Inside April 20, 2004's Issue

Information Technology program suspended

By Kenneth Tucker
[email protected]
Staff Writer

A recent decision based on a decline in enrollment has suspended the Information Technology (IT) program at Georgia Highlands College. Since the program's introduction in the fall of 2001, the program has witnessed a steady decline in its enrollment.

While there will be no new students enrolled in the program, students who are currently enrolled should not worry too much. The courses in the IT program will still be offered until spring semester 2006� allowing them to complete their degree.

According to Dr. Soumitra Chattopadhyay, chair of the science and math division, after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the economy suffered a setback and many jobs in the IT field were lost� enrollment in the IT program started to decline as well.

Chattopadhyay would like students to know that even though the program is currently being suspended it doesn't necessarily mean it will definitely be discontinued. If within the next two years it looks as if the program could continue successfully, it will be reinstated.

Chattopadhyay says that it is unfortunate that the program is being suspended. �It was, and is, a good program. Students enrolled in the program learned a lot about their field of study�� he said. Chattopadhyay also points out that very few students will be affected by the decision to suspend the program, saying that overall less than 0.3 percent of the total student population will be affected.

�Termination of this program will inconvience me greatly as I will have to travel to Atlanta to finish my degree. This represents a total failure by Georgia Highlands College to fulfill its mission,� said Michael Ball, an IT major from Rome.

Brandon Sims, another IT major from Lindale, said, �I do not think the change will affect me too badly because I should finish the program within the next year.�

The IT program began after a review showed demand for IT related personnel around the Atlanta area.

After getting the IT program approved by the Board of Regents in 2000, Georgia Highlands College started offering courses in 2001.

The program was intended to prepare students to go directly into the job market in the field of IT after graduation. The program offered a certificate course, which could be completed within a year, or an associate degree, which would take two years to complete.

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