Behind the Scenes in

** Personnel *

By LES WAY

When Douglas College opened its class- rooms for the 1973-74 semester, 23 new faces appeared among full-time faculty and support staff. Of this total, 1l (4 males, 7 females) were replacements for instructors and staffers who have moved on to new challenges; the re- maining 12 have filled new positions created by the College's expanding services to its communities. Also on the increase is the number of Student Assistants, with 85 now working in various areas on the three campuses.

The current faculty roll totals 227, of whom 90 are part-time.

These statistics pose intriguing and timely questions:

Where do new faculty come from? What process of evaluation and selection lies behind their appointments?

Neil Hill, Supervisor of Personnel Administration, recalls that in the three years since Douglas was founded his department has processed applica- tions received from all over the world. Among the countries represented, in addition to Canada, are France, Germany, Egypt, Malaysia, U.S.A., Britain, and several African nations.

"It is interesting to note," Neil adds, “that a large number of these appli- cations have come from Canadians who are working abroad but who are anxious to return to their homeland to continue their educational careers."

PROCESSING APPLICATIONS

Haw does Personnel go about the hiring of either part-time or full-time per- sonnel?

Neil Hill is quick to emphasize that, contrary to common assumption, his office does not hire anyone. Rather, > "Our responsibility is to facilitate

the processing of applications and

the final decision-making. We never make the final decision." The ulti- mate appointment to faculty is made by the Principal after initial review of applications by the particular depart- ment chairman, and following interviews with finalists by the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction. The Dean then submits his recommendation of the most qualified candidate to the Principal.

Underlying these all-important final steps is a network of year-round system- atization and administration in the Personnel Office. The starting point

is the advertising of vacancies, both within and without the College in accor- dance with Douglas's policy. Contact is also maintained with the local Canada Manpower Centre for likely candidates. Surprisingly, since the College's in- ception in 1970, 5,816 applications have been received for faculty vacancies. Heaviest response was in the first year 2 (3,000), compared with 1,200 in 1971; 1,000 in 1972; and 580 to date this year.

"INSTANT REFERENCE" SYSTEM

Neil describes the progress of applica- tions. from the moment of arrival thus:

"all applications are immediately re- viewed to determine the subject areas for which they are to be considered. Numbered application files are then opened up, each number being punched on two or more cards identifying the appli- cant's residence location and his or her field of academic interest to the College.

“When a department -- for example, English and Communications -- seeks a part-time instructor, we refer to three application record cards: one having the punched-out numbers of applicants who are interested in teaching English; the second indicating those wishing to teach part-time; the third recording those residing in the Greater Vancouver area. By placing one of these on top of the other two on a fluorescent