The Board of Trustees of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, to be responsive to the needs of students and the community, evaluated the District’s urgent and critical facility needs, including facility maintenance, safety issues, class offerings, energy cost reduction and information and computer technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded, as outlined in both the District’s Foothill College Facility Master Plan, as updated in October 2002, as amended in February 2006, and as shall be amended from time to time, and the De Anza College Facility Master Plan, as updated in October 2002, as amended in February 2006, and as shall be amended from time to time (together, the “Facilities Master Plan”), as well as the District’s Information Technology Strategic Plan 2005-2010, represented to the Board on January 17, 2006, and as shall be amended from time to time, and the District’s Renovation Master Plan, as presented to the Board on February 6, 2006, and as shall be amended from time to time.
In developing the scope of projects, the faculty, staff and students have prioritized the key health and safety needs so that the most critical needs and the most urgent and basic repairs that will make both campuses clean and safe for learning are addressed. The Board conducted facilities evaluations and received public input and review in developing the scope of college facility projects to be funded, as listed in the Facilities Master Plan, the Information Technology Strategic Plan and the Renovation Master Plan. This input of faculty and community leaders concluded that if these needs were not addressed now, the problems would only get worse. In preparing the Facilities Master Plan, the Information Technology Strategic Plan and the Renovation Master Plan, the Board of Trustees made five important determinations:
(i) Foothill-De Anza Community College District must upgrade and expand inadequate facilities to address increased student demand for classes;
(ii) In tough economic times, both Foothill College and De Anza College must provide programs to train people who need to acquire or upgrade job skills;
(iii) Foothill College and De Anza College must provide affordable educational opportunities, adequate facilities and classes for academic programs for students who want to transfer to four-year colleges;
(iv) Foothill-De Anza Community College District must upgrade classrooms and labs so that they are safe from asbestos and other hazards and meet the standards of a modern curriculum; and
(v) Foothill-De Anza Community College District must upgrade its old buildings to provide energy efficient electrical systems for today’s technology systems and upgrade campus lighting for increased safety and security on campus.
The Facilities Master Plan, the Information Technology Strategic Plan and the Renovation Master Plan are on file and available for review at the District Chancellor’s Office and Public Information Office, as well as at the offices of the Presidents of Foothill College and De Anza College, and include the projects listed below.
FOOTHILL COLLEGE
Upgrade, Maintain, Equip, and/or Replace Obsolete Classrooms, Science and Computer Labs, Library, Instructional Facilities, Sites and Utilities; Meet Demands of Changing Workforce; Improve Disabled Access:
Upgrade buildings to include educational equipment and laboratories, provide state-of-the-art computer technology capability for students, repair, build, upgrade and/or replace leaky roofs, decaying walls, old ceiling tiles and flooring, plumbing, sewer and drainage systems, inefficient electrical systems and wiring, deteriorated restrooms, heating, ventilation and cooling systems, foundations, telecommunications systems, classrooms, lecture halls, language labs, fields, courts and grounds, science and other instructional laboratories and healthcare workforce facilities, technology center, theatre, library, administrative facilities, public safety, records and counseling buildings and other instructional facilities, wire classrooms for computers and other technology, increase energy efficiency, acquire equipment, increase safety, reduce fire hazards with alarms, smoke detectors, fire safety doors and sprinklers, reduce operating costs in order for more classes and job training to be offered, improve academic instruction; and meet legal requirements for disabled access.
Upgrade Technology:
Provide state-of-the-art technology facilities, upgrade Internet access and wireless and cable technology, build “smart classrooms” to improve technology-enhanced learning, upgrade telecommunications systems, upgrade campus-wide technology, including a new Educational Information System, replace outdated computers, replace network infrastructure equipment, and install wiring upgrades.
Repair, Replace and Upgrade Electrical and Mechanical Systems to Reduce Energy Consumption and Utility Bills and Accommodate Computer Technology, Internet Access and Communications Systems, Install Solar Panels to Reduce Energy Consumption and Utility Bills
Improve Safety and Disabled Access; Remove Asbestos:
Remove all harmful asbestos, upgrade existing fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke detectors, and fire doors, install security systems, exterior lighting, emergency lighting, signage, door locks and fences, enhance erosion controls, repair uneven sidewalks and walkways, and improve accessibility for the disabled.
