The Informer Page 3

November 9, 1988

Alan Smith, Director of
Planning, Frank Gelin,
Dean of Academic
Studies and Greg Lee,
Dean of the Career/ ~
Vocational Division,
showed Jim Watson
from the Ministry of
Advanced Education
and Job Training
around campus
recently. Mr. Watson is
touring all B.C.
colleges to familiarize
himself with their
operations and give
administrators an
opportunity to speak to
him direcily. Frank
Gelin said this was
excellent timing, given
our recent internal
evaluation, and that
all aspecis of our
facilities were exposed
| to Mr. Watson.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Multi-level, Multicultural
Program Proposed

Dr. Bernardo Berdichewsky (Anthropology) has just
submitted a proposal (supported by a $500 professional
development grant he was awarded) to establish a one-
year certificate program in cross cultural and ethnic
understanding at the College.

The proposition is developed along three levels,
including the academic program at the College, an
extension/community program, and research/publication
activity.

“This is an opportune time for such a program,” said
Bernardo. “There is a growing concern and interest in
ethnic, multicultural, and immigration issues.” The
recently passed Multicultural Act and the bill on refugee
determination in parliament indicate the climate for
such a program is favourable.

The academic program would cover a broad
spectrum, and include several disciplines, from history,
geography, anthropology, sociology, political and
religious studies, to communications, language and
literature. It could be related to our Canadian Studies,
International Studies, and Labour Studies programs,
Bernardo suggests.

The Extension-community program would be
composed of a one-day workshop and seminars. Also the
College would help foster the creation of a North Shore

Multicultural Society which would be part of a national
network, including societies already established in the
Lower Mainland and Vancouver.

Bernardo’s publication plans have already begun.
His book Ethnicity and Multiculturalism in Canada
(available in the bookstore) is used by his Ethnic
Relations class. Two more books, on Latin Americans in
B.C., and another on ethnicity in pluralistic societies
are in the works. Research on the basic demographics of
the North Shore could be undertaken by students, says
Bernardo. The Secretary of State (Multiculturalism
Division) has agreed in principle to support one of these
publications, and could, Bernardo says, be approached
for support of further research.

The International Education Committee showed
support for Bernardo’s work, says committee chair Jon
Jessiman, and the Instructional Management Group
has referred the academic program proposal to the
Academic Division’s Dean's Advisory Committee.

International Opportunities Board

A bulletin board is being created on the fourth floor
of the H building which will be used exclusively for
postings about international opportunities. In the past,
this information was circulated to interested parties,
then put in the library. Now, all information about
postings for faculty and students will go on the bulletin
board.