Rolling down the river

On Saturday, July 17, Commerce and Business Administration Dean Robert Buller, members of the Oarlock and Sail Wooden Boat Club and volunteers gathered on the banks of the Fraser River for the launch of a hand-built, 18-foot wooden skiff of the same ilk as those that plied the waters of the Fraser River estuary at the turn of the last century.

The successful boat launch was the culmination of the Build-a-Boat: Wooden Boat Building on the Fraser project. For the last several months, volunteers have been coming to the Fraser River Discovery Centre to work under the watchful eye of lead boat builder Buller to bring the historic boat to life.

With its maiden voyage now complete, the skiff will remain on display in the Discovery Centre.

Build-a-Boat: Wooden Boat Building on the Fraser is sponsored by Douglas College, the City of New Westminster and RBC.

Photos courtesy the Fraser River Discovery Centre
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Douglas gets dirty

Workers use a hose to spray a layer of dirt onto the roof as part of the instalation of a new green roof at the New Westminster campus.

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Banner day at Douglas

With crews on hand this morning to install banners in the New Westminster Campus concourse, Douglas College President Scott McAlpine (right) took the opportunity to take a ride in a lift and get a bird's eye view of the campus. Read more...

Douglas staffer leads walk down video game memory lane

Ryan Cousineau of the Douglas College Centre for Educational and Information Technology is the guest curator of “From Pong to Pokemon: Video Game Entertainment”, a new exhibit at the Surrey Museum.

Last week, Ryan spoke to the Georgia Straight about the exhibit, which opened today and runs through December: you can read all about it here.




















Ryan Cousineau, Supervisor, Classroom Technology Services at the Douglas College Centre for Educational and Information Technology with his original Nutting Associates "Computer Space" arcade machine from 1971. Read more...

My way or the Steinway

Last week, Douglas College’s Music Department received its brand new Steinway model D concert grand piano. The piano, handcrafted by the legendary New York manufacturers Steinway & Sons, will be a centerpiece for the music department and will be used by both students and visisting artists. Watch for the official unveiling this fall. Read more...

Campus Life staff say goodbye to Dean Howie

Last week, the Centre for Campus Life bade farewell to its Director, Dean Howie, who has left Douglas to pursue new career opportunities.

This week, Campus Life Co-ordinator Scott Fraser-Dauphinee looks back on Dean’s time with the centre and the impact he had.
Those who know me well have likely had either the pleasure or misfortune of witnessing one of my various accents or impersonations. So it was of no surprise to those in the Centre for Campus Life that after two-years of working with Dean Howie, I had developed quite the repertoire of his mannerisms and sayings. And after much coaxing, somehow my colleagues convinced me to humour Dean with my impression of him at our final department meeting.

Needless to say that poking fun at your boss may not be the wisest of career decisions, yet for me it is a testament to Dean and the relationships he was able to forge during his two years at Douglas. The fact that I felt comfortable teasing him in front of his staff is largely due to a great working relationship we developed, one where Dean challenged and inspired me to grow both professionally and personally. But the story is much bigger than just me, Dean’s impact on the rest of the staff in the Campus Life and Athletics department is impossible to overlook. In two years I have seen a great deal of positive change in those Dean worked closest with, and the personal changes have manifested themselves in the exciting new initiatives, programs and events the Centre for Campus Life has developed this past year.

As Dean moves on from Douglas, his leadership, passion, integrity and sense of humour will be deeply missed by both his colleagues and Douglas students. And although his departure has left the college with big shoes to fill, he has left a great legacy and direction for Campus Life and Athletics.



Dean Howie, former Director of the Centre for Campus Life, with Douglas College's Olympic torch bearer Anna Solnickova back in February.

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Outstanding College Librarian keeps in step with the times

Gladys Watson (right), Chair of Chair of Canadian and Technical College Libraries, presents Carole Compton-Smith, Director of Learning Resources at Douglas College, with the 2010 Outstanding College Librarian Award at the Canadian Library Association Conference on June 4 in Edmonton.

In recent years, much has been made of the impending death of the library, as new digital technologies threaten the survival of books and the institutions that rely on them.
But if you ask the Canadian Technical and College Libraries’ (CTLC) 2010 Outstanding College Librarian about the future of the Douglas College’s library, a different picture emerges.

“We have a collection that has been in development for 40 years and it is very well-regarded by others in the Lower Mainland, but we realize things are changing,” says New Westminster’s Carole Compton-Smith, Douglas College’s Director of Learning Resources. “We are always trying to make sure that we’re meeting the needs of students, so we’ve not seen a large downturn in use.

