CNC President's Blog

My monthly report for April 2009 is now available here:

http://tinyurl.com/d54mn4

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who supported the recent CNC food and clothing drive in support of Community Partners Addressing Homelessness (CPAH).  The volume of food, clothing and cash donated was truly impressive.  For details go to: http://tinyurl.com/dxhas7.  Way to go Lily! do you think we can create an even bigger pile next year? I bet we can. 

Today, the Governments of Canada and British Columbia announced they will provide almost $30 million to CNC for the construction of two new Technical Education Centre (TEC) buildings one in Prince George and one in Quesnel.  For more information: http://tinyurl.com/cmu9wx. and http://tinyurl.com/chor2n

The Ministry of Advanced Education is providing CNC with $194,000 to support the planning and development of the new Medical Radiography Technology program.  The Med. Rad. Tech. program which involves a partnership with Northern Health, the Northern Medical Society and BCIT will begin in September 2010 at the Prince George Campus.

For more information follow this link: http://tinyurl.com/ccwvvr

On behalf of the College of New Caledonia, I am pleased to welcome Dr. George Iwama as the next President of the University of Northern British Columbia effective July 1, 2009.

For more information about Dr. Iwama go to: http://www.unbc.ca/releases/2009/02_03new_president.html

I look forward to working with Dr. Iwama to extend and enhance the collaboration between CNC and UNBC.

In a surprise move, College Board Chair Bruce Sutherland has announced that CNC will be implementing a new dress code beginning on Friday, April 3.

Everyone entering on to a college campus will be "required" to wear "CNC clothing".  Sutherland explains that the new "Friday dress code" is being introduced to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of the College, and to help increase revenues at the College Store (Store Manager Sean Robinson, has applauded the announcement).  When asked whether there would be any consequences for non-compliance with the dress code, Sutherland replied, "Well no. . ., but in lieu of wearing CNC clothing, people could contribute $1.00 to the CNC HOPE campaign on each Friday through the remainder of 2009!"

Communications Services staff (pictured below) are giving the new dress code a big thumbs up!  Happy April 1st Everyone.

My President's Report for the month of March 2009 is now available at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/dyvygw

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.  Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who attended the fundraising pancake breakfast on Thursday, March 12 at the Prince George Campus. It was an excellent kick-off to our 2009 HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Education)  campaign. Please consider contributing to the College's fundraising efforts in support of student scholarships/bursaries and instructional equipment. Payroll deduction is an easy and relatively painless way to donate. Please return a completed form to the Payroll Department or to Annette Stevens in the Communications Department. THANK YOU!

My President's Report for the month of February 2009 is now available at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/bdpkhc

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.  Thank you!

The photograph below was taken of the CNC Board of Governors during our visit to the Lakes District Campus on January 30.  Members of the CNC Board (pictured from front to back, and left to right) are: Peter Baird (Vice Chair, Regions), Valentine Crawford (Student rep.), Bruce Sutherland (Chair),  Bev Haluschak, Linda Smerychynski, Murray Braithwaite, John Bowman (President), Bob Murray, Ray Gerow (Vice Chair, Prince George), Henry Morgan (Student rep.), Stacy Dingman (Staff rep.), Jim Hoyer (Admin. rep.), Angus McLeod (Faculty rep.), Peter Warner, and David Rourke (Chair, Education Council). (Photo taken by Randall Heidt)

On Tuesday, February 24 the College officially kicked off our 40th Anniversary celebrations. It was my pleasure to "cut the cake"  with (left to right) George Davison, President of the CNC Faculty Association, Lily Bachand, President of the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) Local 29, Mayor Dan Rogers and Leona Wilkins, Treasurer of the CNC Students' Union. Photo by Book Buksa

There appears to be good news in the provincial budget for British Columbia's colleges and universities in the form of increased funding.  Highlights of the provincial budget for the post-secondary education system include:

A series of Town Hall Meetings will be held at each campus over the next two weeks.  At each of these meetings I will provide an update on the College’s 2009/10 Budget planning, as well as other college-wide activities, progress and plans.  The dates and locations for these meetings are as follows:

Prince George Campus (Room 1-723) - 6 sessions

Tuesday, February 10,  1:00pm – 2:00pm, and 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Wednesday, February 11, 10:00am – 11:00am

Friday, February 13, 9:00am – 10:00am

Tuesday, February 17, 2:00pm – 3:00pm and 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Mackenzie

Wednesday, February 11, 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Vanderhoof

Friday, February 13, 12:00noon – 1:00pm

Quesnel

Monday, February 16, 11:30am – 12:30pm

Lakes District

Wednesday, February 18, 11:30am - 12:30pm

My President's Report for the month of January 2009 is now available at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/clct4m. 

