The Utah College of Applied Technology will continue operation of the skills center located at the USU Campus in Tooele, according to David Buhler, interim commissioner for the Utah System of Higher Education.
“This is the result of a transition in what institutions will be responsible for higher education in Tooele county,” said Buhler. “The plan is for a seamless transition from Salt Lake Community College to Utah College of Applied Technology.”
Holly Gibson, a student at the Tooele Skills Center remains skeptical of the change.
“We have already been told that they are not enrolling any more students,” Gibson said. “If UCAT takes over the program, will things really continue as they are?”
Buhler said he met with leaders from Tooele County in June — including the county commissioners, Tooele County School District Superintendent Terry Linares, and Rep. Jim Gowans — to discuss higher education services for Tooele County and particularly how to reduce the duplication of services in the county.
The recommendation that emerged from the meeting was for USU and UCAT to take the primary role in delivering higher education in the county, according to Buhler. As a result of the change, Salt Lake Community College programs will be picked up by either USU or UCAT.
High school students enrolled in concurrent education classes for the coming year will not need to worry about any changes. Tooele School District has over 800 students enrolled in concurrent enrollment classes through Salt Lake Community College, and those classes will remain intact as planned for the 2008-09 school year.
“The Tooele County School District has been involved in a long-term partnership with Salt Lake Community College, Utah State University and the Salt Lake/Tooele Applied Technology College in developing opportunities for our students and community,” said Linares. “The Tooele County School District feels that each of these entities contributes a critical component to the educational opportunities of our students and county.”
“The Higher Education institutions are still in the early stages of this transition of services. We are committed to maintaining the same kinds of opportunities currently being provided to students in the Tooele County area. With its burgeoning growth, this region plays an important role in helping train a skilled workforce that will continue to support the economic vitality of the state,” Buhler said.
“In fact, with the elimination of duplication of services, these institutions will be able to grow their services to meet the needs of Tooele county,” he said.
tgillie@tooeletranscript.com
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