I don't care what goes on at BTC as long as I can get the classes I want when I want them and am getting a quality education with no disruptions

GM and Lear and SSI and LSI's parking lots used to be full. Now it is BTC's turn.

Ozzman is right. I would rather find a job than a parking space. We need jobs in Wisconsin.

Adult day care? That's a bit harsh. There has been some level of deterioration at BTC in terms of course quality. Some of my friends who go there are surprised by how easy it's been in most courses. I have a family member who attended and is now working and seeing graduates and wondering if they attended the same school. That is to be expected with such huge influxes of new people. When times are tough (for the school), schools are more likely to force people to retake courses (by making them tough) to get extra tuition money. Right now it's move people out as fast as reasonably possible. That said, I'm guessing most community colleges are facing this same problem, because they are more affordable and a lot of kids can no longer afford to start out at a four year school. Basically, it deteriorates the value of the A.A.S degrees from tech schools and puts more emphasis on a four year degree. Those who can afford a four year school will likely benefit most. At any rate any additional education beyond high school is good.

That's funny, Sandman, because almost everyone I knew from work including myself has made the honors list every semester so far! In fact, all of us who have were also nominated to be entered into the Who's Who of American Colleges and Universities. Are you a little jealous?

Government-funded adult day-care at its best. At least they're not out bar-hopping, I guess.

Unfortunately, however, there's no weeding process to make it likely that the people entering these fields of study will be reasonably likely to get jobs in their chosen area, so for a significant number this may turn out to be nothing more that a socially acceptable way to waste a couple of years and a lot of taxpayer money.

I sincerely hope that BTC has not dumbed-down its curriculum in order to selfishly maintain a high FTE student level, but from what I've heard from people who were there prior to this influx, and from what I know of the politics of BTC ("We are Futuremakers" -- whatever that is supposed to mean as it flashes across all those annoying and expensive LED entrance signs), I would not be surprised if that is exactly what has happened.

As these people get their degrees and realize there are absolutely no jobs in the area, you'll see people moving to Madison in droves. I don't think the educated workforce alone is enough to attract businesses. There are plenty of other small cities going through the same process. It's nice in theory. I'm not sure Janesville is proactive enough or has enough financial resources to get the right companies to move here.

I am a student at MATC in Madison (the Truax campus) and we are having the same problem as our enrollment went up 13%. Unfortunately we also have more students to begin with which makes the 13% even larger. Our normal parking lot is full and so is the overflow parking lot. There have been students parking on the grass and at the end of parking rows (which is dumb since the area to drive is not big). Our lovely campus security has been enforcing the parking rules and been handing out tickets. The other day I swear I saw about 30 cars with green tickets on them, but do not believe the students could have done anything about it. If there is nowhere to park, there is nothing anyone can do. Hopefully Blackhawk students aren't finding tickets on their cars since they have no option. I have been lucky enough to find a parking spot every time I needed one so far.

As a dislocated worker and a BTC student, I understand the challenges BTC is facing right now. It would be almost to easy to buy up some land surrounding the campus to expand, but then will it be needed when people like me are done with classes after next semester? I agree with the first two posters--lease some space from the idle factories temporarily.

woody, it gives Wisconsin an educated workforce, so that we can continue to attract top-tier employers. Or did you want a new boat instead?
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garyprimer, here's the 2009-10 budget plan. It shows (p. 7) federal aid as about $1.3 million of a $25 million budget. Property taxes are $14 million, state aid $4 million. Program fees (which I assume is essentially tuition) is also $4 million.
http://www.blackhawk.edu/board/pdfs/2009...
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Note that at least some of the tuition is from student loans, grants, tax credits, and scholarships, so at least some of that is also "federal" money.

Unless some new business starts moving into the area, these people are going to have to leave if they can find jobs elsewhere. Hopefully this expenditure of tax dollars will show us some economic benefit. Does anyone know how much federal money is made available for Blackhawk Tech? I assume that some state money is used.

Years ago they had a huge parking lot, then a few years ago tore out a lot of it to put in trees and grassy median strips. That took away a LOT of the parking, not to mention cost them a prety penny too I'm sure. So now they're stuck with not having enough parking. They wasted money, then complain about it. Go figure!

I was fortunate enough to find a parking spot every day this week. Although I had 2 instructors saying something about parking on the grass.

I enjoy my classes, and my instructors. People complaining about their instructors should look into changing their programs, I think if you find a program you really like that you will like the instructors.

What does it matter if enrollment is up? All the education in the world doesnt mean jack if there are no jobs to apply to. We will just have a more educated pool of unemployed people until we start getting some employers to this area.

I am a student at blackhawk and it has been a royal pain trying to find parking. When I started it was no problem finding a space within the first 2 or 3 sections of the parking lot, now its just nuts!! I do recommend a shuttle service; expanding the parking lot I think would be a waste because when all of the dislocated workers whome will graduate within the next two years, or find work and leave BTC, parking won't be as crazy. It is a two year school that really isn't a long enough term to be thinking about perminant expensive expansions, but, if need be there is room next to the administration building to probably add another give or take 50 parking spaces.

Blackhawk Tech is doing a record business out there but tell me why they take 13% of my property tax.

There actually is a "shuttle" -- it's the Beloit-Janesville Express.
http://bit.ly/G9V9K
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It leaves Beloit at the top of the hour and Janesville at 15 minutes after, pretty much from 6am to 5pm. It arrives at BTC at 30 and 45 after respectively. It also stops at UW-Rock.
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Unfortunately a shuttle isn't something you can just whip up. You need to have a budget, a plan, at least one bus and driver, and funding.

Soory Dr. Neeck, you "are" a professional. TCR

Blackhawk Tech is making alot of money of the dislocated worker program...however, as a dislocated worker, I am dissappinted with the instructors...except for Dale Neeck. He was a professional.

Plenty of space at the GM plant if they need to expand. Maybe even open a full fledged university there LOL.

Since the LSI building on venture drive is empty why not a shuttle to rune between the 2 buildings i know it's aways away but it might help with the parking.