Environmental review of four campuses complete

An environmental review of the Penticton, Kalamalka, Salmon Arm and Kelowna campuses has been completed by PHH ARC Environmental. Facilities Management is developing a plan to deal with mould and moisture issues identified in that report. One of the first results of the assessment was the closure of the Y1 portable at the Kelowna campus – classes and meetings have been rearranged to accommodate that development. For more information on the report, follow this link.  

College completes trash audit, goes head-to-head with UBCO

Moez Sumar of the enviro club helped organize the audit.

A friendly competition between Okanagan College and UBCO resulted in a successful end to phase one of the challenge. With support from student volunteers and members of the Okanagan College environmental club, who braved unfavorable weather conditions, the College’s audit was conducted in the courtyard of the Kelowna campus.

Both schools completed initial waste audits of one day’s worth of trash and the results are in. 70% of the trash thrown out at the College was not garbage, compared to 72% at UBCO. 
 
Okanagan College produced about half the amount of garbage (5,542 litres) of UBCO in one day, and found that 30% of the trash was actual garbage, 37% of the trash was recyclable and 33% was compostable - 5% was styrofoam, which was diverted and recycled through a private partnership set up by Facilities Management. Some of the strange items destined for the garbage included unopened chocolate bars, a pair of work boots, large reusable banners, electronics and various metallic items. A large number of returnable bottles and cans were also pulled from the trash.

UBC Okanagan found that only 28% of what was thrown away in one day was actually garbage. Forty-two per cent were recyclables such as paper, plastic, tin and cardboard, and 30% was compostable items such as food waste, biodegradable containers and paper towel. The campus produced over 10,000 liters of garbage in one day.

Both campuses will hold additional audits in the spring to see whether their efforts pay off in reducing the volume of recyclables and compostables in the trash.

27th Career Fair

For the 27th year running, Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus welcomed thousands of students, parents, exhibitors, recruiters and staff to participate in Career Fair. Highlights from the event included a mock CSI lab demonstration offered by the Chemistry department, an adult learner seminar, and a variety of employers including several from Alberta who traveled to Kelowna to take part in the annual event. Follow this link to watch a clip of the event from CHBC-TV or watch a slideshow of images from Career Fair '08. If you have feedback about the 2008 Career Fair, please follow this link to submit your ideas, suggestions and comments.  

Access to Practical Nursing students achieve success

In its inaugural offering, the Access to Practical Nursing program in Vernon, a partnership between Continuing Studies Vernon and the Science, Technologies and Health department, saw each of the 17 students enrolled in the program achieve success on their national licensing exam. The eight-month condensed LPN program was developed in recognition of the education, training and experience of the students, each of whom already hold Home Support/Resident Care Attendant certification.

In addition to the 17 Access to Practical Nursing students, 43 Practical Nursing program graduates also wrote their national licensing exam and achieved a 100 per cent success rate. These students include 18 students from Salmon Arm and 25 students from Kelowna. 

Practical Nursing is pleased to announce six new instructors who have joined the faculty: Suzanne Bailey in Salmon Arm, Connie King and Christine Poznanski in Vernon as well as Geraldine Street, Monique Powell and Tracy Kowch in Kelowna.

Stan Chung runs for SD 23 School Trustee

Okanagan College's Associate Dean of Arts and Foundational Programs will seek a seat on School District 23's Board of Trustees this fall. The people of Kelowna will go to the polls on Nov. 15 when they vote for School Trustees, members of City Council and the Mayor. Chung is well-known in the Okanagan as an educator, writer and speaker. To find out more about Stan's campaign profile or to view all candidates, visit the City of Kelowna website.

Green College wins award

Peter Csandl and John Walker, President & CEO of Fortis BC

Peter Csandl of Facilities Management accepted a Fortis BC Conservation Excellence Award on behalf Okanagan College. The award is in recognition of the College’s outstanding achievement in energy efficiency through sustainable choices and innovative projects this year.
 
Okanagan College received the award after teaming up with Fortis on a number of electrical projects at the KLO and Penticton Campus that improve the College’s energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. Credit for this award is also due to the electrical department at Facilities as all this work was accomplished in house.

