Rafting Spokane River PG. 9
Study Spots PG. 4
Wild World PG. 4
White water rafting at its finest
Areas to study for any type of person
Help to restore the vanishing natural habitat
May 25 - June 8, 2011
spokanefalls.edu/communicator
Volume 42 | Issue 11
Missing SFCC student found dead “I would ask each of my kids what means the most to them in their lives so I could die knowing what was most important to my kids. ”
-Leighton Welch In an assignment describing what he would do if he were to die
Lindsey Treffry
The Communicator SFCC student Leighton Welch, 35, missing since March, was found dead in the Spokane River on May 19. On March 28, Michonda Weaver, Welch’s fiance, was talking to him via cellphone. He described a steep cliff, she said. Welch also told her that a dog in the area had spooked him. Welch was intoxicated when he
left home that day, according to Weaver. Spokane detectives said his cellphone was last used in the vicinity of 330 S. Oak St., near Browne’s Addition. Welch’s body was found in the Spokane River close to the Stevens County line and near the Nine Mile boat launch, according to a May 21, Spokesman-Review article by Meghann Cuniff. Welch was the father of two of
Weaver’s children, Elijah, age 2, and Achellis, 7 months. The couple also raised an autistic child, named Zackahriha, age 4 . The day after Welch’s body was found, Weaver discovered she was pregnant with Welch’s third child. “He was the best father any child could ask for,” Weaver said. “He was always there for his kids.” Welch was studying social work and planned to transfer from SFCC to Eastern Washington University in the fall to become a drug and alcohol counselor. Gerontology and social services instructor Polly McMahon had Welch in some of her classes. “I could depend on him to want MISSING | Page 2
By the numbers $25,000
was offered as an incentive for tenured faculty to leave the college
$60,000
The college’s estimated savings if a faculty member leaves the college and accepts the incentive Cody Walker | The Communicator
Mary Ann Sharkey, director of the physical therapist assistant program, is one of several tenured faculty members upset with a college plan to offer financial incentives for early retirement.
Tenured faculty offered $25,000 to leave college Ashley Hiruko
The Communicator A plan developed by top CCS administrators would offer tenued faculty $25,000 to voluntarily separate employment. Due to reduction in state funding, SFCC faculty and classified staff have
INDEX NEWS................................2 PERSPECTIVES...................3
until May 31 to submit a written notice of interest to president Pam Praeger. The cash incentive is $15,000 for classified staff and $25,000 for tenured faculty, in return for leaving SFCC. INCENTIVE | Page 2
FOCUS Vintage in vogue PG. 5
$15,000
was offered as an incentive for classified staff to leave the college Approximately 380 tenured faculty are employeed district wide and
400 to 500 part-timers are employed.
Source: Carla Nacearato-Sinclair AHE president
Japanese medical students experience American culture Osaka College of Medical Technology students visit SFCC to examine differences in health care between the two countries
ent lectures at SFCC on May 10, one about health care reform and the other covered the differences between Japanese and American medicine. “Japan has universal health care, Jackson Colby but they’re facing the prospect of poThe Communicator tentially having to give it up.” Kayoko Yoshizaki, instructor of the Medical Secretary course at Osaka, said. YoHow would you feel if you spoke little to no English and were brought shizaki does not speak English, but a to Spokane to learn about American translator was utilized to communicate with her. culture? “Japan is considering introducing The Osaka College of Medical Technology in Japan brought a group private health care, but they don’t of students to SFCC to learn about want to,” Yoshizaki said. This is due medicine in America. These students to “a low birthrate and an aging population (in Japan), attended lectures plus the fact that the at SFCC and then “Japan has universal people can no longer went to Disneyland health care, but they’re afford to pay into it.” before returning facing the prospect of A private health care home to Japan. reform may be unSFCC has had a potentially having to dertaken in Japan. working relation- give it up.” According to Yoship with Osaka -Kayoko Yoshizaki shizaki, while Japan College for over 16 Japanese instructor is facing this prosyears. This has included, and will continue to include, pect, America (which currently has 3-day study abroad programs for both private health care) is in the process Japanese and American students. The of potentially introducing universal goal of this visit was for these Japa- health care. This contrast between nese students of Human Service to Japanese and American health care learn the differences between Japa- provided a desirable atmosphere for nese and American medicine. The students attended two differMEDICAL | Page 2
BYTES Easy ways to upgrade your computer PG.12
Deby Dixon | The Communicator
Michonda Weaver, Welch’s fiance, hugs her 4 year old son Zackahriha after he takes a tumble. Welch was like a father figure to him.
CULTURE Sasquatch preview PG. 6
SIDELINES.......................... 9
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