August 23, 2016
1 min read

Staff Helps Students Navigate a Construction-Filled Campus

SAC staff help students find their way for the first day of school./Laura O. Garcia/elDon
SAC staff helped students find their way on the first day of school./ Laura O. Garcia/ el Don

Santa Ana College faculty was out early Monday morning helping students find their classes on a campus fragmented by construction. As part of the “Pardon Our Dust” campaign, staff will be wearing identifying red T-shirts and volunteering their time at stations across campus to guide students during the first few weeks of school.

“I’ve been here since 9 a.m. I’m going until 11 and then I have a class in the I Building,” said Ray Hicks, a professor of English for multilingual students.

Construction has uprooted much of Santa Ana College over the last year, leaving the once-large open spaces between buildings a maze of green and chain-link fences with dedicated pedestrian walkways. Work is heaviest on the center south side of campus and throughout its center, where the former quad is being replaced by a science center, new landscaping and the planned Centennial Circle.

The work is part of the Central Utility Plant and Infrastructure Project that began fall of 2015 and is now scheduled for completion in April 2018, according to the district’s latest update.

New and returning students didn’t seem to mind the construction.

“Everyone is so welcoming, and I feel like that makes everything so much better for freshmen and especially us coming back again so it’s very helpful,” said Ingrid Diaz who has attended SAC for four years.

At the wayfinding stations, which were placed at strategic pedestrian points throughout campus, staff handed out maps and coupons for the new gourmet food trucks.

“I just transferred here from Golden West [College]. It’s kind of hard with this construction but there are people with maps directing us. I like it, it’s helpful,” said new SAC student Tayana Brunswick.

READ MORE:  Struggling Dons continue search for first win

SAC’s new president Linda Rose was also helping direct students to their classrooms, even walking through the parking lots and into the neighborhoods around campus to meet students.

“All the stations are staffed it’s really wonderful. I am so pleased that people are participating. We love our students,” said Rose. “At least you know someone cares about you. We set the tone for you.”

Previous Story

DACA Offers Opportunities to Undocumented Student

Next Story

Get Your Grub at SAC’s Two New Gourmet Food Trucks

Latest from Blog

Campus construction update

Filling cracks on the roof of the Technical Arts Building. Synthetic turf on the football field. Repairs made to the swimming pool. Three construction projects that are part of the Santa Ana

New artificial intelligence courses launch this fall

Five new artificial intelligence courses launched this fall semester as part of the Associate of Science Degree in Artificial Intelligence for Business and certificate program. Students will receive hands-on training in AI

Dons open season with exhibition against Rams

With the fall semester back in swing, the Santa Ana College football team started its season with an exhibition match against Victor Valley College last Saturday. Although no score was kept, both

In Photos: final days of print production

After facing many editorial challenges, el Don editorial staff published their Spring 2025 student newspaper magazine this semester. The photographs presented document el Don editorial staff producing their newspaper issue. After almost
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Campus construction update

Filling cracks on the roof of the Technical Arts Building.

Welcome back! Here’s what to know about parking, food and more

Parking By Lizett Gallo Finding parking is difficult again at