Se ee SS PLANET OF THE ARTS vol.4no.2 4 etn ata a eee gern From the desk of ALAN BARKLEY The Access Committee Report and ECCAD'S Degree Future. Circulating through the College right now are copies of the Provincial Access Report on opportuni- ties for students in the post-secondary system in B.C. This is more than just another government document. Even though the issues are complex ones and many are not directly applicable to our interests and our College, it is still worth reading to understand the larger context of higher education of which our College is one part. For example, many of us forget that there are 24 post-secondary institutions funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Job Training. How well this system of interrelated institutions is serving the students is the major topic of the report. Besides ourselves, the report indicates there are séveral other areas interested in degree grant- ing status: Both Prince George and Kelowna made submissions to the Access Committee stating the importance of additional universities in the prov- ince’s interior. Emily Carr College’s aspirations for degree granting status was also included in the - deliberations of the Access Committee through a government-commissioned report by consultant Robert Henderson. The consultant’s job was to examine the need for non-university students (ourselves) in our field (art and design) to have access to degree granting programs. This report was accepted by the Access Committee and adopted formally as a specific rec- ommendation to the Ministry: “It is recommended that the Henderson Report supporting degree granting status to the Open Learning Agency for the Emily Carr College of Art and Design be endorsed in principle by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Job Training and that the Minister refer to proposal to the Open Learning Agency for evaluation and action.” Emily Carr College and the Open Learning University In general, the Access Committee did not support further additions to the number of degree granting institutions in the Province at this time. Many of the problems are financial ones: many feel that until the existing institutions are funded to an adequate level there should be no expansion of universities. The Open Learning University, which is a relatively new institution and a relatively new concept in the province, was viewed as the means by which degree granting programs in different parts of the province could be facilitated. Because the report is brand new it will be some time before the Ministry responds to all of it’s proposals. Nonetheless, I have begun discussions with the Open Learning University to explore the possibility of a tailor-made undergraduate. degree that would combine the programs that we offer now with additional university course work offered outside the College in a balance appropriate to general Canadian standards for undergraduate degrees in studio art and design. While the report does not endorse the College granting its own degree, the possibility is now on the horizon for a much better deal for our students who wish to undertake the additional work neces- sary to complete an undergraduate degree. The discussions to come will take the form of meetings between myself, the College’s Associate Deans, and representatives from the Open Learning University to develop a proposal which will then be discussed in various committees in the college. If all goes well, it may be possible to offer to students next year the possibility of undertaking a combined Emily Carr College-Open Learning Agency degree. I think everybody at the College is to be congratulated on raising the awareness of the Ministry to the importance of our concerns. Tape on the Floor You may have noticed semicircles of grey duct tape on the floor in front of the reception desk. They represent some physical testing that is part of a review we are currently undertaking concerning “public access” to the college. Part of the job of our new Curator, Greg Bellerby, is to coordinate those activities of the college which are of special educational interest to the public, such as exhibitions in the Concourse Gallery and the Charles H. Scott Gallery, and public lectures. : An important support to these activities will continue to be the heroines of the front office or information centre who daily cope with an ever increasing traffic of calls and personal inquiries and who represent the College’s front line with the public. (The equivalent of our entire full-time student body visits the Charles H. Scott Gallery, the Concourse Gallery, and the information desk every three days.) That public also includes all of us who equally seek information and assistance. Anything we can do to improve the physical environment for those support staff and which can, in turn, make their contact with the public more effective is, in my opinion, well worth exploring. But Greg’s review will frame a broader picture than the tape on the floor and will include a number of objectives to improve communication through improving the physical space in and around the lobby area. Here are several objectives which have been developed after extensive discus- sion with many administrators, staff and faculty. Having seen a petition for student mailboxes last week, I have suggested we add that item to our plans as well. Le To improve access and information for the general public and the college community by articulating and improving the entrance space for: (a) information reception function, (b) Concourse Gallery, (c) the Charles H. Scott Gallery, (d) wheelchair access through lobby doors. 2. To improve working space and equip- ment for information centre staff by articulating various functions to include: (a) telephone commu- nication with the public — switchboard function, (b) personal communication with the public — reception function, (c) typing and support service to Gallery and others. 3. To improve staff and faculty access to existing mail area by improving cramped condi- tions. 4, To provide additional mailboxes or other means of convenient and direct communica- tion of information to students. 