SQUAMISH TIMES

Apr I 1 3, 19 84

page 1

College principal says
camp~s here in four years

Paul Gallagher, principal
Capilano College.
Paul Gallagher, principal of
Capilano College, told the
Squamish Rotary Club last week
that he expected to see a campus
at the new site in four years.
Gallagher, who was principal of
the first English language college
in Quebec, spoke on what was
happening to education and how
it affects Capilano College in
Squamish.
"Education is something we've
taken for granted, but this is no
longer true. Capilano College was
created to serve North and West
Vancouver, Howe Sound School
District and the Sechelt Peninsula.
"Twelve thousand people attend the college each year, it has a
budget of $15 million per year and
450 employees. It's function is to
train and re-train adults. Seven
per cent of the people live in the
Howe Sound area, most of them
in Squami~h. and between eight
anct'!tine per ce«t of the resources
go into this area.
·
"At l)l'aeDt about 60 people at-

"Like every other college we are
tend the college's North Shore
campus and while the resources of under extreme pressure to provide
the college are shrinking these service," he ,aid. "Don't be retiramounts will not decrease.
ing about identifying the kinds of
"An increasing number of peo- service you need. But those who
ple from Howe Sound and the want the servi~ are going to have
Sechelt area are attending college to pay more for it."
He warned that on the provinbut it only provides basic services
cial, national and international
in the local areas.
"We will try to maintain the level there are fewer dollars comsame level of services but while the ing in and fewer going for educamix of services may change, the tion. There are shifts in the kind
of service being provided. The colquality will not.
"We provide a number of lege would attempt to provide the
courses for the people in this area kind of quality you have a right to
and we are re-examining the best expect.
"What has happened in B.C. is
way to serve the people in
Squamish. We have never been happening nationally and internaable to offer full two year pro- tionally," he warned. "The sup~
grams and · will not for the port of public education is a cost
.forseeable future. We cannot pro- which must be borne by taxvide the variety of programs you payers. Others claim it is an
would receive on a full campus." investment. In fact it is both."
Gallagher told his audience
In answer to a question asking
there is an information and whether any facilities would be
counselling service available here. provided for Whistler, Gallagher
"When the college first came to said he did not expect to see any
Squamish we first let you know there for the next five years. But
what the college can do for you he said there are some courses
and what opportunities for post- given there which are not given
secondary education are available. anywhere else. He said priorities
We will continue to offer short are a campus at Squamish and a
term programs and these may gym on the North Shore.
shift from year to year.
In response to a question on the
"We don't know when we will faculty as professional or union
locate at the new site by the high members he said they have atschool but it will happen within tempted to deal with them as prothe next four years. We con- fessionals on one hand and
solidate our three present sites in unionization on the other. He said
one but there will be no significant the labour code was designed for
an industrial setting and not a prochange in the level of service."
He told the club that the college fessional one and this is part of
is governed by a community-based the problem. He pointed out that Capilano
board.
"If we ·have to scale down College is the most cost-effective
operations we will not do this college in the province and has
where our services are needed been for the past five years. The
most. One of the reasons for that graduate placement has been as
decision is that the chairman of good as any in the province and
the board is Hilda Rizun who the demand was so great that a
comes -rrom your community and quota had to be put on classes.
He was asked how many
has given outstanding leadership
to the council.
·
students go into a job and replied

there are 4,500 students in the certification programs. About 1,800
to 2,000 are in general education
and the rest in programs leading
to employment.
There are slightly under 2,000 in
the two year programs leading to
employment and many of these
find jobs.
"The direction of training over
the next five years," Gallagher
said, "will show that there will be
a heavy proportion of general
education to training programs.
Retraining will be done in industry
and should be done there."

Free service
for residents
Complete sets of the following
programs, originally shown on the
Knowledge Network during the
past year, are available at
Capilano College.
These consist of applied sketching, teaching adults, freehand
sketching, visions, C.P.R. and
tackling tough times.
Groups or individual community members are invited to view any
of these programs at their convenience at the Squamish Learning
Centre during office hours from
11 . a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
If anyone would like a program
or series taped for them, just let
the centre know and if the
copyright laws permit it, they will
provide that service. Call the college at 892-5322.