News from LLPA

Here's what's been happening in the Faculty of Language, Literature and Performing Arts over the last while.
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By Meg Stainsby, Dean

New Faces 

Carine Hirschi (French)
Garrett Peck (English)

Retirements (As of Fall 2013)

Ralph Lake (Chinese)
Carey Vivian (Communications)

Accolades

Dean Meg Stainsby’s creative writing thesis has been accepted by the UBC Optional Residency MFA program. An excerpt from the collection of essays was a finalist in a creative non-fiction competition hosted by the Writers’ Community of Durham Region, and will be included in WCDR’s upcoming anthology Amprosia 2013.

Zarine Mistry, Meg Stainsby and LLPA faculty Brenna Gray, Allan Lysell, Jasmine Nicholsfigueiredo and Calvin Wharton received the President’s Excellence Award for Team Excellence for their roles on the 2012 Wales Inbound Team.

In April Elizabeth Bachinsky launched her newest poetry collection, The Hottest Summer in Recorded History, with a book tour that included stops in Vancouver, Toronto, Guelph and Montreal. In addition, Initiation Trilogy, a play based on her book God of Missed Connections, Jennica Harper’s What it Feels Like For a Girl and Marita Dachsel’s Glossolalia, has been nominated for two Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards: Outstanding Original Script (Marita Daschel) and one to for Outstanding Lighting Design: Small Theatre (Jonathan Rider). The awards ceremony will be held June 24.

Spanish instructor Ruth Mandujano-López has won the Outstanding Dissertation Prize Award given by the Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CALACS) for her PhD dissertation.

To see what else is happening in LLPA news, read the LLPA brag rag online. 

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Cycling4Diversity pedals to New West Campus

Cycling4Diversity stopped at the New West Campus May 22 to speak with students on topics of cultural diversity. Acting New West Mayor Lorrie Williams presented the team with a proclamation.

For the past two years, Cycling4Diversity  have brought a new perspective in celebrating cultural diversity in British Columbia. A team of cyclists mostly from the Abbotsford/Mission area cycled from Mission to Victoria speaking with students and organizations on topics of cultural diversity, inclusion and racism. Their motto: “Building bridges of dialogue, one city at a time.”

In accepting and celebrating diversity the Cycling4Diversity team encourages students and organizations throughout their numerous presentations to reach out and meet new people and find ways our communities could be more inclusive whether it be in their workplace, neighborhoods or on the sports fields. 

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Champions of Mental Health Gala

John Higenbottam presents a Champions of Mental Health award to Laura Doer, who began an eating disorders awareness program in Winnipeg.

John Higenbottam, Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and Co-chair of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH), attended the Champions of Mental Health Awards in Ottawa May 6.

The Champions Awards Gala is one of Ottawa’s premiere social and advocacy events, which brings together political decision makers, business leaders, members of the national media, sponsors and other stakeholders to celebrate individuals and organizations whose outstanding contributions have advanced the mental health agenda in Canada. Each year, this event, organized by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH), recognizes exceptional Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to the field of mental health and to the awareness of mental illness in Canada over the past year.

L-R Mary Deacon, who heads up Bell’s national Let’s Talk campaign; John Higenbottam, CAMIMH Co-chair;  Fred Phelps, ED Canadian Association of Social Workers; David Johnston, Governor General; Dave Gallson, CAMIMH Co-chair; Dr. Sharon Johnston, Graham Hopkins, BC Psychiatric Nurses and  Dr. Katren Cohen, ED, Canadian Psychological Association.

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Register early for Fall Semester classes

Registration for College employees for Fall Semester classes begins June 13. Employees can receive an earlier registration time by contacting Cheryl Staples in Student Records. Please include your name and student number. 

Early registration means getting into the classes you want. To qualify for an employee registration time, you must be an active student at Douglas College (active students already have a registration time showing in the online student registration system).

If you have never attended Douglas College as a student, or you are no longer considered an active student (i.e., you have not attended courses for the past three semesters), please complete an Application/Re-application for Admission form at the Registrar’s Office. Be sure to identify yourself as a College employee when applying. 

Note: All applicants and re-applicants must meet the Douglas College entrance requirement of English 12 with a minimum grade of C or equivalent. 

