Dr. Peter Jones has resigned his position as president of the University College of the Fraser Valley after more than 10 years in the senior administrative role. He will step aside over the coming academic year. Plans are being discussed that would see Jones take up a teaching position at UCFV in the fall of 1998.
In submitting his resignation to the UCFV Board at its regular meeting on September 3, Jones explained his reasons for stepping down.
"As the Board knows it has long been my stated intention to spend the last few years before retirement, not in an administrative position, but back in the classroom (or perhaps in educational cyberspace). With the recent substantial changes in Board membership this is perhaps a good time in the evolution of the institution for a largely new Board to chart a renewed direction under new leadership," said Jones.
UCFV Board Chair Noel Hall said that the Board accepted Jones' resignation "with great regret" and applauded his leadership and many contributions over the past decade.
"To say that Dr. Jones was the leading architect, the driving force behind the development of UCFV to its present position of excellence is an understatement," said Hall. " In the 10 years of his presidency, Peter has left a legacy to be envied. The university college is on solid ground in terms of the high quality of administrative personnel in place to continue our development, the quality and dedication of our faculty and staff at all levels to maintain the spirit of excellence and cooperation he engendered, and above all to continue to provide the students of UCFV and the community we serve in the Fraser Valley with education and training opportunities of the highest calibre."
Faculty and Staff Association president Kim Isaac also praised Jones' style of management. "It is with a great deal of sadness that I learn of the resignation of Peter Jones as president of UCFV," said Isaac. "UCFV is known throughout the BC post-secondary sector as having unusually good labour relations, and to a great extent this can be attributed to Peter's collegial and consultative management style. During his tenure, we have grown from a community college to a university college, a change that has had a profound impact on the individuals who work here, and yet we have managed to avoid many of the growing pains that other university colleges have encountered. No workplace is perfect, but most of the faculty and staff here believe that UCFV is a good place to work, due in large part to Peter's leadership. The FSA hopes that the UCFV Board will choose a candidate with a similarly open and consultative style when seeking a successor to Peter Jones."
Board chair Noel Hall said Jones will continue to be at home at UCFV. "The Board is pleased that Dr. Jones intends to return to teaching at UCFV," said Hall, "so that we will continue to enjoy his presence, albeit in a different role. As with many academics, the lure of the classroom and the joys of teaching seem to act as a "homing" beacon, drawing even the best administrators back to their beginnings. The Board is delighted that Dr. Jones will still be "at home" in the UCFV community as he steps down from the presidency."
Under Jones' leadership many major changes and developments took place. These include the transformation of Fraser Valley College into the University College of the Fraser Valley. The success of this enormous project triggered the introduction of degree programs, massive expansion of facilities, and unprecedented growth in the number of spaces for students, faculty, and staff. UCFV now offers 10 four-year bachelor's degree programs and more than 60 one- year certificate and two-year diploma programs in academic, applied, upgrading, ESL, trades and technical areas, along with extensive continuing education and contract training.
As well, during his 10-year term Jones played a major role in the development of the vision and creation of the Heritage Park Centre in Mission. This community partnership project between the Mission School District, District of Mission, the community, and UCFV has been held up by the provincial government as an excellent example of an ideal model of a community partnership project.
Other successful partnership projects during Jones' term have been the creation of the Career Technical Centre in Abbotsford and a renewed centre in Hope. Under Jones' leadership UCFV also developed a highly successful International Education program which has created a busy pathway between UCFV and countries around the world for students and faculty. The success of the International Education program has also helped fund other UCFV programs and services during several years of tightening budgets.
Along with change and growth, Jones' presidency has been characterized by a series of collaborative and innovative developments. During his tenure, UCFV established community and First Nations advisory committees throughout the UCFV region, launched an academic spring semester program, and has developed a provincial leadership role in prior learning assessment and online education.
Before he steps down later this year, Jones noted there are several projects that he would like to bring to a conclusion. One is a celebration in recognition of the community support of more than $2 million to the UCFV Future Now campaign which will wrap up this fall. He would also like to see completion of the process that will see UCFV accredited as a full member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada later this fall. As well, Jones noted he will want to ensure successful completion of the hiring process for a new Dean of Continuing Education and Access.
In reflecting on major issues during his presidency, Jones said there are a number of ongoing challenges for the institution after his departure. Among these he identified the continuing need to press the provincial government for completion of the Chilliwack campus and the need to ensure the Ministry fulfills its funding commitment to provide student spaces for the university college, including giving UCFV the ability to launch a full tri-semester system.
"Finally, I am disappointed that we have not yet been able to find a way to expand our excellent and important trades programs to an appropriate level owing to lack of physical space," said Jones. "I will do what I can to keep these initiatives alive and will enjoy seeing my successor bring them to a successful conclusion."
Providing leadership during times of change characterized Jones' presidency. Even a few statistics illustrate the kind of changes that have taken place at FVC and UCFV between 1987 and 1997. The annual budget rose from $17 million to more than $31 million, credit student enrolments went from 2,225 to 4,713, the number of computers on campus went from 100 to 1,200, and the total value of UCFV buildings jumped from $17 million to $68 million.
Jones has also been well known in the Fraser Valley for his leadership and involvement in community activities, such as chairing the United Way of the Fraser Valley campaign for two years. As well, Jones chairs several local and provincial development projects including the largest community development initiative in Canada, the Community Futures Development Corporation of North Fraser, the Business Development Committee, and the Task Force on Community Futures Development Association of B.C.
The search for a new UCFV president will begin this fall with a view to having the position filled for August 1998.
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A long tradition of fine arts education will be celebrated at the University College of the Fraser Valley with its first-ever alumni show. The show will officially open the newly renovated art gallery on the UCFV Abbotsford campus.
The show will open September 2, with an official opening reception on Wednesday, September 3, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public is invited to this event. Regular gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"Our new gallery is bigger and brighter, and resembles a real gallery -- it's different than any other space on campus. We're very pleased," notes Dr. Rory Wallace, Fine Arts/Art History department head. "We also wish to let the community know that we have a growing, dynamic, and contemporary program, with new faculty and approaches," Wallace continues. "We've combined Fine Arts and Art History into a joint department with a commitment to artists. We're also developing an extended minor designed to suit the needs of people working in the arts -- artists, teachers, curators, and administrators."
A Fine Arts program has been offered at UCFV since it got its start as Fraser Valley College in the mid-seventies. The alumni show will feature both established artists and recent UCFV graduates. Chris Woods of Chilliwack is probably UCFV's most well-known Fine Arts alumnus, and he will have a piece on display at the show. Although he didn't formally graduate, he did spend two years studying art and art history. Woods, 27, was recently featured in the national magazine Saturday Night as one of seven up and coming Canadian figurative artists.
Woods is represented by Diane Faris Gallery, and his work is in many private and public collections, and has been shown in fifteen group and solo exhibitions. Although he received some flack during his student days from his instructors for the fact that he works from photographs, he says he learned a lot during his years at the college.
"I specialized in fine arts for my final two years of high school, and combined with two years at the college I feel I got a well-rounded art education," Woods says. "Although I've spent many years honing my skills on my own I can't call myself self-taught. I learned a lot of technical skills and a lot about art history from my instructors. I also received a lot of support. Studying under Rory Wallace was a great experience."
Woods' unique approach to art typically involves working from photographs taken of his friends posed in ways that evoke religious imagery, but placing them in suburban strip mall/fast food settings. This led to an actual religious commission from an Anglican church for a modern-day version of the Stations of the Cross, illustrating Christ's last days.
Woods' big break came when, at Wallace's urging, he showed his work at Artropolis 90, and gallery owner Diane Faris noticed him and offered to represent him.
"It's nice not to be a starving artist but I still have to work hard, otherwise I'd have nothing to sell!" he says. Woods still lives and maintains a studio in Chilliwack, partly for financial reasons and partly because "it's a little less hectic", but he doesn't rule out a move to the big city in the future.
Ana-Sofia Trujillo of Langley is a 1996 graduate of the Fine Arts diploma program who is now pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in visual arts, theatre, Spanish, and education at Simon Fraser University. She hopes to teach art at the high-school level one day while continuing to create her own paintings, ceramic pieces, and prints.
"The teachers at UCFV were fantastic," she raves. "It was a great place to learn from them. I just wish I could have stayed for a full degree. I really miss going there."
Trujillo will be showing a collaborative piece at the alumni show, done with friends and fellow UCFV alumni Shelley Duck and Tanya Hall. In her individual work, Trujillo, who is from Peru, is inspired by the Peruvian folkloric tradition. She also works as a teacher-assistant at HD Stafford secondary, where she attended high school.
For more information, contact Rory Wallace, Fine Arts/Art History department head, at (604)864-4656.
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What has become the premier September soccer tournament for colleges in Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest – the UCFV Cascades' Invitational – celebrates its 10th Anniversary on September 6 and 7 at Townsend Park in Chilliwack.
"We started 10 years ago with a fairly small men's tournament. There was a void in collegiate soccer at this time of year and our UCFV tournament has successfully filled this need" notes Jane Antil, UCFV Athletics and Activities Director. Originally a tournament for men's teams, the women's side was added four years ago.
"It has become such a popular tournament with colleges in B.C. and Washington that we have wait lists this year for both sides of the sixteen-team tournament," says Antil. "We like to keep the international component of the tournament by having half the teams from B.C. and half from outside-the- province colleges."
Each team plays four games in two days, all at Townsend Park (at Wolfe and Ashwell roads in Chilliwack) The games start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 6 continuing through late afternoon, then resuming at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Final for the women will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday; at 4:10 p.m. for the men.
"We really encourage and hope soccer fans will come out and catch a few games," says Antil. "This tournament features some of the top collegiate players in our province, Washington state and Alberta. There is going to be some really entertaining and well-played games." All games are free to watch.
This year's entries:
Women's Tournament:
Capilano College(North Vancouver)
Columbia Basin College (Pasco, Wash.)
Community Colleges of Spokane
Lower Columbia College (Longview, Wash.)
Okanagan University-College(Kelowna)
Shoreline Community College (Seattle)
University-College of the Cariboo(Kamloops)
UCFV
Men's Tournament:
BCIT(Burnaby)
Everett Community College (Everett, Wash.)
Green River Community College (Auburn, Wash.)
Okanagon University College
Pierce College (Tacoma, Wash.)
SAIT (Calgary)
University-College of the Cariboo
UCFV
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A day-long workshop that examines the impact new technologies are having on learning and teaching is being offered by the University College of the Fraser Valley Continuing Education department on Friday, October 24.Media Literacy for Teachers will be led by SFU and UCFV media studies instructor Norbert Ruebsaat, who is also a regular contributor to the Vancouver Sun and Geist Magazine.
The workshop will help participants reflect on the impact increasing media imagery is having on shaping our values, and how we are fundamentally ignorant of how these images in fact work. How do they bend traditional values associated with education? How does 'the media' change what education means? How does a media-saturated environment affect the educational climate?
Media Literacy for Teachers will also explore how living in a global economy and media marketplace affects the chances of our students becoming knowledgeable citizens of a political democracy. The workshop fee is $65. The workshop runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the Abbotsford campus. For more information contact UCFV Continuing Education at 853-4650. You may also register at any UCFV centre.
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Just in time for Octoberfest and the wine harvest, the University College of the Fraser Valley Continuing Education department is offering tours of the Shaftsbury Brewing Co. and Domaine de Chaberton, and an exciting three-day field trip to the Okanagan Wine Festival.
