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Peer Tutor Tuesdays with Gurinderpal Singh Dhillon

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Gurinder Dhillon

Name:       Gurinderpal Singh Dhillon

Program:  Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET), Power Option – Level 4

What attracted you to becoming a Peer tutor?

I like to teach other students. I want to know how other people think and how they tackle any problem.

How has tutoring helped you?

It’s a good way to review all the stuff I learned in previous semesters.

If you could give one piece of advice to a BCIT student what would it be?

I know a lot of BCIT students just study all day and night and don’t pay much attention to their health. My advice to them would be don’t stress out too much. Go to the gym or do other physical activity and stay healthy because your health is the most important. You can be a lot more productive if you stay healthy.

What would your dream job be when you leave BCIT?

I would like to work as an Electrical Technologist/Designer/Field Service Representative.

If you had a free day, how would you spend it?

I would workout, hang out with friends.

We wish you all the best Gurinderpal and hope you find that dream job!

Time Capsule sealed until BCIT 75th Anniversary

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The honoring ceremony begins.

The honoring ceremony begins. Joanne Stone-Campbell explains the BCIT Aboriginal Services blankets that cover the bentwood boxes. Photographer, Scott McAlpine

On February 29, 2016, Leap Day, a few people from the BCIT community gathered for a ceremony to honour the artist James Michels and to seal the two bentwood boxes that he made for this purpose. The boxes will not be opened until BCIT’s 75th Anniversary in 2039-2040.

Feather and Smudge shell on top of one of the Blanketed cedar bentwood boxes.

Feather and Smudge shell on top of one of the Blanketed cedar bentwood boxes. Photographer, Scott McAlpine

 

The honouring ceremony began with a cleansing Smudge lead by Alf Dumont, BCIT Aboriginal Services Elder and BCIT Aboriginal Services Advisor. He offered the smoke from tobacco, cedar, sage, and sweet grass to all who were there, as a way of preparing ourselves for the experience we are going into. “This allows us to focus on what is about to happen,” Elder Alf said. “We are putting memories of our community into these boxes, we are all responsible to carry memories.” Everyone present was invited to sweep the smoke over themselves and draw it into their hearts.

Smudge ceremony

Mirabelle Rohatgi taking the Smudge offered by Alf Dumont. Photographer, Scott McAlpine

Joanne Stone-Campbell, BCIT Aboriginal Services coordinator, spoke about the significance of the boxes. They were made by artist James Michels of the Cree and Metis nations, in the traditional Northwest Coast method of steaming and bending a single plank of cedar wood into the shape of the box. Stone-Campbell explained that the blanketing ceremony honours “the importance of our gifts to be put in the time capsule.”

The boxes housed within the bentwood boxes are fireproof and waterproof. They hold memories and stories of the BCIT community as we celebrated our 50th Anniversary. More than fifty items have been included in the 2014/2015 time capsule. These include local and national news articles about BCIT during its’ 50th year, 50th anniversary promotional items and memorabilia, as well as letters to the future. Some highlights include a replica vintage ‘I *heart* BCIT’ button, three banners representing the different BCIT 50 years colours, the special edition BCIT & Beyond Link Magazine 2015, The Vancouver Sun, Saturday, October 4, 2014,’BCIT: 50 years and counting: Institute broke new ground and launched thousands of careers,’ and the gorgeous, limited edition, BCIT 50 Years viewbook (only 60 copies printed). BCIT Aboriginal Services graciously contributed many special items and photographs including a wood box representing a bentwood box, decorated with the Aboriginal Services logo, designed by Chief Ian Campbell, Squamish Nation. The design represents mind, body, spirit and the Coast Salish welcome, hands held up. This item was given to grads and special guests for the June 2014 Aboriginal Graduation Ceremony.

Time Capsule boxes as they were being packed.

Time Capsule boxes as they were being packed. Photographer, C. McLellan

Bill Their and Rene Jacques sealing the boxes.

Bill Their and Rene Jacques sealing the boxes. The storage boxes were packed with foam, then a layer of plywood, more Styrofoam, tape and then a fast-drying sealant. Once dry they will be topped with the artist-made solid cedar lids that are painted to match the House Post. Photographer, Scott McAlpine

BCIT Aboriginal Services thanked everyone involved in the process of the safe housing of the Time capsule; from the artist to the people from facilities who did the planning for the sealing and the labour.

