History

Williamsburg Technical College, a two-year postsecondary institution located in the Atlantic Coast region of South Carolina, began its educational function in 1969 as "Williamsburg Regional Manpower Training Center" largely through endeavors made by local leaders and officials within Williamsburg County. At its inception, the institution fulfilled the single greatest need in Williamsburg County, the need for a comprehensive manpower training center to provide job training, attract industry and, as a result, attack the poverty, out-migration and unemployment which plagued the county.

Williamsburg Technical College opened its doors to students during late 1969, representing a new concept in comprehensive education coupled with various supportive services. For the first time in South Carolina, and most particularly Williamsburg County, all the following capabilities and services were available in one concentrated area: technical education, adult education, vocational education for high school students, continuing education for personal enrichment, and the offices of the state Job Service and Vocational Rehabilitation.

Philosophy

As a member of South Carolina’s technical college system, Williamsburg Technical College is fully committed to the system-wide philosophy expressed by the S.C. State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education. This policy stresses the need for each institution to offer high-quality education that "minimizes geographic, economic, academic and other barriers to postsecondary education." Williamsburg Technical College recognizes the importance of an "open door" admission policy and realizes that adoption of this policy entails an "obligation to respond to the needs of each student at his or her level of ability and development."

In keeping with the system-wide philosophy, Williamsburg Technical College is committed to a comprehensive approach to education which includes the programs in occupational and technical fields, special industrial training, college parallel programs and community service.

Purpose Statement

Williamsburg Technical College is a public, two-year college which grants associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and continuing education units. Its purpose is two-fold: to provide quality, affordable, and accessible opportunities for students to acquire the knowledge and skills to achieve their educational goals and to provide a fiscally, administratively, and academically sound and supportive environment in which these educational goals may be achieved.

Mission

Williamsburg Technical College, a member of the South Carolina Technical and Comprehensive Education system, is a public, two year, associate degree, diploma and certificate granting institution with an average semester enrollment of approximately 625 students serving the county of Williamsburg, South Carolina. The mission of Williamsburg Technical College is to offer quality, affordable and accessible educational opportunities and experiences that enable students to acquire the knowledge and skills to achieve their goals and to encourage economic development in Williamsburg County. The college offers, to residents of Williamsburg County with varying academic skill levels, the opportunity for postsecondary vocational, technical, and occupational programs leading directly to employment or maintenance of employment in any of the county’s manufacturing firms, specializing in textiles, plastics, or metal fabrication. Additionally, Williamsburg Technical College offers postsecondary vocational programs leading directly to employment or maintenance of employment in many of the county’s service industries to include cosmetology, nursing, and automotive repair. Associate degree programs are also offered which enable students to gain access through transfer to other postsecondary education. Through curricular programs and extensive continuing education and special programs, and in cooperation with business and industry, the college attempts to produce ethical and skilled employees with leadership abilities who are also competent in their fields, capable of adjusting to change, and knowledgeable of current technological advances.

Williamsburg Technical College affirms the following values as guides for the institution to fulfill its mission, goals, philosophy and operational procedures.

The college is committed to:

Students: Belief in the capacity of individuals to be productive, to grow, and to achieve their highest potential.

Quality Education: Commitment to high standards for educational programs that enhance the personal, social, and economic potential of the individual.

Access: Commitment to educational access for all who are eligible and who have the desire and ability to benefit from program offerings.

Contribution to Community: Recognition of a partnership with and respect for cultural diversity in the community which supports local civic, economic, educational and cultural needs, and enriches the quality of community life.

Quality Work Environment: Commitment to instructional and organizational development which results in open communication and involvement in planning and decision making in an ethical environment.

Vision

The vision of Williamsburg Technical College is to:

- provide innovative instruction and learning of the highest caliber for higher educa- tion and lifelong learning to become the first educational choice of area citizens;

- provide exceptional lifelong learning opportunities to meet the continuing educa- tional challenges of the future;

- make a dramatic impact on the economic development of our community by pro- viding a highly skilled and well-trained workforce to meet the progressive needs of business and industry;

- exemplify a respect for cultural diversity in a student-oriented environment;

- increase educational opportunities for all eligible area citizens by providing

maximum accessibility to all college programs;

- support and encourage continued professional growth so that faculty members are equipped to deliver the highest quality teaching and so that college staff can excel in performing their duties;

- maximize awareness of the college as a dynamic center of learning and achieve the

utmost respect and support of our community; and

- enhance the learning environment by providing the best buildings, facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment.

