La Voz

Yellow construction tape is a common sight around the campus of De Anza College, but students are about to see more of it in the next few months according to Jeanine Hawk, Vice President of Finance and College Services.

Students, administrators and instructors who crowded into admin- 109 on Feb. 21 listened to updates from Hawk about the status of construction projects.

On going projects nearing completion included an update on Measure E, including completion of work on the planetarium.

"Most of our equipment is close to 40 years old," said Karl Von Ahnen, planetarium specialist. "(The updates) are going to make it much more precise."

When reopened the planetarium will sport an brand new dome and projection system.

The most exciting update will be the All Sky System, said Von Ahnen. This system allows for video projection on the entire dome, making astronomy more inspiring to students and community members.

Though it is slated for a grand opening in the fall, students will begin attending classes in the planetarium as early as April. With the victory on Dec. 4, 2006 of the lawsuit filed by Aaron Katz and Melvin Emeri, Measure- C projects are back on track.

In the final planning stages is a performing arts center which will begin construction in June.

Space is at a premium on the campus and De Anza faces the possibility of running out if projects are further delayed.

"Based on current growth projections, De Anza will be short by 10,000 square feet by 2010," said Hawk.

To help facilitate the expansion renovations to the multicultural center, a new mediated learning center and public transportation depot are also planned.

Article Tools