= New Westminster Campus and David Lam Campus Budget for the future Karen Maynes, VP of Finance and Administration, addresses questions at the Budget Forum. “It’s a status quo budget with some adjustments for areas that need additional funding,” said College President Susan Witter at the College-Wide Budget Forum held January 26 at the New Westminster Campus. “We're driven by the desire to serve our community but also by the desire to survive financially.” The 2004-05 budget plan, which goes to the College Board for final approval in April, includes a six percent tuition increase, from $223 to $236 fora three-credit course. “We're trying to balance flat INside _.. The Douglas College Newsletter funding from the government for the last four years, plus a $1.5 million decrease this year,” said Karen Maynes, the Vice-President of Finance and Administration. The fee increase will provide funding to increase student access to classes in the Summer semester by adding 26 new sections in high- demand areas such as psychology, biology and criminology. Building a capital reserve fund is a choice that the College and the Board made, said Maynes, to be DOUGIMUN takes on terrorism One day of terrorism changed the face of our world, and contentious political issues are still emerging long after the dust has settled. Over 160 students from Western Canada and the United States are coming to Douglas College's International Model United Nations (DOUGIMUN) from February 7 to 10 to grapple with issues around the theme: A World in Turmoil — Terrorism in the 21" Century. “With the advent of terrorism as a worldwide phenomena, it’s necessary for society to debate who is responsible for what,” says Political Science Instructor Marlene Hancock, who organized the event. “Who's responsible for cleaning up the environment in Afghanistan after the war? Who’ responsible for human rights issues that arise when one country takes its war against terrorism into another country?” Students take on the roles of diplomats from various countries and serve on model United Nations committees, convening daily in a general assembly. Peter Bates, Canada’s Assistant Director for Counter-Terrorism, will deliver the keynote speech at the opening ceremonies, which are open to the public and feature Ba hai Dancers from Victoria, performing dances based on world issues, as well as First Nations dancers. In the evenings, there will be opportunities to network, including a Diplomats’ Evening on February 7, co-sponsored by the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam. A committee of 22 Douglas College students is involved with the event, some of who will be travelling to Egypt this spring to represent Douglas College at CIMUN, Cairo International Model UN. Douglas College student Merrill Farmer, who is serving as DOUGIMUN Secretary General along with former College student Anneliese Ganske, first found her passion for politics at the last DOUGIMUN, which she Employee Relations position changed Douglas College President Susan Witter has announced that the title of Director, Employee Relations has been changed to Associate Vice President, Employee Relations, to reflect new levels of responsibility assigned to the position.“Since Mia Gordon retired a year ago, and we reduced the number of vice-presidents to three, all of the highest-level employee relations issues have fallen to Employee Relations Director Marion Exmann,” Witter said. “This change of title acknowledges the difficult decisions that must be made and the significant new demands of complex legal issues, collective bargaining, consultation with the Post Secondary Employers’ Association, the President’s Office, the Douglas College Board, and many others in the College community.” Quote of the Month attended as a Douglas College Environmental Studies student. Farmer says, “Coming from a small town, politics wasn't that big of a deal. But when youre modelling the IN Douglas College ready for the future. Maynes and Witter discussed how the Ministry of Advanced Education expects the College to bring some money to the table when seeking to expand facilities, plus the fact that it’s hard to predict future government funding for the College. About 70 people attended the forum. Details of the budget plan were e-mailed to College employees on January 22. Witter and Maynes said they welcome comments and feedback on the plan. United Nations, you feel like you're resolving world issues — like you are capable of changing the world.” For more information, contact Marlene Hancock at 604-527-5208. Students, including DOUGIMUN Secretary General Merrill Farmer (left ), concentrate at Minimun, a warm-up event for Douglas College International Model! United Nations. Don't let excellence pass you by Excellence abounds at Douglas College. And here’s your chance to acknowledge those exceptional people by nominating them for a Douglas College Educational Excellence Award. “We really hope that people make the effort to recognize the people who make a difference by nominating them for an award,” says Janice Penner, EASL instructor and Educational Excellence committee member. The four categories for the awards are: Student, Faculty, Staff and Administrative Excellence. Nomination forms outlining the criteria are available in the Library and department offices on both campuses (or contact Fran Johnson at 604-527-5062 or johnsonf@douglas.be.ca). Three nomination letters (including one from a person outside the nominee's department/faculty) need to be completed and sent to Fran Johnson, Chair, Educational Excellence Committee, room 2626, New Westminster Campus by March 31. Supporting documents, such as reference letters, evaluations and other relevant material are welcome. Maté speaks at Breastfeeding Education Day Renowned local physician and best- selling author Dr. Gabor Maté is coming to Douglas College to speak at the Perinatal Program’s annual Breastfeeding Education Day on February 28. Maté will discuss the importance of nurturing in infant and child development and the role breastfeeding can play in the development of a strong infant-parent bond and more. His books included When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress. His third book, Hold On To Your Kids: Why Parents Matter, is due out this month. Perinatal Nurse Consultant Barbara Selwood will lead a session on safe sleeping. Breastfeeding Education Day runs from 8:30am to 5pm in room 1614 at the New Westminster Campus. Call 604-527- 5472. “Coming from a small town, politics wasnt that big of a deal. But when youre modelling the United Nations, you feel like youre resolving world issues — like you are capable of changing the world.” Douglas College Student Merrill Farmer on participating in Douglas College International Model United Nations