Once admitted as a student, contact Cheryl Staples via email at  to request the College employee earlier registration time. 

Note: you must contact Student Records prior to each semester for which you would like an earlier registration time. 

For info on your eligibility for fee exemptions and Education Training and Accord funding, contact Employee Relations. Read more...

Raise a glass for student aid at Unwined this Saturday

Saturday night is fast approaching – if you have not yet made plans, then Unwined – Sip, Savour & Mingle is the event to attend on May 4. It’s a great night out that includes wine, beer and food samplings, music, silent auctions and a fantastic balloon draw – and it’s a fundraiser for students at Douglas College.

The 3rd annual Unwined is hosted by and at Coquitlam Centre to support student aid at Douglas College and through Coquitlam Foundation. Tickets are $35 – call Yvonne Mostert at 6168 for yours today, or email her. If you wait until Saturday and buy them at the door, the price goes to $40.

This year’s event features beers, wines, ciders and coolers along with generous tastings from a variety of local restaurants including Cactus Club, Pasta Polo, Kefi Greek Kouzina, Mickey’s Public House and more. Buy a balloon for $20 and you’ll win a prize and possibly the grand prize of a Couples Weekend at Sparkling Hills Spa in BC’s interior.

Unwined is great way to spend an evening with friends and neighbours, learn about wines and help support students at Douglas College. It runs from 7 to 10 p.m. this Saturday, May 4, at Coquitlam Centre, entrance by H & M, on the northwest corner of the mall.



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Douglas College and College of New Caledonia sign agreement to share best practices

from left: Karoline deVries, WorkBC Coordinator; Scott McAlpine, President of Douglas College; Tanya Helton, Regional Director of the College of New Caledonia Mackenzie Campus; and Val Lockyer, Associate Director of Administration, The Training Group, celebrate a new partnership.

The Training Group at Douglas College has signed an agreement with the College of New Caledonia’s Mackenzie Campus to share information regarding best practices in delivering the Work BC Employment Services Centre to unemployed residents of B.C.

Douglas, through The Training Group, and CNC are the only two public post-secondary institutions in the province that run WorkBC Employment Service Centres, which offer case management, job search, training supports, self-employment, and wage subsidies and other programs to B.C. residents looking for work.

The Training Group Co-ordinator, Karoline deVries, and CNC Mackenzie Regional Director, Tanya Helton, are looking forward to working together and note that this is a wonderful opportunity to develop and share resources. They hope to model collaborative practices for other ESC’s in BC.

“The memorandum fosters the ability to create dialogue concerning interpretation of policy within the program,” says deVries. “It’s our intent to collaborate and discuss creative solutions that will assist our unemployed communities reach sustainable employment.”

“This partnership highlights the opportunity to link workers with jobs and training opportunities in both the north and south of the province," adds Helton.

Both agreed that working together will increase consistency in how services are delivered. Read more...

Douglas invites you to conference on B.C.’s environmental and cultural transformation, riverboat tour of Fraser this week

Douglas College will host more than 130 academics and subject-matter experts from across Canada and the United States at its BC Studies Conference May 2-4 at our New Westminster Campus - and you're invited!

The conference, whose theme is "Transforming British Columbia," is open to the public and will feature talks by experts on everything from Aboriginal perspectives on environmental issues, to archaeology of the lower Fraser River region, to the history of the BC Penitentiary, to immigration and human rights in B.C. and much more. View the full program on the BC Studies Conference website.

The registration fee is $125 general; $85 seniors; $65 students.

The public is also invited to purchase tickets for a riverboat tour of the Fraser on the MV Native historic paddlewheeler Sunday, May 5, 1-4 pm, and to a talk by Barry Gough, emeritus professor, Wilfrid Laurier University and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, on "Historical Voyaging in the Salish Sea," Friday, May 3, 7pm at the Inn at the Quay, 900 Quayside Dr., New Westminster, reception to follow.

Tickets (riverboat tour $33; talk $15) can be purchased through Eventbrite . Participants do not have to be attending the BC Studies Conference to attend either event.

