News - pcgazette.com

News

Construction begins on business education center

By GENE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
Construction of Wisconsin's first joint effort by the University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Technical College System and private business is under way.

The Business Education and Training Center project symbolically began Tuesday, June 5, with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Portage County Business Council, Holmes Ave., Stevens Point, in the Portage County Business Park.

The center is a joint project of the Business Council, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Mid-State Technical College, with each paying one-third of the $750,000 construction costs. Ed Altmann Construction Co., Wisconsin Rapids, is the general contractor. Funding will also come from a federal grant through the office of U.S. Rep. David Obey, D-Wausau.

The 4,985-square-foot center, which will be an addition to the Business Council building, is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will provide education, training and technical services to businesses through on-site instruction and distance learning. The center will have two computer training labs and a training room equipped with distance learning technology.

The center's mission is to expand the availability of local training services as dictated by business needs, becoming a major factor in the economic viability of the state as well as a meaningful training resource for state businesses.

The facility will be used to help retain businesses while also attracting new businesses to the area by providing training for employees.

Training programs will be developed for 2002 and will be offered at times and in venues needed by businesses.

The effort was praised by the principals involved in the project, but criticized by a retired UW-SP professor and some UW-SP students.

Brian Doudna, executive director of the Portage County Business Council, called the center "truly an innovative project."

UW-SP Chancellor Thomas George said the project is the result of a number of years of discussion and is important because it involves efforts by Portage County, Stevens Point and the Business Council and shows the "excellent relationship" between UW-SP and MSTC.

"This is a unique partnership," said Brian Oehler, president of MSTC, adding that UW-SP and MSTC have several other cooperative projects they are working on.

"I think it's a shame there wasn't a student represented," said Jim Missey, a retired UW-SP professor, regarding the development of the center.

Students handed out a flyer listing their demands and citing Wisconsin Statute 36.09(5) that says students "shall be active participants in the immediate governance of and policy development for such institutions."

The flyer said UW-SP administrators failed to involve students and faculty in planning for the center, calling that failure "intentional strategy to keep concerned students, faculty and community members out of the planning and decision-making process."

Students' demands included UW-SP administrators make information available about the center regarding funding, access, curriculum and costs; form an advisory ad hoc committee of students, faculty and staff/administrators to provide opportunity to affect the planning and operations of the center.



	Construction begins on business education center By GENE KEMMETER of The Gazette Construction of Wisconsin's first joint effort by the University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Technical College System and private business is under way. The Business Education and Training Center project symbolically began Tuesday, June 5, with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Portage County Business Council, Holmes Ave., Stevens Point, in the Portage County Business Park. The center is a joint project of the Business Council, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Mid-State Technical College, with each paying one-third of the $750,000 construction costs. Ed Altmann Construction Co., Wisconsin Rapids, is the general contractor. Funding will also come from a federal grant through the office of U.S. Rep. David Obey, D-Wausau. The 4,985-square-foot center, which will be an addition to the Business Council building, is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will provide education, training and technical services to businesses through on-site instruction and distance learning. The center will have two computer training labs and a training room equipped with distance learning technology. The center's mission is to expand the availability of local training services as dictated by business needs, becoming a major factor in the economic viability of the state as well as a meaningful training resource for state businesses. The facility will be used to help retain businesses while also attracting new businesses to the area by providing training for employees. Training programs will be developed for 2002 and will be offered at times and in venues needed by businesses. The effort was praised by the principals involved in the project, but criticized by a retired UW-SP professor and some UW-SP students. Brian Doudna, executive director of the Portage County Business Council, called the center "truly an innovative project." UW-SP Chancellor Thomas George said the project is the result of a number of years of discussion and is important because it involves efforts by Portage County, Stevens Point and the Business Council and shows the "excellent relationship" between UW-SP and MSTC. "This is a unique partnership," said Brian Oehler, president of MSTC, adding that UW-SP and MSTC have several other cooperative projects they are working on. "I think it's a shame there wasn't a student represented," said Jim Missey, a retired UW-SP professor, regarding the development of the center. Students handed out a flyer listing their demands and citing Wisconsin Statute 36.09(5) that says students "shall be active participants in the immediate governance of and policy development for such institutions." The flyer said UW-SP administrators failed to involve students and faculty in planning for the center, calling that failure "intentional strategy to keep concerned students, faculty and community members out of the planning and decision-making process." Students' demands included UW-SP administrators make information available about the center regarding funding, access, curriculum and costs; form an advisory ad hoc committee of students, faculty and staff/administrators to provide opportunity to affect the planning and operations of the center.