VCC connections. v. 8 no. 3; 2002 (03) Mar 25 March 25, 2002 Library Fines Amnesty 7 Upcoming Events Instructional Media Services Update 10 B.C. Pension Facts tie' Breaking Free Vancouver Community College King Edward Campus - Library Box 24620 Station F Vancouver, B.C. V5N 5T9 Old web site replaced by user-friendly new vec.ca. Tene Barber, VCC Web Manager, launched the new College web site this month. For more information, see articles on page 2-3 VCC's Web Site Revamped Vancouver Community College has a fresh, new look online! Counsellor, gives prospective and current students a chance to get an overview of the College's services VCC's new web site www.vcc.ca was officially launched in midMarch. Numerous working groups of faculty, staff and administration worked extensively last year to identify key issues for the new web and projects a friendly, welcoming image. In time, visual elements will be added to the Orientation to make it even more accessible. presentation focus on "serving the customer," whether the visitor is a student, from the outside community or one of our own employees. The site is designed "We've given our Over the coming months, enhancements and revisions will take place as we work to unify the content management strategy and refine certain aspects of the One of the strongest improvements to our web site is the site — and as a result, the College has now moved toward a much stronger customer focus for its online presence. as the College needs are identified. "We've made some great strides with this new site," says Stephen Barrington, Director of Marketing and Communications. "Content is critical to any Web site and vcc.ca is no exception. We have some great content site an important facelift," President Dale Dorn. "We've changed the look and the approach of the site, all with the aim of making it packed with 1 <£¦ *' "1 A & si e* sS M ' l EKk {tebt* Hac* Seatxh fc ts-j-*- PrW. SeevHy Step ^2 fi I ffS-wui'.R»UUd .Ajtittp //vw yco-oj/ want to expand and more usable for visitors from inside and outside the College." Visitors will notice several differences between the old and new sites including a News ft Events section with highlights on the front page, much improve our content for an even better site - we're looking FutMifi Students iim-ent. students fiiumni Business (i tomrmimty V( f tfrtpUyew frtSf Ttibt-K TO: C«ntomjin§ trfueakon loteiTnitionii! BducoVort Admissions SUirfervt Services Ubrafy Job Opjiortwalies effective search engine and a breakdown of programs into a short, manageable list of divisions. Internal users will notice some changes - things may not be where they used to be, while some information has been expanded and other passages amalgamated. Several 'Fast Tracks' have been added to better serve the visitor. A single click on those links takes visitors to those specialized areas of the site and their dedicated content. The Online Student Orientation developed by Allan Clarkson, VCC forward to the support from DISCOVER Vancouver Community College departments across Welcome to VCC's Onlfne Message from Dale Dom, Community! President the College so we Program Information Night Visit VCC on April 111 can do that." Web VCC Music Events Upcoming music events highlight talented students and faculty VnKvjvir ftfwti C easier navigation, an Page 2 information, which is what visitors want," he says. "But we Search VCC for F working groups will be revived, and departments across i Mm* 27 2002 I58""! rs-M^sg irar to help the visitor find the information that is relevant to them. A key facet of this strategy is the list of divisional e-mail addresses that allow visitors to ask questions about specific programs. "A key component of this new site is about communicating better with potential students," says Linda Martin, VP of Education Services. "By providing our information online in an easy-to-fmd fashion it should allow visitors to find what they are looking for more quickly." the College will be called upon to assist with the important task of providing essential content. Congratulations to Tene Barber, Web Manager, who began working on this project early last year. To begin the process, Tene consulted with College employees, as well as analyzed web site statistics, to find out what was needed in a new design, navigation system and content. Tene then worked with the web steering committee, the web redesign subcommittee and other members of the VCC community to develop the concept, design and content of the new web site. The new site is designed to grow Vol 8 No 3 www.vcc.ca Thanks goes to.... I would like to recognize the following people for their special contribution to this project: Bob Altwein for our visual design; Elizabeth Thomson for content development; Daniel Rohloff for graphic production; and Bryn Hughes, Beng Lim and Ron Mertin for server and database administration. Domain Name