PATI Information Statement

Introduction:

The general purpose of the Public Access to Information Act 2010

Under section 2 of the Public Access to Information Act 2012, the purpose of the Act is to:

• give the public the right to obtain access to information held by public authorities to the greatest extent possible, subject to exceptions that are in the public interest or for the protection of the rights of others;
• increase transparency, and eliminate unnecessary secrecy, with regard to information held by public authorities;
• increase the accountability of public authorities;
• inform the public about the activities of public authorities, including the manner in which they make decisions;
• have more information placed in the public domain as a matter of routine.

The reason that the public authority has an information statement:

Under Section 5 of the Public Access to Information Act 20 I 0, every public authority' in Bermuda must produce an information statement.

The purposes and aims of the information scheme, and what the public authority hopes to achieve through the information statement.

This statement aims to make it easy to access key information about the (your department's) activities.

Summary of what is in the information statement:

• Who we are and what we do
• What we spend and how we spend it
• What our priorities are and how we are doing
• How we make our decisions
• Our policies and procedures
• Lists and registers

The information provided includes: Organisational structure of the Unit; governing legislation; functions and powers; services and programmes; information held - grouped into decision making; administrative or other record; further information (includes financial); contact details for the information officer and locations of the information statement.

Name of Public Authority: Bermuda College

Section A: Structure, Organization and Legislation

Legislation
Bermuda College was established under The Bermuda College Act 1974 to provide full and part-time education and training for persons over the compulsory school age. The Act and its subsequent amendments provide for the establishment of a Board of Governors, creation of by-laws, and the power to acquire and hold personal property.

Section B: 1 - Functions, powers, duties of the Authority

Vision Statement

Transforming lives through innovative education.

Mission Statement

Bermuda College is committed to providing the community with innovative programmes, training, support services and access to partnerships that lead to local and global success.

Functions

Bermuda College provides access, opportunities and options to tertiary-level education and training on a full or part-time basis for traditional (post-secondary school age <24) and non-traditional (25+) students. Since its establishment, the College has expanded its services to better enhance the skills of its students through a diversity of relevant programmes. It offers 19 associate degree; 11 diploma and 7 certificate programmes and over 80 external certificates and professional designations, international qualifications, workforce development certificates, training and development courses, and online ( distance education) courses. Bermuda College embraces the community college philosophy, and is dedicated to offering the highest standards of academic, technical and professional excellence. The Dual Enrolment Programme for high school seniors allows college credits to be earned while students are in high school; and the College collaborates with overseas colleges and universities to offer baccalaureate programmes on Island, or seamless transfer of credits through articulated agreements. The Lifelong Leaming Centre housed on campus, offers a wide array of courses for seniors.

Board of Governers

The functions and responsibilities of the Board can be summarised as follows:

• Establishing goals and providing direction
• Ensuring the College is effectively managed
• Approving policies; and
• Producing an annual report and audited financial statement for presentation to the Minister

The Board also provides ongoing evaluation of the College's m1ss1on and goals; the establishment and maintenance of the governance structure; the appointment of the president, after consultation with the Minister of Education; the evaluation and review of the President's leadership performance; the making of rules for the appointment, election, resignation, retirement and removal of officers and staff; maintenance of the financial integrity of the College; the evaluation of College operations and effectiveness; development and approval of by-laws to enable the Board to operate efficiently; the assumption of powers, consistent with its corporate status, such as the power to sue and be sued, enter into contracts, to acquire, hold and sell property; recommending the creation of departments to the Minister of Education for approval; monitoring the delivery of programmes and cancelling programmes when appropriate.

Board members are responsible for faithfully discharging their duties and to do so to a high standard of integrity, and in the best interests of the College.

