By James H. Williams | Updated: April 24, 2016
The new Charles A. Kane Student Services and Administration Building at Riverside City College ends the yearly scavenger hunt for new students, who previously had to go to five different buildings to complete the enrollment process.
“One of the cool of the coolest things (new students) will get to experience is the students services building,” said ASRCC vice president Rakhee Uma. “I have been here for three years and having all the different services here as a student scattered around campus could be a really big hassle. This new building will help you tremendously.”
The new building is named after Kane, a former RCC president and coach, and will house departments such as admissions & records and the disability resource center.
Marie Kane, the widow of Charles, and Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees President Virginia Blumenthal cut the ribbon at the official ceremony before opening the doors to the public.
“I knew (Charles) and his wife personally and I know he would be very proud of the RCC students, faculty and staff accomplishments,” Blumenthal said. “He had an unparalleled passion for education and guiding students, young and old, throughout their academic journey.”
Blumenthal believes that the building named in his honor fits the standard he held as a figure on the RCC campus.
“As a leader of this college, Dr. Kane was committed to academic excellence and ensuring that every student receives the services needed to succeed in college and we know those services can be great,” she added. “He understood the role that student services played in the educational achievement and by creating a one stop center that serves the needs of students is something that he envisioned in the 1970s, 80’s and 90’s. Today that vision has become a reality.”
Marie stated during the ceremony that the comments by Blumenthal and RCCD Chancellor Michael Burke really characterized Charles and why he would of loved this building so much.
“We are very grateful,” Marie said. “He would have loved the architecture of this building and he would of loved the courtyard because he would’ve wanted activities and students gathering all the time like the student fair we are having here.”
Among the crowd in attendance was U.S. Congressman Mark Takano, who served on the District’s Board of Trustees and worked with Kane.
“My political career started under the administration of Charles Kane,” Takano said. “We didn’t have a chancellor in those days. It was called a president/superintendent and (this building) brings everything full circle. Chuck was a great coach and a great educator. He was a towering figure in the community and he had that big coach kind of presence.”
Takano reflected on the qualities he remembered most about his former colleague, who he would refer to as Chuck.
“What I remember about Chuck is the importance of leadership and the importance of knowing how to lead in a way that respected others,” he said. “I think during the end of his administration he ran into a bit of trouble but as a whole I think Chuck did a lot of positive things for Riverside and Riverside Community College.”
Kane’s role and influence at RCC had an impact in the current state of the district landscape, according to Takano.
“It is because of his leadership that we have Moreno Valley College, Norco College and an amazing Riverside City College,” Takano explained. “Three separate colleges and he paved the way for there to be a (district) and a chancellor. We are a Riverside Community College system now.”
The building was made possible after voters approved Measure C in March 2004 to finance projects with the intention of accommodating the growing number of students in RCCD.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank the residence of our district for supporting this district and for supporting Measure C funding,” Blumenthal said. “From this local bond that enabled us to advance a facility like this for welcoming students and providing superior student services to ensure student success.”
The completion of the Student Services Building is the latest constructed along with the Centennial Plaza located in Downtown Riverside that features the Henry W. Coil Sr. and Alice Edna Coil School for the Arts and the Culinary Arts Academy and District Offices.
