I am writing to follow up on my note from early October regarding the start of term, and the steps we are taking to support our students, faculty and staff.
I want to extend my thanks to everyone for their ongoing dedication to our students’ success, and for their willingness to work collaboratively to address challenges related to our growing and changing enrolment.
Addressing the issues identified with our start of term has been the number-one priority for me, and I’m grateful to faculty and staff from all areas of the College who have gone above and beyond in identifying and implementing solutions. We continue to make progress in areas that have been identified since the start of term.
Academic preparedness
Through concerns brought forward by faculty – through Beacon or communications – International has worked with service areas to organize testing for students whose academic success may be at risk due to English proficiency.
Based on results of the testing, we found that students have fallen into three groups:
- A small number of students were unable to demonstrate English and listening comprehension beyond minimal levels and have been redirected to English for Academic Purposes (EAP);
- A second group demonstrated reasonable language proficiency but may need additional supports to be successful, and they will be enrolled in mandatory language support; and
- The third group demonstrated high levels of proficiency in English, and may need different supports to help them succeed.
As we strive for continuous improvement in all of our operations, International and Academic & Learner Services will work with our faculty and staff to identify and pursue ways to improve our processes moving forward – including ways that we can equitably improve the quality of incoming students and strengthen cultural understanding for our entire college community. This may include enhanced language and cultural programming for students, extended orientations, and language supports from the moment that second language students arrive.
Classroom Task Force
Thanks to issues brought forward by faculty and staff across the College, the Classroom Task Force that formed this fall has been able to make several improvements to the learning experience in our classrooms and labs:
- Working together, the Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE), Information Technology Services (ITS) and Facilities Management Services (FMS) have made significant progress on the installation and repositioning of white boards, screens, document cameras and lighting controls where needed;
- Where requested, classroom orientation has been changed to improve sightlines, and frosting has been applied to glass walls;
- Irregular button layouts on AV systems are being replaced at night over the next few weeks; and
- Classroom equipment that has been identified as faulty, has been repaired or replaced, and software has been installed in rooms M110 and M112.
Additionally, the Registrar’s Office and Scheduling are assessing options to address additional concerns, and FMS has initiated work to replace blinds at both campuses. Due to the various sizes and orientations of windows at the Welland Campus, this work may take longer there.
Beyond the issues identified by faculty and staff, all classrooms were reviewed as usual over the recent break week to identify any additional items to be addressed and many issues were repaired immediately.
A further review of classrooms and labs will be completed over the winter break.
Commons spaces and libraries
We continue to dedicate additional resources beyond classrooms and labs to ensure that we are accommodating our increased enrolment. Additional cleaning resources have been added, and parking has been expanded at both campuses – the paving of the overflow lot at Welland (lot E3) will create new spaces, as will the paving of the former contractor’s lot (D4). Seventy-five new spaces are now available at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, adjacent to the Marotta Family Innovation Centre.
FMS and ITS are also consulting with library staff on solutions to overcrowding and shortages of loaner laptops.
We’re also reaching out to students for feedback on how we can make our Student Commons and cafeteria areas more amenable as an alternative to the library.
Student transportation
Since the beginning of the school year, we have been working closely with the Niagara College Student Administrative Council and have made significant progress resolving some of the challenges we’ve faced with regards to transit services to and from our campuses. Working in collaboration with Niagara Region Transit, we have added buses to routes between the Welland Campus and Niagara Falls, extended service on routes between Niagara Falls and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, and created a private shuttle service that runs daily from each campus to Niagara Falls. The start of the winter semester will see further additions and improvements.
Our progress in addressing these important issues is due in large part to our ability to work together – whether as individuals, departments or divisions – guided by our shared desire to see our students succeed. I ask you to continue to provide feedback, share information, and reach out to appropriate areas when required.
Thank you once again for your continued work in support of our students.
