YOU BELONG (At SRJC)! Dr. Frank Chong, President and Superintendent of SRJC
Last Thursday’s presentation featured the amazing President and Superintendent of Santa Rosa Junior College, Dr. Frank Chong. It is impossible in this article to summarize all the information Dr. Chong provided in his remarkable presentation, but perhaps Dr. Chong’s theme tells the story: YOU BELONG! In other words, everyone is welcome at SRJC and the school backs up this promise with programs that help students throughout their SRJC education.
Some amazing statistics and facts about SRJC: SRJC was founded in 1918. Last year’s enrollment was nearly 30,000 (18,000 full time equivalent). 45% of Sonoma County high school seniors attend SRJC. The school has 3,000 employees. Dr. Chong is only the 5th President in SRJC’s history. SRJC has the highest acceptance rate to University of California schools among the California community colleges. SRJC has increased the diversity of its workforce by nearly 50% in the last 8 years.
Covid-19 has hit SRJC hard. Student enrollment is down 19% from fall 2019. 97% of classes in the fall of 2020 are being conducted through distance learning (compared to 15% distance learning in 2019). Course offerings declined this fall by 12%. The greatest change is in the reduction of STEM (mostly lab classes), and career classes such as automotive, welding, technology, culinary and similar classes. The lab and other classes that are still being offered have fewer students and more distancing. SRJC has determined the distance learning will continue through the Spring of 2021.
SRJC backs up its promise that everyone belongs with specific programs that foster diversity and multi-culture acceptance. SRJC received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award and is a member of the LGBTQ presidential advisory committee. It has a “Dream Center” with free legal services and is a designated safe haven for all students. It also has a new Intercultural Center and an expanded Veterans Center. The school also welcomes new students and those seeking transfer to a 4-year university with strong support programs, including the Transfer Center and Welcome & Connect. The IGNITE program helps SRJC’s goal of increasing the enrollment of incarcerated individuals and helping them earn college credits while incarcerated. Research shows that programs such as IGNITE significantly decrease recidivism.
Construction at the JC is flourishing. It has a new state-of-the-art 400-seat theater, a new math and architectural building, and new athletic facilities (including an Olympic sized track and rebuilt football field). It is in the process of building an Olympic sized pool and a center for STEM classes. Tauser Gym is being renovated, and a new 400-bed Student Housing Center is, or will soon be, under construction. The Petaluma campus is growing too, with plans to build a campus for 5,000 students. SRJC just received a $7,000,000 grant for new construction at the Petaluma campus!
Sustainability is also a key factor in construction and maintenance of the campuses and in student lifestyle. The school’s goal is to be 100% energy self-sustaining in 2040. It is saving $1,000,000/year in energy costs as a result of new energy efficiencies.
Dr. Chong also gave some kudos for our Club members who so actively support SRJC and it’s foundation, including Kent Seegmiller (long-time SRJC Foundation Board member and Chairman), Ezbon Jen (educator extraordinaire), and Harry Coffey (husband to Judy). What a remarkable school for our community! What a remarkable leader! What great accomplishments! Well done, Dr. Chong, and thank you for such an amazing contribution to Sonoma County (and for giving us such a wonderful presentation)!