Change Many more thanks to the 150 or so college community members who contributed through interviews, questionnaires, countless content working groups and tedious technical maneuvering, .looking www.vcc.ca is now our official web site address. "We have removed forward to working with you again really soooooon. the "be" from the address like many other universities and colleges in the Tene Barber province," says Des Dougan, Director of Information and Computing Who am I? Services. Along with this, all e-mail addresses will now be @vcc.ca. If you are registered on any list-serves, An important aspect of the new " web site is the navigation system. From the front page of the web site, the visitor can enter the site one of three ways: you will need to re-register yourself with your new e-mail address. The official switch will be on April 22, 2002. "vcc.bc.ca" will still work 1. Click directly on a program area but this address will no longer be advertised or promoted. If you have of interest from the pull-down menu. any questions or concerns, please 2. Click on one of the Fast Tracks to go directly to a specific area of contact Elizabeth Burnyeat at local 7455. interest. 3. Click on one of the selections m the Global Menu: Future Students, Current Students, Alumni, Business ft Community or VCC Employees. The desire is that visitors will enter primarily by using #3. By identifying with a user group and entering the site through that portal, they will immediately be presented with information that is pertinent to them. March 25, 2002 n CD Page 3 Financial Aid News Deadline- March 28, 2002 Bursaries for current term students Student Loans/Grants and Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment Deadline: March 28, 2002 Scholarship (Award) Selection forms Vancouver Community College students applying for Student Loans/ Grants after March 4, 2002 will have their enrolment electronically confirmed by VCC Financial Aid to the Ministry of Advanced Education. Documents and grant cheques will then be mailed to their homes. Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (ECE) will be more convenient for students who will not have to line up for their documents and cheques on their first day of class. It will also be a more efficient process for Financial Aid. Contacts Student Loans, ABESAP, Bursaries: City Centre - 604-443-8420 or application forms VCC has modified the ABESAP Scholarship information or inquiries: Dana at 604-871-7050 or 604-443-8654. Dana Fister, We wish all participants a healthy and successful event! Carol Sicoli Human Resources Projects Coordinator Do you have books or videos that you borrowed from your Library hiding under your bed or lying around at home? Have you been too afraid to bring them back to your Library because of the huge amount of money that you owe? Buy a Book The response to the 2002 Buy a Book Campaign has been great. So far, 75 people, faculty, staff, College and Foundation Board members, first day. There is also a new steam- Remember, you can make your lined Bursary application form. donation conveniently through payroll deduction. Term 2002 (April to August) Chan to our team. Library Fines Amnesty on one of the specially marked "Buya-Book" yellow cards (available throughout both campuses, or phone 7148) and put it in the campus mail or hand it in at either Library. February 18, 2002 to March 28, 2002 - apply for ABESAP for Summer participants. We welcome the Financial Aid Supervisor application with the Ministry's approval. The new ABESAP form has simpler language and has been reduced from 4 to 2 pages. It was first used on February 18th, 2002. Users report that the form is easier to use Staff report that students are filling out the form more accurately and completely. Peer Helpers were available to assist Financial Aid with accepting 366 applications on the Important Deadlines We are pleased to report that our 2nd annual VCC Sun Run Team has increased to a total of 45 King Edward Campus - 604-871-7046 Loans On-line New ABESAP and Bursary April 21, 2002 addition of Dorothy Ho and Heather Applying for Student Planned for late March 2002, British Columbia students will have the option of applying on-line for their Student Loans directly to the Ministry of Advanced Education. This will help the environment (no paper) and students can check their status on the web after 2 days. VCC Sun Run Team have committed more than $7,000. Many have supported the Campaign by buying specially wrapped cookies. The need for Library materials is urgent. Please, indicate your support The goal is $10,000. We can do it if YOU get your name on the list before March 28! Well, we have some good news for you! During the month of April, VCC Library is announcing a special "once-in-a lifetime" amnesty for all faculty, staff, administrators and students who presently have overdue library items in their possession