Vancouver Community College
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| Vancouver Community College | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1965 |
| Type | Public |
| President | Kathy Kinloch |
| Admin. staff | CUPE 4627 |
| Students | 25,000 |
| Location |  Vancouver, Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Campus | Urban, Broadway & Downtown |
| Colours | Green White |
| Athletics | n/a |
| Nickname | VCC |
| Mascot | n/a |
| Affiliations | ACCC |
| Website | vcc.ca |
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Vancouver Community College (VCC) is a public post-secondary institution in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1965, it is the largest and oldest community college in British Columbia, with over 140 certificate and diploma programs.[citation needed] VCC has two campuses, Broadway and Downtown, all located in the city of Vancouver.
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[edit] History
Vancouver Community College, formerly Vancouver City College, was established in 1965 by bringing together the Vancouver Vocational Institute (1949), The Vancouver School of Art (1925), the Vancouver School Board’s Night School Program (1909) and the King Edward Senior Matriculation and Continuing Education Centre (1962).
In the early years, classes were held at the King Edward Centre – named after King Edward VII, the reigning head of the state of Great Britain and Dominion of Canada (this campus was first established in 1904 as Vancouver’s second high school). VCC’s Downtown campus opened in 1949 in response to a growing awareness of the need for practical, technical, and vocational training. In October 1970, yet another campus was built at Langara to accommodate VCC’s rapid growth.
In 1974, Vancouver City College transformed into Vancouver Community College when it separated from the Vancouver School Board. And in 1978, in accordance with the College and Provincial Institutes Act, VCC was designated by Order in Council. In 1983, the main campus was moved from its original King Edward Centre location at 12th Avenue and Oak Street to 1155 Broadway, its current location now known as the Broadway campus. In 1994, Langara campus separated from Vancouver Community College to become independent.
[edit] Governance
Vancouver Community College is a public post-secondary education institution administered by a Board of Governors, on behalf of the Government of British Columbia and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. The board determines policy and reviews the college's performance as detailed in the College and Institutes Act. The Vancouver Community College Board of Governors (“the Board”) has a primary responsibility to foster the College’s short and long-term success consistent with the Board’s responsibility to its stakeholders and government.
The VCC Board has eight members appointed by government, the VCC President, the Chair of Education Council and four elected Board members, one faculty representative, one support staff representative and two student representatives. The Board Resourcing and Development Office (BRDO), within the Office of the Premier of B.C., was established in 2001 with a mandate to bring professional processes to the area of director appointment and corporate governance in the public sector. The College and Institute Act require that each educational institution in British Columbia create an Education Council. The VCC Education Council sets curriculum content and assumes an advisory role for the Board on the development of educational policies.
[edit] Faculty and staff
On February 27, 1951, the Labour Board certified a bargaining unit of instructors, counselors and librarians in programs conducted by and at Vancouver Vocational Institute. That bargaining unit was called the Vocational Instructors' Association. The VIA and VVI have since transformed into the VCC Faculty Association and Vancouver Community College.
The Vancouver Community College Faculty Association (VCCFA) represents approximately 750 instructors, counselors, librarians, and health nurses working at three main campuses and many community campuses in Metro Vancouver. Among other things, the primary objective of the association is to provide a medium of unified action for members and to act as a bargaining agent for its members and the employer (VCC). VCCFA is a member of the Federation of Post Secondary Educators of B.C. (FPSE Local 15). Employment for instructors, librarians, counselors and department heads is covered by the Faculty Association Collective Agreement.
Employment of support staff at Vancouver Community College is covered by the CUPE Support Staff Collective Agreement (CUPE Local 4627).
[edit] Programs and courses
VCC offers career programs leading to one-year certificates, two-year diplomas, and four-year bachelor's degrees in fields that lead to careers in the arts, business, industry, and community services. Some programs are scheduled on a full-time basis while many can be completed part-time. Students can also enroll in individual courses to upgrade or complete high school, upgrade academic qualifications to pursue further study, or develop and improve skills within their current field of expertise. VCC offers programs and courses in the spring, summer, and fall.
