Fas

TO:

DOUGLAS COLLEGE BOARD April 9, 1987.

- 2 .

On March 30th and 31st, the Council of Principals met in Kelowna.
The centrepiece of attention, needless to say, was the provincial
allocations to colleges and institutes. I think that we can all
share an unalloyed pleasure in the fact that Douglas College this
year, will be funded adequately for the level of service being
provided. [I am sending a letter of appreciation to Ministry staff,
on behalf of the Douglas College administration, for the high quality
of staff work, and the high quality of communication, demonstrated
over the past six months, with respect to the budget.

The Council of Principals, is focussing on a number of critical
areas for development this year, and I am pleased to say that
substantial progress across the province is being made on a number
of issues - notably, inter-institutional co-operation; development
of increasing opportunities for administrative and faculty personnel
of colleges to enhance their skills; the establishment of a more
“open" system of transfer of credits and movement of students between
institutions; better and closer working relationships with the
BCAC; and review of the present system of provincial funding
allocations.

The Post-Secondary Computer Based Education Committee has continued
to meet. Again, substantial progress has been made, and a number
of educational and training activities scheduled as a direct result
of this Committee's work. I expect the Committee to wind up its
activities in June, leaving a legacy of policy and strategy recom-
mendations to the Ministry; plus a number of educational programs
initiated which will be well under way in June.

Internal Matters - Education & Services

 

The Douglas College Foundation is continuing to evolve steadily.
The beginnings of an external campaign structure are now in place.
I am pleased to report that Mr. Bill Rudd, of Touche Ross, New
Westminster, has agreed to become Campaign Chairman for the external
capital campaign; Messrs. Muni Evers and Bill Hughes acting as
Vice-Chairmen. Heads of three sector committees have been
identified. The Foundation Board is looking forward to the addition
of two new members representing the Douglas College Board in the
near future. The next meeting of the Douglas College Foundation
Board is on Thursday, April 23rd, by which time I hope we will
have Board representation.

On March 27th, Mr. Gilgan and I met with Mr. Liu of the Chinese
Consulate, regarding difficulties currently being experienced by
Exchange Students in Beijing. A useful discussion ensued, which
I believe will result in better learning and social conditions
for students in the future. Mr. Gilgan will be reporting on this
matter in more detail to the Education & Services Committee as
information comes available.