By Annette Novoa
Driving around campus it’s hard to miss that RVCC is growing dramatically. Parking lots closest to the main campus are overflowing with vehicles parked in every parking space, along every curb and up on the grassy dividers within the lots.
Daniel Mannix, full-time theater major, had a lot say about the subject. “You have to time it just right to get here, or you could miss the last spot.”
Outside, the sound of construction has become the norm. “We’re so consumed with trying to get the academic building completed,” said John Trojan, vice president of facilities, adding “The power plant is scheduled to be completed the same time.” A new biotech facility is also being completed in the science building.
The total cost for the biotech renovation, the 45,00 sq. ft. academic building and the 10,000 sq. ft. power plant addition will run around $30 million. Completion of these projects is scheduled for summer 2007.
But it doesn’t stop there, said Trojan, “We are embarking on a new strategic plan with our new president onboard and the board of trustees becoming more involved. That’s going to set the direction for the future as to what buildings or other renovations will be necessary in the next few years.”
Plans are in the works for the renovation of the arts building, creation of a student center and building a new multi-level parking deck. “These things are going to take a while to plan and parking isn’t an easy thing to solve,” said Trojan.
Parking has been a hot topic among students and staff. “It definitely says something when people are jumping the curb to park. Every single day you have to park illegally just to make your class on time,” said Janine Oman, full-time liberal arts major. “Whenever they have conferences here—the people coming from Merk, for instance—take up all of our spots,” Oman added.
“Even if I have class at noon, I try to get here by 9 a.m. otherwise I have to park over by the arts building and walk,” said full-time English major Lydia Vasques. “I don’t know what I am going to do when it really gets cold.”
Last spring, eight parking spaces were taken from Lot 3 and set aside for additional staff parking. Once the new academic building opens at the end of May, additional parking spaces will be restored. “That is going to take some pressure off the current situation” Trojan said.
Contributing to parking woes is the increase in student enrollment. According to Trojan, full-time enrollment for fall 2006 is up about 7% and part-time up about 4%. RVCC executive staff attributes the increase to the success of more targeted programs, smaller class sizes and the rise in tuition at four-year public colleges.
“I think there’s the idea that the rising tide raises all boats. I think that parents finally appreciate the economic value of a community college, whether it’s for a full two years or a year to help them plan their total college costs a lot better,” said Trojan.
RVCC has doubled its recruiting staff and adopted a more aggressive marketing to area high schools. Playing a more prominent role within the surrounding high schools has resulted in RVCC getting a larger share of the Hunterdon and Somerset graduates than in the past.
In the meantime, the college board plans to improve the aesthetics of the walking path from the arts building to the Somerset and Hunterdon buildings.
“What we are looking to do is to make the walk from Lot 4 or Lot 5 a more pleasant experience,” said Trojan. Landscaping the area could include more lighting and repaving the walkway.
“In the short term, we are looking to put in more parking by Lot 4. The distance from the roadway to the first row of parking is fairly wide and we’re pretty sure that we can come up with a plan that passes muster with the planning board and the DEP to add another 70 spaces there.”
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