THE ST. CLAIR COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY

	M I N U T E S

	of the

	321st MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

	HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1999

in the Board Room, South Campus, 2000 Talbot Road West, Windsor, Ontario at
8:00 p.m.

P R E S E N T:		Ms. M. Bearfoot-Jones
		Mr. R. Cameron
Mr. R. Feldmann
Mr. S. Funtig, Chair
Ms. J. Harris
Ms. D. Livneh
Ms. C. Lucier
Ms. L. McGeachy Schultz
Mr. R. McMaster
Ms. J. Pocock
Mr. D. Richardson
Rev. J. Redican
Mr. R. Williams

Mr. J. McGee, President
Ms. D. Desjardins, Corporate Secretary and Executive Assistant to the Board of Governors

Also present were:
Ms. L. Watts, Vice President, General Studies & Student 
Services
Mr. K. Gill-Gore, Executive Assistant, President’s Office
Ms. P. McMahon, Dean, Health Sciences 
Mr. M. Vourakes, Chair, Hospitality, Tourism and Casino Management Programs
Mr. D. White, Director, Business and Technology
Ms. L. Logan, Director, Financial Services
Ms. R. Hicks, Faculty Observer
Mr. R. Erwin, ASA Observer
Mr. D. Watts, Faculty member, Graphic Design Program
Ms. S. Favaro, Recording Secretary

A B S E N T: 		Mr. J. Belanger
Mr. R. Pollock

Board of Governors 				-2-					1999 05 25

Mr. Funtig chaired the meeting and Ms. Desjardins was Secretary.

A quorum of the Board of Governors being present, and notice of the meeting and the agenda having been duly sent to all Board members, the meeting was declared to be regularly constituted.  A copy of the Notice of Meeting/Agenda is attached as Appendix  A.

1.0	ADOPTION OF AGENDA AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION

The President indicated the recommendation contained in Item 4.2 will change; Items 4.3 and Item 4.4 were changed to information items and Item 6.0 – Report on KPI Steering Committee from Rev. Redican was added to the agenda. 

99-24	RESOLVED THAT the agenda
be adopted as amended.

2.0	APPROVAL OF MINUTES

99-25	RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the
April 27, 1999 meeting of the Board
of Governors be approved.				

3.0	POLICY DEVELOPMENT

3.1	Honorary Diploma Recipients

The President announced the acceptance of honorary diplomas by Mr. Michael Solcz, Mr. Anthony Toldo, Mr. Thomas Joy and Mr. Calvin Parent.  Also, on June 19th in Chatham Ms. Gwen Gold will receive an honorary diploma.

4.0	MONITORING REPORTS

4.1	Centre for Excellence in Manufacturing – Visual Demonstration

A copy is attached to the agenda as Item 4.1.

The President reported on the activities around the CEM.  He stated the College was unsuccessful in the previous round of funding for the Strategic Skills initiative but application is being made again because the need for the kinds of grads St. Clair produces has increased and there is an urgent need to satisfy that requirement.  There were two funds announced 

in the budget:  1) Strategic Skills initiative of $20 million which the College will be reapplying for with the belief that we have a very compelling case) and 2) Super Build Growth fund which is a capital fund

Mr. McGee noted that in talking with more and more employers, he has found there is very high-end visualization being used by a number of the first and second tier suppliers here as well as extensive use of simulation.  He then introduced Mr. Dan White, who presented the uses of animation in the building technology and trades area.

4.2	Digital Animation Program

A copy is attached to the Agenda as Item 4.2.

Ms. P. McMahon report that she and two students participated in a Young Entrepreneurs Mission to northern California with the Minister of Industry and Trade.  She briefed the board on the highlights of the tour.  She then introduced Mr. Dan Watt who presented the Animation Program to the Board.

Mr. Watt advised the College has been working on the Animation Program for about two years.  He explained there are a lot of opportunities for graduates of our program locally.  Although feature film is significant, there are opportunities which exist locally for graduates in areas such as CD ROM, CD games, CD interactive, architecture, interior design and many other areas.  He noted three programs have been developed:

1.	A traditional Animator Program which is a combination of traditional and digital.  It is a three-year post-secondary program with a proposed launch of January, 2000.  Graduates would be prepared for entry level into the animation field.  This program will be a lap top program, which would minimize some capital expenditure.

