Co-op programs

From Media for Social Change: A Resource Guide for Community Groups (Revised edition, 1986), published by the Community Forum on Shared Responsibility, Toronto.

Most community colleges which have full time programs in communications arts (outlined in the Chapter Getting Organized) are open to proposals from non-profit groups who wish to work with students on a media presentation of a community issue. Cost to the community group is just the price of materials and whatever incidental expenses the student incurs.

There are a number of ways to interact with students. First contact the colleges to find out the name of the chair-person or co-co-ordinator of the department you might interested and to obtain more information about various programs. Then you make some choices:

1. Write to the co-co-ordinator of the department of your choice outlining your project as one which one of his or her students could take up as a class project. It is usually best to have your project proposal submitted by spring, so that the faculty members can discuss the project and integrate into activities for the next year. If your proposal is accepted, the school equipment and the student’s time are free. You just pay for a copy of the finished project, and for the hiring of any additional equipment that may not be available at the school. You will also be expected to pay for incidental costs(such as travel expenses) incurred by the student(s) working on your project.

2. If you have less time, or if your project is not incorporated into the school program for whatever reason, you can request that your project be offered to students as a free-lance job. You will have to pay for materials and for the student’s time.

3. You may propose that the student work with you on a cable T.V. program. Assuming that one of the cable T.V. companies is providing support through their community development budgets, there is no cost to you at all.

4. You may propose to the school that your group co-sponsor a summer work project with them and seek funding from a Canada Employment and Immigration program. Whichever approach you choose to take, you must write a proposal to the co-co-ordinator of the college department. Explain clearly the focus of your project, outline it, and nominate someone from your group as chief liaison with the college and the students.
(Keep in mind that students have tight deadlines and their teachers become frustrated with slow decision making processes and missed deadlines. Deadlines must be meet or the student’s grade will suffer, so you must be prepared to work to a tight schedule). Ask for a tentative budget for materials and other costs, if any.

(CX5012)

Subject Headings

• Community Colleges
• Co-op (Work-Study) Program
• Media Relations
• Work-Study Plan

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