Some of you may have noticed ribbons on trees as you walk around campus. The surveyors have  been identifying significant trees as part of their detailed survey of the parking, roadway and building areas. We need these trees  identified and categorized to do our final layout of parking, roadways and buildings. The markings /ribbons do not signify trees to be removed or trees to remain at this point; the ribbons are only an indication that the trees have been identified. Generally speaking, the contractors have asked the surveyor to identify trees of six inches or greater diameter. That should be what is tagged with ribbons at this point. Trees that are 24” or greater are considered "heritage trees" and may have a different marking. Our design and construction team remains committed to preserving as many trees as possible during the three-year construction process. The design of Live Oak Hall has already been altered to preserve some heritage trees that are located where some classrooms were to be situated. We are in very good hands with our landscape designers, our architects, and with our construction team.

What is the status of the daycare center?

The initial bond proposal that went before the voters included provisions for the construction of a daycare center for use primarily by our students. During initial conversations this past spring, it became apparent that none of the colleges were going to be able to complete the projects outlined by the CIP to the extent identified in the bond proposal. Skyrocketing construction costs coupled with heavy demand for building supplies (Katrina, Rita, major construction in China) have caused each of the colleges to have to prioritize their respective construction projects. While some items on our proposal were deferred to a later date (campus ring road and two parking garages), other items were identified as projects that could be funded by other/external sources. The daycare center for students is one of those items.  The college identified some funds in August to  "program" the day care center. This means that we are working with architectural consultants to identify the elements and components of the childcare center that we envision. The result of this work will be a program document that addresses classroom sizes, work space, outdoor activity space, parking, special equipment provisions, etc. The college can then take this "program" to external funders to solicit funds for the construction of this center. 

Judy Camargo, NVC Director of College and Grants Development, has been busy locating grant opportunities for the college to access.  Our sister institutions across the ACCD were all able to access external funding to build their centers. Judy, along with Dr. Elaine Lang and our architectural consultants, have been visiting daycare facilities across San Antonio.  Our goal is to have a firsthand look at state-of--the-art centers. In addition, we are studying best practices to ensure that the center we build meets the needs of our students and families. We welcome more participants on the team that is designing and funding this center.  If you are interested, please join us for a programming meeting on Tuesday, October 24 in the President's area at 3:00 p.m.

Any questions, comments, or suggestions related to the construction of our two new academic buildings, the new fine and performing arts center, the new library and learning center, the new campus center and the new physical plant, can be directed to Deb Morgan at 348-2370.