RDC establishes cannabis free policy across campuses

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Red Deer College, like all post-secondary institutions across the country, has had to carefully consider our position about cannabis use on campus. After looking at what this means for RDC and all of the people who use our campuses, we have established that RDC will be cannabis free across our campuses, including all Residence units.

We have a diverse population of people of all ages who are at our campuses each day, and we also know that we will have equally diverse opinions about the decision for RDC to be completely cannabis free.

To provide background on this decision:

  • RDC’s campuses are subject to City of Red Deer bylaws, including the recently updated Smoke Free Bylaw, which prohibits consuming cannabis in public, including smoking and vaping cannabis.
  • This bylaw applies to all areas of campus except our Residence units. As a landlord, RDC has jurisdiction under the Residential Tenancies Act of Alberta to decide whether or not to allow cannabis use in Residence. RDC is banning cannabis use and consumption in Residence because we believe it is the best way to serve the health, safety and wellness needs of all people living in Residence, including families and children.
  • Safety is another important factor, as students, faculty and staff all operate and use a wide variety of potential safety hazards in our shops and labs. We want to provide a safe place for people to learn, work and have success at RDC.

The new Cannabis on Campus Policy has been created to address our position. Additional details are also available on the Cannabis on Campus page on RDC’s website and on the Health, Safety & Wellness page on TheLoop.

The legalization of cannabis in Canada is new for our society, and RDC has made the decision to be cannabis free because we believe it is in the best interest of our College community. We want to provide a safe place for people of all ages to learn, work and live, and creating a cannabis free campus is another way to achieve this.

 

If you have questions, please contact me at Shelley.Ralston@rdc.ab.ca or at 403.314.2472.

RDC students elect 2018-19 Executive Team

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Students at Red Deer College elected the 2018-2019 Students’ Association executive March 22 in its general election.

The new executive team is: Chaise Combs, President; Esther Oliva-Dzib, Vice President Academic; Adam Shendaruk, Vice President Operations and Brittany Lessard, Vice President Community & Wellness. Students also elected members of SA Council — Justine Ecker, Kendra Gagne and Ian Miller.

All newly elected members of Executive Council and SA Council officially take office May 1, 2018.

“We would like to send out a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the election,” said President Kass Scholze, “especially to all the candidates.

“It takes a lot put yourself out there and run a campaign while maintaining your studies. It clearly demonstrates how passionate students are about their education their future and Red Deer College.”

The current executive team —  Kass Scholze, President; Marian Young, Vice President Operations and Chaise Combs, Vice President Student Life — remain in office until April 30, 2018.

Students’ Association pleased degree-granting approved for RDC

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The Students’ Association of Red Deer College is pleased the government has approved degree-granting status for Red Deer College.

The change means Red Deer College will be able to pursue granting its own degrees, in addition to certificates, diplomas, applied and collaborative degrees and apprenticeship training.

“This is a big day for the students of Central Alberta,” said Kass Scholze, Students’ Association President.

“Student leaders have lobbied for degrees at Red Deer College for decades — and today is the day that ask becomes a reality.

“It has not been a quick or easy process and it has taken a great deal of hard work and dedication for RDC to finally be at the cusp of granting its own degrees. Today is a big day for the future of Red Deer College and Central Alberta.”

Students come to Red Deer College for the small class size, close campus community and faculty and staff that are invested in their futures, explained Scholze. Students want to be able to pursue their entire degree in that same environment and continue to be a part of Central Alberta.

“This change means students will no longer be forced to up-root their lives to complete their education. It will allow access to degrees right here at home within the next few years,” said Scholze.

“Students will be able to complete their degree on a campus and in a community invested in their success and future graduates will be a vital part of Central Alberta.”

Students have been lobbying for degree-granting at RDC for decades. Student leaders have organized multiple campaigns including 1992’s trip to the Legislature to lobby for degrees and 2016’s postcard campaign which saw postcards signed by Central Albertans supporting degree-granting delivered to the Legislature.

SA Election nomination period closes March 13

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Students interested in running for Students’ Association Executive Council or Student Council for 2018-2019 have until March 13 at 4 p.m. to submit their completed nomination package.

Four executive positions — President, Vice President Operations, Vice President Academic, and Vice President Community & Wellness — and 12 councillor positions are available to be filled through this election.

