ERIC ED405039: A Blueprint for the Future: Corporate Plan, 1995-2000.

75 Pages·1995·1.5 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
JC 970 149
ED 405 039
A Blueprint for the Future: Corporate Plan,
TITLE
1995-2000.
Aurora Coll., Fort Smith (Northwest Territories).
INSTITUTION
PUB DATE
95
73p.; Photographs may not reproduce well.
NOTE
Descriptive (141)
PUB TYPE
Reports
MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Access to Education; *College Planning; Community
DESCRIPTORS
Colleges; Community Involvement; Educational Needs;
*Institutional Mission; Needs Assessment;
*Organizational Objectives; *School Culture;
*Strategic Planning; *Student Characteristics; Two
Year Colleges; Two Year College Students
Aurora College NT
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
Providing a blueprint for the future of Aurora
College (AC), in the Northwest Territories, Canada, this plan
describes general directions and strategies for the period from 1995
to 2000. Following a summary, section 1 provides background to the
development of the plan, while section 2 provides information on the
college, including data on students and graduates. Section 3
describes AC's planning process, reviewing methods used to ascertain
community views and analyze data, and presents data on the
educational needs and characteristics of the college's service area.
Section 4 discusses AC's community-centered approach to educational
delivery, highlighting its focus on community development and the
incorporation of traditional knowledge, and provides a statement of
college values and mission. Section 5 presents the following seven
(1) increase
strategies for implementing the college's vision:
(2) continue the focus on career-oriented
community-based programs;
(3) strengthen adult basic education programs;
programs;
(4)
(5) increase understanding of
strengthen student support services;
(6) incorporate traditional
regional issues through research;
knowledge into programs and services; and (7) prepare to become a
university college. Finally, section 6 provides projections of
organizational changes required to implement these strategies, while
section 7 reviews the relationship of plan to regional educational
efforts through the year 2010. Appendixes provide a list of community
contacts consulted in developing the plan, tables of strategic
directions, and a rationale for capital investment. Contains 17
references. (HAA)
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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
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from the original document.
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A Biueprint
fe) title
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educatioruil Research and improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC)
)(This document has been reproduced as
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received from the person or organization
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Minor changes have been made to improve
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"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
T. Gauthier
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."
URORA
Corporate Pia.n
1995
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Table of
Contents
Vision Summary: A Blueprint
Section 3: Mapping Our Future
for the Future
3
Our Planning Process
14
Section I: Creating the Future
Seeking Community Views
15
Background
Analyzing the Data
The Need for a Plan
6
15
Finding Your Way through the Plan
Synopsis of Education and
7
Research Needs
18
Section 2: Aurora College-A Self Portrait
Our Early Years
Section 4: A Uniquely Northern College
8
Look at Us Now
Overview of Our Mandate
9
20
Aurora Campus
9
Northern Education Model
21
Yellowknife Campus
9
Community-Centred Approach
22
Thebacha Campus
9
Community Education Goals
Science Institute
9
and Priorities
23
The Students we Serve
10
Bridgitig-Supporting Individual
Our Graduates
Aspirations
11
23
Researchers
Community Knowledge
11
23
Highlighting Our Success
Partnerships
12
24
4
Section 4: A Uniquely Northern College
Section 6: Implementing the Strategies
Northern Values Shaping the Future
A Two-Tiered Strategy
24
40
...
Strong Communities
24
Doing More with Less
41
Access
25
Optimization of Existing Resources
41
Responsiveness
25
Funding Programs Through
Quality
26
Partnerships
42
26
Efficiency
Rationale for Strategic Investment
42
Linking the Model to Northern Needs . 27
Targeting Needs
43
Infrastructure Requirements
44
Section 5: Strategies to Fulfil Our Vision
Targeting Our Investment
45
Operations and Maintenance
Designing Responsive Strategies
28
Funds
45
STRATEGY #1:
Capital and Facility Requirements
46
Increase community based
Pacing Our Strategies
48
programs in all regions
28
Implementation Overview
52
STRATEGY #2:
Continue to focus on career-oriented
Section 7: Road Map to the Future
programs
30
Towards an Overall Vision
54
STRATEGY #3:
A Northern University in 2010
55
Strengthen the ABE program
32
STRATEGY #4:
APPENDIX A
Consolidate the Role of Student
Community Consultation
Services
33
Contacts
56
STRATEGY #5:
APPENDIX B
Establish a northern research
Detailed Cost of Strategic
agenda
35
Directions
60
STRATEGY #6:
Incorporate northern knowledge in post
APPENDIX C
secondary education programs
36
Rationale for Investment
64
STRATEGY #7:
Prepare to be a university college ... 37
References
67
2
Vision
Summary
A
Blueprint
for the
Future
The Western Northwest Territories has a
In the next five years, Aurora College will
bright future, and the next five years will
continue to do what it has done well: work
be one of the most exciting periods in our
in partnerships, and provide education pro-
history. The territory will be divided and
grams that respond to the diverse needs of
land claims and treaty entitlements will be
a small population and economic base. This
settled. Employment opportunities in the
focus is consistent with the vision people
private sector will expand. Technological
in the communities have for a northern
advances will increase the range of oppor-
education institution.