Accreditation

Williamsburg Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4500) to award associate degrees.

ACBSP Accreditation

Williamsburg Technical College, through its business unit, is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for the offering of its business programs that culminate in the Associate in General Business and Associate in Office Systems Technology Degrees.

Location & Facilities

Williamsburg Technical College is located in Kingstree, South Carolina, the county seat of Williamsburg County. The college’s location affords students opportunities to savor the atmosphere of rural South Carolina, as well as the more metropolitan lifestyles of Florence, Columbia, Charleston and the Grand Strand beach area, which are each about an hour’s drive from the Kingstree campus.

Located on 41 acres of land on Highway 377, Williamsburg Technical College is housed in six buildings: an administrative/learning building which contains classrooms, computer laboratories, a multimedia/distance learning classroom, an industrial laboratory, a physical science laboratory, an auditorium, a student lounge and administrative offices; a technology vocational building containing offices, technical laboratories and classrooms; a learning resources building which houses the Learning Resources Center, classrooms and offices of the Student Services Division; special activities buildings; and a Special Training Center/Storage Depot. Sited between Williamsburg Regional Hospital and Kingstree Senior High School, the college is in a unique location which enhances its ability to serve the surrounding community.

Administrative Organization

As one of the 16 colleges within South Carolina’s state system of technical colleges, Williamsburg Technical College is under the policy and administrative control of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education. This Board establishes policies applicable on a system-wide basis and, where necessary, administrative procedures required to implement these system-wide policies.

State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education

Begun in 1995, the Williamsburg Technical College Foundation is the coordinating agent for all college fundraising. To maximize success, avoid duplication of efforts and assure adherence to WTCF and WTC priorities and policies, all gift solicitation, proposals for gift solicitation, or fundraising events to be conducted by anyone (including faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends, etc.) for the benefit of WTC or part of the college shall require the review by the Chief Development Officer and final approval of the WTC administrative council. Approval of the WTC Foundation is required prior to the acceptance of certain gifts.

In the broadest sense, the purpose of the WTC Foundation is to create an awareness within the private sector of the financial needs of the College that are not met by state or federal support and to implement a plan to generate financial support through private development. To fulfill these purposes, the Office of Development and Public Information coordinates an organized program for obtaining gift support from alumni, friends, faculty, staff, businesses, corporations, organizations and private foundations for both annual and capital purposes.

The President is responsible for the total program of the institution, including instruction, personnel, plant and facilities, student affairs, fiscal management and budget. His role is that of the educational leader as well as the institutional chief executive officer.

The function of the Chief Business Officer is to carry out the administrative fiscal requirements of the college. This includes the preparation and administration of the annual budget which is derived from a variety of fund sources. Responsibilities also include purchasing; inventory control; and proper maintenance of buildings, grounds and equipment..

The Human Resources Manager is responsible for the comprehensive HR functions of the college; leads and provides expertise in all functions of a human resources department including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, employee relations and professional development; ensures that all policies are in compliance with appropriate state and federal laws. Duties include formulating, organizing, planning, implementing and coordinating policies and procedures for the Human Rescources Department and recommending policies and practices to senior management.

The facilities most frequently used for meeting purposes are the auditorium and conference rooms. Classrooms may also be available. Requests for these facilities should be made to the college at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Space may be rented according to the availability of facilities, the number of participants and the time of the meeting.

Industrial Development

Commensurate with its goal of responsiveness and support for the industrial development and growth within its service area, the college provides vocational and technical programs capable of meeting the needs of the industrial community. If additional programs are deemed necessary to provide for skills and/or occupational needs of an existing or potential industry, curricula can be tailored to meet those training needs.

For further information, contact the Office of the President or the Dean of Continuing Education.

Computer Labs

Williamsburg Technical College provides three computer labs for student, faculty and staff use. Students may have access to lab services upon presenting a current Williamsburg Technical College identification card or a referral slip from a Williamsburg Tech instructor.

Computer Lab A, a free-use lab available to students, faculty, and staff, provides current application software including word processing, spreadsheet, database, visual presentation, computerized accounting, and Internet access

Computer Lab B, a programming center, facilitates curriculum classes in BASIC, COBOL, Visual Basic, and C++ programming. Additionally, Computer Lab B functions as a support lab, providing current application software and Internet access, for general college curriculum and continuing education classes.

