Dear Editor,
In the January 29th, 2014 edition of The Cascade an opinion piece titled “Co-curricular record: reinventing the wheel?” was published, written by Ashley Mussbacher. While Ms. Mussbacher makes some interesting points, she misses out on a number of very important issues, and reasons for implementing the Co-curricular Record (CCR) at UFV.
One reason for implementing the CCR is verification and validity of information. Sure, you can create your own curriculum vitae (CV) and submit it in any process requiring one, but in today’s competitive environment, employers want verifiable information. When a student produces a CCR and attaches it to a job or grad school application, they provide a printed copy that is electronically verified through a unique code provided by the system. Additionally the document is verified through signature by the President, the Vice President, Students, and the Director of Student Life.
Another reason for implementing the CCR is that it allows students to link their co-curricular activity to the University Learning Outcomes (ILOs). The ILOs demonstrated in your CCR are your way as a student to illustrate to potential employers or organizations that you possess proficiency in the nine ILOs. When you look at the nine ILOs that UFV supports and embeds in our programs, you will notice that they are very similar to the top skills most employers are looking for in 2013 according to Forbes, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the book 10 Things Employers Want You To Learn In College (Bill Coplin, 2003). The CCR acts as a central storage place, ready to retrieve and customize your record at your convenience.
One of Ms. Mussbacher’s criticisms is that “it quickly becomes clear that not all campus activities and unpaid positions are listed.” This is absolutely correct as it is impossible for an implementation committee to identify every possible position or opportunity. This is why we have made it very easy to submit a request for a new position. Go to www.ufv.ca/studentlife/ccr and you will find the one page form needed, and all of the information required to start documenting your CCR activity. We know the system works; since its launch in September 2013 more than 2300 students have created an account, and 175 positions are available with more being added frequently.
UFV has the strategic goal of providing “the best undergraduate experience in Canada,” providing a CCR has become an expectation of many students across Canada. By providing a robust co-curricular environment and record of it, UFV is on par with other Canadian institutions such as: Laurier, U of Toronto, U of Calgary, Dalhousie, Carleton, Western Ontario, U of Manitoba, U of Ottawa, York, U of Alberta, Trent, Memorial, SFU, Guelph, UVIC, Bishops and more that are coming online shortly.
The CCR absolutely reinvents the wheel; it makes it verifiable, links it to specific learning outcomes sought by employers, is student focussed and delivers a national “best practice” at UFV. This is something every student should be considering very seriously.
Sincerely,
Kyle Baillie, MA Director, Student Life & Development
University of the Fraser Valley
