On June 20, Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology successfully participated in a simulated emergency reception centre exercise as part of the ongoing Durham Region’s emergency management program.

More than 300 community members and five canine participants took part in the exercise that the Durham Region co-ordinates in an effort to reinforce the practices that are in place to protect the safety of Durham residents.

The Oshawa campus has been set up as a reception centre along with other facilities throughout the region to be used during the extremely unlikely nuclear emergency, allowing Ontario Power Generation (OPG), City of Oshawa and Durham Region Emergency Social Services to provide emergency services to those in need.

During the exercise coordinated by the college’s Office of Campus Safety, participants practiced opening and operating an emergency reception centre.

Partner organizations for this regular exercise included OPG, City of Oshawa, Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, Durham Regional Police Service, Victim Services of Durham Region, the Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team and Oshawa Animal Services.

Learn more about emergency preparedness at durham.ca/demo

The Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE), Durham College’s (DC) newest building has been honoured before the doors officially open. DC is proud to have been presented with the prestigious 2018  Urban Design Award from the City of Oshawa at a special awards ceremony, held at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa on June 14.  

Scheduled to open in September, the CFCE is the college’s most ambitious and transformative initiative in the institution’s 51-year history. Montgomery Sisam Architects designed the building in a joint venture with Architecture Counsel Inc. The CFCE replaces DC’s aging Simcoe building, which was built as a temporary structure and opened in 1969. 

A combination of limestone, white architectural block, wood soffit, and a Muntz copper metal panel system create a dynamic expression that references the existing campus while maintaining an efficient, more modern enclosure. Inside, Montgomery Sisam and Architecture Counsel designed light-filled, flexible spaces to accommodate a wide variety of programs and student needs.

“We are proud to be creating a facility that will expand local programming, further connect Indigenous communities to post-secondary education and drive entrepreneurship and internationalization in our community,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “The CFCE will be an educational hub that is about building possibilities and helping students realize their full potential by offering experiential learning opportunities designed to match the needs of industry, reflecting Durham College’s dedication to meeting the demands of students, employers and our changing economy.” 

The accessible, four-storey, 75,000-square-foot-facility will house three new interprofessional simulation lab and an anatomy and physiology lab. There will be a full-service spa that will support the Massage Therapy, Cosmetic Techniques and Management, and Esthetician – Spa Management programs. The CFCE will also include new academic learning spaces with the addition of nine general purpose collaborative classrooms and a state-of-the-art Global Classroom which enables students to interact with other students and experts from around the world. There will also be 10 classrooms for the Centre for Success program which allows secondary students to participate in post-secondary courses and apprenticeship training to earn dual credits that count towards both their high school diploma and post-secondary credential. The First Peoples Indigenous Centre, Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions and Research office’s FastStart operation will all be housed in the new building as well.

“The CFCE building is visually unique and will serve as a stunning gateway for the college,” said Lovisa. “The architects have cleverly included part the college’s history into the new building, by creating a beautiful entrance feature, which incorporates a living wall and reclaimed stone from the original Simcoe building.”

The Oshawa Urban Design Awards program was created in 2011 to recognize the significant contributions that architects, landscape architects, urban designers, planners, developers, builders and other individuals make to the appearance, livability, and quality of life in Oshawa.  In 2012 the college received an Award of Excellence for its Student Services building, which officially opened in March 2011.

In addition to receiving this award DC’s CFCE building is also eligible to participate in the 2018 National Urban Design Awards (Tier II) Program administered by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Roger Anderson’s legacy was remembered by all who took to the greens during the 21st-annual tournament that bears his name. Held on June 14 at the Deer Creek Golf and Country Club, the Roger Anderson Charity Classic is one of Durham Region’s most popular and well-established fundraising events.

This year 220 golfers came together, raising $339,000 to support students in financial need at Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), as well as child and youth programs at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. This brings the total amount of funds raised since the tournament’s inception to more than $6.5 million.

Karim Mamdani, president, and CEO, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences; Dr. Steven Murphy, president, UOIT; Don Lovisa, president, DC, attended the evening’s cheque presentation, offering their own thanks for the hard work and dedication of the tournament organizers and the generosity of its sponsors. Roger’s son, Warren Anderson, also attended with his wife Sarah and daughter Riley, representing the family and honouring his father’s contributions over the last 20 years.

Tournament organizers are grateful to all the sponsors, volunteers and golfers for their generous and continued support and efforts to make this year’s Roger Anderson Charity Classic a success.

Durham College (DC) is pleased to share it awarded its seventh honorary credential to Kent Farndale during the Spring Convocation 2018 ceremony on Monday, June 11, at Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre.

Given in recognition of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the college, Durham Region and beyond, in the areas of leadership, innovation and partnerships, Kent received a diploma in Community Development.

Guided by a passion for volunteerism and civic advancement, Kent has been a driving force behind many developments and initiatives in Durham Region.

“We could not think of a more deserving person to receive this award,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Kent’s contributions to both the college and broader community are substantial and have helped organizations across the region grow and thrive, which makes her diploma in community development very fitting.”

Her history of civic involvement began when she successfully campaigned to retain and restore Port Perry Town Hall. Extensive philanthropic endeavours have followed, that have seen her foster partnerships between countless organizations that contribute to the education, health and culture of the region.

These include a fundraising campaign to build the R.S McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, as well as the My Health, My Hospital campaign and championing the expansion of the Community Memorial Hospital in Port Perry.

Kent also chairs the Lakeridge Health North Durham Community Council, serves on the Scugog Council for the Arts Board of Directors and has had the Scugog Memorial Public Library’s art gallery named after her.

A keen supporter of Durham College, Kent, along with her now late husband, established the Douglas and Kent Farndale Culinary Award in 2012 and contributed to the capital campaign to build the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food.

Her awards and recognitions are numerous and include the Durham Region Art of Transition Lifetime Achievement Award, the Province of Ontario’s 10-Year Service Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Trust. Nationally, she is the sole recipient of the Lescarbot award from the Government of Canada and has been awarded the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Canada 150 Medal.

Ontario’s colleges face a province-wide funding shortfall of more than $100 million a year that the province’s next government needs to address.

“College education gives students a competitive edge in this knowledge-driven economy,” said Don Lovisa, President, Durham College. “It’s essential that we continue to deliver high-quality programs that produce job-ready graduates who are prepared with the skills and knowledge to succeed.”

A number of factors are affecting Ontario’s colleges, from declining enrolment to cost increases related to the rate of inflation. Meanwhile, per-student provincial funding has fallen every year since 2007-2008.

Ontario’s colleges currently receive the lowest per-student funding in Canada. The per-student revenue for colleges is lower than the amounts provided to Ontario universities and high schools.

Currently, colleges need an additional $100 million per year to maintain programs and services for students.

While some of the cost pressures were offset this year by an increase in international students, the increasing dependence on international student revenues to balance College budgets is not sustainable and therefore the long-term challenge remains.

As accelerating automation and innovations revolutionize the workplace, Ontario needs to invest in college education. More students need to acquire the specialized qualifications and expertise that lead to rewarding careers.

Colleges are calling for candidates in the provincial election to commit to investing in student success. Some of the options for addressing the colleges’ funding shortfall include:

• Enhancing the annual operating funding provided to colleges.
• Creating a tuition-fee framework for colleges that is distinct from the tuition framework for universities.
• Developing a targeted funding increase to expand science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) programs by 30 percent over the next four years.

“Chronic underfunding is putting the long-term sustainability of college education in Ontario at risk,” said Lovisa. “Our next government needs to ensure we have the resources to provide students with the knowledge and expertise that lead to meaningful and rewarding careers.