Headlines/Sept.13, 1991

First UCFV degrees discussed at Access meetings

Discussions about which degree
programs should be offered in
September 1992, which should be
phased in over the next five years, and
how these will be decided prevailed at
the Access Committee meeting of
August 29.

Chairman Jack Gaston listed 14
programs which have expressed an
interest in offering degrees at some
point and in some way.

These included Arts, Science,
Education, Applied Design, Aviation,
Business Administration, Criminology,
Early Childhood Education, Fine Arts,
Computer Information Systems, Native
Studies, Nursing, Social Work and
Theatre.

Gaston explained that the current list
of potential degree programs is the
result, in some cases, of detailed
submissions from departments, while
others have emerged informally in
discussion.

Virginia Cooke suggested it was
important that all departments have the
opportunity to be involved in the
process.

Initial decisions

to come soon

It was generally agreed that the
Committee is open to input from any
department, but also that the work
already done provides immediate
opportunities and that timelines for
starting next September require that
some firm, initial decisions be made
quickly.

The Committee then agreed that the
most expedient way to go would be to
strike several subcommittees to make
recommendations in specific areas. An
Arts degree subcommittee and a
Science degree subcommittee will be
formed immediately. Some members of
the subcommittees will be elected
members of the Access Committee but
others will also be invited to join.

Career/tech planning

In the career/technical area, Dean
Dick Bate is meeting with department
heads to determine which degree
programs should be introduced first and

develop a timetable for others.
Subcommittees for the development of
specific career degree programs will
then be struck.

”T have a pretty good idea of what’s
realistic for 92 but I want to hear from
anyone with a good idea,” said Bate.

One deciding factor in which career
degrees are offered first will be the
number of courses common to several
areas.

Alan Cameron noted that “although
areas are disparate in some ways, there
is also a great deal of overlap between
areas. The Committee needs to look at
courses that best service the wide range
of degree programs we will eventually
offer.”

BA in first year

In light of this it became apparent
that UCFV will need to offer a
Bachelor of Arts degree in the first year
and a Bachelor of Science degree very
soon thereafter.

”T think it behooves us to offer a
general arts degree,” said Dean Don
Tunstall, “but the issue is “what is the
shape of that degree?’”

Defining the shape of the first arts
degree will be the challenge for the Arts
degree subcommittee which will consist
of five or six academic faculty
representing the humanities, English,
theatre and social science departments
and Tunstall.

A similar subcommittee being
organized by Lillian Martin will begin
to define the Bachelor of Science
degree program.

Teacher training

UCFYV will offer teacher training in
the near future. However, further
discussion will be needed to determine
the best option. Consideration will be
given to establishing a Professional
Development Program (PDP) similar to
the one offered by SFU.

Upgrading the library collection will
become a major undertaking in
preparation for UCFV. LRC Director
Betty Harris recommended an LRC
subcommittee comprised of internal
members of the LRC Advisory

Committee, the LRC director and three
coordinators. The work of the
subcommittee will be to advise on the
appropriate level of resources and
services and any revised role, functions
and priorities of the LRC. The
Committee approved formation of the
LRC committee and its terms of
reference.

Lillian Martin asked about resources
for subcommittees. Peter Jones replied
that these would be allocated when the
terms of the reference and the task of
each committee are more clearly
defined.

Dean Erling Close agreed to develop

~ atime line which clearly establishes

“way points” by which the committees
can navigate and determine their

progress.

FSA to strike committee

Virginia Cooke asked that the
Access Committee identify issues
affecting the FSA contract. She said the
FSA would be striking a committee to
work on these as well.

Cooke also announced that
Okanagan College instructor Rob
Huxtable, who has studied the emerging
university colleges closely, is expected
to be at Fraser Valley College on
Friday, September 20. He will meet
with the FSA executive and could meet
with the Access Committee.

The Access Committee approved a
recommendation that the elected chair
be assigned a half time release. Peter
Jones said that other needs for release
time would be identified and addressed.

Student survey

The Committee agreed that a survey
of current students could provide
valuable information. The survey will
be distributed during Block B on
Thursday, Sept.12 and Friday, Sept.13
in order to include a majority of
students. Arrangements will also be
made to survey night classes and other
areas such as Trades and Office Careers
which operate on different time
schedules.

Please see UCFV, page 6