Section B: 2 - Obligations under PATI Act [s5(l)b]

• To provide an information statement for the public and promulgate it [s5]
• To provide other information to the public so that the public needs only to have minimum resort to the use of the Act to obtain information [s6]. This includes:
  • General information, e.g. activities of the Authority
  • Log of all information requests and their outcome
  • Quarterly expenditure (upon request) [s6(5)]
  • Contracts valued at $50,000 or more
• To respond to information requests in a timely manner [s12 - 16]
• To track information requests, and provide this data to the Information Commissioner
• To respond to requests from the Information Commissioner [s9]
• To amend personal information held by the Authority that it is wrong or misleading following a written request by the person to whom the information relates [s19]
• To conduct an internal review if formally requested [part 5]
• To give evidence for review by the Information Commissioner [part 6, 47(4)], or for judicial review [s49], if required
• To provide an annual written report to the Information Commissioner of the status of information requests [s58 (3)]
• To do anything else as required under the PATI Act and subsequent Regulations [s59, 60], including:
  • Fees for Requests for information
  • Management and maintenance of records
  • Procedures for administering the Act
• To train staff and make arrangements so as to facilitate compliance with the Act [s61]
• To designate one of its officers to be the person to whom requests are directed [s62]

Section C: Programmes and Services [s5(1)c]

Accreditation

Bermuda College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Bermuda College's culinary arts (associate degree and diploma) programmes are also accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

Services

Bermuda College provides academic, technical and professional and career education to local residents consisting of:

• Quality instruction equivalent to the first two years of a four-year degree
• Intake interviews (supporting effective resource development to address student needs)
• Counselling services (https://www.college.bm/index.php/resources/counselling-career-centre)
• Skills development workshops
• Financial aid awards
• In-house awards and scholarship
• Student employment
• Leadership development
• Professional networking and corporate partnerships
• Face-to-face tutoring
• Tutor.com (live, on-demand, 24-hour tutoring service)
• Services and accommodations for students with learning disabilities
• Comprehensive library and research services
• Academic computing and information technology service

Programmes:

Bermuda College offers credit programmes through the academic divisions of the College as well as non-credit credentials and professional designations through the Division of Professional and Career Education.

Credit Programmes

• Associate Degrees: Actuarial Science; Arts; Arts & Science; Art & Design; Business Administration; Computer Information Systems; Culinary Arts; Early Childhood Education; Education; Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology; Hospitality Management; Motor Vehicle Technology; Nursing & Allied Health; Plumbing Technology; Pre-Health Science; Pre-Health Science (Pre-Med); Science
• Diploma Programmes: Computer Network Administration; Computer Network Technology; Culinary Arts; Food & Beverage Management; Foundation Diploma Programme (UK); Foundation Diploma Programme (US and Canada); Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology; Hospitality Management; Motor Vehicle Technology; Plumbing Technology, Wood Technology
• Certificate Programmes: Accounting Technician; Applied Science Technology; Electrical Wiring Technology; Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology; Motor Vehicle Technology; Plumbing Technology, Wood Technology.
• Certificates, External Certificates & Professional Designations: ns: Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS); American Management Association (AMA); Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA); Building Owners and Managers Institute (BOMI); Certificate in Basic Horticulture; Certificate for Emergency Medical Technician; Certificate in Nail Technology; Certificate for Nursing Assistants; Certified Restaurant Server; Introduction to Aquaponics; Certificate for Childcare Assistants; Certificate in Intellectual Disability; City & Guilds International Qualifications (Certificate in Hairdressing); Information Technology (Skillsoft Global Knowledge IT Training Courses); Institute of Leadership and Management Development (ILM); International Compliance Association (ICA); International Computer Driving License (ICDL); KIXKO Compliance; Maritime Seamanship and Inshore Navigation; Chart to Electronic Navigation; Endeavour Maritime Careers Springboard; Personal Fitness Trainer Certification; Project Management;
• Professional Development: Building Financial Literacy; Safe Water and Waste Management.
• Distance Education Courses: Medical Billing and Coding; Medical Administrative Assistant; Spanish for Medical Professionals I and II; Key Elements of Elder Care; Dementia Care; Dementia of Family Care Givers; Social Media for Business Certificate; Managing Social Media Platforms Certificate; lnstagram for Business; Google+; Evernote; e-Marketing Essentials Certificate; Google Apps for Business; Mobile Marketing Certificate; Google Analytics; Podcasting; Video Marketing Certificate; Certificate in Data Analysis; Cyber Security for Managers; Entrepreneurship Certificate; Practical Math in the Workplace; Certificate in Presentation Media; Managing Generations in the Workplace; New Strategies for Time and Productivity Management; Mastering Computer Skills for the Workplace; Mastering Microsoft Excel; LEED Green Workplace; Leed v4 Accredited Professional; Certificate in Non-Profit Administration; Certificate in Time and Productivity Management; You Tube for Business; TWITTER for Business; Training for K 12 Teachers Social Media and Online Tools for K-12 Teachers.
• University Programmes Offered in Bermuda in Partnership with BC
  