Since coming to Douglas College from Nova Scotia’s provincial library in 2000, Compton-Smith has helped build a library that continues to be a vital information resource in the digital age. She has been involved in many initiatives that have served both her college and the province, including the implementation of the AskAway virtual reference service, the Living Library initiative, Douglas College’s Uganda Library project, and the BC Campus-Library 2020 initiative.

“We’ve seen huge increases in the use of our virtual reference materials, electronic databases and electronic collections,” says Compton-Smith.

Other innovations under Compton-Smith have been less dramatic, but no less important to the continued vibrancy of the institution. These include renovations to open up the library to foot traffic, equitable hours of operation between the New Westminster and David Lam Campus library in Coquitliam and the expansion of all online services.

The key, says Compton-Smith, is for libraries to listen and learn.

“We're always looking at what other academic libraries are doing; we don't want to re-invent the wheel but we do want to be innovative in ways that serve our students best. We’re learning new things all the time,” she says. “We try to be as responsive to students as possible and that we’re bringing in materials that are piquing their interests and meeting their needs. Students come to college to learn and the library is a big part of that.”

Links:
Douglas College Library
Canadian Library Association
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Graduation Day

Photos from 2010 Summer graduation are now online. Recapture the memories with our slideshow below or visit the Flickr page.



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Gathering Place gathering steam

If you’ve been by the fourth floor of the New Westminster Campus recently, you might have seen (or heard) some of the construction going on around the south side of the building. It’s all part of the construction of the new Aboriginal Gathering Place, which is set to open this fall. Visit our sister blog Doug for an in-depth look at this new addition to the Douglas College landscape. Read more...

Excellence & Innovation Celebrated

by Jo-Anne Bilquist, Divisional Assistant Office of VP - Education

Gloria Cui, a graduate of The Training Group's Self Employment Program and proprietor of GC Natural Health Clinic, works her magic on Anne Gapper Administrative Assistant to the VP, Education during the fifth annual Celebration of Teaching, Learning, Scholarly Activity, and Program Innovation on May 27.

A study of biological control of greenhouse pests and an assessment of why aboriginal hunting camps can’t be moved and the latest research on ice-age mammals in the Canadian Plains and the San Juan-Vancouver Island region were among the projects on display at the fifth annual Celebration of Teaching, Learning, Scholarly Activity, and Program Innovation on May 27.

Twenty-four displays showcased a wide range of exciting educational activities provided by faculty or through support services, including scholarly activity projects completed by faculty and staff. More than 100 employees, students, faculty, Board members, and visitors got an up close and personal look at the learning environment at Douglas College.

Visitors got to experience a healing stone massage, discover what the Practice Firm and the Self Employment Program are all about, and hear about the SoTL Research Project that investigated student engagement at Douglas College. Four teams were presented with Program Innovation Awards in recognition of their innovative program development work. For a complete list of displays and award recipients, please visit the Celebration of Teaching and Learning website.

“I want to extend a sincere thank you to all the exhibitors and organizers for making this year’s event a success,” says VP Education Dr. Kathy Denton. “I encourage faculty and staff to keep this annual event in mind as they engage in research, scholarly activity and student learning projects over the next year.”

Next year's event will be held at the David Lam Campus.
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Douglas College could join U-Pass program

Douglas College students may soon vote on joining a Metro-Vancouver U-PASS transit program, allowing students to enjoy reduced transit fares and potentially saving hundreds of dollars per year.

Today’s announcement by the provincial government establishing a universal U-Pass for all students at public B.C. colleges and universities is most welcome says Blaine Jensen, Vice President, Educational Services.

“Transportation is a big expense,” Jensen says. “Douglas College students have been encouraging TransLink and the government to expand U-Pass for some time, so this is a real win for them.”

“We’re also pleased that TransLink is moving forward with the Evergreen Skytrain Line to Douglas College’s David Lam campus. Together, these initiatives will make getting to class cheaper, quicker and more convenient for thousands of students.”

Once the U-Pass is implemented, Douglas College students will pay $30 for a single system-wide transit pass, a significant savings from the $81 they would pay for an individual monthly pass. This fall, the Douglas College Student Society will meet with TransLink to finalize details. Students will then have the opportunity to vote in a referendum on joining the program.

Douglas College Student’s Union External Relations Co-ordinator Anna Schachner says Douglas College students have been fighting for access to U-Pass as part of the OnePassNow Coalition, which also represents students at Vancouver Community College and Emily Carr University.

“Our students have worked very hard to make their voices heard through the OnePassNow campaign to ensure the government keeps its promise to give students increased access to U-Pass,” says Schachner. “We’re extremely excited that students here will soon be able enjoy the benefits of the U-Pass soon.”

