Gavilan’s
Multi-Campus Evolution
San Benito Campus “We have campus facilities dating to the
1960s. Our campus needs more than just
a coat of paint.” Dr. Kathleen Rose
6 1919
San Benito County Campus — Phase I of this project
includes construction of a multi-story, multi-purpose
Academic Building with classroom and lab space, support
services, limited food service, and collaboration spaces.
The vision for the San Benito Campus is to provide a
self-sustaining campus with a full complement of college
facilities and services including: sciences and humanities;
pre- professional, business, vocational, and technical
fields; athletics; and administrative and student support
services. The new campus is being developed on 78 acres
at the intersection of Highway 25 and Fairview Road in
San Benito County. Gavilan purchased the property more
than 10 years ago.
“Currently, one-third of our students make the commute
on Highway 25 from San Benito to attend in Gilroy and
Hollister,” Rose explained. “We want to bring education closer
to them and we have interested faculty ready to teach there.”
“We’ve been asked by the Board of Trustees to prioritize
this project. They have approved the Phase I architectural and
engineering plans and the CEQA contract for 33,000 square
feet of planned new facilities.”
Estimated at $53 Million, Phase I will include an
Academic Commons with classrooms and labs, Faculty
Support, a Fitness Lab & Dance space, a Library Resource
& Instructional Support Lab, an Administrative Complex,
Student Support Services and Merchandising/Food Service
as well as Physical Plant and Security facilities.
An athletics facility is envisioned for Phase II, along with
space for general education programs, and a full welcome
center. Plans call for a flexible approach to facility design and
development that can be adapted to support changing student
enrollment and needs.
“In developing our San Benito campus we are looking at
community-based metrics related to economic development,
housing, transportation and other issues,” Rose said.
Learn more about Gavilan’s Measure X projects at
gavilanmeasurex.org/project-info.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
San Benito County Junior College was founded and
served the county’s students for nearly 45 years.
1963
The Gavilan Joint Community College District was
formed, combining San Benito, Gilroy and Morgan
Hill Unified School Districts to serve community
college students of both San Benito and southern
Santa Clara Counties.
1966
Construction of a new 150-acre campus that
became known as Gavilan Community College at
Santa Teresa Boulevard in Gilroy.
1997/8
Leased instructional facilities added in Morgan Hill
and Hollister.
2004
Passage of $108 Million Measure E facilities bond
to upgrade the existing campus, and prepare for the
students of the future with permanent locations in
Coyote Valley and San Benito County.
2012
Gavilan leases space at San Martin Airport for
Aviation Maintenance Tech program.
2016
The new 55-acre Coyote Valley Education Center
opened, including a new regional training center
for the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training
Consortium.
2018
Passage of $248 Million Measure X general
obligation bond to help fund construction of a
new full-service campus on a 78-acre parcel in
San Benito, and other key capital improvement
projects at the Gilroy campus.
FALL/HOLIDAY 2019
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