By Mary Owen
Declining enrollment and a flagging economy forced Chemeketa Community College officials to close the Santiam campus in June.
“We are deeply disappointed that economic conditions have forced us to change the structure of our service in the Santiam area,” said Greg Harris, associate dean in charge of public information, marketing and student recruitment at CCC.
The Santiam campus closed June 25, but the facility remains open to house non-college and specific, temporary services.
“The decision was difficult and carefully considered,” said Liz Goulard, Chemeketa’s chief academic officer in a recent press release. “Ultimately, the chronic reduction in state funding forced our hand.”
One class will continue at the Santiam campus, at least for awhile.
Making the most of the situation, Johnny Mack, the associate dean in charge of emergency services, health and human performance, and athletics, has moved his 24 paramedic and 30 EMT students to the campus.
Classes will be held there until CCC’s new Brooks Regional Training Center for fire science, criminal justice and EMT/paramedic coursework is ready.
Funding for the center, complete with dormitory and training facilities, was part of a $92 million bond levy voters approved in May of 2008.
“The Santiam facility has been really nice to use,” Mack said. “Lots of room and storage for our program.”
And the move will save Chemeketa about $250,000 for the next three to six months of use by the program, officials stated.
Mack said the only disadvantage his students and faculty have is the additional driving time to reach the campus, just north off the first Stayton/Sublimity exit off Highway 22.
Students having to travel to the Salem campus from the Santiam region are experiencing the same hardship, Harris said.
Online courses are an immediate, convenient alternative for Santiam Canyon students, he added.
“Our advising staff on the Salem campus is available to help them schedule fall-term classes,” Harris said.
Santiam campus enrollment failed to keep up with CCC’s growth online and at other locations. Officials are still looking for ways to use the facility, he added.
“We are developing future plans in collaboration with the community,” he said. “Meanwhile, we’re improving the physical infrastructure and using the facility to meet interim needs.”
A meeting was held June 25 to begin exploring new approaches, with about 40 people attending. Plans are in the works to follow up with people over the course of the year to develop more concrete plans, Harris said.
“The Santiam area still has full representation on our board of education, and remains an important part of the Chemeketa community,” Harris said. “We are not abandoning Santiam. We are just forced to change our method of delivering education.”
For information on Chemeketa programs and classes, visit www.chemeketa.edu.
