From Dateline (January 30, 2003)
Campus Daycare
Facility Expands
by Pamela Mclaren
Cal State Fullerton's youngest student body
returns to campus this spring to enhanced facilities, thanks to
a 1,300-square-foot addition to the Children's Center.
The addition was created to meet the increasing requests
for childcare service from faculty and staff members, said Jay Bond,
associate vice president for facilities management.
“A faculty/staff survey administered in 1999
indicated significant numbers of faculty and staff members had concerns
regarding their childcare arrangements and faced difficulties working
overtime, participating in training, accepting additional responsibilities
and attending to non-classroom academic responsibilities due to
childcare issues,” said Naomi Goodwin, assistant vice president
for administration.
“There is now a greater need with the recruitment
of new faculty and staff members,” Bond added. Because of
that need, the university and not Associated Students – which
operates and maintains the center – funded the $150,000 project.
The adddition was jointly funded by the seven university
division heads as part of the campus's efforts to recruit and retain
a highly-qualified and diverse staff and faculty, explained Goodwin.
“Since student fees provide financial support,
the Children's Center was previously unable to address faculty and
staff childcare needs. The addition allows the center to dedicate
space specifically for faculty and staff members' children, while
also ensuring operating funds provided by AS are used to support
only student childcare needs,” Goodwin added.
Since a 1996 student fee referendum, all students
have paid a $10 per semester fee to support the center. A childcare
facility has operated on campus since 1979, but the CSUF Children's
Center was founded offcampus in 1971.
“We're pleased to be able to include faculty
and staff members' children in the childcare offered on campus.
This will make a good mix of faculty, staff and student parents
and provide a common meeting ground that enhances the university
experience,” said Betsy Gibbs, director of the Children's
Center.
The addition of a new classroom, two bathrooms and
a pantry increases the size of the two-building center to 7,714
square feet, noted Gibbs, and increases the number of classrooms
to six.
Last fall, the center's enrollment was 174 youngsters
who attended on a flexible schedule. Prior to the addition, the
California Department of Social Services had licensed the center
for 80 students at any one time; the addition is expected to bring
the capacity to 100, resulting in services to up to 210 children
attending on a part-time basis per week, added Gibbs.
“I am really impressed at how this project came
together through the efforts of those involved,” said Gibbs.
“The project developed from talk to reality in a matter of
six months.”
“Jim Corbett from Physical Plant and Betsy both
worked extremely hard to ensure the addition was completed in time
for the spring semester. While numerous people contributed to making
it a reality, Jim and Betsy have been tireless in their efforts,”
said Goodwin.
The university's master plan, which is currently being
finalized, includes a proposal for a 24,000-square-foot children's
center. When the proposed facility would be built on campus is unknown
at this time.
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