I recently met with President May to discuss several important issues impacting classified staff and the broader college community. I appreciated the opportunity to share our perspectives and advocate for stability, transparency, and inclusion during this challenging time.

Below is the follow-up summary I sent to the President outlining the primary themes from our discussion. The President was welcoming and receptive to learning more about our shared ideas and concerns. While not every talking point was covered in depth during the meeting, I wanted to ensure our priorities were clearly communicated and documented for transparency and continued dialogue.

As always, I remain committed to representing your voices and will continue to provide updates as conversations progress.

Thank you for your continued dedication to Bellevue College.

Sent to President May

Dear President May,

Thank you for taking the time to meet and engage in a thoughtful discussion yesterday regarding Bellevue College’s current challenges and opportunities. I appreciate your willingness to consider employee perspectives and institutional stability as we navigate this period together.

Please find below a summary of the primary themes and follow-up considerations from our conversation. I have also included my talking points I utilized in preparation for the meeting. Although we did not address each item specifically, I believe it is important to provide them for reference and transparency.

Budget Stabilization & Organizational Structure I emphasized the need for meaningful consultation with supervisors and unions, advance communication regarding potential reductions, and a workforce roadmap that provides employees and students with greater predictability and stability. Also the need to loop in the classified labor management committees early and to be included is of importance.

Employee Morale, Inclusion & Shared Governance Concerns were raised regarding classified staff inclusion in decision-making and campus-wide events. Strengthening engagement, improving feedback loops, and reinforcing shared governance were identified as essential to rebuilding trust and morale.

Marketing & Enrollment Growth I highlighted the direct connection between enrollment growth and job stability, particularly the opportunity to expand creative digital/social media and transit-based advertising for Fall 2026. Focusing outreach on AA degrees and certificates and clarifying external branding through different marketing techniques were noted as potential high-impact strategies.

Parking & Transit Access We discussed upcoming construction impacts, reduced parking availability, and the need for proactive communication and mitigation strategies, especially given increased parking costs. The opening of light rail presents an opportunity for enhanced transit partnerships to improve campus access.

Government Relations & Civic Engagement I expressed appreciation for the Government Relations webpage and suggested increasing visibility around supported legislation. We also discussed exploring the feasibility of Bellevue College serving as a voter ballot drop-off site to promote civic engagement.

Thank you again for the conversation and for your leadership during this challenging time. I look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration as we work toward a stable and inclusive future for Bellevue College.

Valencio Socia – Program Coordinator / WPEA Chief Shop Steward