2009 Institutional Report

Reporting Institution

Capilano University

North Vancouver , BC

Representative

Dr. Jennifer S. Getsinger, P.Geo.

Capilano: jgetsing@capilanou.ca

Home office: jengets74@post.harvard.edu

Home telephone: 604-734-9365

Dr. Dileep Athaide

(on leave)

Programs/Course Changes

Courses taught in 2008-2009:

1 section of Geology 110 (Physical Geology / Introduction to Earth Sciences) in Fall 2008, 32 students. A one-day fall field trip on a Saturday is still run up the Sea-to-Sky Highway including a tour of Britannia Mining Museum .

Historical Geology (Geology 111) has not been taught for a couple of years now, in spite of some interest from half a dozen biology/geology students. Probably because Geography now counts as a lab science, and articulation for Geology 111 is awkward.

Issues/Challenges

Capilano College became Capilano University in Fall 2008. There are new signs and a new logo and the President and new Chancellor have fabulous new ceremonial gowns and paraphernalia including a native-carved staff. The Geology Department still has a budget of about $1000, just enough to cover the field trip bus.

This year the field trip bus (ordered through official purchasing channels) did not show up at the appointed time (8 AM on a September Saturday), and the field trip was only saved by the instructor phoning their competitor at the last minute; the group was postponed for only one hour, which was remarkable under the circumstances. Thanks to Tom Lynch at Lynch Bus Lines ( http://www.lynchbuslines.com/ ) for coming through in a pinch!

The geology classroom has been outfitted with a “lite lab”, a computer terminal and projector, which is great for showing You Tube videos of landslides and things like that. The previous chalk board was preferred to the white board as it was more traditionally geological. The lab prep room was broken into, presumably trying to get at the new media equipment. The only thing stolen was a key ring to several cabinets. The Capilano Facilities Dept. has not yet replaced the keys even though that was several months ago, so we have no access to the hammers or microscopes or glass mineral cabinet displays, at least until either new keys are obtained, or a large sledgehammer is applied. The thief evidently had no interest in crystals, crystal models, maps, moose antlers, or beautiful rock specimens.

Textbook: Using 2 nd Canadian Plummer et al. Would like recommendations for a good lab book.