  • Mount Saint Vincent University (Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting or Management);
  • Framingham State University (Master of Education Educational Leadership); Master of Business Administration (Management - online programme)

Articulation Agreements

Visit the Transfer Pathways page for more information.

Section D: Records and documents held [s5(1)d]

5-year Strategic Plan (in development); 5-year Academic Plan; Bermuda College Library Development Plan (2023-2026); Institutional and Legal Records; Financial Statements and Documentation; Minutes of the Board of Governors and Sub-Committee meetings; Minutes of Nursing Education Strategic Team, Nursing Pathway Team, Nursing Education Advisory Team, Allied Health Team; Annual Report; Employee Personnel Records; Student Records; Vendor and Contract Files; BC Journals and publications; Employee Code of Conduct; Faculty Handbook; Student Code of Conduct; Student Handbook; Bermuda College Library Goals and Objectives, Vision and Mission;

Section E: Administration (all public access) manuals [s5(1)e]

• Academic Catalogue - provides information on the academic regulations, programmes, course descriptions, facilities, fee structure, employee names/credentials, services and map of the campus.
• Academic Policies
• Bermuda College/BPSU Collective Bargaining Agreement - provides details of the negotiated contract for faculty and support staff.
• Bermuda College Policies and Procedures - the operating guidelines to which Bermuda College employees are expected to adhere.
• Financial Instructions and Policies
• Bermuda College Library Interview/Meeting Room Policies
• Bermuda College Library Rules for Rare Book Room Use
• Financial Support Policy
• IT Policies & Procedures (under review)
• Student Employment Handbook

Section F: Decision-making documents [s5(1)f]

• Faculty and Support Staff Agreement
• Bermuda College Policies & Procedures
• Student Code of Conduct
• Conditions of Employment and Code of Conduct
• Crisis Communication Policy
• Bermuda College Library Collection Development Policy
• Bermuda College Library Reference Services Policies & Procedures Statement
• Bermuda College Library Usage Policies
• Bermuda College Library Computer Usage Policy
• Bermuda College Library Circulation & Reference Statistics
• IT Handbook
• Nursing Education Communication Plan
• Student Code of Conduct
• Students with Disabilities Policy

Section G: The Information officer [s5(1)g]

Necheeka Trott
Interim Assistant to the President for Special Projects
Stonington Avenue
Paget, Bermuda PG04
Or
P.O. Box HM 2718
Hamilton, Bermuda
HM LX
[T] (441 239-4093) [E] This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Section H: Any Other Information [s5(1)h]

Bermuda College Board of Governors:

• Mr. Nasir Wade (Chair)
• Mr. Denton Williams (Deputy)
• Dr. Lana Talbot
• Ms. Cherie Dill
• Mr. Frank 'Chip' Gillis
• Mr. Ryan Taylor
• Ms. Charmaine Tucker
• Ms. Jozelle Opoku
• Mr. Shelby Weldon
• Ex Officio Members
• Bermuda College President
• Faculty Association President
• Chair, Bermuda College Company of Honorary Fellows
• National Training Board Representative
• Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education
• Professional Support Staff Association Representative
• Student Government Council Representative

Section I: Any Other Information to be provided? [s5(1)i]

Section J: Information Statement: Copies and Updates [s5(2,3,4,5)]

Every public authority shall update its information statement at least once a year, and make it available for inspection by the public at reasonable times by [sS( 1-5), PATI Act]:
Date Information Statement was updated: December 2024
Locations of Information Statement:
Copies of the Information Statement will be available at the following sites:

Sign and Date: April 10, 2025