INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE / August 6, 1991

 

 

MEMORANDUM

TO: College Board

FROM: Al Atkinson

DATE: July 18, 1991

RE: PRESIDENT’S REPORT

External Matters - Municipal
Nothing to report.
External Matters - Education

From June 16 to 21, Jay McGilvery and Bev Miller attended the Pacific Management Development Institute
(PMDI) at Bowen Island. This institute is designed for administrators in the College system. It incorporates a
number of management issues and concerns,although the focus is on strategic planning. Approximately 15
Douglas College administrators are among the “PMDI” alumni.

On June 21, I met with Derek Francis, the Vice President of Educational and Organizational Support from
Kwantlen College, to explore joint planning initiatives as Douglas and Kwantlen proceed with plans for their
new campuses. This meeting was followed up with a meeting on July 5 with Adrienne MacLaughlin, the Presi-
dent of Kwantlen College. Recent examples of joint planning initiatives between the two colleges include
consultations which have occurred with respect to Music and Human Services programs. Future consultations
will occur with respect to Visual Arts and other programs as themes for new programs are identified.

On July 5, Gerry Della Mattia represented the administration at Minister Dueck’s press conference where he
announced the establishment of the University College of the Fraser Valley. Abie Klassen represented the
Board at this function. Bill Day, who participated on the original commission to establish the Fraser Valley Col-
lege, and who also participated with the Presidents of Kwantlen College, Fraser Valley College and SFU on the
more recent analysis of the educational needs of the valley, was also in attendance. In addition to announcing
the University College, the Minister also announced the establishment of two community commissions — one
to make recommendations regarding the creation of a university for the valley, and the other to make recom-
mendations regarding technical and vocational training.

On July 11, I met with Susan Witter, the Dean of Continuing Education at Fraser Valley College to discuss
her article “Canada’s Occupational Training Programs: Three Decades of Deficiencies”, recently published in
the Canadian Journal for Vocational Education. The article is available through my office for anyone who
wishes a copy.

Internal Matters - Education

On June 20, the College held its Spring 1991 graduation ceremonies. Approximately 500 students received
citations, certificates and diplomas. Both ceremonies were well attended and “Wwell-orchestrated”. Congratula-
tions have been extended to Trish Angus, Brenda Walton and Eleanor Dick for planning and organizing both
ceremonies.

On June 20, the Board Chairman, Gerry Della Mattia and I met with Anita Hagen, the MLA for New
Westminster, to discuss several issues of concern to Douglas College — funding, advocacy, access — and to ac-
quaint her with new College developments — the Thomas Haney Centre and the Coquitlam Campus. This
meeting was arranged as part of the Legislative Advocacy Action Plan recently adopted by the Board.

 

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