HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-30 - AGENDA REPORTS - COC CYNCNTRY CAMPUS (2)SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
Board of Trustees Meeting 05/30/07
AGENDA
CATEGORY JOINT MEETING
ITEM/TITLE Update on the College of the Canyons
Canyon Country Campus
F7 ACTIONICONSENT
Q ACTION
QX INFORMATION
QX DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS:
In a 1990 study done by the California Community College Chancellor's Office, growth areas of the state were identified
and future locations where additional community colleges would be needed were specified. The Santa Clarita Community
College District was one of those areas. Since 1990, a long term goal of the Santa Clarita Community College District has
been to extend higher education services to the eastern portion of the Santa Clarita Valley. To that end, the District began
its planning to do so in 1999 when it initiated the development of an updated Education and Facilities Master Plan.
To meet the demand for higher education, the District opened the College of the Canyons Access Center in 2001.
Located at the site of the Jo Ann Darcy Library, the Access Center was an Immediate success and highlighted the need
for more extensive degree and certificate offerings.
Following the completion of the new plan and the passage of Measure C, the District staff conducted research, completed
the official paperwork needed, formed a site selection committee and began Investigating space to build a permanent and
comprehensive campus. At the same time, the proposal was submitted to the state of California through the established
process for consideration. After two years, and six formal reviews and approvals by three state agencies, the District
received the approval to move forward on December 15, 2004. After locating a near perfect site on the Sierra Highway
Corridor, the District began the purchasing process in late 2004 and concluded In late 2005.
(Continued)
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
It is expected that the Canyon Country Campus will have a significant positive impact upon the economic development of
the eastern portion of Santa Clarita.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Presented for Information and Discussion only.
Submitted by: Approval for submission to Board of Trustees:
Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook
Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook
Superintendent -President
Recommended by:
Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook
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May 30, 2007
SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
PAGE: Two
AGENDA CATEGORY: JOINT MEETING
ITEM TITLE: Update on the College of the Canyons Canyon Country Campus
MEETING DATE: May 30, 2007
Background/Analysis (cont'd):
Tractors began moving dirt for the site of the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus on Sierra Highway
on July 5, 2006. Classes will be held there starting August 27, 2007. Plans are in high gear to install temporary
modular buildings that will house 23 classrooms, 5 laboratories and a variety of administrative spaces. Faculty
are being assigned to staff a full array of class offerings, and a team of dedicated professionals is being
assembled to serve as the founding staff at this great new campus.
By July, students and community members will receive class schedules in the mail, and can also access these
same schedules online, so that registration will be in full gear and enable the 70 -acre campus to open as a full-
fledged learning environment that will serve the residents of Canyon Country and surrounding communities.
Everything related to the new campus is on a fast track, from grading to the installation of utilities and the
installation of modular buildings. Right from the start, students will be able to earn associate degrees in Transfer
Studies by taking a combination of on -campus and online classes and, over time, additional degrees and
certificate programs will be added. The new campus will operate during roughly the same hours as the Valencia
campus — from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to mid-afternoon on Fridays, and
Saturday hours.
A citizens' advisory group has been working along with college staff to ensure the Canyon Country campus
becomes a special place, by organizing historical displays, providing important input into the architectural and
landscape design plans, working on ideas for fundraising and special events, providing suggestions for future
academic programming, hosting a ribbon cutting, and planning a grand opening celebration, scheduled for
September 15. Dr. Dena Maloney, a longtime College of the Canyons administrator and Santa Clarita Valley
resident, has been named to the Founding Dean position and will oversee the development of all aspects of the
program.
While the new campus will begin its life with modular structures, Measure M funds and State matching funds will
make It possible to begin, right away, to construct the permanent campus. The first 40,000 sq. ft. building will be
in the design stages during 2007/08 and construction will begin during 2008/09. This will be the first of six, 40,000
sq. ft. structures planned for the campus. The completed campus will operate with 240,000 sq. ft. of space, and
an ultimate student population of 10,000.
The historic Honey House has been preserved on the site and serves now as a construction office and a meeting
area. During the summer, limited college services such as counseling will be provided, and students will be able
to pick up important college forms such as applications and financial aid informational materials. The College of
the Canyons Canyon Country campus is located at 17262 Sierra Highway.
Dr. Dianne Van Hook, Superintendent -President, Mr. Jim Schrage, Vice President of Facilities; Dr. Mitjl Capet,
Vice President of Instruction; and Dr. Dena Maloney, Founding Dean of the Canyon Country Campus, will provide
a brief overview of the College of the Canyons Canyon Country Campus. In addition, City staff will provide a brief
overview of nearby residential and commercial development, and proposed services that may benefit students
who attend the College of the Canyons Canyon Country Campus. Both staffs will be available to answer
questions following the presentations.
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May 30, 2007