By Ulises Vargas
By Ulises Vargas
Last month, college officials revealed a master plan that will transform and revitalize Riverside City College to adequate standards.
“We have two plans,”said Linda Lacy, Interim Vice President of RCC “The Educational Master Plan and the Facilities Master Plan. It will take approximately 15 to 20 years to complete.”
With a full-time enrollment of almost 18,000, RCC students feel the need to renovate.
“I’ve been planning on joining the Cosmetology program here, but I never liked the buildings,”student Linda Haugh said. “It’s just not appealing.”
During the past years, RCC has seen its share of new and remodeled buildings.
“I can see the need to remodel, too bad I won’t be here in 15 years” student, Judith Aceves said.
“It’s exciting to know that changes are being done,” student Mikey Carrazco said. “After all, the campus is 92 years old.”
“I like what they did to the Quad, and if that’s what they’re going to do to the entire campus, then I’m excited for it.” Aceves said.
“The plan details all programs in the college,” Lacy said. “It stated what would go and what would stay.”
The Facilities Master Plan, a 200-page document, includes many renovations of existing buildings and new facilities.
“Some projects include the Nursing and Science Building, which is slated to be completed by 2012, and the remodeling of the Wheelock Gym,” Lacy said. “We also inquired property to retrofit the Riverside School of Arts on Market Street and University Avenue. We should have a new building by 2013.”
Future projects include a five story parking structure.
“I’m glad they plan to add a new parking structure, because parking is horrible here” student Thalia Trujillo said.
One of the most anticipated new buildings is the new Student Services Center.
“We have all of our Student Services scattered across campus, and it makes it difficult for new students to find,” Lacy said.
“The idea is a one-stop center for students. The building has been on the list for several years, but we’re going to promote it now. The current Administration building will be a footprint for the new three story building.”
The master plan is estimated to cost $371 million.
“It seems like a lot of money, but it will be well-worth it in the end,”said Juan Rodriguez RCC alumni. “And if they spend it wisely, they might have extra money to help students too. After all, you can’t just focus on infrastructure.Book costs are up the roof.”
“Money to pay for portion of this plan will be from what is left of Measure C bond, and state facilities money,” said Aaron Browninterim vice chancellor of Administration and Finances.
“We will try to leverage the state money with Measure C money.”
Before any of these plans go through, classes will be moved around.
“What’s going to happen in the mean time?” Trujillo said. “Where will classes be held? Will they move classes back down to Lovekin Field again?”
Plans for that are yet to be decided, and will be discussed once construction begins.
