University College of the Fraser Valley

The University College of the Fraser Valley (UCFV), founded in 1974 as the Fraser Valley College, is the response to the communities in the Fraser Valley needing a vocational school or college. Since its frantic rush to open doors, UCFV has become one of the largest university colleges in Canada, turning out over 1,500 graduates each year, and enrolling more than 10,000 each year.

Finding support
In the 1960's, citizens of the Fraser Valley demanded a post-secondary educational facility within the Fraser Valley itself. In 1966, a proposal was rejected by the provincial government to found a junior college. Not to be swayed by this early defeat, supporters who wanted post-secondary representation lobbied to have a vocational school built. The proposed site for this vocational school was to be near the geographical centre of the Fraser Valley, on Lickman Road in Chilliwack. This proposal passed, and so plans for the school were put into motion. However, after the 1972 provincial election, the school's development was put on hold, as the government had changed. Communities again lobbied for continuation of this project, and so a special task force was appointed by the government to study the feasibility of a college in the Fraser Valley.

The task force recommended a comprehensive regional college, providing university transfer, career and vocational programs. A plebiscite was proposed to ask for taxpayer support on this endeavour, and passed with an overwhelming 89% in favour. In reaction to this strong show of support, the provincial government announced the Fraser Valley College on April 4, 1974.

Frantic start
Only several months of planning went into this new college before it opened its doors in September 1974. Since no official campuses had been built at this time, classes were held in church basements, public schools, commercially-rented spaces, and the Coqualeetza Education Centre. Offices were set up in store fronts, community centres, and designated sections of public schools and school board offices. During its first year, Fraser Valley College enrolled 183 full-time and over 2,300 part-time students.

Abbotsford
The Abbotsford campus was UCFV's first permanent campus, which opened its doors in 1983. A new building, containing the main institution library, First Heritage Computer Access Centre, and other instructional and support areas, was opened in the fall of 1996. In 1997, a building with classrooms, laboratories and offices was opened, and in 2002, the student activity centre and gymnasium were opened.

In 1978, trades programs started with a carpentry program. Initially, this program was run from Portage Avenue in Chilliwack. At the time, the land belonged to the Chilliwack School District, and the Ministry of Advanced Education funded the building of the carpentry shop. Originally, this shop was supposed to be handed over to the Chilliwack School District after 5 years, but it took nearly 12 years to secure the funding to build a replacement shop in Abbotsford. In 1991, UCFV moved all trades programs to the Abbotsford campus.

Agassiz
Although Agassiz is not actually a campus of UCFV, it has an informational centre, run in cooperation with the Fraser-Cascade School District.

Chilliwack
Originally designed to last 5 years, a temporary campus was constructed in Chilliwack in 1975. This building is still in use today, having gone under a series of renovations over the years. In 1986, an agriculture technology centre was constructed. In 1992, a new health sciences building was opened. In the fall of 1996, a multipurpose complex and drama theatre was opened. Plans and funds to construct yet another major addition to the Chilliwack campus have since been put on hold, as UCFV is in the midst of relocating this campus to the former Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack. This addition would have replaced the library, and added more science labs, classrooms and faculty offices.

The Chilliwack campus typically offers courses on nursing, drama, agriculture. Some courses in philosophy, computer information systems, early childhood development, and business are also offered.

Hope
The Hope centre is a regional centre, run in partnership with Free Rein Associates.

Mission
In 1975, a temporary campus was established in Mission, offering continuing education and adult basic education programs. In 1996, UCFV and the Mission School District partnered to open the Heritage Park Centre. This centre acts as a UCFV campus, high school, community theatre and fitness centre, all contained in one facility.

Expanding horizons
UCFV's recent growth and expansion in the past decade can be very much attributed to its transformation from a two-year community college to a university college, which began in 1991. With student and community support, the provincial government approved university college status. In September 1991, the UCFV Board officially changed its name to the University College of the Fraser Valley.

Starting from September 1992, UCFV began to offer four-year degree programs. These programs were initially offered in collaboration with other nearby universities, including Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria. In 1996, legislation passed that allowed UCFV to offer all bachelor's degree programs under its own name.

As of 2005, UCFV offers 12 different bachelor programs, including arts, adult education, child and youth care, criminal justice, business administration, business administration in aviation, computer information systems, general studies, kinesiology, science, social work and nursing. In 2005, UCFV was approved to begin offering its first master's degree program, the master of arts (criminal justice).

UCFV has remained to this day a comprehensive educational institution. In addition to the degree programs, over 70 programs are offered in applied and academic areas. These range from agriculture and aviation to nursing and applied business technology, TESL, as well as a range of other courses which are career-oriented. More and more UCFV courses are becoming transferable for university credit at nearby universities. UCFV is now also offering a limited selection of online courses, to better accommodate student schedules.

Students
Students at UCFV are widely encouraged to participate through a large number of activities. The largest student union is the Student Union Society (SUS), which oversees all other student associations and clubs. The board of SUS is composed of current UCFV students, to ensure the needs of the students are repsected. At the beginning of each educational year (September), SUS holds an event known as Dis-O, or Disorientation. Popular bands are booked to appear, and all students are encouraged to attend. Past bands have included Matthew Good, Bif Naked, The Tea Party, Swollen Members and Hedley. The most recent Disorientation included Theory of a Deadman and Default as cover bands, and several local bands including The Trews and Lillix. In addition to this event, numerous barbecues, fund raising and fun events are organized and held by SUS.

All major departments are represented by one student association. These student associations are composed of members from that particular major.

What's in store
UCFV, in preparation for possible university status, is expanding the gymnasium building, and adding dormitories to the Abbotsford campus. In addition to this, housing is to be built in Chilliwack on the Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack.