The College of Western Idaho (CWI) has announced plans to suspend new enrollment in its Culinary Arts programs until a new facility that includes a modern teaching kitchen to match evolving industry needs is secured.
CWI currently offers two programs, Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts. Both programs are the last remaining CWI programs located on the Boise State University campus after the final moves of Surgical Technology and Dental Assisting over the summer. A new location has not yet been secured to provide an adequate teaching environment to meet the culinary program needs, and as a result the CWI Board of Trustees has approved a suspension of any new enrollment in the existing Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts programs effective fall 2014.
"The esteemed faculty of the culinary program and its history on the Boise State campus makes the decision to suspend new enrollments in the programs difficult and full of emotion,” stated CWI President Bert Glandon. “We appreciate our partners at Boise State for the generous support of CWI and continuing to lease us the space beyond the originally agreed timeframe of June 2012. As with most industries, culinary arts is evolving and requiring new technologies to meet industry demands. CWI is hopeful that we can bring the program back in three to five years contingent upon our ability to secure funding for an adequate facility.”
Current students enrolled in the program will NOT be affected as CWI will continue to serve the students who have already started the programs. The location at Boise State and teaching staff will remain intact through December 2015 to support existing students who will be completing the program.
CWI will continue to work closely with local culinary professionals and the community in development of a new facility that fosters a hands-on learning environment and strengthens the future of Culinary Arts. Community members interested in supporting the program are encouraged to contact Will Fanning, Dean of CWI Professional Technical Education, willfanning@cwi.edu.
Contact:
Jennifer Couch
(208) 562-3508
jennifercouch@cwi.edu
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About the College of Western Idaho:
The College of Western Idaho is a public, open-access, and comprehensive community college committed to providing affordable access to quality teaching and learning opportunities to the residents of its service area in western Idaho. CWI has seven campus locations throughout Southwest Idaho providing higher education and 21st Century technical skills acquisition. The college is dedicated to improving the community’s economic well-being by responding with highly-educated and productive graduates. The foundation for the area’s only community college was created by a supermajority of voters in Ada and Canyon counties on May 22, 2007. For more information about the college, visit cwi.edu or call (208) 562-3000.
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