Dear Editor,
Another academic year has drawn to an end, with a record 518
degrees and certificates awarded by Gavilan College.
Dear Editor,
Another academic year has drawn to an end, with a record 518 degrees and certificates awarded by Gavilan College. Among the graduates were 381 students from San Benito County. In Fall 2009, 32% of Gavilan College students (3,064) lived in San Benito County (in past years, this number has approached 40%.) Fifty-five staff members (23% of Gavilan College fulltime employees) also live here. Most of these individuals would like the opportunity to eliminate the time and expense of commuting. Many individuals who are currently unable to attend college could do so if there were a full-service campus closer to home.
A full-service campus is a place where students can complete a course of study that enables them to transfer to a 4-year university or earn an associate’s degree or a career-training certificate. A full-service campus includes counseling, tutoring, and financial aid services, and facilities like computer labs, science labs, outdoor gathering places, and a library. It is a community of scholars.
With 80 acres of district-owned land on Fairview Road, San Benito County has a full-service campus in it’s future. Once the campus serves the equivalent of 1,000 fulltime students, it can gain a separate accreditation, president, name, and grant degrees. Imagine future students crossing the stage of San Benito Junior College when they graduate! It can happen, but it can’t happen overnight. In fact, it will take 20-30 years, starting now.
Measure E bond funds purchased the land, but construction will require millions of dollars in funding from the State of California. To qualify for this funding, the Gavilan College Hollister site must gain designation as an “Educational Center,” which will happen when we are able to educate the equivalent of 500 fulltime students per year in Hollister. The currently rented facility in the Briggs Building is already at capacity, serving the equivalent of 230 fulltime students. More space is needed.
The Board of Trustees is actively engaged in a search for more space. Ideally, this space will be available for the next 15-20 years, contain at least 20,000 square feet, and include adequate parking for 500 cars. The building itself must meet the requirements of the Division of State Architects for educational facilities. It will need classrooms, wet laboratory space, computer lab space, student gathering space, and a safe, quiet environment for study. The ideal spot will be located near public transportation.
There are community members who are dreaming of a campus located downtown, where students might support the cafes and restaurants, shops and boutiques. The Board has in fact investigated a number of downtown proposals, but so far, none have met all the requirements. Please keep looking for that ideal location, and let us know when there’s something that should be investigated, but don’t fall in love at first sight! Every proposal will be considered by the Board and evaluated against college requirements and other proposals under consideration. Even a proposal that looks great at first glance may be found inadequate upon closer examination.
A recent focus group of students at the Briggs Building revealed how important this endeavor is to them. Among their top concerns were not having to commute to Gilroy for classes, the need for a greater variety of classes in Hollister (especially laboratory science, physical education, and higher level English and math) and the desire for college amenities including study space, student services and “more of a college environment.” I know we can provide this environment for our students, and the classes and services they need for success. It is possible that no single location will delight everyone, but we owe it to our students to put their needs first, and do what we can to make their dream a reality.
Steven. M. Kinsella, President of Gavilan College
The Board of Trustees of Gavilan College welcomes additional input. A community forum to discuss plans for expansion and location of an interim site will be held on Monday, July 19 at 6 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Building. All are welcome. For more information call (408) 848-4711.