The Shaftsbury Brewery tour will provide an ideal opportunity for hospitality professionals and the public alike to learn more about the history and varieties of beer, as well as the five basic steps to making beer: wort production, boiling, cooling, fermenting, and packaging. The October 17 tour runs from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Delta brewery. The fee is $35 per person.
The Grape and Wine Production tour features an evening session covering how to grow grapes, processing, viticulture, and enology (the art of wine making), and a Saturday afternoon tour of Domaine de Chaberton in Langley, both led by UCFV horticulture professor Tom Baumann. In addition to teaching, Baumann is also a wine production consultant.
"Domaine de Chaberton is a working estate winery that produces prize-winning wines in the French tradition," says Baumann. "And although these two tours concentrate on commercial wine and beer production, the backyard grower will find them very interesting and informative."
The introductory session takes place in Chilliwack on September 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., with the winery tour on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. The fee for this course is $49 per person.
For the more adventurous, the final tour in the series is a three-day harvest- time field trip to the Okanagan with Baumann. This tour will visit the area's finest vineyards and wineries, and hear from vintners from several wineries who will share their expertise. The trip also includes entry to the Okanagan Wine Festival banquet, and videos and lively discussion on the bus on the way up.
The tour leaves Friday, October 10, and returns Sunday, October 12. The single fee is $480; the double fee is $355 per person. A $200 deposit is required with the balance due September 5. For more information on these tours contact Mandy in Continuing Education at 853-7441, local 2841 or 795-2841. You may register at any UCFV centre.
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Flooding caused by a broken watermain has caused some major damage to Building "D" at the UCFV Chilliwack campus. This is one of the new buildings, opened in 1995. It contains classrooms, the cafeteria, offices, and the Theatre centre.
A security person opening the buildings at 7 a.m. Thursday morning (Aug. 21), discovered water covering the entire first floor of the building. It appears that some time during the night, a main water supply to the building burst and that water flowed for a substantial period of time, according to Carol Hardy, UCFV Facilities director. The cause of the break is under investigation.
The flowing water did extensive damage to the immediate area: the costume room of the Theatre department and an adjacent office. As well, a number of walls and doors were seriously damaged by the pressure of the water. Water damage to carpets and other items on or near the floors also occurred.
Upon discovery of the flooding, the water supply to the entire campus was disrupted while workers shut off the ruptured line and isolated the Building D water system. Water to other buildings on campus was restored with the assistance of District of Chilliwack workers after approximately two hours.
A number of classrooms and some other areas of Building D will be closed to the public until further notice. However the cafeteria is expected to be able to reopen on Friday, Aug. 22. Facilities director Carol Hardy said that Building D will be closed for classes starting on Monday, August 25, but all areas are expected to be open again in time for the main start of classes on September 2. Classes starting Aug. 25 will be temporarily relocated to other space on campus.
All other buildings on the Chilliwack campus have been reopened and services are operating as usual.
Edenvale Restoration, engineers, insurance adjusters, and UCFV Facilities staff are on site cleaning, and assessing damages with the aim of returning the building to full use as soon as possible.
For more information,Chilliwack campus manager Erling Close may be reached at 795-2805.
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The just released Fall 1997 edition of the UCFV Continuing Education & Training guide is chock full of workshops, courses, certificate programs, and special events. There is something for virtually every interest and career aspiration.
The courses and programs are grouped according to eight general categories: Access and Upgrading; Arts and Humanities; Business Career and Professional Development; Computer Training; Health and Wellness; Tourism, Hospitality, and Services; Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Studies; and Trades and Technical. There is also a section of special events, forums, and tours.
As well, the guide includes information on Workforce Training and Upgrading, which focuses on community partnerships, quick-response training, small-business training, and workforce re-entry initiatives for those who are unemployed or looking for a career change.
Within each category there is everything from fine arts to first aid, tai chi to the Internet, and life skills to food services and automotive upgrade classes. Many courses and workshops, while career-oriented, will also appeal to people simply interested in the subject and wanting to know more, or those wondering about possible new career paths. Other courses are very specific, such as the air conditioning retrofitting course, approved by the Ministry of Environment, or the many health services courses and programs.
Upcoming special events and community forums listed in the guide include a look at the 1859 Gold Rush on October 11 at the Yale Museum; Altered Landscapes, a three-day conference on the Chilliwack campus, September 11 to 13, that will look at how the physical and cultural landscapes of the Valley have changed over time, and Art Matters, a forum on art and community, on October 15 on the Abbotsford campus.
UCFV Continuing Education is also hosting the Future Plan Public Conference in Chilliwack, highlighting the results of the public involvement process, plus presentations and discussion on a number of issues in first phase leading to the adoption of Future Plan as Chilliwack's official community plan.
If you didn't receive a copy of the Fall 1997 Continuing Education & Training guide, drop by any UCFV centre or public library and pick up your copy today.
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Understanding diversity and its impact on providing services is the key to better business dealings, and the subject of a unique series of workshops being offered by the University College of the Fraser Valley's Continuing Education department this fall. Presented in conjunction with Abbotsford Community Services' Diversity Education and Resources Services, the series is designed to help organizations that recognize the need to embrace diversity and the philosophy of multiculturalism.
Gaining the Diversity and Multicultural Advantage is a five-workshop series that walks participants through the process of dealing with a diverse workforce and customer base. The workshops take place on five consecutive Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, on the Abbotsford campus. The fee is $55 per workshop.
Kiran Malli, diversity education coordinator for Abbotsford Community Services, organized the guest speakers and is leading one of the workshops.
"Immigration trends, globalization, and technology make for a more multicultural customer base," says Malli. "As people from around the world take advantage of the many tourist destinations and services, the changing customer base creates new and interesting challenges and opportunities for organizations and service providers who are committed to quality customer service."
The series begins on October 1 with Managing Diversity, which will examine management techniques and give participants the tools they need to better manage a diverse workforce. The second workshop in the series, Multicultural Customer Service, will help participants provide effective, quality multicultural customer service. This workshop will be lead by Malli.
The advantage of a diverse workforce is essential in a society rich with diversity. But it's one thing to learn why many companies are striving to achieve a multicultural workforce that reflects the community they serve: the challenge is to actually increase the diversity within your workforce to improve the bottom line -- quality customer service. What is Multicultural Organization Change?, the third workshop, will help your organization begin the process, and will be facilitated by intercultural relations specialist Jason Lee, who also works with Abbotsford Community Services.
Human Rights -- What Every Good Manager Needs to Know, is the fourth workshop, which will focus on employer responsibilities under the Human Rights Act, and around issues of harassment.
The final workshop in the series examines Cross-Cultural Communication with trainer/interpreter Angelo Sasso.This workshop will identify some of the barriers and techniques for improving communication across cultures.
For more information on Gaining the Diversity and Multicultural Advantage call Marna Levae at 854-4534. You may register at any UCFV centre.
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A partnership between the Chehalis Band and University College of the Fraser Valley has resulted in benefits far exceeding everyone's expectations.
It was difficult for members of the band to get to UCFV's Abbotsford campus to enroll in the Carpentry program. So, since January, instructors have been coming to the reserve, north of Harrison Mills, off Morris Valley highway toward Hemlock Valley.
The program has enabled the band to address two problems. "We wanted to get our people working," says band Chief Alex Paul. In addition, there weren't enough carpenters among the band membership to undertake the construction and renovation jobs that were accumulating. "We were contracting a lot of work to off-reserve people," Paul said. The band has a membership of 900 and currently 550 people live on the reserve.
"We contacted a few institutes from across Canada to see if we could get a program underway," says Paul. The band felt it was important that students' certification be recognized in B.C. and chose to work with UCFV's Trades and Technology department.
Twelve mature students signed up for the eight-month entry-level Carpentry program. When they finish, they can receive credit for the first-year technical component and will be six months closer to finishing their apprenticeship.
The program has been more successful than the band or university college hoped. "We anticipated a 35 to 50 per cent drop out rate," Paul says, "but no one's dropped out."
The students said having the program close to home has made a big difference. "It's very convenient and easier to get to classes," says Dana Charlie, "It's made it better for attendance."
"I don't think I would have attended if it was off the reserve," says student Chad Paul, noting that transportation is a real problem for some students. "Around here, not everyone has vehicles or licences to get to these courses."
Chief Paul says it's also difficult for many people to attend programs off the reserve because of the time involved. Students have been putting in two to three hours of homework each night and the commute to UCFV (an hour's drive each way) would put a strain on their families.
The band will not only benefit from having skilled carpenters, but the program will produce a new community asset as well. "Carpentry programs usually give students experience in construction by having them build something and then take it apart," says Harv McCullough, director of UCFV's Trades and Technology Centre. "But in this case, students are gaining practical knowledge by constructing a church."
"Anyone who's ever worked on a construction site feels a sense of pride when they look at a building they helped construct," says instructor Larry Gritzmaker. "These students will be able to look at something they worked on."
The previous church gradually succumbed to old age and was torn down 10 years ago. The band has provided $50,000 and shop space at the community school for the program. A further $83,000 has been provided by Human Resources Development Canada. The Church Building Committee has raised $66,000 through sports tournaments and bake sales to cover the cost of materials and plumbing and electrical sub-contractors.
Charlie used to work in fisheries but with the uncertainty facing that industry, he was looking for a career change. The math has been the most challenging component of the program for him. "I didn't know algebra. I've been out of school for 17 years, so everything's new to me... but you get to see the relationship (the math has) to the work."
Student Carey Pennier was drawn to the program because his father's a carpenter. "I've been interested in it since I was young." But construction of the church is his first project. "This is the first time I've built anything in my life. I've not even built a dog house." He said he feels a sense of accomplishment with this work and would like to go on to building houses for the band.
Gritzmaker said students have been involved in every stage of construction. They began by adapting a set of house plans for the openness required of a church and went on to determining the depth of the excavation, placing the footings, erecting the frame and constructing the roof. All that remains is the installation of the windows and doors. Students will then finish the program by learning about shop tools not used on this job and some additional framing techniques, cabinetry, and finishing work.
Once they receive their entry-level certificate, Gritzmaker says, they'll have the opportunity to come to the Abbotsford campus over the next three years (but only for six weeks at a time) to complete their apprenticeship. After the four years they'll receive their journeyperson status.
Chief Paul says there are 19 houses that require renovations and once the students receive their certificates they could be put to work right away under the direction of a certified carpenter. And because of the success of this program, he said he'd like to look into providing a log-home–building program on the reserve as well.
McCullough is also pleased with the program's effectiveness and said UCFV would "definitely" embark on such a program again. He notes that this program fits well with the B.C. government's initiative recommending that post- secondary institutions take training programs out to the community. And, he adds, UCFV embarked on this project even before the government announcement was made.
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The Agassiz-Harrison community has responded enthusiastically andgenerously to a request to support a new scholarship for UCFV students whoare residents of the area.
Over the past two months, almost 70 members of the community have donated atotal of $5200 to establish a new scholarship fund at UCFV. Their donationswill be matched by the provincial government.This will create a newscholarship endowment fund from which the interest will be used to supportstudents from the Agassiz-Harrison area enrolled in studies at UCFV.
Funds for the new scholarship were raised by a group of communityvolunteers headed by Al Fraser, Gunther Schwichtenberg, and Ron Dinn.
"The Agassiz-Harrison community has always had a good reputation forencouraging excellence in education," said UCFV Community Relations andDevelopment director Bob Warick. "This new scholarship will provide moreopportunities for deserving students from the community to achieve theirpersonal and career goals."
