Coast Mountain College

Coast Mountain College (CMTN) is an accredited, publicly funded post-secondary educational institution that serves the communities of British Columbia's^[3] northwest region. CMTN offers field schools, college access, trades, university credit, health and human services programs. The college is a member of the University of the Arctic network,^[4] and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CiCan).^[5]

Coast Mountain Community College

Other name	CMTN
Former name	Northwest Community College (1975-2018) BC Vocational School Terrace (1968-1975)
Type	Post-secondary College
Established	1968
Academic affiliations	UArctic, ACCC, BCC
Endowment	$24,476,000 2021-22 ^[1]
Chair	Adelle Cober
President	Laurie Waye
Vice-president	Michael Doyle, Titi Kunkel
Dean	Colin Elliott (Business, Access Education & Libraries), Kara Loy (Dean of Arts, Science, and Health & Human Services)
CIO	Rimon Gerges, DIT
Students	428 full-time equivalent (FTE) for 2022-2023^[2]
Campus	Urban/suburban/rural Terrace, Hazelton, Prince Rupert; Smithers
Colours	Teal & white
Website	coastmountaincollege.ca

History

 

The British Columbia Vocational School, Terrace began construction in 1965.^[6] The school opened in September 1968, with 1968-69 enrolment reaching 295 students.^[7] An official opening was held August 11, 1970.^[8] Northwest College was established on the site in 1975.^[9] The name was soon changed to Northwest Community College (NWCC) and was renamed Coast Mountain College on June 18, 2018.^[10][11][12]

In 1976 poet George Stanley and author Stan Persky moved to Terrace. Perskey worked as a Sociology professor before moving to Capilano College in 1983. Stanley worked at the college as an instructor in the English department until 1991. Marie Lucie Tarpent was a part time instructor at the college in 1983 studying Tshimsihanic and Nisga'a languages.

The college received a $745,000 budget increase in 2000. ^[13] It was led by president Stephanie Forsyth during the 2000s. After 10 years, in 2010 Forsyth left for the same role with Red River College. ^[14] Forsyth left Red River amidst scandal and a senior staff exodus 4 years later. ^{[15] [16][17]}

The college had a full-time equivalent student enrolment of 1,271 students in 2011/12.^[18] Significant layoffs occurred in 2012 ^[19] following deficits of over $1.4 million in 2011 and $2.1 million in 2012.^[20] The layoffs were grieved. In 2014 an arbitrator ruled the collective agreement had not been followed in the layoff process,^[21] by which time enrolment had dropped by nearly 25% to 970.^[22]

A new president joined the college in 2014 bringing a re-branding strategy and increased focus on international students. The college's traditional Thunderbird logo was phased out.^[23][24] By 2019 FTE student enrolment had dropped to 699 students.In February 2020 the college appointed new president Justin Kohlman. ^[25] By August of the following year Kohlman was out as president, by which time the college's enrolment had dropped to 462. ^{[26] [27]}

Totem poles and traditional art which reflect the history of the surrounding territories and peoples are displayed on the college campuses and have been commissioned for groups outside the region, including organizations in the United States and China.^{[28][29][30][31][32]} In 1996 CMTN established the First Nations Council to facilitate direct contact with Indigenous communities.^[33]

The college connected to the Provincial Learning Network (PLNET) in 2003. In 2019 the college transitioned to BCNET's Advanced Network, completing the connection of all BC post-secondary institutions.^[34][35]

The college is named for the Coast Mountains mountain chain it's territory resides in. The 1600 km range that extends from the Fraser River lowlands to the Yukon. The range is crossed by roads in only 8 places. These include the Hwy 37 between Kitimat and Terrace, Hwy 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace (also a rail route), and Hwy 37A between Stewart and Meziadin Junction. The area is home to notable glaciers such as Salmon Glacier and some of the world's longest fjords including the Douglas Channel, Khutzeymateen Inlet, Prince Rupert Harbour, and the 115 km long Portland Canal.^[36]

Campus

Coast Mountain College (CMTN) has campuses in five northwest British Columbia communities: Hazelton; Haida Gwaii; Prince Rupert; Smithers; and Terrace.^[9] Coast Mountain College (CMTN) serves seven First Nations in Northwest British Columbia: Haida, Tsimshian, Nisga'a, Haisla, Gitxsan, Wet'suwet'en, and Tahltan.