I look forward to your questions, comments and suggestions.

The 2009/10 Budget Development Framework has been revised and improved based on feedback received during the internal consultation and review process. The final draft Framework was approved by the College Board on January 30.  This document is available on the college web site at: http://tinyurl.com/avwmne

On January 27, CNC hosted two representatives from Gimcheon College (Korea), Mr. David Lee and Prof. Hee Chun Lee. Gimcheon College enrolls 5,000 students in health sciences, business, technology and human services programs (many in common with CNC). Below Prof. Lee and I signed a memorandum of understanding which commits both institutions to explore opportunities to collaborate, to potentially develop joint programming and conduct student and employee exchanges. For more information regarding Gimcheon: http://tinyurl.com/bntdh7.

Recently, SPCA volunteer Norma Allison received a $650 cheque from CNC Doggie Fashion Show organizer Tammy Barker and Maddie, the “Rescue Dog” winner.

It was great to see a big story in today's Prince George Citizen about the new Natural Resources and Environmental Technology (NRET) program.  A front page banner headline is a great way to get free advertising!  (you can read the story on-line at http://tinyurl.com/9c6lm2. Congratulations to the NRET program faculty and Communications Services staff on a great success in getting the word out on the new program.  There was also a nice story on the cover of the Community Section about the Student Union's new office space.  You can also stay up-to-date on all of the CNC related media coverage by visiting: http://www.cnc.bc.ca/Exploring/Services/MES/PR/headlines.htm 

In December, four Lakes District Culinary Arts program students learned they had won bursaries of $3,200 each from the Skills Canada BC First Nation Bursary.  To read the full story go to: http://tinyurl.com/97ouw2. Instructor Chef Brad Vennard and the Lakes District Culinary Arts students are shown in the photo below.

Three female students in CNC's foundation-level Automotive technician program are challenging industry stereotypes. To learn more about these three expectional students check out this link: http://tinyurl.com/a4dpjy. Pictured below are Christine Mueller (pale blue coverall), Adria Banman (yellow glasses), and Keira Cosh (dark hair).

I am posting notes and photos from some stories that date back a few weeks (just in case you missed these the first time!)

Prince George Newspapers Database Launched

CNC, UNBC, the Prince George Libary, and Prince George Citizen have collaborated to establish the "Prince George Newspapers Digitization Project".  Sixty years of newspapers are now available on-line at: http://www.lib.pg.bc.ca/pgnewspapers/ .  In the photo below, Kathy Plett (CNC), Marc Saunders (Public Lirary), Ramona Rose (UNBC) and Hugh Nicolson (Prince George Citizen) cut the cake at a launch event.

Feedback received during the consultation process regarding the 2009/10 Budget Development Framework has been reflected in the second draft of the framework which is now available on the College Web site at: http://tinyurl.com/yomelf.

When finalized the Framework will be used to assess options for achieving a balanced operating budget in the event that there is a shortfall between projected revenues and the expenditure plan. The final 2009/10 Budget Development Framework will be approved by the College Board at the January 30 meeting. 

My Monthly Report for December 2008 is now available on the College web site at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/7wyk9b 

As always, your questions, suggestions and comments are welcome.  I look forward to hearing from you.

A multi-year project involving collaboration between CNC International Education, CNC Carpentry program, the McGregor Model Forest, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) concluded during the past year. The focus of the project was to bring to the Khabarovsk Krai region of Russia, training in wood frame construction and deliver it to teachers in local trade schools. The curriculum that was used was based on the British Columbia Carpentry apprenticeship curriculum and was modified to reflect the Russian building code and translated into Russian.

CNC Carpentry instructor Bill Sluyter worked in Russia on several occasions to deliver training between 2005 and 2008. This curriculum was adopted and became part of the school curriculum in the Krai region. The project also included three weeks at the Technical University in Khabarovsk to work with third year engineering students.

Two visits to Prince George where made by teachers and instructors that had participated in the training. The last group was made up of a Mayor, small building contractor, engineer and a school Director. The pictures below are of a small subdivision of wood frame houses that are under construction in Russia as a result of the project. More information about the training package and curriculum can be found at http://www.resourcesnorth.org/woodframe/eng/index.html

CNC trades students are rebuilding and refurbishing four antique machines for the Prince George Railway Museum, including a belt-driven drill press, a shaper, a small drill press, and a milling machine, all made between 1918 and 1923 and likely used by railway companies. Each will take about two years to complete, with the college providing specialized equipment, many parts, and thousands of hours of labour at no cost to the museum. CNC millwright instructor Reinhard Wildauer initiated the project with the museum. Millwright students are doing most of the work, but the welding and machining departments are also involved as needed. The college also provided expertise last year during the museum’s reconditioning of a steam locomotive boiler, and has also created a flange for one of the museum’s steam engines.

