Major Strategies, Resource Needs, and Flexible Financial Planning

Major Strategies and Resource Needs

• to lead the state in offering programs that are “ahead of the curve” and on a “higher level of learning” by the addition of advanced programs that are intended to meet expanding needs for post-degree study in information technology, medical, and other professional technical fields;
  
  
• to offer a market-driven program mix that expands the CGTC curriculum into new and emerging programs areas that reflect current and future employment market demands;
  
  
• to continue to create a significant educational presence throughout the service area by expanding capacity to deliver programs and services in all eight seven CGTC counties;
  
  
• to begin development and implementation of the “weekend-college” concept; and,
  
  
• to implement a comprehensive technology and technology infrastructure program for all CGTC functions, both instructional and operational.

Most of the college’s improvement and expansion needs have been reflected in the most recent Performance Accountability System (PAS) budget request, the four-year plan for use of federal funds, and the annual capital outlay budget request; however, some of CGTC’s new strategies have not yet been fully incorporated into these budgets. Therefore, future budgets should include existing needs and should address any additional resource needs discussed in the major strategies below.

Post-Degree Programs

To introduce post-degree technology programs that go “beyond the baseline” of traditional entry-level programs, resources will be needed for the first year of operation equaling approximately $836,500 as follows:

• $25,000 to rent or renovate instructional space,
  
  
• $500,000 to equip the classroom and laboratory space (to be completed one year in advance),
  
  
• $300,000 for four additional faculty and two addition student services personnel, and
  
  
• $11,500 for program marketing and advertising.

In the second year, resources for two additional faculty and one additional student services worker will be needed in addition to the continuing costs from the previous year. As the demand for post-degree programs grows in the third and fourth year of their operation, and as new programs are added to meet needs, additional resources will be needed each year to expand faculty and staff, to provide additional renovated/rented space, and to provide retrofitted and equipped classrooms and labs. It is anticipated that CGTC’s post-degree programs will be in high-demand technology, medical, and other fields. It is projected that there will be a rapidly growing demand for these programs in Baldwin, Bibb, Monroe, and other counties throughout the service area.

New and Emerging Programs

New and emerging programs will reflect advances in a diverse array of technologies and career fields, with special emphasis on information technology and medical fields. Information technology programs may include advanced areas such as wireless technology, network design, PDAs, home networking and communications, streaming audio/video, network security, specialized programming, and/or other technological areas. Medical programs will also mirror the latest advances in the field. IT programs will be designed and delivered to cover the spectrum of career levels within a technology field from users/operators, to technical support, to technology administration, to technology design and development levels. A similar progression of levels will apply to development and delivery of programs for emerging medical careers and other advanced fields. Resource needs for the delivery of new programs to meet emerging market demands will be significant; however, many of the needs have already been reflected in the most recent PAS budget request. New programs that have already been included in PAS include: Environmental Horticulture, Forestry, Hospitality and Tourism, Metrology, Criminal Justice, Distribution and Materials Management, and it is anticipated that Fire Science, Cardiovascular Technology, Dental Hygiene, and others will be included in the next PAS request. Other program needs are being integrated into the budgets for personnel and equipment costs for new construction and renovated facilities. As new space is designed, the resource requirements for new and emerging programs will be included in the facility plans.

Expansion of Capacity, Programs, and Services throughout the Service Area

CGTC must increase capacity because the demand for education and training is growing rapidly, as shown by recent enrollment growth. The area’s population is growing, the area’s employment market is demanding a workforce with higher-level skills than ever before, and the changing nature of work and technology are compelling increased numbers of people to pursue postsecondary education, training, and retraining. Therefore, to meet these demands, CGTC will need new and expanded facilities in which to house additional and expanded programs and services. Additionally, expansion of CGTC programs and services in all seven counties in the service area will involve delivering increased dual enrollment programs in collaboration with secondary education by offering more high-demand technical instruction in the counties’ high schools and in county centers. Moreover, the expectation that credit enrollment alone will increase by 75% by FY2007 necessitates corresponding increases in resources. Facilities resources needed will include

• completion of the Roberta Center and Eatonton Center
  
  
• expansion of the Milledgeville campus facility ($10,152,380),
  
  
• renovation of rental property and the administration building façade for forward expansion on the Macon campus ($5,539,019),
  
  
• retrofitting of Building H ($1,509,380)
  
  
• completion of an additional parking lot on the Macon campus ($919,960) and acquisition of 46 acres of land adjacent to the campus ($3,500,000),
  
  
• completion of Building I on the Macon campus,
  
  
• construction of Macon and Milledgeville campus warehouse/distribution centers ($1,360,800),
  
  
• construction of a Business Center on the Macon campus ($7,690,759),
  
  
• purchase of needed land ($1,500,000) and construction of an Advanced Technology Center on the Macon campus ($13,974,000),
  
  
• rental and renovation, purchase and renovation, or construction of facilities in Monroe County
  
  
• expansion of instructional facilities in Wilkinson County
  
  
• inclusion of a health and fitness area in the Milledgeville and Macon renovations, and
  
  
• funding for ongoing repair, maintenance, and replacement of physical resources.

Additionally, each of the new/renovated facilities will require equipment and other physical resources. New capital-equipment needs (the equipment and furnishings needed for start-up) for the facility improvements listed above will exceed $12,975,000.

It is projected that normal annual increases in enrollment will generate a need for between $450,000 and $500,000 in new funding for faculty and support personnel each year. Additionally, it is projected that $1,750,000 in new funding for faculty and support personnel will be needed when expanded facilities on the Milledgeville campus and the Business Center on the Macon campus are opened.

Week-end College Concept

Offering a weekend college will make basic to advanced programs and courses accessible to people who are unable to attend college during traditional school hours. Initial weekend programs will include high-demand TCC programs and industry/professional certification programs in information technology and medical fields. The introduction of the weekend college will require $905,416 for the first year of operation including: four faculty members ($227,416), classroom and laboratory equipment ($630,000), and facility rental in Monroe County ($48,000). As the weekend college program grows, new costs for faculty and equipment will be added to continuing costs from the previous years.

Comprehensive Technology and Technology Infrastructure Improvement Program

CGTC plans an extensive technology improvement project that addresses five IT project areas:

1. systematic and ongoing technology and technology infrastructure upgrades, replacements, and additions for all CGTC instructional and operational programs and services;

2. technology and technology infrastructure “catch-up” for the recently assumed adult literacy services;

3. technology and equipment upgrades for the library;

4. technology additions to meet the demands of increased enrollment in new facilities; and,

5. improved use of information and information systems.

• IT Project 1 will require $65,000 for renovation of space for technology operations, four additional technology support positions in the first year ($120,000), one additional new technology support position in the second year ($45,000), and one more additional technology support position in the third year ($50,000). It will also require $13,728,000 for technology and infrastructure upgrades, replacements, and additions from FY2003 through FY2007.
  
  
• IT Project 2 will require one data-entry position in the first year of operation ($33,000) and $911,120 for technology replacements and additions, network installation, teleconferencing capabilities among sites, and software for adult literacy services between FT2003 and FY2007.
  
  
• IT Project 3 will require $135,720 for specialized library technology replacements and maintenance contracts between FY2003 and FY2007.
  
  
• IT Project 4 will require approximately $4,720,000 for technology for new facilities between FY2003 and FY2007. These funds are included in the costs for capital equipment listed above.
  
  
• IT Project 5 , improved use of enterprise information systems, will require one additional data-entry position in the first year ($33,000) and an additional MIS coordinator position in the second year ($48,000). The project will also require office equipment and renovated office space ($18,300).