or fines on their library record. Our motto is: "If you bring them back, we'll waive the fines." Here's how it works: • For any item lost before March 31st 2002 and returned to the Library in good condition during this amnesty period, there will be no replacement charges, processing fees or fines charged. Charges for lost items that are not returned to the Library are not included in the amnesty. • As an added BONUS, for those patrons who come in person or phone the Library (KEC: 604871-7920/CC: 604-443-8340) (continued on page 5) Page 4 Vol 8 No 3 www.vcc.ca (continued from page 4) during the amnesty period we will waive all overdue charges for fines accrued up to March 31st 2002 The primary purpose of library fines is to encourage prompt return of materials. Occasionally, patrons amass such huge fines that - instead of paying them, they simply forfeit their library privileges. We want our books back - and we also want our borrowers back. If you have any questions Dear Safety Sam: I heard that there is a group of people at the College who resolve safety issues. Who are they and how do I find out more? concerning the Amnesty, please call Signed, Tell Me More Melmda Barameski, Circulation Services Coordinator at 8349 or Lila Heilbrunn, Director Library ft Media Services at 7318. Dear More: A dedicated group of employees meet on a monthly basis at each campus to discuss issues that effect the health and safety of all employees and make Leadership and Learning Abstracts recommendations to management. We have received three, 2-page abstracts published by the League for Innovation in the Community College. The titles are: • Skills Certifications and Workforce Development: Partnering with Industry and Ourselves, Jeffrey A. Cantor; • Learning Options and Readiness: High School Partnerships in the 21st Century, Susan Lindahl; • Reading, Learning, and Thinking Seminars: A Template for Faculty Training, Harriet L. Shenkman The safety committee welcomes your input and invites you to bring forward concerns or suggestions you may have about health and safety at VCC. You can reach Charles Finch, chairperson KEC at local 7027 and Lars Warje, chairperson City Centre at local 8585 if you have agenda items or would like to find out more about being involved in the health and safety committee. Monthly minutes and safety information are posted on the safety notice boards located outside the administration at City Centre and outside the cafeteria at KEC. Past minutes can be found on the shared directory under Health and Safety. Editor's Note: Safety Sam is a fictional character in development to promote a greater awareness around health and safety. Safety Corner will be a regular feature in Connections provided by the VCC health and safety committees. If you would like copies of any or all of these, call Delia at 604-8717016 or send an e-mail to dglendenning@vcc.ca. VCC's Earthquake Awareness Day April 10, 2002, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. City Centre Campus March 25, 2002 Page 5 fZ'otxhte&fjrS- College and Municipal Pension Plan Seminar Friday, May 31, 2002 (KEC - Room 5025) 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. This informative pension workshop will be facilitated by Roger Hesketh who has conducted the past several workshops for the College. He will explain to you in easy to follow terms what the pension benefit formula is, the offset amount, definition of the various pension payments and the related employee health benefits at retirement. In addition, he will discuss how to purchase additional pensionable service and completion of the pension and benefit forms. If you are interested in attending, please contact Odyll Alcantara at local 8719 or e-mail her at oalcantara@vcc.ca. When registering, please advise her which pension plan you are enrolled in. Instructors and Administrators are enrolled in the College Pension Plan and Support Staff and Nurses are enrolled in the Municipal Plan. Volunteer Opportunity The Vancouver Maritime Museum is in need of volunteers. It is the Tuesday, April 2 at the Jazz Cellar Cafe (3611 W Broadway), 8 PM* Jazz Combo night, featuring the New Old Jass Band (directed by Alan Matheson), the Tuesday Afternoon Ensemble (directed by David Branter), and the Wednesday Afternoon Ensemble (directed by Laurence Mollerup). Wednesday, April 3 at the Hot Jazz Club (2120 Main St at 5 Ave), 8 PM* The VCC Jazz Orchestra (directed by David Branter) is joined by Soundwave, VCC's vocal jazz choir (directed by Ron Small). Friday, April 12 at the Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard St at Georgia), 8 PM* Winners of the 2002 Concerto/Aria Competition perform with the Westcoast Orchestra. Friday, April 12 in the VCC Auditorium, 8 PM An Evening of Opera! The Willan Choir, directed by Patricia Plumley, with Artist-in-Residence Marisa Gaetanne and students from the VCC