Campus News: college to boost brand by building bookshelves

By Sophie Isbister, Staff Writer

To combat the college’s faltering image in the eyes of the average person, Douglas College is set to offer a course in intro to Ikea furniture assembly starting in winter 2013.

“We think people view the institution of college in general, and Douglas College especially, as outdated, and perhaps a bit elitist. Some people still refer to Douglas College by the demeaning nickname of ‘Dougie Daycare.’ Well, when you think about the college offering courses like these; it does kind of deserve the nickname,” says college brand developer Dirk Dougly in a candid interview with The Other Press.

The three-credit course in the Faculty of Health Sciences will also include a two-hour lab each week where students will get the hands-on experience required to assemble items ranging from a JANSJÖ clip-lamp to a BILLY bookshelf. “The college hopes to come out with a second-year course where students can build on the skills gained in IKEA-1200. The advanced course, which is still in the planning stages, could offer projects as advanced as a MALM bedframe, or even a PAX wardrobe system,” says Dougly

“The key message of Douglas College is ‘do what you love,’” says Dougly. “What about those students who love affordable and ecological home décor?” The emphasis here is the need for the college to keep up with the pace of the “average Joe or Jane.” Dougly anticipates that the course will fill up rapidly, and yes, students will be expected to bring their own Allen keys. “And let’s face it,” he adds: “Sometimes building this stuff is so hard you feel like you need a bachelor’s degree to do it!”

Student response to the news has been overwhelmingly positive thus far. Criminology student Pamela Badger thinks it’s a great idea: “I heard that Simon Fraser University started offering this course in 2011, and frankly I think it’s high time that Douglas followed suit.” Creative Writing student Fernando Pang agrees with Badger, adding: “we read a lot of books at Douglas College, and some of us are even here to learn to write books. It’s only fitting that a well-rounded education should include the knowledge to build shelves on which to hold said books.”

Other courses in the works for the growing Life Sciences faculty include recycling, using TransLink.ca’s TripPlanner, and 101 home uses for old newsprint.