 "Photo: Amy Chu")
Students will see a new addition to campus when the Academic Center hosts an array of classes in the fall.
The building will house additional classrooms for the Math, English and Natural Sciences departments, among others, while supplying students with the latest advances in teaching tools.
“I’m excited about the additional classrooms with state of the art technology and the forethought for the design,” said History Professor Ranford Hopkins.
A seven-year idea in the making, the new Academic Center will feature strategically-designed rooms with westward-facing windows to allow a maximum amount of natural light while keeping in mind heat and minimizing glare. Other environmentally friendly elements include hand dryers, tile carpeting and high-efficiency lighting.
“All with the idea of keeping the building open and airy,” said John Sinutko, director of facilities, maintenance and operations.
The addition of 33 new classrooms will alleviate some pressure of scheduling classes in the portable classrooms, and the location of the Academic Center will also connect the upper campus to the lower campus, allowing a complete pathway from Parking Lot A to the Gym
“The walkways allow the classrooms to be accessible,” said Hopkins. “It’s just a hop, skip and a jump to these classes.”
The funding for the Academic Center came through funding from Bond Measure S, a measure approved by the citizens of Ventura County in March of 2002. The measure allows for construction and renovation of buildings across the Ventura County Community College District.
The construction for the Center should be completed by mid-April, according to Sinutko.
“Just from an aesthetic standpoint, students will like the fact they have a new building,” said Hopkins.
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