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O, June 16, the Douglas College Education Council — short-cycled several decisions regarding program requirements. “Short-cycling” occurs whenever the council enacts a quick decision without much prior notice. The consequence is that most of the following will happen in September 2008.

One of the programs affected is Child and Youth Care -— BA, Youth Justice Specialization. These alterations will occur because the youth justice diploma students were broadening their education afterwards, thus non-youth justice students were pursuing this degree, requiring more prerequisites to ensure that all applicants for the degree have extensive knowledge in this area.

Child and Youth Care — BA, Child

Protection Specialization was also amended because of a high demand at University of the Fraser Valley, whom originally offered two of the courses. This change will allow Douglas to offer these courses as well.

Child and Youth Care — Diploma will receive a new prerequisite as well; this diploma will now include an aboriginal stream of courses, and one practicum. This is part of the new mandate at the college to increase aboriginal opportunities, and will begin in October of 2008. However, implementation was delayed slightly because funding was only recently granted and the program’s overseers felt it essential to ensure additional time to market this new diploma.

Computing Science and Information Systems is also placing a new requirement for their one and two

year certificates, as well as general,

specialty, and double specialty diplomas. CSIS 1110 will now be mandatory, because this course is

viewed as a desirable prerequisite for several others, and the current math requirement is only accessible once a year.

There were also amendments to the BBA — Financial Services and Administration program. This was a reduction in elective courses to reduce the total credits necessary to receive a credential. The rationale was that the existing number of required electives was excessive.

For more information, check with the registrar’s office to explore whether or not your course areas are affected.

July 7, 2008

U-Pass program faces impasse between college, student union

By Matthew Steinbach, Associate News Editor

de Douglas Students’ Union proclaimed last month that their society will be pursuing the U-Pass (Universal Bus Pass, a mandatory bus pass for all students that is cheaper than a one zone pass and permits riders to pass through all three zones) unaided by Douglas College. This is somewhat of a reversal from what the DSU has attempted in the past.

For the better part of two years, the student’s union

was not concerned with pursuing the U-Pass until the cost was equivalent to UBC and SFU’s program. Then last year, the organization removed such qualifications, and moved forward to pursue a U-Pass after all. The College and the DSU conversed about the proposal at length, but given the current financial circumstances, the College was ultimately reluctant to commit to the project.

Historically, Translink has issued U-Passes via three-way agreements between themselves, the student society and the school. If the college refused to participate, the costs normally paid by the administration would either be financed by the students’ union or by another student levy. This plan may not be possible either though.

Blaine Jensen, vice president of Educational Services, who would deal with the U-Pass program if it were implemented, stated that “access to student data is one of the requirements [of the program], so we’d have to be involved.”

The College cannot divulge personal information without a person’s consent per standing legislation, except in menial cases like student elections. What all this means is that the college’s participation would be virtually mandatory to effectively administrate a program as complex as the U-Pass.

Jensen expects that Translink will agree, and end up mandating that both the Students’ Union and the college sanction the program before the U-Pass can move forward at Douglas College.

NEWS SHORTS

Former Douglas president caps off Canada Day at Canada Place

Bill Day, former president of Douglas College, presided over the Canada Day opening ceremonies at Vancouver’s Canada Place last week. Now a citizenship judge, the former president officially inaugurated several dozen new Canadian citizens and gave a rousing and frequently witty speech on the virtues of citizenship before a packed auditorium of spectators. Also in attendance were BC Lieutenant Governor Stephen Point, acting Vancouver Mayor Peter Ladner, and CTV’s Pamela Martin. Day served as president of Douglas College from 1981 to 1995 and has been an active community figure since retirement. He received the Order of Canada in 1998.

Students’ Union hires new financial

coordinator

The Douglas Students’ Union has finally hired a new finance coordinator after a lengthy hiring process. Roxanna Matanzas will now assume a position that has long been vacant, since the previous occupant, Joey Hansen, left amid scandal nearly three years ago. However, Matanzas’ transition will be in progress for a while as she is still completing her work with her previous employer, as well as juggling schoolwork. Her focus of study centers on non-profit societies, which the DSU is, and she currently has a diploma from Kwantlen in Finance. She is working to eventually earn a CGA.

National Aboriginal

Day a success

Douglas College held National Aboriginal Day celebrations last month on June 18 and 19. As always, the events achieved high attendance, and included a dinner, traditional dancers, as well as other Aboriginal experiences. This event was also open to the general public to help enhance understanding of the aboriginal community at Douglas.

Student Union hiring The Students’ Union is hiring students to perform various tasks around their office, including reception, beginning April 6, 2009. If this type of work appeals to you, the wage is approximately $15 an hour and the job is fully unionized. For further inquires email Geoffrey Lenahan, Staff Relations Officer, at

ns @douglasstudentsunion.ca.