History of WARUCC

It was not until the University of Alberta and The University of British Columbia jointly hosted the Second Triennial Conference of Registrars of Canadian Universities and Colleges at the Banff School of Fine Arts in January 1962, that plans were made to establish a western regional organization of registrars of degree granting universities and colleges. Since the national group would meet every two years, it was agreed that the western group would meet in the intervening year.

The first official meeting of the Western Universities Registrars was held at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, in 1963. The Association was established as a regional component of the Association of Registrars of the Universities of Canada (ARUC). The second meeting was held in January, 1965 at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg.

Since the national group chose to forego its regular meeting in 1966 in order to hold it in Montreal during Expo 1967, the University of Calgary hosted the third western conference in June, 1966. This was the first conference to which delegates from non-degree granting colleges were invited.

The fourth western regional conference was hosted by the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, 1968; the fifth at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus, 1970; and the sixth, hosted by the University of Alberta at Jasper, Alberta, 1972.

During the 1972 conference a steering committee was formed to develop a structure and constitution for a formal organization. The committee consisted of Barry Browning (Registrar, The University of Manitoba), Jerry Della Mattia (Director of Admissions, Douglas College, Vancouver), Len Semrau (Registrar, NAIT, Edmonton) and John Dorgan (Registrar, University of Saskatchewan).

The next meeting was held the following year in Brandon, Manitoba. At this time the constitution was approved and the name Western Canadian Association of Registrars of Institutions of Post-Secondary Education (WCARIPSE) was adopted for the newly formalized organization. Fred Bennett, Registrar of Camosun College, Victoria, BC was selected to serve as the first chair of WCARIPSE, serving a two year term.

Institutional membership was open to all provincial and federal institutions of post-secondary education located in the four western provinces of Canada. The 1973 membership roster consisted of 42 institutional members and 94 individual members.

The western association was originally established as a regional component of the Association of Registrars of the Universities of Canada (ARUC). However, a rather serious problem arose in 1966 when the western group agreed to include non-degree granting institutions in its membership even though ARUC membership was restricted to degree granting institutions. The issue, and some other problems closely related to it, was not settled until the ARUC Conference of 1974. At that time, the motion to extend membership to include non-university registrars was moved, subsequently carried and ARUC became the Association of the Registrars of Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC).

The University of Saskatchewan hosted the 1979 WARUCC conference in Saskatoon. In 1981, at the conference in Winnipeg, the four founding members, Alex Cairns, Douglas Chevrier, Norm Cram and Jack Parnall were presented with honorary memberships in WARUCC.

Vancouver was the site for the 1983 conference, at which time Doug Burns, Edith Allen and Alan Wallis were honored as life members of the association.
Subsequent meetings were held in Lethbridge, 1985, and in Regina, 1987. By 1987 membership had grown to 65 institutional members and 225 individual members. The constitution was amended to extend membership boundaries from the four western provinces to 88 degrees (W) longitude, providing for participation by Lakehead University and colleges of the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

The 1989 conference was hosted by The University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. In 1991 Capilano College hosted the conference at Whistler in British Columbia. In 1993 the University of Calgary hosted the conference in Calgary. In 1995 the University of Saskatchewan hosted the conference in Saskatoon. In 1997 The University of Manitoba hosted the conference in Winnipeg. In 1999 the University of Northern British Columbia hosted the conference in Prince George, British Columbia. In 2001, the University of Calgary organized the biennial conference.

In 2003, a team of Saskatchewan institutions organized the biennial conference in Moose Jaw. Manitoba institutions partnered in 2005 to host the conference on the shores of Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park, north of Brandon.

2006 witnessed considerable turmoil as both the President and Past-Presidents resigned from the WARUCC Executive Committee mid-term. Moreover, plans for the 2007 biennial conference were undermined and a new venue had to be secured and planning initiated from scratch. The organization managed successfullly through this period owing to the commitment of its volunteers: the Executive as a whole supported the Vice-President in assuming leadership, a former past-president rejoined the Executive, and the resigning Past-President remained involved behind the scenes.

