This paper documents the development of a unique institution in Canadian higher education, the university college in British Columbia. From its roots as a comprehensive community college, the university college was confronted with numerous legislative and policy changes which culminated in its current claim to be called a regional university. In…

British Columbia has implemented two significant higher education reforms in the last 15 years. The first was an "Access for All" policy, and in particular, the creation of a new breed of institution--university colleges--and recognition of the right of colleges and institutes to confer "applied" degrees. The second reform, more recent and…

The community college as it has developed in Britsh Columbia is examined with special attention to the social and historical context, the forces which lead to its establishment, and the particular form of institution which emerged. How the college attains its objectives and major problems and issues for the future are discussed. (JMF)

Traditional assumptions about the educational goals and future plans of students who transfer from community colleges to universities are explored. The roles of the academic programs of community colleges in British Columbia and empirical data on transfer rates and enrollment in transfer programs are described. (SW)

Differences in institutional autonomy, resource allocation, and planning in government-university relationships are compared for Alberta, which abolished its intermediary body (IMB), a coordinating agency in 1972, and British Columbia, which has had a Universities Council since 1974. (Author/MSE)

A study of Canadian community college goals as perceived by their chief executive officers and the provincial personnel responsible for college development shows continued emphasis on early development goals and goals reflecting provincial differences in priorities. In general, the results show diversity in community college role and contribution.…

The United Kingdom's Education Reform Bill of 1987 is designed to bring major changes in funding policy, governance, and conditions of faculty appointment. Similarities in policy direction in Canada and the United Kingdom suggest that the British situation may predict some aspects of the future of Canadian higher education. (MSE)

A study examined the extent to which Canada's community colleges have retained their 1960s founding principles in adapting to economic and socio-political change of the 1980s. It found much of the original idealism and innovation, but also several diverse ways of adjusting and a variety of techniques for managing those changes. (MSE)

The views held by board members in British Columbia, towards many of the issues in curriculum, management, and structure which affect colleges or technical institutes are examined. Results indicate that board members tend to reject strong centralization of the system. (Author/MLW)

A study of degree completion rates, time taken to earn degrees, and final academic standing in two universities showed wide variation between faculty and academic department, between the universities, between males and females, and between direct entry and transfer students. Assessment of the impact of rising admissions standards is recommended.…

British Columbia's community colleges' university transfer programs provide the opportunity for students to earn credits toward a university degree, but only a small percentage of these students actually transfer to a university. A study of students who complete transfer courses, but do not continue their study, is discussed. (Author/MLW)