OTC suspending three programs in fall

Calling it a suspension, Ozarks Technical Community College has halted three programs after two years of discussion, effective with the fall 2011 semester.

The college’s two-year associate degrees in applied science in construction, industrial maintenance and machine tool technology have been cut, according to OTC spokesman Joel Doepker.

Doepker said students currently enrolled in the programs would be allowed to fulfill their associate of applied science degree requirements.

“All three AAS degrees are suspended and could be brought back if the enrollments increase and the need in the community is realized,” Doepker said.   

Graduate numbers from each program during the last five years weren’t living up to expectations, said Shirley Lawler, OTC vice president for academic and student affairs.

“We would like to see a minimum of five to 10 graduates a year out of each technical program,” Lawler said.

Five-year graduate numbers for the three programs, according to OTC Trend Data, are:

• Industrial maintenance, 55, an average of 11 per year;
• construction, 30, an average of six per year; and
• machine tool technology, 22, an average of 4.4 per year.

Lawler said she believes an economic recovery in full swing will increase demand for the courses.

For continued coverage of the OTC program suspensions, look to the March 28 Springfield Business Journal print edition.[[In-content Ad]]