tunities for northern economic develop-
In adopting this focus, we will build on our
ment.
strengths. We have a broadly-based infra-
Aurora College will be an active participant,
structure with a presence in 19 communi-
a catalyst and a benefactor of these
ties. Aurora College has developed exper-
tise in a wide range of educational serv-
changes. This plan details the way in which
Aurora College anticipates our role in this
ices, including ABE (Adult Basic Education),
trades and career-based programs. Our
future, strategically building on successes
while recognizing the changing economic
programs are selected from high employ-
and political climate.
ment disciplines based on community or
3
Strategy #1
regional requirements. Our approach is
working to meet the diverse needs of adult
Increase Community-Based
learners.
Programs in all Regions
Approximately 7000 Northerners partici-
Based on the availability of funds, services
pated in an Arctic College program on ei-
will be expanded to communities that are
ther a part-time or full-time basis in the
currently under-served. In some cases, this
I 993-94 school year. Those students who
will mean more 'staff for the community
took courses on a professional development
learning centres, while in others it will mean
basis strengthened their work related skills
that distance education technology will be
and their overall educational qualifications
made available. Joint use agreements for
for employment. A very high proportion of
access to existing facilities in all commu-
our full-time students either got jobs or
nities will be pursued. Learning centres will
went on to further education. In sum, the
be upgraded or built in those communities
College has established an impressive
with the greatest need. Considerable staff
record of involvement with training for
effort will be directed toward promoting
employment in the Western Northwest Ter-
community learning networks and deliver-
ritories.
ing responsive programs.
The College has achieved these successes
by adopting a northern education model.
Strategy #2
This community-centred model, bridging
community needs and individual aspira-
Continue to Focus on Career-
tions, will continue to guide Aurora Col-
Oriented Programs
lege for the next five years. The values that
Aurora College will continue to adapt its
form the foundation of this model are:
programs in response to the changing la-
educational institutions should support
bour market. All programs will provide work
and enhance strong communities;
experience. Science and technology pro-
grams will be selectively developed. Addi-
all Northerners should have equitable
tional transfer agreements will be sought.
access to college programs;
Strategy #3
a college program should respond to
Strengthen the ABE Program
changing community and societal con-
ditions;
This program will be enhanced through four
central thrusts. First, we will forge stronger
programs offered should be of highest
linkages with employers. Second, partner-
quality meeting student and community
ships with schools will be initiated to ex-
needs; and
pand mutual opportunities. Third, cultural
all activities of the College must system-
relevance will be expanded and northern
atically maximize the educational ben-
instructors trained. Finally, science and
efits accrued for all funds expended.
technology components will be strength-
ened.
In preparing this plan, the College Board
Strategy # 4
consulted with community groups, the pri-
vate sector and other government agencies Consolidate the Role of Student
to discuss our approach to post-second-
Services
ary education and to establish objectives
The College aims to achieve higher
for the next five years. The Board of Gover-
nors selected the following strategies to
efficiencies by encouraging greater private
achieve the desired objectives:
sector involvement in the delivery of hous-
4
ing. At the same time, investment in sup-
tion in mind. Relationships with appropri-
port services such as recreation services
ate southern partners will be consolidated.
and counselling will be made. Partnerships
How will these strategies be implemented
with Library Services will be sought to cre-
in a time of diminishing resources? Aurora
ate opportunities for expanded library serv-
College will adopt a two -tiered approach
ices to Aurora and Yellowknife Campuses.
to resource allocation. First, we will do more
Strategy # 5
with less. Current base funds will be used
Establish a Northern Research
more efficiently. Collaborative initiatives
with our partners in education will con-
Agenda
tinue to be pursued. Second, new capital
Northern research needs will be identified
and operations and maintenance (O&M)
and will shape the priorities for Science
investments will be made in areas of high
Institute research activities. The capability
need. The areas selected for new invest-
to promote community based research and
ment are: community learning centres, sci-
information sharing will be expanded. Ap-
ence programs and facilities, distance edu-
propriate technologies for economic devel-
cation and university level programs. An
opment will be targeted for research and
anticipated time frame for implementation
development.
is provided. This time frame is designed
with the clear understanding that invest-
Strategy # 6
ment will follow in-depth proposal devel-
opment and successful fundraising initia-
Incorporate Northern Knowledge in
Post Secondary Education
tives.