Once Their had smoothed the concrete Dumont was given the honour of marking the wet sealant.

Elder Alf Dumont

Elder Alf Dumont getting his hand dirty for posterity! Photographer, Scott McAlpine

The date, Dumont’s handprint and signature.

The date, Dumont’s handprint and signature. Photographer, Scott McAlpine

For the sealing of the second box everyone got in on the fun. Writing in wet cement is harder than you might guess. Donna Woo made it look easy!

Everyone signs the second box!

The ‘I LOVE BCIT’ sticker fell off Sandra Matsuba’s jacket and there it stays for the next 25 years! Photographer, Scott McAlpine

Group shot!

Thanks to everyone who made it a special event! And a heartfelt shout out to those who had other places to be. Photographer, Scott McAlpine

Where will you be in 2039-2040? What significant changes do you see happening to BCIT in the next 25 years? If the people planning the unveiling plan it just right they can do it on a Leap Day. See you on February 29th 2040!

I was honoured to be a part of this project and delighted with my silk scarf decorated with the Aboriginal Services logo. As an archivist I spend a fair amount of my time looking back at history. I believe that looking back is a powerful way to plan and be ready for the future. Putting together this Time Capsule invited us to meditate on where we might be in 25 years. I will end with the quote about Archives and the power of Archives that I used at the end of the ceremony. A dear friend and fellow archivist in the UK, Geoffery Yeo:

Archives and records are important resources for individuals, organizations and the wider community. They provide evidence of, and information about, the actions of individuals, organizations and communities and the environments in which they occurred. They extend and corroborate human and corporate memory and play a critical role in maintaining awareness of how the present is shaped by the past…they are among the tools we can use to help us understand where we came from and where we are going.

 

 

Peer Tutor Tuesday with Andrea Hoegler

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Andrea Hoegler

Name:       Andrea Hoegler

Program:  Sustainable Resource Management

What attracted you to becoming a Peer tutor?

I have always had an interest in teaching. Prior to coming to BCIT, I worked as an ESL teaching assistant in a middle school and also tutored adults who had not completed high school. Having not yet worked with people in my own age group or at the post-secondary level, I saw peer tutoring as a new challenge and exciting opportunity.

How has tutoring helped you?

Tutoring has definitely made me realize that all students have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning, and it has even helped me to recognize my own. As both a student and tutor at BCIT, I have also really learned to appreciate working with and helping others to achieve common goals.

If you could give one piece of advice to a BCIT student what would it be?

Manage your time well, and get some rest!

What would your dream job be when you leave BCIT?

I’m still figuring out what my dream job is, but I’m hoping to work in the field of urban forestry and/or environmental education and outreach.

If you had a free day, how would you spend it?

Hiking, followed by eating lots of sushi!

Andrea can definitely help you develop your writing skills. To book an appointment, visit the Writing Centre online.

Peer Tutor Tuesdays with Charles Gallagher

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Charles Gallagher

Name:       Charles Gallagher

Program:  Mechanical Engineering Degree

What attracted you to becoming a Peer tutor?

I was attracted to becoming a peer tutor to improve my leadership skills while helping others to succeed.

How has tutoring helped you?

Tutoring has helped me to work with and understand a variety of people coming from different directions and backgrounds.  My learning and teaching skills have improved and tutoring sessions act as a great way to review previous course material.

If you could give one piece of advice to a BCIT student what would it be?

Read your textbooks on the bus; you paid for them!

What would your dream job be when you leave BCIT?

My dream job after leaving BCIT would be a junior engineering position with a Vancouver-based start-up company in the clean energy transportation sector.

If you had a free day, how would you spend it?

If I had a free day, I would go for a nice long day hike.

Charles is a welcome addition to the Learning Commons and we wish him all the best!

 

Power Hour with Dr. Rajiv Jhangiani – The future is open

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All staff and students are welcome to attend Power Hour this Thursday, February 25th from noon until 1:30 with Dr. Rajiv Jhangiani in Student Council Chambers, SE2, 324.

