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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-20 Minutes1-4 Task Force for Attracting Higher Education Facilities Minutes of Meeting Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. Meeting Room lA Present Were: Paul Halliday, Chair Dorcas Gordon ' Pierre Tremblay Bill Humber Valentine Lovekin Special Guest: Dr. Brian Desbiens Staff: Faye Langmaid, Manager of Special Projects, Planning Services Linda Coutu, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Regrets: Mayor Jim Abernethy Deborah Patrick Paul Halliday called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. L SPECIAL GUEST - DR. BRIAN DESBIENS, FORMER PRESIDENT OF SIR SANDFORD FLEMING COLLEGE . Paul Halliday introduced Dr. Brian Desbiens and, in addition to the brief bio that was distributed to committee members, Paul shared a bit of personal information about Dr. Desbiens, including that Dr. Desbiens was a successful hockey player and had attended Michigan State on a hockey scholarship. Additionally, Dr. Desbiens grew up in St. Catherines where his father was the General Manager at the General Motors plant. Dr. Desbiens started his presentation by stating that, when he was a university student, he had written a paper on the proposed college system, before the existing college system was implemented. Dr. Desbiens advised that he retired from the position of President of Sir Sandford Fleming College in 2004 and is currently working as a senior consultant for the Student Leadership Support project trying to meet needs of mentally ill or at risk children and their families. Dr. Desbiens shared his vast knowledge of information and experiences that he gained over the years in the college system. He emphasized that there are dozens of communities across Ontario trying to attract postsecondary education to their communities, so there is competition. Further, in his experience, the communities which succeed do so when they have various components or factors in their plan aligned. During the course of information sharing, Dr. Desbiens outlined the following key areas of importance in attracting a higher education facility: Demographics • Is there a demand ' • Is the population growing • Sufficient youth population as well as general population • Participation rates -who is going to college; what are they studying; where are they studying? Specialization • Can we find something that is unique to Clar-ington • A specialty brings a focus and identity to a small campus • Community could build around specialty • Other programs would be offered in addition to specialty Partnerships • Needed in order to start • Matching funds in money, land or building (the Province now expects up to 70% of any new project to be funded by the partners) • Win/wiri situation • Community support • Public/private partnerships Leadership • Political • Education Partners • Community Leaders • Employers (and not just manufacturing, service sector also) • Business community • Often need a "white knight" A Compelling Case • What's the story • Discussion of the Polonsky case for UOIT (ie Oshawa the largest community in Ontario without a university). It wasn't true, but it helped mobilize the community Dr. Desbiens went on to advise that leadership is extremely important during the process of attracting post-secondary education, The leader is sometimes seen as a "white knight" (particularly when they dip into their own pocket to make a significant contribution) and is passionate and enthusiastic about the project. Strong leadership is a must; however, the team approach is equally important. The community must fully support the vision. He went on to talk about the economic cycle that affects infrastructure funding and how the planning cycle allows an opportunity to be ready when the next window of opportunity presents itself -when the economy rebounds. Spending in the current cycle is currently complete and the new cycle of opportunity is likely to be a few years away. But this is an opportunity in that it gives us a good planning window. He emphasized that the province likes to divide and conquer and that any plans we make and promote will have a greater chance of success if we have all our ducks in a row and all the forces in our community aligned. Discussion ensued pertaining to the various elements presented by Dr. Desbiens and the committee members discussed their obligation to present recommendations to Council. Dr. Desbiens agreed to review the committee's draft report which will be started at the next meeting. Paul Halliday thanked Dr. Desbiens for sharing his thoughts and experiences with the Committee and asked him to stay for the remainder of the meeting. 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 6, 2010 Moved by Bill Humber, seconded by Pierre Tremblay THAT the minutes of the meeting of May 6, 2010, be approved. "CARRIED" OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business discussed at this meeting. 4. ADJOURNMENT Paul Halliday adjourned the meeting at 9:20 a.m. An informal discussion took place to plan the next meeting. At copy of the formulated plan is attached to these minutes. Group Process for June 29 Working Meeting The group believes that there is likely to exist a high degree of broad agreement regarding our conclusions and recommendations. Nevertheless, as we all know, the process of writing a group final report is often tricky. It's important that it be a group process in order to minimize biases and maximize ownership. ' We agreed on the following three-step process: Ste One This step to be completed by each group member by June 25); Each group member will draft a list of major recommendations for presentation to Council. These should be of limited number, and succinct, and need not list supporting information or facts. These should be submitted (by June 25) to Linda Coutu so that they may be transferred onto large index cards (hence the need for brevity). Also, each of the group will draft aone-page vision statement. Ste Two At the June 29 Working Meeting) The group will consider the various vision statements to pick out and reach consensus on major themes. Subsequently, the group will sort and organize the recommendations. Obviously, there is likely to be overlap and some will likely be combined. Some others maybe the subject of debate. It is envisaged that we would stick them up around the walls and organize them in various ways until we're happy with the overall result. Subsequently, or concurrently, we will add sticky notes below with supporting arguments (or facts or data) under each agreed maj or recommendation. At the end of the exercise we will, in theory, have the. skeleton of the report we wish to make to council (minus the introductory material and word-smithing). And, most importantly, it will have been the result of a collaborative group effort. The last duty of the group at this meeting will be to appoint two (or more?) to write-up the draft report. Step Three Following the June 29 meeting) Following the June 29 meeting the two appointed scribes will wordsmith a document and circulate it to the others for final input and suggestions.