FORESTRY ARTICULATION COMMITTEE MEETINGMINUTES OF JUNE 13TH & 14TH 2006

Cowichan Lake Research Station, Mesachie Lake

Hosted by Malaspina University College

IN ATTENDANCEMichel Vallee MUC (Chair) Candace Parsons UBCKelly Hatfull BCIT (Minutes) Peter Barss BCITPeter Schroder Selkirk Ken Taylor NVITRichard Chester BCIT Ed Morrice CNCGreg Lay NLC Barry Ostrand MUCAl Johnson NLC Jim Wilkinson MUCTom Hedekar MUC Linda Kaivanto M of Ed.Sandra Lott MOF Ralph Archibald FP BranchStaffan Lindgren UNBC

Welcome – Michel Vallee, ChairMeeting opened by Michel Vallee. Introductions by all members present.Housekeeping issues, including, invoicing for the Mesachie Lake Research Centre (room and board) has been directly to Malaspina. All schools to refund MUC at $155 / person.

Changes & Approval of 2006 Agenda – Chair Michel Vallee

The final 3 items for today’s agenda will be delayed till June 14th after the school reports (i.e. the election of a new Chair, and next year’s meeting selection.)

Motion 06.01.01

To approve 2006 meeting agendaMoved by Greg Lay, Seconded by Ken Taylor.

Carried.

Approval of 2005 meeting minutes – Chair Michel Vallee

Amendments: 1. Page 1: Change Rick Chester’s school of employment to BCIT (not Selkirk)2. Bottom of 2nd to Last Page: Ed Morrice letter was sent to Dwight Yochim

(ABCFP) and Roxanne Comeau (CIF).3. 3rd to last paragraph on page 6: Rick Chester’s comment of ‘small approach’

refers to a specific focus rather than a general view.4. Recommend page numbers on 2006 minutes.

Motion 06.01.02

To approve the 2005 meeting minutes with correctionsMoved by Peter Schroder, Seconded by Greg Lay

Carried

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2005 Minutes – Action Reports – Michel Vallee(See attached list)

Action Item #1. Tom Hedekar sent letters to the Technical schools, limited response and varied

depth; therefore lost momentum. Tom is still interested in submitting article in the ABCFP magazine ‘BC Forest Professional.’Candice suggested more of a story format rather than statistics.Ed suggested having an undergrad student (in History or Journalism) organize and develop as a student project.FOLLOW-UP ACTION #1: Tom to e-mail the request for a specific format and information by June 23/06. Focus the article to Forestry Week in Sept 2007.

2. No further action required to promote applications, due to overwhelming influx of Technicians registering to become Registered Forest Technologists.

3. No further action required; completed.

4. Ongoing review on promoting forestry careers. FOLLOW-UP ACTION #2: Need to assess what resources are available already. Format to choose such as print, CD, DVD, etc. Tie into Provincial Recruitment Strategy focus and curriculum development. There is approximately $4000 funding made available at the ABCFP Convention meeting in Nanaimo.

5. N/A – No copy finalized in Action Item #4.

6. Contact list to be updatedFOLLOW-UP ACTION #3: Rick Chester to use the ‘blog’ format. Rep from each school to send faculty list and courses taught to the new Chair for distribution. Excel format may still be used depending on each school’s ability to ‘blog.’

7. Drop action, as we have new direction in Action #6.

8. Completed.

9. Completed.

10. Forest Safety Council (FSC): Discussion concerning Forest Training (EG falling). Training Outcomes need to focus on all supervisors, not just Silviculture Supervisors. There is a desire to have ‘Certified’ status, but format is not completed, and deliver to Technical school level. North Island College has a ‘Request for Proposal.’ The required 500m3 / student faller is not feasible.FOLLOW-UP ACTION #4: Letter to be drafted by Peter Barss and Greg Lay to focus on faller safety training for all Supervisors in forestry. FSC will be contacted by Chair to request a post-secondary representative to have a seat on the FSC Board (Motion later in meeting minutes).

11. Completed. Letter sent to CIF and ABCFP.

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BCCAT Report – David Drakeford

Cross Canada participation from 32 institutions; working well in BC, but not in Ontario.Check the website www.bctransferquide.ca (May 2006 copy attached).There are 90 articulation committees.(See David’s attached notes).

No significant articulation issues; however key items discussed were: Core competency matrix, Best practices, Handbook for Articulation meetings (copy to be given to new Chair), and Keep it relevant and up to date.

Dave is the Administrator (Systems Liaison).

National Forestry Recruitment Initiative – Candace Parsons

BC was represented by 4 attendees, including Candace. The highlights are as follows: White paper (latest version attached) distributed by the CIF (April 2006) Web site links by CIF CCFM seed money to kick start BC Group for a Business Plan. National marketing campaign (independent by province and tied together)

Key Item: Pursue a Forest Sector Council using the seed funding (federal-$5000 and provincial-$2500) to develop the Business Plan for pursuit of the larger funding. ABCFP (Jerome Marburg) and CIF (Roxanne Comeau) developing Business Plan.A paid consultant (Al Gorley) is already working on the collecting and presenting of information relevant to the business plan creation.

There will be a conference call on June 21/06 with the National Council (Brad Henry, CFS / FN, and the National Aboriginal Forestry Association (NAFA).

Need seed money from industry as well (P. Barrs), as they are the benefactors of trained personnel available in the future. For example, Ainsworth Lumber wrote a cheque to keep the forestry program at Grand Prairie College afloat due to a shortage for Alberta Forest Technologists.

The Ministry of Forests & Range position on recruitment – Ralph Archibald

The MOF is aware, but not enough attention to address 3-year work force shortfall.Need a different model to deal with present and future trained worker shortage for such positions as truck drivers, mill workers, and reforestation workers.Stress leave is increasing in the FP Branch and other MOF divisions as positions are vacant through attrition and the remaining work is pushed upon the remaining workers.For example, by 2010, 26% of the present MOF work force will be eligible for retirement. The Forest Practices Branch will face a 65% retirement eligibility factor in 2010.

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The MOF will celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2012, and will face the following Key Issues:

Sustainability Water / environmental protection Fish, Wildlife & Recreation Industry (business management) Marketing of forest products Policy development Tenure reform Technology adjustment

FPAC (Forest Products Association of Canada) Issues:o Customer focuso Global leader in technology and innovation,o Social / environmental performanceo Changing competitiono World view

Revitalization Plan (Road to the future): The MOF wants to be an ‘employer of choice’ by reflecting on:

Leadership Learning organization Workplace wellness (safe & life-balanced) Workforce Planning (skill set teams) Performance Planning

o Continuous improvemento Time lineso Support

Recruiting & maintenance of staff

Business Mapping and Program Management: important tools for post-secondary schools to teach.

FSC meetings to focus on reducing accidents and increase the planning stage of safety.

Policy Definition and application (unknown in post-secondary) Understanding decision-making tools / process FN relationships are increasing, yet still not known well on how to create a win-

win situation with integration into forestry programs and industry. Reduced decision making by the MOF, and more on monitoring and enforcement.

Job Eligibility: Need to recruit recent forestry graduates rather than the present Licensed Science Officer (LSO) level.

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Committee Discussion items discussed with Ralph Archibald Third party deliverables are a key part of the MOF business, however contractor

and consultant’s difficulty to find trained and experienced workers not being recognized directly by MOF.

Need to launch a ‘Junior Ranger’ Program employing 150 students around BC using the Environment conservation model (BC Conservation Foundation Model); i.e. one for all resource sectors to work from.

The BC MOF application takes 3 hours to fill out, as compared to the related Alberta government form taking a minor fraction of the time. Need to streamline.

Connecting with the different organizations regionally and provincially. Community Forests Association (EG Burns Lake support for the Junior Forest

Wardens

Provincial Forestry Recruitment Initiative

Provincial Strategy – Peter Barsso Presently receiving drafts.o Al Gorley hired to run and document meeting.o Draft discussion paper released in March 2006 (date, actions, and structure).o Poor response from industry on questionnaire, possibly due to format of

questions and direct request for specific resource support. No update (Candace has notes).

Group discussion points:o Seed people (i.e. leg work, not just money).o Improve discussion paper.o Issue of qualified worker shortages, and difficulty to track with many small

contractors / consultants.o Holes in data (i.e. grads produced Vs grads required)o National Forest Minister’s paper (needs).o Different school strategies (what works and doesn’t?).o Al Gorley needs to talk to schools.o CIF website (data from National meeting).o Job security issues and permancy issue (i.e. smaller companies may only hire

contract by contract): therefore good people leaving the industry.o Industry not supporting upgrading anymore (i.e. want pre-certified and

qualified, and experienced).o Trades are taking people away from forestry, due to immediate pay back; i.e.

‘apprentice and get paid.’ while working (Possible solution: summer job credit to mimic apprenticeship advantages).

o WCB regulations need to change to allow people <19 years old to fight fire.o Emphasize with a strong message on conservation, leadership and

sustainability to encourage more candidates with a broader interest.o List the number of jobs not filled at each school:

Provincial Strategy – Peter Barss (cont’d)& Education Working Group – Linda Kaivanto

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Template for summarizing each school capacities and actual student numbers job postings template (See attached spread sheet for final details from P. Barss or L. Kaivanto).

Need one web site on a provincial level to link all career opportunities, schools, and related links

BCCAT is a well-organized web site however the search engine won’t respond to the key words that will connect to the site.

If a web surfer can’t find the website in 3 steps, the majority of people will cease trying. For example, type into a search engine ‘BC Forest Education’ and you only get UBC and UNBC. ABCFP website is set up for a specific audience, and less for promotion of forestry. The website needs to address the following basic questions:

o Are there jobs and what type would I qualify for?o Will I be certified that the industry wants? (University Vs Technology?)o What is the breakdown for full-time, part-time, temporary, and permanent?o Who would I work for?o How much do I get paid?o Where do I work (locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally)?o What prerequisites do I need, and what is the associated mark?o How much is it to go to school / accommodation? What happens on campus?o What are the advantages to go into this career or go to this school?o Can I get a related job before I graduate or before coming to your school?o What kind of credits can I get for other post secondary courses or high school

forestry programs?

FOLLOW-UP ACTION #5: Collectively give Al Gorley information from each school rep (Note: What time line is Al Gorley on?). Rick Chester to help other schools get familiar with the ‘Blog’ concept of inserting more information and updating more easily.

