Focus for Change
Program Code: 0407
2015-2016 Student’s Program
Handbook
School of Career and Academic Access
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and
Advanced Learning
Note: This is a companion document to the current
Conestoga College Student Guide.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ 2
1)
PROGRAM HANDBOOK GUIDELINES .................................................................. 3
2)
WELCOME .............................................................................................................. 3
Conestoga Mission, Vision, and Values .......................................................................... 3
3)
PROGRAM ACADEMIC TEAM ................................................................................ 4
3.1 Program Administration ......................................................................................... 4
3.2 Program Faculty .................................................................................................... 4
4)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW .......................................................................................... 5
4.1 Program Description .............................................................................................. 5
4.2 Program Learning Outcomes ................................................................................. 5
5)
PROGRAM INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS ................................................... 6
Program Information .................................................................................................... 6
5.1. Awards .............................................................................................................. 6
Program Requirements................................................................................................ 6
5.2 Evaluations (deadlines, tests and examinations) ............................................... 6
5.3 Student Appraisal of Teaching ........................................................................... 6
5.5 Attendance ......................................................................................................... 7
5.6 Procedure for Reporting Absences and Lateness .............................................. 7
5.7 Communication & Emailing Requirements ......................................................... 7
5.8 Maintaining Student Files ................................................................................... 7
5.9 Standards of Conduct and Professional Practice ............................................... 8
5.10 Unpaid Work/ Education Placement and Job Shadowing ................................ 8
6)
STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION ................................................................... 8
7)
FACILITY INFORMATION ....................................................................................... 8
8)
SAFETY INFORMATION ......................................................................................... 8
9)
STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND DOCUMENTATION ................................ 9
9.1 Student Protection Acknowledgement ................................................................... 9
1) PROGRAM HANDBOOK GUIDELINES
This program handbook was developed to assist students in navigating their program
requirements for the duration of their studies. The handbook is updated on an annual
basis. Program requirements may be updated between the times you start and finish
your program. Throughout your studies the most current, academic year, program
handbook requirements will be followed.
2) WELCOME
Dean, School of Career and Academic Access
Congratulations on your decision to come back to school. We are pleased to work with
you as you develop and follow your career and education plans. All of our programs are
individualized to meet your needs. Please let us know how we can help you. Best
wishes for a successful experience.
Chair, Preparatory Programs
Welcome to the Focus for Change program at Conestoga College. With so many
education and career choices available, making the right decision can be challenging. In
Focus for Change you will have the opportunity to develop your academic and soft
skills, and work on your own personal development. We look forward to working with
you while you learn more about yourself, explore the options available to you, and
continue to improve your skills in a wide variety of areas. We have no doubt that the
exploration and skills that you develop while in Focus for Change will assist you in
fulfilling your education and career goals.
Conestoga Mission, Vision, and Values
Vision
 Recognition for excellence in polytechnic education.
Mission
 Champion innovation in education and research.
 Serve community needs and priorities.
 Inspire individuals to achieve their potential.
Values
 Access - Education and training opportunities for individuals across the
communities we serve.
 Respect - A welcoming environment that promotes fairness, individual rights and
dignity.
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 Quality - Excellence in the design and delivery of programs and services.
 Innovation - Creative solutions to meet the needs of our students, partners and
community.
 Community - Responsible employer, active partner and engaged corporate
citizen.
.
School Mission and Vision
To support individuals in reaching their career, employment and academic goals and to
respond to employers’ recruitment and training needs.
3) PROGRAM ACADEMIC TEAM
3.1 Program Administration
Dean – School of Career and Academic Access
Andrea Leis
Student Client Services Building, 215-5
519-748-5220 x3672
aleis@conestogac.on.ca
Program Chair
Thanh-Thanh Tieu
Student Client Services Building, 214-3
519-748-5220 x2483
ttieu@conestogac.on.ca
3.2 Program Faculty
Contact information for faculty will typically be provided on the first day of related
courses.
Coordinators are specific to a campus location.
Downtown Cambridge
Sue Dawe
150 Main Street, Suite 402
(519) 623-5345
sdawe@conestogac.on.ca
Guelph
Adam Jensen
A-0
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(519) 824-9390 x6172
ajensen@conestogac.on.ca
Stratford
Ed Lee
Room 2
(519) 271-5700 x7227
elee@conestogac.on.ca
Waterloo
Brian Hofstetter
2C07
(519) 885-0300 x5229
bhofstetter@conestogac.on.ca
4) PROGRAM OVERVIEW
4.1 Program Description
Specially designed for women, the Focus for Change program provides an opportunity
for women to participate in academic and self-assessment and career planning. Based
on the results, students will research careers/employment that best suit their needs.
Through information interviews, job shadows and labour market research, students will
develop realistic goals and create an action plan to achieve those goals. Individually
and in groups, students will build effective communication skills, practice assertiveness,
and build problem-solving abilities. The program also includes participation in a
work/training shadow and development of a learning plan to prepare for GED, for entry
into further training programs, or to gain employment. The program includes upgrading
in communications, math and computer skills.
4.2 Program Learning Outcomes
Successful completion of this program will enable the graduate to:
1. Apply effective and appropriate communication skills.
2. Build self-esteem by identifying personal strengths, feelings, beliefs, values,
attitudes and recognize how they affect self and others.
3. Articulate and evaluate various problem solving processes and develop
strategies to respond to life and work situations.