Participating electricians who helped make these upgrades possible are: Maurice Blanleil, Zdenek Nagl and Allan Becker. Facilities Management is continually looking for ways to reduce energy – anyone with ideas can contact Peter Csandl.   

Connect! Energize! Inspire!

On Oct. 24 Continuing Studies instructors from around the valley came together in Vernon for a one-day retreat. It was a huge success with over 40 instructors attending. Special thanks to Stan Chung, Mike Minions and Michael Douglas for leading workshops and helping to both energize and inspire our instructors. Also a big thank you to Jim Hamilton and Charlotte Kushner for joining the retreat for breakfast and leading the informal connection/networking session. The fourth Annual Continuing Studies Instructor Retreat will be held on Oct. 17, 2009. 

Alix Hawley launches book tour

Okanagan College English professor Alix Hawley will hold a series of readings from her book of short stories, The Old Familiar. Also joining Alix on the tour is Bowen Island author Nick Faragher (The Well & Other Stories). Alix and Nick will read in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Kamloops – check out the event listings for details. For more information about The Old Familiar or Alix Hawley, visit: www.thistledownpress.com.

Embleton, Germaine and Rutherford Retire

Fern Embleton, Keith Germaine, and Greg Rutherford of the Adult Academic and Career Preparation program are retiring. Plans are underway for a retirement bash to say goodbye to all of them in true AACP fashion! The celebration dinner will take place on Friday, Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Kelowna Cafeteria. The event costs $20 and will include musical reflections about the trio. Anyone wishing to participate with their own memories of the retirees can contact Ruth Chambers prior to the event. Please RSVP to Ruth (ext. 4572) if you wish to attend.

Okanagan School of Business keynote in Vienna

Dr. Kyleen Myrah and Dr. Jayne Brooks spent time in Vienna last week at a symposium at the University of Applied Sciences, Wiener Neustadt. Kyleen and Jayne had the opportunity to spend some time with Okanagan College students on exchange in Vienna (as seen in the photo). Kyleen was a keynote speaker at the symposium and also had the chance to teach a class at the university.

McRobb and Burns to Chair provincial committees

Okanagan College’s Cam McRobb has been elected Chair of the Automotive Mechanical Repair Provincial Articulation Committee and Chris Burns has been elected as Chair of the Automotive Collision Repair Provincial Articulation Committee. The purpose of these committees is to get all the representatives of each of the provincial colleges for these fields to sit down once a year and discuss issues such as curriculum development, instructional techniques, ITA issues and operational issues. Cam was also interviewed by SHAW-TV this week for an upcoming segment of Trades BC - watch Inside Okanagan College for more.

Arellano’s Ke Na De En film reaches quarterfinals

Communications Professor Marc Arellano’s documentary film, Ke Na De En, has been selected to compete in the quarter final round of the Radio Canada International competition, Migrations. The competition saw more than 200 submissions, which have now been cut to 50. The general public can now rate/vote for their favourite films. The films with the most and highest ratings go to the next round. Anyone wishing to vote for Marc’s film can follow this link to register (which enters you in a draw for an iPod) and vote or leave a comment. Voting will take place until Wednesday, Nov. 12.

College staff show their spirit on All Hallow’s Eve

Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus hosted a United Way BBQ fundraiser on Halloween offering staff and students the chance to enjoy a delicious lunch, complete with Halloween treats, prizes and costumed staff. Staff up and down the valley got in the spirit of the day, dressing up in a variety of creative costumes from Penticton’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Institutional Research’s Kevin Trotzuk clones. Follow this link to view a slideshow of some costumes of the day.

Career Fair winners

L to R: Michelle Ward, Michelle Tait, Nathalie Manuel and Steve Koehle

Michelle Tait, a student in Advanced Culinary Arts and Nathalie Manuel, a Geography student, were two of the lucky winners of the Career Fair Book Draw at the Okanagan College Library on Sunday. Michelle chose 1001 days that shaped the world by Peter Furtado. She is taking the new business course option in her culinary program. Nathalie selected Hungry planet: what the world eats by Peter Menzel & Faith D'Alussio as a gift for a friend who is studying food culture.
 