Blaine Jensen adds expanding student transit options also has a number of side benefits.“Fewer students choosing to drive means reduced parking congestion on campus, reduced demand for new parking facilities, less road congestion and improved air quality in our communities,” says Jensen

TransLink U-Pass FAQ
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Camp Douglas

Need a break from the kids this summer? Douglas College offers a variety of sports, computer and music summer camps for both kids and youth. With more than 50 camps to choose from, there is something for everyone. Camps run throughout July and August in New Westminster and Coquitlam.

With camps for levels from beginner to intermediate, anyone can attend one of our active summer camps. Improve your existing skills, or try out something new. For information on sports and computer camps, visit the Summer Camps infomation page. For more details on music camps and to register, see the Community Music School Summer Camps page. Spaces are filling up fast so register now! Read more...

Update on SkyTrain to Coquitlam Campus

Mark Traverso (second from left), Segment Manager of the Evergreen Line Rapid Transit Project, updated the College Board at their May meeting on the progress of the SkyTrain line from Lougheed Mall to Douglas College. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2011 although final funding has yet to be finalized. The station at Douglas is to be on the east side of Pinetree, just north of Guildford, running alongside the Evergreen Cultural Centre parking lot.

Pictured here are (l-r) Angela MacKenzie and Mark Traverso of the Evergreen Line Rapid Transit Project, Board Chair Paul Wates, College President Scott McAlpine and VP External Relations Hazel Postma. Read more...

BPEC students conquer 50-kilometre, 8-hour adventure race

While many of us were barbequing, camping or sleeping in this May long weekend, Nick Hammerschmidt and Megan Fretter were celebrating the holiday in a much less conventional manner – with a 50-kilometre, 8-hour adventure race across Squamish.

photo by Nick Sopczak

Get the rest of the story (and more photos) on doug: the community blog. Read more...

Outstanding student receives 2009 Award for Educational Excellence

Douglas College graduate Lisa Bellano (centre) received the 2009 Award for Educational Excellence in May. Lisa is pictured here with (from left to right) Board Chair Paul Wates, Educational Excellence Committee co-chairs Gerry Gramozis and Rosilyn Coulson, and College President Scott McAlpine.



The following remarks are from the May 2010 Board meeting.

by Paul Wates, Chair, Douglas College Board

Each year Douglas College recognises a student who exemplifies educational Excellence.The recipient of the Award for Educational Excellence is a student who is striving for excellence in learning and is passionate about the community. Let me introduce to you Lisa Bellano, who is our 2009 award winner.

Lisa, faculty members and staff have recognised your dedication, thirst for knowledge and your passionate commitment to helping others. They speak of your contribution to the classroom, the Douglas community and to the communities beyond our doors. For the next few minutes I invite you to enjoy the spotlight as we recognise your achievements. I will summarize them for those gathered here.

Lisa was a student in the Douglas College university transfer program, and she graduated in 2009. During her studies at Douglas College, she achieved a cumulative grade point average of 4.10 on a four point scale. However, Dr. Alison Thomas points out that:

". . . citing Lisa’s formal record of academic achievement hardly explains what makes her such a special student: in many years of teaching, both here at Douglas College and in universities here and in the UK, I have met very few students of her intellectual caliber and with such at thirst for knowledge.”

Dr. Tim Paterson stated “Her academic abilities and her passion for learning are remarkable while her determination to use her knowledge and skills to encourage and assist others is truly inspiring. “

Lisa actively volunteered by serving on the Environmental Action Team and the Environmental Task Force, and served as an orientation leader for new students and as a peer mentor in the Cultural Connections Program at Douglas College. In the broader community, she volunteered for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee and the Italian Chamber of Commerce.

Lisa’s international contributions are as follows. In the summer of 2006, she undertook research interviewing marginalized and exploited women in south eastern Asia. During the summer of 2009, Lisa volunteered in a government-run day care in a north-eastern slum of New Delhi, India while living with an Indian family in the village of Khera Khurd.

In addition to her volunteer activities, Lisa was employed as a Peer Tutor in our Learning Centre and as the Assistant News Editor for the Other Press, our students’ newspaper.

Lisa is currently completing her studies at Simon Fraser University. She is serving as a Student Representative in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and is a member of the SFU Choir.

Lisa is living the university transfer life, and helping other students aspire to it as well, by continuing as a peer tutor in the Douglas College Learning Centre.

Lisa, you are an ambassador for Douglas College and it is my honour to present you with the 2009 Award for Educational Excellence. Well done!

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