Camosun carpentry students kick butt
Two Camosun Carpentry Foundation students, Derek Vally and Kendall Foster, won first and second place, respectively, in the third annual BC GameChanger Youth Expo, held in Vancouver. The competition challenges students to impress with their mad carpentry skills as they work against the clock in teams of two. This year had an additional twist: the teams were tasked with supervising a randomly selected high-school student helper during the contest. The teams, over the course of a day, had to build a full-sized wishing well, starting with blueprints and completing with a finished project. Go to camosun.ca to see pictures of Vally and Foster working on the wishing well.
Camosun Chargers teams also kicking butt
Both men’s and women’s Camosun Chargers volleyball teams defeated the Douglas Royals on November 6 and 7. On November 6, the women’s team won 3-2; on the same night, the Chargers men’s team won 3-1. The Chargers kept that energy into the weekend: both the men’s and women’s teams were victorious against the Douglas Royals on November 7, with the men winning 3-0 and the women winning 3-2 in another five-set match. On Friday, November 13, the Chargers volleyball teams hosted the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades (UFVC); the women’s team defeated UFVC 3-2 and the men defeated them 3-1. The next night, the women’s volleyball team defeated the Cascades again, this time 3-1; the men’s defeated the Cascades 3-2. Meanwhile, the Chargers women’s basketball team recently lost 69-58 to the Columbia Bible Bearcats in Abbotsford; the Chargers men’s basketball team defeated the Bearcats 81-60. The women’s basketball team went on to get their first win of the seasons, defeating the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles in Surrey 67-56, and the men’s basketball team defeated Kwantlen 91-66 in their third consecutive win.
New choices for Camosun Criminal Justice students
Starting September 2016, graduates of Camosun’s Criminal Justice program will have the opportunity to complete the Bachelor of Law Enforcement Studies from the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) at Camosun. This is a collaborative effort between Camosun and JIBC based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both institutions earlier in the year. Applications for 2016’s fall term are currently being accepted through JIBC, with the option for students to complete the degree at Camosun, JIBC’s New Westminster campus, or Okanagan College’s Penticton campus.
Joint purchasing expected to save BC postsecondary schools
Camosun College, along with ten other public postsecondary institutions in British Columbia, are expecting to save up to $400,000 collectively through joint purchasing agreements for welding trades equipment. An additional collective savings of $100,000 is expected on the joint purchase of electrical equipment for BC postsecondary schools. This agreement, in addition to the $12 million promised to 14 BC postsecondary institutions to purchase new industry-standard trades equipment, is part of BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint initiative.
Enbridge interference in academia?
The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is looking into charges against the University of Calgary involving violation of academic freedoms. Senior academics at the university claim Enbridge inappropriately interfered in the university’s Centre for Corporate Sustainability after the company provided a donation to the university. A former chair of the centre claims to have been fired after raising concerns to the university’s administration on Enbridge’s inappropriate influence in the centre. Another staff member of the centre quit in protest over the university’s failure to defend academic freedom. The executive director of the CAUT, David Robinson, said in a press release that there will be further discussions within the CAUT, and that a formal investigation may need to be taken up in the future.
Ex-Victorian one of three finalists in PEAK
The Alberta PEAK Performance Project, which aims to support and promote regional musicians, has narrowed down its competition to three candidates; one of them once called Victoria home. Leeroy Stagger was raised in Victoria and will move on to the finale, scheduled for the end of November. Regardless of the results, he will be walking away from the competition a bit richer, as all of the three finalists get a nice cash prize for their efforts.
Black History Month gala calling for nominations
The Victoria African and Caribbean Cultural Society (VACCS) invites Victoria’s public to nominate a candidate or candidates for the Vancouver Island Black History Month Closing Gala and Recognition Awards. This event will feature local speakers and performers and pays tribute to distinguished members of the black community. For information on the event and to find out how to nominate a candidate, visit vaccsociety.com.
Nominations wanted for Heritage BC annual awards
The 29th annual awards program for Heritage BC needs nominees. The program recognizes outstanding and significant achievements in heritage conservation of organizations, groups, businesses, individuals, and government in communities across the province. This year’s awards will be presented in different categories: heritage conservation, education and awareness, planning and management, and the Ruby Nobbs volunteer award. Nominations are accepted until December 18. For information on nomination requirements or to find out more about the awards ceremony visit heritagebc.ca.