DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 405 039 JC 970 149

TITLE A Blueprint for the Future: Corporate Plan, 1995-2000. INSTITUTION Aurora Coll., Fort Smith (). PUB DATE 95 NOTE 73p.; Photographs may not reproduce well. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Access to Education; *College Planning; Community Colleges; Community Involvement; Educational Needs; *Institutional Mission; Needs Assessment; *Organizational Objectives; *School Culture; *Strategic Planning; *Student Characteristics; Two Year Colleges; Two Year College Students IDENTIFIERS Aurora College NT

ABSTRACT Providing a blueprint for the future of Aurora College (AC), in the Northwest Territories, , 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 strategies for implementing the college's vision:(1) increase community-based programs;(2) continue the focus on career-oriented programs;(3) strengthen adult basic education programs; (4) strengthen student support services;(5) increase understanding of regional issues through research;(6) incorporate traditional 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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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

BackgroundThe Need for a Plan 6 Analyzing the Data 15

Finding Your Way through the Plan 7 Synopsis of Education and Research Needs 18 Section 2: Aurora College-A Self Portrait Our Early Years 8 Section 4: A Uniquely Northern College Look at Us Now 9 Overview of Our Mandate 20 Aurora Campus 9 Northern Education Model 21 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 11 Aspirations 23 Researchers 11 Community Knowledge 23 Highlighting Our Success 12 Partnerships 24

4 Section 4: A Uniquely Northern College Section 6: Implementing the Strategies Northern Values Shaping the Future...24 A Two-Tiered Strategy 40 Strong Communities 24 Doing More with Less 41 Access 25 Optimization of Existing Resources41 Responsiveness 25 Funding Programs Through Quality 26 Partnerships 42 Efficiency 26 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 Designing Responsive Strategies 28 Operations and Maintenance Funds 45 STRATEGY #1: Capital and Facility Requirements Increase community based 46 programs in all regions 28 Pacing Our Strategies 48 Implementation Overview 52 STRATEGY #2: Continue to focus on career-oriented programs 30 Section 7: Road Map to the Future Towards an Overall Vision 54 STRATEGY #3: Strengthen the ABE program 32 A Northern University in 2010 55 STRATEGY #4: APPENDIX A Consolidate the Role of Student Community Consultation Services 33 Contacts 56 STRATEGY #5: Establish a northern research APPENDIX B agenda 35 Detailed Cost of Strategic 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- ment. In adopting this focus, we will build on our 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- changes. This plan details the way in which tise in a wide range of educational serv- Aurora College anticipates our role in this ices, including ABE (Adult Basic Education), future, strategically building on successes trades and career-based programs. Our while recognizing the changing economic programs are selected from high employ- and political climate. ment disciplines based on community or

3 regional requirements. Our approach is Strategy #1 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. This community-centred model, bridging Strategy #2 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 form the foundation of this model are: Aurora College will continue to adapt its 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;

a college program should respond to Strategy #3 changing community and societal con- Strengthen the ABE Program ditions; This program will be enhanced through four programs offered should be of highest central thrusts. First, we will forge stronger quality meeting student and community linkages with employers. Second, partner- needs; and ships with schools will be initiated to ex- 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 consulted with community groups, the pri- Strategy # 4 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 for the next five years. The Board of Gover- The College aims to achieve higher 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 with Library Services will be sought to cre- How will these strategies be implemented ate opportunities for expanded library serv- in a time of diminishing resources? Aurora ices to Aurora and Yellowknife Campuses. College will adopt a two -tiered approach 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 Agenda with our partners in education will con- 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- Incorporate Northern Knowledge in opment and successful fundraising initia- Post Secondary Education tives. Programs Where will these strategies lead us? A vi- College programs will be adapted to incor- brant network of campuses and learning porate traditional knowledge, northern con- centres will be working collaboratively to tent and community experiences and val- provide quality education programs at the ues. Appropriate support materials will be campus and community levels. The number developed and northern researchers will be of Northerners with college entrance re- encouraged to participate in education pro- quirements and college level qualifications grams. will expand significantly in all regions and all sectors. More Northerners will be trained Strategy # 7 in the North for meaningful employment Prepare to be a University College in both the regional centres and the com- munities. Decision-makers at all levels will Aurora College will develop a readiness for have been trained in programs that are de- university level programs. A long term plan signed with northern issues in mind. The for university college status will be initi- College programs and services will increas- ated in collaboration with Education, Cul- ingly be provided by Northerners. All told, ture and Employment. Appropriate pro- the College will play an aggressive role in grams will be selected for development and the future of the North by ensuring that the a human resource development strategy strategies identified by the Board of Gov- will be initiated. Library and lab facilities ernors to meet northern needs are imple- will be planned with this long term direc- mented to the fullest extent possible.

5 4 Section 1

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Creating IC BCI,LE the Future

Background to ensure that two colleges are in place to The assist the two regions to prepare for the The Need for a Plan 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 search services at three regional campuses, negotiated community transfer agreements. 14 learning centres and two research cen- tres. The College was formed on January In 1994, the Science Institute was amalga- 1,1995, following the division of Arctic mated with Arctic College to enhance the College into two separate colleges and the College's capability to incorporate current amalgamation of the Science Institute with northern research and meet the needs of a Arctic College. rapidly changing technology driven economy. In 1999, the Northwest Territories will be divided into two new territories, Aurora College has a leadership role to play, in the East and a yet-to-be named terri- on behalf of the Minister of Education, Cul- tory in the West. Arctic College was divided ture and Employment. Our role is to assist

6 northerners to develop the skills required Finding Your Way through to fully participate in the changes and par- ticularly for the employment opportunities the Plan 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, students, faculty and the private sector, ondary education program. The corporate 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- ence Institute. This plan envisions an or- general strategies and specific actions that ganization that focuses on community- the College believes will best promote this 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 Section 2

, Aurora College A Self Portrait

Aurora College is a unique community- ritories. The seeds of the new institution centered institution that delivers post-sec- were sown with the establishment of the ondary education in every community in Adult Vocational Training Centre in Fort the Western Northwest Territories. With the Smith in 1969 and the formation of the Sci- amalgamation of the Science Institute, the ence Advisory Board in 1976. Figure 1il- College will become a lead agency for the lustrates the milestones achieved through promotion of research and technology de- the years, culminating in the amalgama- velopment in this region. In short, we are a tion and division in 1994. knowledge building agency, delivering edu- cation programs and identifying, docu- The College has emerged as a vibrant force menting and supporting northern knowl- in post-secondary education because the edge. communities, the students, staff and po- litical representatives have consistently Our Early Years pursued a vision of an educational institu- tion that is based on the values and cul- The history of the College mirrors the his- ture of the North and is attuned to the tory of development in the Northwest Ter- unique needs of Northerners.

8 Look at Us Now Figure 1: The Evolution of Aurora College

As noted in the frontispiece map, Aurora 1976 Early 1970s 1968 AdultVocational Training Centre Science Community Learning FortSmith College is comprised of three main cam- Advisory Centres Department puses, 14 learning centres and two research Board of Education 1981 ThebachaCollege _>,. 1984 Nunatta Campus FortSmith Igaluit centres. The College is coordinated from a )1( 1986 ArcticCollege 1984 Kitikmeot Campus head office located in Fort Smith and the Science Community Learning Institute Centres merge with Cambridge Bay research arm of the College is coordinated 1984 Arctic College 1987-1990 1986 Yellowknife Campus from a Sci