Archive for Prescott Campus

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE ALUMNUS STEFAN R. SANFORD’S “ENDANGERED SPECIES” EXHIBIT TO BE SHOWN AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S PRESCOTT CAMPUS GALLERY SEPTEMBER 18-23

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, September 11th, 2024

Digital paintings of endangered animals with information about each one featured in gallery exhibition

Yavapai Community College alumnus Stefan R. Sanford’s “endangered species” exhibit will be shown at the Community College’s Prescott Campus gallery September 18-23. According to a Community College press release written by Michael Grady, the series of “digital paintings of endangered animals with information about each one – sprang out of Sanford’s MFA Thesis presentation. `Many animals are leaving our earth and will soon be gone if we do not get poaching and illegal hunting under control.’ As part of his thesis project, Sanford wrote and illustrated two children’s books designed to introduce kids to conservation. `B. A. C. K. is my motto for these books – Be A Conservation Kid!’ Sanford’s thesis has been downloaded for research throughout the world and published by Liberty’s Scholars Crossing this summer. The books will be part of an upcoming series, with the first two – on the African Elephant and the African Rhinoceros – due out soon.”

In the Community College press release Mr. Sanford is quoted as saying: “I grew up in Prescott and love the mountains, lakes and wildlife we enjoy here. I began reading National Geographic and learned about conservation reading the Ranger Rick magazines as a child.”

Sanford discovered his passion for graphic design while learning Photoshop at Yavapai Community College. Following his graduation, he further honed his skills at Sessions College before pursuing Advanced Graphic Design studies at UCLA. Sanford earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and went on to achieve a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Liberty University.

Categories : Art Gallery Event, Prescott Campus

DURING JUNE AND JULY, PERSONNEL AT THE VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS WILL BE MOVING BACK INTO THE NEWLY RENOVATED $3.1 MILLION CENTER FOR LEARNING AND INNOVATION IN BUILDING M IN PREPARATION FOR THE START OF THE FALL SEMESTER

By R. Oliphant
Friday, April 5th, 2024

Demolition of Building 19 on the Prescott Campus will begin the week of May 13 in preparation for construction of the $15.3 million Center for Learning and innovation

After two years, the renovation of Building “M” on Verde Campus is nearing its final stages. Personnel are expected to begin moving back into the newly refurbished premises throughout June and July, in readiness for the upcoming fall semester. The last renovation of Building “M” took place during the 2011-12 academic year.

The Community College says that the revamped facility will boast state-of-the-art digital technology aimed at enriching the student experience “through accessible content.” Additionally, it will offer contemporary learning spaces, study rooms, and student support services akin to those provided at the current Learning Center.

In a move approved by the Community College District Governing Board, approximately $3.1 million was allocated for the renovation of Building “M” in May 2022. The structure will be rebranded as the “Center for Learning and Innovation.”

Furthermore, the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board approved spending $15.3 million in May 2023 for a more expansive facility, somewhat resembling the Verde Valley Center for Learning and Innovation, on the Prescott Campus. Demolition of Building 19 on the Prescott Campus, where the Center will be located,  is scheduled to begin May 13, in preparation for construction.

Categories : Construction, Prescott Campus, Verde Campus

NEW APARTMENT ON PRESCOTT CAMPUS OF YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE APPEARS READY FOR TEMPORARY OCCUPANCY

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, November 16th, 2023

College says it completely “gutted” Building 30 to transform it from a storage facility to a furnished apartment with modern appliances and laundry

Yavapai Community College has completed the construction of a new apartment on the Prescott Campus. According to Community College authorities, the remodeling effort began with a complete gut of Building 30 to transform it from storage to a furnished apartment. The apartment comes complete with all modern kitchen appliances and laundry facilities.

The campus apartment is intended to provide temporary housing for new faculty and staff transitioning to Yavapai Community College. The College has found housing in the Prescott area for its new faculty and staff challenging, so it is attempting to help out with a temporary solution.

According to Community College officials, ‘The new apartment is comparable to the Verde Valley Campus RV park and will help new employees with this temporary solution.’

The total cost of the apartment renovation is not yet known.

