Dear Colleagues:
 
Last summer I posted a short survey concerning this program while it was in
the planning phase.  I am pleased to announce that the program has been
approved and that courses will be offered next fall.  Below is a copy of
the official press release that provides some details of the program.  More
extensive information can be obtained from the web links at the end of the
announcement.  Any specific questions or information requests can be sent
to my email address:
 
[log in to unmask]
 
Non-email requests should be routed to me at:
 
Randolph Community College
Archaeological & Historical Preservation Technology
PO BOX 1009
Asheboro, NC  27204
 
(910) 633-0200
 
John D. Davis
Faculty Advisor
 
 
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RCC ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
PROGRAM APPROVED BY STATE BOARD
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contact:        Cathy Hefferin
February 24, 1997                               or
Public Affairs Office                   Joyce Wolford
                                        (910) 633-0256
 
        ASHEBORO, N.C.-Randolph Community College has been approved to
offer a new associate degree program that is unique to the North Carolina
Community College System, the state of North Carolina and the Southeast.
The Archaeological and Historical Preservation Technology program was
approved to begin at RCC in fall 1997 by the State Board of Community
Colleges during its regular meeting Feb. 21 in Raleigh.
 
        The new program grew out of Archaeological Technician Training
classes that have been offered periodically by RCC's Continuing Education
division since 1988.  The success of the Continuing Education programs has
established RCC as a major figure in technical training in archaeology and
historic preservation in North Carolina, according to Dr. Harry Jarrett,
RCC's dean of instruction.  A statewide study completed by the College on
the need for this associate degree program found major support from
advisory committee members made up of historic
preservationists/restorationists and archaeologists; predicted sufficient
student interest to project a class size of 15 to 20 students for the first
two years of the program; and identified more than adequate employment
opportunities within industry and state and federal government.
 
        The curriculum will provide courses related to the documentation
and preservation of cultural and historical resources, emphasizing
technical training in archaeological methods and building
preservation/restoration.  The program will qualify students to assist
archaeologists and historic preservationists in the identification,
management and restoration of historically significant sites.  Specific
tasks include data collection through field surveys, documentation,
application of preservation law, and restoration/conservation activities.
An Archaeological Technician Concentration under the curriculum will
provide more in-depth study of professional archaeology.
 
        The degree will require 69 semester hours of credit or 71 semester
hours for the Archaeological Technician Concentration and can be completed
in two years including summer sessions.  The usual admission requirements
for any associate degree program at RCC will be used to admit students to
the program.
 
        Under an articulation agreement, Forsyth Technical Community
College in Winston-Salem will be allowed to offer the general education
courses under the curriculum for students in their area; these students
would then travel to RCC in Asheboro for the major courses.
 
        Randolph Community College is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.  For
more information on this program or to apply, contact the RCC Student
Development office at (910) 633-0224.
 
        A web site with detailed information about the program and about
RCC can be accessed through the following links:
 
Randolph Community College:
http://www.randolph.cc.nc.us/Randolph/
 
New Archaeology & Historic Preservation Technology Program:
http://www.randolph.cc.nc.us/Randolph/curr/ahpt.html