The following policy was approved at the College Board Meeting of April 9, 1987.
Rules and Regulations are now being drafted by Dr. DellaMattia for implementation
in September, 1987.

TITLE: ADMISSION POLICY

 

Originator: Gerry DellaMattia Date: November 10, 1986.
New: Revision Education Administration
Replaces Date

 

 

1. Rationale: At present, our admission requirements discriminate against students graduating from.
special programs. Many students with mental handicaps complete school at age 18 (like most typical
students.) However, because these students do not have a dogwood certificate (i.e. formal
graduation), and are not 19 years old, they are denied access to Douglas College except through
the appeals procedure. These students have been in school for 12 years, have a certificate of
completion, are the same age when typical students graduate, yet do not meet our entry criteria.

2. Policy Statement: In order to be eligible for admission to the College, ONE of the following
criteria must be met:

a) The student must have completed B.C. secondary school graduation on any program, or the
equivalent from another school system; OR

© b) The student must not lack more than one course for B.C. secondary school graduation, or the
equivalent from another school system; OR

*c) The student must be 19 years of age or older on the first day of the current semester; OR

*d) The student must be at least 17 years of age on the first day of the current semester, and
have not been enrolled at a school for a minimum of one year; OR

e) The student is a special needs student and has completed a certificate or equivalent from
a special program, and has been in school for 12 years.

* Refer to Mature Student Admission.

Note: If the student does not meet one of the above requirements, he/she may apply for admission
as a "special" student, and is urged to discuss the situation with a College Counsellor.

3. College Philosophy: 3 (a) The College must organize its affairs so that limitations bearing
upon the individual, such as geographical, economic and handicapping conditions which create
physical, mental and emotional limitations can be wholly or partially overcome.

In addition to the written College philosophy, it has been our aim to deal with special needs
students in the same manner as we do all other students. While recognizing that, at times, special
consideration is required, it seems inappropriate to require students to consistently request
"special" consideration for admission.

4. Objectives:
1. Reasonable access will be provided.

Cc 2. Students are not unnecessarily forced to submit a petition to waive the entrance requirements,
when in fact they have finished their public school education.

3. The Appeals Committee will not be faced with unnecessary petitions from 18 year old students.

4. We will show our interest by responding to concerns expressed by special education teachers
and school board representatives on this issue.

IS