The SouthArk Board of Trustees has opted to cut the college’s respiratory therapy program amid low enrollment and completion rates.
The respiratory therapy program would lead to an associate of applied science degree. However, due to low enrollment and completion rates, the Budget Finance Committee, represented by Veronica Creer, moved to close the program. The board then voted unanimously to cut the program at its meeting Tuesday.
The board also discussed updates to the SouthArk Bistro, located in the El Dorado Conference Center. Vice President of Finance and Administration Carey Tucker said renovations to the cafe would change the motif to fit more in line with the Conference Center’s theme. It will also be renamed to the Boomtown Bistro.
“And we’ll be serving a well-known, national brand of coffee here soon,” Tucker said.
Official information distributed to SouthArk students confirmed that the Bistro would be home to a Starbucks.
The Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (AMTC) is experiencing delays in completion again, though Tucker said the delays are not expected to affect the grand opening, set for June 20. Electrical wiring work has not been completed in two bays, and Tucker said that architects at CADM, the firm behind the AMTC, would bring in their own electricians if necessary to complete the project on time. The electrical work is expected to be completed by June 18.
The administration building is scheduled to have a new roof installed June 15, with interior demolition occurring at the same time. Water damage was discovered in the basement of the gym, which sits adjacent to the admin building. The damage is not extensive; however, an electrician will come take a look at electrical components to be sure.
Board member Jose Covas suggested hiring someone dedicated to overseeing the repairs and renovations at the admin building, but SouthArk President Barbara Jones said that working with the team of insurance adjusters and restoration specialists from VeriClaim and Metro Disaster Specialists has made supervising the project easy.
The board also discussed alterations to the building’s original construction. In order to stay on the National Register of Historic Places, the outside of the building must retain its original architecture. However, changes to the interior are being considered. When board member Kermit Parks asked whether a more community friendly conference room could be part of the building’s renovations, Jones said that was already being considering because of a fire concern in the old conference room.
After a request from board member Kerri Brown that the board be informed before any final decisions are made on the building’s final composition, such a motion was made and approved.
In other business, interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Jim Bullock announced that SouthArk’s new culinary program would begin in the fall semester.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].