Department Chair's Corner - Fall 2009

August 29, 2009 post

November 23, 2009

Subject: Increasing Class Limits

Hello All,

Here we are again at the place and time during the semester, nearing the end of a registration period, and most classes are full. Students are already asking for the class limits to be raised so they can get the classes they want or need on the day or night and time which are convenient for them. The campus on which the class is held is also important to individuals as they try to work out a Spring schedule which will help them to graduate in a timely manner.

Increasing class limits is a tricky issue. The BCT classrooms are maxed out at 10 students for WDWK classes, and at 12 for all CNBT and CRPT courses. The sizes of the labs are finite and the equipment and tools are budgeted for 10 or 12 students. Increasing limits strains the physical size of the classroom or lab, students do not get the individual attention they pay for, and lines are long to use tools.

Increasing (bumping) class limits to 13 or 14 is my decision. The faculty member also has a voice. Overall, most faculty can handle more than the limit, but can the facility handle more? That’s always the question when considering a request from a student who needs a certain class at a certain time on a certain day or night and on a particular campus. It doesn’t hurt to ask, but please don’t take offense when the answer is no.  Good luck to all and I hope you can get the classes you need. 

Warren

Aug 29, 2009

Dept Chair Greetings:

Happy Fall!! The traditional start of school has a certain “feeling” to it. Cooler weather is coming soon, maybe by October or November.  Welcome to (back to) the Riverside campus and the BCT program. 

I will use this space to communicate with all students in our program.  I will help update critical information via this page. The bigger we get, the more changes occur.  I hope to announce important changes that affect BCT students’ efforts in seeking certificates or a degree.

For example:  ALL students need 68 credit hours to graduate. The Higher Education Coordinating Board policy states “if an AAS requires 68 credit hours (which ours does) then all graduating students must have at least 68 credit hours on their transcript.” 

Students with sufficient, documented construction experience may still apply for waivers. Some students may not have to take a specific course if they have experience in that particular subject area. We can still substitute a variety of college credit courses such as “business”, “computer science” or “architectural” courses” for waived courses in the BCT degree plan.

I’m starting my 26th year in the BCT program as a full time faculty member. I’ve been head of the dept for 24 of those years. Rules change all the time. If we accept change as a positive part of our lives, we can move forward. 

Some students encounter obstacles while working towards their AAS degree or Certificate; most of these can be overcome. If you are a brand new student in the BCT program, you make it a point to find me and engage in conversation. The more we know about you, the better advice we can give you. If you want to graduate with an AAS or a Certificate, you will have to meet certain state and institutional requirements. Focusing on those requirements early means you will have an easier time the semester you are due to graduate.    

Until next time -
Warren Heatwole

Warren Heatwole with his 25 year award