We’re big fans of College of the Canyons here on SCVTalk and that’s why it’s worth mentioning that today begins the Spring 2010 semester.
Like every other high education system in California, College of the Canyons has had a rough go of it lately. There are widespread reports among students that many classes are impacted while others have just been canceled. The winter session was even worse, with scores of classes canceled due to a lack of funds.
Statewide, funding for California’s community colleges has been cut $520 million, or 8% in the current fiscal year, but COC somehow keeps chugging along, now enrolling over 20,000 students at two campuses.
Late last year the Dianne Van Hook University Center opened and it seems to be attracting some post-grad students, judging by its sprawling parking lot south of the main campus.
Speaking of parking, it’s really the only perpetual complaint anyone has about COC. Last week the college tweeted:
The spring semester begins MONDAY! Please arrive early. The first few weeks take extra time to find parking & get to class.
Allow me to retort in my standard, annoying bicycle-advocacy-nag sort of way. Did you know there are complete bike lanes to COC all the way from Wiley Canyon in Newhall? That’s right, you can bike up Tournament to Rockwell Canyon and enjoy a bike lane to yourself the entire way. From Valencia, you can likewise cycle up the wide paseo path on the north side of Valencia Blvd to COC.
There have even been improvements made to walking infrastructure around COC. A sidewealk now extends from the Valencia Blvd/I5 overpass all the way down to COC, meaning the kids in West Ridge can get there easily.
Yes, parking is truly terrible at COC. It’s probably the worst place to park in the SCV, considering how crowded it is and that most of the drivers are barely out of high school. But you can avoid all that nonsense, get fit, and save gas money at the same time by riding your bike there.
My bicycle advocacy quota has been filled for the month, I’ll shut up now. (But seriously it couldnt’ be simpler, I ride there all the time now, it’s wonderful)
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I am not looking forward to parking tomorrow.
I’m one of the aforementioned grad students taking classes at the University Center via CSUN (Masters of Public Administration) and its pretty damn convenient. Thankfully, the building being as far away from the bulk of campus as it is, coupled with the 6:00pm class time, makes parking pretty much a non-issue for me (this is my second semester of the program… we started in the building before it was all finished up purdy like).
That being said…. the rest of the campus needs a makeover like nobody else. And yes, some parking adjustment. Sure bikes are dandy… but the hills make it pretty challenging… at best!
They should get rid of the bike lanes and and allow for on street parking. IMHO
Ahh petz…saying that after I gave a shout out to your son in the Daily Brief?
It is a nice ride, that hill towards Tournament is a killer! When I had my minivan for sale at the Auto Fair, I put my bike in the back and rode home a couple times. It was great.
COC parking can be quite a challenge, even for staff.
I think on-street parking wouldnt be a good fit here. With all of the driveways to COC on Rockwell, I think sight visibility would be an issue.
There are hills by COC?
A friend emailed me today to say that she got to COC at 9:10 for a 9:30 course, she didn’t find parking until just before 10:00!
Are you nuts?? The campus is beautiful!!!
“Todd says:
That being said…. the rest of the campus needs a makeover like nobody else.”
@Jeff-I did not see the shout out so I withdraw my call to remove the bike lane on the east side from McBean to Valencia. Hazard to pedestrians crossing traffic. The bike lane going up the hill on Tournament from Wiley Canyon through the residential area does seem a bit narrow and may pose a safety hazard for bikes and autos.
COC should be a build big parking parage like that at the mall.
You may want to note that the pavement on Decoro was not repaired by the city after they blasted the bike lanes out and actually may be hazardous now .
Escecially for those riding on skinny tire.
Petz, the homeowners in the Summit have said that there would be a fight to the death before they would ever allow a parking structure to be built (and presumably interfere with their views). The matter would be tied up in litigation for years.
Publius – The difference between a 2 or 3 store parking structure and the 3 story addition to mentry they are doing as we speak? What about the brand new university center? I am pretty sure COC can build what they want.
NBI, I’m just repeating what the Facilities Director stated. The Summit homeowners (which ones, I don’t know), have said that an attempt to build a parking structure on the campus would result in major litigation. And, I do know, that is why you have not seen even the discussion of one by COC.
The cost per spot in a structure is insane. COC has parking trouble, but most of that is in the beginning of each semester. Let’s lot forget that the students can ride the bus for free.
I don’t doubt they said that for a minute. It comes down to money, university center attracts new schools and students parking structure doesn’t bring in much of anything in the way of revnue. Cash is king and COC is no different from any other business
Actually, parking does bring in money and the college could raise the parking fees to pay for the structure. With the amount of land and the college approaching the saturation point in terms on classrooms, it isn’t necessary to build a structure. But it would be nice. You wouldn’t believe how far I had to park for a show at the PAC (while the football stadium was full)