The Barrett Government, in which Rodgers had initially been a ministerial executive assistant, was extensively lobbied to establish what are now BC Open Learning and conceptually related programs and institutions. [The actual implementation of Open Learning came a few years later with the Hon. Pat McGeer MLA, Minister of Advanced Education].

In the early years of Vancouver University's BC-statutory degree authority (commencing 1983), Van U from time to time proposed utilizing degrees jointly issued with BC Open Learning on a co-equal basis. The offer was ignored. When Van U commenced issuing degrees on behalf of affiliates, however, Open Learning decided to follow suit - and compete for affiliates! Thus the Vancouver Academy of Music secured the BC Open Learning associate degree option, and the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute also applied for a BC Open Learning degree affiliation. Vancouver University provides degree affiliation options not only within BC but also globally.

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