Capilano, a regional university in all but name Pemberton ^ L ^ ^echelt Garibaldi Provincial Park Squamish Howe Sound OGibsons / West Vancouver a y\ ^ ' > North / Vancouver Capilano is an integral and vital part of our community and economy. We serve a vast region that extends from Deep Cove to Mt. Currie north of Pemberton to Earls Cove on the Sunshine Coast. Let's recognize this and make it grow. Join us in ensuring that Capilano becomes a regional university. Show your support at capiianonow.ca THE CAPILANO CASE With the changing educational landscape, Capilano needs to be recognized for what we do and have been doing for many years. A change in designation to university college/ regional university validates and affirms the degrees Capilano has been offering and assures our graduates that they have the same value as those granted by other "university" designated institutions. 1 . A SIGNIFICANT POPULATION TO SERVE The percentage of people in the Capilano-Garibaldi region interested in degree programs has traditionally been very high, higher than all other provincial regions. In the 2006 census, the population of the Capilano College region was 184,658, greater than the regions for Thomson River (144,564), Eraser Valley (155,057), and Malaspina (158,271). Moreover, the more distant areas of our region are among the fastest growing areas in the province. The Howe Sound Corridor, with its much-improved road and with the attention created by the Olympics, is projected to grow at a greater rate than any other community in B.C. 2. ACCESS TO A REGIONAL UNIVERSITY ''LEARNING WHERE WE LIVE" The learning opportunities afforded by attending a regional university, with its emphasis on pedagogical excellence and employment-relevant degrees, should be available in our region. In fact, if Capilano does not receive university college/regional university designation, then there will be no such institution in reasonable distance (the nearest being in the Eraser Valley). Students who attend a regional college are often students who are older, working or raising a family as they study part-time. They are students who may be starting in Adult Basic Education or by taking a one-year certificate or two- year diploma, gradually laddering into a degree program. These non-traditional often multi-barriered students need the support of a smaller, learner-centred institution that is close to home. 3. A TRACK RECORD IN OFFERING DEGREES For 15 years, Capilano has been granting degrees. We have already given degrees to more than 1,000 students. In spring of 2007, Capilano will grant more than 160 degrees. Over the years, Capilano has had an opportunity to redesign and refine our student-centred approach to degree programs. In the recently released 2006 BC Baccalaureate Survey of 2004 Graduates, Capilano recorded 1 0 0 % program satisfaction (good/very good). This success in degree programming demonstrates our interest in competence in being designated a regional university. 4. EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN PROGRAMMING Capilano's degree programming has been characterized by the learner-centered pedagogical excellence advocated in Campus 2020. We have exemplified that approach, and have set an example for the entire system on how to respond to learner needs in the 21st century. We currently have eight new degree proposals at various stages of preparation: working with autistic children, film production, paralegal studies, performing arts, early childhood care and education, global stewardship, graphic design and animation. 5. SERVING THE REGION'S FIRST NATIONS We have been innovative in providing new programs to our First Nations communities and many of the First Nations students prefer to come to a smaller institution closer to home. In the Squamish Nation's letter expressing "support for Capilano to attain Regional University Status" it stated that "it is essential for the long term educational needs of our population that we be able to access certificates, diplomas and full university degree programs. It is considered imperative that our students have the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree at Capilano due to its proximity and the school's willingness to collaborate on programming that meets the needs of our students and community in general." 6. A KEY PLAYER IN REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The North Shore-Garibaldi Corridor increasingly identifies itself as a distinct region. Indeed, there is a unique economic strategy for the region emphasizing development in the same sectors in which the College has long-standing expertise and in which it has developed degree opportunities. In a recent report on economic competitiveness commissioned by the District of North Vancouver, Capilano is cited as one of the District's major economic development resources. In the arts "cluster," it is noted that "the presence of Capilano College, and its many highly rated arts programs (Film, Music, Textile Arts) is a major factor in stimulating arts activities outside the academic world." It is suggested that "there could be many ways to improve the economic and social well-being through close cooperation with Capilano. Spin-off companies are often thought of as being the preserve of universities, but many of Capilano's programs have generated spinoff enterprises." The Squamish Trade Investment and Marketing Strategy (2005) emphasized the importance of tourism to the local economy, and Capilano has supported this initiative by offering its Tourism degree program focusing on outdoor recreation in the Howe Sound Corridor. 7. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MARKET Capilano has successfully offered degree programs overseas, but in an increasingly competitive market the "university" designation is required to attract students and to affirm the quality of those degrees. Our active degree programming abroad and at home has also attracted many international students to study at our campuses and to live in our region. This has resulted in an estimated injection of $20 million into the local economy. 8. MOMENTUM Regional universities are going to become a reality and the educational landscape of the province is about to change dramatically. Capilano has the history, the track record and the region that justifies this new designation. 1 WHY CAPILANO SHOULD BE A REGIONAL UNIVERSITY • Access, quality and regional responsiveness • Granting degrees for 15 years • No other degree granting Institution In the North Shore-Garlbaldl-Sunshlne Coast region • Emphasis on teaching excellence • Serve the Squamish, Lll'wat and Sechelt First Nations communities • Exceptional creativity • Passionate students, employees and alumni • 550 International students on campus generating $i8-$2o million annually to local economy • Third largest employer on the North Shore • Unique programs linked to our regional needs all the way up the Corridor Show your support at capiianonow.ca