BC3’s Steven Shaffer speaks to students during the homeland security and emergency preparation class Aug. 24 at Butler County Community College. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle

Andrew Jackson

BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College discontinued 32 programs — 19 leading to an associate degree and 13 leading to a certificate — after an academic portfolio review and program analysis were conducted.

The decision was made unanimously by the board of trustees during a Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, meeting following a recommendation from the board’s academic assessment committee.

Associate degree programs being discontinued include computer forensics and security, homeland security, hospitality and tourism management, and photography. Discontinued certificates include basic manufacturing, human resources workplace certificate, medical assistant and accounting skills.

Butler County Community College hospitality program student Savannah Neyman cuts potatoes as hospitality management instructor and hospitality program coordinator Jennifer Taylor cuts mushrooms to prepare for Thanksgiving at the community college in 2017. Butler Eagle File Photo

The discontinuations will result in no layoffs, and 18 students enrolled in five programs will be able to complete their credentials through teach-out plans. Credentials earned in the programs remain valid and graduates’ transcripts will remain unchanged.

“These programs served our students and our community well for many years, and the people who earned these degrees and certificates should know their credentials remain fully valid,” BC3 President Megan Coval said in a news release. “Formally retiring them lets us focus on the programs today’s students and employers need.”

Trustee Bruce Russell said during Wednesday’s meeting that the analysis reviewed student demand, enrollment, completion trends, workforce trends and other criteria. He emphasized that no one factor determined the outcome.

Russell said college leadership met with union leaders before the decision was made.

“These programs served our students and community well for many years. Today’s action reflects the college’s ongoing work to keep our programs aligned with the needs of today’s students and employers,” he said.

An artist’s rendering depicts a possible design of what will become a 1,200-square-foot radiologic technology education center and its interior simulated X-ray laboratory within the Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building on Butler County Community College’s main campus in Butler Township. Submitted photo

While two radiologic tech programs were discontinued, the board was clear that it does not impact the radiologic technologist associate degree program set to start in fall 2027. The college is still accepting applications for that program.

The board of trustees also voted unanimously Wednesday to discontinue 20 “legacy” programs that have not been offered by the college in at least 10 years. The board said discontinuation was done to ensure institutional record accuracy, administrative clarity and to align the college’s official academic inventory with active offerings.

While “PN Nursing” is listed as one of the legacy programs, the board clarified that the current practical nursing program will remain active.

A full list of discontinued programs can be found at bc3.edu/news.

A student uses equipment in the basic manufacturing workplace certificate program in April 2015. The program is among those being ended by BC3. Submitted Photo