Terrace

The main campus sits on 30 acres approximately 5 kilometers from downtown Terrace. Names and signage at the college are bilingual Sm'algyax and English. Buildings include, academic building Waap Sa'mn (House of Spruce), trades building Waap Amgam (House of Cedar), cafeteria and services building Waap Haawk (House of Birch), administration building Waap Sginiis (House of Jackpine) and the 230,000 square foot student housing building Wii Gyemsiga Siwilaawksat (Where learners are content and comfortable.)^{[37][38][39][40]}

CMTN unveiled an $18.4 million state-of-the-art renovation to their Waap Amgam (House of Cedar) trades building in September 2018.^[41][42]

In September 2019 Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Melanie Mark, visited the Terrace campus to announce an $18.7 million in provincial funding for the construction of two new 3-storey student residences.^[43][44][45] On August 31, 2022, a totem pole was raised outside the new Wii Gyemsiga Siwilaawksat building. (Where learners are content and comfortable.) ^[46]

As of 2021 work continues on major projects at Coast Mountain College campus buildings including the top two floors of the main academic building Waap Sa'mn (House of Spruce), the library and student housing with a combined budget of $35 million.^[47]

At the south end of the campus stands Waap Galts’ap, the 6,000 square foot campus Longhouse. The Longhouse, constructed in 2006 ^[48] is primarily used for student-centered and cultural activities and there are various events hosted there throughout the year.

A satellite campus in the Thornhill suburb of Terrace is located at the Northwest Trades & Employment Training Centre (NTETC).^[49]

Prince Rupert

Constructed in 2004 with a $12 million budget, the two building campus of nearly 50,000 square feet is located in downtown Prince Rupert. The campus is home to the world-renowned Applied Coastal Ecology program. The CMTN Prince Rupert campus doubles as a campus for the University of Northern British Columbia.^[50][51][52] The Prince Rupert campus includes a large library, multiple seminar rooms, trades facilities, a Learning Resource Centre, student lounge, 19 classrooms, two computer labs, two science labs and the innovation lab.

Smithers

The current Smithers campus is located on second Avenue and was completed in 2011 at a cost of $17 million. The two-level Gold LEED facility is just under 20,000 square feet and was built with wood, rock and Indigenous art to represent themes of forestry, resource management and Indigenous culture.^[53][54] The Bulkley Valley Learning Centre operates from the Smithers campus.

Hazelton

The Hazelton campus was constructed in 1998 at a cost of $1.3 million, with grand opening held January 16, 1999. The 9,000 square foot building is located at 4815 Swannell Drive serving local communities including Old Hazelton, New Hazelton, South Hazelton, Two Mile, Gitanmaax, Kispiox, Glen Vowell, Hagwilget, Gitsegukla, Gitanyow, and Kitwanga.^[55]

Organization and Administration

The Coast Mountain College Board of Governors^[56] and Educational Council^[57] determine appropriate organizational performance. The CMTN Foundation^[58] grows and stewards resources to support the college. The First Nations Council^[59] provides direct consultation with First Nations in the college region.

Aboriginal

 

Waap Galts'ap - Longhouse

Coast Mountain College (CMTN) serves the people of northwest British Columbia, in a region that includes the lands of the Haida, Tsimshian, Nisga'a, Haisla, Gitxsan, Wet'suwet'en, and Tahltan peoples. CMTN through its First Nations Council, has entered into a relationship with the Nisga'a Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a (“Nisga'a House of Learning”) to promote and enable resident of the Nass Valley region to obtain post-secondary education.

In 2020, CMTN added support for Indigenous Students to combat COVID-19.^[60][61][62] Indigenous students accessing college programs or services are supported by a team of First Nations Access Coordinators.^[63] In February 2022, CMTN's Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art alumna, artist Kristen McKay, was the winner of a Pink Shirt Day design contest held by the First Nations Access Coordinators (FNAC), that is now being distributed across all campuses in the region.^[64][65]

Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art

Main article: Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art

Scholarships and bursaries

The CMTN Foundation supports students through scholarships and bursaries. The Government of Canada sponsors an Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool that lists over 680 scholarships, bursaries, and other incentives offered by governments, universities, and industry to support Aboriginal post-secondary participation. Coast Mountain College scholarships for Aboriginal, First Nations and Métis students include: Awards for Aboriginal Women.^[66] Coast Mountain College supports students and rewards success through their CMTN Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships program.^[67]

Notable Faculty

• Stan Persky, Canadian writer, media commentator and instructor
• George Stanley, American-born Canadian poet
• Marie-Lucie Tarpent, French-born Canadian linguist and professor

See also

• List of institutes and colleges in British Columbia
• List of universities in British Columbia
• Higher education in British Columbia
• Education in Canada