Classical Voice Program, perform opera choruses of Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Donizetti, Mozart and Mascagni. Saturday, April 13 in the VCC Auditorium, 4 PM Beth Bradhurst, a Jazz Et Contemporary Voice student, presents her 3rd Year Recital. As part of their Performance Concentration grade, 3rd year students are required to stage a 45 minute concert featuring themselves as soloists. Sunday, April 14 in Campbell River Winners of the 2002 Concerto/Aria Competition perform with the Westcoast Orchestra. Sunday, April 14 at the West Point Grey United Church, Time TBA The Willan Choir, directed by Patricia Plumley, with Artist-in-Residence Marisa Gaetanne and students from the VCC Classical Voice Program, perform opera choruses of Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Donizetti, Mozart and Mascagni. Monday, April 22 in the VCC Auditorium, 7 PM* principal maritime museum on the Pacific Coast of Canada, and Greater Susanne Sulzberger, a Classical Voice major, presents her 3rd year recital. Vancouver region's link to maritime history, art, culture and technology. Tuesday, April 23 in the VCC Auditorium, 7 PM* Malcolm Aiken, trumpet, and Jeremy Page, clarinet and saxophone, join forces to present their 3rd year recitals. No experience or boating knowledge is required and full training is provided. For more information, check out their web site at: www.vmm.bc.ca or call Raylene Marchand at 604-257-8310. Page 6 * Times listed may be subject to change. Complementary tickets for most events are available to members of the college community. For tickets or for further information, please contact Jodi Van Brunt at 604-871-7297, or email jvanbrunt@vcc.ca. Vol 8 No 3 www.vcc.ca format will be mixed, with details to National Great follow at the time of registration The Teaching cost is $60 per person which includes Teachers Seminar golf, a chicken and burger buffet and Excellence prizes, including cash prizes for all The 17th Annual National Great Essays four par threes ( closest to the pin ). Teachers Seminar In the Canadian Rockies will be held from June 9th to 14th, 2002, at Nakoda Lodge, Kananaskis Region, Alberta Grant MacEwan College invites you to join them for an energizing week that Please register and pay by Friday, April 19th to Allan Clarkson, Room 101c in Counselling at City Centre. For more information, call Allan at 8446. focuses on teaching innovations, solutions and challenges. Past participants say: "The most dynamic, inspiring and valuable professional development experience "Never been to a more effective, well organized and inspirational conference...." "The seminar was incredible: a terrific learning experience..." While engaging in stimulating discussions with other dedicated educators, you can enjoy the scenic beauty and quiet of a secluded Relay For A Friend Raise hope and funds for the Canadian Cancer Society through Relay for a Friend. The event is now expanding to three sites: Coquitlam Town Centre Stadium -June 1, 2002 Mahon Park, North Shore - June 8, 2002 Bear Creek Park, Surrey -June 15/16, 2002 mountain retreat. For more information on the The $1,150.25 fee includes room, meals and five days of valuable sharing, networking and professional growth. many ways to participate m this important event, visit: www relavforafriend.com For more information and an online registration form, visit their web site: www.facultvdevelopmentmacewan.ca/ areatteachers html Don't miss this unique educational opportunity! Annual VCC Golf Tournament Our annual VCC Golf Tourney is scheduled for Friday, May 10th at Noon (tee-off at 12:30 ). We will return to Burnaby Mountain Golf Course and will hold our awards and prizes dinner in the Clubhouse afterwards. This year the March 25, 2002 New ICS Position One of the key KPMG recommendations was the reorganization of the Systems and Computing group to reduce the load on Steve Forrest. A component of this reorganization was the setting up of a new position, the Supervisor of Educational Technology Services, to take responsibility for the support of computer labs and to act as the primary liaison between ICS and Instructional users. I am pleased to announce that Nadia Kawas was the successful candidate and will take up the position with effect from Monday, We have received a number of essays in the Teaching Excellence series. If you would like a copy of any of the following, please contact Delia Glendenning at 871-7016 or by e-mail at dglendenning@vcc.ca. * College Teaching as an Educational Helping Relationship Douglas R. Robertson, Eastern Kentucky University * Teachers are Diverse, Too - Respecting Each Other's Beliefs Richard G. Tiberius, University of Toronto *The Multicultural Teaching Portfolio Matt Kaplan, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor * Imperatives for Reforming Pedagogy and Curriculum Hitendra Piliay ft Bob