2.	A Hybrid Animator Program which has traditional and digital components.  It would be a post-diploma program of 8 months in length.  The curriculum that has been put together is one of a kind and has been approved by DreamWorks. The College presently has 22 SGI workstations that would be used in this program.

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3.	An Industrial Animator Program.  This would be of particular interest to the Windsor-Essex/Chatham-Kent market.  It is also a post diploma program and would be of interest to a grad or someone working in the field of industrial design.  Launch date 2001.  

The President clarified that the 8-month, $15,000 program is not being recommended presently, but the post-secondary program is being recommended for launch.

Ms. Lynn Logan remarked that the tuition has been reviewed and it would be deregulated at $2,500 which is about $800 beyond our existing tuition.  (See Projection for Revenue and Cost attached.)  She explained we are looking at a deficit in the first three years of the program, beginning then to contribute 30% to overhead.  She stressed that to launch any new program the College must make an investment.  No post-secondary program will break even on tuition alone.  She explained the slip year funding and noted the risk is $165,000. 

In response to a board member’s question, administration will report back on the number of animators hired by Windsor business in the last six months to a year, how many colleges in Ontario have an Animation Program, how many students are enrolled in those programs, and how many students those programs turned away that would be potential students for our program.  Dan Watts noted our curriculum is very different than any other animation program being offered in Ontario.  He also indicated industry has advised that grads from programs at other colleges do not have the skill sets that will address their particular needs.

A governor pointed out that when we talk about identifying our core business, prioritizing and focusing, there are some things that seem natural for Windsor such as a hospitality/gaming, and a manufacturing centre.    He asked if this is something this college should be doing, and if it is one of our niches.  Another governor requested a business plan for this program which would outline where graduates would be employed, who our partners are, etc.  In response to a governor’s question about raising tuition to cover costs, Dan Watts explained that this is a three-year program and students would be purchasing a lap top in addition to their tuition.  First year would cost about $8,000 for the lap top, software and tuition.

Mr. Watts further added that the Hybrid Animator Program curriculum is complete and ready.  The post-secondary program is already 

				- 5 -				1999 05 25

well on its way and we are working with Warner and Disney in terms of the content.  The Industrial Animation Program curriculum is yet to begin and would not be ready for about a year.  It is also a 14 week program and relatively expensive. 

With reference to the concern about core business, the President noted a trend toward the design area.  He reported the College has design activity in interior design, advertising, journalism, architecture and also mechanical engineering technology and graphic communications.  55% of the economy here is manufacturing and that manufacturing component is not just in the tool and die and moldmaking activity of the first and second tier suppliers of the big three, but it also includes the business activities, journalism, marketing and activities that support the manufacturing sector.  There is an increase in animation that is working its way back into the plants.  Mr. McGee further added that Valiant Tool is using animation now and they would be interested in working with the College on a research project.  He expressed the opinion that animation does play a key role with the College’s core business and the transferability of skills from the post- secondary program to industrial design is compelling and bears consideration. 

The President also explained the concern about hiring faculty with the right skill set.  If this program is not approved in June the impact would be a delay until September, 2000.  

99-26  RESOLVED THAT administration be requested to bring to the next meeting a business plan for all three programs presented, which includes a sensitivity analysis on tuition fees.

4.3	Casino Training – Detroit Market

A copy is attached to the agenda as Item. 4.3.

The Chair reminded everyone that this item is for information only.  Mr. Vourakes provided an update with regard to the Detroit casino training market.  He pointed out that American casinos will not train directly with St. Clair College and discussions were held with Wayne County Community College with regard to a partnership, however, that did not work out.  We had initial inquiries from Wayne State University and Lawrence Technological University.  It looked for a while like a partnership could be worked out with LTU but they have now indicated they have not made the 

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inroads they expected and consequently there would be no gaming partnership with us.  