Rajiv Jhangiani teaches psychology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Vancouver, BC, where he conducts research on open education and the scholarship of teaching and learning. An author of two open textbooks, Dr. Jhangiani serves as an OER Research Fellow with the Open Education Group and Associate Editor of Psychology Learning and Teaching.

“Open educational practices” is a broad term that encompasses the creation and adoption of open textbooks and other open educational resources, open course development, and the use of “non-disposable assignments.” This presentation will make a case for why the move away from traditional (closed) practices is not only desirable but inevitable, and how students, faculty, institutions, and our communities all stand to benefit greatly from this transformation.

You can also participate online:

Go to www.bcit.ca/live
Login using your BCIT ID and password
Once the live video is available, use the field below the video feed to post questions. (Note: your name will display with any questions you post.)

Think Pink!

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Pink shirt day, which raises awareness about the anti-bullying campaign, is just around the corner – Wednesday, shirt-34238_640 (1)
February 24th. To show your support wear some pink on that day, and if you are able drop by the new SA stairway in the Great Hall (SE2) at noon for a group photo. The message is clear “kindness makes a difference.”

Our library collection includes many titles, both print and electronic, on kindness, resilience and assertiveness – here is a small selection, and don’t be shy to stop by and check out more…

Leading with kindness : how good people consistently get superior results by William Baker and Michael O’Malley
 Call #: HD 57.7 B3475 2008 also available as an ebook
Capitalizing on kindness: why 21st century professionals need to be nice by Kristin Tilquist      
  ebook
The wisdom of no escape and the path of loving kindness by Pema Chodron
 Call #: BQ 5625 C48 2001
Coaching for resilience: a practical guide to using positive psychology by Adrienne Greene and John Humphrey
  ebook
Lift: becoming a positive force in any situation by Ryan Quinn and Robert Quinn
  ebook
Raising resilient children by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein
  Call #: HQ 769 B68175 2001
Assertiveness: how to be strong in every situation by Conrad Potts and Suzanne Potts
 ebook
Giving voice to values: how to speak your mind when you know what’s right by Mary Gentile
 ebook

See you on the 24th – I’ll be the one in pink!

 

Peer Tutor Tuesdays with Levi DeVries

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Levi DeVries

Name:        Levi DeVries

Program:  Mechanical Engineering

What attracted you to becoming a Peer tutor?

I enjoy teaching things to people. I find it very satisfying to be able to explain a difficult concept in such a way that someone who was having trouble is now able to understand it.

How has tutoring helped you?

Tutoring others has helped reinforce concepts that I had learned earlier on in my degree but I had begun to forget.  Additionally, the act of teaching a concept to someone else helps me increase my own level of understanding in that subject.

If you could give one piece of advice to a BCIT student what would it be?

Be very intentional about writing neatly and clearly organizing your work (especially when you are learning something new!).

What would your dream job be when you leave BCIT?

I would like to design heavy machinery and mobile equipment.

If you had a free day, how would you spend it?

Fishing.

If you’re looking for help in Mechanical Engineering, stop by the Learning Commons and say hello to Levi!

New year’s resolutions? We can help….

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The jury seems to be out on whether making new year’s resolutions is a good idea or not, but if you’ve made them, and if you want to stick to them, these titles from our Popular Reading collection might keep you on track…

If you resolved to be more vigilant about your finances, save up for something big or pay down your debt, these books by Gail Vaz-Oxlade provide advice:

  • Money rules : rule your money or your money will rule you
  • Debt-free forever

Or for financial guidance that promises not to be boring and includes zombie and Star Trek references:

  • Wealthing like rabbits : an original introduction to personal finance, by Robert R. Brown

If you resolved to be more organized, check out The Life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo.

Maybe eating healthier, preparing more food at home more is on the menu? If so, we have:

  • At home in the whole food kitchen : celebrating the art of eating well, by Amy Chapin (A James Beard Foundation Award winner )
  • The Oh she glows cookbook, by Angela Liddon
  • Deliciously Ella by Ella Woodward

And if your resolution is simply to read more, browse through our Popular Reading guide – I’m sure you’ll find something that will suit you.

Merry Christmas from the BCIT Archives!

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Yule Link from December 1965.

Yule Link from December 1965.

