Business Office Technology

Program Director or Chairperson: Illyana McManus

Program Description: Business Office Technology students train for administrative support positions in the fields of accounting, general business, law, medicine, insurance, and information processing. Subject areas include keyboarding, computer applications, accounting, office management, business communication, specialized office equipment, and specialized office procedures. The BOT program at Grossmont College has moved to flexible programs using computer-aided instruction to teach keyboard skills, computer applications, and a variety of subject areas in an open-entry, open-exit environment (the "FlexLab)." Student demand and enrollment are expected to increase, since the FlexLab program allows efficient, self-paced study at times convenient to the students. In addition, the Office Professional Training (OPT) program offers short-term, intensive training for specific populations (based upon current Grant funding), as well as welfare and general assistance recipients. It historically draws strong enrollment. In the next 10 years the department will rely more on internet interaction, continued "self-paced" learning, and focus on new office software (i.e.: voice recognition) and the skills needed to function in the ever changing technolgy-driven office.

Activity #1: Move entire BOT Department to the Tech Center, including Flex Lab, offices, and classrooms.

Expected Benefit: Upgraded computer labs and classrooms, less computer down-time due to broken equipment, most current version of all software.

Activity #2: Enhance off-site and distance learning programs, focusing on "hybrid" courses for software. Provide ongoing faculty and staff development, especially in computer-aided assessment and testing.

Expected Benefit: Provide more options and flexibility for student access to courses and, ultimately, student success.

Activity #3: Transition to Office 2003 software. Develop flex lab course content, select textbooks and assessment software for Flex Lab courses.

Expected Benefit: Upgrade to the most current version of MS Office software so students complete the program with up-to-date skills.

Activity #4: Hire additional full-time faculty member, mainly for Flex Lab courses.

Expected Benefit: Provide students with faculty who have extensive software knowledge and who are on-campus during day/evening hours to offer support and answer questions. Develop faculty who are wiling to take part in campus activities to better the campus community.

Additional Planning Activities

• Replace one full-time faculty position
  
• Continue searching for OPT grant funding, support the OPT program
  
• Become a permanent MOS testing site
  
• Develop and enhance work-study opportunities in external industries and institutions
  
• Explore non-credit courses and develop link with ECCC
  
• Work toward hiring one permanent part-time instructional aide (para-professional)
  
• Create Project Success links with other College departments
  

• Development of on-line Flex Lab grades via BOT website
  
• New/modified curriculum passed: 2 mini-certificates, department and number modifications
  
• Offered 2 new courses: Integrated Office and Office Project Coordination
  
• Reviewed prerequisites: added hard-blocks and updated existing recommended preps
  
• Started tracking BOT certificate students via on-line form: sent letters/fliers with certificate requirements and course completions highlighted
  
• Added three new companies to the BAC meeting invitation list and as sites for work-study
  
• Set two MOS exam testing dates for Spring '04.