Westmoreland County Community College trustees approve equipment purchases

Westmoreland County Community College's fall enrollment reached 7,103, a record high. More than half of those students are enrolled full time, the first instance in which full-time students outnumber those taking classes part time, according to school administrators.

To accommodate the numbers, the trustees approved the purchase of 20 Dell Optiplex 760 microcomputers for $17,510.80 and 12 port switches from CDW-G for $34,606 to create an overflow computer lab in the library. During peak class times, the computer resource center is at capacity, college spokeswoman Anna Marie Palatella said, and computer usage increases as the semester progresses.

In addition, the trustees approved the purchase of patient simulators from Laerdal Medical Group to benefit the nursing program. The simulators' audiotaping and physiological monitoring of training sessions enables faculty to assess students' competency and assist with remediation. Federal funds will cover the $39,388 cost.

The board also approved the purchase of a $31,426 Toro Groundmaster to replace the school's 33-year-old tractor. The machine can be used year-round for grass cutting and snow removal on the Hempfield campus walkways.