"The volunteer committee did a tremendous job of getting out into thecommunity to explain the project and gather support. A special thanks goesto Gunther Schwichtenberg and Al Fraser for all their work."
Interest earned by the new scholarship fund is expected to generate atleast $500 each year to support a student from the Agassiz-Harrison areawho is enrolled in any credit program at UCFV. The criteria for the newaward will include academic achievement, financial need, and communityinvolvement. Each year approximately 100 people from the area are enrolledat UCFV. This year 31 students from the Agassiz-Harrison area graduatedfrom various UCFV programs.
More donations may be added to the fund at any time in the future. Anyonewishing to make a donation should call Gunther Schwichtenberg at 796-2732or the UCFV Development office at 792-0025 (local 4513).
The Agassiz-Harrison scholarship project is part of the UCFV Future Nowcampaign which has now raised more than $1.9 million to support studentsand provide more learning resources.
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The good weather's finally upon us. Tennis courts, water sports and bikeroutes beckon. But if you've spent the winter hibernating, shortly afteryour first trip out, you may find yourself in a hospital emergency roomseeking relief from muscle sprains and ligament tears.
The students in the Fitness and Exercise Management program at theUniversity College of the Fraser Valley know the importance of regularfitness regimens and healthy living.
Brent Wall, just finishing his first year in the program, says that"stretching is really important." He's seen people run out, without anypreparation, to play tennis or other sports requiring intense physicalactivity. "It's insane... it can lead to chronic injuries. I learned thatmyself," he admits.
Wall's a strong proponent of the program, offered at the Heritage Park Centre in Mission. "For me, it's been fantastic," he said. "I wish I'd done this 10 years ago.... I've been out of school for 12 years... it was tough to come back." However, he said it was exciting to be with 30 other people who were as keenly interested as he was in helping others maintain active and healthy lifestyles.
Wall has experience working at the Matsqui and Abbotsford recreation centres as a personal trainer. But the program has enhanced his interpersonal and time management skills, he said.
In the second year, in addition to courses in kinesiology, business and human services, UCFV's Cooperative Education program provides students with paid placements in public or corporate fitness facilities. They gain practical experience and an opportunity to apply classroom theory and the skills they've learned.
Craig Chamberlin, head of the Kinesiology and Physical Education department, says more people are seeing the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular physical activity, good nutrition and rejecting unhealthy activities, such as smoking. "People are finding they need one-on- one training," he said. "It's hard to be motivated. It's easy to blow off a class because you think 'no one will notice me if I'm not there.' But if you get the right personal trainer, you'll get the information you really need."
Employers are also seeing the benefits of offering staff fitness programs. "A healthier employee means less sick time," Chamberlin said. "The Japanese have been doing this for years and years. They don't do coffee breaks, they do fitness breaks."
Students can work toward a one-year certificate. And even though the program only started last September, the majority of students, like Wall, have opted for the two-year diploma. Upon completion, they'll be qualified to work as personal trainers or managers of a fitness centre.
Wall said many of the clients he sees at the recreation centres are recovering from injuries. "It's a real rush to get them up and moving again.... I've had people come up and thank me for helping them make minor changes." Sometimes people's lives are improved with simple adjustments to their diets. One client who complained of sluggishness suddenly felt much better once he reduced the amount of bread in his diet and added more fruits and vegetables, Wall says.
The human services courses have given Wall insight
into different personalities. "You get a sense when they (the clients) walk through
the door... With some, you can tell they don't even want to go into a gym." But Wall
says he helps them build on their strengths and set achievable goals. It's important to
gain their trust, he says.
Wall is developing an indoor/outdoor walking program around the Abbotsford campus to
enable staff to get a little regular exercise. If it's successful, the program could be
opened to the public. He also sees great potential for training the UCFV sports teams.
"We have incredible intramural teams... the girls basketball team was great." He
said the facility, with its exercise bikes, a hoist multigym and treadmill, could provide
athletes with a good workout.
For more information about the Fitness and Exercise Management program, call the Abbotsford campus at 853-7441, Mission campus at 820-4587, or the Chilliwack campus at 792-0025.
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Over 900 graduates moved on to their next phase of life as they crossed the stage to receive a certificate, diploma, or degree at the University College of the Fraser Valley's convocation ceremonies on Thursday, June 19.
The graduating class has grown so large that for the first time, two ceremonies were held, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, both at the Chilliwack Alliance Church.At both ceremonies, graduates were reminded that although they have finished one part of their formal education, they will continue learning for the rest of their lives, and may return to UCFV in various capacities.
"There are many possible reconnections," said Linda Matwichuk, chair of the University College Council. "You may return to ladder your certificate or diploma into a degree. You may come back as a guest speaker, or sponsor a co-op or practicum student. One day, you may be an instructor, or board chair, or dean, or registrar. Or perhaps you'll win our community service award.
"In the mean time," continued Matwichuk, "we're honoured to share this day with you, because of what you've achieved --the goals you've met, the roles you've juggled, the deadlines you've aced. We hope you've appreciated the help of your instructors, our wisdom, our research interests, and our role in the classroom."
UCFV president Peter Jones reminded graduates that
education is not a solitary experience. "Each and every one of you has many partners.
Education happens when people talk and learn together. Your circle includes your
classmates and teachers, but also your parents, or husband or wife and kids. We are all
blessed with support and friendships that have helped us to achieve our goals."
Student Union Society president Jamie Hellewell congratulated the graduates on making it through the tough journey of post-secondary studies. "We all know two or three students who didn't make it to graduation. Students are under a lot of financial constraints, and have many concerns outside of school, which makes it difficult to achieve what you are being recognized for today."
The keynote speaker at the morning convocation ceremony was Susan Witter, Dean of Access and Continuing Education at UCFV, who has recently been appointed the new president of Douglas College. She reminded the audience that learning is now a lifelong process, and that a significant proportion of the population has a hard time gaining access to post-secondary education.
"Long gone are the days when all of us went to school for 12 years, found and held a job for 50 years, and retired for the rest of our lives. Today, for the majority of Canadians, our lives are intertwined with a complex mix of learning, working, family responsibilities, and leisure."
"Unfortunately, not everyone is a participant in this learning society. For increasing numbers of adults with low levels of education the future holds little promise. The world seems to be leaving the poorly educated on the sidelines while the already well educated are taking the fast track to even more education.
"The poorly educated enter jobs low paying jobs with few educational requirements. Their family and friends do not value education, may even be hostile to it. They lack information about the opportunities and the skills to take advantage of education. They are on a downward spiral."
Witter noted that over 30,000 people, many of them youth, in the UCFV region are on some form of government assistance, and that 40% of B.C. adults have difficulties with the everyday demands of reading, writing, and using numbers.
"I hope that UCFV will place a much higher
priority on encouraging participation from broader segments of the adult population. We
need to do a better job of welcoming the full spectrum of learners. We must do what we can
to make sure we do not leave the at-risk learner on the sidelines."
The keynote speaker for the afternoon ceremony was Chief Steven Point, the elected chiefs'
representative of the Sto:lo Nation. He presented UCFV with a ceremonial drum to be used
in all formal university college ceremonies.
He also spoke about the need for a broad type of education that prepares students not just for a job, but to survive in an increasingly harsh natural environment."Traditionally, we trained our people to survive in the harsh wilderness. I wonder if your education has prepared you for the harsh wilderness we are all going to face. Your survival is my survival. We are all in this together."
The student speaker at the morning ceremony was Nursing diploma graduate Bonnie Ann Penner. She drew an analogy between the hardships faced and help received by her husband's great-grandparents when they homesteaded on the prairies in 1904, and the struggles students overcome to succeed. "When we began our studies we discovered just how daunting our task seemed to be, just like the acres upon acres of stones the prairie settlers faced.... We couldn't have achieved our goals without hitching our oxen to those of our fellow students.... Like the early settlers, we also depended on our families for our survival."As Great-Grandma Penner said, the work to be done can only be known by those who have experienced it."
In the afternoon ceremony, Bachelor of Arts graduate Taryn Thompson urged audience members to recognize the value of a liberal arts education."Of course there's a place for high-tech programs at colleges and universities. What concerns me is when these programs are favoured over the traditional humanities programs. I'm concerned that what I've learned in my educational journey is valued less than that of a student in a high-tech program. I would ask you, which part of my journey would you eliminate? Remember, not all that appears solid is so, and not all that appears nebulous is as hazy as it seems."
Thompson was one of two major UCFV medal winners at the ceremony. She won the Governor General's medal, while Graphic Arts graduate Neel Trasy won the Lieutenant Governor's medal. Both awards are given to students who achieve high grades while also being involved in extracurricular activities at UCFV or in the community at large.
Two degree graduates were also honoured by Simon Fraser University, UCFV's partner for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Kiran Pander won the Dean's Medal for Arts graduates, and Jane Buker won the Dean's Medal for Science graduates. Both awards are given for outstanding academic achievement.
Some programs also proudly acknowledged their first graduates earning UCFV degrees at the ceremony. UCFV is gradually beginning to grant its own degrees after launching them in partnership with Simon Fraser University, the Open University, and the University of Victoria. This year, UCFV recognized its first Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Adult Education, and Bachelor of Computer Information Systems graduates.
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Traditions are a big part of graduation ceremonies, and a new one was started at the UCFV afternoon convocation on June 20.
Chief Steven Point, chiefs' representative of the Sto:lo Nation, presented a ceremonial drum to the university college, for use at its convocation and other ceremonies.
"It's with great pride that I come to UCFV's convocation to present a symbol of our fraternity, camaraderie, and loyalty to one another," said Point.
"We all spent nine months with our mothers, waiting to come in to the world, and we heard her heartbeat, and when we were born, we recognized our mothers by their heartbeat. When we make the sound of a drum it's a symbol of the heartbeat of our mother. It's a precious sound, it gathers people together, and we sing our songs.
"That's why we chose this symbol to present to you. We truly want to come together, and to have a good relationship with all of you. I hope and pray that it will always stand as a symbol of the affinity between our groups of people."
The drum is decorated with the symbol of a thunderbird, which is a symbol for God in this world.
"This drum will be an honoured emblem of our university college, carried in all processions, and displayed prominently at all events," said UCFV president Peter Jones.
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When Taryn Thomson says that the University College of the Fraser Valley is a "really special place", she's speaking with the authority of experience. Thomson is the Governor General's academic medal winner at UCFV this year. This award is given to a top academic student who is also involved in the UCFV community or the community at large. She graduated from UCFV June 20 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with extended minors in English and history.
In addition to her years at UCFV, Thomson has studied at the University of Victoria, Douglas College, and Simon Fraser University, so she's in a position to compare."I've been at other universities and colleges and UCFV is quite unique in what it offers -- a really good education with top-notch professors in small classes. Also, the small student body allows you to really get to know your classmates, which forces you to challenge yourself more, since it's hard to be anonymous."
Thomson certainly wasn't just a face in the crowd at UCFV. She was a founding member of the UCFV Amnesty International group, contributed to and edited for the Cascade student newspaper, and served on the University College Council. While juggling her studies and activities, she also worked part-time with people with disabilities. Her last activity for UCFV was organizing a graduation dinner and dance for Arts graduates.
"Taryn is just about as close as possible to the ideal student our institution should be cultivating," wrote English professor Tim Herron in a letter supporting her nomination. "... she is a good student, but also a caring human being who has offered her peers a great model of what we should value at UCFV -- the humanistic integrity of higher education."
