MAD HATTER PAGE 5

 

A most positive meeting has been held with Gordon Gilgan and the Chairmen of the Academic Division at
which the Notes for Discussion (attached) regarding a liberal arts first year package, were presented.
Gordon Gilgan and his Division are currently examining the feasibility of the proposal. We are hopeful
that the time line outlined, or one close to it, can be followed.

West Gradon and’ Pat Thomasson have been very helpful in providing as much help as they can in
improving the physical appearance and general atmosphere of the Centre. The sanding of the floor on the -
lower level, proposed installation of surplus carpeting from Winslow Site in the student/ staff lounge and
repairs to the washrooms have or will reinforce the message that the Centre is a real part of Douglas,
College. i
In spite of our initial success, problems still remain. At the moment, the most critical is the provision of
counselling/ education planner services at the Centre. I will be meeting with Al Atkinson in the near future
to find a solution. In the longer term, the questions of an overall education plan and physical facilities in
Maple Ridge must be addressed. To help us do this, | will be bringing to you in the next six to eight weeks, a
proposal for the establishment of a community based advisory committee for the Centre.

The Ministries of Education and the Attorney General have jointly funded the Lakeside Correctional
Centre Learning Project. This new funding to Douglas will enable us to develop an educational model
within Lakeside for inmates, Lakeside staff and College personnel which mirrors and integrates existing
adult learning opportunities in the community. For the first phase of the project the following objectives
have been adopted:

1. to develop a joint Douglas College/ Lakeside organizational structure.

2. to develop and deliver a comprehensive learning experience which may include Adult
Basic Education, college credit courses/ guided study, social and recreational oppor-
tunities, etc.

. to provide inservice programmes designed to encourage an understanding and appre-
ciation of the skills and expertise, working environments, and constraints of employees of
both institutions.

Administratively, this project will be the responsibility of the Community Programs and Services Division.
The support and involvement of all sectors of the College will be needed to make it work. To date, the
involvement of Al Atkinson, Director of Counselling, has been a great help.

—-The CAIMAW Project has been implemented and the results during the first month of operation have been
encouraging. This project, a joint venture between the Canadian Association of Industrial, Metal and
Allied Workers‘and the College, provides English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education
training to members of CAIMAW and their families. Courses are given at the CAIMAW offices in
Burnaby, four evenings per week with afternoon sessions scheduled to take changing shifts into account.
Although classes are held in facilities provided by CAIMAW classes are not restricted to CAIMAW
members. Through this co-operative project, Douglas has been able to provide instruction to people who
previously did not take advantage of our programs.

The Summer and Fall have been busy times for the Division. The changes brought about as a consequence of the establishment
of the new Douglas College have resulted in the elimination of some past problems. In general, the members of the Division are
optimistic about our future while at the same time appreciating the difficulties that lie ahead.

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