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Se a a ee ee ee

Act protect
freedom
and privacy

The night to know at Douglas College 1s
being formalized by the provincial
government.

Beginning in October, Douglas College
will join B.C. educational and health care
institutions, local governments and
professional organizations designated as
Local Public Bodies to be governed by the
Freedom of Information and Protection of
Privacy Act. At present, the year-old
legislation only applies to B.C.
government operations.

The new legislation is designed to balance
people's nght to access public records and
information with the need to protect the
privacy of data on individuals collected by
institutions.

Overall, the Act is expected to have
minimal impact on most College
employees. Ontano colleges already
operate under similar rules and receive an
average of only three formal requests per
year. At the same time, College employees
should be aware of the new rules,
especially staff in Personnel and the
Registrar's Office who work with large
personal information databases.

"This legislation means you have to be
careful what information you collect and
what you do with it,” said Virginia
Chisholm, Douglas College's information
contact for the Act.

“For example, the Registrar's Office
cannot publish the names of graduates
unless it has their permission. We will
have to review College forms to make sure
we aren't collecting information we don't
need. As well, we have to ensure that
information gathered is well protected.”

Under the legislation, anything written or
recorded on paper, computer or other
medium by a College employee may be
accessed. However, there are important
exceptions to the rule. Barring a court
order, information on individuals cannot
be released without their permission.
Faculty (and students) should note that
teaching materials, research information

Act continued on page 6

Centre making a difference

Sometimes students need just a little extra help to succeed.

For the past year, Developmental Education instructor Julia Robinson has been the part-time
facilitator of the Douglas College Learning Centre. During that time, Robinson and
part-time assistants have served about 200 faculty-referred students through tutorial support
in areas such as study skills and academic writing. The centre also offers word processing on
a non-referral basis.

“We have students who have a lot going for them but who need a little help with some skills
to succeed,” said Robinson. “What I find amazing are the times when just an hour of my
time and a lot of work by the student can be enough to tum it around. Those are study skills
cases when all students require is some help in how to deal with the mass of information
they face. Of course, most students need longer term help.”

That help seems to be paying off. In early January, faculty users rated the centre in a survey
which contained questions such as: should the centre be ongoing? have your students
benefited? and would you refer students in the future? All 33 faculty respondents answered
"yes" to all three questions.

"In the survey comments, faculty talk about students passing instead of failing, and of
students doing well instead of just scraping by. They also note improved levels of
confidence and motivation in students," said Robinson.

The students come from almost every academic and applied program and from varied
learning backgrounds. "We have had many returming to learning students. others who need
help with their transition from developmental to college courses, and people just out of high
school who don’t have the academic skills needed by college students.”

Citing the contributions to student success and broad usage, Robinson is about to give a
presentation to Education Council to solicit college-wide endorsement for the establishment
of a permanent centre. To date, the centre has operated three out of the last four semesters
through a variety of initiative and one-time-only funds.

"The major problem we face right now is that the current Ministry funding formula does not
support this kind of program in terms of FTEs," said Robinson.

The Learning Centre is located in Room 4206; for more information call 527-5539.

one NRE

Margaret Meagher - A remembrance

People at Douglas College were saddened recently by the sudden death from natural
causes of Margaret Meagher on February 5. Margaret was our senior faculty member
in the Dental Auxiliary Program. She was known for her professionalism, caring and
willingness to work with faculty members and students in all programs. Here is a
short, personal rememberence by friend and colleague Cathleen Smith.

“Margaret had a true sense of education which goes way beyond the boundaries of
subject matter. And she was a fabulous teacher. She was impeccably prepared and
held students spellbound as she delivered knowledge in the most palatable manner
imaginable and involved them in their learning.

Margaret always cared about what a person was doing and feeling. I went to her often
if I felt cynical or discouraged. She always had time for a friend. One of the last times
I saw her alone was on the Sunday afternoon before classes began this semester. We
joked with each other about both being workaholics. We owe this woman a huge debt
of gratitude for all that she has taught us and shared with us. I cannot believe that

when I walk out onto the concourse tomorrow that she will not be there to greet me."&

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