Posted 11:45 pm Monday, January 14, 2013
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TJC bond election: Program decisions made
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Although Tyler Junior College voters approved a $25 million bond package in May, construction has not started on the new nursing and health sciences facility. But work is being done.
In the months since the election, college officials have been deciding what programs to add, expand and move to its new facility.
Although many decisions have yet to be made, college officials did provide some details about what is to come for the facility, which will cost $50 million in all.
Private donations and student user fees will combine with the bond money to fund the project.
Right now, nursing and health sciences facilities are spread in three primary locations, two buildings on the main campus and one on the west campus.
TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said he and others are considering what programs have synergy and could benefit from sharing classrooms and space in the new facility, which is slated to be 150,000 square feet.
“We only get one chance to do this right and we've been very careful to try to get the right programs for the region,” Metke said.
The existing programs that will be in the building include nursing (LVN and RN), dental hygiene, surgical technology, medical laboratory technology, radiologic technology, respiratory care and diagnostic medical sonography.
In the months since the election, college officials have been deciding what programs to add, expand and move to its new facility.
Although many decisions have yet to be made, college officials did provide some details about what is to come for the facility, which will cost $50 million in all.
Private donations and student user fees will combine with the bond money to fund the project.
Right now, nursing and health sciences facilities are spread in three primary locations, two buildings on the main campus and one on the west campus.
TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said he and others are considering what programs have synergy and could benefit from sharing classrooms and space in the new facility, which is slated to be 150,000 square feet.
“We only get one chance to do this right and we've been very careful to try to get the right programs for the region,” Metke said.
The existing programs that will be in the building include nursing (LVN and RN), dental hygiene, surgical technology, medical laboratory technology, radiologic technology, respiratory care and diagnostic medical sonography.
The campus health clinic, currently in Rogers Student Center, will be moved to the new facility and expanded there.
The dental clinic also will be moved from the Pirtle Technology Center to the new building. The college will renovate the vacated space as a part of the process.
Sarah Van Cleef, the college's vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer, said a lot of research went in to deciding what new programs and certificates to add.
College officials considered the fastest-growing health fields nationwide and also talked to healthcare industry officials locally.
The first new cluster TJC is looking to add is rehabilitation therapies. This would include degree programs for physical therapist assistant, certified occupational therapist assistant, invasive cardiovascular technologist, personal fitness (wellness) trainer and massage therapist.
In addition to these programs, the college plans to expand some existing programs by adding about 11 new certificates.
If approved, these will include certificates in dental assisting, phlebotomy, medical laboratory assistant, CT and MRI scanning, echocardiography, pharmacy technician and more.
Metke said the college will leave some unfinished space inside the new building so that other programs can be added later.
“It's really important that it will not be maxed out,” he said.
The dental clinic also will be moved from the Pirtle Technology Center to the new building. The college will renovate the vacated space as a part of the process.
Sarah Van Cleef, the college's vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer, said a lot of research went in to deciding what new programs and certificates to add.
College officials considered the fastest-growing health fields nationwide and also talked to healthcare industry officials locally.
The first new cluster TJC is looking to add is rehabilitation therapies. This would include degree programs for physical therapist assistant, certified occupational therapist assistant, invasive cardiovascular technologist, personal fitness (wellness) trainer and massage therapist.
In addition to these programs, the college plans to expand some existing programs by adding about 11 new certificates.
If approved, these will include certificates in dental assisting, phlebotomy, medical laboratory assistant, CT and MRI scanning, echocardiography, pharmacy technician and more.
Metke said the college will leave some unfinished space inside the new building so that other programs can be added later.
“It's really important that it will not be maxed out,” he said.
Dr. Rita Allen, assistant to the president for special projects and one of the key organizers for this project, credited Metke with involving the community in the planning process.
In addition to advisory committees, which are a requirement for each workforce program, the college created a community task force made up of about 30 leaders in local government, business and the medical communities.
Metke said this group is helping to validate plans and provide feedback when necessary.
The advisory committees are made up of local experts who help provide guidance and feedback for all of the college's workforce programs.
Moving forward, the college will seek approval for the new planned programs from the necessary entities. Officials also will determine where the building will go on the available property.
Construction is scheduled to begin in May and be completed by October 2014, an 18-month process.
The building is scheduled to open for classes in spring 2015. However, Metke said he would like to have the new programs in place by fall 2014 so students can start working on prerequisite courses.
In addition to advisory committees, which are a requirement for each workforce program, the college created a community task force made up of about 30 leaders in local government, business and the medical communities.
Metke said this group is helping to validate plans and provide feedback when necessary.
The advisory committees are made up of local experts who help provide guidance and feedback for all of the college's workforce programs.
Moving forward, the college will seek approval for the new planned programs from the necessary entities. Officials also will determine where the building will go on the available property.
Construction is scheduled to begin in May and be completed by October 2014, an 18-month process.
The building is scheduled to open for classes in spring 2015. However, Metke said he would like to have the new programs in place by fall 2014 so students can start working on prerequisite courses.
