TVCC slates energy session
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
LarryM@argusobserver.com
Thursday, October 15, 2009 11:22 AM PDT
ONTARIO — In the wake of a conference on diversity, Treasure Valley Community College officials announced Wednesday plans for an energy meeting in February they hope will attract significant interest.
The dates are Feb. 4 and Feb. 5, according to Roger Findley, associate dean of workforce training, who said the dates had just been set. The event could draw 200 to 500 people, he said during his report to the TVCC board Wednesday night. The session would include keynote speakers and vendor displays.
“We want to help the economy of the local area,” Findley said. “There is no reason that Eastern Oregon can’t capitalize on (energy).”
When it comes to solar power potential, Eastern Oregon is in the good category, Findley said.
There is a lot of interest in the local area for wind, solar and biomass information, and several businesses have expressed interest in helping host the event, he said.
TVCC has been approved for a small grant that Susan Tinker, interim dean of instruction, applied for to help fund the conference.
The college has also applied for a $2.2 million grant, which, if received, would fund the start of a renewable energy program at TVCC to include two new instructors, curriculum, equipment for an electronics lab and solar applications to the new science building.
Changing subjects, Findley said one of the problems of having a big enrollment increase is supplying those in the classroom and support services with the materials and travel that the increase in enrollment demands.
There are more printing costs and costs in travel, as more vehicles are needed for field trips and also more practice stock and feed for rodeo team.
“The good news, of course, is TVCC will have more income than it budgeted because of the increased enrollment so we can cover additional costs,” Findley said.
Figures provided by Eric Ellis showed student numbers are still running about 200 more than last year.
“We still have students in very corner,” Ellis said in his report.