5. To provide an organized and acces- sible space for telecourse tutors to pick up and return mailed student assignments. This review will take some time to translate into plans. In due course, these plans will be posted visibly for your comment and feedback before implementation. Our Bursar, Brad Campbell, will be exploring additional capital funding to assist with various parts of the project as they are determined. The Report I described earlier addresses issues of access throughout the Province. Access, like charity, however, also begins at home. THE HENDERSON REPORT ( excerpts ) “This review into an application by the Emily Carr College of Art and Design to grant Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Design degrees investi- gated the economic implications of the proposal, its pedagogical validity and options for implementa- tion. “The study compared similar art colleges and programs in North America and their requirements for degrees, and it considered Emily Carr College’s position in art education in British Columbia. Opinion and information was sought from infor- mants in the universities and colleges and the Min- istry of Advanced Education and Job Training. “It was concluded that Emily Carr is a college with an international standing, and that within the province the unique aspects of ECCAD’s program include its emphasis on studio-based instruction, its distance education initiatives and its computer art and design program. With an appropriate addi- tion of university classes the college would have a program that is different from, but comparable to, fine art degree programs within the province’s universities and elsewhere. “It was further concluded that art degrees have economic significance in that they are pre- requisites for a number of artistic professions, and that the educational requirements for a degree broaden an artist’s understanding and ability to communicate. In particular, the province needs the capacity to graduate degree-level artists in design fields. “Accordingly, it is recommended that the province support a proposal of the College to implement a degree program which would add a year of university study to the present diploma program. “The option of delivering an expanded arts and sciences program within the college itself is rejected for financial and pedagogical reasons. The practical alternative is to have degree candidates acquire necessary credits by attending university or through access to university extension programs. “The issue of giving ECCAD and other colleges in the province the autonomous authority to grant degrees is problematic. “Pending the development of an institutional mechanism that has the authority to accredit institutions and degrees programs, resolve inter- institutional articulation issues and priorize program needs, it is recommended that the ECCAD degree be issued through the Open University. “This implementation option also precludes the necessity to change and introduce new legisla- tion and avoids a number of unresolved policy issues. “It is also recommended that ECCAD pursue affiliate agreements with the universities to ensure that its degree stream students have access to university programs. Because the College and the universities each have programs that the other needs, it may be possible to have quid pro quo agreements to guarantee mutual access.” PLANET OF THE ARTS vol.4no.2 4 From the desk of ALAN BARKLEY ‘The Access Committee Report and ECCAD'S: Degree Future. Circulating through the College right now are ‘copies ofthe Provincial Access Report on opportuni- ties for students in the post-secondary system in B.C. This is more than just another government document. Even though the issues are complex: ones and many are not directly applicable to our {interests and our College, it is still worth reading to ‘understand the larger context of higher education of which our College is one part. For example, many of us forget that there are 24 post-secondary institutions funded by the ‘Ministry of Advanced Education and Job Training. “How well this eystem of interrelated institutions is serving the students is the major topic of the report Besides ourselves, the report indicates there are several other areas interested in degree grant ing status, Both Prince George and Kelowna made submissions to the Access Committee stating the importance of additional universities in the prov- ince's interior. Emily Carr College's aspirations for degree granting status was also included in the Aeliberations of the Access Committee through a {government-commissioned report by consultant Robert Henderson, ‘The consultant's job was to examine the need for non-university students (ourselves) in our field (art and design) to have access to degree granting programs. This report was accopted by the Access Committee and adopted formally as a specific re ‘ommendation to the Ministry: “Its recommended that the Henderson Report supporting degree granting status to the Open Learning Agency for the Emily Carr College of Art and Design be endorsed in principle by Ministry of Advanced Education and Job Training ‘and that the Minister refer to proposal to the Open Learning Agency for evaluation and action.” Emily Carr Colle University and the Open Learning In general, the Access Committe did not support further additions tothe numberof degree granting institutions in the Province at this time, Many ofthe problems are financial ones: many feel ‘hat until the existing institutions are funded to an adequate level there should be no expansion of universities. The Open Learning University, which is a relatively new institution and a relatively new concept in the province, was viewed as the means by which degree granting programs in different parts ofthe province could be facilitated. Because the report is brand new it will be some time before the Ministry responds to all of t's proposals. Nonetheless, [have begun discussions with the Open Learning University to explore the possiblity ofa tailor-made undergraduate degree ‘hat would combine the programs that we offer now ‘with additional university course work offered outside the Colloge ina balance appropriate to general Canadian standards for undergraduate ddegrees in studio art and design. While the report does not endorse the College ranting its own degree, the possibility is now on the horizon fora much better deal for our students who wish to undertake the additional work neces- sary to complete an