Every semester at Woodland Community College, Professor Kathleen Stephens assigns the students in her group communications class a project in which groups of students must work together on planning and proposing a campus project to the Woodland Site Council, a committee composed of faculty, classified staff and administrators.
This semester Stephens’ class produced the Matadors, a team working toward adding a bus shelter to the existing bus stop located near the front of building 100.
When asked what made them decide to propose the construction of a bus shelter, they explained they had heard of students missing the bus because it was raining.
Many students seek shelter inside when the rain begins to pour. Building 100 becomes a bus rider’s refuge because it is located right next to the bus stop and it also houses the student lounge.
Preferring the comfort of staying dry, students who seek shelter have reported looking out the window only to find they had already missed their bus.
The Matadors explained, “We all know money is tight at our school. Yet, if we could confirm that there are 40 students a day who ride the bus, Yolo transit would be more inclined to help fund this project.”
The group has been working for the last 13 weeks planning this project. Although the first bus shelter they had decided upon was a cheaper alternative, it did not provide handicap access.
Now hopes run high. “We have already picked out the bus shelter,” they explained. The group estimates the total cost of the project at nearly $4,400.
“It all depends on how much funding and outside contributions we raise,” they said. “But, if all goes well we hope to see (a shelter) by fall 2006.”
After speaking with Woodland Community College President, Dr. Angela Fairchilds, the student body the group is confident they will be able to acquire the funds to support building the bus shelter they have chosen.
The Matadors were well received when they presented their project to the Woodland Site Council.
Inspired by the vote of confidence the site council offered, they explained, “We even set up an account so that people can contribute to the cause, which seems to be the most difficult part.”
The Matadors acknowledge that efforts to install a bus shelter have been made previously. However, they believe that as Woodland becomes accredited as its own college, they have found a prime opportunity for their project.
To ensure they have the support of fellow students, the Matadors will be passing out a survey in certain classes to get opinions on their project.
Those who are interested in donating money to help support the construction of the Matadors’ bus shelter may send their checks to the Woodland Community College foundation, marked “Bus Shelter.”
Comment Policy: Comments are welcomed and encouraged. However, the editorial board reserves the right to edit or delete, without notice, any comments submitted to the blog. For more details, see our full Comment Policy.