For Immediate Release
SMU unplugs Local Computer Classes as Educorp moves in
By Mike W. Thomas
San Antonio Business Journal
Updated: 8:00 p.m. ET July 04, 2004
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is shutting down its advanced
computer training center in San Antonio, citing a lack of students
due to the poor economy. However, computer training will continue
at the 7550 Interstate 10 West location as Dallas-based Educorp
Training and Consulting Inc. plans to step in and begin offering
an expanded array of courses starting in July.
The SMU Advanced Computer Education Center in San Antonio is
no longer enrolling new students, but will continue classes
for those already enrolled through December, says Tammy Richards,
assistant dean of the School of Engineering at SMU.
"We are consolidating all of our training centers to our
Dallas location," she says. "We are continuing to
work on some innovative programs for distance learning and Web-based
learning so that we can continue to provide computer training
and education across the state, but now from one location."
Richards says the training economy has been very difficult for
the past three years as companies have been unwilling to spend
a great deal on training and certification programs for employees.
"We just didn't have the number of students to support
the program at this time because of budget cuts in the corporations,"
she says. "That is something we have seen across all of
the Texas area. Everyone has been dismayed by the lessened spending
(on training) that we have seen in the past few years."
The San Antonio training location was opened in Spring 1998.
SMU is also shutting down a training center in Houston. Richards
says the nine full-time employees at the San Antonio location
were hired from the local community and will not be transferring
back to Dallas. Some or all of them may continue working for
Educorp.
"We are not starting any new classes, but for students
who are currently enrolled we are continuing to teach those
classes out so they can receive the credit or certifications
they were working toward," Richards says. "That will
end in December."
Moving Up
As SMU pulls up stakes in San Antonio, Educorp is planning to
step in to fill the gap and possibly expand the number and variety
of course offerings, says Sue Murray, president of Educorp.
"That is the current plan at least through the end of
their lease, which runs to the end of the year," Murray
says. "And then we are looking to either take over that
space at the end of the lease or we are looking for other space
in that area."
Murray says Educorp's San Antonio operation will be about the
same size as the current SMU offering initially. "We are
going to try to furnish the classes that the people have been
asking for down there and that SMU was currently providing,"
she says. "We are taking requests now by phone and once
we have enough people enrolled we will begin a class."
Murray says that at least six students are required to make
a class economically feasible.
This won't be the first time that Educorp has taught in San
Antonio, but it will be the first time for the company to set
up its own training center. In the past, Educorp has offered
computer courses in San Antonio that were sponsored by IBM.
Educorp is a core education supplier for IBM.
So far, Educorp has hired two local instructors, a technician
and a receptionist for the San Antonio facility. Murray says
in addition to teaching Microsoft-based courses, the company
plans to offer courses in AS-400, Unix and Linux. "We are
also looking at the possibility of offering some professional
skills training such as leadership, team-building and management
at some point in the future," Murray says. "These
are courses we offer at our Dallas location."
For additional information please contact:
Sue Murray, President of EduCorp Training & Consulting,
Inc.
sue.murray@educorptraining.com
Phone: 817-251-5046, 800-668-0943
Fax: 817-251-5073
E-mail: educorp@educorptraining.com
2020 W. Northwest Highway Suite 108
Grapevine, Texas 76051
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