For Immediate Release:

Contact:

Alesa Martin, Director of Institutional Marketing

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Phone: 304.442.1005 ● Fax: 304.442.3052

Email: amartin@wvutech.edu

Good Things Happing on Campus According To President

Montgomery, WV - During a press conference held on Tuesday, January 9^th, President Bayless addressed the media on the positive changes that are occurring on the WVU Tech campus including the status of our transition towards integration with WVU; initiatives such as facilities, enrollment, programs and sports; as well as operational improvements.

Since last year’s legislative session, WVU Tech was scheduled to transition from regional campus status to full division of WVU as of July 1, 2007, the administration has been working diligently to make sure the process has been seamless and on schedule. Many of these activities included moving administrative back-room operational functions to WVU so the WVU Tech campus can devote as much of the on-campus resources to supporting the students’ academics and campus life. In addition, governance of WVU Tech will be streamlined while maintaining a strong campus visiting committee to provide direct advice to the campus leadership from Tech's constituents.

Bayless commented that the transition is based on two very important guiding principles. “First, we are striving to offer the highest quality academic programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels at WVU Tech that serve the needs of the Kanawha Valley, with special emphasis on engineering programs.” He continued, “Our enrollment plans and goals are consistent with academic program goals and community needs while maintaining Tech’s fiscal integrity.”

One of the largest focus areas of the positive initiatives was on updating and renovating campus facilities. WVU has committed approximately $10 million to fund capital improvements to Tech’s student union and residence halls through tax-exempt financing, and approximately $800,000 of Tech’s ’07 state appropriation increase will also be used to support the annual debt service payment. These funds will be used for improvements such as:

• $6.2 million in renovations of Maclin Hall to become a student residence with an expected completion target of Fall 2007 in time for the start of a new academic year.

• $4.6 million in renovations to the Tech Center to be completed by Dec. 2007 in time for the 07-08 spring semester. This will include a new, expanded cafeteria, eliminating the need for cafeterias in the two other halls, as well as other improvements.

• $400,000 in renovations to Ratliff Hall that occurred this past summer.

WVU Tech has also received $1,925,000 in matching funds from WVU and the Higher Education Policy Commission to make capitol improvements including:

• Vining Library roof replacement.
• Old Main’s clock tower.
• Engineering Lab roof replacement.
• Orndorff Hall to correct humidity problems.
• Davis Hall auditorium renovations and other repairs to the facility.

WVU is also providing oversight on capital projects related to lottery funds such as the Engineering Classroom sprinkler and fire alarm system and a soon-to-be started project at Old Main to replace the sprinkler and fire alarm systems and make electrical service upgrades. 

Bayless was also very excited to share the good news concerning enrollment, new programs and new sports. “On the Enrollment front, projections are encouraging. Overall undergraduate applications are up 61% for Fall 2007, and we’ve added two new popular academic programs to our list of majors -- Criminal Justice and Psychology. We are also looking forward to the addition of two new sports including Wrestling and Cross Country.”

Other majors that had increased interest this year included Business Administration, Biology, Nursing and Computer Science.

“Other initiatives at Tech include notifying the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the legislation that changes Tech’s affiliation from regional campus to a division of WVU. As part of that notification, we will seek separate institutional accreditation. Thus, the WVU Tech Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and the WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources – while still working closely - will maintain separate accreditation,” quoted Bayless.

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