"The BC Studies conference, held every second year since the 1970s, is a truly interdisciplinary conference," says Gail Edwards, Chair of the History Department at Douglas College. "The conference theme - Transforming British Columbia - invites people interested in history, geography, anthropology and archaeology to come together to discuss British Columbia's environmental and cultural transformation across time and space - the past, present and future of our province."

To find out more about the BC Studies Conference, visit the website or follow the news on Twitter at @bcstudies2013. Read more...

Douglas alum, schoolteacher and mental health advocate comes to speak May 7

Michael Schratter is a Douglas College and UBC alum, schoolteacher, and newspaper columnist, as well as a husband and father. He also lives every day with bipolar disorder, but he's not hiding from his mental illness; he's riding his bike to help others.

In 2010, Schratter cycled 40,000 km, traversing six continents and 33 countries raising funds for mental illness, eventually raising more than $100,000.

He's coming to the New Westminster Campus May 7 to speak about his experiences and desire to educate children, schools and the public about mental illness and eliminate the stigma attached to it.

"It's okay to talk about mental illness and it's okay to have suffered from mental illness," he said. "It is time for the stigma to be gone."

Schratter’s presentation is free and open to the public and runs from 12-1pm in the Douglas College Performing Arts Theatre, fourth floor north. For more details and to reserve your seat please contact Laura Sandve at sandvel@douglascollege.ca or call 604 777 6320.

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Douglas creates win-win for community and students with Community Connections

Hazel Postma (left), Associate VP External Relations, and Jennifer Henderson, Community Connections Assistant, are ready to talk community connections.

Douglas College is aiming to strengthen its ties with local organizations through the launch of its new Community Connections initiative.

The initiative has been established, within External Relations, to celebrate existing partnerships at Douglas, identify new opportunities and respond to needs, both in the community and at the College, that will give students more opportunities for practicums, work experience and to do community-based research.

As employees at Douglas, you are encouraged to:

• tell us about your collaborations with organizations in the community so we can celebrate these partnerships 
• get in touch with us if you need help making connections to create practical/experiential learning experiences for students 
• let us know if you are aware of a need in the community that could be addressed through collaboration with Douglas College 
• let us know if you belong to boards or volunteer associations so we can recognize your contributions to our communities. 

We look forward to hearing from you! For more information contact Hazel Postma at 6173 or Jennifer Henderson at 6501, or visit the Community Connections website.

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Former Douglas College Early Childhood Education instructor receives lifetime achievement award

Susan Fraser (centre) accepts a lifetime achievement award from the Ministry of Children and Family Development's Teresa Butler, Senior Manager of Early Years Policy (left); and Wendy McMahon, Policy Analyst, Early Years Team

A former Douglas College instructor who dedicated much of her life to children and families in B.C. has been recognized as a leader in the field of early childhood education.

Last Wednesday at the New Westminster Campus, Susan Fraser, a retired instructor in the Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies (1981-1999), was presented with a Child Care Award of Excellence for Lifetime Achievement by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The Child Care Awards of Excellence recognize the valuable contributions that are made in support of early learning and child care in British Columbia.

After moving to Canada from Africa, Fraser operated a preschool in West Vancouver for more than 20 years (1965-1988) and, to this day, children and families still approach her in the community to express their appreciation for the preschool's positive influence in their lives.

"Susan Fraser shaped not only the early childhood education curriculum at Douglas College," says Scott McAlpine, President of Douglas College, "but also provided leadership and mentoring to early childhood practitioners across Canada, and influenced the development of progressive early childhood education in the United States, Taiwan, China and the United Arab Emirates. We are honoured to have had her as a member of Douglas College for 18 years."

During her time at Douglas, she founded the Children Teaching Teachers program, where children from local child care centres and kindergartens are invited to participate one morning a week in learning environments created by the students. During these mornings some of the students work directly with the children, while others observe, photograph or videotape the activities. The afternoon is spent discussing and analyzing the morning experiences, and planning for the children's next session.

In 1992, Fraser became the editor of Canadian Children and in 1993 she became one of the first Canadian delegates to visit the now world-famous preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Her book, Authentic Childhood: Experiencing Reggio Emilia in the Classroom, is used in early childhood teacher preparation programs across Canada and the U.S.