4. Apply the skill of goal setting.
5. Become knowledgeable of available community resources and know how to
access them.
6. Identify the characteristics of a team.
7. Develop a personal inventory of accomplishments, skills, values and
preferences.
8. Explore the changing nature of life and work roles including labour market
information.
9. Develop a training plan for academic and or career goals.
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10. Develop effective resumes and employment letters and forms.
11. Employ effective interviews techniques.
12. Practice effective work search strategies.
13. Practice strategies essential to maintaining employment.
14. Participate in a variety of activities, reflecting individual, occupational and
employment goals.
15. Achieve an elementary understanding of and skills in the use of personal
computers.
16. Assess and determine current skill levels in communications and mathematics.
17. Complete a Training Plan to reflect employment or occupational goal and/or
training requirements, skill program entry date and training and academic
upgrading requirements, if necessary.
5) PROGRAM INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS
Program Information
5.1. Awards
For more information visit the Financial Aid webpage.
Program Requirements
For general information on Conestoga’s policies and procedures and student code of
conduct information, please refer to Conestoga’s Policies and Procedures webpage or
to your Student Guide located in the Student Portal.
5.2 Evaluations (deadlines, tests and examinations)
Copying and plagiarism of assignments will be dealt with in accordance with College
Policy regarding Academic Honesty.
5.3 Student Appraisal of Teaching
Students are asked to provide feedback regarding their faculty and course by
completing the Student Appraisal of Teaching or “SAT” questionnaire. This is completed
for each full-time faculty member on a 2-year rotation. Not all faculty are provided with
feedback during the same academic year. SATs are confidential and are delivered to
HR in a sealed envelope once completed by the students. The Chair meets with the
faculty member to discuss the results of the SAT.
5.4 Discontinuance
Students may be discontinued from a program if they do not meet specific academic
standards.
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For more information visit the College Policies, Procedures and Guidelines webpage
then click on the Academic Administration side tab and search for the document entitled
Discontinuance Policy.
5.5 Attendance
The program assumes that you will be in attendance according to your attendance
agreement. Our policy states that:
If you are absent for three days or more and have not been able to contact us, then you
may be withdrawn from your program. If you are absent due to illness, we may request
a doctor’s certificate. If special circumstances arise, you may request a leave of
absence.
Part of your responsibility is to be “on time” (including after breaks) and to remain until
the end of your scheduled time.
Please call us if you cannot be in attendance on time for a morning, afternoon, or
evening class.
5.6 Procedure for Reporting Absences and Lateness
Focus for Change students may call Preparatory Programs at the appropriate campus:
Cambridge: (519) 623-5345
Guelph: (519) 824-9390 x6167
Waterloo: (519) 885-0300 x5353
Please include your full name, reason for absence, and your telephone number.
5.7 Communication & Emailing Requirements
Conestoga will assign each student an email account upon enrolment. Conestoga will
communicate information to students via their assigned account, and students are
expected to check their account regularly. Faculty will not respond to emails from nonConestoga email addresses.
5.8 Maintaining Student Files
As a condition of program review and accreditation, as well as ministry accountability,
the School of Career and Academic Access is required to retain examples of student
coursework in each of the courses of the curriculum. Each student is required to
complete the Permission to Retain and Use Student Material form. In doing so, a
student grants Conestoga permission to retain coursework over the duration of the
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student’s enrolment in the program. The coursework we retain will be used for the
purpose of program accreditation, ministry accountability, review, student recruitment,
and/or marketing purposes.
5.9 Standards of Conduct and Professional Practice
Another part of your responsibility is to ensure that you have read and understood the
Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Guide.
Conduct yourself in a manner that is appropriate for a professional, adult learning
environment, including appropriate dress and language.
Cell Phones – Please do not use your cell phone during class time. For emergency
purposes, cell phones must be on vibrate mode.
Computers - Computers and a printer are available for student use.
Computers are NOT to be used for personal, non-course related activities.
Noise Level - Talking should be kept to a minimum and at a level that will not disrupt
the learning of other students.
5.10 Unpaid Work/ Education Placement and Job Shadowing
Some students may have the opportunity to experience an education and/or job
shadow. The location and duration will vary based on students’ needs and placement
availability.
6) STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION
For general information on this topic, please refer to your Student Guide located in the
Student Portal.
7) FACILITY INFORMATION
For facility related information including after-hours access, parking, and classroom &
computer labs please refer to your Student Guide located in the Student Portal.
8) SAFETY INFORMATION
For Conestoga’s safety and security services and procedures please refer to your
Student Guide located in the Student Portal.
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9) STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND DOCUMENTATION
9.1 Student Protection Acknowledgement
A Student Protection Acknowledgement confirmation pop-up will appear after the
applicant logs in into the Student Portal. A PDF will direct applicants to the location of
related policies, procedures and program information. Applicants will confirm that they
have been duly informed by Conestoga and attest to that fact by clicking the
acknowledgement box provided in the popup. Date and time of the applicant’s
acknowledgement will be captured in the Student Portal database. Conestoga will be
able to run reports as necessary.
Once the acknowledgement box has been clicked, the applicant may proceed to enter
the Student Portal. An email will be automatically generated and sent to the applicant to
confirm their acknowledgement. The Student Protection Information PDF will be resent
within the email for their reference.
The Student Protection Acknowledgement confirmation pop-up will appear to all
applicants and students once per academic year.
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