Happy Holidays and all the best for 2016 from the BCIT Archives! This is some fun original art created for the December issue of the Link from 1965 – a very different look from the slick BCIT Student Association publications that we are accustom to now. If you want to read the full issue from 1965 it can be found here. The BCIT Archives has put historical issues of the Link online.

What’s all this fuss about retirement? – by David Pepper, Director, Library Services

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For over eight years David Pepper has been a part of our BCIT Library family.  As David prepares to retire we know that we will miss not only his vision, leadership, and support,  but also his infectious smile, sense of humour, and last but not least all of the homemade treats he shared with us.  

 We wish David a retirement filled with health, adventures, and happiness! 

David recently shared this speech at his retirement celebration and we thought it was worth sharing:

Ever since I announced my retirement, conversations have swirled around the following:

Anticipation … Expectation … Uncertainty … Apprehension … Excitement … “Do you have a well-planned strategy, or are you going to just wing it”?

None of these feelings are new – to me or to you. Sounds like how I felt the night before I was married … the day I started grad school … my first position at UBC … day 1 at BCIT … the birthing rooms when both daughters were being born.

So, why all the fuss about retirement? What is the differentiator that makes this experience unlike anything else? I’ve come to the conclusion – are you ready – it’s really all about not being the boss of anyone, or not having a boss! Effective January 1, 2016,  I won’t have to take or give direction, balance someone else’s budget, stress or dream about unfinished projects, deadlines, selection committees … I will be a free agent! Right?! Hmmm …

I started working (for pay) when I was around 12. My first boss was my father who paid me for ridding the garden of cabbage moths (1 cent/moth) – slam dunk, you say? No way! I had to develop a strategy: had to get to know the moth’s takeoff and landing habits, had to plan for uncertainty (rainy days when the moths didn’t appear), there was apprehension that dad would say he’d exhausted his budget on pest control & I would be out of work – or that my brother would decide he had a better control method and I would be forced out by the competition.

My teen years would be marked by a number of ventures – and each one would teach me the values of persistence, creative thinking, how to deal with a difficult boss etc., highlighted perhaps by a summer spent in an underground copper mine on Vancouver Island. That was my coming-of-age-summer!

Anticipation … Expectation … Uncertainty … Apprehension … Excitement … they all still accompanied me.

I’ve been really fortunate in my professional career to spend time in private, government and academic settings covering disciplines as diverse as mining, engineering, chemical processes, forestry, biomedical sciences, trade development … post-secondary education at the college, university and institutional levels. It might seem contradictory but it’s been a great experience being part of the library profession where we keep trying to assert our value to our client base. The result – we’ve never been complacent because we’re always trying to reinvent ourselves.

I’ve had opportunities to speak at conferences in the South Pacific, New York City, San Francisco … to teach college and university students – to shatter a few paradigms and create new ones with some of the most intelligent and wonderful human beings on the planet! I’ve also had dysfunctional bosses and employees – fortunately they have been few in number. My favourite boss lived in Atlanta, GA while I was based in Vancouver! Every experience helped to mould me in some important way that informed the drama played out in my life.

So, yes, I’m going to be a free agent come January – NO BOSSES ??? Hmmm …

“In the privacy of the heart take out the album of your own life and search it for the people and places you have loved and learned from yourself, and for those moments in the past -many of them half forgotten-through which you glimpsed, however dimly and fleetingly, the sacredness of your own journey.” Sacred Journey by Frederick Buechner

I am still accountable – to my family – Diane, Dana/Nolan, Deborah/Kevin – and my granddaughters – all of whom have blessed me in more ways that I will ever know. I’m accountable to all of you my colleagues – to be true to the things I’ve learned from you. I am also accountable to the many others that I have yet to interact with and be further shaped by. Of course, I am accountable to myself – to be true to the principles learned way back when catching those cabbage moths!

Anticipation … Expectation … Uncertainty … Apprehension … Excitement … “Do you have a well-planned strategy, or are you going to just wing it”? These have all been with me since early teen years … and will continue to walk with me on the journey ahead.

“All who wander are not lost” (Tolkien) I expect – and hope for plenty of wandering ahead … and if I get lost, there’s plenty I’ve learned … and plenty of love and faith to get me back on track.

Palm Desert
October 28, 2015