CONCEPT: Meeting the Objectives
Whistler's 2020 Learning Strategy is written as follows:
"Whistler is committed to being a learning community. The Learning Strategy addresses resident and visitor needs for formal and informal learning opportunities, and includes school programs, distance learning, professional learning, and learning to enhance personal fulfillment and community participation."
Whistler U directly and specifically addresses this strategy!
Whistler 2020 identifies the following objectives to reach their learning strategy and these pages note how Whistler U will enable the Municipality to meet each of these objectives:
- Diverse, affordable and accessible lifelong learning opportunities exist to meet the community's needs
The programs at this comprehensive learning center will be designed to serve all ages within the community and will have the capability to offer virtually any locally designed programs where demand exists.
- A learning culture is nurtured and promoted locally and regionally through diverse formal and informal opportunities and leverages Whistler's international stature
Where a university exists in a community, the very nature of the culture within that community changes to one that gains in international stature wherein learning is seen as both important and enriching. Heidelberg, in Germany, provides an excellent example of a tourist destination that is enriched by the presence of a University.
- The early learning needs of children in the resort community are met
Many universities offer daycares with play based early learning opportunities that enhance those programs offered by the local school district. We believe this possibility exists at Whistler U.
- A high quality kindergarten through post-secondary education system offers a diversity of programs that meet the needs and expectations of the community
Whistler U answers the second half of this equation. It would offer a post secondary program which would enable residents and visitors alike a place to continue their education within the community – an opportunity that is sorely lacking today.
- Residents and visitors have many opportunities to actively learn about the resort community, the natural environment and First Nations culture
Examining the proposed programs and the unique academies and scheduling clearly demonstrates that the campus would offer another reason for visitors to experience the full diversity that Whistler offers.
- Opportunities exist within developed and recreational areas for people to learn about the natural environment
One of the major program offerings proposed for Whistler U would be a degree that focused on sustainability studies including an emphasis on the environment. We have even offered to house the proposed sustainability center on campus which would be economically advantageous for the community.
- Learning opportunities contribute to the local economy and attract visitors to the resort community for learning vacations
The proposed leadership center is but one way of attracting visitors to the resort for a learning vacation as are the conferences that would be offered particularly in the slow off seasons. We would envision significant use of the current hotels stock to house those attending these 'special' programs including higher usage of the conference center. This is a win-win approach for the all businesses in the resort.
- Learning opportunities foster collaboration, trust and community engagement and build the community's capacity for achieving Whistler's vision of success and sustainability for future generations
This is precisely what Whistler U would do for the resort! With a President who grew one of our public universities by 8,000 students in ten years while winning awards for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas on campus, Whistler U would work in collaboration with the community to create a world class campus that ensured continuing success after 2010 and long into the future.
* Green highlight indicates the descriptors in which the university contributes.
|
