Suffering from a headache? Take a
pill. Finding your job stressful? A super-
B vitamin should do the trick.

The “magic pill” mentality seems to
pervade our lives today. And why not?
Don’t we all want a major return for a
minimal investment?

In fact, you may be able to simply
take a pill and feel better. Studies
indicate that if you believe strongly
enough that a pill will fix you up, your
body will respond. But in this case, it’s
not the medication that does the trick—
it’s your own expectations exerting a
powerful force.

There is an opposite—and relevant—
side to the well-known placebo effect:
negative expectations can also make you
ill. A recent edition of the UC California
at Berkley Wellness Letter talks about
this as the “NO-cebo” effect.

Learning

The Douglas College Learning
Partnerships Fund now has approximately
$117,000 available for new agreements
between the College, local businesses and
community groups.

Started in the last budget year, the
Learning Partnerships Fund was set up by
the Ministry of Education, Skills and
Training to encourage post-secondary
institutions to enter into mutually
beneficial partnerships within their
communities.

“These relationships enhance Douglas
College’s ability to maintain a healthy
environment for education.” explains
Vice-President of Educational Services
Al Atkinson. “The more partnerships we
build now, the more doors we open to
future arrangements such as co-ops.”

Worksite
Wellness

by Lou Rene Legge
Director, Douglas College
Centre for Sport, Recreation
& Weliness

My colleagues and I have sensed
considerable negative energy around the
College these past months and have
attempted to remedy the situation in a
number of ways. Chris Johnson has
spoken relentlessly on behalf of
employee appreciation. Geraldine
Murphy has programmed several free and
low-cost alternative health and healing
sessions. Douglas Development offers
many short-term and ongoing options,
and massage, yoga and aerobics are
offered through Athletics.

While these and other programs may
not be enough to create total job
satisfaction, it is also true that our well-

There are clear requirements for any
new Learning Partnerships Fund
program — it must meet learners’ needs,
labor market demand and the needs of the
business or organization involved.
Funding must be shared among partners,
with at least 50% coming from new
sources. Projects must also add full-time-
equivalent student spaces (FTEs), expand
current programs and improve cost
effectiveness, using existing or new
delivery avenues.

Many innovative partnerships have
already been financed through the fund,
with more in the planning stages. In one
project already up and running, Surrey
Metro Credit Union is working with the
Faculty of Commerce and Business
Administration to help their employees
keep pace with change within the
financial services sector. Credit Union

being does not depend on external
factors. So if you are experiencing a
“NO-cebo” effect at your worksite, take
a look at your personal role in it. There
is no pill to instantly fix institutional
practices or the behavior of others, but
we can Start with ourselves and our own
expectations.

What would it take for you to take on
more responsibility for your own
worksite wellness? Traditional fitness
services? Better nutrition through
counselling? More humor in the
workplace? Outreach services? Special
events? Incentive programs? A new,
wholistic approach?

Please give me a call at local 5043
with your thoughts on how all parts of
the College can get together on this
issue — The Centre for Sport,
Recreation and Wellness is offering an
“at-your-desk” massage for the best
idea!

Partnerships Fund

employees are first assessed according to
Prior Learning Assessment guidelines,
then placed in appropriate sections of the
Financial Services Program for skills
upgrading or new training.

Whether new partnerships are formed
or existing relationships are strengthened
by additional funding, the Learning
Partnerships Fund provides an excellent
chance for the College, local businesses
and community groups to work together.
Calls for project applications have gone
out, and there is no deadline for requests.
Applications for matching funds will be
accepted on a continuous basis and
assessed as they are received. For full
requirement guidelines, contact Bob
McConkey, Acting Director of
Community and Contract Services, at
local 5169. §f