College of the Rockies
Encyclopedia
The College of the Rockies is a Canadian public community college, located in the southeast corner of British Columbia
, Canada
. The main campus is in Cranbrook
, with regional campuses in Creston
, Fernie
, Golden
, Invermere
, and Kimberley
.
On June 16, 2010, the College announced its first four-year degree program, the Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainable Business Practices. This announcement marked a significant milestone in the 35 year development of College of the Rockies.
, features high mountain ranges separated by ecologically significant valleys and water systems.
The location allows the College to offer students a unique opportunity to blend learning with an active lifestyle. College programs, such as Mountain Adventure Skills Training and other Tourism programs, take advantage of the natural setting to take students out of the classroom and into the world around them.
in Kimberley, BC and member of the local School Board, initiated the process of establishing a local vocational school.
East Kootenay Community College was established on May 8, 1975 with an edict from the government that the main campus be constructed in Cranbrook. The number of registered students that first year was 351 in Cranbrook, 64 in Kimberley, 52 in Fernie, 39 in Golden and 37 in Invermere.
Funding for a $1.4 million College campus building was announced in February 1978. Sod turning for the facility took place in April 1980. While the new campus building was being constructed, the college operated out of 17 different locations in Cranbrook.
Associate Degrees in Arts and Sciences were offered for the first time in the 1993 academic year, and the Purcell House student residence was completed in 1995.
In 1995 East Kootenay Community College changed its name to College of the Rockies (COTR). COTR’s first on-line course, Applied Research Methods, was offered in January 1997.
In 1997/98, the College introduced the Avalanche men’s and women’s volleyball teams as the latest members of the BC Colleges' Athletics Association.
The trade-mark with the words `College of the Rockies` was filed with the Canadian Trade-marks database on 1997-10-15.
on March 1, 2000.
The college continues to focus on providing a full range of quality programs and services. A new childcare facility, Kids on Campus, was completed in October 2002. In November 2004, a wireless network
for student laptops was introduced at the Cranbrook Campus.
In 2007, the Cranbrook Campus completed a $16.2 million (CDN) expansion, with a new Academic building and a new Trades facility.
In 2009, COTR was granted $12.7 million (CDN) from the Federal and Provincial governments as part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, in order to expand and upgrade buildings at the Cranbrook campus. This project is expected to be completed in Spring, 2011.
funded students, 170 entry-level trades training students and 482 apprentices as well as 125 international full-time equivalent students from 27 countries. http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/instit_accountability_plans/docs/cotr_pr0910.pdf
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The main campus is in Cranbrook
Cranbrook, British Columbia
Cranbrook, British Columbia is a city in southeast British Columbia, located on the west side of the Kootenay River at its confluence with the St. Mary's River, It is the largest urban centre in the region known as the East Kootenay. As of 2006, Cranbrook's population is 18,267, and the...
, with regional campuses in Creston
Creston, British Columbia
Creston is a town of 4,826 people in the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. The town is located just a few kilometers north of the Porthill, Idaho border crossing into the United States and about a three-hour drive north from Spokane, Washington. It is about a one-hour drive...
, Fernie
Fernie, British Columbia
Fernie is a city in the Elk Valley area of the East Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada, located on BC Highway 3 on the eastern approaches to the Crowsnest Pass through the Rocky Mountains...
, Golden
Golden, British Columbia
Golden is a town in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, located west of Calgary, Alberta and east of Vancouver.-History:Much of the town's history is tied into the Canadian Pacific Railway and the logging industry...
, Invermere
Invermere, British Columbia
Invermere is a community in eastern British Columbia, Canada, near the border of Alberta. With its growing permanent population of almost 4,000 , swelling to near 40,000 on summer weekends, it is the hub of the Columbia Valley between Golden, and Cranbrook...
, and Kimberley
Kimberley, British Columbia
Kimberley is a small city in southeast British Columbia, Canada along Highway 95A between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains. Kimberley was named in 1896 after the Kimberley mine in South Africa. From 1917 to 2001, it was the home to the world's largest lead-zinc mine, the Sullivan Mine...
.
Programs
The college offers a full range of programs – both in-class and online – in the areas of university studies, adult basic education, health, child youth and family studies, administrative studies, tourism, computer technology, fire services, and trades.On June 16, 2010, the College announced its first four-year degree program, the Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainable Business Practices. This announcement marked a significant milestone in the 35 year development of College of the Rockies.
Location
The College serves a regional population of approximately 82,700 people who live within a large 45,000 square kilometre area. The region, known as the Rocky Mountain TrenchRocky Mountain Trench
The Rocky Mountain Trench, or the Trench or The Valley of a Thousand Peaks, is a large valley in the northern part of the Rocky Mountains. It is both visually and cartographically a striking physiographic feature extending approximately from Flathead Lake, Montana, to the Liard River, just south...
, features high mountain ranges separated by ecologically significant valleys and water systems.