"Sue's greatest strength has been her 'presence,' her ability to connect with anyone she meets," says Gary Tennant, Associate Dean of Child, Family and Community Studies. "She is an exemplar of early childhood education, a master teacher who walks into class every day to learn something new."

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This week at Douglas: 15th Annual Recognition Reception and more!

Here's what's happening at Douglas College April 15-21:

Employee Development

See the online calendar

Wednesday, April 17

Audio Engineering info session
New West Campus, room 3220
5:30-6pm
Free information session about the Audio Engineering Program at the Douglas College Community Music School. More info: call 604 527 5469,email or visit our website.

Patty Lewis retirement send-off
New West Campus, Aboriginal Gathering Place
2-3:30pm
After 27 years at Douglas College, Patty will be retiring to enjoy her family, friends and to spend time working on her golf game. We will be gathering to wish Patty well in her next chapter of life.

15th Annual Recognition Reception
New West Campus, Laura C. Performing Arts Theatre
4-6pm
Come out and support your colleagues and friends at the 15th Annual Recognition Reception, which honours our long service employees, as well as the recipients of the 2012 President's Distinguished Service and Team Excellence Awards. Appetizers and a cash bar will be provided. More info: inside douglas

Friday, April 19

Opening night - Struggle: works by Bert MonteronaNew West Campus, Amelia Douglas Gallery
3:30pm
Bert Monterona - artist, educator, cultural worker and peace builder - explores societies' struggles for peace, justice, human rights and gender equality through murals, paintings and tapestries. Live music by Biology instructor Rob McGregor's Little Mountain Trio bluegrass band. Refreshments provided. Everyone is welcome. Show runs till June 7. More info: gallery website

Got an event you want listed? See douglascollege.ca/events.

See more upcoming Douglas College events in the Douglas College Events Calendar.

Want more timely updates? Join Douglas College on Facebook!

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This week at Douglas: budget forum, an evening of jazz and more!

Here's what's happening at Douglas College April 8-14:

Monday, April 8

HPV Clinic
New West Campus, room 2212
9am-5pm
Are you a woman born 1991-1993? If so, you are eligible for a limited, one-time free HPV vaccine. Presented by the Douglas Students' Union. Administered by Safeway pharmacists. Please bring your BC Care Card. NOTE: the HPV vaccine requires three doses. At this clinic first and second doses are available. Interested in attending? Email Deepa at the DSU with your full name, email address, phone number, preferred appt. time and whether this is your first or second HPV vaccination.

An Evening of Jazz
New West Campus, Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre
7:30-8:30pm
Big Band Jazz from the Douglas College Night Band and Dues Band, directed by Blair Fisher and John Van Deursen. General admission $10, $5 seniors, students free. Tickets available at the door. More info: Arts Events

Tuesday, April 9

Royals softball
Softball City (map)
1-5pm
The Royals take on Everett. More info: Royals Athletics

Second Annual Student Engagement Awards
Executive Plaza Inn, Coquitlam
6:30-8:30pm
The evening will honour and recognize student leaders who have made significant contributions to our campus and to the community. By invitation only. More info: Douglife

Wednesday, April 10

Audio Engineering info session
New West Campus, room 3220
5:30-6pm
Free information session about the Audio Engineering Program at the Douglas College Community Music School. More info: call 604 527 5469,email or visit our website.

Friday, April 12

College-wide forum on 2013-14 Budget
New West Campus, room 4920
Coquitlam Campus, room B3011 (video conference)
3:30-5:30pm
We'll be holding a forum to present our draft 2013/14 budget to College employees. Your feedback is important, and we encourage you to attend! More info: President's blog

Student Composition Concert
Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre
7:30-9:30pm
An exciting evening of new compositions written and performed by Douglas College Music Students, directed by Doug Smith. Admission is free. More info: 604 527 5723

Ongoing

Formed Earth, Earth Formed: works by Judy Weeden and Ronald T. Crawford
New West Campus, Amelia Douglas Gallery
Till April 12
Judy Weeden explores form through clay, producing works which are both functional and decorative. Ronald T. Crawford creates fictional landscapes inspired by the ocean and aerial views of earth. More info: gallery website

Got an event you want listed? See douglascollege.ca/events.

