It has been a long-term goal to stabilize Bakersfield College’s budget, according to Dr. Sandra Serrano, BC president. That’s why she was pleased that the college did not have to lay off any staff during the recent budget crisis.
“At BC we did not have to engage in a layoff nor have we had to cut our budget,” she said. “We, in fact, are in the process of hiring additional full-time and part-time staff, spending money on instructional equipment as well as completing building improvement projects. We are not cutting the budget, we were not crying wolf this time. If it were not for several vacancies that include both administrative and classified we may well have had to lay off individuals.”
Instead of the budget driving educational planning, long-term planning, should drive the budget, she said.
The recent budget crisis pressured BC into compliance with the California 50 percent law, mandating that half of the budget must go to classroom funding.
“This year we do not have to cut our budget, however, because of the 50 percent law we’ve had to make sure we make appropriate expenses of our budget so that there is compliance of having 50 percent of our budget spent on classroom instruction,” she said.
Her goal has been to make BC a “more efficient organization” by achieving what Serrano calls “financial viability.”
“We will continue to invest more money into instruction and we will do that based on our thoughtful planning so that we can meet the needs of this community and meet the needs of our students, so that students can be successful in completing their education,” she said.
Besides the budget, the president commented on a variety of isssues during an interview last week. Topics she discussed included construction, the Bakersfield Police Department on campus and bomb threats.
Campus under construction
Serrano said she is involved in the construction that is happening on campus.
From the bookstore renovation to the new pool, she has had to work with the state in acquiring funds necessary to renovate BC.
“The money comes from the state, there is a process by which we are required to submit projects,” she said. “It can include funds that have been raised. Typically, it is money that has been identified for those specific projects.”
The child development center and the aquatic center almost are finished. BC is having ventilation and heating work done. The baseball field will soon have a new clubhouse and roof work is continuing throughout campus.
Bomb threats and the emergency evacuation plan
Serrano is on the emergency team for the college. During a bomb threat, she makes the decision to evacuate the campus. During an evacuation, Serrano stays at the command center in the administration building to direct the procedure, she said.
“I don’t go anywhere (during an evacuation). I am part of the command station making the decisions that need to be made as information is available.”
The evacuation plan was publicized campuswide — at her request.
“There has been an evacuation plan for as long as I’ve been here, I believe,” she said. “We certainly had a plan prior to the incident that happened earlier this semester. With regards to training, we have had training since and have some more scheduled. … I asked evacuation maps be posted in every building.”
She hopes that students will learn from the experience earlier this semester and know what to do during a serious threat. But she does not want “copycats.”
“In retrospect, I have no problem with an incident being reported, but we have to be careful with the details,” she said. “Being mindful that we do not want to encourage people to copy that type of behavior. It is balancing the right to know and the responsibility of not encouraging this type of behavior.”
Campus police, Bakersfield Police Department and safety
Serrano supports having an armed Bakersfield Police officer on campus to ensure student safety.
“The safety of the students, employees and visitors to our campus is necessary, essential and we will take the measures necessary to ensure that we have a safe environment because a safe environment also affects the learning environment and so in terms of what might be appropriate, we have appropriate safety,” she said.
She supports BC campus police, she said, but she sees having an armed officer on campus as adding to BC safety.
“I believe our security department provided us with the safe environment. They were always professional and provided us with the necessary security. On the other hand, we live in times where we never know what to expect. So by adding a police officer I really believe we have enhanced that level of security on campus. Our needs are understood and that responsiveness (by the police department) is met.”
But she said she does not see BC police carrying guns in the future, although she said “it is hard to tell what will happen.”
“We want to ensure there is appropriate screening, training and ongoing training related to weapons. Those coming from law enforcement are properly trained.”
Accessibility to others
“I personally don’t think I’m difficult to reach, although I may not return a call or be here to take a call rather, my calendar actually is scheduled probably a year in advance,” Serrano said. “Between meetings I truly do not tend to be in my office between 8 and 5 per se. But generally I’m here until 6, 7 or 8 at night.”
Juggling a busy professional and home life
“I do like it. I really feel that my professional life and (home) life are integrated into a life. My husband is an attorney who also works long hours. We sort of schedule our activities and we enjoy the people, faculty, staff, students. I like the environment and it is one where I can be in the community and hear about how BC can make a difference in people’s lives. It all just fits.”