Gavilan College will open its doors Wednesday to a student body that threatens to burst the school at the seams.
"Enrollment is way up, again," said Jan Bernstein-Chargin, Gavilan spokeswoman.
Last year, Gavilan was home to about 10,000 individual students or 5,259 for-credit full time equivalent students and 2,000 non-credit students, she said. This year, college officials predict the percent growth to be in the double digits. Bernstein-Chargin said that enrollment - the number of courses that are registered for - should grow by about 20 percent and the number of full time equivalent students - students taking 12 or more units - should grow by about 10 percent, adding that the numbers should firm up after students finish adding and dropping courses.
Meanwhile, the state has not yet passed a budget and college officials are keeping their fingers crossed that the process is expedited. Bernstein-Chargin said that with the college serving more students, they are hoping to receive state funding that recognizes and supports their growth.
"We are hoping for a state budget that keeps in mind that, in the most difficult times, people turn to their community colleges," she said.
But a state budget that's slow to pass didn't keep the college from making a number of renovations over the summer. A sparkling cafeteria will be ready to open for the first day of classes. The facility was remodeled with $150,000 from the student center fund that comes from student fees and contributions from the privately run campus bookstore. It has been completely retiled and will open with a variety of new menu options, including breakfast sandwiches and burritos and homemade pizza for lunch.
"The students won't even recognize it," Bernstein-Chargin said. "It's been completely remodeled. People got nervous because we've been tearing it up but it will be ready and open on time."
Other additions to the campus include about 300 parking spots that were incorporated into existing parking lots, new lighting and surfacing in Parking Lot C and a science wing that received a facelift over the summer. Science students previously housed in aging portables will return to brand new classrooms updated with air conditioning, new laboratory tables and modern lighting. The humanities and arts buildings, the music hall and the cosmetology, business and security buildings are next on the school's to do list.
Sara Suddes Sara Suddes covers Gilroy for South Valley Newspapers. You can email her or call (408) 847-7158.
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