New dean aims to build on strengths of Douglas College business programs As the new dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration at Douglas College, Rosilyn Coulson sees a world of opportunity for her students, both at home and ab road. “T want to strengthen our existing programs while keeping an eye out for new projects,” says Coulson, who has been an instructor at Douglas College since 1995. “We have diploma programs, Conunuing Education courses, and exchange programs to Mexico, the United States and Thailand. And we also manage the co-op program for the entire College.” Coulson hopes to take advantage of the province's decision to allow colleges to offer applied degrees — four-year programs with a specific and practical focus. “We're looking for niche programs that are going to Gargantuan crane lifts heavy load at New provide excellent opportunities for students.” Maximizing opportunities for commerce and business students to transfer their College credits to university programs is another key target area for Coulson. “We have transfer agreements close to home with many BC institutions including SFU and Kwanten, across Canada with Bishop's University in Quebec and the University of Lethbridge, and abroad. Students can never have too many choices when it comes to conunuing their education.” Coulson had her eye on educational administration when she started at Douglas College in 1995 and now she says, “I’m where I want to be.” From 2001 to 2003, she served as coordinator of the Business Programs. “Tcome froma family of educators,” says Coulson. “My dad’s a retired university professor. My mom’sa pre-school teacher. My three sisters are in education and one of my three brothers-in-law isa university prof. As a family we cover the range from pre-school to university.” As the new dean, she aims to reinforce the Faculty’s overseas connections. “I’m looking forward to affirming our relationships with our European partners, such as the Economics College of Budapest.” Coulson had the opportunity to teach in China on a Douglas College joint venture with the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade (SIFT). “It was really exciting because you're not just visiting the country as a tourist. You're visiting asa guest and you get to build strong relationships with your students and other faculty members.” Last year 11 of the graduates in China landed jobs with multinational firms. “One of the joys of being the dean is seeing the students succeed and reach their goals,” says Coulson. “In my first month I saw my former students graduate in New Westminster and in July, I was able to shake the hands of my former students in China.” During the trip to China, Coulson also visited Harbin to help finalize the HIST deal. For more information about the HIST program, please see the article on page 1 entitled New Degree- granting partnership in China. If you were outside and looked up at the right moment on July 16, you would have seen a huge rectangular-shaped Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) unit being liftered onto the roof of Douglas College by a 250- ton Liebherr crane, the largest type of mobile crane in North America. “The HVAC unit only weighs eight tons, but it’s a 180- foot reach from the road to where the crane goes, so that’s Here comes the HVAC. Staff watch as the HVAC unit is lowered onto the roof of Douglas College by the largest type of mobile crane in North America. New route for university transfer students Beginning in Fall 2004, students who wish to complete an Associate of Arts Degree at Douglas College may chose between two routes: the traditional open-enrolment route and a new closed-enrolment route. The new route offers students priority registration, which will guarantee them access to the university transfer courses required for an Associate of Arts degree. This closed program will serve students who wish to complete their 60-credit degree in two years and who have the requisite skills and motivation to do so. Admission requirements are: English 12 with a B, Math 11 with a Cand a high school GPA of at least 73 percent. Preference will be given to those with higher marks. Students accepted into the closed-program must take a full course load each year (i.e. 30 credits) for two consecutive years and maintain a GPA of 2.8. Students in the new program will be given some guidelines for degree requirements and course selection. For example, they will be required to take English 130 (Academic Writing) in their first semester to prepare them for other courses that require academic writing. However, they are not limited to a particular section of English 130. Closed-program students will not be kept together as acohort or be required to take program-designated courses. Consequently, closed-program students will have complete freedom to choose their timetables and their electives from the Associate of Arts degree requirements. The success of this new program will be carefully monitored. Please contact Associate of Arts Coordinator Kathy Denton at 5562, if you have any questions or suggestions. yy SHHHkdGSOH s | ALL Rosilyn Coulson, the new dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, wants to maximize the opportunities available to Commerce students and faculty. West Campus why we needed such a large crane,” says Bryan Neufeld, the Project Manager for Vanbots Construction Corporation, which is handling the fifth- and sixth-floor expansion at the New Westminster Campus. College Facilities Manager Terry Leonard had one thought as the unit, which will provide heating, air-conditioning and ventilation to the new floors, touched down on the roof: “Smooth.” Installing the HVAC unit safely had been one of his biggest concerns, and getting it done was crucial to the project’s time-line. “With the successful installation of the HVAC unit, we're on time and on-budget,” says Leonard. The entire lift was pre-programmed on the computerized crane and monitored closely every step of the way. By mid-July, nearly 90 percent of the electrical and mechanical work had been completed for the third and fourth floors. By the beginning of August, the steel structure to support the new floors should be done. By the end of August, there will be a roof. Walls, windows and the interior will be done in the Fall, aiming for a final completion date of December 24. The location poses some interesting logistical challenges, says Neufeld. “On the plan it looked like we'd be able to put a crane on the grass at the corner of 8" and Royal, but the ground was too soft,” he says. “And on Royal, you can see there's a crack in the middle of the sidewalk. If we moved too close to the building, it could put pressure on the grassy bank and cause it to fail and slide into the College.” While the word construction is not synonymous with fun for most people, Neufeld is enjoying himself up there. “This is a small project, but it’s been really fun.”