Yes on J 2016 - How Will Funds Be Used?

Kern Community College District Measure J Funds will go directly into new and upgraded classrooms and other student spaces at Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Porterville College.  Measure J funds will also  provide up-to-date technology, equipment and learning spaces for educational and job training programs.  Funds are specifically earmarked for approved capital projects and upgrades which can be found on the Measure J projects list at www.yesonj2016.com . By law no funds can be used for administrative or personnel salaries or pensions. 

For Bakersfield College these funds will be transformative, as the majority of the buildings were constructed in the 1950s. High priority projects include but are not limited to:

• construct a new science and engineering building that will increase classroom space,
• construct a new agriculture center,
• remodel and expand the Veterans Resource Center at BC and a new building in Delano, and
• develop in Arvin/Lamont
• upgrade of technology, energy efficiency, and modernization and up-dated security features.

The measure will require citizen oversight and yearly audits to ensure that all funds are used locally, effectively, and as promised.  The projects funded by Measure J were chosen after an extensive KCCD Master Plan which assessed current and future needs and laid out a roadmap for how to meet them.

Voting Yes on J, is supporting our local community colleges and our future workforce. 

Find out more by visiting our web site: http://www.yesonj2016.com/about.html

BC Student Veterans: Welcome Home

Many veterans attend BC under the provisions of the GI Bill. FDR signed into law the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act in 1944. By 1947, veterans comprised nearly 50% of all college admissions, and when the original bill ended, nearly one-half of all WWII veterans had participated in post-secondary education.

Bakersfield College has long been an approved institution for training veterans. BC grants credit for certain service experience and training completed by veterans while serving their country. Staff members monitor how the bill coordinates with financial aid and other campus services, greatly reducing lost or delayed benefits.

In addition to benefits, veteran interaction is essential for a successful transition. One in five veterans have experienced traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. While most student veterans are disciplined, focused, and mature, they feel behind and struggle finding their new home at BC.

The BC Veterans Center is already at capacity

BC has taken the concept of veteran’s services further, establishing a Veteran’s Center where veterans can seek services or simply relax in a safe, familiar environment. BC also sponsors a Veteran’s Club that coordinates information and services, helping veterans successfully transition. Other services include “Squared Away in a Day,” an event where veterans have priority access to essential services. “VetFest” is a celebration of Kern County’s veterans that hosts local veterans organizations and businesses interested in hiring veterans. GI Bill workshops, individual counseling, and special classes help ease the transition back to civilian life.

BC is our community’s college. BC student veterans are members of our community, whether returning home or seeking to make Bakersfield their home. BC is proud of these veterans and their many sacrifices and accomplishments. BC remains dedicated to making Bakersfield College, and by extension, Kern County, a place where they are welcomed home.

BC’s Veteran Resources Center (VRC) serves over 650 veterans/dependents a year and this number is continually growing. Visit BC’s VRC and you’ll see a room overflowing with veterans who use this small space to reconnect and receive support.  Measure J will fund the expansion of the VRC physical space at both the Bakersfield and Delano Campuses.  With these funds, it will create a larger footprint, which will allow room for a larger meeting area, offices to have individual conferences, and a space for VRC students to study and receive support.  

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The BC Sports Center- Serving the community, students and more…

Almost every BC student, 20,000 plus, passes through the Bakersfield College Gil Sports Center from being a part of BC team or taking part in many of the numerous physical education classes.  The Sports Center also serves as a community center, providing free community swim lessons, First aid & CPR, camps & clinics provided by the coaches. For the athletes, it is a place to call home, build relationships and learn how to handle adversity through athletics.

This photo of the entrance speaks volumes to the history of the building. Constructed in the 1950s, this center has served Bakersfield well but it is time to rebuild. The number of students have increased and the building can not effectively support our community’s needs.  It is inefficient with storage closets converted to classrooms, lack of wifi in the classrooms and needless to say limited space. Energy efficiency is not even feasible for this 1950’s building. 

All that said, the Sports Center is more than a gymnasium.  It also houses locker rooms, fitness center, performance enhancement center, adaptive PE, dance room, wrestling room, athletic training facility and office space.  Physical Education classes and athletic team practices share a lot of common classroom space.    Measure J funds will be used to enhance our ability to serve this student population at BC.