Gavilan built it and they came. The college completed an
expanded parking lot just in time for the start of school and
students responded by signing up for classes in record numbers.
Gilroy – Gavilan built it and they came. The college completed an expanded parking lot just in time for the start of school and students responded by signing up for classes in record numbers.
Gavilan College opened its doors Tuesday morning to 4,506 students – 300 more than last year. The school’s campus boasted a number of new facilities that reflected that growth, but students still complained about long lines and cramped classes. They also complained about something college staff could not change – the 82-degree heat complemented by an unfettered sun.
“This weather is killing everybody,” 20-year-old Gerardo Sanchez, Jr. said.
The third-year student stood in the shade outside the library, which he had left because it is not equipped with air conditioning. Students also complained that classroom blocks are not equipped with air conditioning.
The college shut down the life and physical sciences buildings to equip them with air conditioning, heating and ventilation this year. The college added 16 air-conditioned portables to accommodate classes displaced by the renovations.
The college’s major project during the summer was overhauling the main parking lot. Parking rows were changed from a north-south orientation to an east-west orientation. Contractors also resurfaced the blacktop, repainted the lines and added 24 parking spaces.
The new parking lot is a welcome addition, Spanish instructor Albert Marques said.
“We’ve got trees, shade, added parking spaces – it’s great,” he said.
After three morning classes, he was still pumped about the coming semester.
“Classes are going well,” Marques said. “There are lots of new students and everybody is excited.”
Enrollment of students taking classes for credit was up 8 percent from fall 2006, according Gavilan data. Jan Bernstein-Chargin, college public information officer, said the new-student numbers are likely to rise as registration continues through Sept. 10. College staff credit the enrollment jump to Web-based registration, recruiting at high school fairs and a new advertising strategy.
The enrollment numbers include 61 students at the T. J. Owens Early College Academy, which is operated by the Gilroy Unified School District and teaches high school students. The students take college classes in addition to a full load of high school classes.
The college did not add any new classrooms during the summer break, but did renovate classrooms from a lecture-oriented to discussion-oriented format.
The lack of new classrooms coupled with enrollment jumps made for overcrowded classes and administrative offices swarmed with students, second-year student Khadija Kharoti said
“You have to stand in line every place you go,” she said.
One of the longest lines was at the bookstore, which saw several shelves emptied by lunch time and a line to the cash register 20-people deep that snaked around the entire store and out the front door. Employees hustled on both sides of the registers, trying to ring up orders and direct traffic while students near the front of the line stared off into space and fanned themselves.
The other long line was at the administrative office, which maintained a line of more than 25 people since early morning. Students paid dues, filed financial aid forms and tinkered with their schedules. Despite the wait, students were upbeat about the college experience after their first few classes.
“It’s pretty cool,” said 19-year-old Chris Gutierrez, a spring Gilroy High School graduate.
After morning history and anthropology classes, he was happy to stand in line to add an additional class. The year looked promising, Gutierrez said.
“I’m going to like it,” he said.