Expand Classroom and Facility Capacity, Construct Science Center, Upgrade Classrooms/Labs For Nursing and Emergency Medical Services:
Increase permanent classroom and facility capacity for academic and job training classes, including math and health care programs, upgrade science labs, physical and health education, and applied arts and sciences facilities, upgrade campus technology, and construct “smart classrooms” to improve technology-enhanced learning.
Improve Emergency Access and Evacuation Routes:
Improve campus road network and surfacing, build parking structure, reduce gridlock, improve pedestrian safety and increase access for emergency vehicles.
DE ANZA COLLEGE
Upgrade Technology:
Provide state-of-the-art technology facilities, upgrade Internet access and wireless and cable technology, build “smart classrooms” to improve technology-enhanced learning, upgrade telecommunication systems, upgrade campus-wide technology, including a new Educational Information System, replace outdated computers, replace network infrastructure equipment, and install wiring upgrades.
Repair, Upgrade, Equip, and/or Replace Obsolete Classrooms, Science, Nursing, Computer and Instructional Laboratories and Other Facilities, Sites and Utilities
Repair, upgrade and/or replace leaky roofs, decaying walls, old ceiling tiles and flooring, plumbing, sewer, and drainage systems, inefficient electrical systems and wiring, deteriorated restrooms, heating, ventilation and cooling systems, telecommunications systems, data center, bookstore, foundations, fields and grounds, library, classrooms, lecture halls, science, engineering and other laboratories, physical and healthcare workforce education and auto technology facilities, television studio and other faculty, administrative and instructional facilities, corporation yard, and multicultural center, wire classrooms for computers and technology, upgrade Campus Center, increase safety, increase energy efficiency, acquire equipment, reduce fire hazards, reduce operating costs in order for more classes and job training to be offered, improve academic instruction, and meet legal requirements for disabled access.
Improve Emergency Access and Evacuation Routes; Improve Access for Disabled:
Improve student safety, improve campus road network to eliminate unsafe conditions, reduce gridlock, improve pedestrian safety and increase access for emergency vehicles, upgrade parking garage and parking areas, improve disabled access, add parking structure to accommodate increasing student population and reduce congestion.
Improve Safety and Disabled Access; Remove Asbestos; Perform Seismic Upgrades:
Remove all harmful asbestos, upgrade existing gas lines, pipes, sewer system, storm drains, fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke detectors, intercoms and fire doors, install security systems, exterior lighting, emergency lighting, signage, door locks and fences, repair uneven sidewalk and walkways, upgrade facilities for seismic safety.
Repair, Replace and Upgrade Electrical and Mechanical Systems and Install Solar Panels to Reduce Energy Consumption and Utility Bills and Accommodate Computer Technology, Internet Access and Communications Systems.
Construct Academic Facilities to Expand Classroom and Laboratory Capacity:
Increase permanent classroom, laboratory space and facility capacity for academic and job training classes, including math, science, student support services, instructional labs, physical and health education and applied arts and sciences, campus technology, construct “smart classrooms” for enhanced learning.
DISTRICT-WIDE PROJECTS
Provide greater access to technology; upgrade electrical wiring, Internet access, wireless and cable technology, fiber optics and network infrastructure for computers and telecommunication systems at both Foothill College and De Anza College campuses.
Refinance existing lease obligations.
Acquire property for new education center to accommodate growing population and to better serve new populations in the District.
Build data center to support new District-wide computer and technology systems and integrate with renovated central office facility.
Listed building, repair and rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The allocation of bond proceeds will be affected by the District’s receipt of State bond funds and the final costs of each project. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District’s control. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded and projects are completed. Based on the final costs of each project, certain of the projects described above may be delayed or may not be completed. In such case, bond money will be spent on only the most essential of the projects listed above.
FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY. THE EXPENDITURE OF BOND MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS IS SUBJECT TO STRINGENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS. BY LAW, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDITS WILL BE PERFORMED ANNUALLY, AND ALL BOND EXPENDITURES WILL BE MONITORED BY AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT AS PROMISED AND AS SPECIFIED. THE CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, REPRESENTATION OF A BONA FIDE TAXPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION, A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND A SENIOR CITIZENS’ ORGANIZATION. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES OR VENDORS ARE PERMITTED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
NO ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE BONDS AUTHORIZED BY THIS PROPOSITION SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION, ACQUISITION OR REPLACEMENT OF COLLEGE FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF COLLEGE FACILITIES, AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE, INCLUDING TEACHERS’ AND ADMINISTRATORS’ SALARIES AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES. BY LAW, ALL FUNDS CAN ONLY BE SPENT ON REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.