2007-2009 saw a period of relative stability for the association and its executive. June 2009 also marked the end of an era when Grant MacMillan completed his last term (?) as past-president and left the executive after a 10 year long service commitment. The association was saddened with the loss of former WARUCC President, Dr. J. David McLeod, who passed away in February 2009. In his memory, at the GM in Edmonton in June 2009, the membership renamed the association's assistantship fund the J. David McLeod Assistantship Fund in honor of the outstanding contributions made by David to the development of the profession in Western Canada.

The June 2009 conference: CIA: The Not So Secret Service, was held in Edmonton, AB and co-hosted by Grant MacEwan College, NAIT, The King's University College, Norquest College, Concordia University College of Alberta, Taylor University College and Seminary and the University of Alberta.

Founding Members
Cairns, Alex D.
Chevrier, Douglas
Cram, Norman K.
Parnall, Jack E.A

Honorary Members
Allen, Edith, University of British Columbia
Boal, Doreen, Simon Fraser University
Bevis, Desmond, University of Manitoba
Bower, Darcy, Brandon University
Burns, WA Doug, University of Alberta
Cousens, Bill, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Evans, Harry, Simon Fraser University
Farnham, Emily, University of Saskatchewan
Fowlow, Fred R, Mount Royal College
Friesen, John, University of Winnipeg
Gault, Stanley, University of Alberta
Hogue, Larry, Assiniboine Community College
Hoover, Linda, Lethbridge College
Krivy, Gary, University of Calgary
McFetridge, Jim, Medicine Hat College
Oviatt, Jack, University of Lethbridge
Salt, J. Brian, University of Manitoba
Schick, Richard, University of Saskatchewan
Silzer, Brian, University of British Columbia
Simpson, Linda, University of Winnipeg
Smith, Ken, University of Saskatchewan
Thompson, Gail, University of Regina
Tory, Anne, University of Alberta
Turner, Julia, University of Calgary
VanBeek, Larry, Trinity Western University
Vann, Garry, University of Saskatchewan
Welte, Bob, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology
Young, Ken (posthumously), University of British Columbia

WARUCC Chairs/Presidents

2007-2009 Stefanie Ivan, Grant MacEwan College
2006-2007 Stefanie Ivan, Grant MacEwan College
2005-2006 Lawrence Van Beek, Trinity Western University
2003-2005 J. David McLeod, Brandon University
2001-2003 Grant McMillan, Briercrest Bible College
1998-2001 Joan Fraser, Athabasca University
1997-1998 Dave Johnston, Simon Fraser University
1995-1997 Brian Salt, University of Manitoba
1993-1995 Ken Smith, University of Saskatchewan
1991-1993 Fred Rosmanitz, University of Lethbridge
1989-1991 Dave Woolley, Capilano College
1987-1989 Brian Salt, University of Manitoba
1985-1987 Gail Thompson, University of Regina
1983-1985 Gary Krivy, University of Calgary
1981-1983 Andrew Wilson,* Douglas College
1979-1981 Brian Salt, University of Manitoba
1977-1979 Garry Vann, University of Saskatchewan

* In 1981 the title was changed from 'Chair' to 'President'

WCARIPSE Chairs
1975-1977 Julia Turner, University of Calgary
1973-1975 Fred Bennett, Camosun College

1973-1975 Fred Bennett, Camosun College

Western Canadian Association of Registrars of Institutions in Post-Secondary Education (WCARIPSE):

Founding Members
Alex Cairns (University of Alberta)
Douglas Chevrier
Norm Cram
Jack Parnall

Executive Committee, 1973-1977 (partial membership)
Fred Bennett (Camosum College, Chair 1973-1975)
Dick Cooke (Mount Royal College)
Dave Halstead (Saskatchewan Technical Institute)
Julie Turner (University of Calgary, Chair 1975-1977)
Allan Wallis (Royal Roads Military College)
Marjorie Ward (St. John?s College, University of Manitoba
Bob Welte (Wascana Institute): completed term of Dave Halstead
Ken Young (University of British Columbia) ? replaced Wallis while latter on leave

Association change of name to Western ARUCC: Business Meeting, Calgary, June 29, 1977

Western Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (WARUCC):

Honorary or life memberships began in 1981.
Assistantships began in 1991.
Service awards began in 1993.

