New River Community and Technical College’s Board of Governors has approved the discontinuance of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. “The College’s concern for our students and their employability, as well as the lack of an adequate number of qualified students to sustain the program were the primary reasons the College initiated this process. After following the policies outlined for discontinuing the program, receiving input from the faculty and their appropriate committees, the recommendation was submitted to and accepted by the Board of Governors at a Special Meeting today, Monday, Dec. 8,” according to David Nalker, Board of Governors’ chair.
The students were informed, should the program be discontinued, that most if not all of their credits earned in completing the prerequisites for eligibility to apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program will apply to other Allied Health degrees/certificates that New River CTC has to offer. Very few applicants to the program had met the minimum requirements which were to provide verification that they have completed 33 hours of prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better, maintained an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 in all of their college work, and completed eight volunteer hours under a licensed Occupational Therapist or a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
“In the long run, New River CTC’s Board of Governors made the best decision for the College and for our students. I appreciate their time and energy ensuring New River Community and Technical College’s overall success,” said Dr. L. Marshall Washington, president.