f4EWS Vancouver Community College • Volume 1, Number 27- October 26,1993 Starwars plan launched byTC Transition Council Monday approved the would widely circulate a package of possible final version of a decision-making process for concepts and scenarios to stimulate discussion at separation. The process, nicknamed starwars, is the conference. One member of the team de¬ attached to this edition of the Exchange. scribed this package as "building blocks" which The first page of the two-page document indicates all of the "units" which need to be considered in the separation process; the second page outlines a step-by-step sequence for deci¬ sion making prior to presentation to the College Board. The Board has the final decision on all of will allow conference members to consider a range of ideas, hopefully taking everyone to a level above the kind of special interests and polarization that has existed in the past. Two members of the team, Aphrodite Harris and Nina Kozakiewicz, said some team the elements of separation, based on the broad members believe that the process must result in spectrum of input which is indicated on the credible and practical outcomes which have a second page. strong possibility of being implemented. 'Future Conference' already put a lot of energy into producing action planned for January and strategic plans, many team members are "Since many areas in the College have VCC Council... Who? What? When? Why? Faculty, staff and stu¬ dents are all invited to a lunch-hour discussion with John Cruickshank regarding The VCC Planning Team has taken the first major step in determining the shape and substance of the new VCC by deciding to hold a Planning for the Future Conference on January 14 and 1S. The number of conference members won't be determined until next week, although it looks like somewhere between 60 and 120 representatives from throughout the VCC com¬ munity will be invited. theformation of the new VCC Council. It's an informal gettogether so bring jour lunch, and your comments and ques¬ tions. Cruickshank will be m the KEC cafeteria on Thurs¬ rity, increased workload and a fast-approaching April separation deadline, need real signs that the planning process is ready to address the major changes that are already affecting VCC." Last week team members reached a cortsensus on several items, including: * The activities of the team's meetings should be carried through the Exchange in re¬ ports that reflect both the positive nature of the work as well as whatever conflict might occur. initiative for determining the College's longterm vision, values and mission. These state¬ * Student involvement will be sought pri¬ marily through the classroom. ments will become the foundation for arriving at departmental and divisional goals as well as a until 1 p.m , and in the City Centre cafeteria on Friday, the decade. I>aSe 1 within our VCC community, feeling job insecu- ' tivities, described the conference as a major strategy which will take the College to the end of ktober 29th, alsofrom noon documents as a basis for discussion and future plans," said Harris. "It is understood that many Pacific Leadership, the group which is helping facilitate the VCC Planning Team's ac¬ day, October 2 8th,from noon til one. hoping that any forum to be held will use these Gerry Schwartz dies of cancer Planning Team members, who represent For those who haven't already heard, all areas of the College, also deaded that they College Board member Gerry Schwartz passed away October 21 following a lengthy bout with cancer. As the chairman of the Finance Commit¬ tee, Mr. Schwartz was a tireless and dedicated worker for the College and he will be greatly missed. Said John Cruickshank: "Beyond just the sheer number of hours he put in for the College, Gerry brought caring and compassion to the job which made his contribution so much more than just dealing with the bottom line. I'm sure I speak for everyone at the College in offering our sincerest condolences to Ann Schwartz. The net effect is that we can no longer provide the degree of services and training you are advo¬ cating for those on welfare, or indeed for any of our students. "The Board believes that it is unrealistic and unacceptable to suggest that the recipients of social assistance should become more produc¬ tive members of our society, without simultane¬ ously providing educational and other support services to do so." The letter goes on to offer the College's willingness to work with the Ministry to provide job training for this group of people. A memorial service was held for Mr. Schwartz on Monday. College Board responds to Premier's 'welfare'remarks Time for a change? Some people at the College may be una¬ ware that we have a membership in the Commu¬ You may recall a report on the Exchange from the last College Board meeting where some Board members were critical of remarks that Premier Harcourt made regarding welfare recipients. On behalf of the Board, Chairman Bob Smith has now written to the Premier. Here are excerpts from that letter: "VCC is a leader in offering opportunities for job training, training in Adult Basic Educa¬ tion and in retraining of students, many of whom are in receipt of social assistance. Single mothers on social assistance, for example, are not pro¬ If you have any comments or questions, vided with sufficient financial assistance and cannot qualify for a student loan, which would enable them to attend job training or upgrading of skills programs. They are, therefore, trapped as welfare recipients. Many victuns of abuse find please send them to Chuck Poulsen, Manager of The Exchange, in care of College Administrative have resulted in a reduction of vocational Services. programs...and also essential student services. Page 2 themselves in the same circumstances. "The recent drastic budget cuts at VCC nity College Exchange Program (CCEP). CCEP is a network of 216 community colleges in the U.S. and Canada that promotes faculty and staff exchanges by matching the re¬ quests to work at a different college with what¬ ever opportunities are available. It's run by Gary Filan at Mesa Community College in Mesa Arizona. Filan is particularly anxious to point out that there is more to this program than just the normal one-on-one ex¬ changes . He says it's becoming increasingly pop u- lar to use CCEP to arrange a work opportunity at another college without necessarily having to find someone at that college to trade places with. For example, this kind of opportunity can occur if a college has a temporary opening due to one of its people being on a sabbatical. If you're interested in some form of ex¬ change visit for yourself, phone Carol Harrison ( in Employee Relations, Local 7142. DECISION-MAKING PROCESS CAS OH CR OR CE OR IE UNIT INPUT to J. Cruickshank and L. Holmes (parameter of zero cost' increase is operant) i DISCUSSION OF UNIT INPUT -J. Cruickshank, L. Holmes, Senior Unit Officer, Senior VCC and Langara Administrators to arrive at decision regarding direction for separation I JOHN & LINDA DRAFT DESIGN CONCEPT and share it with appropriate unions, associations and Employee Relations Department, making changes as required JOHN & LINDA MEET WITH THE Unit's Senior Staff to share the Design Concept I DESIGN CONCEPT PRESENTED TO VCC and Langara Council I DESIGN CONCEPT TO Transition Council I UNIT PREPARES AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CONSIDERATION BY THE including all details in order of sequence, with • APPROPRIATE timelines for successful completion by BOARD COMMITTEES April X, 1994 - Because the VCC and Langara instructional units will not be shared services, their issues will go directly to TC. ' - Transition Controller may also be involved in first three steps.