In response to a governor’s question, Mr. Vourakes explained that MGM has their own training school and Atwater, Circus Circus and Greektown are using Wayne County Community College.  WCCC is the only college that has been able to make the inroads with the casinos to date.

4.4	Canadian Federation of Chefs and Cooks

A copy is attached to the agenda as Item 4.4.

The President advised this proposal would not proceed because the Federation was really looking for someone to sponsor them for a few years.  It was agreed that if we ever do move forward on a Hospitality Centre or their situation changes, they would continue to be interested.

4.5	Communications Audit

The President expressed his appreciation to the Board members who participated in the focus groups as well as the staff members.  He then distributed a handout showing the types of groups that were invited to participate (attached as Item 4.5).  He expects to have a report by the end of June advising of the findings.  At that time the report will be distributed to the board and to the college management committee.  

5.0	INFORMATION

5.1	Industrial  Technology Assistant – National Research Council

The President informed the Board that the College has been been approached by the National Research Council to consider having an Industrial Technology Assistant placed here at the College.  There is one presently at the University of Windsor.  It was felt the activity in Windsor-Essex/Chatham-Kent requires some assistance, therefore, they are looking at someone who would look at Mechanical Engineering and perhaps agricultural activities.  We are presently waiting to hear from the NRC with regard to the next step.  In response to a question, Mr. McGee noted the NRC will pay the salary to a certain level and they also pay opportunity costs for facilities, office space, secretarial services, etc. which pretty well covers all costs.  The person would be at the College to help to promote 

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industry and to help develop industry, but also, with them operating out of the College provides a very good link for us to industry.

5.2	Linkage Meeting with Industry – June 22nd

The Chair advised that on June 22nd the Board will be going out to Mr. Toldo’s facility in Tilbury.  He remarked that as a board, we have to reach out to see industry’s needs so we can develop long term directions, opportunities that are available to us.  After Tilbury Mr. Toldo will give the Board a tour of his design centre in Windsor.   The tentative agenda is as follows:

2:30 – depart Windsor for K.S. Centoco Ltd., 26 Industrial Park Road, Tilbury
3:30 – Tour of facility
4:30 – Depart Tilbury for Centoco Plastics Limited at 2450 Central Avenue, Windsor
5:30 – Start Plant tour, followed by dinner and board meeting

Further details will be provided to members at a later date.

5.3	Walter Coulter Scholarship

A copy is attached to the agenda as Item 5.3.

	The President reminded the Board members that they approved $5,000 being set aside annually from the Foundation towards an endowment.  The Foundation is seeking an endowment of about $20,000 which would allow for a $1,000 scholarship being awarded annually.   The President advised that the Foundation is recommending personal support by members of the board and a pledge card is included in the board packages for consideration.  He then expressed sincere appreciation, on behalf of the Foundation, to those board members who have given and who will give.

5.4	Market Segment Information

A copy is attached to the agenda as Item 5.4.

		The President stated a board member, during the recent budget presentation, requested this information.  Ms. Watts then reviewed the contents of the report.  She noted the member wanted to relate the budget 

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costs to the post-secondary enrolment.  In response to a governor’s question regarding the cost of a post-secondary student on average, Ms. Watts advised the costs vary depending on the program.

6.0	REPORT ON INVOLVEMENT WITH KPI STEERING COMMITTEE

A copy is attached to the minutes as Item 6.0.

	Rev. Redican provided a brief overview of his report.  He noted that no matter what model the Ministry uses, it does not look like it would have a serious impact on the colleges.  There is no funding formula yet on KPI.

7.0	CONSTITUENT REPORTS

There were no constituent reports.

The Chair provided information on the May 12th ACAATO General Assembly meeting at Humber College.  A governor then suggested two possible topics for future discussion by the Board:

1.	Jobs Investment report and the environmental scan.  Rev. Redican felt this would be something worthwhile for the Board members to review.
2.	The Peace Accord between the colleges and the universities.  This is well worth discussing particularly in terms of degree granting and what impact it would have.

The Chair also suggested the President spend some time at a future meeting helping the board members understand the environment in which the college operates.

8.0	DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the full Board will be on Tuesday, June 22, 1999, in Windsor.