"Taryn's outstanding ability as a student lay in her courage," commented History professor Eric Davis. "She was never afraid to choose the most difficult of research topics, never afraid to speak in class on controversial subjects, never afraid to stretch the limits of traditional writing and presentation formats. All this was done with a quiet calm and dignity which intimidated no one, but instead facilitated the participation of even the most reserved of students."
Several of her instructors and fellow students commented on Taryn's work with people with disabilities."Taryn impressed me with her caring and compassion, often bringing her special needs people to the college and introducing them to her friends, in the process making them feel a vibrant part of the UCFV community," noted Shirzad Ahmed, a former UCFV student and current board member.
Taryn commuted to Abbotsford from Maple Ridge to attend UCFV, and continued to commute to the Valley after moving to Vancouver earlier this year. Her next goal is to earn a teaching certificate at the University of British Columbia.
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"I have a little black book, divide up my time carefully, and try to spend every moment doing something. Plus, you only need to sleep six hours a night!"
That's how Neel Trasy, winner of this year's Lieutenant Governors silver medal at the University College of the Fraser Valley, explains how he finds time to study graphic design work on assignments, earn high grades, hold a part-time job, do freelance projects, and take on extracurricular activities.
Trasy graduated from the Graphic Design diploma program June 19 and, in a bit of a switch, is moving out to the Valley after graduation instead of into the city to seek work. He lived in Surrey while taking courses at UCFV. "In the process of studying at UCFV, I felt the Abbotsford community out, and I really like it here."
While a graphic design student, Trasy was elected class representative, started the Graphic Design Student Association, represented UCFV at meetings of post-secondary institutions that offer graphic design, and worked with the Graphic Designers of Canada group.
His inspiration for all this administrative work was to promote UCFV as a great place to study graphic design, or art as it relates to advertising and other commercial uses. "I wanted UCFV to be known so that people in the industry don't say `Pardon me?' when you tell them where you're from. So many people in the graphic design business are concentrated in downtown Vancouver, and we're way out here in the Valley, so the program hasn't been as well known as it should be, and I wanted to help change that."
Some of his volunteer work included trying to get sponsors to donate equipment such as colour laser printers to the graphic design department, so that students could work on state-of-the-art equipment. "The auto technician program gets cars donated to them, so I thought we could get some donations too, but it's very hard work."
Trasy also worked to re-establish the Enrique Salizaar award, a prestigious award given annually to high-achieving graphic design students across Canada. To wrap up his time as a student at UCFV, Trasy helped to organize the graduating class graphic design show, held this spring at the Robson Square Media Centre.
Trasy's fellow students, teachers, employers, friends, and employees at UCFV all speak highly of his tireless spirit of volunteerism, his conscientiousness, his leadership skills, and his sensitivity."Neel is able to reach out to each individual and is sensitive to each person's thinking, feeling, needs, and capabilities," commented fellow student Devin Rowel.
"His competence and expertise extend far beyond graphic art skills that he has acquired at UCFV, and his kindness and consideration for the welfare of others is well known in this community," said Abbotsford community member Laurence Ilderton.
Like many of his generation, Trasy isn't expecting to step into a "job for life" immediately upon graduation. He plans to work, teach, and eventually take further courses himself.
"I'd like to build up my own graphics business, but I also like working with students, so maybe I'll teach too. I'm just piecing together the different bits right now."
He's enjoyed his time at UCFV, and would recommend it to anyone. "I've had a good experience here. I'd really encourage people to come out to the Valley. It's a different environment. It's like being in a big family. I've got to know everyone from the janitor to the president while I've been here."
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What started as a chance meeting outside the greenhouses at the University College of the Fraser Valley Chilliwack campus has blossomed into a multi- layered partnership that brings together UCFV students and employees, extended care home residents and staff, group home residents, and other Chilliwack seniors.
This special partnership is based on the healing power of working with plants, or horticulture therapy. Two UCFV employees, Joanna Hirnschall of the Nursing department, and Tom Baumann of the Agriculture department, received UCFV's Outstanding Achievement award at the June 19 convocation ceremonies, for their work in launching and maintaining various horticulture therapy projects in the Chilliwack community.
"Having the Agriculture and Nursing departments side by side on the Chilliwack campus presented a wonderful opportunity," recalls Baumann, thinking back to the day in 1993 when he, Hirnschall, and nursing instructor Sheila Edwards hatched the idea while enjoying the gardens outside the UCFV greenhouses. "We decided to try to do a project together and horticulture therapy seemed like a great idea."
Discussions with the then brand new Heritage Village multilevel care facility in Chilliwack led to the formation of the Green Thumb club for residents. Hirnschall, Baumann, and some students and other UCFV employees volunteered to help residents plant container gardens on the facility's patios. Since then, UCFV folks have helped Heritage Village residents by designing a new "healing garden", bringing plants out each spring, and helping with planting and other maintenance duties.
Other community groups are involved too. Residents from McClung group home have taken on watering chores. Members of the Time Out program, which provides activities for seniors who live in their own homes, visit the UCFV Agriculture department's greenhouses monthly for horticultural activities in the fall and winter. Heritage Village residents have also visited the greenhouses. Hirnschall and Baumann have visited the psychiatric ward at the Chilliwack General Hospital to help patients there with planting. And they have donated plants to Parkholm extended care facility and participated in a tomato judging at the Birchwood residence. UCFV also recently hosted a very successful conference on horticulture therapy.
UCFV students have benefitted from the activities as well. Three horticulture students have completed three-week practicums working with Hirnschall in horticulture therapy. Agriculture instructor Greg St. Hilaire took one of his classes to Heritage Village to set up the new healing garden, which was designed by agriculture student Rose Garlinski. Most of the plants used in the various projects were grown by agriculture students as class assignments.
Both Hirnschall and Baumann derive great personal satisfaction from the projects. "Many of the people we work with have had a garden or been farmers all of their lives. It's great to help them get back to enjoying working with the soil and plants," says Hirnschall. "When we were out planting this year one woman said, `I haven't had my pills or my nap, but I'm not going inside until I plant all of this lettuce!'"
"When you go out to some of these places, a lot of spirits are lifted once they know that we're here for gardening, they say it's so nice to see us, and the smiles come out. Gardening gives them something to do, and even the ones who don't want to garden get pleasure from watching," says Baumann. "I love it. It's very rewarding!"
On a personal level, Hirnschall became interested in horticulture therapy when she found herself drawn to her garden while grieving the sudden loss of her teenage son in 1991. Shortly before his death, he had planted a cedar tree and rosebush in the family garden. "In times of grief I would be drawn to the cedar seedling in the woods and to the rosebush and would dig up the soil around them, water them and tend them, and spill out my sadness," she recalls. "Gradually a calmness would come over me and I would be able to carry on again with the day."
Both Baumann and Hirnschall say they're pleased to be receiving UCFV's Outstanding Achievement award because of the attention it will garner for the growing field of horticulture therapy. "It's nice to get official recognition of the area we're working in," says Baumann."What's needed now is funding to educate people about how to do horticulture therapy. There will be a growing need for this kind of activity as the baby boom ages."
UCFV's Outstanding Achievement award is given annually to a group or individual at UCFV who have/has made an extraordinary contribution to advancing the mission of UCFV in the community.
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The ad soliciting nominations called for Unsung Heroes, and the winners of this year's Betty Urquhart Community Service award, given annually by the University College of the Fraser Valley, certainly fit the description.
This year the UCFV Board chose two winners for the award -- the Abbotsford Peer Support for Seniors group and the Chilliwack Families in Motion project. Representatives of the two groups accepted the award at UCFV's recent convocation ceremony.
The volunteer members of the Peer Support for Seniors group were recognized for the work they did to keep their project going when government funding was cut off last year. Margaret Alfrey, Doreen Derkach, D. Neumann, Freida Stevens, and Pam Wilson will be accepting the award as a group.
Peer Support for Seniors offers a free, one-on-one service by trained senior volunteers who offer emotional support, guidance, and empathy to at-risk peers troubled by loneliness, depression, isolation from family and friends, loss of loved ones, intergenerational conflict,and other life changes. More than 30 volunteers provide peer counselling to more than 60 clients.
"When funding was cut off, these women stepped forward and volunteered to manage the organization," recalled Sheila Slade, who nominated the group. "All these women do other volunteer work, and I really admire them for taking on this task. The program really does break the isolation that many seniors experience, and improves their mental health, which in turn helps them stay alive."
The women were delighted and surprised to win the award, especially as they didn't even know they'd been nominated.
D. Neumann, one of the five volunteers recognized, said that peer counselling makes sense for seniors. "By the time you reach our age, there isn't much you haven't seen. You have life experience -- you're a survivor -- and well prepared to go out and help others going through tough times."
Neumann, a retired minister's wife, says several of the groups volunteers come from a helping background -- nursing, teaching, or counselling -- and want to continue to help others in their senior years.
"We've had to work hard taking care of the administrative duties in addition to the counselling since we no longer have a coordinator," noted Marg Alfrey. "But we stuck together, divided up the jobs, and have managed to keep going."
"We're absolutely ecstatic to be receiving this award," said Freida Stevens. "So much volunteer work never gets recognized, so it's wonderful that there's an award just for thatpurpose."
The co-winner of the UCFV Betty Urquhart Community Service award was the Chilliwack-based Families in Motion project. This family literacy project brings together parents, grandparents, guardians, and children ages three and four for twice-weekly learning sessions.
Families in Motion has three components: adult programming, including academic upgrading, parenting skills, family reading, life skills, computer literacy, job readiness, and learning to help children learn; a preschool program for the children including activities designed to foster cognitive, emotional, social, linguistic, and physical development; and a parent/child together time, in which families interact through crafts, music, stories, and creative drama.The families meet seven months per year, three hours per session. Transportation, sibling childcare, and breakfast are provided.
"Families in Motion has had a significant impact on the community," noted Barbara Bate, a UCFV instructor who nominated the project for the award. "It formally addresses literacy growth within and through the family, it deals with the problem of breaking intergenerational cycles of low literacy, it recognizes the strength of families and the ongoing support they need, and it understands that a community is as strong as its families. When we affirm parents as their children's first and most important teachers, they come to believe in their potential as a good parent, leader, and community member."
This is a true community project, guided by the Family Literacy Council, which is comprised of members representing various groups with an interest in improving literacy by working with families. Groups represented on the council over the past five years include the local Canada Employment Centre, Chilliwack Community Services, Chilliwack Landing Preschool, Chilliwack School District, the Chilliwack Times, the Fraser Valley East Literacy Association, the Fraser Valley East Regional Library, McCammon Elementary School, the Ministry of Children and Families, the Skwah Indian Band, the Sto:lo Nation, the Upper Fraser Valley Health Unit, and the University College of the Fraser Valley.
Since its inception in 1992, the Literacy Council has developed the Families in Motion project, which has been running since 1993, found locations for it, secured funding, raised community awareness about literacy issues, and helped recruit families for the program.
"Without the council, the project would not have survived beyond initial government seed funds," noted Bate. "The program has been self-sustaining for the past three years, due largely to the efforts of the council."
Elaine Gray, chair of the Chilliwack Family Literacy Council, will accept the Betty Urquhart award on behalf of the group. "We're thrilled and delighted to have the hard work and efforts of so many members of the community recognized with this award," she said. "I'm particularly proud of this project because of the cooperation between First Nations groups and other groups in the community that it has involved."
The UCFV community service award is named after the late Betty Urquhart, one of UCFV's founding employees and a strong believer in the obligation of the university college to play an important role in its communities.