Provincial Task Force :o TLA, Forest Contractors Assoc, and Western Silviculture Assoc are some of

the members on the task force.o Need industry reps to participate, and understand the employment shortage

situation immediately.o Need the MOF to be the ‘seed’ agency for a budget request (multi-year

development) Present budget to develop the Business Plan is a one-shot deal

Motion 06.01.03

To create a forest education web portal using a simple 1-page connection with general industry / career information and strong links to BC forestry schools.Moved by Ed Morrice, Seconded by Peter Schroder.

Carried.

FOLLOW-UP ACTION #6: Candace Parsons to initiate discussions in getting quote estimates for creating a portal web siteMinistry of Advanced Education (AVED) – Linda Kaivanto

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Minister and Deputy Minister current Minster of is the Honourable Murray Coell new Deputy Minister, Moura Quayle, was appointed last summer; she has an

educational background (formerly Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, UBC) ; and expresses a strong interest in assisting the institutions to deliver world-class education

Post Secondary Education: Issues and Activities Update, May 2006 (see attached for copy - 10 pages)

Ministry Review Process: Evolving AVEDOver the past year, the Ministry has undergone a full review of its key values and principles of operation and identified the following 5 Guiding Principles:

1. “think like a student” to support student success2. Flexibility to adapt to changing business environments3. To be policy-driven, providing excellent counsel to government4. Fiscal responsibility and strategic management of spending5. To encourage shared leadership to leverage our diverse talents

Divisions (3) This review process has resulted in a significant re-organization with 3 Divisions:(see attached for copy of AVED executive organization chart or link to AVED website)http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/organization/welcome.htm

Post Secondary Education – Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM)is Ruth Wittenberg Students and Learning – Tom Vincent, ADM Research, Technology and Innovation – new division to profile these areas as they

are government priority; national search is underway for a new ADM

Program Responsibilities: now divided between the following 2 divisions: Post Secondary Education – Colleges and University Colleges Branch: majority

of programs including Forestry/Natural Resources (Regional Institutions Unit), and Universities and Institutes Branch: nursing programs and general academic programs in arts and sciences (excluding professional/applied degree programs)

Students and Learning – Learning Programs Branch: Aboriginal programs and initiatives and Developmental programs (ABE, ASE, ELT and Literacy)

New AVED Teams (3) Aboriginal Team Literacy Team Northern Team –; to assist institutions to improve post secondary education in the

north: CNC, NLC, NWCC and UNBC (Linda K is on this team)

International EducationNow government priority supported by new initiatives

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Ministry of Advanced Education (AVED) – Linda Kaivanto (cont’d)

Post Secondary Budget Review (Perrin Report #1)Government announced limit on tuition fee increases in last year’s throne speech

As institutions prepared 2005/06 budgets without prior knowledge of this limit, government/AVED committed to provide appropriate compensation

For 2005/06, a $30 million base operating grant adjustment was approved for UBC, SFU, UVic, UNBC and BCIT

Consultant is reviewing impact at other institutions and Perrin Report #2 will be forthcoming this summer

Education and Training ConsortiaAVED has established three consortia – to work with sector stakeholders to study labour market needs and develop training strategies to address them

1. BC Aerospace Strategy and Consortium – focus on aircraft maintenance training; new funding for new and expanded facilities built at BCIT, UCFV, NLC and Okanagan College (Vernon); institutions cover the cost of program expansion with existing FTE funding (base operating grants)

2. BC Oil and Gas Education and Training Consortium – new $12 million facility for oil and gas training at the Fort St. John Campus of NLC; AVED provided $6 million, industry partners have committed contributions of up to $5.9 million in matching funds; and further donations from industry and other sources are under discussion.

3. BC Tourism and Hospitality Consortium – two new training centres established to focus on 2010 Olympics; Tourism at Capilano College and Hospitality at VCC

Expand BSF ProgramsGovernment’s Plan for Forestry includes: “To expand forestry programs at UNBC and UBC to train more professional foresters and address other critical shortages in forestry”.

BSF program will be expanded to graduate more potential RPF’s; however there is not recognition to the shortfall of applicants, and hence still the same problem.

Sandra Lott, Ministry of Forests and Range (MoFR) wants industry to come to the table with the Deputy Minister to help address the shortfall issues and the solutions.

Issues: - Discussion Mathematics (high school) issue: The Prince George school district only offers

two maths (Principles and Essentials) and not Math Applications which is key to having more graduates in the forestry field. According to Dave D, there is a shortage of high school math instructors in BC (Canada?).

FTE’s may mean programs being cut; i.e. not reopening programs if closed Reduced standards of academic prerequisites are not working due to increased

failures in post secondary. It will take 2 years to turn around. According to

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Candace, UBC has raised their prerequisite marks in the last few years with no change to the number of BSF graduates.

Core Competency requirements for RFT entrants – Rick Chester (for Norm Shaw)(See attached notes)The Articulation Committee officially thanks the following people for their extraordinary efforts in overturning the CTAB decision of requiring Calculus in Forest Technology:

Jerome Marburg, ABCFP Norman Shaw, ABCFP / BCIT Geoff Sale, CTAB

Issue: CTAB has a shortfall in their auditing system to ensure consistency of evaluating forest technology programs (i.e. variable accreditation success with programs that are varied in the delivery, yet considered equivalent). Peter Yanciw’s creation of a BCIT program matrix has reduced the effort to locate and assess course learning outcomes, and has been shared with the other schools.CTAB, according to Tom Hedekar was designed to certify Engineering programs, not Natural Resources programs; hence the difficulties to audit.

Funding is required to improve the accreditation process into a final product. (Note: funding will be for a new matrix, and won’t fund the maintenance of a transfer matrix).Funding may be available if deadline date is flexible (Candace Parsons). BCIT’s Jennifer Odom (sp?) may be available to help the process.

Proposal (Step 3 Motion): Discussion CTAB funding is not possible (Geoff Sales) BCCAT process? No objections to Motion

FOLLOW-UP ACTION #7: Rick Chester to submit Step 3 Motion for cut & paste into minutes.

Motion: 06.01.05

That a motion be passed at today’s articulation meeting “ The forestry articulation committee at this June 13, 2006 annual meeting direct Norm Shaw to apply to BCCAT for transfer innovation funding to develop the database structure and process to utilize the “core competency outcome model” as a transfer and articulation tool as well as facilitate the “roll-up” to a CTAB accreditation format”

Moved by Rick Chester, seconded by Ed Morrice

Carried

The following representative from each school will participate in the improvement on the accreditation process:

Barry Ostrand, MUC

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Norman Shaw, BCIT Paul Willms, NVIT Ed Morrice, CNC Al Johnson, NLC

The following representatives from each school will be kept informed of the accreditation process changes:

Peter Marshall, UBC John Karakatsoulis, TRU Laurie Friskie, UNBC Alex Drummond, U of A (also the NAIT contact)

Note: Alberta / BC professional alliance (competencies).

CTAB accreditation and Curriculum Review – Barry Ostrand (see attached notes)

Malaspina University College (Course & time alterations review)Note: Changes are a result of CTAB, Advisory Committee, and student / faculty feedback. Core outcomes have been reduced to give more flexibility.

Info Tech Course (MUC), Jim Wilkinson, instructor University transfer Too theoretical 1.5 week course to continue IT Advisory Committee approved

IRM Course Reduced from 7 to 4 hours / week

Summer Technical Report 1 hour / week

Communications Increased time taken from Organizational behaviour and Team environment

Timber cruising Reduced hours.

Information Technology Increased due to increasing use of technology.

Safety Policy Introduced early in Term 1 to cover check-ins, check-outs, crew and emergency

procedures (Tom Hedekar).Silviculture

Time increased by reducing Wood Products time.

Motion 06.01.06 to end meeting for June 13 /06, and continue tomorrow carried.

Day 2 (June 14, 2006) Articulation MeetingAdditional Business

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Student Capacity (Year 1) Matrix creation (Linda Kaivanto). See attached matrix (L. Kaivanto / P. Barss)

WorkSafe BC: A post secondary representative is needed on their committee.

Motion 06.02.01

To have Peter Barss & Greg Lay write a letter to the Chair of FSC to reserve a seat for a post secondary representative to the FSC Council, and be a partner in the delivery of safety training (Note: Draft letter to reviewed by Articulation Committee school rep prior to sending to FSC Chair). CC final copy to WSA and WSBC.Moved by Peter Barss, Seconded by Greg Lay

Carried

School Reports (Request to limit each school presentation to 10 minutes, as most schools have submitted detailed copies of their report to each committee member).

BCIT – Peter Barss (see attached details) Aboriginal Special Projects Fund of $2 million has passed the deadline date

(approx $75,000 / school). Note: Malaspina has applied for a bridging project. Definition of Technician Vs Technologist needs to be consistent by schools and

industry. Need to highlight for the high school students and career counselors, examples of

students who laddered from only qualifying for the BCIT Forest Technician 1 – Year program, laddering to the Diploma program, and is now graduating from UBC forestry (Nick Miller).

Forestry 11 & 12 courses: getting cancelled or redoing the content, and not being delivered enough. We need to support the programs, and bridge credits to post secondary programs.

CNC – Ed Morrice (no attached details) Student numbers: 17 first year, 7 second year and 6 grads in 2005-06. Full time second year students in Sept 06 = 11 Applicants – 28, Registered – 15 (plus late enrollments not listed). Students desiring entrance Scholarships must register prior to June 15th. Graduates are having increased job choice and quality of positions. MOF funding of $10,000 for 4 students to go to China (Request for more funding,

though). UNBC and U of A usually compete for CNC grads; however there has been a

reduction in the number of transfers due to the hot job market. 4.5 staff in total. MOF does not differentiate between Technician and Technologists. Career Technical Centres offer trade and forestry programs.

School Reports (continued)

MUC – Tom Hedekar (see attached details) MUC university transfer is direct into 3rd year at UBC forestry.

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Job situation solid for students. New 5-storey building on campus starting to be built in 2007. Forestry students hired to work on the MUC woodlot are paid $16/hour for

Silviculture projects.

NLC – Greg Lay (no attached details) 22 first year enquiries, 5 accepted, 3 fully funded. Need to expand marketing of courses to public. Consultants are hiring potential

forestry students out of grade 12, and not being encouraged to go to school due to worker shortage.

