Vancouver Community College * Volume 1, Number 24 - September 28,1993 Flowchart diagrams separation process Transition Council has given unanimous endorsement to a three page flowchart that diagrams a means of achieving the separation of Langara from VCC. Nicknamed "Star Wars" because of its vast array of boxes and arrows, the flowchart paradoxically won approval on three simple principles: it's fair, fast and thorough. In summary, here's how it will work: * The flowchart maps out 23 units within the College, rangingfrom such large departments as Library and Media Services to single-person units such as Harassment Issues Advisor. The issues of each unit are directed to a two- person team of VCC President John Cruickshank and Langara CEO Linda Holmes for a draft design concept. Each draft design concept begins with employee consultation and concludes with an implementation plan which moves on to Langara and VCC Coun¬ cils . (Along the way there will be involvement from both the appropriate union and Em¬ ployee Relations). For John Cruickshank I want to respond to the most recent newsletter from the VCCFA which suggests that there is a secretness developing in the College decision-making process. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, could be further from reality. Let me start with the new V CC Council, which we hope to have in operation very soon. The VCC Council will be the senior decision¬ making body for the new VCC, just as the Langara Council is acting in that role now for Langara. The VCC Council will make the dayto-day decisions on the operation of the Col¬ lege, just as did the old College Executive Committee. But the VCC Council will also be different from the old CEC in an extremely fundamental way. VCC Council, unlike CEC, will include members from both unions and the student associations. Currently, the VCCFA—under article 3-11 of the collective agreement-has voting representation through its president or delegate on the TC or its * The implementation plan is vetted by both successors. In keeping with article 3-11, it is daily councils and returns to Cruickshank and the College's intention that the VCC Council Holmes, who then prepare recommendations will become the successor to that of TC. In news for Transition Council. other words, the VCCFA is guaranteed * TC deals with all elements of the unit's plan before granting final approval and moving it voice and vote on VCC Council. All of this updates phone 7099 after 2:30 pm Paj-e 1 Message from along to the appropriate committee of the Board. means that decision-making for the College will grow from a much broader base with much greater participation of non-adminis¬ trative people than ever before. * The Board Committee reviews and possibly refines the unit's plan and then passes it along Point two. Transition Council contin¬ to a "parking lot" where it will await final ues to have the authority for recommending approval of the Board. all policies to the Board regarding separation. TC will, of course, require input from all levels to make informed recommendations. ings at these campuses would result in a Because there is no point in TC meeting on any severe decrease in FTE production, the last item until input is organized and presented in thing we wanted. a meaningful way, it was decided to hold TC meetings at the call of the joint chairs, Linda Holmes and myself. In other words, TC will decide on the issues, but obviously not until the issues have been fully explored and pre¬ pared for consideration. However, with the cooperation of the VCCFA there was a significant opportunity at KEC to increase FTE production and save money as well. Thus we chose a course of action that would result in increased FTE production while minimizing the lay off of If there is a more democratic and partici¬ permanent staff—but one which would also patory structure in place at any College in significantly cut services to students. The Canada, I'm not aware of it. figures we developed are the result of meet¬ One further point: I do, of course, meet regularly with VCC's vice-presidents and oth¬ ers for advice and consultation. It would be ing the budgetary objectives and are the base from which both colleges can successfully operate now and in the future. awfully strange if I didn't. But this team has no official standing in terms of VCC policy¬ been a permanent allocation of the deficit to making...once again, that responsibility lies VCC or Langara. with TC and the new VCC Council. —John Cruickshank One further point: There has not yet Now, on to the rumours of more lay¬ offs. It's impossible to know at this time the effects that the VMREU "bumping" process Transition Controller answers budget questions (The Exchange re¬ cently asked Transition Controller Chris Ebbehoj to respond to two concerns which have been raised by the VCCFA and VMREU...one concern, that the College's budget We based our budget on two assump¬ tions. can't be predicted at this time. I can guaran¬ of permanent staff. Laying off permanent staff the Board are committed to minimizing fur¬ creates severance costs and delays other cost ther layoffs should they become necessary. savings due to the notice period in the collec¬ -Chris Ebbehoj tive agreements. Secondly, we wanted to increase FTE greater impact at this point on VCCthanonLan- Page 2 Whether there are any further layoffs simply tee, however, that both administration and production without a corresponding increase in costs, as is the Ministry's directive. more layoffs). after the bumping process exceed our budget, then there can be no guarantee of zero layoffs. First, we wanted to minimize the layoff solutions have had a gara; a second, regarding rumours that there may be could have on overall costs. If the final costs Forum decision on Friday The VCC Planning team will decide We carefully analyzed the cost and rev¬ next week on whether to proceed with a enue structures of the three campuses. We second employee and student forum as a concluded that cutting instructional services continuation of the process started by the ( at Langara and City Centre would not meet Issues Forum last May, or perhaps take some our objectives and that reducing course offer¬ other route. If a Phase II forum does go ahead Continued on the other side... it would probably be held on October 22nd, with the outcomes hopefully ready for the motion detectors and other devices, and an¬ College Board retreat on Nov. 19th. grading. Let there be new lights! These and other projects approved by the Board will be funded by capital grants from the Ministry. other $200,000 to begin fire protection up¬ The College has begun a complete "relamping" of its buildings. The existing fluorescent fixtures will be Manuel Salinas has announced that he cent tubes, electronic ballasts and, where will be leaving the college both as a student The new tubes provide a better colour rendition that's closer to daylight. In addi¬ tion, the electronic ballasts will stop the high frequency light flicker that irritates many people as well as eliminating the humming noise that the old ballasts create. The lightinglevel will stay the same, but the resulting energy savings could save the College up to $ 140,000 annually. The fund¬ ing for the changeover comes from a $ 1.1 million B.C. Hydro Power Smart grant. Some of the other capital projects which gained approval from the College Board Thursday included: * $ 1 million College-wide to help catch up on what's termed cyclical maintenance. This covers such things as carpeting and other long term maintenance projects, painting for in¬ stance. questions, please send them to Chuck Poulsen, Manager of The I'nge 3 and president of the KEC Student Associa¬ tion, although he will still be unofficially available to the association for any help he may be able to offer. No de-emphasis for ABE In a recent Exchange Line report we mentioned the areas of responsibility for the new Ministry of Skills, Training and Labour. The only specific VCC program that was mentioned was ESL, which left some people concerned that there was going to be a deemphasis in those programs not mentioned, ABE for example. This, we're told, is not the case. The information we received from the Ministry on these areas of responsibility was meant as much for public consumption as it was for the information of people in the college system. Thus, ESL was singled out * $100,000 for a Langara micro-computer because it has a high profile in public, whereas lab to take some of the pressure off the other other programs may not. six labs which are now heavily used. As well, there is a $ 175,000 grant for Langara audito¬ rium wheelchair lifts. Exchange, in care of College Administrative Services. moving on replaced with more energy efficient fluores¬ appropriate, light reflectors. If you have any comments or Manuel Salinas * $ 120,000 for a City Centre security system to control the perimeter of the building using Said Alan Strickland, Manager of Public Affairs for the Ministry: "There is no way this indicates a lessening of responsibility for ABE or any other program.. .1 see no diminishing of anything."