-INside The Douglas College Newsletter m New Westminster Campus, David Lam Campus & Thomas Haney Centre May gme 1998 Equity process moves ahead It's still a bumpy road, but Douglas College continues to travel in the direction of pay equity implementation. After a process of data collection, job analysis, rating, evaluation and verification, the Joint Pay Equity/Job Evaluation Committee circulated individual results last month. While appreciative of the hard work done by committee co- chairs Triena Marples and Marian Exmann and others, many staff members raised concerns over various aspects of the equity process and its results. Two staff forums were held— with BCGEU representatives, Vice President, College Development Mia Gordon and President Susan Witter also in attendance—in order for the committee to reiterate the purpose and principles of pay equity and the joint job evaluation plan, and for BCGEU members to air specific concerns. At the meetings, Marples also tendered her resignation from the committee. “There are things we could have done better,” says Exmann, “such as providing more information prior to distributing individual letters or getting through the whole process sooner. Our goals were to deliver pay equity to female- dominated classifications; and to evaluate, classify and compensate all BCGEU jobs objectively.” Staff members who believe their job classifications are not accurate must have filed an appeal to the Joint Job Douglas College Library Douglas College Evaluation Committee (c/o Personnel and Labour Relations) by April 30, 1998. This committee will review all submissions and make a final decision on each appeal as soon as possible. Additional information on pay equity at Douglas College has been available at the Library, Senior Administration and field bases since April 20. “We are now in the process of setting up who will sit on the committee reviewing the appeals,” Exmann says. “T have received a great deal of feedback from the College community over the equity process,” adds Susan Witter. “And Iam listening to the many excellent points that have been made. But we do need to remind ourselves that this particular process is to deal with pay equity, and not with issues of superscales, compressed pay scales or marketplace comparability— issues that must be addressed through formal bargaining.” Herbology program branches out Trust the herbalists to get things growing! A popular component of Continuing Education's Natural Health and Healing Alternatives program, Herbology is expanding again this spring— to BC's beautiful Gulf Islands. For the first time ever, the program is offering a work/ study experience in cooperation with a holistic learning centre on Cortes Island. “We’re calling it ‘Douglas College goes to Hollyhock,”” says programmer Geraldine Murphy. “We’re really excited to be working together to offer this unique option.” Peer Support wins Angel Jenkins (centre) of International Education won half the proceeds of a 50/50 Draw held last month to benefit Peer Support's Emergency Aid Fund. Sarah Bertin (left) of BC Benefits and Darryl Flasch (right) of DCSS will use the other half to buy food vouchers for students in need. Thanks all! Already fully booked, the eight-week spring intensive gives students an immersion experience in the healing properties of herbs. Whether they’ re studying for reasons of personal healing, health- practice enhancement or professional certification, all participants receive a solid grounding in herb identification, traditional Chinese medicine, nutrition, organic gardening and herbal health-care. But these students, all of whom are new intakes for the College, also benefit from living at Hollyhock as they learn. In addition to classroom study, they will work 15 hours per week outdoors, gaining hands-on experience with the ocean- front grounds, orchards and organic gardens of Hollyhock, while contributing to the community’s daily life. “We already have enquiries for next year,” says Murphy. “So we’re going to keep exploring on-site, flexible learning options for Continuing Education students and our community partners. It’s a true partnership opportunity for all of us.” Douglas College Herbal Certicate Program instructor Don Rost explains the healing properties of Oregon Grape to a Winter '98 Continuing Education class. Spring '98 work/study instructors are Sarah Orlowski, Nori Fletcher, Stacelynn Caughlan and Elaine Stevens. Contact Geraldine Murphy at 527-5046 for more information. Greenwood seconded Susan Witter announces that Peter Greenwood, Vice President of Finance and Administration, will be taking a year’s secondement from the College starting in June. Greenwood will work with the National Research Council at UBC’s Innovation Centre, implementing and coordinating a new venture capital lending program for technology companies that have developed prototypes and are ready for production and the market. The College wishes him all the best for a year of learning and leadership, and will announce his 1998/99 replacement May 14. Quote of the Month Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself. John Dewey