winter break saw significant disruptions after the December windstorm. For more information about the ceremony, local hotel information and individuals needing special accommodations, go to www.evergreen.edu/graduation.

 For a live broadcast, visit www.evergreen.edu/streams/.

Early registration is $20, available on line at www.active.com , or by mailing materials to race coordinators. For more information, go to www.evergreen.edu/library/5k/

Evergreen's yearly award - $446,568 - was the second-highest award among the eleven Washington colleges and universities that received the federal funding. Evergreen Upward Bound, a part of the college's regional outreach, serves students at Chief Leschi, Foss, Lincoln, Mt. Tahoma, River Ridge, Stadium, and Wilson high schools. During the summer, the program hosts a six-week summer residential program at the college. "The college strives to provide access to a college education, including access for populations under-represented in the past. We are very pleased to continue a program which has been very successful in providing this to students who are willing to work for it," said Art Costantino, Evergreen's Vice President for Student Affairs.

The Upward Bound program is a part of the Department of Education's TRIO programs, aimed at supporting and motivating students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Upward Bound traditionally serves high school students from low-income families; high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree; and low-income, first-generation military veterans who are preparing to enter postsecondary education. During student surveys at Evergreen, forty percent of students indicated that their parents or primary caregivers have not earned a four-year degree.

For more information, go to www.evergreen.edu/upwardbound.

Red Square near Seminar II Building - look for signs

Presentations:

12:30 p.m. - David Montgomery, Pd.D.
"The History of Dirt"