The Faculty Staff Association (FSA) has reached a deal with BCIT after months of bargaining and strike action. Electronic balloting ended on January 30th revealing a clear majority of the 827 FSA members that cast their ballots indicating their concurrence of a settlement agreement. Executive Director of the FSA, Paul Reniers, said the newly ratified…
Retired sexual health educator Meg Hickling discusses sex, society, and the next five generations The last time I was in a room with Meg Hickling, she was explaining to me how to wash my genitals properly. This grandmotherly registered nurse has taught sexual health education for over 30 years to children and parents all over…
Federal government under fire after losing files on 583,000 Canadians who borrowed from 2000-2006. Over half a million student loan borrowers may be at risk following the federal government’s loss of a hard drive containing their personal information. Diane Finley, federal minister of human resources and skills development (HRSDC), released a statement earlier this month…
Funding from province to replace decades-old equipment to modernize programs For students using heavy duty machinery at BCIT, it is time to say goodbye to the dark ages, and welcome some current technology into your training. The province of British Columbia announced they would invest $1.5 million into what they call “new skills training equipment” at…
Grant allows one of BCIT’s most energy inefficent buildings to turn over a new leaf BCIT’s least sustainable building is likely the welding shop, building NE8 at Burnaby Campus. That will change after the building’s upgrade, set to begin this month. According to Alexandre Hebert, energy and sustainability manager at BCIT, a proposal was made…
BCIT Recreation Services is doing away with the parts of the activity equipment rental program as the new fiscal year approaches. Equipment rentals are offered at a discount rate (particularly when compared to commercial rates) to enable BCIT students and staff relief from school stress and an opportunity to experience BC, says Peter Odynsky, recreation…
University of Western Ontario student newspaper threatened with eviction After occupying the same office for four decades, the Gazette was threatened with eviction. Student council said it will relocate the campus paper to a smaller office to make room for a multi-faith space. This was only the latest in a string of conflicts; after the…
BCIT establishing a stronger international relationship with its partner institutions two BCIT staff members has strengthened BCIT’s international relationship with partner institutions and helped enrich the academic experience for domestic students. The trip was taken in late 2012 by Tracy Wang, the business development manager for BCIT International, and Pommashea Noel-Bently, vice president of external…
Bargaining will resume this month after the union agreed not to take any strike action during the holiday season Faculty and Staff Association (FSA) and BCIT will resume this month, while the British Columbia Government Employees’ Union (BCGEU) also has yet to reach an agreement with BCIT. BCIT President Don Wright has announced that he…
On-campus Wi-Fi connectivity struggles to keep up with demand as number of devices continues to grow BCIT’s efforts to keep up with the increased number of independent Wi-Fi capable devices on campus have not eliminated student frustrations over connectivity and other Wi-Fi related issues. The BCIT Student Association (BCITSA) has received numerous, continuous complaints from…
Modern, professional, and friendly facility offers friends of BCIT an attractive daycare option After a complete renovation of the SE41 building, BCIT Burnaby Campus can now boast a professional, fully licensed childcare centre. Able to cater for 25 children from BCIT or the local public (with BCIT students and staff receiving preference), the…
Future of UBC microbrewery remains murky UBC’s new Student Union Building (SUB) will be opening soon, but there are questions about the student-run microbrewery set to be located there. In a spirited debate, Alma Mater Society (AMS) executives, permanent staff, alumni, and a vocal delegation from the BrUBC home-brewing club discussed the financial aspects of…