Educate Celebrate Capilano College: in the spotlight of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games BACKGROUND As the year 2010 approaches, Whistler and the Lower Mainland are preparing to host the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. More than 6,800 athletes and officials from around the world are expected to participate, along with more than 250,000 visitors and 10,000 media representatives. As the only educational institution with centres in both Vancouver and the Sea to Sky Corridor, Capilano College is uniquely positioned at the hub of activity. An event of this magnitude presents a wide range of opportunities for the College's students, its employees and the community at large to learn, participate and celebrate as this unique experience unfolds. In addition to its reputation as a leader in education, Capilano offers many key strengths: • Wonderful combination of facilities and space in an idyllic setting • Extensive range of facilities: classrooms, seminar rooms, computer labs, A/V & media equipment, food court, performing arts theatre, sports complex and parking lots • Strategic campus locations on the North Shore, the Sea to Sky Corridor and the Sunshine Coast. Close proximity to Cypress Mountain (free-style skiing and snowboarding venue) and Callaghan Valley (Nordic events venue) • • Large and diverse campus population - an ideal source of volunteers as well as a skilled workforce in the form of student co-op placements and other work experience opportunities Demonstrated leadership in key areas, such as business, tourism, outdoor recreation, athletics and the arts • Close ties to First Nations communities • Active involvement in the international community • Distinguished alumni base 4 successfully host a large scale, international event. The primary focus for Capilano is to develop and access high quality learning experiences for its students. Examples include: Securing excellent hands-on opportunities for Capilano students leading up to, and during, the Winter Olympic Games: Internships Volunteer opportunities and training Temporary employment placements Examples of partnerships include agreements with organizations such as Tourism Vancouver, which will enable students to take on paid leadership positions as part of their educational experience. The 2002 Winter Olympic Games presented Salt Lake City's post-secondary institutions with unprecedented opportunities. The University of Utah's involvement led to increased international exposure and new linkages as hundreds of student interns and thousands of volunteers participated in various aspects of the Olympic Games. The University of Utah also encouraged the development of Olympic-themed curricula, which included courses such as: Leadership, Service and the 2002 Olympics; Greek Art and Architecture; and The Olympic Games: Ancient and Modern. The university offered a lecture series which included talks on: the origins of the Games; women and the Games; commercialism; politics; Olympic symbols, and more. Developing relevant curriculum: Building diverse aspects of the Olympic Games into the Capilano curricular mix Developing a 2010-themed lecture series and related credit courses Tailoring program schedules to coincide with the Games and maximize opportunities throughout the 2009/2010 academic year Games-related courses either focused on the Games as subject material or involved direct interaction with the Olympic Games activity in 2002. Pursuing Games-related courses potentially enhanced the academic program through Games connections, while possibly attracting students to the university. Participate Capilano was the first public institution to announce that it will be adjusting its academic schedule during 2010 to accommodate the Olympic Winter Games. An extended reading break has been scheduled for the duration of the event, from February 12 to 28. ''By extending our reading break during the 2010 Games our students will have the chance to gain the kind of real-life experience that could not be taught in the classroom. We are prepared to help the 2010 Games, our communities and most of all, our students, through this exceptional opportunity." Dr. Greg Lee, President Capilano College . . ^ . . Capilano's efforts to date have focused on building a foundation that will allow students and employees to fully engage in the two pillars of the Olympic Movement: sport and culture. The Olympic Games provide an important opportunity to showcase the art, culture and traditions of the host nation in the years leading up to the event. Capilano is leading the way through its involvement in the Cultural Olympiad festival, a series of three annual festivals to be presented through 2010. "The University of Utah promoted a series of special cultural events on campus. To some extent we were successful in reaching out to the local community, but the principal beneficiaries of these efforts probably were our own students, staff and faculty:' (University Of Utah, 2002) 2010 FOCUS WITH 2020 VISION Undoubtedly, the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games will create a valuable legacy in the communities served by Capilano. In turn, Capilano is committed to maximizing the opportunities for the College community students, employees and friends of Capilano - to engage in this exceptional event: • Enhance the student experience • Give students and the institution a global perspective • Raise the profile of the College by taking advantage of opportunities for global exposure and networking • Develop opportunities for employees and students to experience the Games • Facilitate opportunities to build partnerships • Pursue economic opportunities Capilano's long-term perspective is focused on lasting, sustainable relationships that will benefit the communities it serves well beyond 2010. 1 was an intern for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for four months before the Games started.. .although myfivemonths of volunteering were draining, they were definitely well worth the experience. It was phenomenal to be so intensely involved with the process before the Games even began... It was a two-week celebration for the world that I just happened to be invited to attend." (Brigham Young University student, 2002 Salt Lake Games) 1*^' Sin