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Summary Notes of Meeting
March 4, 2008 01:00 p.m. to 03:00 p.m.
180 Dundas Street West
11th Floor Board Room # 1
Present: Teleconference: Robert Turner Fred Hall Sheldon Levy MaryLynn West-Moynes Janet Mason Barbara MacPherson Regrets: Robin Armstrong Natalie Winter Cindy Hazell Dan Kenaani Bill Summers Jamie McKay
Hana Mouasher
Chair: Robert Turner
1. Welcome
R. Turner chaired the meeting and welcomed the participants.
2. Summary Notes from December 14th, 2007 Meeting
Two versions of the summary notes were provided namely: one 7-page detailed version and one 4-page shortened version that included the main points of the discussion as well as the decisions taken therein. It was agreed by all that the 4-page version was more appropriate and was approved for posting on the CUCC web site.
3. Business arising from previous meeting
OCUTG Focus Group Update
Several steps have been taken in an attempt to improve and upgrade the OCUTG web site. A questionnaire was sent out to the colleges and universities, an on-line poll was conducted on the web site, and 2 sessions for student focus groups have already been held, one composed of university students, the other of college students. Attempts are continuing to arrange a focus group session with high school students.
Most students in the two focus group sessions were unaware of the OCUTG website. They were however familiar with institutional website. A general frustration was expressed that in their agreements no definite credits are committed to by the institutions in Ontario. The students also expressed a lack of trust in the administration of the agreements and indeed in transfer agreements on the whole.
It was agreed that this is a serious flaw in the system, but not one that CUCC could remedy. Only an aggressive strategy by MTCU could possibly change the situation. This may be the time for such a change since there seems to be broad acceptance of the fact that college-university transferability must be improved. Indeed Colleges Ontario and COU are beginning a process of constructive collaboration.
4. Dates for Future Meetings
Due to requests made by several council members to plan a yearly schedule for CUCC meetings, it was decided to work on obtaining dates from council members with the most difficult time schedules and attempt to set this year’s meetings accordingly.
5. York and Nipissing College Transfer Success Reports
These reports are on the CUCC website.
It was agreed that there is much useful information in the reports. Several trends were noted. Many students transferring from college to university do as well as those who enter university directly from high school. Fewer college transfers are dropping out compared to ten years ago. There is a notable increase, almost 20% since 2001, of transfer students aged 25 or less. Two thirds of transfer students are female, which is similar to the proportion of female students coming directly from high school.
6. First Draft of Public Relations Document on Successful Collaborations
It was agreed that the draft document presented by R. Armstrong was a very good and interesting report. However, before arriving at the final form the intended audience needs to be specified. Possibly there should be different versions for different audiences.
Several suggestions were made: 1. Include more examples of collaborations 2. Consistent information themes with regard to type of collaboration and credentials, etc., perhaps in a text box next to the description. 3. Inset a photo with each collaboration described, at least for the public version 4. Have the report edited professionally. 5. Perhaps a key contact should be listed, for students and parents who are interested in the listed programs.
It was pointed out that almost all of the responses received to a general call for submissions were already included. In making any additions the overall length of the document must be kept in mind. In our busy world many people will not read a long document. That is why the initial motion suggested a document of 3 to 5 pages.
The paragraphs presented were in some instances significantly modified from the original ones. Approval of the final version of each paragraph will be sought from each relevant institutions.
There are several possible audiences for the report. It will be posted on the CUCC website. It will definitely be sent to presidents and vice presidents academic of Ontario’s institutions, and to government officials. It is hoped that a version will receive wider distribution to gain the attention of high school guidance counsellors and members of the general public.
This is a good news story and the response can be expected to be positive.
The chairman congratulated R. Armstrong and thanked him for having put together this report.
7. Change Fund Competition 2008: First Draft It might be best to hold on to the money for a little longer in order that it should be put to best usage. In particular it may be wise to delay the next competition until the colleges’ change fund competition yields its results.
The new competition could help collaborations between institutions that are geographically distant from each other, or possibly it could address the institutions in the northern part of the province. Another way to compose the new competition would be to identify existing programs that might need a boost, or even programs with specifically targeted intake. Some of it could also be used for a workshop on best practices. CUCC has to move to a more strategic look at these funds.
The University of Windsor is going to hold a 1½ day workshop on June 28/29 for participants of all 12 funded projects to exchange ideas, to compare progress and “lessons learned. They will produce a document on best practices. This would become a CUCC document.
8. Other Business No other business was discussed.
The meeting was adjourned.
Download latest Meeting Notes: Summary Notes - 2008-03-04 CUCC Meeting (42 kb)
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