Elliott, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia * Reflections on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Pat Hutchings, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching * Diversity Begins at Home: Multiculturalism m State and Regional Studies Barbara Lownsberry, University of Northern Iowa * From Cognitive Dissonance to Self-Motivated Learning Edmund J Hansen, Northeastern Illinois University * Teachers and Scholars as Designers: The Art and Practice of Instructional Design Charles M. Spuches, SUNYCollege of Environmental Science and Forestry March 4. Page 7 CtoHheeffiohg. fcTj oo Transit Pass Research With funding from a grant, I was hired in the fall to study transit passes The priority was to explore a special student pass called a ij~Pass, a collegiate universal transit program. This winter, we conducted research and negotiations with TransLink to see if we could set it up. The telephone survey of a sampling of 700 VCC students was conducted in December along with a nearly identical survey of students at Simon Fraser University, and the data for both became available in January. The most important information from the survey was reliable data about what proportion of students travels by each means: transit, single-occupancy vehicle, shared vehicle, walking and cycling. The "modal share" of transit at VCC turned out to be the high percentage of 55%. By the last week of January, TransLink was able to compute a price for VCC of $45 per month if full time students only are in the program and $37 if part time are included. This is a much higher price than the U~Passes that already exist. The Victoria ll~Pass at U Vic and Camosun College is only $11 per the majority already uses transit, but a high price would not be acceptable to those who do not. A low price would be less divisive and would provide an attractive incentive for occasional transit use by those who usually don't use it to accept it, is to immortalize a famous lesson by means of a limerick (limericky?) tribute. (Well, okay, maybe it was Had the student LI~Pass been accepted, it may have been possible to include employees in it, most likely as an option at a higher price, as is done in some schools with U~Pass programs. Such a program would have to be revenue-neutral for the transit provider, so the only savings offered would correspond to the administrative efficiency of selling transit to a large group at once, rather than to so many individuals. That is the kind of price reduction offered in TransLmk's present employer pass program. Few coming months we need to convince LJ~Pass is financed by a pooled fund through which the cost of transit is shared among all students. The more TransLink to tailor a special program for post-secondary employees. would pay into the fund but not use Anyone with interest in the present program or ideas for an employee pass program that would work for VCC please do contact me at telephone local 8604 or by e-mail, the service. lhenderson@vcc.ca. Page 8 Your challenge, should you choose one of the lessons that didn't make it past the planning to low percentages of transit users. A Politically it may be easier to obtain approval for a U~Pass when speaking world of VCC... price. Low U~Pass prices directly relate students use transit in a school, the more costly a LI~Pass would be, because there are fewer "others" who Here's your big chance for fame and glory throughout the English Our VCC Student Associations would have taken the proposal for the U~Pass to referendum if the price had been as low as the Victoria pass. It is unfortunate that VCC students are asked to pay the highest VCC employees have so far expressed interest in this program because it requires the employee to buy 12 months of transit per year and because it uses a photo ID card which is not transferrable. Over the month. The Outreach Limerick Olympics Challenge stage...) All submissions must begin with: "I once taught a lesson on eg. I once taught a lesson on gerunds. I said they were nouns, just like "herons". The class started laughing They couldn't stop clapping: "Oh, goody, let's do all the tricky ones!" All submissions should be sent to the Outreach Office (KEC, Room 3196) by the end of April, 2002. There will be a public display, and prizes will be awarded! Any number, any size - artistic presentation counts too! Lee Henderson Vol 8 No 3 www.vcc.ca DID YOU ~ro1)aiion;iry period prior lo your permaiwnt apjxjjntmeiit, or * a period of time tovL-red l>y ;< leave of absence, during which you did not make contrilnitions to your j>ensicin plan. publication an paying for purdiaM-s. What are the tax Implications? Pension Corporation on-line at Purchasing periols of pasi service could alTect your income tax situation. Tlie Canada Customs and Revenue Agency must calculate the amount of RRSP contriHuJion room available to ynu, penMrsiis.lKz.ca