What is a Program Advisory Committee? Under the terms of the College & Institute Act of
the Province of British Columbia, program advisory committees are an integral part of the college system. Vancouver Community College recognizes the need for a constant interchange of information between the working world and
its faculty. Its program advisory committees provide this interchange. The education of students is for the future as well as the present, and in order to provide up-to-date and relevant education, the program advisory
committee must represent all the areas specific to the program it serves. What is expected of its members?
While the college is responsible for all "paper work" relevant to the business of the committee, the members are asked to assist in:
- determine and evaluate the needs which the program is designed to meet;
- define relevant program objectives;
- promote public awareness of the program;
- help place graduates and work experience when ever feasible;
- raise funds for bursaries and scholarships;
- secure community support for the program;
- serve on subcommittee in order to do a specific study or project:
How are members selected?
Nominations may be submitted by a member of the existing committee, or any program faculty member or college administrator subject to ratification by the dean.
Each committee elects its own chairperson and vice-chairperson for a two year term. From where are members drawn?
Members are drawn from the community at large who have a vested interest in ensuring an acceptable
standard of appropriately trained graduates from the program.
College administrators and faculty sit on program advisory committees as nonvoting members to seek advise on the current educational and training needs of the industry
in which they represent.
How much time must members commit to?
The term of appointment is two years. Usually two - three meetings are called each year, although only one is mandatory. Meetings are usually
held on campus and generally convene for an hour and thirty minutes to two hours. Dates of meetings are determined by the committee at each meeting. The meetings are usually conducted in a semiformal manner.
Refreshments, as appropriate, are served. |