Newsletter Editors:
M. Ward, June 1979- June 1981
Stan Gault, June 1981-December 1983
Joanne McNeal, January-December 1984
Stan Gault (University of Alberta), January-June, 1985
Chris Moss (University of Victoria), June 1985-June 1989
Joan Fraser (Olds College), 1989-1993
Maggie Hartley (University of British Columbia), 1993-1997
Marnie McFarlane (Kwantlen University College), 1997-2003
Sharon Scott (University of Saskatchewan), 2003-2006

Cora Putz (University of Sasketchewan) 2007-2008
Kim Gulka (SIAST) 2008-

Website Coordinator: (new in 2008)
Sue Butler (University of Victora) 2008-

WARUCC Executives and Assemblies

1977-1979
Chairman: Garry Vann (University of Saskatchewan)
Vice-Chairman: Brian Salt (University of Manitoba)
Secretary-Treasurer: Valerie Nielsen (Vancouver Community College)
MAL for BC: Alan Wallis (Royal Roads Military College)
MAL for Alberta: Len Semrau (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)**
MAL for Saskatchewan: Nowell Stables (University of Regina)
MAL for Manitoba: John Friesen (University of Manitoba)
** Replaced by Dallas Kindopp

Western ARUCC Business Meeting, Saskatoon SK, June 27, 1979

1979-1981
Chairman: Brian Salt (University of Manitoba)
Vice-Chairman: Gerry Della Mattia (Douglas College)
Secretary-Treasurer: Valerie Nielsen (Vancouver Community College)
MAL for BC: Alan McMillan (Simon Fraser University)
MAL for Alberta: Len Semrau (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Dave Halstead (Saskatchewan Technical Institute)
MAL for Manitoba: John Friesen (University of Winnipeg)

Western ARUCC Business Meeting, Winnipeg MB, June 24, 1981.
Honorary Memberships: Alex Cairns (University of Alberta), Douglas Chevrier, Norm Cram (University of Saskatchewan), Jack Parnall.

1981-1983
President: Andrew Wilson (Douglas College)
Vice-President: Doug Burns (University of Alberta)**
Secretary-Treasurer: Richard Schick (University of Saskatchewan)
MAL for BC: Alan McMillan (Simon Fraser University)
MAL for Alberta: Jim McFetridge (Medicine Hat College)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Dave Halstead (Saskatchewan Technical Institute)
MAL for Manitoba: Des Bevis (University of Manitoba)
** Replaced by Gary Krivy, March 1983.

Western ARUCC Business Meeting, Vancouver BC, June 29, 1983.
Honorary Memberships: Edith Allen (University of British Columbia); Doug Burns (University of Alberta); Alan Wallis (Royal Roads Military College), deceased 1984

1983-1985
President: Gary Krivy (University of Calgary)
Past President: Andrew Wilson (Douglas College)
Vice-President: Gail Thompson (University of Regina)
Secretary-Treasurer: Richard Schick (University of Saskatchewan)
MAL for BC: David Glen (University of Victoria)
MAL for Alberta: Jim McFetridge (Medicine Hat College)**
MAL for Saskatchewan: Claude Lang (St. Thomas More College)
MAL for Manitoba: Des Bevis (University of Manitoba)
** Replaced by Jack Oviatt (University of Lethbridge) for 1984/85

7th Biennial General Assembly, Lethbridge AB, June 26, 1985.
Honorary Membership: Julia Turner (University of Calgary)

1985-1987
President: Gail Thompson (University of Regina)
Past President: Gary Krivy (University of Calgary)
Vice-President: Brian Salt (University of Manitoba)
Secretary-Treasurer: Stan Gault (University of Alberta)
MAL for BC: David Glen (University of Victoria)
MAL for Alberta: Jack Oviatt (University of Lethbridge)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Claude Lang (St. Thomas More College)
MAL for Manitoba: Chris Kennedy

8th Biennial General Assembly, Regina SK, June 24, 1987
Honorary Memberships: Harry Evans (Simon Fraser University), (Fred Fowlow (Mount Royal College).

