To the OUC Community,
The Transition Management Committee has achieved one of the milestone decisions that will help guide the development of the new Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan: a plan for the distribution of educational programs from OUC to the two new institutions (PDF) a copy of which is attached.
The program mix is the first decision that must be made as we work collectively toward September, 2005. This distribution plan is a key step as the two new institutions begin the process of building toward 2010 and the significant growth that has been described by the Province: spaces for 1,000 more students at the new Okanagan College and 4,500 more at UBC Okanagan.
The educational programs distribution have been determined with student needs, institutional strength, and future development in mind.
Summary of Program Allocations
New Okanagan College
- University Transfer (lower level Arts)
- University Transfer (lower level Science)
- Developmental
- Apprenticeship
- Career Technical (including Commercial Aviation)
- Vocational
- Entry Level Trades Training (ELTT)
- Computer Information Systems (Diploma and Degree)
- Business (Diploma and BBA Degree)
UBC Okanagan
- Bachelor of Arts (upper and lower level)
- Bachelor of Science (upper and lower level)
- Education
- Nursing (BSN only)
- Social Work
- Fine Arts Degree
- Bachelor of Computer Science
- BBA (Transitional)
Trades programs, technology programs, vocational programs, developmental programs, upper level arts and science, education, social work, the bachelor of science in nursing are all program areas whose characteristics suggest which institution will be responsible for their delivery. Other decisions reflected in the above program allocation took into consideration the following:
- The recognition of the need to maintain a business degree program in the region informed the decision that the new Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan will co-confer the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree, with the new OC having responsibility for program delivery. UBC Okanagan’s future plans are to develop a distinct but complementary undergraduate business degree, however, the two institutions will continue to co-confer the Bachelor of Business Administration degree until 2009.
- The applied degree mandate recently given British Columbia colleges by the Provincial Legislature informed the decision to allocate the Bachelor of Computer Information Systems degree to the new Okanagan College. The new Okanagan College plans to develop other applied degrees to augment the current program allocation.
In determining the allocation of student FTEs in the area of undergraduate arts and science programs, the Integrated Transition Management Office, and the Transition Management Committee comprised of Dr. Peter Meekison, Mr. Jim Hamilton and Dr. Barry McBride, have sought to ensure an effective level of university transfer programs for the four campuses of the new Okanagan College and an appropriate level of degree programs for UBC Okanagan.
These program decisions reflect an allocation of student delivery capacity to each institution using current numbers — 4,241 FTE for the new Okanagan College and 2,909 FTE for UBC Okanagan. The two institutions still need to make final determinations about their initial program offerings. The new Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan will need to determine what resources will be applied or required to offer the programs and to meet provincial expectations for FTE delivery. In making these determinations, each institution must respect the direction and assurances offered by their leaders and the Province to students and the public on or since March 17, 2004. UBC President Martha Piper has made a commitment to OUC students that they will be able to complete the programs they are enrolled in when the programs are transferred to UBC Okanagan in the fall of 2005.
An important component of OUC’s educational activity is non-credit continuing education and this activity will be a part of both new institutions. A task force will be formed soon to examine and recommend how resources associated with Continuing Education and Distance Education will be developed.
Many significant questions remain to be answered, including employment and staffing levels at the two institutions. The Transition Management Committee expects to release a position distribution plan later this month.
Open meetings are being organized at each of OUC’s campuses to give faculty, staff and students an opportunity to raise questions. The meetings will be scheduled over the next two weeks and dates for meetings will be communicated within the next few days.
