
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, August 6, 1994                   TAG: 9408090028
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NRCC TO OFFER CLASSES IN CHRISTIANSBURG

If students from Shawsville or Floyd can't come to New River Community College, then the college will come to them - at least partway.

The college will open a satellite class building in Christiansburg Aug. 22 where students can learn about everything from Native American literature to basic accounting principles.

A similar experiment in Blacksburg's University Mall last year ended after the second semester, sunk by a combination of high rent and low enrollment.

But the new arrangement, in Appalachian Power Co.'s old Roanoke Street offices, should last, college officials say.

"We're looking at a long-term lease," said Tom Wilkinson, the college's director of distance education and learning resources. "It's year-to-year, but we have every expectation of renewing."

The old APCO building at 412 Roanoke St., with more than 6,000 square feet, is two to three times the size of a three-bedroom home. The space should be perfect, said Wilkinson. A small auditorium will be transformed into a classroom to seat 40, and a computer lab and resource library will be set up. The college will offer 33 classes this semester, mostly on weeknights and weekends.

For more information, call 382-4595, extension 625.

by CNB