1987-1989
President: Brian Salt (University of Manitoba)
Past President: Gail Thompson (University of Regina)
Vice-President: Dave Woolley (Capilano College)
Secretary-Treasurer: Stan Gault (University of Alberta)
MAL for BC: John Aslin (Selkirk College
MAL for Alberta: Robert Day (The King?s College)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Bob Welte (Wascana Institute)
MAL for Manitoba: Chris Kennedy**
** Replaced by Linda Simpson (University of Winnipeg), June 1988.

9th Biennial General Assembly, Winnipeg MB, June 21, 1989.
Honorary memberships: John Friesen (University of Winnipeg); Jack Oviatt (University of Lethbridge).

1989-1990
President: Dave Woolley (Capilano College)
Past President: Brian Salt (University of Manitoba)
Vice-President: Fred Rosmanitz (University of Calgary)
Secretary-Treasurer: Bill Cousens (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)
MAL for BC: John Aslin (Selkirk College)
MAL for Alberta: Robert Day (The King?s College)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Bob Welte (Wascana Institute)
MAL for Manitoba: Linda Simpson (University of Winnipeg)

10th Biennial General Assembly, Whistler BC, June 26, 1991.
Honorary memberships:

1991-1993
President: Fred Rosmanitz (University of Calgary)
Past President: Dave Woolley (Capilano College)
Vice-President: Ken Smith (University of Saskatchewan)
Secretary-Treasurer: Bill Cousens (Southern Alberta Institute of Techology)**
MAL for BC: Gaylea Wong (University of British Columbia)
MAL for Alberta: Marilyn Withage (Red Deer College)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Emily Farnham (University of Saskatchewan)
MAL for Manitoba: Linda Simpson (University of Winnipeg)
** Replaced by Joan Fraser, Fall 1992

11th Biennial General Assembly, Calgary AB, July 7, 1993.
Honorary memberships: Des Bevis (University of Manitoba); Bill Cousens (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology); Ken Young (University of British Columbia)?posthumous.
Assistantship (1991): Alison Pickrell (University of Saskatchewan).

1993-1995
President: Ken Smith (University of Saskatchewan)
Past President: Fred Rosmanitz (University of Lethbridge)
Vice-President: Linda Simpson (University of Winnipeg)
Secretary-Treasurer: Lynn Freistadt (St. Thomas More College)
MAL for BC: Gaylea Wong (University of British Columbia)
MAL for Alberta: Joan Fraser (Olds College)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Emily Farnham (University of Saskatchewan)
MAL for Manitoba: Tom Mitchell (Brandon University)

12th Biennial General Assembly, Saskatoon SK, June 28, 1995.
Honorary membership: Garry Vann (University of Saskatchewan)
Service awards: David Anderson (Canadian Bible College), Jill Fike (Simon Fraser University), Hugh King (University of Alberta), Harvey Nagel (Simon Fraser University), and Donna Schwandt (University of Regina).
Assistantship (1993): Monica Wood (University of Winnipeg)
Assistantship (1994): Bonnie Neuman (University of Alberta)

1995-1997
President: Linda Simpson (University of Winnipeg)**
Past President: Ken Smith (University of Saskatchewan)
Vice-President: David Johnston (Simon Fraser University)
Secretary-Treasurer: Lynn Freistadt (St. Thomas More College)
MAL for BC: Greg Link (Malaspina University College)
MAL for Alberta: Joan Fraser (Olds College)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Clarence Gray (University of Regina)
MAL for Manitoba: Tom Mitchell (Brandon University)
**Replaced by Brian Salt, June 1996

13th Biennial General Assembly, Winnipeg MB, June 25, 1997
Honorary Memberships: Orville Lyttle (Trinity Western University), Linda Simpson (University of Winnipeg)
Service Award: Malcolm Knapman

1997-1999
President: David Johnston (Simon Fraser University)**
Past President: Brian Salt (University of Manitoba)
Vice-President: Joan Fraser (Athabasca University)
Secretary-Treasurer: Dave Woolley (Kwantlen University College)
MAL for BC/Yukon: Greg Link (Malaspina University College)
MAL for Alberta/NWT: Linda Hoover (Lethbridge Community College)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Clarence Gray (University of Regina)
MAL for Manitoba/NW Ontario: Darcy Bower (Brandon University)
**Replaced by Joan Fraser, February 1998.