and use (jar to determine whether ymr Purchase Cost Estimator. If you do no* have acceas to (lie iniemei., you purclvase of scnrice is allowable under current reiiremeiu savings will be able to estintate die cost of rules. your puithuve using the simple formula on tlte application form (available from your eniplojer or the Pension Corporation). Contact CCRA for informatiwi about your avaHablc RRSP contribution limits. Have your ycxi received a commused value for any service, that service cannot be roinsMed You pi® c;inno« reinstate any special agreetnenl of additional voluntary cotitribulions. Sec tJic Petiskfttfutin puhlicalltjn on reinstatemenl of service for further infornwtion, or visit our wefc site at penslQiis.be.ca. For further information on this topic, please sec the /'{'tisiwifacts E think I'd like to purchase service, What'i next? fee ytmr pajTol! oilce, or visit the Whin )x»o haw filled in the Appikation to Furcimse Sertice font) (eitter on [Wfier or via our web site), you must then take she form to your payroll office so ihey can confirm that your leave was social jnburunee number and late.st pension adjustnient (PA) statement a^'ailabte when you call For further information on this topie, please see die Pvmkmfacts pubhention on PSPAs. approi-ed or dvat y for College Pension Plan) you have fiw years or until ),ou tcnuinatc your curtent employment (whichever is rariicr) to purchase past service. Beginning April 1, 2007 (or March I( 2007 for College Vension Plan), ytw may only purchase periods of service for the pivs cvling years, as long as you apply to purdiiibe prior to terminating employment with your current em])loyer. an invxiice. Now that I've decided to make my purchase/ how do I pay for it? You must pay your portion of the cost at one time, foi the toJal amcHint owed. You may pay by RKSP taiisfer, personal cheque or a combination of both. If applicable, you can also pay by transferring fund?, from skk bank, rcdring allowance or severance pacbtges. nepending on the cirrumstanccs of your purchase, your employer may or may wxl be responsible to puy a partion of ymtr pureliase cost. Pemtonlact?, is published by the Pension Ccwpcwtitlw to fwovlde pension iniomwtion to a variety of audiences If you wish to receive PemimSactt, or have commenu, please con wet uk Pmsrofrfarts PO Bos 9460 Stn Prov Govt Victwis BC V8W 9V8 Fax (2S0) 356-9591 This publication provides general intoffn&tkm alwut the pwiywi plan and is based an the relevant plan doaimeoti {statutes, regulations and rules). If there is a dlscwparvcy betwwn this publfcftliwt Snd the plan dCJcwmmti, the plan documents will apply. In this fact sheet, "we* wii "us" mean the Pension Corporation, and "you" means the plan member. FT POfc a»t -MS MK cess Please contact Eugenie Wong at local 7136 with any questions. March 25, 2002 Page 11 Summary of Minutes of the Education Council Meeting Held on Tuesday, March 5, 2002 in KEC Room 5025 at 3:30 p.m. 1. Report of Education Chair * Advance polls for election of representatives on Education Council will be taking place on March 7th and voting on March 12th and 13th. * At the April 2nd meeting, there will be the election of the Education Council Executive. * The Chairs of Council of Education Councils (CoEdCo) will be meeting on March 23rd. * The Chair made reference to the changes to the BC Student Assistance Program. 2. VCC Board Report * The meeting on February 28th was an Orientation meeting for the new Board members. 3. The following was approved for recommendation to the Board: * VCC English Language Assessment equivalencies - TOEFL Et TSE, or Academic IELTS. If certain departments or divisions require specific subtest scores or higher minimum scores, these additional requirements are to be stated for each of the three options: ELA, TOEFL EtTSE, and IELTS. * The criteria for program cancellation have been followed by the College in the cancellation of the Meat Cutting and the Sausage Making programs. * Advanced Reading ft Vocabulary Building - new course for International Education * CF Science - Chemistry 061/071, Chemistry 083/093, Biology 061/071, Biology 081/091, Biology 083/093, Physics 061/071, and Physics 083/093 - revised prerequisites. 