New buildings at El Camino a success say college officials as old building remains vacant

By Emily Gomez • November 28, 2023

An El Camino Campus police officer drives past the old Arts and Behavioral Science Building on Monday, Oct. 23. The building is still on campus but is no longer functional as the department, resources and classes have been relocated to the Arts Complex and the Behavioral and Social Sciences Building. (Clarence Davis | The Union)

The new Behavioral and Social Sciences Building and Arts Complex were successfully opened at El Camino College this semester.

However, the relocation into the new facilities has left a vacant space in the previous Art and Behavioral Science Buildings.

Walter Cox, associate dean of the Fine Arts Division said the old Art and Behavioral Science Building is still scheduled to be demolished. The long-term plan regarding the location remains an unresolved matter.

“Originally, the music building was to be built there and that has been delayed, and they are reformulating that project because of an increase in cost,” Cox said.

A once very active location at El Camino College the former Arts & Behavioral Science Building is being prepared for demoltion leaving behind decades of history. (Slihm Davis | The Union) — Students walk through the path by the old Art and Behavioral Science Building on Monday, Oct. 23. A once very active location at El Camino College, the former Arts and Behavioral Science Building is being prepared for demolition. However, the long-term plan regarding the location remains an unresolved matter. (Clarence Davis | The Union)

Cox said the district is looking for solutions to fund the music building project. There is not a lot of information available regarding the timeline for the demolition as plans for the project are being revised, he said.

“The original estimate for the music building was [around] $65 million to $68 million and that estimate now to build the building as planned would be about $120 million,” Cox said.

Some places are so unique. The formers Arts Complex had an identity of its own.Soon it will be a thing of the past as we say goodbye. (Slihm Davis | The Union) — The north wing of the former Art and Behavioral Science Building on Monday, Oct. 23. The arts department relocated to the Arts Complex which opened this spring semester. (Clarence Davis | The Union)

The decision to construct these new buildings was an effort from the college to modernize the campus and provide a more welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff.

Christina Gold, dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences, said feedback from faculty has been positive regarding the new buildings.

“The faculty really like their new space,” Gold said. “The [Art and Behavioral Science Building] was very old, I think it might be fair to say that in places it’s falling apart.”

Students walk on a newly landscaped path between the Arts Complex and Behavioral Studies and Social Sciences buildings. — Students walk on a newly landscaped path between the Arts Complex and Behavioral and Social Sciences Buildings on Thursday, Sept. 14. The two buildings were opened to their departments and to students this spring semester. (Osvin Suazo | The Union)

The old Art and Behavioral Science Buildings have many issues, including inefficient plumbing and outdated electrical equipment.

“I’m glad we don’t have to have to face those issues anymore and can focus on student needs,” Director of the Art Gallery and Museum Programming Michael Miller said.

Miller said the art department is in a much better space in the new Arts Complex and praised the new location at the “center of the college community.”

He said the physical closeness of the Arts Complex building with the programs it collaborates with promotes campus togetherness.

Arts Complex sign outside the new building at El Camino College on Friday, Sept. 8. (Osvin Suazo | The Union)

“Working together on something we become more of a community,” Miller said.

An anthropology lab is also in the process of opening to students, as well as the Anthropology Museum, which will also be located in the Arts Complex.

“One of the goals of the building is to encourage people to come to campus and stay on campus, and that includes not only our students but our faculty and staff,” Gold said.

A student walking past the entrance to the Anthropology Museum which is located in the ne Arts Complex Buildings opened this spring semester. The Anthropology Museum is still in the process of being opened. — A student walking past the entrance to the Anthropology Museum, which is located in the new Arts Complex building which opened this spring semester. The Anthropology Museum is still in the process of being opened. (Osvin Suazo | The Union)

Additional resources are being organized and implemented in the Behavioral and Social Sciences Building, with plans to build a teacher resource room for child development students and an outdoor instructional space.

The transition into the new buildings has been an ongoing effort, with the process reaching its final steps.

Miller said any delays in the move can be resolved and that ultimately the mission is student-focused.

“There have been some minor obstacles but nothing that can’t be handled, there is a lot of support from administration,” Miller said.