Mar 23, 2018
Why San Bernardino county college students need improved college facilities
Preparing for the future at San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College
Staff report/San Bernardino Community College District
What is happening?
San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College serves 21,000 Inland Empire students and our colleges are in desperate need of upgrades and repairs to bring facilities up to basic health and safety standards and ensure an up-to-date learning environment.
The San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees is considering placing a bond measure on the November 2018 ballot to repair and upgrade classrooms and labs to prepare students for future success. The measure could generate $470 million to fix our colleges, costing the typical homeowner approximately $44 per year.
What does this mean for students and our community?
Investing in the success of our students is a much-needed investment in the future workforce who will stimulate the economy of our cities and region.
As local companies expand and demand for skilled workers grows in Inland Southern California, we need to improve classrooms, STEM labs and career training facilities to provide students with skills required for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs.
How will a local college bond measure support our students and our community?
A local bond measure will give our local students quality workforce preparation by:
- Repairing or replacing leaky roofs, old rusty plumbing and faulty electrical systems
- Upgrading classrooms, STEM labs, and job-training facilities to meet modern career and safety standards, and to keep local colleges in good condition for years to come
- Updating campus security systems
- Improving building access for students with disabilities
- Modernizing student centers to allow job training, placement, counseling and support services to military veterans and their families
Can a local college bond be used for salaries or operations?
- No. Independent taxpayer’s oversight committee and regular audits would ensure funds are spent as promised, and not on college salaries or operating expenses
- $470 million local funds could not be taken away by Sacramento ensuring that every penny would be spent to improve local colleges
- Colleges could qualify for state matching funds if we have local funds to construct safe, secure and up-to-date facilities
Why now?
Our students can’t wait any longer. We haven’t passed a local college bond measure in ten years and we face a backlog of repairs and upgrades to keep our students in a safe, and high-quality learning environment.
The SBCCD Board of Trustees won’t make a decision until this summer whether to place the bond measure on the 2018 November ballot.
Tell us what you think:
We welcome your input as we work together to upgrade our colleges to prepare students for success.
Contact SBCCD’s Director of Marketing, Public Affairs & Government Relations Angel Rodriguez at (909) 382–4012 or arodriguez@sbccd.edu.
About San Bernardino Community College District
We serve 21 cities in the heart of Inland Southern California and open doors of opportunity for 21,000 students through two fully-accredited campuses: Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. We cultivate minds and transform our community through the Economic Development & Corporate Training division and KVCR, the region’s National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting System (PBS) television affiliate station. SBCCD generates $621 million in local economic activity each year. Learn more: Watch our video.
Board of Trustees
Joseph Williams, President
Gloria Macias Harrison, Vice President
Dr. Anne L. Viricel, Clerk
Donna Ferracone, Member
John Longville, Member
Frank Reyes, Member
Dr. Donald L. Singer, Member
Autumn Blackburn, Student Trustee (SBVC)
Jajuan Dotson, Student Trustee (CHC)
Chancellor
Bruce R. Baron
President
Diana Z. Rodriguez, San Bernardino Valley College
