2008 Woodie Awards
KCCD to start on new BC satellite campus
Steven C. Vogel
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: News
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Kern Community College District and Bolthouse Properties, LLC have entered into an agreement to begin development on a satellite campus on the southeast side of Bakersfield in order to anticipate future growth and meet the needs of the outlying communities.
KCCD and Bolthouse began discussions on Sept. 6 and are currently in a due diligence period, or time of discussion and review.
"Bolthouse Properties has been very helpful… their commitment to appropriate community development and the district's commitment to education just fit together. We now have the opportunity to meet south-county residents' two-year postsecondary educational needs in a convenient and cost-effective manner," said William Andrews, president of Bakersfield College.
Additionally, Andrews emphasizes that the Panorama campus will be "at its maximum" by 2015, requiring the need for additional facilities and campuses. Currently, the Panorama campus can hold a maximum of 15,000 students; 20,000 total students are enrolled, which includes weekend and night class students.
This master-planned development, which encompasses over 1,600 acres, will include the district's educational facilities, a large residential tract with low- and medium-priced homes, as well as schools, parks, and retail businesses.
Retail and commercial establishments would be supported by BC's career and technical programs, which would include enterprises through automotive, maintenance and manufacturing. Internship opportunities would also be made available to students through a collective effort between BC's career and technical program and job placement center and various commercial and industrial employers.
BC and KCCD personnel have no intention of duplicating majors or services already offered at other campuses within the district.
"Unless we can't meet the need or demand here [BC], we won't duplicate majors. Our goal, rather, is to create new majors and opportunities for our students," said Andrews.
KCCD and Bolthouse began discussions on Sept. 6 and are currently in a due diligence period, or time of discussion and review.
"Bolthouse Properties has been very helpful… their commitment to appropriate community development and the district's commitment to education just fit together. We now have the opportunity to meet south-county residents' two-year postsecondary educational needs in a convenient and cost-effective manner," said William Andrews, president of Bakersfield College.
Additionally, Andrews emphasizes that the Panorama campus will be "at its maximum" by 2015, requiring the need for additional facilities and campuses. Currently, the Panorama campus can hold a maximum of 15,000 students; 20,000 total students are enrolled, which includes weekend and night class students.
This master-planned development, which encompasses over 1,600 acres, will include the district's educational facilities, a large residential tract with low- and medium-priced homes, as well as schools, parks, and retail businesses.
Retail and commercial establishments would be supported by BC's career and technical programs, which would include enterprises through automotive, maintenance and manufacturing. Internship opportunities would also be made available to students through a collective effort between BC's career and technical program and job placement center and various commercial and industrial employers.
BC and KCCD personnel have no intention of duplicating majors or services already offered at other campuses within the district.
"Unless we can't meet the need or demand here [BC], we won't duplicate majors. Our goal, rather, is to create new majors and opportunities for our students," said Andrews.
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