Pirates Log

Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Clark Miller Howard along with co-worker Ray put up 1800 feet of chain link fence around the MJC East Campus auditorium project.

Media Credit: Clark Miller

Media Credit: Clark Miller

You've seen the signs coming into the college-the ones that say "Funded by Measure E". You've even heard talk about a parking garage, and whispers about new buildings on both campuses. But what does it really mean?

Instructors such as Noah Hughes, a teacher in the Earth Science department, are looking forward to things such as more lab space to accommodate more students, an observatory, and combined projects with the Great Valley Center, but admits, "I think everybody would like to see the money spent faster." On the other hand, some expectations are also lower and more pragmatic; the Literature and Language Arts department, in its response for input on the district's master plan, listed the first requirement for Founders Hall as, "Weatherproof. Solid, energy-efficient, without leaks and cracks."

For support staff like John Giorgio, a lab technician in MJC's radio department, it means a vast upgrade from what the program had before. Due to the auditorium renovation, he is currently in a building which houses the television program and theater props as well. While he admits it has been "challenging, to say the least…we're going to get brand new studios that are a thousand times better than the 1950's studios we had," says Giorgio. "I'm thankful this is happening, not only for me, but for anyone interested in the program."

Students attending MJC now, on the other hand, get a mixed deal out of Measure E. Although eventually they will have state of the art facilities in which to learn, the hard truth is that those promised renovations to places like Founders Hall will be started long after most will have left. With the auditorium being the first project on the agenda, the likelihood of things such as the parking garage being finished in time to help current students is remote at best. Money has already been taken from other projects to finish the auditorium work, and the parking structure was one of those. In all likelihood, it will be at least a couple of years before the parking situation will be somewhat relieved.

Until then, MJC students will cycle through the parking lots hunting for that elusive empty space, heading into classes having less equipment than some of the high schools in the area. The Measure E committee reports say that, "Progress is being made," but the dream of a 21st century campus will not become reality for some time.

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