4. For Information * Rationalization of terms in ELS/CPE was discussed. *The Chair will be writing to the Minister of Advanced Education to explain how the restriction of student grants to students until after the first eight months of their programs could harm students and programs at Vancouver Community College. Revisions to D.4.2 Student Grievance Policy Revisions to D.4.2 Student Grievance Policy were approved by Education Council on January 8th, and presented to the Board for information on January 24, 2002. Approval of the revisions were received from Operations Council on February 18, 2002. The revised policy is available on the College website. If you require a hard copy of the policy, you can print it off from the website, or call Vivienne Garrott at 7159 for a copy. Page 12 Vol 8 No 3 www.vcc.ca Second Feature Film Directed by Lindsay Bourne Lindsay Bourne, Audio/Visual Technician in the KEC Instructional Media Services Department, was not at the Oscar's on Sunday night, but he might be one day. Bourne directed his own movie, Stuck, at the Bridge Studio in sound stage three in midMarch. This is his fifth screenplay to be made into a feature film and his second outing as a feature film director. His previous screenwriting credits include: Abducted: Abducted 2: The Reunion: Wounded: Sex. Size and Other Lies and a 45minute promotional film for the Singapore Armed Forces entitled, On Guard- positions and invite them to look at the world differently. Pretty ambitious, I know, but that's the fun of independent filmmaking, going were the Hollywood entertainment machine would never dare!" Bourne not only wrote the screenplay in less than a month, he also enrolled a cast and crew of highly successful individuals in the film industry into forming a cooperative for the venture, waiving all fees in exchange for an equal percentage of the film's Stuck is a powerful, groundbreaking film in which four characters from disparate backgrounds find themselves stuck in an signed on strictly as volunteers for the credit elevator for 90 minutes. Liz, is a and experience. "The drug-addict "jonesing" for a fix (played by Staraate S61 star, Amanda Tapping,) Bernie (J. R Bourne,) her boyfriend and enabler is an angry, in-your-face rebel, Cindy (Courtney Kramer) is a prim, fashionably- packaged and emotionally shut-down young woman, and Gordon (Fred Henderson) is an authoritative, rigid and arrogant businessman. It doesn't take long for the personalities to clash and explode taking the audience on a ride of discovery and insights into the human condition. "The film's theme is that we are all stuck, in one way or another, in our own narrow, often intolerant views," says writer/director Bourne. "We really believe that our own take on reality is the correct one, as if March 25, 2002 gross. There are also a number of people (including IMS's Zoro Mihajlovic) who have actors all bought their own costumes, the director of photography bought the video stock, we even all buy our own meals," says Bourne "It is completely unheard of in the industry and a little footnote in the history of filmmaking!" Photos Top to Bottom: Amanda Tapping, J.R. Bourne, Courtney Kramer and Fred Henderson gather around a dying cell phone; Courtney Kramer and Fred Henderson settle in for a long wait; J..R. Bourne yells for help; J.R. Bourne slams Fred Henderson against a wall; Amanda Tapping wrestles Fred Henderson off of J.R. Bourne. Page 13 VANCOUVER COMMUNITY kSM COLLEGE HHH Volume 8, Number 3 Editor: Elizabeth Thomson For Sale Marketing & Communications Phone 604-871-7152 Fax 604-871-7451 email ethomson@vcc ca • Design: Daniel Rohloff Layout: Lindsay Bourne WANTED! Old ceil phones and pagers for a classroom project. If you can help out, please call Peter Hopkinson in the Science department at 7285. Thanks. Media Services email drohloff@vcc ca lboume@vcc ca • Web Manager: Tene Barber email tbarber@vcc ca For Sale 1990 VW Golf, 5 speed, thuie roof rack, 141 k, BCAA report included, asking $7,200 obo Call Robyn 604-739-0805 Note from the Editor: Please allow me to help you publicize your upcoming events, department news and achievements Keep me abreast of what is happening in your departments! Thank-you, Thank You! Elizabeth Thomson please submit your articles via email to: ethomson@vcc.ca (Your submissions are welcome However, material may be edited for clarity and for length ) Next Publication Date: April 22 CNIB British Columbia-Yukon Division Lower Mainland - South Coast and Fraser Valley Districts February 28, 2002 Submission Deadline: April 12 Dear Leenane Shiels and Betty Nobel, On behalf of the Focus on Crocus Campaign volunteer committee, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to the overwhelming success of this important inaugural fundraiser for CNIB. The printing & paper used in the cover shells for VCC Connections Your participation, and the contributions of employees at Vancouver Community College helped us surpass our goal and raise more than $34,000 to fund services for people who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind in the district. Focus on Crocus would not have been successful without the contributions of our corporate and community partners such as Vancouver Community Collge, and individuals like you. Thank you again for your support, you do make a difference. Sincerely, Rob Sleath Chair, Focus on Crocus Committee 2002 Dear VCC Friends: Thank you for your kind expressions of sympathy, for the loss of Michael. From Denise Douglass and Family Please m Jjl Recycle innections