by Sherri Hogan

With less than a week to go before it starts, organizers of this year's Atlantic Association of Registrars and Admissions Officers Interchange Conference 2005 - Teaming up for Student Success are anticipating an impressive turn out for the event. Hosted by Holland College, the conference runs from Tuesday, May 31st to Friday, June 3rd at the college's Tourism and Culinary Centre on the waterfront in Charlottetown.

Holland College Registrar and AARAO Conference Chair Sylvia Poirier says the event provides valuable information, professional development opportunities and the chance to exchange ideas.

"We are expecting approximately 130 registrars, admissions officers, recruiting/liaison officers, and high school counselors. The workshops and presentations have been designed to ensure that all who attend find the conference worthwhile. With so many professionals from all over the Atlantic provinces together over the course of the conference, I know that there will be some fascinating conversations amongst the delegates both in and out of the structured program."

The conference?s keynote speaker is Wayne Thistle, one of Canada?s leading and most highly respected arbitrators and mediators. Mr. Thistle is the former Vice President (Administration and Finance) of, and General Counsel to, Memorial University in Newfoundland. In 2002, he received the 2002 Ken Clements Award from the Canadian Association of University Business Officers in recognition of his outstanding contributions to higher education management and administrators in Canada. Mr. Thistle is currently counsel with Mcinnes, Cooper Law Office, an Atlantic Canada Law Firm. His presentation is entitled The Challenges of Navigating the Registrarial Waters.

Other topics featured throughout the conference include educational trends and challenges; international students, performance and documentation; financing and education; admissions issues and trends; and facilitating the exchange of information between post-secondary institutions and high school guidance counselors. Delegates will also be able to tour Holland College?s newly renovated Atlantic Police Academy and Marine Training Centre facilities in Summerside.

Of course, the conference isn't all work and no play. Registrants will be able to participate in a variety of social activities. They may sign up for golf and golf clinics at Brudenell Golf Course, a walking tour of downtown Charlottetown, a lobster supper, an Island kitchen party, or even a cooking class at the Culinary Institute of Canada, which is located in the Tourism and Culinary Centre.