Programs
Where will these strategies lead us? A vi-
brant network of campuses and learning
College programs will be adapted to incor-
centres will be working collaboratively to
porate traditional knowledge, northern con-
provide quality education programs at the
tent and community experiences and val-
campus and community levels. The number
ues. Appropriate support materials will be
of Northerners with college entrance re-
developed and northern researchers will be
quirements and college level qualifications
encouraged to participate in education pro-
will expand significantly in all regions and
grams.
all sectors. More Northerners will be trained
Strategy # 7
in the North for meaningful employment
in both the regional centres and the com-
Prepare to be a University College
munities. Decision-makers at all levels will
have been trained in programs that are de-
Aurora College will develop a readiness for
signed with northern issues in mind. The
university level programs. A long term plan
College programs and services will increas-
for university college status will be initi-
ingly be provided by Northerners. All told,
ated in collaboration with Education, Cul-
the College will play an aggressive role in
ture and Employment. Appropriate pro-
the future of the North by ensuring that the
grams will be selected for development and
strategies identified by the Board of Gov-
a human resource development strategy
ernors to meet northern needs are imple-
will be initiated. Library and lab facilities
mented to the fullest extent possible.
will be planned with this long term direc-
5
4
Section 1
=:=Z;,
Creating
IC BCI,LE
the Future
Background
to ensure that two colleges are in place to
assist the two regions to prepare for the
The Need for a Plan
The
challenges that face them. The governance
Aurora College, the new post-secondary
structure after division will be considerably
education institution that serves the West-
different than it is at present. Outstanding
ern Northwest Territories, provides post-
land claims and treaty entitlements will be
secondary education programs and re-
resolved and many communities will have
negotiated community transfer agreements.
search services at three regional campuses,
14 learning centres and two research cen-
In 1994, the Science Institute was amalga-
tres. The College was formed on January
mated with Arctic College to enhance the
1995, following the division of Arctic
1,
College's capability to incorporate current
College into two separate colleges and the
northern research and meet the needs of a
amalgamation of the Science Institute with
rapidly changing technology driven
Arctic College.
economy.
In 1999, the Northwest Territories will be
Aurora College has a leadership role to play,
divided into two new territories, Nunavut
on behalf of the Minister of Education, Cul-
in the East and a yet-to-be named terri-
ture and Employment. Our role is to assist
tory in the West. Arctic College was divided
6
Finding Your Way through
northerners to develop the skills required
to fully participate in the changes and par-
the Plan
ticularly for the employment opportunities
that will emerge. By fulfilling this role crea-
This strategic plan is set out in six sections.
tively and responsively, Aurora College will
In Section 2, we describe Aurora College,
continue to make a very significant contri-
our history and the students we have
bution to the strength and unity of the
served. This is followed by an overview of
Western Northwest Territories. The Minis-
the process used to seek Northerner's views
ter has directed the Board of Governors to
on the future direction of Aurora College
develop a plan that demonstrates the ways
and a description of the current educational
in which this role will be fulfilled.
and employment picture in the Western
Northwest Territories. Section 4 introduces
The plan, developed by the Board of Gov-
our model for the delivery of a post-sec-
ernors in consultation with communities,
ondary education program. The corporate
students, faculty and the private sector,
mission and values that will guide our work
details a corporate direction that builds on
are then described. Section 5 details the
the successes of Arctic College and the Sci-
general strategies and specific actions that
ence Institute. This plan envisions an or-
the College believes will best promote this
ganization that focuses on community-
mission and express our values. Projections
based delivery of programs and prepares
of organizational changes required to im-
for the next step toward university college
plement these changes are provided in Sec-
status. This direction is based on a vision
tion 6. Finally, the plan looks to the future
of a College that provides a full spectrum
and outlines the measurable outcomes that
of post-secondary education and research
Northerners can anticipate after this plan
services with a program balance between
has been fulfilled.
campuses and communities.
The direction for the College set out in this
document is closely aligned with the vision
articulated by the Department of Educa-
tion, Culture and Employment (1994) in the
People, Our Focus For the Future: A Strat-
egy to 2010. This plan is also guided by
other plans and reports. Specifically, the
Traditional Knowledge Policy and the re-
cent Report of the Special Committee on
Health and Social Services guided the way
in which we deal with community and cul-
tural issues.
From this plan, the Board of Governors will
lead the preparation of development plans
for the Science Institute and each campus.
Training, capital, facility, human resources
and communication plans will be prepared
with details of current needs and economic
conditions impacting the fulfilment of each
strategy. These plans will set out the way
in which this vision will be put into prac-
tice at the operational level.
10