| : ’ q f e March 1999

The Douglas College Newsletter

m@ New Westminster Campus, David Lam Campus & Thomas Haney Campus

MLAs take a closer look

Closely examining funding issues that affect Douglas College and other post-secondary institutions are (I-r) Board Chair Neal Nicholson, MLA Graeme Bowbrick, Student Society President Dave Seaweed, MLA Joan Sawicki, Education Council Chair Meg Stainsby, Douglas College President Susan Witter, DCFA President Kevin Barrington-Foote, and MLA Fred Randall. The MLAs met with College representatives on February 12th, discussing the increase in demand for College programs, difficulty with inadequate funding to support technology, and the need for additional funding to open the David Lam Campus in the summer and

weekends.

Douglas College's unique role

Douglas College President Susan Witter hosted a Forum on February 10 and the theme that emerged from the discussion was clear: at Douglas College we continue to do what community colleges do best. The combination of high university transfer rates, access to education for under-educated adults, specialized career programs, small classes and enhanced contact between instructors and students offers the community a unique blend

of educational services.

“When I talk to any of our students the question I like to ask is why did you come to Douglas College? And the answers are almost always the same: small classes, good faculty, and the quality of the

interaction between faculty and students,” says Witter.

Discussions during the forum ranged from the responsibility of a public institution to provide quality education, to the need to examine what prevents students from getting into the programs they want, to the flexibility of Douglas College to accommodate a new world of learning.

Institutional Research and Planning Director Bob Cowin remarked that “one of our distinctive features is the way we've been able to blend and integrate — all of our faculties provide university-transfer (UT) courses or prepare students for entry to UT. We are breaking down the

distinctions between UT and career and just providing education.”

The traditional notion of success at college is often the completion of a diploma or certificate. Carrying the conversation forward into a definition of success, Physics instructor Jennifer Kirkey says that “students who take five classes at Douglas College and then go on to university with a clear idea of what they want to do next are a success, not a failure. And this means that we as a College are successful because UT is part of what we

do.”

While part of the discussions centered on the College’s unique role, Witter also talked

IN

Douglas College

TelReg for College employees

Summer 1999 registration \ for College employees

starts in March. To receive priority registration, please make sure you fit into one of the following

categories:

1. If you attended classes in the Winter semester, call Vib Jose at 5527, identify yourself as a College employee

and tell her you plan to register for the Summer semester.

2. If you are a College employee with a student number and you did not attend classes in the Winter semester, complete an Application for Readmission form to reactivate your student number. Be sure to identify yourself as a College employee when reapplying.

3. If you are a College employee without a student number, complete an Application for Admission form and submit your official high school transcript to the Registrar's Office. Be sure to identify yourself as a College employee when applying. You must do this before March 8 to receive priority registration.

If you are in doubt as to the fee exemptions you qualify for as a College employee, please check with the Personnel Office.

about the demographics of Douglas College, BCs education and training system, external and internal issues, new opportunities and directions, and her own personal values. For those who weren't able to attend the forum, copies of the overheads used in the presentation are available from Ginny Batke in room 4900.

Celebrating unsung heroines

Since 1911, International Women’s Day has celebrated the courage and strength of women, and today’s events are no different. On March 5, Douglas College’s Women’s Centre celebrates the day around the theme of “Visions and Voices: Sisters in the Circle,” addressing diversity in the College community. The festivities begin with dinner, followed by a ceremony honoring unsung heroines of Douglas College. The keynote speaker is Viola Thomas, President of the United Native Nations. Tickets are $15 for students, $20 for College employees and guests. Doors open at 5:30pm and

the celebration begins at 6pm. Tickets are available at the New Westminster Campus Women’s Centre, room 4810, fourth floor South. Call 5148 for more information.

Quote of the Month

“Don t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”

Mark Twain