If you’re a leader and an advocate, you can be a Councillor or an Executive! For more information, please come see Martin Cruz, Elections Officer at the Students’ Association Offices.

RDC’s bold future as a university

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Fifty-four years serving learners and our communities.

One hundred programs — and growing — in a variety of disciplines.

More than 60,000 alumni.

One decision, years in the making.

You, our current students, are witness to an exciting decision by the Alberta Government that allows RDC to transition to a university and grant our own degrees. We’re grateful for the support of our Government. This includes Premier Rachel Notley, Minister of Advanced Education, Marlin Schmidt, and our local MLAs, who shared the momentous decision about our institution’s future as a university with an enthusiastic crowd in the Arts Centre last week.

The announcement acknowledges the growth, and evolution, of RDC as a mature academic institution. It provides us with a starting point from which to foster new future opportunities.

We will continue to offer everything we do now, plus grant our own degrees. This includes trades, certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, applied degrees and degrees in collaboration with our partners at the University of Alberta, University of Calgary and Mount Royal University.

As a comprehensive regional teaching institution, we can now offer opportunities that will allow more students to complete their education closer to home and choose to stay in our region after graduation. The impact on families and communities cannot be overstated.

What our future as a university looks like is still unknown. It won’t happen overnight. But the potential is vast.

Our institution will continue to measure our success by who we let in, not who we keep out. We will fail if our students are not challenged by programs that stretch them, empower them, and prepare them for the ever-changing nature of work. Applied learning, and applied research that connects students with leaders in business, industry and the not-for-profit sectors, solving real world problems, will be the centrepiece of what we continue to do.

We appreciate, and want to acknowledge, current and past Students’ Association executive members who have worked diligently with us to represent you, our students, in achieving this milestone. We’re excited to continue this work with them, and all of you, to help define our future as a comprehensive regional teaching university.

Our journey starts now to become a university. The significance of this announcement will resonate for generations to come. We will not let you down. We have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity, and together we will imagine and create an institution of which we can all be proud.

We hope that Red Deer College will always have a special place in your heart, and that you’ll always feel welcome here.

As always, if you have any suggestions or questions, please email me at rdcprez@rdc.ab.ca or call my office at 403-342-3233.    – Joel Ward, RDC President

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: JOEL WARD, RDC PRESIDENT

Student recognition nominations open

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Believe it or not – it is Student Recognition Event time!

The committee had their initial meeting and are planning another gala event.

This is all about recognizing those outstanding students at Red Deer College who go above and beyond normal expectations.

This award is not about academic excellence or super athletics. This award is for students who volunteer, who give of their time selflessly to help others, who contribute positively to college culture.

If you know someone who fits that bill – nominate them for the award. Do not procrastinate.

The form is online and you can access it at rdc.ab.ca/recognition. Remember, the more information you give about the individual the more likely the committee will look seriously at their nomination. One sentence saying how wonderful they are will not do the job.

Expert tip: You might want to complete the write up on a Word document and cut and paste it into the online form.

Election season begins at the Students’ Association

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Are you a leader? Are you an advocate? Run with us!

The Students’ Association is a student-led non-profit organization that focuses on representing and advocating for Red Deer College students. The Students’ Association also provides programs and services that enhance student life on campus.

When we say “student-led”, we’re serious. Your Students’ Association is governed by 12 Councillors who are full-time students on campus and represented by four student Executives (President, Vice President Operations, Vice President Academic, and Vice President Community & Wellness).

If you’re a leader and an advocate, you can be a Councillor or an Executive! Nominations opened February 1, 2018 – and if you’re unsure, please come see Martin Cruz, Elections Officer at the Students’ Association Offices. Nominations close March 13 at 4 p.m.

As a Councillor, attending meetings will become a norm. Students’ Association Council is expected to meet at least twice during the summer months and bi-weekly between September and April. Councillors are also required to sit on at least two Council Committees within the Students’ Association. But don’t worry! The Chairperson for the committees will try to schedule meetings that accommodate everyone’s schedule.

No experience is required. Joining Council is a great opportunity for those looking to learn about governance, discover how a non-profit organization operates, acquire knowledge of finances, meet new people, or for those who care about the student life on campus! There will be training, teambuilding, and most importantly, time for newly-elected Councillors to ask questions.

