SBCC’s mission statement begins with seven simple yet powerful words: Santa Barbara City College welcomes all students. This mission is at risk without the investment promised by Measure P. As a Laboratory Teaching Assistant in SBCC’s Computer Science Department, I see firsthand the impact our facilities have on students. Our classrooms and labs, over 60 years old, suffer from malfunctioning lighting, and water damage from broken pipes. Measure P will provide a lifeline to upgrade and repair our aging facilities before it’s too late.
Some, like Trustee Marsha Croninger , argue that SBCC should serve fewer students and focus on local residents. This is misguided. Our diverse student body — from local Promise students to those from across the country and around the world — allows SBCC to offer over 155 degree and certificate programs, including career training and transfer programs.
While enrollment declined in the wake of the pandemic, rejecting Measure P due to a temporary dip is shortsighted. SBCC’s total student count is rebounding, and programs in healthcare, engineering, and skilled trades still require in-person instruction. Neglecting our campus risks turning SBCC into a "zombie campus" with deteriorating facilities.
Opponents claim Measure P is just about a new PE building, but it addresses critical needs across campus, especially in programs that prepare students for high-demand careers. It’s a tax rate extension, not an increase, minimizing impact while enhancing community assets.
A vote for Measure P is a vote to protect the values that make SBCC a place of opportunity for all.