QUOTE of the DAY

" The more creative we are in responding to | the challenge, the better

me | as a system we will be in the future. " | Dr. Tom Perry

February 10, 1993

HRD Report Carries message for colleges

Access. fiscal restraint, systemic change. Those three themes dominated Dr. Perry's presentation to the College two weeks 220.

Those themes also dominate the recently released Human Resource Development Project Report Much of Perry’s message was based on the report, and College President Bill Dav says that’s because the >port s recommendations are critical for st-secondary institutions.

"The report forms the matrix for what we can do. It’s a very, very important docu- ment, and | intend to see that it’s given elaborate treatment,” says Day.

The HRD Project was designed to develop a policy framework for the future of all forms of education, training and learning for adults in our province. People from major province-wide constituencies served on the Project Steering Committee to reach broad agreements on policies and actions required to position British Columbia for the future. The committee was chaired by Gary Mullins, Assistant Deputy Minister for Advanced Education, Training and Technology.

"It’s for evervone employed in educating

adults. not just colleges and universities.

Many constituencies put it together," he

says. "its their highest common enominator for thinking. We figure large- ’ in this report, and I urge people to

read it We have to get to it fast."

HRD continued on next page

While touring College classrooms, Dr. Perry visits with lab technician Kevin Sanders (left) and student Ed Cartwright (right) of the B.O.E.’s Electronic Assembly class.

Funding the focus of Dr. Tom Perry’s visit

Advanced Education Minister Dr. Tom Perry visited Douglas College on January 29 to get a closer look at our programs and facilities, and also to discuss current issues with faculty, staff, students and administration.

The major issue addressed by Perry during his visit, and the one receiving the most comment, was restraint.

"Today the post-secondary system is being forced to change by fiscal con- straints," said Perry during a speech to the College. "The more creative we are in responding to the challenge, the better as a system we will be in the future."

Perry had opened his address by re-stat- ing the provincial government's case that

current deficit problems were largely caused by a $1.6 billion shortfall in federal transfer payments. At the same time, Perry defended the provincial spend- ing record on post-secondary education, saying that Victoria was funding a three percent increase, compared to two per- cent in Ontario and a two percent cut in Saskatchewan.

However, Perry acknowledged, since most of that three percent would be used to complete new campuses in Langley for Kwantlen College and Prince George for the University of Northern B.C., there will be no real increase for the remainder of the post-secondary system.

Perry visit continued on next page

What about Coquitlam?

The announcements made by Dr. Perry during his visit didn’t include one that some people were waiting for - a date for she beginning of construction of the new Oi: at Pinetree Way in Coquitlam.

But Dean of Community Programs & Services Jim Doerr wasn’t expecting an announcement because he says there is nothing more to tell people at the momen:

"Parking is still the issue that’s delaying us. We knew where Dr. Perry was on the parking issue before he came," says Doerr. "A long-run parking problem is in nobody’s interest."

The 600 parking spaces planned for the first phase of campus development is not enough for the District of Coquitlam, and Doerr says the College has to work with the District to reach a mutually satisfac- tory agreement.

While he made no public announcements on Coquitlam, Dr. Perry did tour the site of the new campus and the Thomas Haney Centre. He was also briefed on the nature of the partnerships being forged between Douglas College and the District of Coquitlam. "His reaction was positive and supportive," says Doerr. &