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Susan Witter, Dean of Access and Continuing Education at the University College of the Fraser Valley, has been named the new president of Douglas College. Katherine Perrault will be replacing her as Dean on a temporary basis while UCFV searches for a permanent Dean.
Witter has been a member of management at UCFV for 14 years, most recently as Dean of Access and Continuing Education. Before coming to UCFV (then Fraser Valley College) as an associate dean, she worked at Kwantlen College and Vancouver Community College.
Becoming a college president was never a concrete goal for Witter. It's more the culmination of a series of moves made to present herself with new challenges.
"I've always believed in taking on new challenges and opportunities, and pushing myself," says Witter. "I knew that, as a woman in my early fifties, I had the choice of making one more major move or staying here until the end of my career. I decided that now was a good time to try something different."
Witter has seen a lot of changes during her time in charge of Continuing Education (CE) at UCFV, particularly in the last five years.
"We've grown enormously. With the emphasis on workplace and contract training and certificate programs, our contact with the business community has quadrupled in three years."
The growth has been accompanied by some controversy and regrets, however. In 1993, the Continuing Education department dropped general interest courses and began to concentrate solely on training for the workplace. It also centralized its approach, so that instead of being responsible for geographic areas, each director covers several programs and categories across the region. Concerns have been raised that these changes have taken CE away from its community roots.
"The most difficult decision I made was getting out of general interest. Every month, even now, I hear from someone who's still upset about that. But the bottom line that was presented to me was that we had to turn our finances around and generate more revenue, and we have done that."
Witter also asserts that CE is still a major link to UCFV's communities, even though the focus has changed. "It's not always easy to see tangible results from our relationships with employer groups, but I know that when we touch 200 employees through a special contract, it results in more individuals pursuing education. It introduces people to UCFV and gives them the push they need to look into taking a course, and eventually perhaps a whole program."
Witter has also been at the helm of access programs, including College and Career Prep and English as a Second Language, during a period of major change.
"There have been some major shifts in the access area because of the changing government agenda. For instance, two years ago we had 200 people on income assistance attending UCFV. Now there are over 700, because of the government's welfare to work policies."
Witter thinks the university college also has to pay more attention to changing demographics. "Many people are working more than one job and trying to balance that with family life. They're unable to come to a class that meets three times a week for one hour. We need to be more responsive to them."
She says that initiatives such as online learning, prior learning assessment, laddering, and the CE certificate programs, which are offered at times suitable for working people, are steps in the right direction.
"We offer lots of wonderful opportunities for adults to start their education, then enter the workforce, then come back to ladder to a new level."
UCFV as a whole has also undergone huge changes during Witter's years here, most of it sparked by the change in 1991 from a two-year community college to a four-year university college. UCFV's goal in this period of transition has been to add degree programs without compromising the many certificate and diploma programs already offered.
"I always thought that we could be both a degree-granting institution and hold on to the many other programs we've traditionally offered," says Witter. "The first time I saw cracks appearing was during the budget process this year, and at the forums we held about it. People were right to raise concerns about the extent of the cuts in programs that primarily serve disadvantaged groups, and they'll have to continue to speak out about this".
Witter says that one of the reasons Douglas College appealed to her was that "it is still a true community college, specializing in programs for at-risk students: That's where I want to focus."
Witter will start her new job at Douglas College in July. As a parting legacy, she has donated $5,000 toward a scholarship for part-time students who do not qualify for other awards.
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Canoe construction was the modelling task for third-year computer modelling and simulation students at the University College of the Fraser Valley. Western Canoeing agreed to work with the students to provide real data for the project, under the direction of UCFV computing instructor Dr. Lucy De Pieri. Western Canoeing, Abbotsford's 1996 manufacturer of the year, builds Clipper Canoes and operates a retail paddlesport store in the community.
"I am very pleased with the effort and enthusiasm from this class," commented De Pieri. "The project was a great opportunity to take modelling out to the classroom and into the real world, giving the students a valuable experience. I'm very grateful to Clipper Canoe for giving us this opportunity."
"Western Canoeing is always pleased to be able to
participate in joint business and education projects with UCFV," said Lynne Smith
sales manager at Western Canoeing.
"The computer modelling approach appeals to us because of its potential to accurately
predict production variations. It was great to have the opportunity to explore this
approach with Dr. De Pieri and her students," said James van Nostrand, Western
Canoeing's production manager.
The students were also enthusiastic about the project. "This opportunity has given us a unique insight to the modelling process, and has proven to be very educational," said Derek Whyte, Robert Chartier, Shaun Greffard, and David Slack, members of one of the two top project teams.
"Thanks to Clipper for the opportunity to look at a real-world problem," noted Paul Kroeker, Julie Hermanuts, Ken Inkman, and David Zylyk, members of the other top group.
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People who want to stop abusing alcohol or drugs often turn to professionals for help through treatment programs. The University College of the Fraser Valley has been providing training to professionals in the substance abuse field since 1986.
"The substance abuse counselling field has evolved from a situation where treatment was provided by psychiatrists or social workers, or people who had been through the recovery process themselves, into a more specialized field where counsellors have received specific training," says Gloria Wolfson of the UCFV Social Services/Social Work department, who coordinates the Substance Abuse Counsellingtraining programs.
UCFV offers both a certificate and a diploma in Substance Abuse Counselling. The certificate is aimed at professionals currently working in the field or a related area. The diploma, an adaptation of the basic UCFV Social Services diploma, is designed for people without formal qualifications who wish to work in the addictions field. The 10 specialized substance abuse courses are offered on evenings and weekends over three semesters so students can combine work with their studies. Diploma and certificate students take the substance abuse courses together.
"Substance abuse counsellors may or may not be recovering abusers themselves. You don t have to have been a user to support and counsel users," notes Wolfson. Students in the program are expected to live an abuse-free lifestyle.
The Substance Abuse Counselling program at UCFV has evolved along with the field, and incorporates several treatment models into its curriculum.
"The trend in the field has been from 28-day in-patient treatment in a clinical setting to part-time out-patient treatment," says Wolfson. "The thinking there is that people don't use alcohol or drugs in an institution, they use them while they re out in the community, so that if you can stop or reduce use while living at home, there's less cost to society and you're less likely to relapse."
Wolfson adds that although total abstinence models such as Alcoholics Anonymous are studied, the program also looks at harm reduction models, which look at helping people to cut down or control their drinking or substance abuse.
Chris Palmer was one of the first graduates from the certificate program in substance abuse counselling. She used the program as a springboard to a job in the addictions field.
"I was working as a secretary, and had a BA in psychology. I wanted to work in the addictions field but found that I needed specialized training to do so. I jumped into the program at the first opportunity. Through my practicum work, I had the chance to look at several employment options, and I found that I enjoyed one-on-one addictions counselling. I started working in that area with Peardonville House after graduation. Now I m a program coordinator with Jackson-Murray Consultants in Surrey."
Palmer's fellow students came from a variety of backgrounds, including social work, social services,and nursing.
Esther Krahn was inspired to take the Substance Abuse Counselling program through her work at MSA hospital.
"I was working as an acute care social worker at the hospital, interacting with a lot of substance abuse clients, and I felt that I needed to gain expertise in the field, but didn t want to quit working to go back to school'" says Krahn. "I really appreciated that, as someone with a professional degree, I could come back and get a specialty in one year on a part-time basis."
Krahn says the program did a good job at covering all aspects of substance abuse. "The program was well-rounded. I really appreciated the individual and group counselling focus, as well as the pharamocological component. We looked at substance abuse in a systems context."
Krahn used her newly gained expertise to create guidelines for dealing with substance abuse clients at the hospital.
"At the time I was coordinator of quick response, and I developed a policy of procedure for all substance abuse clients. Every client who had a primary or secondary diagnosis of substance abuse was offered an intervention, in which a crisis social worker would get involved. When people wind up at the hospital, they're often in a crisis and at a point where they wish to do something positive to help deal with their problems."
Milt Walker is deputy executive director at Kinghaven and Peardonville House residential treatment centres, where several UCFV graduates, including one from the Substance Abuse Counselling program, work as counsellors.
He says substance abuse counselling is a specialized field and that people taking the UCFV program are "very well trained," although he adds that they might want to eventually further their education to the degree level.
"Diploma graduates would be qualified for entry-level counselling and detox positions and that's a good place to start. The program gives a good introduction to the field, which is very different to social work or the corrections system."
Walker adds that because the problem of substance abuse is so widespread, opportunities for employment exist in school-based prevention programs, corrections system programs, and within the new Ministry of Children and Families.
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If you're interested in going to college but don't feel ready to take the plunge, you can get your feet wet this fall by taking HSER 120 C Introduction to Interpersonal Communications.
This university transfer credit course will be offered at the University College of the Fraser Valley's Hope centre in September.The course is a prerequisite for programs such as Early Childhood Education, Criminology, and Social Services. It's also highly recommended for anyone wanting to improve their personal or business communications and relationships, and serves as a good introduction to post-secondary education.
"The course covers basic self-awareness and interpersonal communication skills," says Hope centre manager Susan DeLong. "Emphasis will be on developing and practising the ability to communicate effectively with others."
"Interested people should apply now as the Hope centre will close for the summer on June 18."
The course will run Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., starting September 3. An application fee of $15 is required for new UCFV students, as well as a deposit of $100 to hold your space in the course.
For more information phone the Hope centre at 869-9991. After June 18, phone the Chilliwack campus at (604) 792-0025.
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Communication skills are at the top of the list of qualities employers look for when hiring employees. But people who are skilled with computers don't always have the vital communication and other "people skills" required to succeed in today's job market, according to Alan Cadwell, director of the Continuing Education Centre for Business Development and Training at the University College of the Fraser Valley.
"Lots of people are very technically talented, but if they're going to work in the public sector, good customer service skills are also a must," says Cadwell.
UCFV, in cooperation with Human Resources Development Canada, is offering a new Continuing Education certificate program called Customer Service Specialist/Computers for people who are computer literate but need communication and customer service skills in order to get a good job in computer-related fields such as retail, repair, or programming.
Qualified applicants will receive full tuition assistance and UI/EI benefits or a training allowance. Space is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come first-approved basis.
The program is scheduled to begin June 16 and applications will be considered until June 7. All classes will be held in Abbotsford at the UCFV Marshall Road annex.
The five-month program will combine advanced computer skills with business and personal skills. The business segment will consist of marketing, advertising, salesmanship, business writing, and customer service excellence. Personal skills training will include effective oral and written communication, resume preparation, job search skills, workplace conflict resolution, and employability skills development.
The computer technologist specialization phase will include computer hardware, hard drive management, web page sales and design, Lan and Wan PC system maintenance, and trouble shooting. The program will include a six- week practicum job placement.
For more information phone Rosemary Wolf at 859-8462, or contact your nearest UCFV centre.
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Self-employment has become a major labour market trend in the Fraser Valley, according to Alan Cadwell, director of the Continuing Education Business Development and Training Centre at the University College of the Fraser Valley.
If you love children and enjoy working with them, a home-based family childcare business could be a good choice for you.
"Although responsibility for the children in your care is of the utmost importance," says Cadwell, "business skills are a must if your childcare business is going to provide a viable income for you."
UCFV, in cooperation with Human Resources Development Canada, is offering a Continuing Education certificate program for people with an interest in starting a home-based childcare who need help to get started.