VCC has won national recognition by the Association of Community Colleges for program or teaching excellence in three categories: program excellence, staff excellence, and student leadership.[citation needed]
[edit] Campus locations and expansion
Vancouver Community College has two campuses. The Downtown campus is located at 200-block Dunsmuir at Hamiltion (two blocks west of Stadium SkyTrain station). VCC's other campus, known as the Broadway campus, 1155 East Broadway, is by the VCC–Clark SkyTrain Station.
The Downtown campus (est. 1949) consists of three buildings joined together by a mezzanine area. The Pender Street building containing four floors had the Cambie/Dunsmuir building with five floors added and then the Dunsmuir/Hamilton tower was completed giving the campus nine more floors of classroom and office space.
January 2009 marked the opening of VCC’s $55 million Broadway campus expansion project. $44 million was funded by the Government of British Columbia and the balance by VCC and the community. Respected philanthropist Dr. Don Rix contributed a gift of $500,000 through the Rix Family Foundation – the largest individual donation in the college’s history. The building is 133,000 square feet (12,400 m2) and seven storeys tall. Among other things, the expanded facility is home to VCC’s health sciences training programs. It serves more than 1,000 full-time students in programs including nursing, home support/resident care, medical laboratory technician, medical office assistant, occupational/physical therapist assistant and more.
There are also satellite VCC campus locations around Metro Vancouver, which includes nearly three dozen community outreach and learning centres.[1]
[edit] On-campus services
Many of Vancouver Community College’s programs require students to train in local businesses and facilities to gain practical skills. A number of these are located on-campus and open to students and the general public. JJ’s Dining Room, at the downtown campus, is run by culinary arts students and offers gourmet cuisine at reduced prices. For more informal meals, the Four Corners restaurant and the Seiffert Market are also run by VCC hospitality management students. The Broadway and Downtown campuses have several coffee and snack kiosks as well as full-service cafeterias. The VCC salon at the Downtown campus offers hairstyling and esthetics services from students learning in the esthetics programs.
VCC Bookstores offer a range of learning materials, including textbooks and other classroom approved tools such as commercial kitchen knives, culinary utensils, and nursing medical kits. The Broadway campus bookstore has a selection of ESL learning materials, as does the campus library.
VCC provides specialized services for learners with disabilities. Access to equipment and brailled or taped class material is available as well as interpreting service for classes, events, and study situations.
[edit] Aboriginal services mandate
VCC is a member of the Coastal Corridor Consortium, which works to improve levels of participation and success for Aboriginal learners in post-secondary education and training. The Consortium includes the following partners: Lil’wat Nation, Musqueam Nation, Sechelt Nation, Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, United Native Nations, Métis Nation British Columbia, Capilano University, Native Education College.
VCC has a specialized Aboriginal Education and Services department to provide a range of services for Aboriginal students including academic and personal support and referrals, cultural workshops and Elder support. The Broadway and downtown campuses both have unique areas classified Aboriginal Gathering Spaces. Aboriginal Elders are on site at each campus to help students with studies and counseling.
[edit] Student government
The Students' Union of VCC (SUVCC) was formed in 1974 as the representative body of the students at Vancouver Community College. Based at the downtown campus, its goal is to provide and encourage access to recreation, events, and opportunities that contribute to the post-secondary experience. SUVCC also offers students a health and dental plan and low cost access to student services. It is a member of the Canadian Federation of Students and participates in the British Columbia U-Pass programme.[2][3]
[edit] VCC Foundation
The VCC Foundation is a registered non-profit organization that was established to coordinate financial support, including scholarships and bursaries, for students and programs at VCC.
[edit] Student services
VCC is accessible to students with disabilities, who study in either specialized programs or in mainstream programs.[4] Access to equipment and brailled or taped class material is available, as well as interpreting service for classes, events, and study situations. Advisors can provide exam accommodation, job search assistance, and community resource referrals. The college also offers on-site licensed, non-profit child care,[5] professional counselling,[6] and on-site health services with a doctor at each campus.[7] Aboriginal gathering spaces, also at both campuses, offer staff and elders to Aboriginal learners.[8] International students can access educational planning, study permit extensions, medical insurance and applications for work permits.[9]
[edit] References
[edit] See also
- List of institutes and colleges in British Columbia
- List of universities in British Columbia
- Higher education in British Columbia
- Education in Canada
[edit] External links
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