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CSI plans for aggressive growth(Times-News (Twin Falls, ID) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jun. 17--TWIN FALLS --Sometimes the College of Southern Idaho amazes even state officials. The Idaho State Board of Education praised CSI for its ability to prepare students amid a changing job market, and for building community support for the institution. Then it asked how the college manages to do it. "If people think we can benefit them, and the economic interests of the community, then I think they will be more willing to pay for our services," said Jerry Beck, president of CSI. "And to do that, we have to be nimble and quick to respond to the needs of the community." To do this, CSI works closely with local businesses to train employees and keep them up-to-date. When Simplot closed its factory in Burley, CSI designed courses to prepare laid-off workers for new jobs. And when companies like Jayco, Dell and Gossner Cheese moved to the area, CSI immediately began working with those businesses to create training programs. But Beck said immediacy requires a local board. "One of the advantages we have is that your (employer) can tell one of us that they need more (workers)," Beck said. "And within a few days, we can gather board members in a board meeting to see how we can start some kind of training program." Teaching technology CSI also uses the latest technology to teach students in their homes. "A large part of our success is due to our ability to operate in our off-campus areas," Beck said. "Enrollment in our Internet-based courses keeps growing, so we have to keep up with the demand. We are the first college to integrate VoIP (Internet protocol voice system), which gives students the ability to communicate through a video connection." He said CSI's service area includes many rural communities, so online courses often are more convenient. Besides the main campus in Twin Falls, CSI also operates smaller campuses in Burley, Hailey and Gooding. All four campuses are connected through a video network so instructors can teach from studios on the main campus. The long-term Not all of CSI's growth is happening away from the main campus. The college is requesting money through grants and the state to build a health center on its main campus to coincide with the planned expansion of its nursing program. School officials also are working with the city of Twin Falls to increase the size of the campus by one-third. The city will have to build another street to go around the campus. "We will implement that as our resources entail," Beck said. "But with the construction of Wal-Mart, the new high school and the hospital, we see this as an opportune time to begin preparing." Now may be the best time to prepare for growth after the State Board recently approved the new funding formula. Under the formula, CSI can increase state funding by increasing student enrollment. "Maybe we have more opportunities," Beck said. "Of course, you always make some of that opportunity by being business aggressive." |