undergraduate degree. The discussions to come wil take the form of meetings between myself the College's Associate Deans, and representatives from the Open Learning University to develop a proposal which wil then be discussed in various committees in the college. fall goes well, it may be possible to offer to students next year the possibility of undertaking a ‘combined Emily Carr College-Open Learning ‘Agency degree. T think everybody at the College is tobe congratulated on raising the awareness of the Ministry to the importance of our concerns. ‘Tape on the Floor ‘You may have noticed semicircles of grey duct tape on the floor in front ofthe reception desk. ‘They represent some physical testing that is part of a review we are currently undertaking concerning ‘public access" to the college. Part of the job of our new Curator, Grog, Bellerby, is to coordinate those activities of the college which aro of special educational interest to the public, such as exhibitions in the Concourse Gallery and the Charles H. Scott Gallery, and public lectures. ‘An important support to these activities will continue to be the heroines ofthe front office or information centre who daily cope with an ever {increasing traffic of calls and personal inquiries ‘and who represent the College’ front line with the public. (The equivalent of our entire full-time student body visits the Charles H. Scott Gallery, the Concourse Gallery, and the information desk every three days.) That publi also includes all of 1us who equally seek information and assistance. ‘Anything we ean do to improve the physical environment for those support staff and which can, in turn, make their contact with the public more ‘effective is, in my opinion, well worth exploring. But Greg's review will frame a broader picture than the tape on the floor and will include a ‘number of objectives to improve communication ‘through improving the physical space in and. around the lobby area. Here are several objectives which have been developed after extensive discus- sion with many administrators, staff and faculty. Having seen a petition for student mailboxes last ‘week, Ihave suggested we ada that item to our plans as well. 1. Toimprove access and information for the general public and the college community by articulating and improving the entrance space for: (a) information reception function, (b) Concourse Gallery, (c) the Charles H. Scott Gallery, (@) wheelchair access through lobby doors. 2. _ Toimprove working space and equip- ‘ment for information centre staff by articulating various functions to include: (a) telephone commt- nication with the public — switchboard funetion, (©) personal communication with the public — reception function, (c) typing and support service to Gallery and other 3. Toimprove staff and faculty access to {xieting mail area by improving cramped cond 4. Toprovide additional mailboxes or ‘other means of convenient and direct communica- tion of information to students 5. _ Toprovide an organized and acces- sible space for telecourse tutors to pick up and return mailed student assignments. ‘This review will take some time to translate into plans. In due course, these plans will be posted visibly for your comment and feedback before implementation. Our Bursar, Brad ‘Campbell, will be exploring additional capital funding to assist with various parts of the project ‘as they are determined. ‘The Report I described earlier addresses issues of access throughout the Province. Access, like charity, however, also begins at home. THE HENDERSON REPORT (excerpts ) “This review into an application by the Emily Carr College of Art and Design to grant Bachelor of. Fine Arts and Bachelor of Design degrees invest- {gated the economic implications ofthe proposal, pedagogical validity and options for implementa- tion. “The study compared similar art colleges and programs in North America and their requirements for degrees, and it considered Emily Carr College’ position in art education in British Columbia. Opinion and information was sought from infor- ‘mants in the universities and colleges and the Min- istry of Advanced Education and Job Training. “It was concluded that Emily Carr is a callege with an international standing, and that within the province the unique aspects of ECCAD's program include its emphasis on studio-based instruction, its distance education initiatives and its computer art and design program. With an appropriate addi- tion of university classes the college would have a program that is different from, but comparable to, fine art degree programs within the province's universities and elsewhere. “lt was further concluded that art degrees hhave economic significance in that they are pre- requisites for a number of artistic professions, and that the educational requirements for a degree broaden an artist’s understanding and ability to communicate. In particular, the province needs the capacity to graduate degree-level artists in design. fields. “Accordingly, itis recommended that the province support a proposal ofthe College to Implement a degree program which would add a year of university study to the present diploma, rogram. “The option of delivering an expanded arts and sciences program within the college itselfis rejected for financial and pedagogical reasons. The practical alternative is to have degree candidates, acquire necessary credits by attending university or ‘through access to university extension programs. “The issue of giving ECCAD and other colleges in the province the autonomous authority to grant degrees is problematic. “Pending the development of an institutfonal mechanism that has the authority to accredit institutions and degrees programs, resolve inter- institutional articulation issues and priorize program needs, itis recommended that the ECCAD degree be issued through the Open University “This implementation option also precludes the necessity to change and introduce new legi tion and avoids a number of unresolved policy “Tt is also recommended that ECCAD pursue affiliate agreements with the universities to ensure that its degree stream students have access to university programs. Because the College and the universities each have programs that the other needs, it may be possible to have quid pro quo agreements to guarantee mutual access.”