ST. GEORGE — With a bit of start-up money provided by the Legislature, the Dixie Applied Technology College is ready to start life as an entity on its own.
Although the college will "maintain strong ties" with Dixie State College, it will soon move its administrative offices to new quarters and begin developing independent programs, said ATC president Rich Van Ausdal. For him, that ultimately will mean giving up one of the two hats he has worn as both head of the newly created applied technology college and dean of the business, technology and health sciences at the state college.
Trying to juggle both jobs has meant putting in "60- to 70-hour weeks," Van Ausdal said.
Now, he said, "Our intent, as of July 1, is to be separate and self-sufficient." He will lease space in the old North Plaza building on the college campus, but set about creating independent programs focused on the applied technology mission.
He acknowledges that the new applied technology college, 10th in a covey of such colleges spread across the state, is starting out on a shoestring. "We asked the Legislature for $200,000 to get going, and got $75,000," he said. The small amount reflected the difficulty legislators had this winter meeting state needs on greatly diminished revenues. The $75,000, in fact, was shifted from the administration budget of UCAT president Greg Fitch.
The Dixie ATC also had some money from the evolution of the Sevier Valley ATC, which became a branch of Snow College. Part of the administration money from the now-defunct applied technology center was divided among two new entities — the Southwest and Dixie ATCs.
And Dixie College was willing to see the ATC through its first year until more funding was provided for the new college, he said.
Van Ausdal said he will build his ATC on a foundation already established by Dixie College. The college has developed a strong relationship with local government and business to promote economic development. The ATC also will develop ties with Washington School District to provide applied technology courses for high school students.
There is a logical niche for the ATC not already filled by either the college or the school district, he said.
High priority items for the competency-based, open-entry, open-exit programs provided by the applied technology schools will be the building and health trades, Van Ausdal said. Washington County's population continues to boom and preparing workers in the building industry will support that activity. And opening of an expanded Dixie Regional Medical Center in the next year or so will increase the demand for health care workers, he said. Other areas for training will be identified as Dixie ATC becomes better established, and hopefully, more adequately financed as the state's economic health recovers, he said.
E-MAIL: tvanleer@desnews.com