Headlines/April 6, 1992

, Access update

(This is an update from the March 6 and March 20 meetings.)

Open University

An agreement is in the works with the Open University, similar to the one reached with SFU earlier this year. It recognizes UCFV’s focus on teaching over research. It notes that although UCFYV will be working with the Open University on a day-to-day basis, the Open Learning Agency, of which OU is a part, is the overall partner.

Access for First Nations

Heather Stewart reported to Access, noting the Toti:lthet Centre, with its current focus on vocational and college prep courses, does not address all Native student needs.

“Many Natives won’t choose Toti:lhet as their first step.”

She said Native needs must be considered in the planning process for the University College, and suggested the creation of a First Nations subcommittee of the Access Committee.

Learning Environment

Jean Ballard-Kent discussed her subcommittee’s report on scholarly activity. She noted that the definition of scholarly activity is purposely broad, but that if SFU wishes to impose narrower definitions for faculty teaching in programs it sponsors, there is the freedom to do so.

“Most people are already doing scholarly activity of one type or another. You can’t not do it and still maintain currency in the field,” Ballard-Kent said. ‘A course release is not always necessary for scholarly activity. What this document says is that all faculty are expected to engage in some scholarly activity within a six year period.”

There was some debate about the most appropriate way to evaluate scholarly activity and about how to differentiate between it and professional development.

Learning Resources Centre Betty Harris reported that she, Peter Jones, and Norah Andrew have arrived at a revised budget projection for library expansion which will allow the LRC to

spend more money on acquisitions in the early years of the five year plan than was originally projected.

Rising prices and limited resources mean that the originally targeted growth figures have been revised downward. The target is now 55,875 acquisitions, which will almost double the current collection, but still fall short of U.S. and Canada national library standards for a institution of this size.

Computing Information

Systems

Wayne Welsh reported that his subcommittee is still deciding which university partner to work with. SFU is currently developing a degree very similar to the one proposed for here, combining computing, information management, and business studies.

“Our goal is that past and current diploma students should be able to jump right in to third year,” said Welsh. He anticipates that the partner decision should be made by the end of April.

ACCG conference

Susan Witter would like to hear from any UCFYV staff, faculty or students who are planning to attend the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) conference in Montreal from May 24-27. She is trying to assemble a team of voting delegates. You can reach her at 4518.

Competing mechanic

Mark Cameron, who took his auto mechanics apprenticeship training at UCFV, went to New Jersey last week to compete with other technicians for a trip to Sweden to tour the Volvo factory and testing grounds. He works at Abbotsford Imports and has been called one of the top Volvo technicians in Canada. Cameron’s sister Marna recently filled in for Robin Smith in Continuing Education.

Teaching excellence in seven easy steps

Learning Environment subcommittee chair Jean Ballard-Kent passes along information on the following seven conferences focusing on enhancement of the quality of teaching and learning in post-secondary institutions. For further information contact Ballard-Kent at local 4362.

THE FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE, May 3-6, University of Victoria. Theme: Focus on the First Year — A Good Start for a Good Finish.

INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATIONS: FOCUS ON LEARNING, May 21-23, Cariboo College, Kamloops. Also features some pre- and post-conference sessions (May 20-21 and May 24-26) on learning styles.

GREAT TEACHERS SEMINAR, June 10-13, Naramata Centre. Sponsored by the Cenre for - Curriculum and Professional Development. (The brochure says you don't have to be a great teacher to attend — just striving to be great.)

ASSOCIATION FOR MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION IN CANADA, ninth annual conference, June 14-17, Vancouver, B.C. Co-hosted by Pacific Instructional Media Association.

CANADIAN ROCKIES GREAT TEACHERS’ SEMINAR, June 14-19, Nakoda Lodge, Kananaskis Region, Alberta. Coordinated by Grant MacEwan Community College, Edmonton.

IMPROVING STUDENT LEARNING, June 20-23, Toronto. Sponsored by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PACIFIC INSTITUTE, August 16-20, University of Victoria. Theme: Teaching for a Change. Presented by the Learning and Teaching Centre, UVic.