This content was published: March 18, 2005. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Students stranded by BCTI closure can turn to PCC
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – In light of the March 14 shutdown of the Business Career Training Institute (BCTI), many students have been stranded. Those students now have an option, thanks to Portland Community College.PCC wants to work with each of the students to enable them to continue their computer studies. The college will help students develop a plan of study and will evaluate transcripts for awarding earned credits through PCC. Information about admission and registration for classes can be found at www.pcc.edu. Spring registration is currently open and classes begin Monday, March 28. Students interested in PCCs college credit classes can call Marty Murray, interim division dean of Business and Computer Technology, at 503-977-4286.Also, the non-credit Computer Education Program, which focuses on industry IT certifications, can customize courses to meet the needs of students or business who need specific skills or training. The program certifications include Cisco (CCNA), Microsoft (MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA and MCSD) and CompTia (A+, Security+ and Network+), Oracle Database Administration and Sun Java Programming.PCC is a Prometric Testing Center and has testing sites at the Southeast Center (2305 S.E. 82nd Ave.) and at the Capital Career Center (18624 N.W. Walker Rd.). If students register for an exam directly through this department, there is a discount offered for the cost of the test. For more information about these courses and exams, call Wendy Settle with PCCs Computer Education Program at 503-788-6217.Classes at BCTI had been suspended at all of its seven campuses in Washington and Oregon, including locations in Salem, Vancouver and Beaverton. This leaves students who have applied for federal aid loans and have invested thousands of dollars of their own money in limbo. One student reportedly took out $16,000 in loans to take a 145-day computer training classes at BCTI.Portland Community College is a multi-campus system covering a 1,500-square-mile college district in northwest Oregon. It offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning. The college serves approximately 85,000 full- and part-time students each year.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »