RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (December 15, 2007)--Arkansas Tech University students on the Russellville campus will soon have two new degree options following action by the Tech Board of Trustees during its regular monthly meeting at the Pendergraft Library and Technology Center on Saturday.
The board approved an option in the Bachelor of Science degree program in chemistry that will allow students to specialize in biochemistry and a pest management option for the Bachelor of Science degree program in agricultural business.
“The biochemistry option will better prepare those students interested in the various medical fields in addition to careers traditionally based in chemistry,” wrote Dr. Jack Hamm, vice president for academic affairs, in a memorandum in support of the new degree options. “The field of agricultural pest management is growing due to environmental concerns and restrictions on pesticide use by the Environmental Protection Agency. The option (in pest management) will give students interested in agricultural business an additional avenue for career opportunities.”
Implementation of the pest management option will begin in summer 2008, while the biochemistry option will be available in fall 2008.
The Board of Trustees also approved a program proposal for an Associate of Applied Science degree in physical therapy assistant on the Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus and a letter of notification to establish a department for the administration of the program.
“The implementation of this program will assist us in providing high-wage, high-demand jobs in the health care industry to our service area,” wrote Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, chancellor of Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus, in a memorandum in support of the program.
In other business, the Board of Trustees approved issuance of $3.3 million in revenue bonds to fund the construction of a new physical plant facility. The project will include a 15,665-square foot maintenance building, a 7,126-square foot administration building, roads and parking lots, a fuel and wash island for the maintenance of vehicles and security fencing.
The new physical plant facility will be located on the north end of campus in the area known as Red Hill.
The physical plant currently occupies Critz Hall and Hughes Hall. During its October meeting, the Board of Trustees discussed plans to convert both of those buildings back to their original purpose as residence halls once the new physical plant facility is constructed.
