Cob: cob--CONCRETE and college

[Amanda Peck]

You have to join to read this in the original--not sure it's worth it, 
but....
http://www.mtsusidelines.com/news/368770.html?mkey=476415

Prior to the announcement of required budget cuts for all state public 
universities, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission approved a new 
concrete industry management major at MTSU.

Formerly a concentration under the industrial technology major, the concrete 
industry management program has grown from two students in 1996 to more than 
200.

The conversion from concentration to major mainly consisted of a title 
change, according to Tom Cheatham, dean of the College of Basic and Applied 
Sciences.

"It's still the same program, the same faculty and courses," Cheatham said. 
"We're not really extending the program more money."

For that reason, the concrete industry management program has been allowed 
to expand despite upcoming budget cuts throughout the university.

Mary Morgan, director of communications at the Tennessee Board of Regents, 
said the announcement of financial cuts did not come until after the new 
major was approved by THEC Jan. 30.

According to a university press release, MTSU will have the only four-year 
concrete industry management program in the nation that offers a bachelor's 
degree starting in the fall of this year.

Morgan said she expects the new major could attract more students to MTSU, 
possibly inviting more revenue to the university.

Cheatham said students are drawn to the program because of the need for 
concrete managers in the construction industry.

"Primarily, there is a good job market, and starting pay is about $45,000 a 
year," Cheatham said.

The press release stated that the goal of the program is to produce 
graduates sufficiently grounded in basic sciences and mathematics, 
knowledgeable of concrete technology and the industry and able to manage 
people and systems.




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