Changing to spring camps rather than fall camps for students. Student stats – 12 (3rd intake). Modular format of courses allows flexibility for diverse student base. CTAB audit is set for Feb / March 2008. Changes to help CTAB process will be

reviewed by the NLC Advisory Committee. NATE is considering recognizing NLC courses. NLC is in discussion with the

ABCFP (BC), Alberta (ACPF); Saskatchewan and Manitoba are on line as well. NLC bid on a Wood lot, but were outbid by someone else for $15,000. Student accommodation problems in Chetwynd due to oil & gas boom. MOF fire

camps may be available to share with NLC.

NVIT – Ken Taylor (see attached notes) Paul Willms presently on road to increase applicants for Sept 2006. CTAB audit – Fall 2006. Curriculum change to follow after CTAB audit. Presently no residence for students; Admin looking into funding to develop. Possible to develop FN programs on Vancouver Island. Presently (?), 1st year

programs set up in Kootenays, Kitwanga, and Prince Rupert. Students attend Merritt campus for 2nd year. (Note: MUC and BCIT found in their FN surveys or programs that the FN prefers delivery in their communities).

Minimum of 15 FN students at start of program has historically turned out a range of 4 – 10 graduates.

School Reports (continued)

Selkirk College – Peter Schroder (see attached notes) In the interest of time, no significant items to discuss outside the attached notes.

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TRU – No representative present (see attached notes from John Karakatsoulis).

UBC – Candace Parsons (see attached notes) Many quality jobs available to students this year. High staff turnover

o Steve Baumber and Neil Davis (Admissions Advisors) have left and been replaced with Samantha Berdej and Lesley Fettes.

o Gordon Prest and Pamela ? have moved on and been replaced.o Sandy McKellar is leaving to be the TLA’s Director of Communications.

The FN ‘Cedar Camp’ will take place in early August. A high school forestry camp will be held at the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest

in Maple Ridge from Aug 21 – 25/06. BCIT will participate with the Fire simulator lab demonstration (Kelly Hatfull and Steve Finn).

New promotional pamphlet (see attached) was developed by a graphic designer with Candace and is an example that we do need to source professionals in design and communications to put out professional-looking information pamphlets. Cost was $1300 for layout and printing just under $1.00 per pamphlet.

Faculty review will commence with an external / internal audit team (i.e. concern with a rigid and overly-structured curriculum).

A new Dean has been assigned, and they may combine into 1 school with the Food & Nutrition Department, which has occurred at other Canadian universities.

UNBC – Staffan Lindgren (see attached notes) Reduced intake due in part to fewer Technology graduate transfers. (Possibly

going to work in a fairly hot job market?) New $500 scholarship for Technology grads coming to UNBC (based on their

GPA). New President for UNBC as of July 1/06. Kathy Lewis new Chair as of July 1/06. CFAB accreditation visit to evaluate the forestry program was done in February,

and the report should be available in late summer-early fall of 2006. Aleza Lake Research Forest new 5-year Management Plan approved (UNBC /

UBC joint participation). Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute set up. University-wide

membership. Focuses on promotion of interdisciplinary research and provides a home for NRES graduate degrees.

Other Business FRBC sponsored a ‘Scholarships Endowment Fund’, which was maintained by

Credit Union Central (Vancouver). Tom Hedekar enquired as to the whereabouts of the funds or if it has been continued with FIA (unknown to Committee).

Next Year’s Meeting Selkirk College to host; suggested Crawford Bay to be the location. Date to be June 5 – 6 /07 (Tues & Wed). Motion to include a golf game and/or field trip component (Candace P.)

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New Chair Michel Vallee has served for 6 years, and is to be congratulated on an outstanding

effort as the Chair. Peter Barss accepts the Chair of the Articulation Committee by acclamation. Recommend not combining the Host and Chair duties due to significant workload

to prepare during final exams and marks meetings.

Motion 06.02.01

To limit the term of Articulation Committee Chair to 3 yearsMoved by Ed Morrice, Seconded by Greg Lay

Carried

Motion 06.02.02

To end the 2006 Articulation Committee meeting.

Carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 4:30 pm

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Ministry of Advanced Education: Organizational Chart

The Ministry of Advanced Education creates and develops educational, professional and economic opportunities for B.C.’s adults, by providing and supporting a wide range of post-secondary programs and encouraging relationships between educational institutions, business and industry. With its various initiatives, the ministry maintains a commitment to serve the needs of students, educators and employers.

Source: AVED Website, September 2006

http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/organization/cucb/welcome.htm

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POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION:ISSUES & ACTIVITIES UPDATE

Issue Date: May 17, 2006Updated by the Colleges and University Colleges Branch

Ministry of Advanced Education (AVED)

Section 1 – Policy and Legislation

Degree Quality Assessment: As of April 4, 2006, the numbers of applications that have undergone the Degree Quality Assessment Board’s (DQAB) quality assessment process and received consent or approval from the Minister are: Twenty-eight degrees from public post-secondary

institutions of which twelve are new mandate applied degrees;

Twelve degrees from private post-secondary institutions; One exempt status approval to the masters

level for a public post-secondary institution University of Northern BC (UNBC);

One exempt status approval to the baccalaureate level for a public post-secondary institution Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (ECIAD);

Two exempt status approvals to the masters level for private post-secondary institutions Athabasca University and Trinity Western University; and,

Three submissions for use of the word "university" by private post-secondary institutions Athabasca University, Lansbridge University and University Canada West.

As of April 4, 2006, the numbers of degree programs from institutions with exempt status that have been approved or granted consent by the Minister are: Thirty-two degrees from public universities;

and, Three degrees from private universities.

Information on institutions that have received approval or consent, or applications that are presently under review, can be viewed on the Degree Granting Authorization web site at: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/degree-authorization/

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Content

1. Policy and Legislation Degree Quality Assessment New Mandate Applied Degrees Leading Edge Endowment Fund

and Regional Innovation Chairs Ministry Annual Service Plan Ministry Annual Service Plan

Report Accountability Framework

Review Outcomes Surveys International Education Recent Legislative Changes

2. Activities and Initiatives Post Secondary Budget Review Budget and Accountability

Meetings Education and Training

Consortia Recent

Federal/Provincial/Territorial Meetings

Proposed Draft Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Strategy

Medical School Expansion Program

Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP)

Literacy Forums Student Aid Initiatives Student Transitions Project The Irving K. Barber BC

Scholarship program PSE Facilities’ Expansion BCcampus

Ongoing initiatives: When the quality assessment process was established, the DQAB committed to a review once it had gained experience applying the criteria. Consultation on the criteria with system stakeholders was undertaken in the fall of 2005. The DQAB is reviewing feedback and will be making recommendations to the Minister. It is expected that the review will be completed in the fall of 2006.

New Mandate Applied Degrees: As of April 3, 2006, 24 new mandate applied degrees have been submitted for Applied Degree Ministry review; 19 bachelor and 5 masters. Twelve applied degrees have completed the full degree quality assessment process and received the Minister’s approval: Bachelor of Hospitality Management - Vancouver Community College (VCC); Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) – Camosun College (Cam); Master of Arts (Criminal Justice) – University College of the Fraser Valley (UCFV); Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Douglas College (Doug); Masters of Business Administration – Thompson Rivers University (TRU) (formerly

University College of the Cariboo); Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) - North Island College (NIC); Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing - Doug; Masters of Applied Arts – ECIAD; Bachelor in Fire and Safety Studies – Justice Institute of BC (JIBC); Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Langara College (LAN); Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation - Doug; and, Bachelor of Applied Music - VCC.

Leading Edge Endowment Fund (LEEF): As one of its New Era commitments, government established LEEF to support 20 permanent BC Leadership Chairs, $4.5 million each based on a cost-sharing partnership with private and other non-provincial government sectors. To meet this commitment, government has committed $45 million to LEEF, an independent society, which will administer the process to establish these Chairs at public post-secondary institutions across the province.

The province has since expanded LEEF’s funding and programs to include BC Regional Innovation Chairs (RIC). RICs will create new social and economic development opportunities at British Columbia’s (BC) colleges, university colleges, and institutes. The Province has provided LEEF with an additional $11.25 million, to create nine RICs, at $1.25 million each. Cost-shared between the public and private sectors, each chair will receive a total endowment of up to $2.5 million, with institutions responsible for securing non-provincial government contributions.

To date, eight BC Leadership chairs have been established. At the UBC, five Chairs have been awarded in the following areas: Spinal Cord Research, Depression Research, Prostate Cancer Research, Early Childhood Development and Genetic Medicine. Simon Fraser University has been awarded one Chair in Salmon Conservation and Management. The University of Victoria (UVIC) has been awarded a Chair in Marine Ecosystems and

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Global Change, and the UNBC has been awarded a Chair in Aboriginal Environmental Health.Ministry Annual Service Plan: The 2006/07 – 2008/09 Ministry Service Plan is complete and was tabled in the legislature on February 21, 2006. The Service Plan is currently posted on the Ministry website. The Ministry is looking forward to receiving Institutional Service Plans by May 19, 2006.

Ministry Annual Service Plan Report: The Ministry is in the process of producing the Report for release on June 29, 2006, and looks forward to receiving Institutional Service Plan Reports by July 14, 2006.

Accountability Framework Review: The Accountability Framework for Post-Secondary Education has been fully implemented and has gone through a complete annual cycle of institutional service plans and reports. The Ministry is contracting an evaluation of the framework to be conducted during the next few months. The evaluation will include recommendations on how the framework can be more effectively used to enhance the quality of post-secondary education.

Outcomes Surveys

Student Outcomes Surveys: For the Ministry Service Plan for 2006/07, the following performance measures utilize information from the two primary surveys, the University Baccalaureate Graduate Survey (BGS), and College and Institute Student Outcomes (CISO) Survey:

Student satisfaction with education; Student outcomes – skill gain; and, Student outcomes - unemployment rate.

In addition to student assessment of quality, institutions will be responsible for reporting on the following performance measures utilizing information from the BGS or CISO:

Student assessment of quality of instruction; and, Student assessment of usefulness of knowledge, skills and abilities in performing their

job.

Data results are now available for the CISO survey conducted in 2005. The 2006 CISO survey began data collection in February 2006. Data results from the 2006 CISO survey are expected by October 2006.

Data results are also available for the 2005 BGS from the class of 2003. The 2006 BGS survey will begin data collection later this year, and data from the 2006 BGS survey are expected by April 2007.

