Orofino Chamber of Commerce
Hardy and guests provide LCSC update
Danielle Hardy, director of the Lewis-Clark State College Outreach Center in Orofino gave the Orofino Chamber of Commerce an update on the center April 15, before introducing other LCSC staff who presented information on various programs.
After spending about 10 years located at Orofino High School, the LCSC Outreach Center now partners with Clearwater County, sharing space at 2200 Michigan Ave. with the extension office and the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Partnership, Hardy says, is a key word for the center, which has a local advisory committee that meets monthly.
Besides administering LCSC programs locally, the center holds two annual events: the seventh grade career fair and a career fair for high school students.
Hardy introduced Louise Stoltz Vincent Martinez, outreach coordinators for the Grangeville and Clearwater Valley centers. Budget cuts will close the Clearwater Valley center the end of June, and the Orofino and Grangeville centers will provide services for the students in Clearwater Valley.
Three LCSC officials, Jack Peasley, Community Programs, Kathy Martin, Dean of Community Programs, and Tony Fernandez, Provost and Academic Vice President, spoke to the chamber as well.
Dual credit program
Peasley provided an overview of the dual credit program available through LCSC. The program allows students 16 and older to earn college credit while still in high school, at substantial cost savings. Credits for the program are currently $65, compared to $215 per credit when students enter college. All Idaho colleges recognize the credits. Participation in the program does not mean a student must attend LCSC.
The college is currently working with nine school districts and hopes to add more. They work with high school teachers to develop syllabi that contain enough rigor to qualify for college credit. Instructors must have a masters degree or 18 credits beyond their bachelor degree in the given field.
High school students can also take distance learning classes, but must pay full price for those credits.
Peasley also gave information on the Suite Summer Program, which provides families, individuals and groups with inexpensive lodging at either College Place or Clearwater Hall at LCSC.
Community programs
Martin enumerated the programs provided by outreach centers such as Orofino’s. They provide vital support for distance learning, proctoring exams and providing GED classes and workforce training. The college has a number of degrees that can be earned entirely online.
Martin commended those who have earned their GED through the center and invited everyone to the annual GED graduation to be held at LCSC in May.
Through Educational Talent Search, Community Programs provides counselors to local junior and high schools to encourage students to pursue higher education. They work particularly closely with students who might be the first in their family to attend college.
LCSC is the AmeriCorps center for the state of Idaho, with over 60 people involved in the program.
Art Under the Elms is a community project held in conjunction with Lewiston’s annual Dogwood Festival. This year’s event takes place April 24-26 at LCSC.
Provost Fernandez opened his remarks with greetings from President Dene Thomas, who was unable to attend due to a prior engagement. He also issued an invitation to the NAIA World Series which begins May 22 at LCSC.
Budget concerns
Fernandez focused on budget issues. The college was aware of upcoming cuts in revenue and had planned accordingly. With an annual budget of $20 million, a 10% cut in appropriations is substantial, but the college has made the necessary adjustments to accommodate the shortfall he said.
The state, he said, provides about 2/3 of the cost of educating each student. The students bear the remaining third of the cost. LCSC requested and received permission to hike tuition 7% for the 2009-2010 school year.
Nursing and Health Sciences
Setting aside budget concerns, Fernandez said he would be remiss if he did not point out the good things happening at the college. Amongst those is the opening of the new Nursing and Health Sciences building, scheduled to open the first part of May, a month ahead of schedule.
The building is 60 thousand square feet. “Thank goodness,” Fernandez said, “it was funded when it was funded.” Even six months later he said and “not one brick would have been laid.”
The facility came in under appropriated funding and right on budget so extra funds will be used for additional equipment. It provides the college with state of the art facilities for radiation technology, nursing and related biology and health classes. The nursing program is full for fall, with 48 students enrolled.
Fernandez stated that seven recent graduates at LCSC who are entering health care fields, applied and were admitted to either medical school, dental school, osteopath or pharmacy school. Their successes speak well for the programs at LCSC.
Career Fair
Monica Jones reported that 45 businesses, five high schools and one junior high have committed to participate in the upcoming Career Fair, to be held April 30. Grant moneys received will be used to provide participants with t-shirts and job related items.
Chamber auction
The Orofino Chamber of Commerce auction will be held May 1, with a Nascar theme. Tickets are on sale now.
The chamber meets every first and third Wednesday at the Ponderosa Restaurant Banquet Room at noon.