The Teaching Assistance Program

Did you know that Regent College employs more than one hundred students every year?

Each year our faculty and staff departments are assisted in their administrative work by a number of Regent students who are employed by the school as TAs (Teaching Assistants). The financial impact of this program for students is significant: it helps with tuition expense and the high cost of living in Vancouver. In addition, TAs are able to acquire new skills, accumulate valuable work experience, develop important relationships with faculty and staff, establish strong references for future job applications, and have the opportunity to embody the theology they are learning in the classroom.

Take, for example, Carla Faria. Prior to attending Regent College, Carla was a high-school teacher in Brazil. Her diverse experience as a TA in four of Regent’s departments—Admissions, the Library, Spring & Summer School, and Development— helped her build marketable skills for her current position as the Pastor of Ministry Development at a new church plant in Vancouver. Carla says, “The variety of work, the juggling of various work shifts, and my studies and responsibilities outside of Regent made the learning curve at my new job manageable. I would say that my work experience at Regent paved the way for me to take on the substantial responsibility of a church plant.”

As much as the TAs may gain from working at Regent College, we gain immensely from their service. The administrative support that they offer our faculty and staff departments is both excellent and invaluable. Our TAs provide expertise and skills that enable the College to maintain efficiency and excellence of service. This is especially important during these challenging economic times.

The recession has affected all sectors of our society, including theological education. Regent College has unfortunately seen a decline in enrollment, in new donor support, and in bookstore revenue, which has led us to recently cut operational expenses by $500,000—a full seven percent of our budget. This has been achieved through restructuring, hiring postponements, and a decrease of pension contributions for faculty and staff.

Although the TA program is a considerable budget item, and would therefore be tempting to cut in order to reduce expenses, its value to both the College and the students is significant. We are committed to maintaining this integral program. But, at a cost of $350,000— which represents 30 percent of our annual fundraising goal of $1.1 million—we need your support.

Today a Regent College TA earns $11 an hour. By contributing the equivalent of two TA hours per month for a total of $22 per month, you will have a direct and tangible impact on our goal to raise $350,000 (or 31,818 hours of TA time) for the 2009/10 fiscal year. Each additional hour you are willing to support on a monthly basis will bring us that much closer to our goal.

We recognize that you, as a member of the Regent community, are interested in the school’s financial sustainability. We are especially grateful for the important role you play in lifting up the College through prayer and through financial support. In the midst of operational cut-backs, your financial gift will not only help us to continue funding the TA program, but also will enable us to fulfill our mission to cultivate intelligent, vigorous, and joyful commitment to Jesus Christ, his church, and his world.

Thank you in advance for making the TA program at Regent College possible.

Warmly,

Richard Thompson
Director of Donor Relations
rthompson@regent-college.edu
604.221.3314