Academic Center slated for completion in Summer 2015

By Max Wolf-Johnson

Just when it appeared as though construction of the Academic Center would never take off, steel beams went up seemingly overnight.

Another academic semester begins at College of Marin, and the school’s seemingly unending “modernization project” continues. For returning students the sight of neon-vested workers in hard hats and the sound of shrill beeping have become part of the campus’ backdrop. These minimal distractions, however, are the price to pay for the 17 state-of-the-art-classrooms that students will be able to enjoy once the new academic center finishes construction.

Additionally, once the project is completed, students will no longer need to fear registering for a class potentially taught in one of the portable bungalows. The building is scheduled to be opened for use at the start of the 2015 Summer semester, and at its current stage it is estimated to be 20 percent complete.

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Construction disruption: Staff, students excited about new buildings but tired of the inconvenience

 

The former site of Harlan, Olney, the Business and Management Center, and the Administration Building, (top), was cleared to make room for the new Academic Center (above).

By Roddy Heckelman

Construction is a continuing theme at College of Marin, as it enters it’s ninth year of the Modernization Project. Funded by a $250 million measure C bond acquired in 2004, the modernization project is all about modernizing old classrooms, providing new technology for smart class rooms, and creating a more fire safe campus. The most recent work done on College of Marin Kentfield campus, since Spring 2013, was the demolition of Olney Hall, Harlan Center, the Business and Management Center, and Taqueria Mexican Grill de Marin. These buildings were demolished to make room for the new Academic Center, which will include new smart classrooms, lab classrooms, and new offices. Although the construction has created short term issues, it is hoped the long term benefits will outweigh the frustration of waiting.

Health Center offers seasonal flu shots

By Cecilia Jordan

Many students will be familiar with the Health Services building, which is located in the parking lot next to the police station.

As a student, staying healthy is a full time job. We are in the public all day, around all sorts of people, and germs spread like wildfire. Missing one day of class due to sickness can potentially put a student behind the rest of the class by a week. However, since a lot of the student population has no insurance, staying healthy is more of a wish than an expectation. For COM students looking for low cost medical options, the health center located just off of parking lot 6 next to the police station might be a good place to start.

There are many services offered by licensed health care workers for a small fee and some even for free. Students can take advantage of speaking with a medical doctor or nurse when they have concerns about their health. If a student is sick or hurt on campus, the health center can also either treat them or assist in getting the help they need. The clinic also offers low cost medications, screening tests such as blood or pregnancy and immunizations for conditions such as Tetanus, Hepatitis or the flu shot.

New Science Center now open

February 2, 2013

By Chris Vannarath

A view of the front of the new Math and Science Center, the building is LEED certified.

Opening its doors for the first time to students this semester is the new Science Math Central Plant (SMCP) building on the Kentfield campus. College of Marin began breaking ground for the new 70,000 square-foot building in mid-September of 2009 in the upper quadrant of the campus. The SMCP budget of $52.2 million was a part of the $249.5 million Measure C bond passed in 2004. The new SMCP building was to better help teachers and students with more resources and better labs.

The Science Math and Central Plant building will host a multitude of classes once it is fully completed. The facility will house classes for Science, Math and Nursing programs, an IT department, and a central power plant. Classes such as anthropology, taught by Kathaeryne Soluri, geology, taught by Steven Newton, several math classes, computer skill classes and nursing classes will all be held in this one building. Kathaeryne Soluri, a part-time teacher here at College of Marin since 2008, is very impressed with the new SMPC building.