.Yes on Measure H

SRJC facilities and technology need an upgrade

Santa Rosa Junior College is a vital community resource and must stay current. Half of our local high school graduates rely on SRJC for affordable higher education right here in Sonoma County. Measure H will upgrade the college, address overcrowding and prepare students to attend four-year universities and to succeed in 21st-century careers.

As the cost of attending a university in California has skyrocketed, more students are relying on community colleges for some or all of their education. Measure H will help provide local high school graduates access to high-quality, affordable college options.

Students who want to take courses toward a four-year college degree need a modern, local resource. Stronger collaboration with California State University, University of California and other colleges will allow students to take university courses at SRJC. By making upgrades to classrooms, labs and campus facilities for 21st-century instruction Measure H will reinforce these partnerships.

Today, as our beloved and well-used institution nears 100 years old, our reputation as a top community college remains, but classrooms and laboratories are overcrowded and out of date. Measure H will make critical upgrades to outdated classrooms, laboratories and school facilities that need important health and safety updates, like science and math buildings constructed in 1955. Without Measure H, these problems will only get worse and more expensive to fix.

Measure H will also expand SRJC’s ability to offer more courses at all campus locations, from Santa Rosa to Petaluma, North County to West County. Measure H will support training in public safety, nursing and healthcare, manufacturing and engineering, science, information and communication, technology agriculture, automotive and diesel mechanics, and many other fields.

Measure H has tough accountability requirements to protect taxpayers. All of the funds from Measure H will be spent to improve SRJC—not one penny can be taken by the state. Annual financial audit and independent citizen oversight will ensure funds are used as promised. Visit friendsofsrjc.org for more information.

Dr. Frank Chong is superintendent and president of Santa Rosa Junior College.

Open Mic is a weekly feature in the ‘Bohemian.’ We welcome your contribution. To have your topical essay of 350 words considered for publication, write [email protected].

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