Other winners of the Library draw were:
Karin Sajna, a first-year student at UBCO received The shock doctrine: the rise of disaster capitalism by Naomi Klein.
 
Ryan McWhirter, a BuAd student, chose The Daily Planet Book of Cool Ideas: Global warming and what people are doing about it by Jay Ingram.

Luning Chen, an ESL Student, chose Yellowstone to Yukon: Freedom to Roam - a photographic journey (2007) as a gift for her to take back to family in China.



Okanagan College's partnership with SHAW TV on a series of Trades program profiles resulted in a new segment on Culinary Arts (with Perry Bentley) and on RV Service Technician.

On a recent trip overseas, Okanagan College’s Vice President of Students, Steve Koehle, was broadcast on television in Colombia. Follow this link to watch the piece, which was broadcast in Spanish.

Okanagan College’s 27th annual Career Fair received substantial coverage in the local media. Watch a clip from CHBC or read: Career Fair a hot (free) ticket, Okanagan College career fair to go this Sunday or Career Fair. A photographer from eVent Night Out covered Career Fair, follow this link to see photos from the event.

The upcoming Municipal Election in Kelowna (Nov. 15) has provided much material for local newspapers. Weighing in on several topics has been School Trustee candidate Stan Chung. Also weighing in are Okanagan College alumni candidates Gunnar Forsstrom, former Okanagan College Board of Governors member H. Donald Forbes, and professor and City Councilor Norm Letnick. Read more about all-things-election in: OC associate dean wants to ease pressure on students, Should City Hall have an ombudsman position, Candidates differ on laptop program, Council endorses highrise zone, Polling stations help encourage students to vote.

The Okanagan College Alumni Association honoured Don Turri and Chris Gibbons with the Distinguished and Young Alumni Awards at a dinner reception on Oct. 29. Read more in: Okanagan College Alumni honours business graduates.

A Public Affairs press release announcing the addition of four new Board of Governors members made the pages of the Oliver Chronicle: Four new members for College Board of Governors and the Kelowna Capital News: College board of governors adds four new members.

The Kelowna Daily Courier picked up on a Public Affairs press release announcing the funds raised for Okanagan College students by a partnership with American Express and the Okanagan Spring Wine Festivals Society. Read more in: Am-Ex benefits college foundation.

Okanagan School of Business Entrepreneur-in-Residence Ed Hall was profiled in an article appearing in the Business Thomson Okanagan. Read about Ed’s extensive business experience and why he wanted to share his knowledge with tomorrow’s business leaders in: Back to School.

Okanagan College’s Vernon campus co-hosted a conference on Community Sustainability in a Changing Global Environment. The Vernon Morning Star caught a photo of speaker Tim Lesiuk, BC Climate Change Secretariat.

School District 23 Trustee candidate Wayne Horning was quoted in the Kelowna Capital News praising the innovation of educational programs such as Okanagan College’s dual-credit arrangements with several secondary schools. Read more in: Horning proud of board’s accomplishments.

Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus hosted a seminar on Creating Positive Behaviour in the Workplace. Kelowna Daily Courier reporter Steve MacNaull covered the seminar and reporter on it in: Don’t treat employees like children.

Jane Muskens’ School’s In column covered the topics of the value of investing in education and strategies to secure financial aid. Read more in: Investment in education can offer the best returns and There are numerous options to seek out financial aid.

Stan Chung’s Global Citizen column took an introspective turn in its last edition before the Municipal Election. Read more in: This moment for the rest of my life. Global Citizen will not be published until after Nov. 15. 

November 7, 2008, Vol. 2 Issue15

Road Closure on the Kelowna campus

Please be advised that the sections of the Campus West Road on the Kelowna campus will be closed next week due to construction. The section closures will start on Nov. 11 and re-open by Nov. 17. Access to the student parking lot on the north side of campus, facilities building, and north side of the library will be affected during the week. For details on the closure please see the attached diagram.

