VOL/ 39, NO. 2 • SEPTEMBER 21 - October 4, 2005
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New library planned for GW campus
By Joseph Femino
Western Sun staff writer

Students can prepare to see more renovations coming to Golden West College in the future. A new Learning Resources Center, more commonly known as the library, has been proposed and is currently in planning stages.

The new center is to be located at the west main entrance on Goldenwest Street. At present, the architects are meeting with staff and user groups to define the needs of space utilization.

Vice President of Administrative Services Janet Houlihan said, “Golden West College has put an initial project proposal to the State for 50 percent funding. The hope is to hear back in January from the State requesting a final project proposal which indicates interest in funding.” Once the program needs and more funding is secured, construction can begin as soon as 2008-09.

There are several goals that are being pursued in shaping the new LRC. The site plan is to utilize, highlight, and refocus the main west entrance to the campus. This is an effort to strengthen the college’s presence to the community.

The placement will define and formalize the campus entrance. The LRC will be conveniently located for parking for both day and night use. It also incorporates the consideration of optimal long term campus land use potentials. The new LRC will refocus student-support activities at the entrance of the campus, which will direct student’s attentions to the bookstore and student center.

Child care center is reborn
By Veronica Pulcini
Sun Entertainment editor

The Golden West College child care center is welcoming students children back for fall. Now affiliated with the Boy’s and Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley, the child care center offers a multitude of new programs and opportunities for students and their children with assistance from new staff and a more refined curriculum.

The new program, which began Aug. 29, still serves children six weeks to pre-kindergarten age, but is now under the watch of veteran Boy’s and Girls Club staffer, Unit Director, Susan Bixler.

Bixler described the transition to the GWC campus, as a positive change, stating, “We are working with the students, faculty, and community to come up with programs to fit their needs.”

According to Bixler, the program kept three of the center’s previous employees, and brought along two from the Boy’s and Girls Club Learning center as well as hiring five new employees. Jeanette Hope, a 13-year veteran of the Boys and Girls Club was brought over to work at GWC and explained, “I
enjoy the three-year-olds, that’s my age group.”

Office Manager, Daniela Garces, also noted the constructive changes the Club has prompted, stating that parents are noticing “a difference in their child’s behavior.”

The programs strive to educate the children throughout the day, with a planned curriculum and offer a school like atmosphere for the children, as Garces affirms, “It’s like they’re going to a real school.”

Elizabeth Diaz, an instructor who works with the three-year old children, remarked on the progress of her students, stating, “They seem to be doing so
well.” Garces attributes these developments to, “the fact that they have curriculum in the morning.”

Physically, the center has gone through some renovations, including new paint, carpeting, furniture and more age appropriate items. According to Bixler, their goal “was to make it look more like a developmental center.” Some of the classrooms include reading, drama and science areas, as well as block areas and a manipulation area, in which the children can work on their motor skills.

The pupils also enjoy outdoor recreational activities on their playground throughout the day. This new expansion is well received by parents, Bixler noted that, “most have been very positive.” Garces credits some of this to some of the organizational practices of the program, stating, “The information for parents is well-organized, with folders for their art and letters.”

While the center’s recent changes may not appeal to all of the returning parents Bixler stated, “Our programs may not have fit their needs, but we worked with them as much as we could.”

Despite this, the development center has been has been impressed with enrollment, which has reached the 70-80 mark and the program is generating so much interest that the scholarship program through the Boys and Girls Club is full, according to Bixler ,“We get phone calls and people come in daily,” she said. Call the center (714) 895-8127 .