Ivy Tech Seeks $2.9 Million
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By TERESA SMITH, Times-Union
Warsaw's Ivy Tech campus has been put on the state administration's nice list and college officials hope the Legislature gives them a gift for being so good - a $2.9 million appropriation for 2003 through 2005.
Dean Joan Walgamuth hosted a meeting Friday morning advising community members of the request before the state House and Senate this winter.
The college's budget is decided on a two-year basis, from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2005, according to State Rep. Dave Wolkins, who attended the meeting.
"This is the first time we've met and are not asking for money," Walgamuth said as an introduction. However, there are many dollars that could be appropriated in Indianapolis.
The Warsaw campus has been put on Ivy Tech's "top 10" list, according to Paul Nowak, executive director of development for the college.
"Warsaw is No. 3 on the reconstruction and rehabilitation list," he said. "You're asking for a relatively small amount - many projects call for up to $30 million."
That "small" amount would fund renovation of the existing 20,000 square feet leased in the United Office Complex building occupied by the college, add a science lab, expand the computer labs and renovate classrooms, plans dubbed phase two.
Phase three, also included in the appropriation, would increase the space to 30,000 square feet, and add medical assisting and certified nursing assistant labs, another computer lab, along with more classrooms and another 10,000 square feet.
The campus needs the room. Nowak compared enrollment numbers of Dec. 17, 2001, to the same day this year, showing 251 students a year ago, compared to 347 this year.
Walgamuth said that as of 5 p.m. Thursday, there were more than 500 students registered. Spring classes start Jan. 10 and the college gets a huge influx of students during the weeks preceding each semester.
Last year's final count was 800 students.
Supporting the appropriation is as easy as calling state legislators, Nowak said, providing a list of state senators and representatives.
State senators Kent Adams represents 63 percent of the students; Robert Meeks, 2 percent; Gary Dillon, 4 percent; and Thomas Weatherwax, 19 percent. Representatives Dave Wolkins represents 54 percent; William Ruppel, 15 percent; and Bill Friend, 17 percent.
Ivy Tech's appropriations bill will go through the Ways and Means Committee before continuing to the House and then the Senate.
Wolkins said calls are very effective, followed by letters, and with e-mails being the least effective because a staff member usually handles the electronic communications.
Letters to the editors of area newspapers were also given as a positive show of support.
Jean Northenor, who has headed a community task force in support of the college, said a couple of groups will be paying a courtesy call to Gov. Frank O'Bannon Feb. 11 in support of the legislation.
For more information, call Walgamuth at the college, 267-5428, Ext. 6108, or Sharon Meerzo, Ext. 6111. [[In-content Ad]]
By TERESA SMITH, Times-Union
Warsaw's Ivy Tech campus has been put on the state administration's nice list and college officials hope the Legislature gives them a gift for being so good - a $2.9 million appropriation for 2003 through 2005.
Dean Joan Walgamuth hosted a meeting Friday morning advising community members of the request before the state House and Senate this winter.
The college's budget is decided on a two-year basis, from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2005, according to State Rep. Dave Wolkins, who attended the meeting.
"This is the first time we've met and are not asking for money," Walgamuth said as an introduction. However, there are many dollars that could be appropriated in Indianapolis.
The Warsaw campus has been put on Ivy Tech's "top 10" list, according to Paul Nowak, executive director of development for the college.
"Warsaw is No. 3 on the reconstruction and rehabilitation list," he said. "You're asking for a relatively small amount - many projects call for up to $30 million."
That "small" amount would fund renovation of the existing 20,000 square feet leased in the United Office Complex building occupied by the college, add a science lab, expand the computer labs and renovate classrooms, plans dubbed phase two.
Phase three, also included in the appropriation, would increase the space to 30,000 square feet, and add medical assisting and certified nursing assistant labs, another computer lab, along with more classrooms and another 10,000 square feet.
The campus needs the room. Nowak compared enrollment numbers of Dec. 17, 2001, to the same day this year, showing 251 students a year ago, compared to 347 this year.
Walgamuth said that as of 5 p.m. Thursday, there were more than 500 students registered. Spring classes start Jan. 10 and the college gets a huge influx of students during the weeks preceding each semester.
Last year's final count was 800 students.
Supporting the appropriation is as easy as calling state legislators, Nowak said, providing a list of state senators and representatives.
State senators Kent Adams represents 63 percent of the students; Robert Meeks, 2 percent; Gary Dillon, 4 percent; and Thomas Weatherwax, 19 percent. Representatives Dave Wolkins represents 54 percent; William Ruppel, 15 percent; and Bill Friend, 17 percent.
Ivy Tech's appropriations bill will go through the Ways and Means Committee before continuing to the House and then the Senate.
Wolkins said calls are very effective, followed by letters, and with e-mails being the least effective because a staff member usually handles the electronic communications.
Letters to the editors of area newspapers were also given as a positive show of support.
Jean Northenor, who has headed a community task force in support of the college, said a couple of groups will be paying a courtesy call to Gov. Frank O'Bannon Feb. 11 in support of the legislation.
For more information, call Walgamuth at the college, 267-5428, Ext. 6108, or Sharon Meerzo, Ext. 6111. [[In-content Ad]]