When it comes to Executive Council, each office has different responsibilities and it varies from year-to-year with the on-going changes within the political and social landscape in post-secondary. As the official representatives of RDC students, all members of the Executive Council (President, Vice President Academic, Vice President Operations, and Vice President Community & Wellness) are the official lobbyists on behalf of the Students’ Association. They must also perform all their duties as outlined in the bylaws and policies to the best of their abilities with the interest of all Association members in mind.

For more info on the specific job descriptions, please visit the SA Website, refer the SA Bylaws, or meet with the Elections Officer!

If running for any of the available positions is not your thing, don’t worry! There are other opportunities available within the Students’ Association that you’d probably be interested in such as volunteering or joining one of the committees. We encourage anyone who is a leader or an advocate to get involved, hone those skills, and be able to contribute to the College community!

Awards Season at RDC: Nominate a student leader

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Nominate a post-secondary  student, who demonstrates outstanding dedication and leadership to fellow students and to their community, for
a scholarship!

Application forms for the following awards are available at the RDC Student Funding & Awards Office (Room 1102), the Students’ Association Office (Room 2010) or the Donald School of Business (third Floor) or on the RDC website www.rdc.ab.ca/scholarships:

Students’ Association of Red Deer College Student of the Year Award
Value: $1000
Eligibility: Awarded to a student who has been enrolled in a full-time capacity.  Executives of the Association in the year considered will not be eligible.
Criteria: Awarded to the student who most demonstrates outstanding contributions and leadership in the field of student affairs. The recipient of this award will have performed at a level well above the requirements of that individual’s position.

Students’ Associationof Red Deer College – Terry Wood Scholarship
Value: $800
Eligibility: Student who is a member of the Students’ Association of Red Deer College.
Criteria: Student must have demonstrated personal growth and involvement leading to the betterment of the Students’ Association and its’ members.

Students’ Associationof Red Deer College Outstanding Dedication Award
Value: $500
Eligibility: Awarded to a Member of the Association. Executives of the Association in the year considered will not be eligible.
Criteria: Based on outstanding contribution and leadership in the field of student affairs.  The recipients of this award will have performed at a level well above and beyond the requirements of the individual’s position.

Students’ Association of Red Deer College Student Volunteer Award
Value: $300
Eligibility: Awarded to a Member of the Association.
Criteria: Based on volunteer activities that benefit the students of Red Deer College.

Students’ Association of Red Deer College Mental Health Initiatives Award
Value: $300
Eligibility: Awarded to a Member of the Association.
Criteria: Based on outstanding leadership in the area of mental health initiatives.
Application forms are available at the RDC Student Funding & Awards Office, the Students’ Association Office or the Donald School of Business or on our website www.rdc.ab.ca/scholarships:

Deadline for submission to the Student Funding Office is March 1. Contact Lisa Misanchuk for more information at 403-357-3641 or by email lisa.misanchuk@rdc.ab.ca.

Reinstatement pending for French 203

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In April 2015, Red Deer College eliminated all language programs due to budget constraints. The Students’ Association worked tirelessly to survey students and gather support from community members, some French courses were reinstated for the second half of 2015-2016 academic year.

Over the course of the two years, the College has been monitoring enrollments for French courses and noticed that there is a demand for additional courses. French Intermediate Level II (FREN 203) will be reinstated for Winter 2018, however, it is conditional upon enrollment of students.

Registration for FREN 203 will be available until December 15, 2017 through your Loop accounts. FREN 203 will be offered from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the upcoming semester.

For more information or questions, please contact me at sardc-president@rdc.ab.ca or stop by the SA Office in 2010, next to the Train Station

Kass Scholze
SA President

Semester bus pass reloads available

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The semester pass, valid from January 1 to April 30, can lead to big savings. Students can save up to $100 a term by purchasing/reloading a semester pass. (Must be a registered RDC student to purchase and use pass.)

Simply head to the Students’ Association office to reload or purchase your semester bus pass. A reload costs $140, while a new semester pass costs $145. New semester bus passes can also be purchase at the Donald School of Business third floor information desk.

Students can also reload monthly passes and 12-ride cards at the Students’ Association office.