March 7 , 2006 

Artesia News

Cerritos College Transformation Nears First Milestone

Science Building’s Opening This Summer Marks First Completed Project


Modernization and campus-wide transformation of Cerritos College—made possible through a voter-approved $210 million bond—is nearing a master-planned milestone in the completion of the new Science Building on the west side of campus. The new complex boasts of a total of nine new chemistry and biology labs, six lecture halls and state-of-the art equipment.

The college strategically eliminated aspects of the building, after the initial bid process which was considerably over budget, to preserve $20 million provided by the state to replace the existing science facility. Subsequent bond funding allowed inclusion of those key features to ensure students have the best learning opportunity in the highly specialized learning facility. Approximately one-third of the facility’s budget was supported by the bond. Since the fall of 2004, the Cerritos College Board of Trustees unanimously approved adaptations to building plans because of their commitment to excellence and to ensure the building had what students and faculty needed.

“We are beginning to make headway in realizing our implementation plan for use of bond funding,” said Cerritos College President Noelia Vela.

“Although the current costs of concrete and steel have skyrocketed, we have worked closely with the college’s board of trustees to make them aware of costs and rationale behind any change of plans, no matter how small. We have worked with the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee to proactively manage all aspects of bond funding to ensure the college community gets the most from available resources.”

Vela also remarked that the college has learned from sister colleges throughout the state who experienced false starts and unnecessary expense in bond construction due to lack of planning in the early stages.

“Planning is a critical component of any implementation of a bond measure,” said Vela. “We have developed project scopes, budgets and schedules as well as an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) transition plan to ensure access for all; we’ve conducted an EIR (environmental impact report); and we’ve prepared an extensive timeline for the various implementation projects before building commences.”

She continued. “This has given the board and campus an encompassing view of the buying power of the bond. This foundational work, while time consuming, has been invaluable in setting priorities and an implementation timeline for the various projects.”

Deborah Shepley, A.I.A. and campus architect from tBP/Architecture, agreed.

“There has been a great deal of participation and involvement in the planning stage at Cerritos College as compared to other colleges —planning of key factors such as development of standards, attention to ADA requirements and the need for an EIR. This intense planning and foresight will result in valuable dividends to the college later.”

The college’s Campus Transformation Committee has developed campus standards to address architecture elements, flooring materials, lighting fixtures, furniture, landscaping and other key areas, to maintain a high level of quality and to achieve “economy-of-scale” savings as the projects are built. The Committee has provided oversight in prioritizing the college’s lengthy list of campus infrastructure needs.

This summer will see a flurry of activity as the seismic retrofit and renovation on the metals and woodworking buildings is completed and as work is started to replace the college’s track and football field. Other transformation projects will follow shortly, including a new child development center, partial funding for which will come from the state; expanded parking areas; a modified fine arts complex; state-of-the-art classrooms and labs; and a redesigned “front door” of the college, with street-accessible vehicle loading and unloading areas.

At this time, the second-phase sale of $35 million worth of bonds, which will fund upcoming projects, is scheduled for fall 2006. The first bond sale of $37.6 million occurred in July 2004.

Cerritos College celebrates the 2005-06 school year as its 50th anniversary in serving as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La Mirada, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs and Southgate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu, and view a celebratory site honoring the college’s 50 years of tradition, honor and values at www.cerritos.edu/50.



Media Contact for Cerritos College: Kristen Habbestad, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451, ext. 2287


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