Graduates of the six-month program will come out with two certificates. Business Start-up focuses on business planning, marketing, finance, and computer skills. The Family Childcare certificate focuses on providing high quality childcare in your home.
The next program will be begin in June and all classes will be held at the UCFV Chilliwack campus. Qualified applicants receive full tuition assistance and UI/EI benefits, or a training allowance. Space is limited and applications are taken on a first-come, first-approved basis.
"The company I was with for 11 years downsized last year and I was laid off," says Mary, a student about to graduate from the current program."I decided I didn't want to work for someone else anymore," she says. "And, since I've always enjoyed children, starting my own family childcare was very appealing.
"I found the course challenging and eye-opening and I enjoyed every bit of it. Although I enjoyed the childcare aspect of the program more, I realize how valuable the business end of it is. I feel I have the skills and knowledge I need to set up my own business.
"I missed a lot with my own children because I had to work. Now I have grandchildren, and here I am embarking on a whole new career."
For more information about the Business Start-up/Family Childcare certificate program, phone Pamela Chattry at (604) 792-0025, local 2556, or contact your nearest UCFV centre.
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The B.C. Chapter of the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association will hold its fourth annual conference in Chilliwack this year.
The three-day event, entitled Building Community Through Horticultural Therapy, will be held from June 6 to June 8 at the University College of the Fraser Valley's Chilliwack campus and Minter Gardens.
Anyone interested in gardening or therapy would find the conference helpful, according to Joanna Hirnschall, one of the conference organizers. Hirnschall is the nursing lab coordinator at UCFV and an active volunteer in horticultural therapy.
"We expect a wide variety of people with a wide variety of perspectives, which really makes for an interesting and valuable experience for all participants," says Hirnschall.
Some of the people who would benefit from attending are professionals and volunteers working with people who have physical, mental, emotional, or developmental challenges; recreational and occupational therapists; activity and community support workers; nurses and physicians; teachers; childcare and youth workers; addiction specialists; vocational and correctional rehabilitation workers; and anyone working in horticultural therapy, according to Hirnschall,
"The conference is also for gardeners, landscape architects, designers, and people using health care services, as well as anyone interested in a career in horticultural therapy," says Hirnschall.
"This would also be a good opportunity for anyone with an interest to learn from the experts and network with others."
Conference goals include exploring how gardens and plants used in horticultural therapy assist in building community among clients, their friends, families, and neighbours, as well as among volunteers, staff, local businesses, and organizations.
The event will provide an opportunity to learn about the benefits of horticultural therapy by showcasing successful programs such as the Banfield Pavilion at the Vancouver Hospital, and Heritage Village here in Chilliwack. Participants will also receive help to start horticultural therapy programs and get project ideas from hands-on workshops, displays, and tours of Minter Gardens and Heritage Village. Workshop topics range from greenhouse and cold frame construction and management to garden design, nature crafts, creating a positive volunteer experience, and fundraising.
"We also want to provide an opportunity for those involved in horticultural therapy to share information and resources and exchange ideas," says Hirnschall.
The conference fee is $149 for BC-CHTA members, $169 for non-members, and $115 for seniors and students. The registration fee includes breakfast, lunches, and entrance to Minter Gardens.
Registration is being accepted now at all UCFV centres. For more information phone Joanna Hirnschall at 795-2833 or contact your nearest UCFV centre.
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"We can't graduate enough students to meet employers' demands."
This may sound like a statement made during some major economic boom period in our distant past. But in fact, that's the message coming from Harvey McCullough, director of the Trades and Technology Centre at the University College of the Fraser Valley. McCullough says there are good jobs available for people with trades training.
To help meet the demand for skilled employees and provide job opportunities for more people, UCFV has joined forces with the Abbotsford School Board to create the Career Technical Centre. It offers students in Grades 11 and 12 as well as mature students a chance to get certified trades training in the areas of electrical, electronics, carpentry, drafting, automotive, and welding. This collaboration is unique in Canada.
Over 300 students, from as far away as Hope and Surrey, attend the Career Technical Centre on Windsor Street in Abbotsford. The advantages are astounding: first-year college level courses free of charge, a high school graduation certificate and a college-level one-year certificate in two and a half years instead of three, entry-level training on the most up-to-date equipment with instructors who have work experience in their fields, connections with the business community and a strong likelihood of finding work upon completion. And surprisingly, there are spaces open in a number of fields, including the electrical and electronics programs.
"It's easy to see this is where jobs will be in the future", McCullough said. "You just have to drive from Surrey to Chilliwack to see what's happening" in the way of construction and development. Students in the electrical program learn to install, maintain, and repair many types of electrical equipment in residential, commercial, and industrial establishments in a manner that complies with the Canadian electrical code. This summer, the centre will begin offering electrical apprentices the 10-week technical upgrading they require in their four-years of apprenticeship.
Because the program is just two years old, the equipment is state-of-the-art. Many pieces have been donated by businesses. Instructor Dave Riel was given free reign to design and build a motor control centre, similar to systems used in industrial settings such as pulp mills. Students working on these control panels will be equipped to install and provide troubleshooting for future employers. "Every student that goes through here has that edge," Riel said. "They get a good variety of what they'll encounter... they're in tune with what's out in the field."
Grade 12 student Myles Andrew, who's always enjoyed "tinkering," was encouraged to push the limits of his knowledge. "I've always liked mechanical things," he said. "When I was a kid, I liked Lego and Construx... but I haven't tried anything as complex as this." He's put 260 hours into designing and constructing a robotic arm capable of picking updisks and placing them in another location. He's planning to include a scanner to enable the machine to distinguish solid disks from those with the centres removed. A much larger model could have applications as a tool for sorting and moving items like tires and rims, he said.
Andrew and his family have a turkey farm in Abbotsford. He's been able to apply his skills and knowledge to the maintenance of equipment that controls the temperature, humidity, and lighting in the barns. He's confident he'll have a job in the agriculture industry as soon as he receives his certificate.
Students don't need experience with electrical systems to enter this program, Riel said: "Just a desire to succeed and an interest."
For more information call (604) 850-8672.
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If you've ever gone to an automotive supply place in a desperate search for an obscure replacement part, you may have found that much of your frustration dissipates with the help of a knowledgeable parts and warehousing person. But the work is often taken for granted.
"The counter person has to be very knowledgeable," said Vern Wright, instructor of the Parts and Warehousing program at the University College of the Fraser Valley. "When you think of the thousands of pieces on a vehicle and then you add in the different models, the expertise that person has to have is phenomenal."
The UCFV program, based at the Abbotsford campus, prepares students to work in companies supplying automotive and heavy duty equipment and general warehousing items (which covers just about everything else). A fourth sector, serving the aviation industry, will be added soon.
The program is supported by local businesses who participate on the program advisory committee, and employment opportunities are good. "This year has been excellent," Wright said. The work suits women as well as men. It's light, conducted indoors, and you don't need to buy expensive tools. But it's not easy. It can be hectic when you're working with the public."
Practical experience in maintaining computer-controlled inventories and electronic catalogues is available thanks to support from Wakefield Sperling Auto Parts, located in Abbotsford and Langley. The company, one of the suppliers used by UCFV's Trades and Technology Centre, has connected the program to its electronic cataloguing system. Parts and services are ordered from the company through the computer system rather than by a phone call.
A number of students who've gone through the program are looking for a new career. Some have a background in mechanics and want to branch out into related work while others were injured on former jobs and want to stay in a field they're familiar with. Parts and warehousing work can be done until retirement, Wright said.
Alex Gazso entered the program in December after he was forced to seek a career change. He injured the tendons in his right elbow while using an impact gun to remove bolts. "I'm affected by severe impact and vibration," he said. "This work won't aggravate my old injury." He was a mechanic for 15 years so he was familiar with many of the items behind the counter.
Work in this area requires constant learning and upgrading, Wright said. "You have to keep up with the technical advances. There have been big changes in automobiles and parts." Many companies now use electronic cataloguing and some are hooked up to satellites to beam data and retrieve information from their headquarters throughout North America.
In addition to auto parts identification, the UCFV program includes communications and customer relations. Students also get counter experience by providing parts and supplies to their peers in the automotive, heavy duty equipment, carpentry and welding programs.
Students can enter the program any time between September and June and work at their own pace. There are no more than 16 students enrolled at a time and the length of the program is dependent on the mechanical background of the students. Those with little or no experience usually complete the program in seven months.
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In the Halq'emÚylem language the word "St¾:lo" means river. The People of the River have inhabited the watershed of the Fraser River "since forever". But the world the St¾:lo people live in today is very different from the world their ancestors knew. The People of the River lectures, a series of five talks given by the St¾:lo Nation in partnership with the University College of the Fraser Valley, will address some of the issues now facing the "People of the River".
What are the issues facing the St¾:lo people? How can they preserve their culture now and in the future? How will St¾:lo traditions and values shape the economic, political and social decisions they must make? What does the future hold for the St¾:lo people and for their neighbours?
The St¾:lo people do not face these challenges alone. Encroaching urbanization and population growth, transitions in resource based industries and changes to our political and economic infrastructure are some of the concerns facing everyone living in the Fraser Valley today.
The series begins with a history of the St¾:lo based on oral tradition and archaeological evidence and an overview of relations with Europeans since contact. It continues with a discussion of justice and the legal system and an examination of the West Coast fishery. The series concludes with an introduction to the treaty settlement process and building St¾:lo self-government.
Kevin Busswood, Department Head, Social, Cultural and Media Studies, UCFV, will moderate the discussion following each lecture.
The People of the River lecture series begins Wednesday, May 7th and continues weekly through Wednesday, June 5th at 7 p.m. at the Chilliwack Campus Theatre, UCFV, 45635 Yale Road. Admission to the series is free.
For more information, contact Laura Anderson or Ann Mohs at St¾:lo Nation (604) 824-5311.
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Two Computer Information Systems Co-op Ed students received scholarships at the annual awards ceremony of the Vancouver section of the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) recently.
Mike McWilliams and Darrell Sager were UCFV's winner and runner-up, receiving $350 and $150, respectively. Duncan Jeffries, CIS program head and Rob Mitchell, CIS Co-op coordinator, attended the event with Mike and Darrell.
CIPS, with over 6,500 members, is Canada's largest association representing professionals in the information technology industry. The Vancouver section of CIPS established the scholarship program for university and college students with the following objectives:
* to promote co-op ed training programs in the
information systems field
* to encourage co-operation and communication between the educational institutions and the
information technology industry, and
* to raise the profile of CIPS and its benefits with the students in the various
information processing programs and activities.
Selection guidelines stipulate that students should:
* be currently enrolled in the institution's
information systems co-op ed program
* be active in student and community affairs, demonstrating a variety of outside interests
* have better than average written and verbal communication skills
* have a grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0
"The UCFV Co-op Centre extends congratulations to both Mike and Darrell," notes centre manager Dexter Macrae.
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Students with disabilities in Abbotsford and Chilliwack will benefit from recent donations to University College of the Fraser Valley's Future Now campaign. The donations will be particularly helpful to students who are visually impaired.
The Abbotsford Matsqui Rotary Club donated $7,500 for adaptive equipment for students with disabilities on the Abbotsford campus.
Gifts from four donors were used to finance adaptive equipment for students with disabilities on the Chilliwack campus. Dr. Richard and Marie Weeden donated $5,000; Fred and Corrine Gumprich donated $3,500; the Chilliwack Foundation donated $8,000; and the Rotary Anns of Chilliwack donated $1,000.
