The Douglas College Newsletter m@ New Westminster Campus and David Lam Campus INside .. IN Douglas College College makes the grade in the New York Times It’s in the New York Times — Douglas College ranks in select company in terms of providing quality education for students. “It’s always nice to get recognition in a major US publication,” says Douglas College President Susan Witter, “but the serious educational issues raised in the article are very applicable to Douglas College and community colleges in British Columbia.” Douglas College was rated in the top three of 13 large community colleges (8,000-13,000 students) evaluated in 2003 by the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, a study administered at the University of Texas (Austin). Douglas College, the only Canadian institution in the study of 93 colleges, shared accolades with La Guardia Community College of Long Island City, NY and Oakton Community College of Illinois. The results were reported ina New York Times story on November 30 that delved into the important, and often overlooked, role community colleges play in post-secondary education. “The Times article opens by looking at how major universities such as Columbia and NYU can totally overshadow the important work of La Guardia Community College in New York, but the situation is very similar for a community college in the same region as UBC and Simon Fraser University — even fora community college like Douglas College with 12,000 students,” says Witter. “It’s noteworthy that Douglas College did well in the categories of academic challenge — which asked students how hard they worked creatively and intellectually —and student effort, which rated activities such as labs, reading, papers and special projects,” Witter added. “Our rating from students in these areas should help dispel the myth that college courses are not as challenging as those in university.” A new study of BC university graduates showed the same results. BC public colleges and institutes serve about Print Futures: Writing Matters The Print Futures: Professional Writing Program Families and eating disorders Eating Disorder Awareness Week, February 1 to 7, is a national event designed to increase awareness about eating disorders and the treatments available. On February 3, Douglas College’s Psychology Department is hosting a free seminar on eating disorders and their effects on teens and families. Guest speaker Susan Tishler, who works as a child, youth and family therapist for the Ministry of Children and Family Development, will bring several of her clients to speak about their battles with eating disorders. Alison Bell, a Master's Candidate in Counseling Psychology will talk about how family therapy can help. A screening of the film, Perfect Illusion — Eating Disorders in the Family, will be followed by a discussion. The seminar takes place in room B2270 at Douglas College’s David Lam Campus, 1250 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, 7 to 9pm. Call Gerry Gramozis at 604-527- 5508 or e-mail gerty_gramozis@douglas.be.ca. 125,000 students each year, providing both career training and up to two years of university-transfer courses. The complicated business of linking college studies to university programs is handled by the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer. Surveying BC university graduates who completed their degrees five years ago, The Class of 1996 Five Years after Graduation study by the Council found “no major differences” between grads who started in college and university-only students in areas such as employment, salaries and satisfaction with studies. “Given that some college students have lower grades coming out of high school, the comparable success rates for those completing university degrees is celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a reunion and Writing Matters, a one-day networking mini-conference in November. The event attracted over 80 grads, students and their guests. Attendees at the evening reunion dinner at the Westminster Club included (from left to right) Other Press Features Editor Barb Adamski, student Larisa Saunders, Georgia Straight Managing Editor and Print Futures Advisory Committee Chair Ian Hanington, creative writing instructor Calvin Wharton and student Janice Bennett. College celebrates 10 years with NETWERCC In 1993, Douglas College approached NETWERCC Educational Association about creating a certificate program for employment, career and vocational rehabilitation counsellors. Together they mobilized a team of professionals to develop the courses and become the advisory committee for the program. ‘Ten years later, the partnership is going strong — classes in the Career Development Practitioner Program regularly fill up, with two to three intakes a year. NETWERCC advertises the program in its newsletter and its members get a discount. Courses evolved to include competencies defined by the Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners, a national initiative. Two introductory vocational counselling courses were created, as well as a mentoring program partnering with Landell & Associates in Vancouver. For more information call Cheryl Jefts in CFCS Continuing Education at 604-527-5161 or Ellen Edwards at NETWERCC at 604-526-1265. another indicator BC the workplace. colleges are providing good . . io In an era increasingly service,” noted Douglas an : emphasizing educational College Director of Institutional Research Bob Cowin, who helps accountability, often focusing on enrolment ddioinerscipers levels or graduation figures, the US-based survey was In the US study, Douglas devised to develop College was ranked as a benchmarks of quality, “top performer,” a status reached by only 16 of the 93 institutions studied. The college received its judging schools by how effectively they deliver educational services. More than 600 Douglas College best grades for “active and students participated in the collaborative learning,” survey last spring. Next based on class participation and working with other year, eight prominent Canadian universities including UBC will participate for the first time students on projects — activities that prepare students to deal with in the US companion challenges they will facein survey for universities. Marketing students create financial award The Marketing Student Society at Douglas College didn’t wait for a friendly benefactor to come and establish a new financial award for their program — they did it themselves. “We teach our students to be pro-active,” says Gail Tibbo, an instructor in the Marketing Management Program. “But they took it to a whole new level.” It started with Lunch and a Movie, a three-day event last spring where Douglas College students could take in a movie and lunch for a small price. The students also held bake sales and other events, raising a total of $1,614.53. “We used the money to establish the Marketing Students Society Award,” says Scott Souder, Treasurer of the Marketing Student Society. “We wanted to recognize a combination of academic achievement and school involvement, not just a high grade point average.” A panel of three Marketing Instructors were designated to select the winners of the $500 award, and they decided to split it between Souder and Lovleen Brar, the President of the Marketing Student Society. “We're hoping to continue offering the award on an annual basis and to add to the kitty each year,” says Souder. Members of the Marketing Student Society created a financial award for their program. Quote of the Month “Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.” English writer Gilbert K. Chesterton (1874-1936)