College briefs continued from page 3

 

e* Self-Study probed

ou are invited to make submissions to
the external team examining Douglas
College’s 1991-92 Institutional Self-Study.

The team, composed of staff, faculty,
students and administrators from B.C.
colleges and school districts will being vis-
iting Douglas College from October 13-16.

The latest Douglas College Self-Study

titled Student Needs, Involvement and Out-
comes has already been distributed to all
employees. Such studies, aimed at identify-
ing and solving problem areas, are held at
all B.C. colleges every five to six years. Vis-
its by external teams are held to verify
that issues have been adequately exam-
ined and that problem-solving strategies
are being developed.

If you would like a personal interview, or
wish to submit written comments to the
external team, please contact Bob Cowin
at 5348.

Library set for

orientation
Instructors are invited to bring their
classes to the library for orientation
sessions. Booking forms are available
through departmental assistants or book-
ings may be made through Susan Fleming
at local 5198.

Orientation sessions run about one hour
and include completion of a self-paced as-
signment called the Library Lab. For more
information call Jean Cockburn at 5184.

¢® T’ai Chi Time

A free T’ai Chi demonstration with Rox-
anne Chappell will be held on September
23 at 4:45pm in room 1315. Those attend-
ing should bring comfortable clothes and
soft-soled shoes. Regular T’ai Chi classes
begin September 30, running from 4:45pm-
6:15pm in room 1315. &

 

Notes from the Ministry

Following are notes for an address prepared for Dr. Tom Perry, Minister of Advanced Educa-
tion, Training and Technology, for the Annual General Meeting of the Advanced Education
Council of B.C. held in Nanaimo in June. They are being reprinted in light of the College’s
long-range plans and our ongoing difficulties ii reconciling conflicting demands on our re-
sources. I consider them to be a significant frame of reference for all College activities and
plans for development.

Bill Day, Douglas College President
Important challenges facing the college ana insiiiute system:

1. Board members, especially newly appointed members, must get to know their institu-
tions, knowing first-hand the issues facing students, employees and faculty. They should
take a special role as advocates, not only for their institutions, but for lifelong learning as a
crucial investment for society as a whole.

2. Special attention must be focused on colleges reaching out to under-represented groups
(women, persons with disabilities, aboriginal people and visible minorities).

3. Program mixes must be developed that meet tomorrow’s, not yesterday's, needs. For ex-
ample, programs must be developed to offset identifiable shortages (community care
nurses) by shifting resources within college budgets to high priority areas.

4. Student success rates (for example, timeiy completion of courses and programs) must be
increased.

5. Balanced budgets in accordance with the requirements of the College and Institute Act
must be maintained, while at the same time ensuring fair treatment for students, faculty
and staff, and affordable agreements and setiieaints.

6. Lifelong learning must be promoted. Colleges mus: effectively create and respond to the
demand for courses and career programs for those aiready employed.

7. Innovation in program development and instruction delivery must be increased. Produc-
tivity in optimizing expenditures must be improved.

8. Colleges must be recognized as important regional employers, both by their staff and
their communities.

9. Colleges must pursue the challenge of excellence; that is, identifying a clear mandate
and delivering the best possible programs and services to fulfil that mandate.

10. Colleges must accept as a public responsibility the challenge of making a difference;
that is, making a better future for British Columbians. a

Gordon named Acting Dean

Douglas College President Bill Day has annousiced that Mia Gordon has been appointed
Acting Dean of Educational and Student Services for a 12-month term commencing on
September 1.

Gordon, Director of Student Services and Developmental Education, will be replacing Al
Atkinson, who is on educational leave at the University of B.C.

Acting in Gordon’s position for this time will be Developmental Studies instructor Ted
James. A