Hollister - The first in a series of forums is set for Thursday to discuss San Benito County's future Gavilan College campus and how it will be used.
The first community discussion is scheduled for 6pm to 8pm Thursday at the Veterans Memorial Building. San Benito County residents are invited to come to the forum, and the talk will focus on the direction of the satellite campus' curriculum.
"This is the community's college, so we want to get input from the community," said Gavilan College Trustee Elvira Robinson.
The local campus is still more than a decade from becoming reality. Gavilan College spokeswoman Jan Bernstein Chargin said it's important that the community think about the county's future while coming up with ideas for the college's programs.
"We're going to be projecting, not what San Benito County needs now, but what they will need in the future," Bernstein Chargin said.
The college plans to develop it into a full-service campus within 20 to 30 years.
"It's time to think about a few things. We have to think about what direction the economy of San Benito County is going and what types of workers we're going to need," Bernstein Chargin said. "You have to know what's going to be important in San Benito County and how the college can serve that."
These public forums came after the location of the future campus was settled on earlier this year. In May, the Gavilan College Board of Trustees voted to move forward and buy the 80-acre plot on the northeast corner of Fairview Road and Airline Highway.
School officials are studying the site for water, sewage, seismic and traffic issues.
Bernstein Chargin said the forum's discussion will not be site specific, in case it is deemed unworthy after the "due diligence" process.
Alice Joy Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. She can be reached at ajoy@freelancenews.com or 831-637-5566 ext. 336.
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