Developmental Program Surveys: During 2005, a sample of former Adult Basic Education (ABE) students was surveyed, approximately 10 to 22 months after they completed or left their ABE course or program - a report is now available on the CISO

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website. Planning has also commenced for a 2006 study of Adult Special Education (ASE) students.

International Education

Introduction: AVED’s role in this field is to provide support for the ongoing activities of the post-secondary institutions. This includes assistance in resolving policy issues such as those regarding visa regulations with the federal government, facilitating a more co-ordinated approach to participation in the international education market, as well as promoting and enhancing Canadian student mobility. We recognize that a “whole-of-government” approach similar to a number of our major international competitors will most effectively address the opportunities and challenges in the international education sector, and we are therefore working across various ministries towards achieving our goals.

Activities: AVED is engaged in several important international education initiatives, including the following:

Review of International Education to ensure no subsidy – AVED requested a review of international education costs and revenue at public post-secondary institutions by the Internal Audit & Advisory Services, Office of the Comptroller General, Ministry of Finance, in order to determine whether the cost of education is fully paid for by international students. The results of the review indicate that at the undergraduate level there was likely no subsidization of international students by BC taxpayers at the sample of institutions examined, and in most cases a surplus remained after all relevant direct, indirect and capital costs were allocated.

Research - AVED commissioned a study entitled “Economic Impact of International Education at Public Post-Secondary Institutions” which was completed by Roslyn Kunin & Associates, Inc. in March. Among other conclusions, the Kunin report indicates that the total direct expenditure by international students studying at public post-secondary institutions in BC is approximately $510 million, while the direct employment generated by these students contributes 6,000 jobs to the provincial economy in 2005. The Ministry of Economic Development, with support from AVED, commissioned a report on BC’s international education activities and marketing efforts in Hong Kong and China, in support of the Asia Pacific Gateway Strategy.

Off-Campus Work Permit Program - A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between BC and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) on the Off-Campus Work Permit Program for International Students was signed April 18, 2006. Corresponding Information Sharing Agreements (ISAs) between AVED and the majority of institutions eligible to participate in the program have also been signed; ISAs with the remaining eligible institutions will be concluded in May 2006. On April 2, 2006, CIC announced national implementation of the program in those provinces that have signed agreements with CIC and their institutions.

Credential Recognition - A MOU on the Mutual Recognition of Higher and Post-Secondary Education between the Province and the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China is under development.

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NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Conference & International Education Expo - AVED will support BC's participation in the Destination Canada Pavilion and Reception at the NAFSA 58th Annual Conference & International Education Expo being held in Montreal in May. Along with the AVED representatives, a significant number of post-secondary institutions will be participating in this event as part of the BC presence within the Destination Canada pavilion.

Website & DVD - A new international education website was completed in late April 2006, and is now online at http://www.learnlivebc.ca.The new “LearnLiveBC” site provides international students with important information about studying in BC. The look and feel of the new site complements the forthcoming DVD, which has been developed to promote BC as a study destination to international students and foreign partners. The DVD is expected to be available in May 2006.

China Scholarships - The People’s Republic of China has offered 15 scholarships for BC students to study at post-secondary institutions in China in programs of varying duration and credential level. The successful recipients of these scholarships are expected to be announced in May 2006.

New Faces – AVED is pleased to announce the addition of Sabine Schuerholz-Lehr as the Senior Policy Advisor, International Education.

Recent Legislative Changes:

Bill 15 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006 - which contains amendments to the Innovation and Science Council Act (ISCA) and the University Act - received Royal Assent on March 30, 2006. This means that amendments to these Acts, set out in sections 18 to 22 and 44 to 46 of the Bill, are now in force.

The ISCA is now known as the BC Innovation Council Act, and the name of the council is changed throughout the Act. This Act came under the administrative authority of the AVEDin June 2005. In 2004, the Innovation and Science Council as established under the Act was merged with the Advanced Systems Institute and adopted a new title, now being known as the BC Innovation Council (BCIC). BCIC continues its mandate to accelerate and expand science and technology-based economic development. There are no policy changes effected by the amendments.

Amendments to the University Act repeal the citizenship and residency requirements in s.23(1)(c) of the Act, correct cross-referencing errors in sections 20(1) and (2) and sections 36(1), (2), and (3) of the Act, and amend the board appointment terms in section 20(1) of the Act. These amendments:

- enable international students, employees and faculty members, who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents under the Immigration Act (Canada), to participate in university governance;

- clarify the terms of office for students elected to either a university board or the Vancouver or Okanagan senates of the UBC;

- clarify the re-election and reappointment provisions for members of the Vancouver or Okanagan senates of UBC who remain eligible under the Act; and

- permit the Lieutenant Governor in Council to appoint university board members for a term of up to three years, rather than the three-year term

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formerly required by the Act, to ensure that board appointment terms are variable - as is permitted under the College and Institute Act and the Royal Roads University Act; this ensures that board appointment terms are consistent for all universities in the Province.

Section 2 – Activities and Initiatives

Post Secondary Budget Review: In 2004/05, average tuition fees in BC reached the national average. In response, government announced a limit on tuition fee increases in last year’s Throne Speech. The tuition limit provides a balanced approach between ensuring that the quality of education is not compromised by tuition freezes and ensuring that education remains affordable to families.

Government recognized that institutions had prepared their 2005/06 budgets without knowledge of the tuition limit. A commitment was made to provide appropriate compensation to impacted institutions. The Ministry of Finance hired an independent consultant to estimate the impact of the tuition limit on the four largest universities and the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT).

As a result of this review, the Ministry of Finance approved a $30 million base operating grant adjustment in 2005/06 to the UBC, SFU, UVIC, UNBC and BCIT.

The AVED has retained the same independent consultant to complete the review for the remaining institutions. Results of this review will be completed in spring/summer 2006 and presented to the Treasury Board for consideration. As an interim measure, the Ministry provided $10 million in one-time funding in 2005/06 to assist institutions in offsetting cost pressures relating to changes in the College Pension Plan.

Budget and Accountability (B&A) Meetings: Recurring themes from the 2005/06 B&A meetings, along with Ministry comments (in parentheses), are outlined below:

Concern about inflationary cost pressures, and a lack of funding to address pressures coupled with the tuition limit. (Phase 1 of the Post-Secondary Budget Review is complete and Phase 2 is underway, to be completed in Spring 2006).

Concern about the perceived barriers to institutional development of new applied degrees. (The Ministry is currently reviewing the Applied Degree Policy Framework, and consulted with institutions to which the Framework applies in December 2005).

Concern about the impact of construction sector inflation on major capital projects and the Annual Capital Allowance (ACA) (The Ministry is reviewing the inflation assumptions used to estimate construction costs for new capital projects to ensure they reflect inflationary trends in the marketplace, and if necessary will update the budget model used to estimate project budgets to ensure adequate project funding.

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The Ministry did not receive an ACA inflationary adjustment in 2006/07, and will raise this issue again during the 2007/08 budget process).

Trades/Industry Training Authority (ITA) matters. An agreement has been reached between ITA and the Consortium of Trades Trainers of BC on a Financial and Accountability Framework for trades training in the province. However, there continue to be concerns regarding funding and the redesign of programs. (The Ministry continues to monitor this issue with the Ministry of Economic Development).

Different institutions found the Ministry imposed planning exercises to be of varying value; however, there was general support for multi-year plans and institutional service plans and reports. A few institutions expressed concern about Ministry data requirements, though less so than in past. (A formative evaluation of the Accountability Framework is planned for the spring; however, it may be delayed until completion of the funding review).

Many institutions indicated increased involvement in international education.

Education and Training Consortia – Aerospace, Oil and Gas, Tourism and Hospitality: Since 2003, the government has taken the lead in the establishment of three education and training consortia, Aerospace, Oil and Gas, and Tourism and Hospitality each comprised of key stakeholders from industry, educational institutions and government. The consortia approach has focused on labour market needs for each industry and developing training strategies to address current and potential skills shortages. The Oil and Gas and Tourism and Hospitality consortia are currently finalizing reports containing recommendations that will be provided to government in spring 2006.

Other major developments in which the Consortia have played ongoing key roles include:

The BC Aerospace Strategy to expand the infrastructure to support the delivery of 500 new student spaces at BCIT, UCFV, Okanagan College, and Northern Lights College. These projects are completed or underway.

A new Oil and Gas Industry Training Centre of Excellence at the Fort St. John Campus of Northern Lights College scheduled for completion in 2007.

Establishment of two centres for leadership and innovation - one for Tourism, Capilano College and one for Hospitality, VCC - to lead a strategy for human resources for 2010 and beyond.

Recent Federal/Provincial/Territorial Meetings

Council of the Federation, National Stakeholder Summit on Post-Secondary Education and Skills: This meeting, held in Ottawa on February 24, 2006, provided some 300 post-secondary education and training stakeholders from across Canada, including 29 from BC, the opportunity to give input into the Council of the Federation initiative to highlight post-secondary education and skills. Minister Coell and Deputy Minister Quayle attended as observers. The consensus from the Summit was that there was the need for a pan-Canadian strategy concerning post-secondary education and training, and that the

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federal government should be requested to restore post-secondary education funding cuts from the 1990s.Advisory Committee of Deputy Ministers of Education (ACDME)/Council of the Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC): These meetings were held on March 7 and 8, 2006, respectively, in Yellowknife. At the CMEC meeting, Ministers reiterated their support for the Council of the Federation’s pursuit of post-secondary education as a priority. They also renewed their commitment to Aboriginal education as a key CMEC strategy and discussed collaboration with the federal government on this issue.

MOU on Post-Secondary Education: On April 28, 2006 the BC and Alberta Ministries of Advanced Education entered into a MOU to work together on initiatives that would mutually benefit their post-secondary systems. The MOU would be open to a wide variety of initiatives. Possible subjects could include information sharing in distance education, joint research projects, and shared approaches to quality assurance. Each ministry will establish a Steering Committee that will meet twice yearly to explore and pursue joint initiatives under the MOU.

Proposed Draft Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Strategy: In summer 2005, AVED staff developed a proposed Aboriginal Post Secondary Education Strategy. The goal of the strategy is to give Aboriginal learners in the post secondary system the tools to successfully participate and complete their studies on a level comparable to non-Aboriginal learners. The Ministry began a province-wide discussion and consultation process on the strategy at the January 31, 2006 meeting of the BC Aboriginal Post Secondary Education and Training Partners Group; this discussion process continued at AVED’s 3rd Annual Aboriginal Post Secondary Education Forum on March 16, 2006. AVED will be consulting broadly with its partners in Aboriginal post-secondary education over the next several months.

