The new Sierra Vista Campus Student Union consolidates key student services functions that previously were located in multiple locations.
Cochise College will embrace the past and celebrate the future at the Sierra Vista Campus during an open house scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17.
The college is finishing projects identified as short-term needs as part of its district-wide master facilities plan. The Sierra Vista Campus piece of the plan includes construction of a new Student Union, Career Technical Education Building, and Learning Commons Complex, as well as an addition to the Science Building and renovations to a nursing facility and other classrooms and administrative buildings.
Significant work is now complete, with some facilities occupied for more than a year and others opening just prior to the open house celebration. The cost of the projects is covered by college reserves, revenue bonds, and pledged revenue bonds.
The physical changes have helped create a collegial atmosphere and are already changing the way students, employees and visitors alike think of the campus. Dr. Doris Jensen, campus dean, foresees students feeling more connected to the place where they attend classes and taking advantage of more of the services and activities that are now available in a more student-friendly, accessible environment.
“There is a significant change taking place in our very attitudes toward the Sierra Vista Campus,” Jensen said. “The Student Union and Learning Commons Complex are inviting places for students not only to study and complete their day-to-day business with the college, but also to congregate to talk and hang out, play some pool, watch TV, eat, and work with student clubs.”
Jensen anticipates that commuter students will become more “connected” to the campus, and she can envision high school students spending more time in the college environment than was previously possible.
The open house celebration on Feb. 17 is open to the public. It will include a brief ceremony and tours of the Student Union, Science Building, Career Technical Education Building, Learning Commons Complex, and Nursing Department. Various departments, including student services; math and science; technology, mechatronics, welding and computer science; art; and nursing will give tours and demonstrations. Food will be prepared by the culinary arts program.
Dr. Jack Ziegler, author of “A Brave Beginning” and “A Brave New World,” historical books about Cochise College, will make a special appearance at 12:10 p.m. in Room 313, where he’ll present a free lecture about the early years of the Sierra Vista Campus. Ziegler’s presentation is sponsored by the Center for Lifelong Learning.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (520) 417-4148. Anyone needing an accommodation in order to attend should contact the Disability Services Office, (520) 515-5337 or (520) 417-4023, at least 72 hours in advance.
February 6, 2010 at 11:29 am
The expansion is very nice for the Sierra Vista community. Some of the buildings are interesting, some have beautiful colors, others are eh. But it is nice to see the Sierra Vista campus growing and gaining that “college” atmosphere.
The teachers actually make Sierra Vista Campus work! If it were for the quality of the instructors, the growth of the campus would be meaningless. Some instructors are tough and have a bad rep for that. Students need to think seriously about their future and how that “tough” teacher is helping them to grow into a better person, someone who will be able to handle a university environment. So stick with that tough teacher; YOU are the one who will succeed.
On another note; I feel there needs to be expansion in what Cochise College offers in degrees. I feel a photography department would be a wonderful addition to the college. Many students are interested in photography as a career. I am not willing to move to congested Tucson in order to continue my education in the field of photography. Mainly because I have an unseen disability that makes the Tucson environment detrimental to my health.
Sorry if long winded; I’m just expressing my feelings on the subject of “growth”.
February 21, 2010 at 11:18 am
I have been attending cochise college for a few years now and I have seen the college grown a lot. Personally I would like to see more improvments on seeing great teachers who now hold the possions of only being able to teach part time go from that to full time teachers. Also I would like to see more supplies and reconition of the art department. Expecially with the Ceramics.