= Ps

Work is continuing on a number of possible projects for inter-college
co-operation. I am pleased to inform the Board that the Douglas
College suggestion for a system of linking up all college computer
information systems has been accepted. It seems likely that this
year all colleges in the province will be linked to a system that
will be capable of moving information back and forth over telephone
lines - “electronic mail".

The Provincial Committee on Computers in Education has decided to
co-sponsor two major events during the next few months - a workshop
for Board Members, CEO's, and senior college personnel on the use
of computers in post-secondary education learning activities in early
June; and other workshops on curriculum authoring systems later on
in the summer. These will be intended for faculty who have interest
and some expertise in the field.

On March 11, I paid a visit to the Surrey Adult Learning Centre,
at the invitation of Dr. Don McKinnon, Director of Adult Education
in Surrey. Their Centre, sponsored by the School District, is an
exciting place, and I will be attempting to arrange for some cross-
visits between faculty, that might be of mutual value.

On March 12, the Deans & Directors of Continuing Education met here
at Douglas College. As a group, they are expressing major concern
over difficulties resulting from the present formula. As I understand
it they will be making a submission on this topic to the Council
of Principals, and to the Formula Funding Review Committee.

On March 17, Tom Norton, the new Executive Director of the ACCC,
paid us a visit, and spent the morning with the Bursar and Deans,
in order to discuss improvements to ACCC services and operations.

Yesterday, March 18, I was privileged to speak to the Health Units
Association of Alberta, on the topic of B.C.'s Restraint Program
and its impacts on the college and institute system. It appears
that Alberta may be moving into a multi-year cycle of reducing budgets,
and they are most anxious to learn about the B.C. experience. The
paper that I delivered to that conference will be expanded somewhat,
and circulated to members of this Board and the College community.

Internal Matters - Education

 

During the month of February, Foundation activities played a major
role - with the internal campaign being the highlight of the month.

On February 26th, Bishop Remi De Roo gave a public lecture, under
the auspices of the Douglas College Humanities Institute, on the
subject of the economy and social responsibility. On the same day,
the Maple Ridge Centre, hosted a graduation ceremony for its Adult
Basic Education classes, at which the Board Chairman, Mr. Cliff
Murnane, was a featured guest.

March 19, 1987.