Medical School Expansion Program

In March 2002, the provincial government announced an expansion of undergraduate medical education involving UBC, UVic and UNBC. The increase was described as “almost doubling” the number of medical school spaces from 128 first year student spaces in 2003/04 to 224 in 2005/06.

This new model for distributed medical education provided for a first year intake of 176 at UBC, 24 at UVIC, and 24 at UNBC for a total of 224 spaces.

AVED and the Ministry of Health (MoH), as well as UBC, UNBC, UVic, and the health authorities are collaborating on the implementation of this initiative. MoH is responsible for the postgraduate medical education program residents, while AVED is responsible for the undergraduate (MD) program.

This innovative, collaborative approach to medical education with UBC, UNBC and UVic is unique in Canada and North America. It will help to produce more doctors and reduce the shortage of doctors in rural regions of BC.

Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP): CALP is the new name for the Adult Literacy Cost-Shared Program (ALCSP), created through an agreement with the federal

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government in 1988 as a means to promote and deliver literacy services and programs within BC. The National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), within the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, administers the federal portion of CALP and AVED administers the provincial share of the program. The goal of CALP in BC is to raise the level of literacy for adult residents by making literacy services and programs more accessible through the provision of annual literacy grants to community literacy organizations. These grants enable community-based organizations - in partnership with public post-secondary institutions - to deliver fundamental literacy skills, life skills, workplace essential skills, and the adult component of family literacy programs.

The ALCSP budget allocation of $1.4 million funded a total of 50 community literacy programs in 2005/06. These literacy programs, tailored to the specific needs of BC’s diverse communities, helped learners read, write, and learn basic number, parenting, and life skills. Funding was also provided to Literacy BC to promote literacy throughout the province, co-ordinate literacy programs and train literacy practitioners.

For further information on the CALP, please see the Literacy Website at the Ministry of Advanced Education: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/literacy/welcome.htm

Literacy Forums: The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada held a forum in Toronto on November 24 and 25 called “Unlocking our Children’s Potential: Literacy and Numeracy as a Foundation”. BC will be hosting a second CMEC forum June 18-20, 2006, in Prince George on adult literacy called "Investing in our Potential: Towards Quality Adult Literacy Programs in Canada".

Student Aid Initiatives: The government of BC has undertaken/aided in the following initiatives and activities directed at improving student access to financial assistance. Changes in the student financial assistance program include:

Principal Deferment Program: There is now no limit on the number of months a borrower can be on principal deferment, allowing students in repayment to pay interest while deferring the principal part of their payment. A student’s repayment period, however, can not be extended past 234 months;

BC Loan Forgiveness Program: This program has been designed to provide BCSL forgiveness to students in select areas of study graduating from accredited post-secondary educational institutions who agree to practice full-time, part-time, or casual in a publicly funded facility in an underserved area of BC for three years. The program, initially intended for students practicing as midwives, pharmacists, nurses and physicians, has now been extended to include students graduating on or after December 2004 in speech language pathology, occupational therapy, audiology, and physiotherapy. Nurse practitioners were included in this program in October 2005;

Merit-Based Scholarship Programs: AVED has increased funding for three merit-based programs: the Premier’s Excellence Awards, the United World College Scholarships and the Queen Elizabeth II Scholarships. The budget for these three programs has been increased by $236,000 for the 2005/06 program year;

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Canada Student Loan Changes: AVED has implemented extensive CSLP program changes, including the increase in loan limits, introduction of new Canada Access Grant for Students from Low Income Families, Canada Study Grant for Students with Dependents, Canada Access Grant for Students with a Permanent Disability, and the introduction of a new Canada Student Loan Agreement;

New Disbursement Process: AVED has launched an innovative new funding disbursement process streamlining the process students follow to receive funding in a timely manner. Enrolment is now electronically confirmed which allows the service provider to transfer the funds electronically to the student, eliminating much time, paper, and hassle for the student;

Interest Relief: A pilot project has been approved to improve the process by eliminating income documentation required to pursue on-line adjudication. Phase II of this project will include a comprehensive review of Interest Relief criteria;

Pan-Canadian Designation Policy Framework: The Student Services Branch (SSB) is conducting research and analyses to develop a package of information to be sent to institutions regarding respective student loan repayment rates of students who attended their institutions. Private institutions will additionally receive updated agreements formerly a - MOU with SSB and a new branch administration procedures manual. SSB intends to use the performance data of students to focus training activities on those schools where students represent the highest risk of defaulting;

Pan-Canadian Communications Initiative: AVED has launched communications to increase awareness about the benefits of planning and saving for post-secondary education. The campaign targets parents with pre post-secondary children. To help parents save money and plan for their children’s post-secondary education, the provincial, territorial, and federal governments have created useful online resources, tools and tips available at www.canlearn.ca.;

Training Initiatives: AVED continues to conduct workshops to train various stakeholders on federal programs administered by AVED. Most recently, staff have conducted a training workshop for Disability Coordinators, Financial Aid Officers and contracted agencies on the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities;

BC Career Colleges Association: SSB is working with BCCCA on its student’s success plan and the management of defaults on student loans. SSB efforts will be a focal point during BCCCA's 12th annual conference called "Educating our World: The Power of People”; and,

Current activities aimed at improving the Student Financial Aid process include a comprehensive review of Adult Basic Education Student Assistance Program (ABESAP), eligibility of the Loan Forgiveness Program for students with Permanent Disabilities, and the process for these students once in repayment, BC Student Assistance Program (BCSAP) application needs assessment criteria, the BCSL Forgiveness Program, and Health Care Scholarship Fund improvements. In addition, the Student Services Branch is exploring how Alberta’s 25 Endowment Scholarships will be awarded for 2005/06. A more detailed update on these initiatives will be provided in the next Issues Update.

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Student Transitions Project: The Ministry of Education (MEd) and the University of BC, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria and University of Northern BC have been sharing student data since April 2003 to facilitate research into student transitions from the K-12 to university systems. In May 2005, the Student Transitions Project Information Sharing Agreement was signed. The agreement expands the data-sharing to include data from AVED’s Post-Secondary Central Data Warehouse (CDW). The CDW contains student level data from BC’s public colleges, university colleges, institutes, and Thompson Rivers University. A steering committee has been established to guide the work of the project, with representation from AVED, MEd, the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer, the college, university college, institute sector, and the university sector.

The steering committee released its first research report in December 2005. The report provides a one-year snapshot of the nature and distribution of student transitions for the 2002/03 to 2003/04 period. Data from Royal Roads University was not included because it does not accept students directly out of secondary school.

The next research report will be released in late May 2006, and will include additional years of data (2001/02 – 2004/05) to allow for analysis of delayed transitions as well as immediate transitions. The report will also include an analysis of transitions in relation to academic GPA and post-secondary field of study. Following that, in summer 2006, the committee plans to begin examining the flow of students into and among BC’s public post-secondary institutions.

All reports, along with the Information Sharing Agreement, Committee Terms of Reference, contact information and other related information, can be found on the Student Transitions Project website at: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/student_transitions/welcome.htm.

The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Program: In fall 2004, the province announced a $15 million investment to create the new Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Program, designed to award $5,000 to exceptional students transferring from a BC community college to complete their degrees at a BC post-secondary institution. The $15 million fund has now generated the income to begin awarding scholarships to students transferring to a degree-granting institution in the 2006/07 school year. Details of the program, including application guidelines and deadlines, can be accessed from the Ministry website at:http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentservices/student/sp/awards/ike_barber.htm.The first Irving K. Barber scholarships will be awarded in the summer of 2006.

Post-Secondary Education Facilities’ Expansion: Recent announcements include: University of Northern BC – Funding from the government of BC will allow the

UNBC to purchase an existing building to renovate for a larger and more modern campus in Terrace. This initiative will triple the university’s space in Terrace and allow for the expansion of its programs in health and other key areas.

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University of BC – As part of the ‘UBC Renewal’ partnership with the Province of BC to upgrade aging buildings, the UBC officially opened two newly renovated buildings: M17 and M18, which house theatre and visual arts programs. UBC Renew is a joint-financing plan to upgrade facilities on the university’s Vancouver campus and extend the life of more than 40,000 square metres of buildings by 40 years or more. Projects under the UBC Renew will be approved and completed over the next five or six years.

BCcampus: An online educational service launched in 2002 that connects students through a single access point to the wide variety of online learning information and resources available at all public post-secondary institutions in BC. In the spring of 2005, CAM, Kwantlen University College, College of the Rockies, and the UCFV participated in BCcampus’ pilot implementation of real-time interaction between students through the BCcampus portal and post-secondary institutions. In a phased approach, the remaining public post-secondary institutions will be implemented over the next year and a half from January 2006 to summer 2007.

In November 2005, BCcampus deployed the Shareable Online Learning Resources repository (SOL*R). This repository provides Online Program Development Fund (OPDF) developers with the ability to license, upload, and share OPDF funded materials. SOL*R is accessible through the BCcampus portal. To orient and assist developers in their use of SOL*R, a number of workshops are being conducted and screen casts created to walk developers through the step-by-step upload process. Resources loaded into SOL*R are freely available to educators at any public post-secondary institution in BC, this eliminates the weeks and months of time it can take to seek permission to use existing digital materials. If the original work is modified through reuse, the licensing terms require the modified work to be shared back to SOL*R, thereby creating a process of continuous improvement by a network of professional peers. SOL*R also allows educators to do federated searches of other national and international repositories.

Joining BCcampus in the repository development project is Open School BC and the Alberta Online Consortium. The final result will be three independent repositories that could have the capability of federated searches.

Multiyear Planning: In 2004/05, AVED, in consultation with BC’s public post-secondary institutions, established an integrated, province-wide multiyear enrolment planning process for BC’s public post-secondary education system. For both post-secondary institutions and government, multiyear planning provides an opportunity to inform internal decision-making processes and assist in making resource allocation decisions. Institutions have been asked to submit multiyear plans for the 2006/07 to 2011/12 period to AVED by June 15, 2006.

As multiyear planning is an evolving process, AVED continues to seek feedback in order to refine and improve the process for future years. In the fall of 2006, AVED will be undertaking further consultations with public post-secondary institutions on the multiyear planning process to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of institutions and AVED.