References

1. https://coastmountaincollege.ca/docs/default-source/cmtn-reports-statements-reviews/statements-of-financial-information/2021-2022-statement-of-financial-information.pdf
2. "Full-Time Equivalent Enrolments at B.C. Public Post-Secondary Institutions". BC Government Data Catalogue.
3. "Overview". Coastmountaincollege.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
4. . UArctic Education. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
5. "Coast Mountain College". Colleges and Institutes Canada. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
6. . Houle Electric. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
7. "Made in BC" (PDF). Douglas College. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
8. "Official Opening of the British Columbia Vocational School, Terrace". ARCA BC. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
9. "Plan, Search, Apply. At EducationPlannerBC". Education Planner BC. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
10. "NWCC becomes CMTN". Terrace Standard. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
11. "NWCC now known as Coast Mountain College". CFNR. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
12. "NWCC officially becomes Coast Mountain College". Prince Rupert Northern View. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
13. "NWCC RECEIVES GRANTS TO IMPROVE CAMPUSES". BC Government.
14. "Red River College names new president". Winnipeg Free Press.
15. "RRC president Stephanie Forsyth leaves amid provincial review". CBC.
16. "Red River College lost 7 senior officials in 3 years". CBC News.
17. "Red River College faces $2M shortfall as another manager leaves". CBC News.
18. "Full-time Equivalent Enrolments at BC Public Post-Secondary Institutions".
19. "A hearing into NWCC layoff notices finished today". Terrace Standard. 28 March 2012.
20. "2012 NWCC Audit" (PDF).
21. "Layoff notices at B.C. College violated contract".
22. "Data Catalogue".
23. https://www.academica.ca/top-ten/nwcc-phase-out-use-thunderbird-symbol. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
24. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/the-emotional-connection-was-lost-terrace-college-dropping-thunderbird-logo-1.4227834
25. Link, Rod. "Coast Mountain College appoints a new president". The Northern View.
26. "Data Catalogue".
27. Crawford, John. "Coast Mountain College looking for new president/C.E.O." CFTK TV.
28. "Carving a totem pole". Interior News. 14 August 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
29. "Tribute pole bound for China unveiled". Indian Country Today. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
30. "Northwest B.C. totem poles bound for the United States". Terrace Standard. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
31. "Northwestern B.C. totem poles bound for Minnesota". Terrace Standard. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
32. "Totem pole to serve as symbol of healing in quake-ravaged Chinese city". The Globe and Mail. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
33. "First Nations Council history". Coast Mountain College. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
34. "Coast Mountain College Celebrates Gateway to Advanced Network". BCNET. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
35. "CMTN gains new research and education network connectivity". Coast Mountain College. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
36. "Coast Mountains". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
37. "Wii Gyemsiga Siwilaawksat Student Residence". Morrison Hershfield. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
38. "Coast Mountain College adds student housing, updated library". BC Government News. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
39. "CMTN opens new Wii Gyemsiga Siwilaawksat student housing building". Academia News. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
40. "Institutional Accountability Report and Plan" (PDF). Government of BC. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
41. "CMTN unveils renovated House of Cedar". Terrace Standard. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
42. "Coast Mountain College - Trades building". Stantec. 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
43. "Coast Mountain College to build new student housing in Terrace with $18.7 million provincial funding". Terrace Standard. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
44. "Coast Mountain College Student Housing Project". Partnerships British Columbia. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
45. "New housing to help students focus on studies, not finances". British Columbia Government News. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
46. Bramadat-Willcock, Michael (2 September 2022). "'Pulling our pride back up': New totem pole raised at Coast Mountain College Terrace campus". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
47. "VIDEO: Work continues on major projects at Coast Mountain College". Mackin + Associates. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
48. "Waap Galts'ap Community House". Terrace Standard. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
49. "Northwest Trades & Employment Training Centre". NTETC - Facebook. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
50. "Northwest Community College Prince Rupert BC". EcoSmart Concrete. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
51. "Northwest Campus". UNBC. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
52. "About Our Prince Rupert Campus". Coast Mountain College. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
53. "About Our Smithers Campus". Coast Mountain College. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
54. "Northwest Community College". Unitech Construction Management. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
55. !--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.-- (20 January 1999). "College opens New Hazelton campus". Interior News.
56. "Board of Governors". Coast Mountain College.
57. "Edcuational Council". Coast Mountain College.
58. "CMTN Foundation". coastmountaincollege.ca.
59. "First Nations Council". Coast Mountain College.
60. "Coast Mountain College among Northern BC post-secondary institutions to collaborate with Mastercard Foundation". My Bulkley Lakes Now. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
61. "Northern Universities collaborate with Mastercard to enhance Indigenous student experience". Haida Gwaii Observer. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
62. "B.C. launches $1.5M emergency fund for Indigenous students". CTV News. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
63. "First Nations Access Coordinators". Coast Mountain College. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
64. "CMTN takes a stand against bullying with a special Pink Shirt designed by graduate". First Nations Drum. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
65. "CMTN takes a stand against bullying with a special Pink Shirt designed by graduate". Education News Canada. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
66. Canada, Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs (25 October 2012). "Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool". Sac-isc.gc.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
67. "CMTN awards, bursaries & scholarships". Coastmountaincollege.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2019.

External links

• Official website
• Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a