College responds to Bond’s column

Dear Editor: I commend columnist David Bond’s interest in matters post-secondary, but want to correct an error in his recent column regarding economist Peter Wylie’s paper in the recent edition of B.C. Studies (Courier, Nov. 14).

Bond incorrectly identifies Okanagan College as the institution that preceded development of UBC Okanagan. In fact, the institution in question was Okanagan University College. The provincial government’s announcement of March 17, 2004 was to signal development of two new postsecondary entities in the region: a campus of UBC, taking over the North Kelowna campus of Okanagan University College (OUC), and Okanagan College, which would assume responsibility for the other campuses of OUC.

On July 1, 2005, those two institutions opened their doors officially and Okanagan University College ceased operations. In every one of the intervening 12 years, the new Okanagan College has exceeded government targets for enrolment: an accomplishment unparalleled in B.C.’s college sector.

Our enrolments have grown by 55 per cent in that period, and we have added several important academic, vocational and trades programs to the options available to the area's students, at our campuses in Vernon, Salmon Arm, Penticton and Kelowna. Allan Coyle Director, Public Affairs Okanagan College