Whitehorse –Yukon College kicks off the Fall semester on Tuesday, September 7 with a day of activities that will orient students in the right direction towards academic success. Orientation Day is the start of the two week “Finding Your Way” Student Services campaign which informs new and returning students about programs and services available to college students. The activities are centered on informing and preparing students for the academic year ahead.
Tuesday, September 7th, Orientation Day will commence at 9:00 a.m. in the College Cafeteria with an official welcome including coffee and muffins, greetings, and schedule information about the information and activity sessions. The program will run all day and include information about computer access, library services, financial aid, learning assistance, writing tips, safety on campus, services and interest activities for students. It is an opportunity to meet others and win prizes as well as prepare oneself for the school year ahead. “It’s about building your community,” says Vanessa Epp, Student Services STEP summer student and coordinator of the orientation program. “We want the student body to start off on the right foot by getting them informed about what is available to them to achieve their goals.” The Orientation activities have been in planning since May with the student hire through the Yukon Government Student Training and Employment Program (STEP).
The Orientation Period will unfold with activities over the first two weeks of the semester. Several community businesses have contributed generous donations in partnership of the semester launch. For example, for the first time, the City of Whitehorse will provide a bus and driver for the city familiarization tour for the students new to town. Other prizes include a return Air North ticket, and many gift certificates from our local vendors. The two-week orientation schedule includes First Nations cultural activities, a rock band, a movie night, a tye-dye event, a health program, an afternoon at Canada Games Centre, and lots of opportunities for eating and getting to know other students.
The Orientation Program ends on September 17.
Ann Bowen
Coordinator, College Relations
Yukon College
867 668 8786 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca
Whitehorse, Yukon– The pilot Heritage and Culture Certificate Program will be initiated with a noon hour tea at YukonCollege. YukonCollege and partners Government of Yukon’s Department of Tourism and Culture, Vuntut Gwitchin Government, and Yukon First Nations Heritage Group will welcome program developers and students to the program launch and orientation.
The tea will take place at YukonCollege:
Date: Thursday, September 02, 2010
Time: Noon
Where: Samay Thia Harry Allen Centre (First Nations Lounge Room C1404). The lounge is located just past the main Front Lobby in the C wing to the right
Media are invited to attend.
Contact:
Ann Bowen
College Relations
867 668 8786
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Klondike Institute of Arts and Culture School of Visual Arts (KIAC SOVA), located in DawsonCity, changed its name this week to the Yukon School of Visual Arts.
The change reflects the school’s growing territorial impact and differentiates the school from other arts groups in DawsonCity.
“SOVA has transformed our community and enriched the territory,” said Karen Dubois, KIAC Executive Director and SOVA Governing Council Member. "Clearly the school is now larger than just the Klondike, and this name change reflects the significance this small school has for all Yukoners."
Changing the name also gives the school an opportunity to establish a distinct identity for the program and clear up any confusion with the affiliated but distinct Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC).
“KIAC was generous to share their name and brand equity for the first three years of this program,” said Karen Barnes, Vice President, Education and Training. “We expect this name change will enhance SOVA’s attractiveness to Canadians—nearly two thirds of SOVA’s students come from other regions of the country.”
SOVA has welcomed students from all parts of Canada for the first year of a Fine Arts degree since 2005. Operated as a partnership by the Dawson City Arts Society (DCAS), Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, and YukonCollege, SOVA provides students with a unique northern education accredited by YukonCollege that is transferable to partner institutes across Canada.
Whitehorse– YukonCollege has invited motivational speaker Kevin Burns to inspire employees at their in-service during professional development day, August 25th.
Kevin Burns, a circuit speaker/philosopher from Edmonton, often speaks to government audiences about leadership, management, organizational change, customer service, and personal development. The College has seen many changes within its organizational structure over the past few years and Burns can address these issues. He relays how the topic of change within an organization can turn into personal and professional growth. The Human Resources department at YukonCollege recognizes how the message of inspiration in staff and faculty can transpire into encouragement and motivation for the learners who attend the College. “We are building our academic community by supporting those who support others toward success,” says Director of Human Resources, Jock Bryce. “Educational institutions are about lifetime learning and growth which is applicable to both employees and learners at the College.”
The annual retreat is a day that brings renewal and inspiration to the approximate 200 Yukon College employees from across the territory in preparation for the Fall and Winter semesters. The day begins with an opening prayer and speaker from the Government of the Yukon, followed by employee service and recognition awards, retirements, and special awards. Presentations about department accomplishments will be presented. The culinary arts staff will create an in-house President’s lunch buffet.
The College will be closed on Wednesday, August 25th and reopen on Thursday, August 26. Registration for courses is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Whitehorse– The Student Services group and First Nations Initiatives at YukonCollege have been busy demonstrating to peer academic communities their new partnership model. YukonCollege endeavors to use integration as a vehicle to bring the diverse student and staff population together. The integration model was presented to the academic community at Northwest Community College (NWCC) and at the nationalCanadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) conference in Edmonton in June.
The consortium of YukonCollege presenters, which included students and staff from various departments, explained to the audiences the program initiatives that are principle in culturally integrating both students and staff together. “We are a proud community to be leading the direction on sustainable communities at a national level,” says Colleen Wirth, Director of Student Services. “Involving stakeholders is part of YukonCollege’s effort in building a successful and dynamic organization within our communities.” The College’s inclusive model provides students with the capacity to assist in planning the programs. Student Services staff are cross-trained in areas so that the differing perspectives can add value to the students’ experience.
Cultural integration programs offer exposure to students and staff on drumming circles, sweat lodges, snowshoe activities, traditional food hunts and community meals. There is an elder living in the college Residence who is available to speak with students and staff. The principle intent of programming takes a holistic approach where the mind, body, and spirit are considered in the teachings of community learning. Students are encouraged to become involved in local and global activism, volunteerism, and community participation. The recent addition of a designated outdoor learning classroom, that comes with a fire pit and named after respected elder Roddy Blackjack, offers opportunities for creating different learning dynamics.
There will be more opportunities for YukonCollege to present the integration model at the upcoming Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) conference at AuroraCollege in Yellowknife in October.
Contact:
Ann Bowen
CoordinatorCollege Relations
YukonCollege
867 668 8786
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
