• Update on Faculty Housing Construction:

The construction that has taken over College Drive and caused incoming traffic to Skyline College is said to be concluded and officially opened for faculty housing in spring 2020. The area will consist of two buildings that will have 30 total employee housing units (1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments). Similar to those at the College of San Mateo and Cañada College. The adjacent property will consist of 40 single family homes by Summerhill Homes which also helped set the blueprints for the faculty housing and had been in charge of the already constructed housing within the nearby community. For now, the roadblocks will remain in place and the fence that gates off the parallel street will stay standing.

• No-Straw Policy Implemented in Campus Coffee Shop

Though Starbucks shops will not be implementing the new “no straw unless asked” rule until 2020, the on-campus World Coffee & Tea shop has already begun this transition. Unless a customer requests a straw, they won’t be given one. This way, those with disabilities still have straws available to them, but those who don’t need one will reduce waste by bringing their own reusable straw.

• America Faces Longest Government Shutdown

America has now been a part of the longest federal government shut down in our history. But on Jan. 25, President Trump signed a short-term spending bill to end the government shutdown. Trump came to an agreement with the Democratic Party to support a measure to re-open the government and separately negotiate a plan for border security. After the fact, Trump tweets, “This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!” Now government workers are left wondering when they will be paid for the work they put in throughout the length of the shutdown, for which they did not receive a paycheck.

Former BuzzFeed Employees Hope To Receive Severance

BuzzFeed laid off over 200 staff members across the country on Jan. 29 from their national news desk and almost the entire national security team. Chief Executive Jonah Peretti faced consequences for the decision not to pay laid-off employees their paid time off (besides the workers from California). However, Peretti defended his decision as he claimed he is not required by law to compensate his former employees. In the time after, current and former employees signed a petition letter to pay the laid-off employees their unused paid time off. Head of HR Lenke Taylor ensured that laid-off employees will receive a severance package of a minimum of 10-weeks pay. BuzzFeed is also extending their company benefits until April.