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The Gleaner
August 16, 2003
Technology center plans gets priority in budget request
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents met at
Henderson Community College Friday for the second time in the board's five-year
history, and while it didn't discuss the long-proposed Tri-County Technology
Center, that facility was part of action taken by the panel.
The hoped-for $13,066,000 project has received a high priority rating by the
board, which approved a KCTCS 2004-2006 biennial capital budget request. That
request will be submitted to the state Council on Postsecondary Education and
the document may be modified by the council before it is included in the postsecondary
education budget forwarded to the next governor and the 2004 General Assembly.
KCTCS has ranked 50 proposed projects totaling $404,745,000, with the local
center ranked fourth in overall priority and second as a new construction project.
Only the Ashland Regional Postsecondary Education Center, with a projected cost
of $28,690,000, is ranked ahead of the Tri-County Center.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of a 1993 HCC feasibility study that indicated
strong area support for a campus facility that would serve the needs of employers
in Henderson, Union and Webster counties.
The center was considered the Council on Postsecondary Education's top new
capital project for the 2002-2004 biennium but failed to receive state funding
for construction because of budget constraints.
HCC President Patrick Lake told The Gleaner on Friday that "we're still
trying to make the gubernatorial candidates aware of the need. Our legislative
delegation has a major interest in getting this approved."
Michael McCall, KCTCS president, said he is optimistic about the success of
the local project "if there's money available. It's clearly a much-needed
and well-deserved project."
In welcoming the KCTCS board here for its quarterly meeting and first visit
since shortly after the system was created, Lake said HCC has enjoyed "tremendous
growth" in the last five years. In fact, enrollment is up 58.5 percent
since 1998, he said, and the school has doubled its technical programs, added
three diploma and 28 certificate programs. "We've been very active."
The system as a whole has been active too, McCall noted, and expects enrollment
for the fall semester to reach the 70,000 mark "or more." HCC registration
for the new semester began Thursday, and was running about 8 percent ahead of
enrollment figures at this point last year. Aug. 22 is the last day to register,
and classes begin Tuesday.
The 14-member board includes Henderson resident Lorna Littrell, who is beginning
her sixth year of service. Littrell not only is a member of the board executive
committee, but also serves as chair of the Efficiency, Effectiveness and Accountability
committee and vice chair of the Finance, Technology and Human Resources committee.
Also on the board is Henderson native William Beasley, who now resides in the
Paducah area. Beasley also is on the executive committee, chairs the Finance
committee, and is vice chair of the Efficiency committee.
The board, which rotates its quarterly meetings among KCTCS campuses, will
have its next session Dec. 5 at Central Kentucky Technical College in Lexington.
The Messenger
August 19, 2003
MCC pleased with enrollment
Crowded parking lots on Madisonville Community College’s campuses are
a sure sign that classes are back in session.
College officials expect record fall enrollment for the fourth straight year.
Dean of Students Scott Reynolds said “a steady flow” of students registered
Monday.
“It’s been busy,” he said, with a laugh.
The computer system currently shows registration of 2,516 students.
“We’ve just gotten a report from the systems office today that says
we are actually up from this time last year by 13 percent,” Reynolds said.
“We’ve projected (enrollment of) 3,498, which is about a 4 percent
increase over last year.”
Students who will be added to the system later include those in dual-credit
courses, high school students taking college classes, and those in business,
industry and training courses.
The growth in enrollment includes a large number of students participating
in spring priority enrollment, with “a healthy growth” in new students
signing up for classes now, Reynolds said.
On the health campus, the local chapter of the Kentucky Association of Nursing
Students kicked off the fall semester Monday with wheelchair races, crutches
races, games, giveaways and food.
Wheelchair drivers faced an extra challenge, as they tried to steer with a
bandanna tied over their eyes.
“We won one and we lost one ’cause we got stuck in the grass,”
said LPN student Whitney Harris, who rode in a wheelchair driven by classmate
Shannon Quiggens.
“She’s getting the hang of it,” Harris said, with a laugh.
LPN student Larry Adams announced prize-winners over a microphone.
“It was a little warm by the grill,” he said. “I was cooking.
It didn’t take those hot dogs long.”
The first day of class “went real well,” said Patty Simmons, nursing
instructor and KANS co-adviser.
“Both our program (associate degree nursing) and the LPN program have
increased our enrollment for the semester, so it’s quite busy,” she
said. “Our first LPN-to-RN class will graduate Friday, and a new class
will begin.”
Twenty new students are expected in the weekend LPN-to-RN program, Simmons
said.
Good planning on the part of division chairs provided accurate projections
on which classes would have the highest demand, said Dr. Jan Muto, dean of academic
affairs.
There’s been a lot of demand for “your typical gen ed classes, math,
writing, probably history,” she said. These classes are commonly taken
in the first semester.
“We planned well,” Muto said. “That doesn’t mean that everybody
necessarily has gotten their first choice of courses. We’ve actually had
to cancel very few classes and have been able to meet student needs reasonably.
“We are so happy to see the parking lots full,” she said. “I
am so happy to see all these students here. It warms my heart to see them. We’ll
do whatever we can to make their experience positive.”
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