October 24/97

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
Jolene Bordewick, Committee Chair, 1997/98

This time, the column will provide you
with notes and thoughts from the Faculty
Development Committee. Adjudication of the
fall Grants will occur in late October with the
results announced following that adjudication
process. For faculty who are expecting their
Conference cheques - I’ve been a bit slow
getting them processed, but they’re on their

way!

The Faculty Development Committee
held its first meeting at the end of September.
Major tasks before it are to adjudicate the fall
Grant Applications which will be done after the
17th of October, and begin planning winter and
spring activities. Each year the Committee
tackles a plan to encourage participation in
Instructional Skills Workshops for new faculty
and reviews the issue of spreading the May PD
Days over the winter, spring semester.

Concern was expressed that as more
faculty become involved in teaching during the
summer session, the number of faculty available
to attend the “traditional” JSW and May PD
week will decline. In that light, another
survey will be circulated to faculty to explore
Professional Development options. The
Committee would very much appreciate your
continued support and input into the design of
Professional Development activities which most
closely meet your needs and interests....so,
watch for it in your mail, complete it and return
it to my office: Birch 241.

The other major issue discussed by the
Committee (almost annually) is that of a revised
adjudication system for the awarding of
Conference and Research Grant dollars.
Presently, all who are eligible receive some
funds; however, as our funds decline (10% this
year, who knows about next), there is less
money to go around and award guidelines aren’t
always followed by the recipients. So, should
the Committee consider merit, times applied
(every 24 months at present), value to the
department/college, or other issues in making
fair award decisions on your behalf?

Comments, thoughts, straw poll? Call me @
7527, or any Committee member to let us know
how you feel about changes in the way in which
the Committee is adjudicating your money!!!

The FDC has a PD binder in the
Library, where Conference material which has
been sent to the Chair can be stored. I'll try to
circulate an overview of the incoming material
in a list attached to the CCFA Agenda a couple
of times/term. This way, if you are aware of
what’s in the binder, you can drop in to speak to
Annette or George about “what’s new” and take
a photocopy for yourself of conferences which
appeal to you.

Quite a bit of interest was expressed by
faculty in attending the Video Conference on
Oscar Winning Teaching, but unfortunately
Capilano isn’t ready to offer the links needed to
receive the Conference. It’s in the works, and
by this time next year, should be receivable.
Meantime, both Langara and SFU will be
offereing the Video Conference, so if you check
with the FDC Chair at either of those
institutions, you may be able to register.

The Chair is in touch with Dale Gagne
in regard to offering the winter computer
courses again. They were well received and
about half of the participants said they'd like to
continue to develop their computer skills. More
information will be coming to you about this
hopefully, when a new scheduled is developed.

The Committee hopes your year is
going well, that the students are enthusiastic
about your lectures and presentations and that
you'll give some immediate and careful thought
to recommending PD Activities to support our
work. Our continued thanks for your input.
From your Committee: Elizabeth Watkinson
(Committee Clerk), Joanne Ritchie (ESL),
Ethelyn McInnes-Rankin (Counselling), Chris
Gratham (Computer Tech), Jan Sheill (ARC),
Jolene Bordewick, (DS,Chair), and 2 (still)
unnamed newcomers.

@nformer