14th Biennial General Assembly, Prince George BC, June 23, 1999.
Honorary Membership: Emily Farnham (University of Saskatchewan), Brian Salt (University of Manitoba)
Service Award: Annetta Gellner (University of Saskatchewan), Loretta Leibel (Campion College), Gail Meehan (University of Regina), Tom Mitchell (Brandon University)
Assistantships (1998): Lynn Freistadt, St. Thomas More College; Kelly McInnes (University of Saskatchewan); Sharon Scott (University of Saskatchewan).

1999-2001
President: Joan Fraser (Athabasca University)
Past President: Vacant
Vice-President: Grant McMillan (Briercrest Bible College)
Secretary-Treasurer: Dave Woolley (Kwantlen University College)
MAL for BC/Yukon: Lawrence Van Beek (Trinity Western University)
MAL for Alberta/NWT: Linda Hoover (Lethbridge Community College)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Bob Welte (Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science & Technology)
MAL for Manitoba/NW Ontario: Darcy Bower (Brandon University)

15th Biennial General Assembly, Calgary AB, July 4, 2001.
Honorary memberships: Ken Smith (University of Saskatchewan).
Service awards: Terry Moore (ACAT), Richard Spencer (University of British Columbia), Sandra Stratton (Saskatchewan Education).
Assistantships (1999):

2001-2003
President: Grant McMillan (Briercrest Bible College)
Past President: Joan Fraser (Athabasca University)
Vice-President: David McLeod (Brandon University)
Secretary-Treasurer: Janet Denford (University of Regina)
MAL for BC/Yukon: Lawrence Van Beek (Trinity Western University)
MAL for Alberta/NWT: Mike Sekulic (University of Calgary)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Bob Welte (SIAST)**
MAL for Manitoba/NW Ontario: Larry Hogue (Assiniboine Community College)
** Replaced by Claude Lang (St. Thomas More College), October 2001

16th Biennial General Assembly, Moose Jaw SK, June 25, 2003
Honorary Memberships: Gary Krivy (University of Calgary); Richard Schick (University of Saskatchewan); Bob Welte (SIAST).
Assistantships (2002): Sam Rehman (Trinity Western University); David McLeod (Brandon University).
Assistantships (2003): Sam Rehman (Trinity Western University); Mike Sekulic (University of Calgary).

2003-2005
President: J. David McLeod (Brandon University)
Past President: Grant McMillan (Briercrest Bible College)
Vice-President: Lawrence Van Beek (Trinity Western University)
Secretary-Treasurer: Barb Chudo (Red River College)
MAL for BC/Yukon: Jody Gordon (Kwantlen University College)
MAL for Alberta/NWT: Mike Sekulic (University of Calgary)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Claude Lang (St. Thomas More College)
MAL for Manitoba/NW Ontario: Larry Hogue (Assiniboine Community College)

17th Biennial General Assembly, Brandon MB, June 29, 2005.
Honorary Memberships: Darcy Bower (Brandon University); Jim McFetridge (Medicine Hat College)

18th Biennial General Assembly, Richmond BC, June 2007.

2007-2009
President: Stefanie Ivan (Grant MacEwan College)
Past President: Grant McMillan (Trinity Western University)
Vice-President: Susan Husum (University of Regina)
Secretary: David Wood (Mount Royal College)

Treasurer: Rusty Watt (SIAST - Woodlands Campus)
MAL for BC/Yukon: Jody Gordon (Kwantlen University College)
MAL for Alberta/NWT: Gilbert Perras (Keyano College, 2007-2008); Shannon Murphy (Ambrose University College 2008-2009)
MAL for Saskatchewan: Russell Issinger (University of Saskatchewan)
MAL for Manitoba: Carol Girling (University College of the North)

Western Representative to ARUCC: Stefanie Ivan (Grant MacEwan College, 2007-2008); Jody Gordon (Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 2009)

19th Biennial General Assembly, Edmonton, AB, June 23-26, 2009

Co-hosted by Grant MacEwan College, NAIT, The King's University College, Norquest College, Concordia University College of Alberta, Taylor University College and Seminary and the University of Alberta

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