See more upcoming Douglas College events in the Douglas College Events Calendar.

Want more timely updates? Join Douglas College on Facebook!

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Apathy is boring - so vote in the upcoming B.C. provincial election!

Who will be the next premier of B.C.? - and who will be your next MLA? Have your say in the 40th British Columbia general election May 14.

First-time voters can register to vote on the BC Elections website. You'll be asked to enter your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, your driver's licence number or last six digits of your Social Insurance Number, and your address. Registered voters can also update their information on this site.

That's pretty much it! It only takes a few minutes, and then you'll be ready to flex your democratic muscles.

To register as a voter, visit the BC Elections website.

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Electronic job board brings employers and students together

Employers looking for student employees from Douglas now have a place to go. Douglife Jobs connects students with relevant, off-campus work.

Employers can go to Douglife Jobs, create a profile, post their positions, and have student applications emailed to them directly.

If employers contact you looking for students for open positions, please refer to them to the Student Jobs and Employment page, where they'll find an "Employer" link. If you have students who are looking for work, send them to the same page, where they'll have different options to choose from depending on what they are looking for.

Questions? Contact Kyle Baillie, Director, Centre for Campus Life and Athletics. Read more...

This week at Douglas: Shop for a good cause, give blood, hear music and more!

Here's what's happening at Douglas College April 1-7: 

Employee Development

See the online calendar

Tuesday, April 2

Alumni Marketplace
Coquitlam Campus, atrium
9am-7pm
Vendors will be selling kitchen items, Tupperware, jewellery, cosmetics, candles, clothing, South American art and crafts and much more. Proceeds from table rentals go to support the Alumni Bursary.

Wednesday, April 3

Alumni Marketplace
New West Campus, concourse
9am-7pm
Vendors will be selling kitchen items, Tupperware, jewellery, cosmetics, candles, clothing, South American art and crafts and much more. Proceeds from table rentals go to support the Alumni Bursary.

Thursday, April 4

CBS Bloodmobile
New Westminster Campus (Royal Avenue)
10am-4pm
Help Douglas reach its goal in the Partners for Life program! Donate blood as part of the Douglas College team. The Canadian Blood Services Bloodmobile will be on campus today to take your donations. Find out about eligibility and book your appointment by calling 1-888-2DONATE.

Student Showcase Concert
New West Campus, Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre
1pm
The Arts at One presents a showcase of the best performing musicians in the Douglas College Music program. More info: Arts Events

Audio Engineering info session
New West Campus, room 3220
5:30-6pm
Free information session about the Audio Engineering Program at the Douglas College Community Music School. More info: call 604 527 5469, email or visit our website.

Friday, April 5

Awards Benefit Concert

New West Campus, Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre
7:30-9:30pm
The Music Department presents a concert to benefit the Douglas College Award Fund for Music students Tickets ($10 general, $5 seniors, students free) available at the door. More info: 604 527 5723

Ralph Lake's retirement party
6:30pm
After over 20 years of service, Ralph Lake is retiring. Please come to Ralph's favourite restaurant to wish him well as he embarks on the next chapter of his life. Contact Ulrike Ebeling or Margarita Sewerin if you want to attend.

Saturday, April 6

Current Sound Waves II
New West Campus, Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre
7:30-9:30pm
Featuring students from the Music Technology Certificate Program and the Douglas College Midi Ensemble, directed by Robert Caldwell. Free. More info: 604 527 5723

Sunday, April 7

Royals Baseball 

Whalley Stadium, Surrey (map)
1-5pm
The Royals take on Bellevue. More info: Royals Athletics

Ongoing

Formed Earth, Earth Formed: works by Judy Weeden and Ronald T. Crawford
New West Campus, Amelia Douglas Gallery
Till April 12
Judy Weeden explores form through clay, producing works which are both functional and decorative. Ronald T. Crawford creates fictional landscapes inspired by the ocean and aerial views of earth. More info: gallery website

Got an event you want listed? See douglascollege.ca/events.

See more upcoming Douglas College events in the Douglas College Events Calendar.

Want more timely updates? Join Douglas College on Facebook!


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