History

Ballot Language

For nearly 70 years, San Joaquin Delta College, formerly Stockton College, has provided excellent, affordable education to students throughout the communities we serve.

College programs provide a skilled workforce, train students for better paying jobs, and prepare students for transfer to 4-year universities. Our police, fire safety, emergency medical services and nursing programs have trained thousands of professionals who keep our citizens safe and healthy.

Unfortunately, the age of our buildings was threatening the quality education we currently provide. Classrooms, science labs, and the library are more than 30 years old, and need upgrades to accommodate modern technology. Outdated fire safety equipment needs replacement, asbestos/hazardous materials must be removed.

When the current Stockton Campus was built, enrollment was estimated to reach 15,000 by 1990. The College actually exceeded that estimate in 1986. Current conservative estimates indicate our enrollment will reach nearly 28,000 by 2020. Without Measure L our current facilities will not be able to handle the anticipated growth of 47 percent over the next 16 years.

San Joaquin Delta College has maximized the use of physical buildings by offering one of the most robust on-line, Internet-based course offerings in the Western United States. The College currently offers over 300 classes on-line, with an enrollment of 10,000. However, this technology is not without its costs. Computer and network facilities must be maintained to sustain these offerings and grow this cost-effective method of instruction.

New classrooms, computer labs, and science labs will accommodate expanded job training and academic programs. As a result, San Joaquin Delta College will help to provide a better-educated workforce, which will benefit local business and stimulate our economy.

On March 2, 2004, Measure L, a $250 million bond measure, successfully passed. This bond measure, our first since 1969, is improving our College and Education Centers by:

• Repairing drainage systems, leaky roofs, and decaying walls

• Installing and repairing fire safety alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, emergency lighting, and safety doors

• Removing asbestos and other hazardous materials

• Upgrading and expanding classrooms, labs, and lecture halls

• Wiring classrooms and buildings for computer technology

• Repairing outdated plumbing and ventilation

• Expanding existing centers, and establishing new education centers in local communities throughout the region we serve

Measure L represents a large portion of the College’s $307 million Facilities Master Plan and only includes the most critical needs of the College. Our Board of Trustees also adopted the Facilities Master Plan. The Plan was developed and adopted after rigorously evaluating the College’s critical needs, contracting for an independent facilities evaluation, and reaching out to the community for input.

To ensure taxpayer safeguards and confidence:

• Every cent will be spent directly on the renovations, repairs, construction, equipment and infrastructure specified in the bond Measure L.

• No money will be spent on administrator salaries.

• An independent Citizens Oversight Committee will guarantee that all bond funds are spent exactly as promised.

• An independent audit of all bond Measure L expenditures will be conducted annually and the results will be publicized.

Questions or comments can be directed to bondprogram@bond.deltacollege.edu.