The institution operates and maintains physical facilities, both on and off campus, that are adequate to serve the needs of the institution’s educational programs, support services, and mission-related activities. (Physical Facilities)

     X    Compliance         Partial Compliance         Non-Compliance

Narrative: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) is comprised of eighteen classrooms, laboratory and office buildings (approximately 200,000 heated square feet) located on an approximate 100 acre campus. The College does not operate dormitories. The oldest buildings were constructed in 1966 and the most recent building was added in 2003. According to the most recent (Fall 2003) Space Planning Report provided by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the College provides slightly over 96 square feet of allocated space per FTE student. This percentage compares favorably to an average of approximately 89 square feet per FTE for all of the sixteen colleges in the South Carolina Technical College System. The average for all two-year colleges in South Carolina is approximately ninety square feet per FTE student.

While it is very important that the College provide adequate space per FTE student, it is also meaningful to note that the College has a higher than average utilization of its student stations. The system average for station utilization is approximately 65%, and the utilization average for all two-year colleges is only 58%. OCtech has approximately 78% utilization. The College has effectively renovated all of its available classroom space and is almost at capacity between the peak instructional hours of 8:00a.m.and 2:00 p.m. Consequently, OCtech is actively pursuing a new classroom building which will alleviate many of the problems presented by recent enrollment growth. Furthermore, the College is exploring plans to partner with Lake Marion High School to offer selected computer technology classes at its facility in the eastern part of Orangeburg County. This partnership will provide the College more classroom space and better serve the population in one of the more remote parts of the county.

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Policy 5.002 addresses the utilization of buildings and grounds. Driven by a significant increase in student enrollment, OCtech has recently undertaken a systematic program of new construction and renovation. A new Student Services and Community building was completed in 2003. This facility provided a central location for all student services, as well as a new cafeteria, a large computer lab, training rooms, board rooms, and administration offices. Ninety additional parking spaces were provided as well as the last link to an interior road which effectively connected the entire campus. Extensive renovations were also made in 2003 to the Learning Resource Center. In this building, the Library was enlarged and modernized. The College Bookstore, print shop, student lounge, and information technology offices were all renovated and enlarged. Seventeen new faculty offices were added, providing all full-time faculty members with individual office space. Additionally, the College repurposed an existing industrial training building to house most of the computer technology classrooms and offices. Significant renovations were completed in 2004 to the administration building and an additional classroom building.

The College budgets annually for routine maintenance and small projects. Within this budget, OCtech participates in an organized and aggressive facility maintenance plan. Over 500 major building equipment components have been identified and are scheduled for regular preventative maintenance by OCtech staff. Housekeeping, grounds, and minor repair services are all provided by College staff. Contract labor is obtained for larger or specialized projects. Surveys are conducted annually to determine levels of satisfaction with facilities and maintenance. While 26% of the faculty and staff and 19% of the students surveyed expressed a desire for more regular cleaning in campus restrooms, the survey still reflected slightly over 90% satisfaction from the faculty and staff and 94% satisfaction from the students with overall facility maintenance, as well as the cleaning and upkeep of grounds throughout the College.

The President and Vice President for Business Affairs regularly update the Area Commission on the status of major projects on campus. The Commission periodically visits construction sites on campus and recently toured the entire campus as a body to gain a sense of accomplishment, as well as to review the need for additional classroom space.

The College strives to meet the needs of all of its students and works closely with students with disabilities who may need or seek special accommodations. In May 2003 the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education conducted a Methods of Administration (MOA) Audit to evaluate the College’s compliance in various areas, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Interviews with students who received accommodations revealed no evidence of violation. In fact, the students noted “high praise for the support they received…from the faculty."

Initially, the MOA team reported five recommendations to the College. In response, two minor renovations have been completed and approved by the team, and a corrective action plan has been accepted for a third renovation. The remaining two recommendations were later retracted by the team after discussions with the College and an additional review of the applicable standards.

In keeping with its mission, OCtech follows a three-year schedule for the updating and replacement of technology. Faculty, staff, and student surveys indicate a favorable level of satisfaction with technology services and equipment that support teaching and learning.

Evidence of Support: