TVCC projects moving forward
By LARRY MEYER
ARGUS OBSERVER
LarryM@argusobserver.com
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 10:48 AM PDT
ONTARIO — During a report about Treasure Valley Community College to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Monday, acting President Randy Griffin said the college has a lot on its plate but has seen some good successes.
“This is where I want to be,” the Huntington native said, having now worked at the college for about 26 years. He is an alumnus of TVCC and of Eastern Oregon University, with which the community college has a close relationship.
Not only is the college searching for a new president, but Griffin said Susan Tinker, dean of instruction, has announced her plans to move back to Washington to be closer to family.
Besides dealing with the challenges of a growing student body, the college is preparing for accreditation. Administration and staff are preparing for the college’s 10-year review.
Though enrollment is somewhat down, the Caldwell Center is still a benefit to the main campus, Griffin said. TVCC was originally invited to set up a center in Idaho by the Idaho Migrant Council and is now being courted by the City of Caldwell, which is planning to build a three-story facility.
“It will be developed for the college,” Griffin said, adding ground-breaking is expected this fall and completion set for fall 2010.
TVCC’s new dorms continue to meet or exceed expectations for student use, Griffin said.
“They were filled up by the middle of June for fall,” he said.
Before, campus tours ended with the old residence halls, he said. Now, tours begin with the new ones, and parents are impressed.
The college also will be using at least two classrooms in the new National Guard Readiness Center.
With paving of the graveled parking lots currently being worked on, the campus has seen more than 19 stimulus projects completed since last spring, paid for by about $1.4 million in state funds, Griffin said.
About 25 contractors and subcontractors were involved.
Next on the college’s agenda is a new classroom building that will include science labs. The current labs were built in the 1960s, Griffin said.
“We can’t expand them,” he said.
The college hopes to raise the funds through donations to match the $3 million provided by the state, rather than go to the voters.
