May issue.pdf - Wingspan

2Wi n g s pa ncampus newsMay 4, 2009lccc.wy.edu/wingspanPark loses its amenities as program is cutBy TraceyRosenlundDeputy Online EditorAstudentrunServiceLearning projectat Laramie CountyCommunity Collegehas been drasticallyreduced because ofthe budget cuts thatcut the constructiontechnology program.When LCCC’s presidentcut the programin early April, it affectedmore than just the studentsand instructorsdirectly involved in theconstruction tech.The students fromthe cut program wereto build and completeall the structures inthe park:• all the concretework;• a picnic shelter;• a play area (not theequipment);South park:The park will not be built with all the amenities shownabove because the construction tech program was cut.• the “Golden EaglePark” sign;• the benches byplay area;• the stand for theeagle statue.The 32,440-squarefootGolden Eagle“pocket park” for thenew housing developmentoff SouthIndustrial Road willbe completed, butwithout the previouskey components ofthe park.Without the laborthe construction techstudents would haveprovided, the projectwould be overbudgetif completed with allthe originally plannedfacets, according to theproject manager andbusiness administrationand accountingmajor, Zachary Brown.CourtesyEven without theassistance from theconstruction techstudents Brown saidthe other managementstaff he workswith will be able to laysod, pour the concretework and lay the irrigationsystem andplant Rocky Mountainjunipers and cottonwoodsusing minimalvolunteer labor.The project wasdesigned by Brown touse in his Principlesof Management class.Service Learning isdefined as studentslearning how to applythe knowledge obtainedin their courseof study through communityservice.Brown, a sophomoreat LCCC, said,initially, it was easy tobegin pulling this parktogether because ofthe interest in helpingstudents and the community.“A lot of peoplewere really excitedabout this,” he said.Brown enlisted thehelp of three advisorsfor the horticulture,construction andfinancial aspects. Acontractor, WilliamHolmes, Sr., a horticulturespecialist from theCheyenne BotanicalGardens, Steve Scottand a financial specialistfrom WyomingBank and Trust, JeffWallace, will still assistBrown with the drasticallyreduced project.The first deadlinefor completingthe project was theend of the Spring ’09semester.Initially, the badweather had put theproject behind, butafter the constructiontech programwas cut from thecollege’s budget, itwas unclear whetherthe park would befinished.“If the constructionkids can’t help,the project getsscrapped,” Brownsaid shortly after theconstruction tech programhad been cut.The picnic shelterwould have been onthe far east side of thepark. The playgroundwould have beenangled northeast tosouthwest, filled withrecycled tire material,surrounded by awalkway and adornedwith two cottonwoodtrees on the east sideof the playground.The park will belined on the northside of the lot withRocky Mountainjunipers, and thecottonwoods will stillbe close to where theplayground equipmentwill be installedat a later unknowndate.So, for now, thevacant lot betweenHR Ranch Road,Banner Drive and LizRoad in front of thenew housing development—JLRanch—offSouth Industrial Roadwill be only partiallydeveloped.Teachers, students ask board to reconsider construction techBy Tracey RosenlundDeputy Online EditorThe president of Laramie CountyCommunity College defended hisdecision to cut the constructionechnology program at an April 15 boardeeting.He said he does not see the needn the community for this certificaterogram because employers seem to hireaborers for the same construction posiionregardless of their level of education.When requesting additional fundingrom the Legislature, President Darrelammon emphasized he believed everyrogram LCCC offers benefits to the comunity.But this idea did not prevent himrom cutting funding to the constructionechnology program.Hammon said he asked the advisoryoard for the construction tech programn the fall 2008 if they would hire onlyraduates from LCCC’s construction techrogram. He said they were ambiguous inheir response, which contributed to theecision to cut the program.“When restructuring the budget, theollege looked for the “least impact ontudents and faculty,” Hammon said.Not only did the cut affect the handfulf students enrolled and the instrucorsfor the construction tech programut also the high school students whoreceive concurrent enrollment for collegecredit.An Army special operations war veteranwho has twice served in Afghanistanand a construction technology major,Kyle Volk, relocated here from NorthCarolina so he could learn how to buildhouses. “Shutting down the program waspremature,” he told the trustees.A retired LCCC instructor and fulltime student in the construction techprogram, Craig Anderson, said: “I amdisappointed with the administrative decisionto cut the construction technologyprogram. I think it’s a mistake.”Project manager for the proposedGolden Eagle “pocket park,” businessadministration and accounting majorand LCCC sophomore Zachary Brownsaid Volk, the construction foreman of theproject, is working on trying to get the collegeto allow the students already enrolledin the construction technology program tofinish their certificates on LCCC’s campus.If he is unsuccessful, the constructiontech students will be required to travel174 miles roundtrip every day of theirclasses to finish their degree at EasternWyoming College in Torrington.Volk said, after talking with his fellowstudents, none can afford to make thattrip to finish his certificate.In light of the possibility of being unableto receive a certificate from LCCC inconstructiontechnology, onestudent in theprogram, JaredMowrey, hascontacted anattorney, whoadvised him towrite a letter tothe college requestingrefunds Jared Mowreyfor the courseshe has completed. After starting his degreealmost a year ago, he is left with little toshow for his invested time and money.Three high school construction teachersfrom East and Central high schools,in addition to other supporters, repeatedlyasked the LCCC Board of Trusteesto reconsider their decision to cut theconstruction technology program or cutonly the construction tech program inLaramie.Brian Stevenson, a teacher atCentral High School, said: “Central hasa construction program. The new highschool [South High] is being built with aconstruction lab. East High school has aconstruction lab because minors are notallowed on dangerous job sites.”Another Central high school teacher,Curtis Colbert said students receive concurrentenrollment [college credit] forthe courses they take at the high schoollevel. Continuing education at LCCC isan attractive option for students afterhigh school, he said.“There is a tremendous demand forskilled craftsman, and there will be demandfor them in the future,” Curtis said.“It’s a very valuable program.”Stevenson asked the board if they hadconsidered the fact that “in order for usto continue those programs [on the highschool level] we have to have a relationshipwith somebody, and it appears itwon’t be LCCC.”Construction and welding instructorat East High School, Joseph Allen,said there were other ways to adjust theprogram to reduce the costs. He said hewould carry a loan for a new project,would come up with an agreement surroundingthe property, put money intoan escrow account and donate money tohelp keep the program.“As you see the economy start toreturn and more building start to happen,there will be more need for studentscertified in this program,” Allen said.“This college was founded on the ideaof community and building careers,”he added, “It is a place to have a moreinformal education and [have students]go onto their fields.”Later in the meeting, trustee TomBauman expressed a desire to find a wayto keep the program.