College Council Highlights - October 2021

An assembly of faculty, support staff, students, and administrators, Humber College Council (HCC) is Humber’s collective employee voice, making suggestions to Humber College’s President as it relates to long and short‐term priorities outlined in the institution’s Strategic Plan. To ensure the Humber community is informed of upcoming events, new initiatives and important issues, HCC reports the highlights of its monthly meetings through this medium.

HCC held its second meeting of the 2021-2022 academic year on Thursday, October 14, 2021.

VISITING SCHOLARS, RESEARCHERS AND PARTNERS POLICY AND PROCEDURE

Gina Antonacci, Senior Vice-President, Academic tabled Humber College’s new policy and procedure for visiting scholars, researchers and partners for HCC’s review and comment. With an increase in the number of these college visitors, the college recognized the need to standardize the process and clarify procedures. Previously vetted by other key departments and units at the college, following the HCC discussion, the policy and procedure will proceed to the Executive Team for approval.

HUMBER TOMORROW UPDATE

Regan Mancini, Institutional Planning Specialist, Institutional Planning & Analysis provided a brief overview of Humber Tomorrow. Between April and May 2021, Humber engaged more than 700 employees in discussions about the college’s strategic plan priorities to hear what has changed since March 2020 and what the college needs to succeed in building the Humber of tomorrow.

What has changed: Humber’s program delivery and its students have altered. As courses were moved online, it was recognized that in-person learning does not equate with online learning, no delivery mechanism is universally suited, and students could be drawn from across the world. Humber recognized the need to respond to a shifting student base: displaced workers as a result of COVID-19; a new type of high school student given requirements to learn online for extended periods; and the need to focus on underrepresented students in recognition of systemic racism.

What Humber needs to succeed: Employees suggested the college build on the three words associated with its strategic plan - Lead, Transform and Differentiate – and to do this by providing a seamless and consistent exceptional student experience that focuses on:

  • quality and alignment with industry and community needs
  • choice in how and what students learn, including competency-based education and non-PSE (microcredentials, PLAR, CPL, pathways) and the establishment of standards for online/digital courses
  • connecting students to one another, professional networks and work integrated learning
  • services that support their health and well-being, including mental health and financial needs
  • the values of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), sustainability, universal design for learning (UDL), and Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing (IWKBD)

Similarly, they suggested the college provides an exceptional work experience for employees, one that focuses on health and well-being, seeks to diversify our workforce, and uphold Humber’s values.

In terms of next steps, the learnings from this consultation will inform the refresh of Humber’s academic plan and digital campus plan.  For more information on Humber Tomorrow and the college’s planning, check out this video from the President’s breakfast.

A HEALTHY STUDENT COMMUNITY: AN OVERVIEW OF THE HEALTHY CAMPUS COMMITMENT AND OKANAGAN CHARTER

Ian Crookshank, Dean of Students briefed HCC on the draft healthy campus framework, a key Humber initiative emanating from pillar 3 - Healthy and Inclusive Community - of the college’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan.

As the college community came together to provide input into the draft plan, key intersecting areas that build on one another were identified.

  • Values - respect, compassion, courage
  • Lenses - EDIB, sustainability, IWBKD
  • Dimensions - mental, physical, financial, social
  • Impact Levels - individual, organizational, community

Regarding impact levels, while there was a focus on optimizing student success at the individual and organizational level, the college recognized that the creation of a healthy campus community is also linked to a broader community environment.

Implementation planning is underway.  In terms of next steps, the draft framework will be presented to its Executive Sponsors. The framework will be presented to the Board of Governors in January 2022. The college is working on establishing and implementing a Humber Healthy Community Brand and communications strategy, finalizing the implementation plan, and continuing current initiatives and programs that align with the Okanagan Charter. The college will also align this framework and plan with the various frameworks and plans that contribute to a healthy campus: We Got You, Employee Engagement, Sustainability Plan, Indigenous Education Plan, EDI Framework.

CAMPUS SERVICE’S INITIATIVES

Paul Iskander, Director, Campus Services, Alex Hoa, Assistant Manager, Cafe LinX and Retail Services, Alessa Crispo, Senior Manager, Student Life & Campus Experience – Chartwells, and Don Henriques, Manager, Operations, Campus Services presented on past Campus Services achievements, current initiatives and those planned for the future. The following were profiled:

Past achievements

  • The Spot: A zero waste facility, with a seasonal inspired menu, and offering vegan, vegetarian and meat options.
  • The Street Café: Offers an international cuisine inspired menu with a play on street food.
  • BCTI self-serve station (upper level): Uses cashless payment and self-checkout.
  • Virtual Teaching Kitchen: Offers students another way to learn directly from a chef. Operational since January 2021 and focused on wholistic and healthy food creation.
  • The Soup Bar: A collaboration between Humber and Ignite, the bar uses produce from Humber’s community garden and has a location on each campus (North 1703 and Lakeshore 633).
  • Food Locker and Boost app: Enables students to pre-order and skip the line to obtain their food – offering the option to have it delivered or to be picked up from a food locker.
  • Dining Plan Office: Established to manage food gift cards, commuter meal plans and the residence dining plan. It is the point of contact for students who wish to make an impact on their menu choices.

Current initiatives

  • O2GO Containers: A reusable program that removes single use containers
  • Roots and Seeds: A new food station that focuses on using a plant-based menu and offers a variety of bowls and sandwiches.
  • Culinary Wellness Committee: A forum for the Humber community to discuss Health and Wellness initiatives related to food.
  • Virtual Food Hall: A ghost kitchen offering a variety of food options at convenient pick-up locations.
  • ONECard: Enables staff and students to purchase food at service locations using their ONECard.

Looking forward

  • Expansion of O2GO across the entire campus
  • Retail Revitalization: A new food service experience offering non-brands, fresh options, healthy choices and rotating menus, with new dining facilities at various locations on campus. The 7th semester and Doris Tallon rooms will be replaced with a new facility in the BCTI.
  • Off Campus Partnerships: The Dining Plan Office will form off-campus partnerships to diversify food options, expand options for ONECard use, and enhance community engagement.

NEXT HCC MEETING

The next Humber College Council meeting will be held online on Thursday, November 11 through Microsoft Teams.

For questions or comments about HCC meeting highlights, contact Regan Mancini. For supporting materials or opportunities to provide feedback, please visit the College Council Website or contact Shovani Samalia.