Carol

Helland

The Aspen Institute has once again identified Rainy River Community College as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation, from over 1,000 potential candidates, based on publically available data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems and the U.S. Census Bureau.

In 2013, Rainy River Community College was also identified as a high performing college by the Aspen Institute and the most effective two-year college in the state of Minnesota by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.

Every two years, the Aspen Advisory Panel uses publically available data to identify 150 two-year institutions that demonstrate strong outcomes considering three areas of student success: student success in persistence, completion, and transfer; consistent improvement in outcomes over time; and equity in outcomes for students of all racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

By focusing on student success and lifting up models that work, the Aspen Institute and its partners aim to further the national understanding of community colleges that strive to increase student success, stimulate innovation, and create benchmarks for measuring progress.

According to Rainy River Community College Provost Carol Helland, “The Aspen Institute’s findings solidify what we know to be true at our college: We place teaching and learning at the forefront of our mission while supporting students to achieve their very best as learners. We call it ‘The Rainy Experience’ because it identifies our student success model from the first day of class to graduation. To be recognized as the most effective two-year college in Minnesota encourages us to continue with our student-focused approach, whether in the classroom, residential hall, or student-life activities.”

With the recent warm weather, Department of Natural Resources fire behavior analysts are predicting an early start to Minnesota’s spring fire season.

Temperatures last week in the 40s and 50s will likely take care of what little snowpack the state had this winter. Plus, forecasts for the next two weeks show mild temperatures and a dry weather pattern. Minnesota also had a relatively dry fall and very little snow this winter. All of this points toward abnormally dry conditions in early spring, said DNR staff in a news release.

In addition to predicting an early start to the spring fire season, fire behavior analysts say, based on past weather patterns and fire occurrence, Minnesota will likely have an average to above average number of fires this spring. Without the snow compaction, grass fires will move faster and be more intense. And, with dry conditions, Minnesota could face fire mop-up and peat fire issues.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting above average temperatures and average precipitation for Minnesota this spring. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of the state as abnormally dry with some areas of moderate drought. And, predictive services at the National Interagency Coordination Center in Boise, Idaho says Minnesota will likely see above normal fire potential in March, April and May.

But, even during dry periods, timely rain can lessen fire danger over the short term. Spring fires are predominantly wind-driven in fine fuels like leaves and grasses. These fine fuels respond quickly to changes in the weather. Spring fire danger will vary with the weather, so fire activity could be subdued with well-timed periodic rain, said the release.

“Because the snow is disappearing quickly, we urge people to check fire conditions and burning regulations prior to doing any open burning and to use extra caution when burning,” said Tom Fasteland, Minnesota Interagency Fire Center coordinator.

With an early start to spring, open burning restrictions are likely to be implemented earlier than normal. Residents may need to find alternatives to burning or wait until after green-up when it is safer to burn. The DNR restricts open burning shortly after snow melt when exposed dead grass and brush can light easily and burn quickly. Once spring open burning restrictions are in place the state will not give out burning permits for burning brush or yard waste. The restrictions normally last from four to six weeks until sufficient green vegetative growth occurs.

For more information on fire conditions and burning restrictions, visit the Minnesota DNR website, www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.