Join Okanagan College’s Speaker’s Bureau

As an institution, Okanagan College has a wealth of resources in its staff. Many of the College’s faculty, administrators and support staff hold expertise in teaching, scholarly activity, or research, and have extensive knowledge in a variety of topics. Public Affairs is often approached by community groups and the media looking for experts to speak on a variety of issues. In order to streamline the process of identifying individuals who are willing and able to share their knowledge, Public Affairs is generating a Speaker’s Bureau. Anyone interested in joining the Bureau is asked to follow this link to a form and fill out biographical information. As the results are compiled they will be posted on our website and will be available to the public. Anyone with questions about the Speaker’s Bureau can contact Christine Ulmer.

St. Hubertus to offer Okanagan College Alumni wine

The Okanagan College Alumni Association is pleased to announce they have just finalized their agreement with St. Hubertus Winery for the 2008-09 Commemorative Wine Program. Four private-label Alumni Association wines are now available for ordering (two reds, and two whites), with prices ranging between $18 – 24 per bottle (plus deposit).  For more information about the wine varieties, please contact Marlis Wecels.  A portion of the wine program’s proceeds will support programs and services for Alumni.

Pay it Forward campaign back for third year

The Okanagan College Alumni Association has teamed up with business alumna Sarah Comba again for the third Annual Pay it Forward giving drive, to collect new and gently-used clothing, non-perishable food, household items, as well as cash/ gift donations for individuals and families in need in the Okanagan this Christmas. Starting Nov. 12, gift-wrapped donation boxes will be set up around Kelowna (KLO & Landmark), Salmon Arm, and Penticton campuses. Please watch for the donation boxes around your campus.  You can also view the 2008 Pay it Forward Poster  or call Marlis at 4771 for more information.

50/50 winner announced

Congratulations to Arch Doody from Facilities Management in Kelowna who won today's payday draw for $472.50. The Okanagan College Foundation 50/50 Staff Lottery is open to all employees of Okanagan College. If you wish to sign up for the lottery, registration forms are available from: Advancement & Alumni/Okanagan College Foundation office (P103, KLO Campus), Human Resources (Landmark V, Kelowna) or online.

Leave a lighter footprint

Facilities Management is committed to conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions. Please consider some simple energy saving tips that will help reduce fuel, water and electrical consumption.

- Remember to turn the lights off when you leave the room or when natural daylight is adequate.
- Turn off office equipment such as your computer, printer and coffee machine when you leave for the day.
- Keep thermostats set at 21 degrees C during the heating season and 25 C degrees during the cooling season. Dress comfortably for the weather; adjust your layers before adjusting the thermostat.
- Know and cooperate with scheduled hours of building operations, do not expect buildings to have fully operational HVAC systems during evenings and weekends when there is minimal occupant use.
- When purchasing new equipment consider the Energy Star rating.
If you find areas that require attention to conserve energy please submit a work request or contact Peter Csandl at Facilities Management.

Catch the Wave…And Use the On-Line Web Requisition

Supply Management Services  -  What is Centralized Purchasing?

Centralized Purchasing is a system where procurement activities are centralized in one unit - The Purchasing Department. Centralized purchasing includes: standardization, centralization, accountability and openness to process allowing for the assurance of quality, stimulation of competitive bidding and reduction of costs. Where an individual may spend hours researching a product to find the best price, the purchasing department has resources which reduce the research time.

Centralized Purchasing provides the checks and balances that are necessary to ensure goods and services are purchased within such laws and regulations, from responsible sources, and at the best possible prices. The Purchasing Department strives to achieve the highest standard of procurement while developing strong relationships with suppliers who provide a wide range of goods and services at the best possible value to the institution.

Check out the Purchasing Website for more information or contact us if you have any questions or require Web Requisition assistance. Call 862-5613 or email purchasing@okanagan.bc.ca.

Purchasing gladly welcomes your comments or concerns, and will answer any questions you may have related to the areas for which the Purchasing Department is responsible.  Follow this link to a Feedback Form.

Learn to build your own furniture

Okanagan College’s trades department in Kelowna is offering a Home Furniture for beginners program from Nov. 28 – Dec. 2. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The class runs from 6-9 p.m. and costs $225 plus GST and materials. For more information, or to register, contact Nancy Ankerstein.

