Helping students succeed is the main objective for campus modernization, Tom Brown, assistant director of facilities, said.
“We want to make the campus more energy and Wi-Fi efficient. It’s a combination of things to keep the students coming back and to attract future students,” Brown said.
Several construction projects are currently taking place around the campus, but the renovation of domestic utilities such as the campus electrical line, is taking over the entire college.
“We’re currently relocating a new electrical substation, which will help the campus become more energy efficient. By the end of September, construction shouldn’t be a problem for students,” Brown said.
According to the official EC website, construction broke ground in July for the new Math, Business and Health Sciences buildings. All structures will align with the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver criteria.
“The four-story building at the site of the former Business Building will be approximately 115,000 square feet in size, with 58 classrooms, faculty offices, a drop-in computer lab and a tutoring center,” the website said.
The website also stated that the estimated $20.7 million project will incorporate new Respiratory Therapy, and Radiological Technology programs.
The college’s Nursing program will also include a new state-of-the art simulation lab with eight beds.
“Even if it’s a problem now to get to classes and find parking, the construction will benefit us,” Joel Coronn, criminal justice major said. “At least we’ll have new buildings and classrooms to look forward to.”
Various campus improvements were made possible with funds from the recently passed Measure E, the college’s facilities bond. It will also fund a new Social Science building and Campus Stadium, Brown said.
“The construction is ultimately a good thing. It’s just hypercritical to have funding for buildings instead of classes and professors,” Vanessa Cortes, undecided major said.
For many new students, construction makes it more difficult when getting around campus.
“Construction does make it hard to understand where I’m going. Especially since this is my first semester here. It’s inconvenient to have to go all the way around the campus just to get to a class,” Nancy Rambo, nursing major said.
Some students believe the campus construction is worth the wait.
“Even if it’s hard to get around campus and be on time for class, it’s only going to benefit the campus and the students,” Nancy Cedoll, undecided major said.