LaMont Schiers, director of administrative services, clarified that renovations that have been in discussion in past years will be taking place in the near future. Other improvements of Bakersfield College’s campus are still in discussion and may take more time.
One project that has been in the process for years is the modernization of the Speech and Music building. The SAM building is scheduled to start construction in the fall of 2011 if all goes according to plan. Plans have already been drawn out and include changing the name to the Edward Simonsen building.
During construction, classes that are held in the SAM building will be relocated throughout campus. Some choir and music courses will be required to move their class to a nearby high school to use a room that better suits their needs as a music class. An Energy Management System is also going to be installed to make better use of campus amenities such as exterior lights, air conditioning and heating. The system will also help the school’s goal to become more energy efficient.
The photovoltaic parking lot is almost complete, and a ribbon ceremony will take place for the opening next month.
The basement of the Language Arts building is also another topic of concern. The basement is currently used for storage and is making poor use of its space. The ceiling is 22 feet high and items are only placed on the ground.
Pallet racks are going to be installed to make better use of the space available. Once this project takes place, the school should be better prepared to store items from any building that is under construction.
Plans to remodel Student Services and the Fine Arts building were thought to be starting soon; however, both plans are still pending on state bonds.
Schiers explained, “The only one that we know is going to take place at this time is SAM.”
Campus Center, unlike other renovations, is independent from state funds and has a budget of $6 million. Plans for remodeling the Campus Center include moving the Renegade Rip student newspaper out of the center. Details for the exact location have yet to be determined, though construction for CC is estimated to start in 2012. Along with the building remodels, Miranda Whipple, the Student Government Association’s treasurer, stated that the safety committee assigned the project of going back to the original format for the titles on each building. Instead of abbreviations, the titles will be spelled out to minimize confusion by students when trying to find a class.
Vice President of SGA Brian Rathfelder shared that it has been proposed to the district to improve the handicapped doors. It is hoped that automatic sliding doors will take the place of the current handicapped access doors. Most doors only work occasionally and Rathfelder stated, “It’s a part of a lot of the modernization that they’re going to be working toward on campus.”
Schiers explained that the GET bus terminal was supposed to be relocated to Panorama Drive this semester, but the project will begin next fall. The terminal will be placed between the Humanities and Levan Center for convenience.
“The main reason for this change in where GET drops off and picks up our students and visitors,” Schiers explained, “is because currently it is a tight fit and we have a lot of pedestrian traffic trying to cross the road there in this vicinity.”