My Monthly Report for November 2008 is now available via the following link: http://tinyurl.com/5og69b.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions!

On Friday morning, November 21 a public event to launch the College's new "Leadership Lab" Pilot Project was held in the Atrium of the Prince George Campus.  In the photos below, Deputy Premier Shirley Bond announces that the provincial government is providing CNC with additional funding of $14,000 to support the project (http://tinyurl.com/6kwt7t), and instructors Cliff Raphael and Don Homan speak about the courses that will be offered.  For more information about the Leadership Lab courses go to the following link: http://www.cnc.bc.ca/CNC_Programs/leaderlabs.htm.

CNC International Students have created a photographic and short essay display in the Atrium of the Prince George Campus to celebrate International Education Week, November 17-21.  The display is titled "Canada Through My Eyes" and is very beautiful and thought provoking.  I encourage everyone to stop by and take a look. Pictured (from L. to R.) in the photo below (credit: Book Buksa) are: Saad Alsubaie-Kingdon (Saudi Arabia), Yue Cui "Charles" (the student photographer from China), Aqeel Khwirey-Kingdom (Saudi Arabia), Sabreena MacElheron, Peng Tian (China), Er-deng Lu "Luffy (China), and myself.

The CNC Prince George Library is commemorating the 100th birthday of Claude Levi-Strauss, an eminent social anthropologist who has influenced many fields beyond anthropology. Pictured below is instructor Patti Peach with the material on display in the Library.  Patti notes that "Levi-Strauss' special form of analysis, structuralism, includes studies of myth and kinship."

Congratulations to CNC's Fine Art students on their excellent work.  In the photo below, students are gathered with instructor Betty Kovacic in front of a display of some of their drawings in Library at the Prince George campus. "Bring me that Horizon" is the title of the exhibit, chosen by the students.

Students in the First Nations Education Centre recently set up a display to honour two members of Carrier Sekani Veterans living in the College region.

Congratulations to our CNC nominees in the Northern British Columbia “A Healthier You” Awards program.  Bonnie Lambkin (Home Support/Resident Care Attendant program) has been nominated for “Health and Wellness Educator of the Year”, and the Medical Laboratory Technology Program has been nominated in the "Technology in Health Care" category.  The Expo runs November 7^th  and 8^th at the Prince George Civic Centre and the Awards will be presented on Friday evening.  For more information check out: http://www.eventscreators.com/ahealthieryouexpo/

As you can see, the Library ghost (aka Wanda Bruvold) wants you to read the book!!!

and the "pumpkin judges" took their job very seriously (thanks to B. Buksa for the great photos).

Children from the Daycare Centre made a Halloween Tour of the Prince George Campus this morning which included a stop in at the President's office for a song and some candy treats!

Here are a couple of "things" that our colleageus at Lakes District Campus would like us to consider as we develop next year's budget!

I want to extend the College's best wishes to Dane Greenwell, Prince George’s 18-year-old mayoral hopeful, a 2007 graduate of our Career Technical Centre (CTC) electrical program. The CTC programs enable students to complete a one-year college certificate program during grades 11 and 12 while they concurrently complete the requirements for the secondary school diploma. 

This is a reminder regarding the dates for upcoming campus Town Hall Meetings.  The agenda for these meetings includes discussion regarding the College Action Plan, 2008/09, and the 2009/10 Budget Development Proccess.

Prince George Campus

Wednesday, October 29 (two sessions)

10:00am – 11:00am in Room 2-244

3:00 – 4:00pm in Room 1-309

Thursday, October 30 (one session)

10:00am – 11:00am in Room 2-107

Lakes District Campus  Monday, November 3 at 11:30am – 12:30pm

Mackenzie Campus Tuesday, November 4; 3:10 - 4:00pm

Nechako Campus Wednesday, November 5, 11:30am – 12:30

Quesnel Campus Wednesday, November 12, 11:30am – 12:30

On Friday, October 24 staff in the Admissions and Registration office at the Prince George Campus wore pink to raise awareness regarding Breast Cancer. October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (photo credit: Book Buksa)

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The College Action Plan was formally approved by the Board of Governors on Friday, October 24.  The plan includes 22 college-wide objectives and can be accessed at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/6k37gp.