‘Monumental’ year kicks off at Red Deer College

In February, students living on campus will need to vacate their residences because RDC will be home to the athletes’ village during the Games. The disruption also means changes to class schedules.

Dr. Paulette Hanna, Vice President Academic, said despite the Games displacing students for a short time, it’s her hope that students can keep on top of their studies, while also enjoying their time at RDC.

“There’s very little disruption. They get a two week break now at Games time. Students living in residence with no place to go will be accommodated elsewhere, and there’s even transportation for them,” Hanna said. “I think a really good indication that it’s not a disadvantage to them is that we have an equal number of students in residence that we always have. I believe they feel like they’ve been taken care of.”

What Hanna is excited for this school year is seven new programs, including one degree in digital animation and visual effects, which boasts a full 24 students and a 145-student waitlist.

“It’s a unique program to Alberta, it’s nowhere else. It’s a four-year program and they get their degree here. Then next year to compliment it, we’ll be able to launch another degree, hopefully. We’re waiting for ministerial approval,” she explains. “We have a mandate and a need to meet the needs of the learners, so not only degrees, but we’re also going to continue on with other credentials like certificates and diplomas.”

President and CEO Joel Ward, who is nearing retirement, offered a glimpse into how the transition to a university is progressing.

“We’ll be submitting to government in October our transition plan for their approval and then we’ll be talking to the government about a new name for this institution. We will submit the new name to government in February,” he said.

Asked if there is any concern around a potential delay should there be a change in government following the next provincial election in May, Ward said everything is kosher.

“We’ve spoken with the UCP over the last year-and-a-half, first of all to garner their support for university transition and they’re on board,” Ward said. “They might have some other priorities, so there is the potential it could slow down a little bit, but there’s no indication from them at all they’d do anything to stop this from happening.”

Among other things to write home about from Red Deer College this coming year are several provincial and national sports events, the opening of a new residence and the Alternative Energy Lab, as well as groundbreaking next spring for the new Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre.

There are 7500 students enrolled at RDC for the 2018/19 academic year.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

‘Monumental’ year kicks off at Red Deer College

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