Call for nominations - Distinguished Service Awards

The Okanagan College Tributes Committee invites nominations for the Distinguished Service Awards for the 2009 Convocation and Commencement ceremonies. This award honours and recognizes former Okanagan College employees who have given outstanding service to Okanagan College, who share and support the mission, vision and values of Okanagan College, and who are active within and outside the Okanagan College community. This award will not be given as a matter of routine and is extended to only those who are most deserving.    

To make a nomination:

Nominations from either a peer or supervisor are the chief source of candidates and all are given serious consideration. Nominations should include:
1.    A personal profile of the nominee, including name, title, position, address, telephone number and email.
2.    A comment on their exceptional service to the institution, and the special connection the nominee has to Okanagan College and our region.
3.    A clear statement in support of the nomination including any supporting documents
4.    The name, signature, department or address and telephone number of the nominator(s).

 Nominations should be submitted by Nov. 28, 2008 to:

Joanna Campbell, Assistant to the President
Okanagan College
1000 KLO Road
Kelowna, BC   V1Y 4X8
250-762-5445, ext. 4715     

Campus Stores Customer Appreciation Day

Campus Stores will be receiving a new shipment of scarves just in time for Customer Appreciation Day. Visit the Campus Store on the following dates to receive 20% OFF Clothing and Giftware (some exclusions apply):
 
Monday, Nov. 17 - Salmon Arm
Tuesday, Nov. 18  - Penticton
Wednesday, Nov. 19 - Vernon
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Kelowna

Want to have faster printing turnaround and save money, too?

Print Services would like to encourage staff to submit print requests electronically. Just attach your document (preferably in .pdf format) to an e-mail and provide the details normally set out on the print request form – i.e. number of copies, single- or double-sided, delivery instructions, FOAPAL, etc. Send the e-mail to CopyShop@okanagan.bc.ca. This will save time and money since there will be no need to fill out a Print Request Form as the print details are on the e-mail and a hard copy of the document will not be required.




Nov. 10 – Penticton Speaker Series 7 p.m. in the Lecture Theatre
The Psychology of Evil, Jarkko Jalava
Since Homo sapiens is the only species that kills and tortures its own members for no other reason than enjoying the process, we cannot truly understand human nature without understanding the nature of evil. Dr. Jarkko Jalava, a former psychologist with Correctional Service of Canada, and a College Professor in criminology at Okanagan College will discuss the psychology of serious criminal behavior, including serial murder and wartime atrocities. He will also discuss the reasons behind our fascination with evil, and what this fascination may tell about our selves. Contact Kaya Forest for more information.

Nov. 12 – Join Okanagan College author Alix Hawley on her book tour at 7:30 p.m. at the Vertigo Gallery (3001 31st Street, Vernon). Alix will be doing a reading from her recent publication, The Old Familiar. For more information, follow this link.

Nov. 12 – Okanagan College will host an Information Night in Oliver at 6:30 p.m. at the Oliver learning centre. Contact Jake Mason for details or to register.
 
Nov. 13 – Join Okanagan College author Alix Hawley for a book reading at the Penticton Campus of Okanagan College at 7 p.m. in room C2 of the Sunoka Building. 

Nov. 13 – Be recognized for your service to Okanagan College at the Employee Recognition Dinner on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Kelowna Campus Cafeteria. For more information, contact Liz Plamondon.

Nov. 14 – Join Okanagan College author Alix Hawley for a book reading at the Kamloops Public Library at 2:30 p.m. (100-465 Victoria Street).

Nov. 15 – Okanagan College is co-sponsoring an all-day, all-night literary event - Word Ruckus. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m. ruckus to view the poster.  Contact Jake Kennedy or Kevin McPherson for more information. This event takes place in Kelowna at the Habitat, 248 Leon Ave, Kelowna.

Nov. 15 – Kelowna Municipal Elections. For information on voting stations and candidates running for Kelowna City Council, Mayor of Kelowna and SD 23 School Trustees, visit the City of Kelowna website.

Nov. 17 - A Tale of Two Elections
 Join Okanagan College faculty from 6 - 8 p.m. as they discuss the American and canadian elections. The event will be in a town meeting format with brief statements by participants followed by an open debate between the panel members and Q&As. Contact Ayla Kilic for more information and for the event location.