Categories : Construction, Prescott Campus

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE TAKES PRELIMINARY STEPS TOWARD CONSTRUCTION OF NEW 30,000 SQUARE FOOT HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER AT PRESCOTT VALLERY CENTER

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, August 10th, 2023

Goal is to begin construction in August 2024 – (Estimated cost runs from $20 to $22  million) – This is second major project in last few months announced to expand west side Community College footprint as $10 million already allocated for  separate CTEC expansion; College will seek additional state and federal support for Science Center project

Yavapai Community College announced in its August Facilities Management Newsletter that it has begun moving forward with its plans to build  an estimated $20 to 22 million Sciences Center to be located at the College’s Prescott Center.  (Click here to take link to newsletter.)   

The College says that it is working with “SPS + Architects” and has begun programming for a new three story 30,000 square foot facility that will house Nursing and EMS training.  According to the Facilities Management Report, the College  hopes to obtain additional funding from the state and federal governments.  It is unclear whether the project is actually contingent on obtaining those funds.

It also hopes to break ground for the Center  in August 2024. If it does so without state or government aid, it will most likely turn to issuing Special Revenue Bonds of some sort because they do not  need approval from residents before they are issued.  The College has used this approach before on various projects.

The EMS program, now located on the Prescott Campus, will be moved to the new facility. The vacated Prescott Campus space will be filled by building additional  athletic offices to meet the needs of the burgeoning athletic program.

The College said it will continue the existing nursing program on the Verde Campus.

The announcement of the multi-million dollar project is notable for a couple of reasons:  First, in the May 2024 approved budget, this project was listed as beginning at the earliest in the 2026-2027 academic year.  For unexplained reasons, it has  suddenly been moved to begin two years earlier, in August 2024. 

Second, this appears to be a missing part of the Master plan originally hatched by the Prescott based College executives back in  2010 where they  received Governing Board approval for allocating $103 million or more in capital development with less than 5% going to Sedona and the Verde Valley.  At that time, it was expected that all nursing training would be centralized at the Prescott Valley Center, including the nursing program on the Verde Valley Campus. 

Fortunately, Sedona/Verde Valley advocates launched a successful campaign to save the nursing training on the Verde Valley Campus. Another factor saving the Verde Valley Campus program was that discussions with Northern Arizona University and others potentially involved in the Prescott Valley project fell apart, which brought a halt to enormous expansion plans. However, the College moved ahead with renovation of  a portion of the Prescott Valley Center for its nursing program. 

In justifying the 30,000 square foot expansion, College consultants claim that based on projected enrollment growth in the Health Sciences, and “the advantages of bringing all Health Sciences programs together into one building,” a new integrated Health Sciences center is needed, which focuses on partnerships and interdisciplinary pedagogies that provide students with an improved understanding of healthcare practices to help them secure better jobs. (Emphasis added.) 

The following is the announcement made by the College:

 

Categories : Nursing, Prescott Campus

A COUPLE OF ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS TO BE INSTALLED ON PRESCOTT AND VERDE VALLEY CAMPUSES

By R. Oliphant
Friday, January 20th, 2023

Near buildings 2, 19 on the Prescott Campus;  near building I on the Verde Valley Campus; will accommodate only a couple of cars at a time

Yavapai Community College is putting its toe into the Electrical Vehicle waters by establishing its first  charging stations for electrical vehicles on the Prescott and Verde Valley campuses.  The Verde Campus station will accommodate two EVs at a time.

It is not clear how much will be collected by the College, if anything,  for charging. It is also not clear  whether the charging stations are Level 1,  Level 2 or above. However,  it is suspected that they are Level 1 (slow) charge stations.

Level 1 charging stations provide a low-power (12-20 Amp), which is generally used for long-term charging. It is sometimes referred to as slow or ‘trickle’ charging.  Level 1 long-term charging is found at some airports and hotels. It is also found at some universities and casinos.

 Level 2 charging stations use  a 240 volt outlet (like a clothes dryer or oven) and deliver more power to a car to charge it faster.

Level 3 chargers are still quite rare in the United States. It is claimed that a level 3 charger can  fill a battery at a rate of 75 – 1,200 miles per hour. It would top off an empty battery in 30 minutes.

There are a number of small Tesla destination charging stations in the Verde Valley, with the largest number in the Sedona area.