Matching funds from the provincial government brought the total value of the donations to $30,000. Equipment bought with the donations include text magnifying devices, speech synthesizers for the computer, a braille embosser, and a screen enlarger.
At a ceremony thanking the donors, UCFV student Carol Baxter, who has a visual impairment, said the equipment bought with the donation has "answered her prayers."
"I thought that I couldn't go to school because I can't see well enough, but then I heard you could get your books on tape," she said. "At first, I could read my own lecture notes, but now my children have to read the notes onto tape. This new equipment will put my notes on tape, so you've answered my prayers and those of all visually impaired students."
Jackie Phare, an advisor for students with disabilities at UCFV, said that the students will use the donated equipment to do exams and read notes. Coby Romaniuk, UCFV's Disability Resource Centre coordinator, thanked the donors on behalf of all students with disabilities.
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In 1981, Beth Strachan was working in a machine shop and took industrial first aid to become the first aid attendant at work. That proved to be a life-altering experience.
"I found first aid very exciting right from the start," says Strachan. "I set myself a goal to become an industrial first aid instructor and I went for it. I've never had a moment's regret. I love teaching and I really believe in what I do. What could be more valuable or more gratifying than teaching people how to save lives?"
Strachan started teaching first aid for Continuing Education at UCFV in 1987. She teaches all levels of CPR and Occupational First Aid and coordinates the first aid programs in Abbotsford and Mission.
"My students are very important tome. They really keep me motivated. Team work is essential in this training and we really build team spirit in classes.
"Working with ESL students is particularly rewarding. It can be discouraging for them to struggle with the language as well as taking a very demanding course. I try to help them set goals and stay positive.
"Some of these courses are really tough. Level III OFA is extremely intense. People working as ambulance drivers, firefighters, or on a ski patrol are often an hour away from medical aid and they have someone's life in their hand for that golden hour. It's a hard course to teach and to pass ¡ very challenging for both ¡ but I really love it and I get a lot of positive feedback.
"I share my students' struggles and their triumphs. I've had many former students who have used first aid to save lives. One saved her father, another her son. And one saved his best friend. That's so exciting. I consider it a privilege to be teaching people to save lives.
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American Sign Language, a method of communicating based on visual, not auditory, processing, is finally gaining respect in the educational community, and that's great news for Greg Desrosiers, who teaches ASL for the University College of the Fraser Valley.
ASL originated in France and is the fastest growing language in North America. ASL is different from Manually Coded English, which was developed to represent English for use in deaf education. ASL is a three-dimensional language with its own autonomous linguistic system independent from English.
"Most Deaf people in North America view ASL as their sacred language," says Desrosiers, who is deaf. His courses and teaching methods are so popular that an extra course had to be put together this year to accommodate people on the waiting list.
"The Deaf community has been accepted and respected as a separate cultural group with its own language, ASL. ASL is used for social communication and fortunately, educators here have recognized ASL as a full and separate language after a century of negative attitudes towards it.
"ASL is always at the heart of the Deaf community and Deaf people protect its status. They have a natural tendency to gravitate to ASL. It has many features that make it a unique communication system. It is a true language."
Desrosiers is committed to continuing his own education as well as teaching others, and is a unwavering champion for Deaf people and culture.
Desrosiers' student and assistant Susan Majors says that Desrosiers' code of teaching is based on dedication, perseverance, encouragement, and rapport with the students."Greg is an incredible teacher," says Majors. "He's made my experience in class as enjoyable as it's been valuable. ASL is a wonderful way to communicate and its fun to do. I think everyone should take it as a second language.
"And I feel really privileged to be Greg's helper. His students think the world of him. He's an inspiration."
Student evaluations of Desrosiers' classes have been very positive. Here's a sampling: I really appreciated Greg's flexibility and encouragement. I've taken sign before but Greg's presentation was very conducive to learning and retaining what he taught. Greg made my learning experience a joy. I felt overwhelmed but Greg's encouragement helped me continue and I got so much out of the class. Greg's knowledge, teaching style, and integrity were such an incentive. It was wonderful to learn with someone who was so supportive and respective of each individual in the class.
ASL classes are for the hearing as well as the deaf. For more information on ASL classes, please call UCFV Continuing Education at (604)854-4538.
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The University College of the Fraser Valley will host a Complementary Practices Health Fair on Saturday, April 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chilliwack campus.
There will be 13 workshops on techniques including aromatherapy, hypnosis, reflexology, reiki, yoga, polarity therapy, therapeutic touch, transcendental meditation and maharishi ayur-veda. The fee is $7 per workshop.
There will also be free demonstrations and displays of cranial sacral therapy, ecology awareness, horticultural therapy, iridology, reflexology, reiki, therapeutic touch, and healing touch.
Complementary practices are meant to work with medical care for the benefit of the patient, according to Marjorie Perzow, a psychiatric nurse at the Chilliwack hospital who uses therapeutic touch with her patients.
"Many of these techniques have been around for thousands of years and are now being revived due to public interest," says Perzow.
"In no way are these techniques meant to replace medical care, but rather to enhance it. The purpose of the Health Fair is to allow people to experience complementary practices and get their questions answered about the techniques and how they work."
More and more, people are realizing that a holistic approach to health begins with their own inner awareness -- there is a profound connection between mind and body, according to Steve Beck, who is the director of Maharishi Vedic college in Vancouver and a transcendental meditation teacher.
"Scientific research confirms transcendental meditation (TM) has many health benefits such as the prevention of heart disease, reduced cholesterol, reduced hypertension, healthier sleep patterns, less disease, reduced substance abuse, younger biological age, and a lot more," says Beck
Beck will facilitate a multi-media presentation in the Transcendental Meditation workshop that will examine some of the research and look at the history and origins, and the mechanics of the TM technique.
Ayur-Veda, the oldest, most comprehensive scientific system of natural medicine, has been recognized and sponsored by the World Health Organization. "Ayur-Veda ils known to be effective in preventing and treating disease, preserving health, and promoting longevity," says Beck. Dr. Florence Yakura will facilitate the Maharishi Ayur-Veda workshop. Yakura has been a physician for 18 years and one of the first doctors in B.C. to be trained in Maharishi Ayur-Veda.
The Yoga Workshop with Sandy Tait will focus on fitness for body, mind, and spirit. "The stretches are gentle but very powerful," says Tait. "I've found yoga to be the most effective fitness program I've ever tried, and there are wonderful side benefits such as stress reduction, greater peace of mind, and clarity of thought." The yoga workshop will focus on techniques for increased energy and stress reduction using breathing exercises, meditation, guided relaxation, and physical exercises.
An introductory workshop on aromatherapy with Doug Thompson will look at the history and healing properties of essential oils and how to select and blend them for different uses.
Polarity Therapy with Teri Jensen will provide an overview of how energy works and flows within the human body's electromagnetic field and on the planet, according to the laws of physics. Using this energy flow, emphasis will be on relieving headaches, neck and shoulder tension, and back tension.
Other workshops are Reiki with Alice Sutthery, Hypnosis with Andrea Magill, Reflexology with Glenda Standeven, Touch for Health with Marlene Moore, Chakra Reflexology with Val Blackman, and Therapeutic Touch with Marjorie Perzow.
For more information about the Complementary Practices Health Fair please phone Marna LeVae at 854-4534 or 792-0025, local 4534. You may register at any UCFV centre.
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The University College of the Fraser Valley Fashion Design, Graphic Design, and Fine Arts programs will present their annual open house on Saturday, April 19, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at the Abbotsford campus.
Displays and demonstrations will take place throughout the afternoon in the Fine Arts, Graphic Design and Fashion Design areas. There will be a free fashion show in the cafeteria from 3 to 4 p.m.
"The fashion show is always a highlight of the open house," says event coordinator and Fashion Design program head Judy Hurley. "We have a bumper crop of graduates this year. The fashion show is going to be fantastic ¡ lots of really sharp fashions in textiles.
"The annual event is a real motivator for students as well as a good opportunity for the community to see what we have to offer and have some fun.
"The students are proud to showcase their work to families, friends, the community, and potential employers. And all of us at UCFV are proud to showcase our students and their accomplishments."
Fine arts students will have their graduate art show in the gallery and other works in the hallways throughout the college. Graphic Design students will also have selected pieces on wall displays.
Students from all three programs will be working in studios throughout the day so the public can come in and visit, see students at work, and ask questions.
There will be a special supper fashion show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 which includes dinner, the fashion show, and a raffle. For more information about the open house or the supper show, please phone Judy Hurley at 855-4573 or 792-0025, local 4573.
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Students from around the Valley got a chance to test their skills in the first-ever Upper Fraser Valley regional trades competition recently. The event was hosted by the The University College of the Fraser Valley's Trades and Technology centre and the Career Technical Centre and sponsored by Skills Canada, a national, non-profit organization the promotes trades training internationally.
Competitors from senior secondary schools throughout the valley, and the Career Technical Centre, competed in five categories: automotive, computer assisted drafting (CAD), carpentry, animation, and television video.
Responses from the competitors were very positive and they felt the experience was interesting and valuable. All were excited about the possibility of going all the way to the international competition which will be held in Zurich, Switzerland this year.
John Burns, a teacher at Abbotsford Senior Secondary, sees the competition as a valuable opportunity for high school students to assess their skill level as it compares to other students through the region.
"It also helps us to evaluate the programs we're offering our students," says Burns.
Duncan McRae, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Skills, and Training, applauded the efforts of the students who took part in the competition and thanked the UCFV Trades department, the CTC, and the school districts nvolved for their support of young people interested in trades training.
Trades and Technology department head Harvey McCullough said UCFV was very happy to be involved in this worthwhile event. "It was a privilege to give high school students a chance to strut their stuff," says McCullough.
Jamie Toews and Travis Schwaerze from Abbotsford Senior Secondary won first and second places in automotive. CTC students Paul Haulker and Dan Snow took first and second in CAD. Another CTC student, Chad Nickle, placed first in carpentry, with Lucien Brodner from Abbotsford Senior Secondary placing second. Students from Robert Bateman Senior Secondary walked away with the honours for animation: Jason Roubos and Drew Davenport placed first, and Joe Crawford and Brent Kirby came in second. Robert Bateman students Mike Olson and Rory Pickering came first in TV video and Trevor McWhinney and Sang Tran from Abbotsford Senior placed second.
The first place winners move on to the provincial competition in Vancouver.
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The UCFV Board approved a balanced operating budget of almost $32 million at its regular meeting on April 2. This included a number of adjustments to an earlier proposal to deal with an anticipated shortfall of approximately $1.2 million for the coming year.
The earlier proposal called for cuts in a number of areas and identified the need to increase revenues from several sources.
In approving the new budget, the UCFV Board expressed serious concerns about its impact on the areas affected and reinforced the need to look for new options that might help to compensate for the reduction in programs and services.
In its final motion it was noted, "that the Board accept, with regret, the budget recommendations... on the understanding that with the available `bridging funds' every effort be made to ensure a continuing campus in Hope; ways and means be researched to maintain the ECCO program; and that our commitment to those currently enrolled in the Office Careers program be met."
Although much of the earlier proposal remains unchanged, adjustments were made on the basis of the consultation process that took place over the past few weeks, and the availability of some new funds. During the process the UCFV Board heard expressions of concern that reflected several general themes, including the disproportionate impact on lower-level access programs, the impact of closing the Hope centre on that community, the additional burden on departments competing for non-base funding, and the impact of proposed fee increases on part-time vocational students.
