No one could have expected to see Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader at a Bakersfield College basketball game. Pete Rose, famous for his baseball ability from the 1960s into the mid '80s and infamous for gambling on baseball, was sitting in the middle of the front row of the BC gym watching the Renegades play against his son Tyler's team, the Glendale Vaqueros.
The Bakersfield College presidential search committee held closed-door interviews with candidates for the position of campus president Thursday and Friday in what administration officials called a "highly confidential process." The next step, committee members say, is to make recommendations to district officials, who will ultimately make the decision.
The Business and Financial Aid offices have made a successful attempt to reduce the lines on campus. In spring 2005, financial aid checks were mailed to recipients, rather than picked up. Joan Wegner, the director of Financial Aid, proposed the idea last fall, with the support of former BC President Sandra Surrano, and Vice President of Student Services Bill Cordero.
A rise in constructions costs has created setbacks for Measure G renovation projects at Bakersfield College. The board has held two of a series of meetings that will prioritize the sequencing of projects around campus. Another preliminary meeting will be held on Feb.
On the first day of the semester, a new ATM machine, provided by Kern Schools Federal Credit Union, became available at a more convenient area on campus. Previously, the only ATM was in the bookstore. The new machine is located in the Campus Center. "When books were going on, we had to wait in line to get to the ATM machine, so I think it's great," said student Doug Irby.
Nearly 90 citrus trees in the Bakersfield College agricultural laboratory still have no planned harvest in sight. "We need to do something," said Bill Kelly, BC Agriculture Department chair. The Agriculture Department organized a pick-your-own event during finals week of the fall 2004 semester but had a low turnout because of inadequate promotion for the event.
Bakersfield College will soon have its own mini arcade. The Student Government Association, which controls the student lounge, next to the coffee cart in the cafeteria, is expected to turn it into a game room. Don Turney, dean of students and SGA adviser, said that they will lease some of the games and buy some of the games.