Computer Lab C, an application software center, facilitates curriculum and continuing education classes in current application software including word processing, spreadsheet, database, visual presentation, and Internet access.

Complementing the structured computer lab facilities are three mobile computer-based lab units, providing multimedia presentation capabilities for both classroom and conference demand. All three computer labs and mobile lab units are available to students, faculty and staff as open lab resource centers. The hours of operation vary and are posted at the beginning of each semester. A lab operator is available during assigned hours to assist students, faculty and staff desiring to use the computer labs. For additional information, contact the lab operator or the Dean of Instruction.

Learning Resources Center (Library)

Williamsburg Technical College’s Learning Resources Center (LRC) is a multimedia library housing a videotape distribution center and closed circuit television programming. Television sources include the S.C. Educational Television Commission (SCETV) system and a television receive-only satellite dish with both C and KU bands. The library is located in the Meriwether Building on the WTC campus.

The library maintains collections of over 25,000 printed volumes, 109 periodicals and a wide variety of audiovisual materials such as CD-ROM, filmstrips, kits, audiocassettes and videocassettes. Numerous magazines and newspapers provide up-to-date information about events in communities surrounding Williamsburg Technical College and the region in general. Several computers are available for word processing and Internet access with a charge per copy for printed materials from the computers in the library. A photocopier machine is also available for reproducing materials for a charge. Materials are selected and designed to serve the varied needs of Williamsburg Technical College students, faculty, staff and members of the community.

Academic Support Center

The Academic Support Center’s function at Williamsburg Technical College is to identify, develop, implement and deliver comprehensive and consistent academic support services to all WTC students and faculty. The services are designed to help each student reach his/her academic potential by stressing individual development in learning. The purpose of the center is to provide the following programs to WTC students at no charge:

The Academic Support Center is currently located in room 214. Call (843) 355-4122 for appointments and information.

Nondiscrimination Information

Williamsburg Technical College does not discriminate in its educational programs, activities or employment on the basis of sex, age, disability, race, color, national origin or religion. For information about Title IX or Section 504, contact the Dean of Student Services, Lynn A. Selph, (843) 355-4170.

English Fluency in Higher Education Act of 1991

It is the policy of Williamsburg Technical College to employ means to ensure compliance with the English Fluency in Higher Education Act of 1991. The purpose of the policy and procedures is to define methods to ensure that all permanent and adjunct faculty whose first language is other than English, and who teach one or more credit courses, possess adequate proficiency in both the written and spoken English language and that appropriate response be given to student complaints regarding an instructor’s English fluency. For more information, contact the Dean of Instruction.

Hours of Operation

Classes are normally scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and between 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Fridays. The college telephone switchboard is normally maintained during regular business hours.

How to Contact the College

Williamsburg Technical College

601 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.

Kingstree, South Carolina 29556–4197

Telephone Numbers:

Fax Numbers:

Email:

Williamsburg Technical College also hosts a Web site, accessible on the Internet. Information about the college, including curriculum programs and course schedules, are available on this site. The Web address is www.wiltech.edu. Individual or office email addresses maybe found on the Web site.

Work Orders

Students, employees and other authorized persons will be expected to provide their own parts, supplies and materials for any project involving a work order. Necessary authorization from the appropriate dean must be secured prior to beginning the work order. The college will charge an additional ten percent of the invoice or fair value price of a part, material or supply provided by the person responsible for the work order.

The college does not guarantee any aspect of the work order. All work is performed by students in training. The college accepts no responsibility for any damage, theft or other losses sustained by an individual’s property while it is on campus.

Academic Freedom and Professional Security

To ensure an instruction program marked by excellence, the South Carolina State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education supports the concept of academic freedom. In the development of knowledge, research endeavors, and creative activities, faculty and students must be free to cultivate a spirit of inquiry and scholarly criticism. The faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they shall be careful not to introduce teaching matters which have no relation to their field. Faculty and students must be able to examine ideas in an atmosphere of freedom and confidence and to participate as responsible citizens in community affairs.

The State Tech System also recognizes that commitment to every freedom carries with it attendant responsibilities. The faculty members must fulfill their responsibilities to society and to their profession by manifesting competence, professional discretion, and good citizenship. When they speak or write as a citizen, they will be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As professional educators, they must remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence, they should at all times be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint, show respect for the opinions of others, and make every effort to indicate they are not speaking for the institution.