Measure C is a bond measure that was on the ballot for the recent General Election. Voters decided if tax dollars should go towards expanding College of the Sequoias [COS]’s partnership with Fresno State, bringing four-year programs to Visalia. As of the date of publication, the contest has not been called. [Source: Tulare County Office of Elections]
By Ayla Ozturk
COS partnered with Fresno State, also known as California State University [CSU] Fresno, back in 2016-17.
The program allows students that get an Associate’s degree from a community college to apply to one of Fresno State’s four-year programs in Visalia.
COS wants to expand the partnership by establishing the COS University Center, bringing more colleges and their programs to Visalia.
COS has invested $7 million to obtain the land needed to expand the current partnership and offer new University access to students in the South Valley.
The location of the COS University Center would be on the corner of Mooney Blvd. and West Tulare Ave.
According to COS President Dr. Brent Calvin, if passed, the initial design process would begin in spring 2023.
Dr. Calvin says, “[The design] process and approval [by] the state takes about a year to 18 months. [COS] would start construction [in] late spring or summer of 2024, and it’d be about a two-year build.”
Students that would like to avoid the cost would have the option to live at home and attend the University Center.
The University Center would allow students to get a four-year degree while living at home, eliminating room and board expenses.
According to Dr. Calvin, Visalia tried to get a University of California [UC] campus 25 years ago. It went to Merced instead of Visalia.
Dr. Calvin says, “The ‘why’ behind it is that we are the second largest county [by population] in the state, second largest out of 58 without a publicly funded four-year university.”
Tulare County has the second lowest number of bachelor’s degree attainment. “About 14% of our residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher,” Dr. Calvin says. “The ultimate goal is to increase the percentage of people in this region that have bachelor degrees.”
Dr. Calvin says that quality of life depends on three things: healthcare, public safety, and education.
“Without those three things, people will not [want to] live [in the Central Valley],” he says. “We’re just trying to ensure the long-term viability of our region.”
Dr. Calvin adds, “There are not many organizations in this region that would [invest in] a project that does not bring them additional funding. This won’t benefit [COS] in terms of funding. This is something we’re doing for the region.”
Ayla Ozturk
Ayla Ozturk, class of 2024, is a fourth-year journalism student passionate about leading the News section. She is dedicated to informing students and amplifying their voices through Government and Politics writing.
You can reach her at ayla.oz3769@vusd.us.
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