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SCHOOL REPORTS

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University of Northern British ColumbiaInstitutional Report

BCCAT Forestry Articulation MeetingMesachie Lake

June 13 and 14, 2006

Enrollment and Graduation In spite of increasing efforts to recruit students, enrolments continued to decline in the Natural Resources Management majors. UNBC has increased efforts to recruit students in general, but no resources have been allocated for forestry-specific recruitment.

Number of Registered Students by MajorYear 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06NRM Forestry 183 172 120 90 35NRM Wildlife Fisheries 109 100 103 77 35NRM Resource Recreation 48 34 30 21 6Totals 340 306 253 188 76

Number of Graduates by MajorYear 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06NRM Forestry 46 52 47 22 15NRM Wildlife Fisheries 15 22 27 23 14NRM Resource Recreation 18 10 10 10 2Totals 79 84 84 55 31

AdministrationDr. Charles Jago will step down as President and Vice Provost as of July 1, 2006. His successor will be Dr. Don Cozetto. Dr. Cozzetto was born and raised in Rossland, in southeastern BC, but has spent the last 18 years in the United States. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Cozzetto worked for nearly ten years for the housing corporations in the Yukon and Northwest Territories and has visited all of Canada’s northernmost communities. He received his PhD in Public Policy and Public Administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and has held a number of academic and administrative posts at universities in North Dakota, Florida, and South Dakota. He was most recently Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Northern State University in South Dakota, where he held the position of Interim President for one year.

Faculty/StaffDr. Keith Egger will step down as Chair of Ecosystem Science and Management (the administrative unit responsible for delivering the Natural Resources Management degrees) as of June 30, 2006. Dr. Egger has been Chair for 4 years, and will be replaced by Dr. Kathy Lewis. Kathy has strong linkages in the forestry community, which will be positive for UNBC’s profile as a forestry school.

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Dr. Paul Sanborn is serving as the chair of the Forestry curriculum committee, and as such is representing UNBC at meetings of the AUFSC, along with Dean William McGill.

Dr. Dezene Huber joined UNBC 1 July 2005 as a Canada Research Chair in Forest Entomology and Chemical Ecology.

As reported last year, UNBC created a new Dean of Enrollment Management and Academic Advisement. After a year as Acting Dean in this position, Dr. Paul Madak was hired permanently in the spring of 2006. Dr. Madak is responsible for student recruitment to ensure a coordination of actives and improved outcomes in this area. Because of the link between enrollment and funding, this position is being described as vitally important to the well-being of the university.

For the third year, Educational Outreach Assistant Jennifer Eckford continued her work visiting grade 10, 11, and 12 Forestry, Career Prep, and Biology classes in different parts of BC. In the past year, Jennifer participated in one COFI NRM camp for top academic students in Quesnel, in career fairs at CNC and UNBC, ABCFP AGM, COFI AGM, and regional science fairs. Jennifer continues to be a key person in our efforts to deliver information about forestry and other natural resources management degrees as desirable educational options leading to viable and rewarding careers.

The Canadian Forest Service group at UNBC is now complete with the arrival of Dr. Brian Aukema in January 2006. Dr. Aukema is a Landscape Ecologist with expertise in bark beetle ecology. He will teach both undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as supervise graduate students.

CFAB Accreditation VisitA CFAB accreditation team reviewed the forestry program in February 2006. The visit was positive, and a decision will be rendered in August of 2006.

Transfer Agreement with Grande Prairie Regional CollegeIn 2004, the presidents of Grande Prairie Regional College and UNBC signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will facilitate the transfer of students from GPRC to UNBC. The agreements for Forestry and Fisheries and Wildlife students have been completed. The Resource Recreation program agreement was postponed due to major changes in UNBC’s degree requirements. The agreements are based on GPRC delivering UNBC’s year one and two, which would allow these students to enter 3 rd year without outstanding requirements.

New Scholarship for College Transfer StudentsUNBC has created a College Transfer Scholarship for $750.00 to support students transferring from college. Students who have an A minus average or better and have completed at least 30 credits are eligible for this award.

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Forestry Curriculum ChangesThe forestry curriculum committee is continuing to work towards a revised, more flexible forestry curriculum. This effort is concurrent with an ongoing initiative by the Canadian Federation of Professional Foresters Associations (CFPFA) to update academic standards for professional forester education in Canada. New Academic Standards are being developed, and are currently in a draft format. UNBC is exploring curriculum change options which a) will be consistent with the new standards, and b) provide students with viable educational options within the context of an accredited forestry education.

Research ForestsThe Aleza Lake Research Forest, jointly managed by UNBC and UBC, had their second management plan approved in the fall of 2005. The ALRF is used for numerous educational activities, including field camp and field skills training. The research forest now has an ATCO trailer for short-term accommodation at the forest. Contact Melanie Karjala (karjal0@unbc.ca) for information and arrangements. The John Prince Research Forest, co-managed by UNBC and the Tl'azt'en First Nation. The research forest acquired the Tezzeron Resort a few years ago, and this is being continually upgraded for use by students and researchers. Contact Sue Grainger (grainger@unbc.ca) for information or arrangements.

Natural Resources and Environmental Studies InstituteThe Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute (NRES Institute) is a formal association of UNBC faculty and affiliates that promotes integrative research to address natural resource systems and human uses of the environment, including issues pertinent to northern regions. The NRES Institute serves to extend associations among researchers, resource managers, representatives of governments and industry, communities, and First Nations.  The NRES Institute also serves as a home for graduate degrees in Natural resources and Environmental Studies.

FacilitiesTwo major construction projects are under way at UNBC. The Teaching and Learning Building will house offices and lecture rooms, and will be ready for occupancy in 2007. The move to this building of offices and teaching space currently in the Geoffrey Weller Library will free up space for the library to expand to its originally intended size. The Northern Sports Centre will feature state-of-the-art athletic facilities, which will be an important asset in recruiting students. The initial phase of the sport centre will include a multi-court gymnasium with seating for 2,000 spectators, a field house with an indoor track and outdoor sports field and connections to a network of cross-country trails. The facility will also be the home base for PacificSport’s operations in the north, providing athletes with access to support services, coaches and new facilities for testing and strength training. Completion of the facility is expected by 2008.

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CNC FOREST RESOURCE TECHNOLOGY2006 Annual Report

1.0 ENROLLMENT STATISTICSPrince George Campus Enrollment Fall 20051st Year forest technology full time: 15

part time: 2 17

2nd Year forest technology full time: 7part time: 0

7

Main Campus Projected Enrollment Fall 20061st Year forest technology full time: 15

part time: 0 15

2nd Year forest technology full time: 11part time: 2

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2.0 STUDENT PLACEMENTAs of June 2006:

2.1 Of the students in the program this spring, all but one second year student (85%) have found employment in forestry. The final one will be employed shortly. Nearly all of the first year students have found employment in for the summer but not all in forestry. Those that are not employed have chosen not to be employed.

2.2 Placement of 2nd year students was delayed by a trip to China that had the graduates returning to Canada at the end of May. Employers for two of the participants held jobs for their return.

2.3 Postings for industry were early but placements were late in coming. Student response was slow. Reposting was more successful. Consultants waited until May to offer jobs and the MOF summer placement postings were generally later in the year.

2.4 A significant change this year was the MOF and BCTS summer positions postings which have been absent in recent years.

2.5 Interest in university transfer to forestry continues to be strong. Two of the six graduates will continue university studies in forestry. They will spend one year at CNC doing general science and math courses and complete the forestry specific courses at the transfer institution. U of A and UNBC continue to be the most interesting to transfer students.

3.0 STAFFINGForest Resource Technology Main Campus

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4.5 full time faculty (Angus McLeod, Pirie Elliot, Ed Morrice, Shudao Ni and Dave Stearns)

Shudao Ni was teaching ½ time in GIS department but that program is suspended

1 lab technician (Mike Nudds ) CNC Continuing Education

No offerings with the layoff of the program co-ordinatorCNC Community Education

Fall 2006 CNC will introduce a forestry access program directed at 1st nations. Upgrading will be provided and participants will be provided with additional support with school work and employment search.

4.0 INITIATIVES AND DEVELOPMENTS CNC forest resource technology program has been working on a number of

recruiting initiatives and partnerships in an effort to recruit students to CNC forestry. Most of the efforts have been devoted to high school students.

Forestry is now part of the Business and Technology Division at CNC and has a new Dean – Bill Farr. He has been supportive of the program efforts and has made a significant contribution to recruiting initiatives and program stability.

The CTC (career technical centre) continues to be strong at CNC is many trades and skills programs but has had limited interest in forestry so far. The participants in the forestry version of the CTC offering would have them complete grade 12 and 1st year of the forest technology program together. Tuition is paid but other costs apply. Interest is higher for the fall 2006 and 2007 intake.

Three second year and one first year student participated in a trip to China. This type of tour will continue for a least the next year if interest is strong enough.

The woodlot continues to be part of the core program and is continuing to be logged to while dealing with the mountain pine beetle outbreak. Surpluses from the woodlot continue to be used to support student activities, tours and equipment

RFT status may help with stature of techs

5.0 PROGRAM ISSUES5.1 The CNC faculty has pushed the importance of the use of the term registered

forest technologist (RFT) in advertisement, correspondence etc. to call attention to and distinguish graduates from two year forestry programs (who register with the ABCFP) from forest technicians. However, the term technician is used to advertise entry level MOF/BCTS positions. For other employers where job classification is not as tightly tied to designation, the term most often used is technician.

5.2 Some employers (consultants) are strongly recruiting individuals without a forest educational base, then providing on-the-job training and experience along with certification. Attending school is strongly discouraged as it ensures that individual has less transferable skills and is less likely to move on (speculation). Inevitably when approached these individuals do not seem interested in formal forestry education.

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5.3 A significant number of past CNC forestry graduates are returning to school for trades and medical training. The major reason sited was employment situation, attitude of employers and opportunities for the future. These individuals are all academically strong, have been working for a few years in industry with success and are now transferring their ability to another sector. This does create openings in forestry but will/is a significant downward pressure on recruiting.

5.4 Enrollment interest in the program seems to be close to or below the minimum entrance standard of the program. Frequently we are asked to admit individuals who are on an “alternative education” track. They are not capable for whatever reason of performing in a regular academic stream and many believe forestry is an appropriate option.