At the same time, discussions with the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training have resulted in some one-time funding of $153,000 that can be used to reduce some of the budget shortfall this year. In addition, UCFV has been able to allocate $130,000 from interest revenue and $90,000 from one-time surplus funds from International Education revenue. Together these will be used on one-time basis to mitigate some of the cuts and provide some time for other options to be studied.
"It would be foolish to use this one-time money to balance the budget," said UCFV president Peter Jones. "That would only give us a potentially much greater problem this time next year. However, this money has helped us by providing a cushion for areas suffering cutbacks, and even more by helping such areas move towards a more sustainable long-term funding base.
"During the consultation process we heard a number of concerns raised by students, departments, and the communities that would be most directly affected," said Jones. "We were not able to address all of their concerns but I believe that we have been able minimize the impact of the most serious cuts.
"At the same time we've provided some additional time to work with community groups and departments to try to find alternatives in the form of partnerships or new ways of offering programs that might make them more viable in the future."
Recent discussions with the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training have also indicated that it recognizes that the shortfall is due in part to the lack of funding for 458 full-time-equivalent student spaces that was committed several years ago to expand Fraser Valley College into a university college (the current UCFV).
"Although we have no guarantees at this point, I believe that we might realistically expect that this shortfall will be made up over the next few years," said Jones.
As a result of the concerns raised during the consultation process and the newly available revenue a revised proposal for a balanced budget was presented to the Board. It included a number of adjustments.
In Hope, funding will be extended until December 20, 1997. During this period an emergency committee including representatives from the District of Hope, the Fraser Cascade School District, the Hope Chamber of Commerce, private training groups and UCFV will look for ways in which a partnership arrangement might identify and create more cost-effective ways of delivering programming in that community.
A major cut to the Office Careers program was reduced somewhat which may allow part of the program to continue in Abbotsford for the coming year and which will provide time to explore partnership options for the future.
Funding of $45,000 will be reinstated for students with disabilities. The program will be reviewed and methods of offering services for these students on several campuses, in collaboration with other agencies, will be explored.
A cut to the subsidy to the UCFV Theatre productions will be reduced from $25,000 to $10,000 on the understanding that the department will develop plans to see the subsidy decrease over a three-year period.
A proposed reduction of $34,000 to the Fine Arts program will be only $9,000 this year, to allow the program to hire enough instructors to ensure that all the program offerings are available to students this year. It is anticipated that enrolments will continue to increase in this area.
A proposed fee increase for part-time vocational programs that would have generated $25,000 was withdrawn.
In its budget allocation for the coming year, the Board learned that the Ministry will also provide funding for ten new full-time-equivalent student spaces to allow the new Nursing degree program to proceed as planned this fall.
The budget approved by the Board is expected to affect a few faculty and staff positions and will reduce the number of part-time, sessional positions available in some areas. Efforts are being made to reassign affected employees to areas where vacancies may exist as a result of retirements, leaves, or other labour adjustments.
"As we said earlier, this budget has a serious negative effect on many areas and a number of people," said President Peter Jones. "However, I also believe it reflects the best result possible in light of the large budget shortfall we faced this year. I also believe that it clearly indicates that the Board listened to the community in making its final decision."
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Two University College of the Fraser Valley students, Barbara Lafresnaye of Chilliwack and Larissa Hildebrandt of Abbotsford, are breaking new ground for the institution. They're in the midst of a six-month work term in Nicaragua, and are the first UCFV Co-operative Education students to take co-op positions outside of Canada.
Co-op students alternate academic semesters with paid work terms related to their field of study. Both Lafresnaye and Hildebrandt are taking Latin American Studies and working toward their Bachelor of Arts degrees. Their co-op placement differs slightly from typical ones in that they are working for room and board, not wages.
They are working with Fundacion entre volcanes, a community development organization on the Island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua. The foundation runs various popular education programs focusing on areas such as agriculture, health, and women's and youth issues. The UCFV students' duties include teaching English to foundation members who work as tour guides, and organizing sports and recreation opportunities for youth and women. They are staying with local families during their visit.
Both of the students have visited Nicaragua before, and have also travelled in other Third World countries, but they expect this experience will deepen their understanding of Latino culture.
"They will have an unparalleled opportunity to learn something of the real work of development and to make a personal contribution to that process," says Stephen Piper, a Latin American studies instructor at UCFV, who was one of several UCFV faculty to travel to Latin America last summer to investigate work opportunities for students.
Hildebrandt and Lafresnaye say that their motivation comes from a desire to help others and to learn more about other cultures. "I've been very lucky and blessed in my life," says Hildebrandt, who travelled throughout South and Central America at the age of 19. "The opportunity to pursue post-secondary education is available to me. In the Third World, children are selling gum on the street. They have no opportunities. I want to help, in any way I can, people who are disadvantaged to meet their dreams and goals."
Lafresnaye, who went to Togo in West Africa with the Canada World Youth organization when she was 19, is looking forward to seeing more of the world now that she's a bit older. "I was very young on that trip, and I learned a lot. It opened doors to the world that I would never have known existed. There are a lot of negative aspects to the Third World, such as the poverty, but there are a lot of positive things too, such as the way people preserve their culture, and the way the community works together."
Both say that the co-op placement will be a very important part of their post-secondary education and a refreshing alternative to the classroom. They hope to open doors for other UCFV students to work in developing countries, either through the Co-operative Education program or as field placements.
"A lot of students wanted opportunities like this, and lobbied for it for several years," notes Lafresnaye.
UCFV Co-operative Education Centre staff are excited about their first international placement. "We're very pleased to have Larissa and Barbara begin what we hope will be the first of many international placements of Co-op students at UCFV," says Dexter MacRae, manager of the Co-op Centre. "Other initiatives are underway that would see students from Business Administration and Computer Information Systems, as well as Arts, experience placements in Mexico and throughout Central America, as well as in Europe and the Asia Pacific region. We are attempting to provide students with work experience opportunities similar to those they learn about in their academic programs, with respect to the global marketplace and society."
The two students received financial support from friends, family, strangers, and community organizations to help raise funds for their plane tickets. Supporters included Julia Griffiths and Frank Hollins of Chilliwack, the Dogwood Monarch Lions Club, CUPE local 411, the Catholic Women's League, the Ruth Rebecca Lodge, and the UCFV Student Union.
They're looking forward to doing presentations on their experiences when they return.
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Subjects ranging from an exposÚ of the cosmetic industry to natural healing, menopause, enhancing relationships and family and community health will be featured at the Women in the Valley Conference this year.
The annual conference for women, by women, and about women will take place at UCFV's Abbotsford campus on Saturday, April 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be eight workshops to choose from. The fee is $30 for one workshop or $50 for two. Both fees include the keynote address and lunch.
"This year's conference ¡ entitled Wit, Wisdom, and Wholeness ¡ will explore the most important ingredients of wellness and happiness, which include a sense of humour, the ability to see things in perspective, self-esteem without self-absorption, appreciation of our elders, and understanding that facts alone do not wisdom make," says Continuing Education director Cheryl Isaac, who is coordinating the conference.
Keynote speaker Sally Glover, a professional educator and human relations trainer and coordinator will focus on wit, wisdom, and wholeness as the best resources for managing change, dealing with stress, and "getting a grip".
"Our wit encourages our creative side, and humour greases the wheel of creativity, and this helps us problem-solve, deal with change, and feel more balanced," says Glover. "Wholeness comes from speaking our dreams and supporting those of others. Nurturing our spirituality helps us to be role models and mentors to each other."
There will be eight half-day workshops to choose from.
Herbalist Wendy Atherley and UCFV instructor Georgina Marshall will present a workshop called The Menopause Years, which will bring together all dimensions of "the change".
"Menopause is a natural part of a woman's life, a rite of passage, not a pathological dysfunction," says Marshall. "We'll have a lot of group discussion in the workshop. It's very important for women to come together and share their experience and concerns."
"We believe in honouring the process of menopause, not treating it like an illness," adds Atherley. "It's not a disorder. It's a natural and powerful part of every woman's life. We'll also look at natural, safe ways to keep your mood cool, your heart healthy, and your bones strong."
Wisdom of the Elders will look at returning to tradition to help nurture healthy families and communities.
"Everyone had a place in the Sto:lo community ¡ elders, parents, and children," says workshop leader Gwen Point. "The elders held the key to the past and the vision for the future. This has been lost or taken away in the last few generations."
What's in Women's Make-up? will delve into the detrimental effects of environmental toxins and the safety of skin care and other products we use daily. Facilitator Judi Vance became seriously ill in 1983 and after six years with no satisfactory explanation she began a personal investigation into the cause of her illness. She started by trying to find out about the acrylic nails she'd been wearing for ten years.
"I couldn't believe what I found out," says Vance." Some of the ingredients in these nails are labelled with a skull and crossbones indicating toxic substances, and yet women are not given this information or warned about any potential hazard.
"At that point I started doing major research into other cosmetics as well as toothpaste, deodorant shaving gels, and lots of other products we use every day without a thought. Some of the ingredients in these products come from petroleum byproducts that are so small they can be absorbed through he skin and end up in the brain or other organs. Some of them can alter DNA. Some of them are carcinogens.
"The more I found out the more horrified I became. Frankly, I was afraid for a long time to do anything about what I'd learned. This is a huge and very powerful industry ¡ a $382 billion business. This is a vastly profitable and highly unregulated industry and it's making us sick. I knew I had to go forward and bring this out into the open.
"Holding workshops like this one is one way to do that. I teach people what ingredients to look for on labels and how to help change our label laws. In Canada it's still not legally required to list all the ingredients on a product. This is ridiculous. These things are doing harm inside our bodies. We'll also look at safe and effective alternatives so people have the knowledge to make healthy choices for themselves."
Vance has published the Cosmetic Health Report for six years and has just released a book called The Cosmetic Consequence, exposing harmful ingredients in "little bottles of hope".
The imagination is the most powerful self-care technique we have, according to Nadya Dandurand, who will facilitate a workshop called Wisdom of Images or Movies of the Mind. "Imagery can be used to activate the body's natural ability to heal and maintain wellness, expand creativity, improve problem- solving skills, stay healthy, and recover sooner when you do become ill.
"We'll go through some exercises in relaxation and guided imagery that deal with generalized daily stress to serious conditions such as chronic pain, asthma, and life-threatening diseases like cancer."
Dandurand is a teacher and therapist with a degree in psychology and a background in kinesiology and alternate healing.
Women's Body, Women's Wisdom: Empowerment and Well-being with psychiatric nurse Marjorie Perzow will look at how we can gain self-understanding, pleasure, and health by learning to hear what our bodies are telling us. "Often we respond to our body by ignoring it or popping pills to anesthetize it," says Perzow. "Our bodies are very wise. We can learn to decode the messages and reconnect our body, mind, and soul."
Other workshops include Wellness from Within, which will touch on nutrition, weight, body image, supplementation, hormone therapy and nutritional and fitness strategies to deal with risk factors that affect women's wellness.
Winning Over Weariness will focus on awareness of fatigue and ways to increase energy and a build a more positive outlook.
Winning Colours will be a fun and exciting self-discovery process which will enhance communication skills and enrich relationships, accrding to facilitator Irene Woods. "Using the four primary colours which represent the four elements of nature, earth, air, water, and fire, you'll learn new ways to look at behaviour and communication."
For more information about the Women in the Valley conference, please phone Cheryl Isaac at 792-0025, local 4576, or 854-4576. You may register at any UCFV centre.
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Page updated by Martin Cocking on May 27, 1998 09:31