Another college comes to Boise
Ada and Canyon Counties vote “Yes”
- posted: 05 June 2007
- scrollnews@byui.edu
Ada and Canyon County residents voted on May 22 on the building of a new community college in Idaho to be completed by fall 2008.
Unofficial numbers show in Canyon County, over 62 percent voted for the new college while just over 37 percent said no, according to KTVB.com.
Ada County was a different story. Again, unofficial numbers show more than 70 percent voted for the college and less than 30 percent voted no. The passing of this proposal will make this the third community college in the state.
“Ada and Canyon counties jointly comprise the largest metropolitan area in the country (outside of Washington DC) that does not have an existing community college,” according to boardofed.idaho.edu.
Many are pleased with the poll results and the idea of this new community college.
“I’m thrilled that we are moving forward. There is significant need for a community college in this area of the state, and we hope the good people of Ada and Canyon counties embrace this opportunity to help their children and grandchildren for years to come,” said State Board of Education Pres. Laird Stone.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of the community college vote. The citizens of the Treasure Valley deserve as many opportunities for educational services as possible. and the creation of a community college district here will add more affordable and accessible options for students of all ages, backgrounds and needs,” said Boise State Pres. Bob Kustra.
Boise State University has even volunteered part of its campus as the site of the new community college to help make the building of the new community college easier and more cost effective.
“Boise State’s role in the start-up of the community college is significant, and we are fully committed to that goal. Our involvement and interest in transitioning existing programs, facilities and resources ... to a new community college will reduce the initial costs considerably and expedite its establishment,” according to boisestate.edu.
The impact that this new community college will have on the prospective Idaho students who might have otherwise attended BYU-Idaho is not
yet known.
