Bellevue College

Bellevue College is a public institution of higher education located in Bellevue, Washington, a city on the Eastside of Lake Washington, near Seattle. With an annual enrollment of 31,200 students, Bellevue College (BC) is the largest of the 34 institutions that make up the Washington Community and Technical Colleges system, and the third-largest institution of higher education overall in the state (behind the University of Washington and Washington State University).

The institution offers transfer associate degree programs that cover the first two years of a college education, a multitude of professional-technical degrees and certificates, a large continuing education program, and a variety of pre-college programs. The college also has a variety of distance education and online learning options. Since 2007, BC has offered four-year bachelor's degrees.

Bellevue College was established in 1966, originally under the auspices of the Bellevue School District, as an institution of higher education for residents of the Eastside of Lake Washington. The college opened with a total of 464 students and 37 instructors, with a curriculum that included classes in the social sciences, trigonometry, physics, botany, and English, among others. Vocational classes initially offered included nursing, basic aircraft blueprint reading, and food service management. Dr. Merle E. Landerholm was appointed the college's first president.

The college graduated its first class in June 1967, with 10 students earning degrees and certificates, and 15 earning high school diplomas.

Also in 1967, the Washington State Legislature passed the Community College Act, which created a statewide community college system and separated Bellevue Community College from the Bellevue School District.

Bellevue College has over 100 student clubs and programs, including Athletics, Music Activities, Black Student Union, El Centro Latino, BC Association of Veterans, Muslim Student Association, Jewish Student Union, First Nation Student Association, Asian Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and DECA.

The Associated Student Government (ASG), whose members are elected by popular student vote each year, allocates money to clubs and programs. Funds come from the Services and Activities Fee (S&A) that all tuition-paying students pay each quarter. The fee is subject to the approval (via campus vote) of the student body and is meant to enrich the lives of students on campus.

The Watchdog (formerly The Jibsheet) is the weekly English-language student-run newspaper.