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6 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • Thursday, October 12, 2017 Serving your community since 1856 By Joy Struthers Chronicle Staff The Cowan Foundation's dona-tion to Conestoga College is the biggest the school has ever received at $4 million. Conestoga College president John Tibbits said it's a big number and it will help the continued expansion of its Waterloo campus. "We have received some major equipment donations in the past, but this is by far the biggest cash dona- tion," said Tibbits. The campaign for the Waterloo campus expansion project is called transforming together, which Tibbits said is aiming for $25 million total, and has reached about $8 million. They are going about the campaign in a strategic way with partners that want to support the work they are doing. "We're trying to work with peo- ple," said Tibbits. The culinary field is one area of expansion in Waterloo, and the school is reaching out to people who need more staff. "We know there's a big shortage … we're working to see how we can get more people into the culinary program," said Tibbits. This is how he said they grew the roofing centre, by working with people in the industry so they could meet their needs. Information technology and com- puter programming is going to be moved to Waterloo as well as the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program (LINC). The Cowan Foundation has a history with Conestoga College and helped them build the welcome cen- tre at the Doon campus as well as expand the health sciences program, among other projects. Tibbits said they aren't just mak- ing nicer buildings but tripling the number of graduates. He said the recent economic study by Larry Smith shared that 50 per cent of the workforce in the Waterloo Region has taken a course from Conestoga. "It's a huge impact and they do see it," said Tibbits. Terry Reidel, executive director of the Cowan Foundation, said they are pleased to be able to sponsor Cones- toga College during their 50th year. "This transformation project will help position their (Conestoga's) bright future, as well as the bright future of many individuals," said Reidel. Tibbits also shared negotiations with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) come at a frustrating time, when the college is in full expansion to benefit the com- munity. "We're really growing substan- tially. Our domestic enrolment is up this fall, our international enrolment number is up this fall, a lot of people want to come to the college," he said. He wishes the school could have dealt with contract issues locally, but the negotiations are stuck at the pro- vincial level. He thinks the issues are different depending on where you are in Ontario. OPSEU has not called for a strike yet, which he said is a good thing. "I can't make a promise one way or the other. It's in the union's hands," said Tibbits. He is hopeful about what he called a fair offer made to teaching staff similar to what was accepted by support staff. He said the offer on the table is an almost 7.5 per cent raise for faculty over four years with no concessions. With Conestoga campuses boom- ing in the Waterloo Region, a quick outcome would mean less stress for students and staff. "There's still time and we really hope this is settled," said Tibbits. The deadline is Oct. 15. Conestoga College expansion receives $4M donation File Photo Conestoga College's Waterloo expansion received a $4 million donation last week from the Cowan Foundation. CAMBRIDGE 90 Main Street cornerstonefurniture.ca 519.740.9991 /CornerstoneHome /cornerstonehomeinteriors Hundreds of items are currently in stock! Quantities are limited - items in photos may not be in stock. CORNERSTONE'S SOFA BLOWOUT SALE! Sale extended for one week only. All floor model sofas are 20% off. Includes already reduced items!