The Squamish campus of Capilano University has geared its programming toward the community after last spring's programming cuts.
In May, the university's board cut 40 per cent of the institution's adult basic education (ABE) courses. At the time, Capilano was providing three times the amount of adult learning required to meet community needs, said Chris Bottrill, the dean of the university's Squamish campus.
Students and faculty were pushing for more degree-based programs, classes that couldn't be accommodated if the level of adult-based learning was maintained.
"What we really wanted to do was to be more relevant to the needs of the community to provide university programming," he said.
Starting in January 2012, officials are adding English 100 and Psychology 100 to the university's program options. In response to a need expressed by local entrepreneurs, the campus will also offer a Business Administration Certificate in the new year.
"We are trying to gauge the needs of the community, but it is fairly apparent there is a need for small business and enterprise development," Bottrill said.
The campus will continue to offer its preparatory programming, which includes ABE in English, mathematics and sciences. Currently, 72 students are enrolled in the classes. The courses help prepare students for post-secondary education, Bottrill said, adding they enable pupils to keep one foot in the community and carry on toward university.
The campus runs two destination programs - the Wilderness Leadership Certificate and the Destination Resort Management Diploma. Capilano was one of three universities to offer the resort management course 15 years ago. Today the diploma is an industry standard, Bottrill said.
Capilano University's Squamish campus opened in 1995. Today, close to 200 students attend the facility.
"We are making a very strong, concerted effort to be a strong contributor to the community," Bottrill said.
If funding was available, the chair of the Capilano Students' Union said he believes the Squamish campus could open more university courses. Squamish resident David Clarkson originally enrolled at the Squamish campus, but was forced to make the commute to the North Shore because of limited classes.
"In the big picture sense, it would definitely be quite desirable to see expanded programming," Clarkson said. "I think I know about 100 Capilano students from this community."
The university hasn't received a core funding increase from the Ministry of Advanced Education in three years, he noted. Bottrill has approached the union with the idea of setting up a focus group, including students, to examine the campus's future options, Clarkson said.
For more information about the campus and its program visit www.capilanou.ca/squamish or call (604) 892-5322.
