FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 7, 2007
Contact: Shelley Kean at 604.983.7596
No change in degree granting policy is good news for B.C. college students
(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.) – The Ministry of Advanced Education’s announcement
that “there will be no change at this time to current policy with respect to degree granting
at colleges” is good news for the students at Capilano’s three campuses in North
Vancouver, Squamish and Sechelt.
The announcement was made May 2 in response to feedback regarding recommendation
37 in Geoff Plant’s Campus 2020 report, which states: “restore the primary focus of
community colleges by precluding colleges from granting degrees.”
“We are very pleased that the ministry has recognized the affect of the Campus 2020
report on our students, potential students and alumni,” said Capilano’s president, Dr.
Greg Lee. “We’ve had numerous inquiries from worried students who are now feeling
much more relieved by the news from the ministry.”
The Campus 2020 report contains many valuable recommendations, including the
suggestion to create a new type of university – the regional university – and recommends
converting four existing institutions into this new entity. It defines a regional university
as a degree-granting teaching intensive regional learning institution that is not focused on
research. Capilano believes that this describes exactly what it has been doing for its
region and is asking to be included on the list of institutions given that designation.
“Despite the moratorium by the ministry on the report’s recommendation to suspend
degree granting at B.C. colleges, Capilano will still be seeking to become a regional
university,” Lee said. “That designation will provide students with ongoing assurance
that we will continue to provide opportunities for specialized employment-oriented
degree programs.”
Over the years, Capilano has earned a strong reputation for teaching excellence,
educational innovation and commitment to First Nations communities. Students have
benefited from its degree programs offered for the past 15 years. The institution currently
offers degrees in Business, Tourism, Jazz Studies and Music Therapy. It has eight more
prepared in Film Production, Performing Arts, Early Childhood Care and Education,
Global Stewardship, Graphic Design, Autistic Child Support, Paralegal and Animation.
Becoming a regional university would not change Capilano’s commitment to offer Adult
Basic Education, Adult Special Education and its certificate and diploma programs.
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