Nov. 17 – Penticton Speaker Series 7 p.m., Lecture Theatre
The Sun, Earth and Us, with Ken Tapping.
Find out more about the Sun, its environmental impact and what it does to our technology. Ken Tapping, the featured speaker, is a scientist at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory. Contact Kaya Forest for more information.

Nov. 19 – Find out everything you need to know about the College application process, financial aid and more at College Prep 101 for Parents at 6:30 p.m. in the Lecture Theatre at the Vernon Campus of Okanagan College. Contact Tawnya Cameron for details or to register.

Nov. 19 – Okanagan College will host an Information Night in Penticton at 6 p.m. in the Cafeteria and Lecture Theatre. Contact Jake Mason for details or to register.

Nov. 21 – The Kelowna campus will host more than 100 elementary, middle and high school students for the third annual Western Canada Robocup Junior. Students will compete in a variety of technology challenges using pre-programmed robots. Students from Okanagan College technology programs will be on hand to assist competitors as they vie for the rights to represent Canada at Robocup International. The event takes place in the Pit and Lecture Theatre from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Contact Nadir Ould-Khessal for more information.

Nov. 24 – Okanagan College will host an Information Night in Vernon from 6-8 p.m. in the Vernon campus cafeteria. Contact Tawnya Cameron for details or to register.

Nov. 25 – Charity Hair Chop
Communications professor Marc Arellano and communications student Wesley Wright will shave their heads in the Pit at the Kelowna Campus if their fundraising goals ($1,000) for the Kelowna Women’s Shelter are met. Check it out at 12:30 p.m. Contact Jennifer Tocher to make a cash donation.

Nov. 25 – Okanagan College will host an Information Night in Princeton at 6:30 p.m at the Princeton Skills Centre. Contact Jake Mason for details or to register.

Nov. 26 – Find out everything you need to know about the College application process, financial aid and more at College Prep 101 for Parents at 6:30 p.m. in the Penticton Campus Lecture Theatre. Contact Jake Mason for details or to register.

Nov. 26 – Shopocalypse
Visit the Pit in Kelowna from 11- 3 p.m. and find out more about how you can become a conscious consumer. In advance of Buy Nothing Day (Nov. 28, www.adbusters.org), join Sociology’s Social Dissent Class and the OK Activist Club to learn how to become an ethical consumer: where and how goods are made, how much we consume and how much waste we create in this consumption, ideas for ethical alternatives, and how small changes can make a difference
 
Beginning at 11 a.m. in the Pit and outside the Student Services Building: information, and ethical and local goods for sale care of Urban Harvest, Kelowna Farmers and Craft Marketeers, 10,000 Villages, Freecycle, and others. A swap of any good quality used goods will also take place.
 
Beginning at 1:30 it the Pit: Invasion of the Zombie Shoppers; The Consumer on Trial; Ethical consumer singalong with our very own Kelowna Raging Grannies; Let’s play Jeopardy; Take the Ethical Consumer Pledge

Nov. 27 – Okanagan College will host an Information Night in Salmon Arm  at 6:30 p.m at the Salmon Arm campus. Contact Leslie Bogulafor details or to register.

Nov. 28 – Okanagan College’s Penticton Campus will host a faculty vs student dodge ball game. To get involved or for more information, contact Jake Mason.

Nov. 28 – Broken Silence Concert
Support students in Okanagan College’s Audio Engineering and Music Production program as they host Broken Silence, a concert featuring indie-rock band The Left, from Vancouver, and Kingdom Cloud from Kelowna. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at the Mary Irwin Theatre at the Rotary Centre for the Arts

Dec. 17 – Celebrate the holiday season with staff from the Kelowna campus at the Snowflake Cocktail Party in the cafeteria. Entertainment will be provided by Lennox Smart, a soprano saxophonist who is also an international student. The event will take place from 4 – 6 p.m. and will offer appetizers and a cash bar. Staff are welcome to bring their significant others. Admission will be $5.



Do you have comments, questions or a submission for INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE? Please email Public Affairs c/o Christine Ulmer.

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The next edition of INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE will be issued on Nov. 21, 2008.

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