The location allows the College to offer students a unique opportunity to blend learning with an active lifestyle. College programs, such as Mountain Adventure Skills Training and other Tourism programs, take advantage of the natural setting to take students out of the classroom and into the world around them.
1970s
Recognizing the need for apprenticeship training, in 1971, James Patterson, a hard rock miner in the Sullivan MineSullivan mine
Sullivan Mine was an underground conventional–mechanized mine located in Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada; it has a complex, diatreme-hosted orebody, made up primarily of zinc sulfide, lead sulfide, and iron sulfides....
in Kimberley, BC and member of the local School Board, initiated the process of establishing a local vocational school.
East Kootenay Community College was established on May 8, 1975 with an edict from the government that the main campus be constructed in Cranbrook. The number of registered students that first year was 351 in Cranbrook, 64 in Kimberley, 52 in Fernie, 39 in Golden and 37 in Invermere.
Funding for a $1.4 million College campus building was announced in February 1978. Sod turning for the facility took place in April 1980. While the new campus building was being constructed, the college operated out of 17 different locations in Cranbrook.
1980s
The official opening of the Cranbrook Campus took place September 20, 1982, and within the decade new facilities were also completed for the Invermere Campus (March 1988) and the Fernie Campus (October 1989).1990s
The College’s expansion continued during the 1990s, with new campus buildings for Golden (May 1992), and Creston (May 1995), and the addition of over 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²) to the Cranbrook Campus to house a Health wing, Professional Cook Training facilities, and a Mechanics shop.Associate Degrees in Arts and Sciences were offered for the first time in the 1993 academic year, and the Purcell House student residence was completed in 1995.
In 1995 East Kootenay Community College changed its name to College of the Rockies (COTR). COTR’s first on-line course, Applied Research Methods, was offered in January 1997.
In 1997/98, the College introduced the Avalanche men’s and women’s volleyball teams as the latest members of the BC Colleges' Athletics Association.
The trade-mark with the words `College of the Rockies` was filed with the Canadian Trade-marks database on 1997-10-15.
21st century
College of the Rockies` Arms were registered with the Canadian Heraldic AuthorityCanadian Heraldic Authority
The Canadian Heraldic Authority is part of the Canadian honours system under the Queen of Canada, whose authority is exercised by the Governor General. The Authority is responsible for the creation and granting of new coats of arms , flags and badges for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and...
on March 1, 2000.
The college continues to focus on providing a full range of quality programs and services. A new childcare facility, Kids on Campus, was completed in October 2002. In November 2004, a wireless network
Wireless network
Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind. It is a method by which homes, telecommunications networks and enterprise installations avoid the costly process of introducing cables into a building, or as a connection between various equipment...
for student laptops was introduced at the Cranbrook Campus.
In 2007, the Cranbrook Campus completed a $16.2 million (CDN) expansion, with a new Academic building and a new Trades facility.
In 2009, COTR was granted $12.7 million (CDN) from the Federal and Provincial governments as part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, in order to expand and upgrade buildings at the Cranbrook campus. This project is expected to be completed in Spring, 2011.
Student population
In the 2008/09 instructional year, College of the Rockies served 2,273 full-time equivalent students – 1,620 Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market DevelopmentMinistry of Advanced Education
Alberta Advanced Education and Technology is a ministry in the Executive Council of the Canadian province of Alberta. The ministry is usually responsible for all post-secondary institutions in their respective jurisdictions.-External links:* *...
funded students, 170 entry-level trades training students and 482 apprentices as well as 125 international full-time equivalent students from 27 countries. http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/instit_accountability_plans/docs/cotr_pr0910.pdf
Economic Impact
As shown in the highlights below, a 2007 study found that College of the Rockies has a significant economic impact on its college region. http://www.cotr.bc.ca/webs_media/public_info/_docManager/docs/COTR-Executive-Summary.pdf- Students enjoy an attractive 13% annual return on their investment of time and money.
- For every $1 the students invest in COTR, they receive a cumulative of $2.40 in higher future earnings over the course of their working careers (after discounting).
- Taxpayers see a real money return of 21% on their annual investments in COTR.
- The Province of British Columbia benefits from improved health and reduced welfare, unemployment, and crime, saving the public some $649,800 per year each year that students are in the workforce.
- The COTR Service Area economy receives roughly $133.8 million in income each year due to the annual activities of COTR and the cumulative effects of its past students. This figure amounts to 4.3% of total income in the regional economy.
See also
- List of institutes and colleges in British Columbia
- List of universities in British Columbia
- Higher education in British ColumbiaHigher education in British ColumbiaHigher education in British Columbia is delivered by 25 publicly funded institutions that are composed of eleven universities, eleven colleges, and three institutes. This is in addition to three private universities, five private colleges, and six theological colleges...
- Education in CanadaEducation in CanadaEducation in Canada is for the most part provided publicly, funded and overseen by federal, provincial, and local governments. Education is within provincial jurisdiction and the curriculum is overseen by the province. Education in Canada is generally divided into primary education, followed by...