5.5 Recently CNC’s VP academic retired and the position was not filled and in June the president resigned.

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Forest Resources Technology ProgramMalaspina University-College

900 Fifth StreetNanaimo, B.C.

V9R 5S5

Annual Report to the Forestry Schools Articulation CommitteeMesachie Lake, June 2006

Enrollment: September, 2005First Year saw 20 full-time students. (Our max enrollment is 28).. We finished the year with 15 full-time students, most of whom are expected to return for second year in September (a few will take a partial 2nd year load and repeat the odd 1st year course). Current application numbers look good but it is uncertain if we will have a full class of 28 in the Fall.

Second Year saw 24 full-time students in September and some courses had several part-time students, both Forestry program as well as non-program classifications (varied by courses). We finished the year with 25 in the Spring semester plus a couple of part-time students in some courses.

Staffing:Paul Lucas was on leave for the Spring Semester and Barry Ostrand took on full-time woodlot management in Paul’s absence. We hired Mike Fall to teach our “measurements” courses for the Spring semester and Stefan Zeglen, Regional Forest Pathologist with the MoFR taught the Forest Payhology course. We also had a recent grad working on our Woodlot Licence on a full-time basis, managing the biosolids program as well as general woodlot management duties. Next September, we will be back to our regular, full-time staff.

CTAB Accreditation:We went through the CTAB accreditation process last year and received full national accreditation at the Technologist level.

International:Once again, we were able to take a group of 2nd year students on an International Studies Tour this Spring. Four faculty (led by Michel Vallee) accompanied 11 2nd year students on a 2 week tour of Hungary, Romania and Austria. We were hosted by the Forestry Faculty at the University of Western Hungary in Sopron, Hungary. We currently have one student from Tampere Polytechnic with us for the summer on a work/study program on our Woodlot Licence.

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Next year’s tour destination is still uncertain at this time.

Barry Ostrand recently returned from a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia where he attended an international conference on Education and Development of the Forestry Sector hosted by the St. Petersburg State Forest Technical Academy and Tampere Polytechnic.

Malaspina Woodlot License:

Things continue as per usual on the Malaspina U-C Woodlot. Barry Ostrand and Paul Lucas both have ½ time teaching loads and manage the woodlot for the other ½ of their workloads although, as stated earlier, Paul was on leave for the Spring and Barry worked as full-time manager.

We harvested 5000 m3 this year The Biosolids Project in cooperation with the Regional District will be

discontinued following the completion of the current contract. Two students are working on our WL this summer doing plantation maintenance

activities, research updates, timber cruising and CB engineering. Two stuents were employed on a part-time basis throughout the Fall and Spring

semesters. Built approx. 700 metres of roads that will access next year’s cut of 4800 m3

Planted aprox. 14,000 seedlings, along with deer browse protection for each seedling

Stumped aprox. 4 hectares to control root rot Draft of the Woodlot Management Plan was completed last Fall

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: (250)740-6362 Fax: (250)740-6482 Tom.Hedekar@mala.bc.ca Visit us at

http://www.mala.bc.ca/www/discover/forestry/index.htmhttp://www.mala.ca/calendar/techfrst.htm

http://www.mala.ca/nrep/index.asp

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Natural Resource TechnologyArticulation 2006

Annual Report

Enrollment and Graduation

Category 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 est.Capacity First year 30 30 25 25 25 25 25Applicants First year * * * 35 39 31 20**Year 1 Full time 33 19 23 18 22 17 25

Part time 0 0 5 6 6 4 5Total 33 19 28 24 28 21 30

Year 2 Full time 30 33 18 12 18 13 10Part time 0 0 2 6 2 2 5Total 30 33 20 18 20 15 15

Graduates Total 29 21 13 10 12 8 10* accurate data unavailable** to date

ApplicantsQualified applicants for enrollment have remained steady over the past several years but have not been plentiful enough to reach maximum. For many potential participants there is a prerequisite deficiency.

EmploymentFor those participants that are seeking relevant employment, have completed first or second year programs, and are prepared to move to other communities, there appears to be a 100% employment opportunity. Many employment postings do not get filled.

StaffingFaculty have remained the same with 5 full time and 4 part time instructors delivering curriculum to the Natural Resource Technology students.

GeneralThe NVIT NRT program continues to maintain currency of curriculum. Application has been submitted to CTAB for national accreditation with CCTT at the technologist level and for continued recognition of the diploma by the ABCFP at the RFT level. The program continues to develop block transfer agreements with other universities and some graduates are advancing to the undergraduate level.

Natural Resource Sciences Department – Thompson Rivers UniversityPrepared by John Karakatsoulis (Chair)

General Overview

The last year has been an interesting transition year – a year where the University College of the Cariboo (UCC) ceased to exist and in its place the new Thompson Rivers University (TRU) was formed. The mandate of the new TRU has essentially remained the same as the old UCC but with new legislation (The Thompson Rivers University Act) which will now allow us a bit more flexibility in program offerings: particularly as it applies to graduate programs. As well, the new TRU Act includes language that supports ongoing research at our institution and gives credibility to an already established research network at TRU.

Within our Natural Resource Science department active research is a strong foundation of our undergraduate program and we presently have approximately 15 3rd and 4th year Bachelor of Natural Resource (BNRS) students engaged in paid research assistant positions with our faculty members. Students are engaged in research varying from freshwater ecosystem studies to range and wildlife studies throughout BC.

I’ve attached a list of our courses as they appear in each year and semester of the Bachelor of Natural Resource Science Degree (BNRS) program. Descriptions of each course can be found on our website (http://www.TRU.ca/) or you can contact me if you require full course outlines.

Students in the BNRS program still have options to register with the Association of BC Forest Professionals, Association of Professional Biologists and the Association of BC Professional Agrologists.

New Course

The department has added a new course (NRSC 425) in Topical Field Studies (Belize). The inaugural class was held this May with 13 students enrolled from across campus (students were from NRS, Biology, Geography, Arts and Nursing). This year’s class was successfully led by Dr. Karl Larsen and Dr. Wendy Gardner and we’re already preparing for next spring (2007).

Environmental Masters Program

The proposed Masters in Environmental Studies is in the last stages of development. The proposal has been submitted to the BC Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) and a full review (along with a 2-day site visit) has been completed. TRU is now preparing a response to the recommendations made by the review committee with an anticipated start date of September 2007.

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Environmental Studies Seminar Series

Dr. Lauchlan Fraser, our Canada Research Chair in Ecology, has organized a weekly Environmental Studies Seminar series which was held during the Fall and Winter semesters (2005/06). The series was very successful in attracting both students and faculty from across campus as well as researchers from professional agencies within the Kamloops Region. We’re looking forward to another exciting series for the upcoming academic year.

Faculty and Staff

FacultyGardner, Wendy, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Range Ecology, Range Management, Food Systems)Heise, Brian, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Limnology, Ichthyology, Fisheries Management)Hunt, Gary, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Dendrology, Forest Pathology)Karakatsoulis, John (Chair), B.Sc., Ph.D. (Forest Ecology, Silvics, Silviculture)Larsen, Karl, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Management, Fire Ecology & Management)Watson, Kent, B.Sc., M.Sc. (GIS, Soil Science)

Canada Research Chair Fraser, Lauchlan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Community & Ecosystem Ecology)

Lab FacultyBroad, Peggy, B.Sc.F.Sorensen, Jacque, B.N.R.S.Watson, Sheri, B.Sc., M.Sc.

Program AssistantCornell, Nadine

Part Time FacultyMaclauchlan, Lorraine, B.Sc., M.P.M., Ph.D. (Entomology)Whiting, Dave, B.A., M.N.R.M. (Natural Resource Policy & Planning)Winkler, Rita, B.S.F., M.Sc., Ph..D. (Hydrology & Watershed Management)Woodruff, Kent, B.Comm., B.LLB, C.ARB, C.MED (Conflict Resolution)

Enrolment Numbers

The number of graduating students is up from last year but is slightly below our target of graduating 32 students per year (see figure 1 below). While the number of good qualified applicants have been low over the last 3 years there appears to be an increase in the number of applicants for this upcoming academic year. Our Department has taken on a more active role in recruitment both at the high school and college level. Earlier this

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spring our department, along with Selkirk College (School of Renewable Resources), visited and met with grade 10, 11 & 12 students from ten different high schools in the southern interior. The feedback was very positive with all the schools thanking us for taking the time to come to them as apposed to having schools travel to a central city (i.e. Kelowna) for a University Info Session. We will attempt to do this again (different schools) next year.

0

10

20

30

40

50

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

Year

# of

BN

RS

Gra

ds

Figure 1. The number of students who have graduated (BNRS degree) from 1996 (first graduating class) – 2006. The program profile has been set at graduating 32 students per year.

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Thompson Rivers UniversityCourse Requirements for the Bachelor of Natural Resource Science

Degree (2006-2007)

First Year - Semester 1 Fall First Year - Semester 2 Winter

BIOL 111 Principles of Biology 1 BIOL 121 Principles of Biology 2NRSC 111 The Science & Man. of N.R. COMP 100 (Intro to Computing) or elective

ENGL 111 Composition ECON 190 MicroeconomicsNRSC/FRST 112 Dendrology 1 NRSC/FRST 122 Dendrology 2MATH 115 Calculus 1 *ENGL 111 Prose Fiction

OR *AGSC 220 Food Systems at a Local Level & Beyond

ORElective

15 Credits 15 Credits

Second Year - Semester 3 Fall Second Year - Semester 4 Winter

BIOL 300 Biometrics CHEM 120 Principles of Chem. 2CHEM 110 Principles of Chem. 1 ENGL 230 Writing for Science & Tech.NRSC/FRST 200 Intro. to Soils NRSC/FRST 211 Forest MensurationNRSC/FRST 210 Forest Ecology and Silvics NRSC/FRST 220 Forest Ecology and Silvics 2NRSC 223 Geographic Information Systems NRSC 317 Ichthyology

16 Credits 15 Credits

Third Year returning- Semester 5 Fall Third Year incoming- Semester 6 Winter

NRSC 320 Silviculture BIOL 303 Population BiologyNRSC 326 Limnology NRSC 300 Diversity & Ecol of the VertebratesNRSC 402 Entomology NRSC 311 Range EcologyNRSC 403 Pathology ECON 370. 371, 373, OR 374 (Economics)NRSC 413 Fire Ecology & Management NRSC 425 Tropical Field Studies or Elective

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15 Credits 15 Credits

Fourth Year - Semester 7 Fall Fourth - Year - Semester 8 Winter

NRSC 410 Fisheries Management ANTH 121, 214, 260 (or 219 in fall semester)NRSC 321 Range Management NRSC 411 Watershed ManagementNRSC 322 Wildlife Management NRSC 421 Conflict Resolution in Nat. Res. NRSC 414 N.R. Policy and Planning NRSC 423 Graduating EssayNRSC 424 Research Design or Elective NRSC 425 Tropical Field Studies or Elective

15 Credits 15 Credits

Minimum credits required to graduate: 120*If you receive a B or better in English 110 you may choose an elective rather than English 111. However, English 111 is highly recommended.