 

Categories : Prescott Campus, Verde Campus

COMMUNITY COLLEGE RUNS JUMPSTART SALE ON FOOD AT RIDER DINER ON PRESCOTT CAMPUS

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021

Half price sale ran from September 20-24

Yavapai Community College ran a half-price sale on food at the Rider Dinner on the Prescott campus from September 20 through September 24. 

It is not clear whether the sale was made possible through the use of a portion of government funding received as a part of the COBIT – 19 money provided the Community College or it was an introduction to the facility to encourage students to use it.

Anyway, it was delightful for the students on the Prescott Campus.

Photo from Yavapai Community College Facebook video.
Categories : Prescott Campus

NEW LED LIGHTING BEING INSTALLED AT PRESCOTT CAMPUS AND PRESCOTT VALLEY CENTER PARKING LOTS

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, September 19th, 2021

Community College attacks one of the areas of significant costs it incurs, hoping for 80% reduction in energy consumption with brighter lighting

Yavapai Community College is currently upgrading its parking lot lighting with LED lamps at the Prescott Campus and the Prescott Valley Center. According to the College, experts have indicated it should expect to see brighter lighting with  an 80% reduction in energy consumption over the existing metal halide and high-pressure sodium lights.

Lighting is one of the most significant energy  costs incurred by the Community College.

Categories : Prescott Campus, Prescott Valley Campus

PRESCOTT VALLEY CENTER MARQUEE VIDEO BOARD UP AND RUNNING

By R. Oliphant
Friday, September 17th, 2021

The new electronic marquee is similar to the one at the Prescott Campus

A new marquee has been installed at the Prescott Valley Center.  The marquee is similar to the one recently installed at the Prescott Campus.

Work on the marquee was completed in September 2021.  It is now fully  operational.

Categories : Prescott Campus

TIME TO EXPAND EMERGENCY STUDENT AID TO EAST SIDE OF COUNTY

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, December 6th, 2018

Food pantry a super program on west side of County; need is to make it more available to  students on east  side of County

Yavapai Community College students and staff have created a great emergency fund and food program.  It is now time to expand the program to the east  side of the  County.

 

Categories : Prescott Campus, Verde Campus

TRAGIC DEATHS RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT GOVERNING BOARD RESPONSE TO DRUG ABUSE ALARM SOUNDED BY DEB MCCASLAND AT MAY MEETING

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, November 8th, 2018

McCasland met with almost open hostility when she questioned whether College was complying with drug enforcement policies when dealing with baseball team

Deb McCasland

The deaths of two Yavapai Community College students last Saturday that may have been drug related raises the troubling question of what could have been done to prevent this tragedy, if anything?  The one member on the Community College Governing Board who has showed deep concern for potential drug problems on campus and specifically on the baseball team is representative Deb McCasland. 

Recall that last May she raised the question at the Board meeting of whether President Wills was properly complying with a Governing Board directive to enforce certain Campus policies regarding illegal drug usage. Her question sparked a somewhat vitriolic response from Wills and Board member Pat McCarver.  McCasland expressed her concern saying that as a Board member she had an obligation to look into possible criminal violations if they occurred on Campus. She also said that she was disappointed it “took her action to shed some light on what was going on.”  Wills insisted she had done all that was required regarding an incident involving the baseball team and had imposed appropriate sanctions.

Among questions by McCasland was one involving the absence of police logs showing that concerned parents had visited and alerted police to the possible drug use issue. Why, after there had been several visits to the police about the alleged drug incident did the police logs not show the contacts? McCasland asked. Wills responded that she should talk to the police.

Wills said that she didn’t appreciate McCasland’s handling of the matter and encouraged her to speak privately (secretly out of public view) to her in the future about such matters.  Wills also said that the College was imposing “all the different sanctions that will go into place” and improve procedures.  She did not elaborate.

McCarver jumped to Wills aid during the discussion saying that McCasland was unprofessional by continuing to pursue the matter publicly during the Board meeting. She also urged McCasland to meet with Wills privately (secretly out of public view).

Now, with these two deaths, the question is this:  Should the Board, as McCasland has argued, insist on a review of the enforcement of drug usage policy on campus and as applied to its athletic program?

The Governing Board discussion about drug use by the baseball team raised by McCasland at the May meeting appears below.

 

Categories : Basketball program, Complaints, Crime, Prescott Campus
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