Minutes - 01-29-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Halkiotis said that one of the major drawbacks with the new high school site was the fact that the community college would need at least 20 acres, which would allow for expansion, parking, and the impervious surface ratio. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the 20 acres and why sa much was needed. Barbara Baker said that the task force was taking expansion into consideration. If the high school site were used, there would be no room far expansion. Commissioner Jacobs verified that 2Q acres was not a mandate. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the facility was located close to an industry, how the curriculum would be designed in relation to what the training needs might be. He asked to what extent DTCC would try to accommodate the training needs of an employer. Dr. Bill Ingram said that the advantage of being located near an industrial center was that it enables DTCC to provide some specific training as well as general training. He said that the needs of the industries change and employers want people that can work together in teams and have good general skills. The hands-on training can be provided by the employer. He does envision same specialized training programs in health care. Commissioner Jacobs asked if Orange County would have additional representation on the Durham Tech Board of Trustees if a satellite campus were opened in Orange County. Barbara Baker said that this is something to be discussed. Commissioner Jacobs supports a community college in Orange County because even with law unemployment, a lot of the people are under employed. He would like to know more about the ongoing annual cost. Commissioner Carey asked who appoints the members of the Board of Trustees and Barbara Baker said the County Commissioners of the home County, the school board, and the Governor. Commissioner Carey feels that the location of the Durham Tech branch in Orange County is an open topic. He too was initially excited about the possibility of co-locating but as he learned more about the needs, he realized that the Board needs to think more broadly. The County Commissioners need to have that discussion. He suggested asking the staff to bring back a recommendation far a process on appointing a small group to analyze potential sites and to make a recommendation on the criteria to use. Chair Halkiotis said, in conclusion, that he supports the idea of a satellite campus of DTCC in Orange County. He said that it was really important for people to understand that there is going to be a four million dollar in-kind match by the County. He said that this was like creating another school system in the County. Orange County is making a contribution and an investment far the future. He feels that the County Commissioners need to further discuss this issue. Commissioner Gordon asked about the programming at the satellite campus. Dr. Bill Ingram said that Durham Tech has approval to offer 35 different associate degree programs. Those approvals come with them to Orange County. DTCC has entered into an agreement with Alamance Community College to share resources for similar programs. Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to have same sort of sense about what would be offered at the branch in Orange County and some kind of analysis of how this would work with Alamance County. She would also like to see a transportation piece on haw the students would get from Orange County to other campuses. She would like for the staff to look at the statutes to see what the rules are for a satellite campus. Barbara Baker said that English as a second language would be a big program in Orange County as well as classes in basic skills similar to those offered at the Skills Development Center. Dr. Bill Ingram made reference to the transportation issue and said that the main campus was on a TTA route, and the northern Durham center was recently added to a Durham Area Transit Authority route, which is accessible through TTA. He cautioned the Commissioners not to try and create another school bus system, but to locate the facility near public transportation. John Link asked what an Intent to Proceed would mean for the County. Barbara Baker said that an Intent to Proceed would mean that the County was committing to a permanent site for a community college satellite campus in the County. The Board agreed to ask the Manager to coordinate with the staff of DTCC to answer some of the questions raised by the County Commissioners.