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Selkirk CollegeAnnual Report to the Forestry Schools Articulation Committee

Mesachie Lake BC, June 2006

Enrollment September 2005

First Year we had 12 students enroll directly into Forest technology, all of these students all completed the first year of the program and we expect that they will return to complete the diploma in September. Additionally 7 students have transferred out of our other technology programs into Forest technology making our second year a class of 19.

Second year we graduated 17 full time Forest technology students in April 2006.

We have seen a marked increase in inquiry and application to the program in 2006 and are targeting an enrollment of 20 in first year.

CTAB Accreditation

In January we submitted our interim report showing how the CTAB findings have been addressed. At the time of this writing we have not heard back but anticipate a 7 year accreditation to be forthcoming.

School Operations

The School of Renewable Resources offers four distinct academic programs

Forest TechnologyRecreation Fish & Wildlife technologyIntegrated Environmental Planning TechnologyGeographic Information Systems

Additionally, the School is responsible for the Selkirk Geosoatial Research Center which is a national center of excellence for GIS and remote sensing technologies who’s mandate includes applied research, training, and application development. Currently, there are 12 applied research projects ongoing, including:

Fire Severity evaluationSoil Disturbance evaluation using remote sensing technologiesAvalanche hazard prediction and mappingEcological Integrity of Whitebark PineLong term Soil Productivity TrialsColumbia Basin Trust Watershed web applicationRural Health Initiative

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Selkirk College Woodlot

The woodlot operation is overseen by Stu Deverney who has 20% release time from instructional duties to over see this work. Current priorities include:

Finalizing the Woodlot planHarvesting mortalityInventory and AAC recalculationOversight of woodlot crew (6 students)

I would like to thanks the organizers of the 2006 meeting at Mesachie Lake. If you have any questions regarding operations here in Castlegar, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Pete Schroder MSc. MBA RPFSchool ChairSchool of Renewable ResourcesSelkirk College

Phone: (250) 365-1287Fax: (250) 365-1260E-Mail: pschroder@selkirk.caWebsite: http://www.selkirk.ca/rr

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College Articulation MeetingJune 12-14, 2006

Mesachie Lake, BC

UBC Faculty of Forestry ReportJuly 2005 – June 2006

Enrolment Information:Recruitment and retention continue to receive a high priority in the Faculty. We have increased our entrance GPAs twice (2004W and 2005W) and held them steady for the upcoming 2006W session. Two years ago (for 2004W), they were increased from the university minimum of 67% to 73% based on an analysis by Peter Marshall that showed that the majority of students enrolled in this GPA range were not successful in passing their first year courses. Last year (for 2005W), we increased the GPAs to 77% for our Forest Sciences program, and 75% for our other four degree programs. This year (2006W), we are remaining at these levels, which coincidentally matches the current entrance GPA for UBC-Okanagan (75%). Once again, we found that our total enrolment remained steady despite fewer incoming new students (211 in 2003W, 168 in 2004W, 138 in 2005W) which demonstrates that we are on the right track. Higher entrance standards mean more successful first year students.

Previously, less than 50% of newly admitted students were progressing beyond first year. We have found a much higher pass rate for our first year students with the implementation of these higher GPAs. We also experienced far fewer “NFP” (not following program) students over the past two years as well as better class dynamics (good students complain to professors when there are too many poor students holding the class back). Some students are still entering the Faculty of Forestry with the intent of transferring into other programs on campus but this number is dropping which we are very pleased to see. This change is due to the hard work of our Program Directors and student services staff who made sure that every new student knew which courses they were supposed to be enrolled in. We are also working hard to recruit on the UBC campus, so are getting some excellent students transferring from Arts and Sciences into Forestry once they have been made aware of the diversity of programs and career opportunities that exist.

Registration by DegreeYear 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005BSF 321 369 385 387 306 255 192 157 128 134 117BSc(For Sci) 85 100 44 35 33 40 72 100 100 69 72BSc(NRC) 116 122 127 123 116 119 97 94 116 137 159BSc(WPP) n/a n/a 65 82 98 94 86 93 99 113 117Totals 522 591 621 627* 553* 508* 447* 444* 443* 453* 454** Does not include visiting or exchange students (27 in 2005)

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Number Graduated per ProgramYear 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 2000* 2001* 2002* 2003* 2004* 2005*BSF 53 67 59 76 95 74 77 39 36 21 31BSc(For Sci) 11 15 19 5 6 11 5 6 4 3 0BSc(NRC) 12 15 23 30 31 18 28 21 19 18 14BSc(WPP) n/a n/a n/a 10 10 16 19 10 17 8 11Totals 76 97 101 121 142 119 129 76 76 50 56*Reported as spring and fall graduates in same calendar year. Previously reported as spring and fall graduates from same academic year.

This year, we experienced quite a bit of staff turnover in the Student Services area. In September 2005, Steve Baumber resigned his position of Recruitment Officer to travel the world with his girlfriend. Steve had been with us for over three years, and will be returning this fall to work on a UBC Masters in Forestry degree. Neil Davis had been hired as an Associate Recruiter for a one-year term commencing in February. Neil worked closely with Steve, and resigned in December to commence a Forestry Masters program. In a weird sort of “hat trick”, we also lost our First Nations Coordinator, Pamela Perreault, who resigned her position in September to resume her PhD work at UBC. Given that our two previous Associate Recruiters (Jacqueline Cavill and Kate Bottriel) also left us to start Masters degrees, we are beginning to think that our plan to hire recruitment staff is actually a covert graduate student recruitment program! (We have forbidden all new staff to consider graduate work!)

To fill these many gaps, we hired three new people: Samantha Berdej (soon to be a Conservation graduate – this fall) – Admissions

Advisor (specializing in Conservation and Forest Sciences program) – started in December

Lesley Fettes (UBC BSF Forest Resources Management, Class of 2002) – Admissions Advisor (specializing in the two BSF programs – FRM and Forest Operations) – started in December

Warren Fortier (TRU BNRS 2004 and NVIT diploma 1977) – Coordinator of Aboriginal Initiatives - started in January

One of the new initiatives we are quite excited about for this summer is that we will be hosting a summer camp for youth aged 10-12 years. We are working with BCIT to sponsor this camp, and I have attached a copy of the brochure FYI. If you know of any young people in the lower mainland who might be interested, please direct them to our summer camp website www.forestry.ubc.ca/camp. Warren Fortier is working with other aboriginal coordinators on campus to offer a summer camp for First Nations youth called the Cedar camp. We are no longer hosting our own aboriginal camp as it made more sense to coordinate rather than compete with the other camps being run on campus for this same target group.

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We are still interested in setting up recruiting presentations to colleges as well as high schools and so always welcome the opportunity to speak to your forestry students about future opportunities with the UBC Faculty of Forestry. Please contact myself, Samantha or Lesley to discuss college visits.

Program News:The Forest Sciences degree program name was changed this year from B.Sc. (Forestry) to B.Sc. (Forest Sciences) to improve clarity and better differentiate it from the B.S.F. program. Pending approval from the UBC senate, two majors in the B.Sc. (Natural Resources Conservation) program will be offered. The original program will be termed 'NRC - Major in Science and Management'. A new stream termed 'NRC - Major in Global Resources' will have a similar first two years to the other major, but involve in subsequent years a broader array of resource systems and globalization courses, international study, and greater elective freedom.

We are still working with UBC Okanagan to set up a first year transfer program there – this would involve offering one or more introductory forestry courses which could be taken by students interested in transferring to UBC-V or by arts and science students interested in taking a forestry elective. We have prepared a transfer guide to help students and advisors to plan their first year at UBC-O.

Our forestry co-op program is in its 4th year of operation, and the first group of co-op students graduated this spring. New student enrolment continues to increase annually, and co-op is cited by our new students as an important recruitment factor. Thirty one four-month co-op work terms were successfully completed at a variety of employer hosts including consultants, crown corporations, government (federal and provincial) industry and non-governmental organizations. The first international co-op work term was secured by a Natural Resources Conservation student with Sol Sexto in Motozintla, Mexico. The fourth Annual Forestry Careers Day was held in November 2005 bringing students together with organizations representing industry, conservation and professional associations. The Wood Products Processing has a separate co-op program and placed 47 four-month co-op work terms this year.

UBC is continuing to participate in articulation agreements with several institutions around the province to create one- and two-year university transfer programs from a variety of technical diplomas (NVIT and MUC in particular). We are still in the preliminary stages of setting up a 2+2 agreement with Nanjing University in Bejing China. Nanjing would like to send us 50 students per year once this agreement is in place. We intend to pilot this arrangement initially in the Wood Products Processing and Forest Sciences programs. This process has been bogged down in university red tape, and so there is not much progress to report yet.

Student Services continues to revise the Faculty website (www.forestry.ubc.ca) to enhance its utility as a recruitment tool. I am pushing for an interactive “Cosmo quiz” where interested students can discover which program is best for them

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Faculty News:The Faculty underwent both an external faculty review as well as an external department review of the Forest Resources Management department. Both reviews were very positive but also provided some good direction for future improvements. The faculty is currently working through these recommendations and has struck several new committees to investigate new program offerings etc. There are also some rumblings from the university about the possibility of merging Forestry with Land and Food Systems (formerly Agriculture) and/or setting up a “College of the Environment”. Time will tell …

There were no new faculty hires this year, in fact we have a faculty hiring freeze on at present. The only retirement was Dr. Dave Barrett, Wood Science professor with Bart van der Kamp’s retirement imminent this December (he is currently on administrative leave after resigning from his position as Department Head). Dr. Rob Guy has taken over for Bart as Forest Science Department Head, and there is currently a search underway to replace Dr. George Hoberg as Forest Resources Management Department Head. It is likely that Dr. Bruce Larson, FRBC Silviculture Chair, will take on this role.

 

Report prepared by:

Candace ParsonsDirector of Student ServicesUBC Faculty of ForestryJune 9, 2006

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