Freeholders Approve $18.5 Million for Improvements at OCC
Growing enrollment, OCC-Kean partnership sparking need for new access driveway, student center
Photos
In two separate ordinances on Wednesday, the Ocean County Board of Freeholders approved $18.5 million in spending for improvements to the campus at Ocean County College.
Thanks to state funding and money from the college itself, the measures are expected to cost the county $11 million of that total, however, Freeholder Deputy Director John C. Bartlett said.
The improvements are the result of the college’s partnership with Kean University that allows students to start at OCC and wind up with a bachelor’s degree from Kean.
“This is going to be a major development for our community,” Freeholder Director Gerry Little said. “It will offer students an affordable baccalaureate degree for under $25,000 total.”
One ordinance, for $8.5 million, will fund a new access driveway on the west side of the campus from North Bay Avenue, parking lots, and stormwater basins that Bartlett said will be state of the art. The project also will result in the creation of a loop road around the entire campus, Bartlett said.
The new driveway from North Bay Avenue will go through property owned by Toms River, which has given the county its support, he said.
Of the $8.5 million, the county expects to bond for $8.075 million.
The second ordinance, for $10 million, is to build a new student center on the campus, officials said. However, Bartlett said, thanks to a state funding program and cooperation from OCC, the county will only be spending $2.5 million.
Under the state program, the state gives each community college a set amount of availability for state funding for certain types of work, Bartlett said. In OCC’s case, the state is making $10 million available. But there are time constraints on accepting the funding, Bartlett said, and time was running out for the county and for OCC.
“If Ocean County didn’t accept the money it would go elsewhere,” Bartlett said.
Under the Chapter 12 funding, the county issues the bonds, and the state pays half of the bond principal and interest, Bartlett said. In this instance that means the state will be paying roughly $5 million, Bartlett said. But the county also negotiated a deal with the college for the college to pick up half of the county’s $5 million share, so the end result is the county will be contributing just $2.5 million to the student center project, Bartlett said.
“It makes more sense for the county to do the bonding because we have the expertise,” Bartlett said. “And this way, the public is in control of what’s being borrowed.”
The partnership with Kean and the economic downturn have resulted in a growing student enrollment at OCC that Jon Larson, president of the college, put at 15,000. The current student center – built 40 years ago – is simply too small to accommodate that population, Bartlett said. So it will be torn down and a new student center will be built.
The total cost of that project is expected to be about $20 million, but Larson said the college will be contributing another $11 million from built-up reserves to pay for the building.
“I think all of us in the final analysis will say this is the best investment in our community,” Larson said. “Students at OCC can transfer seamlessly to Kean” and receive a bachelor’s degree in any of 15 majors, and plans are in the works to offer five master’s degree programs through the OCC-Kean partnership, Larson said.
The building, which will use geothermal heating and cooling, will be “one of the most fuel-efficient buildings ever,” Larson said.
The college is building a geothermal heating and cooling power plant on part of 40 acres on the west side of the campus that have already been cleared for the new construction. That plant, which will allow the college to come off the electrical grid, thus saving energy costs, is expected to be dedicated in October, Larson said.
Chief Wahoo
9:12 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Doesn't Bartlett have a conflict of interest ?
Stop spending money you lying Freeloading Republicants
jason
9:15 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
keep spending you jerks, just keep spending . does anyone get the fact that we are broke ? we are taxed to no end ? we cannot afford it any more . please please please stop spending
Mrgrumpass
9:42 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Our Yong people need an affordable education, they are our future, I am not crazy about more spending but some projects need to start when they are needed not when the times are right. And for some the times will never be right!
smartzonemary
12:12 am on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Yong people? Are they Chinese or Korean?
i pity the fool
11:10 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
hey grumpass then tell the republicons in congress to stop doubling the interest rate on student loans then. its always funny republicans always have a problem with spending. that is of course if unless its spending by other republicans
Ken
12:14 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
I agree that all politicians should put a stop to trying to double the interest on student loans. This will prevent some from continuing their education. Also this year they changed how much if any of a grant you can get from the state. My son got some money las year and this year nothing. Our household actually made less this year and we got nothing, at least last year we got a few hundered dollars for both semesters.
Brian Wilson
1:52 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
I can understand how people feel overtaxed and that the government spends too much money. The issue is the billions of dollars wasted each year for programs where there is rampant fraud and abuse. However, can you imagine where we would be if past polictician were unwilling to invest in infrastructure? No highways, bridges, dams.
People, please educate yourselves about the programs with the fraud and abuse I mentioned earlier. How many people do you know are on permanent disability, when you know they are able to work? How many people receiving child care subsidies that are well above the income level? How much money is spent on substance abuse programs for people unwilling to help themselves?
Look around. There are many more. Those are the things we should be railing against.
TRHSN
2:21 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
How about Bartlett's pension scam?
Ken
12:14 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
How about the Bartlett building, sounds just like another Rittacco to me.
Mr. ?
8:16 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
You forgot Lacy and Kelly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would exceed the word max threshold on the Patch comment naming all the politico abusers in this county....and all NJ counties. Republicans only because they are in power. Another county and it would be Dems. As much as the "entitlement" citizens leech, so do most politicos in office. Its a demand for a dwindling supply and when there is not enough, its called greed. Its the system, its the new reality....too bad, for all of us cause we will fail if these excesses continue. And all the dissension against Larson is not with merit ?... Freeholder Bartlett?
Bob Hockenfrocken
9:10 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
I am enthusiastic about the expanding college and the partnership with Kean, but is it necessary to build an 8 million dollar road from North Bay Avenue into the campus? I can find dozens of better ways to spend that kind of money.
Sophia Loyd
10:38 am on Sunday, May 20, 2012
It has always had a partnership with kean, along with NJIT.. you don't commute to the actual colleges location you complete the entire thing right on the OCC campus. It's a good thing but still a bit heft in price
foggyworld
11:18 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I agree with the comment below that the community colleges and the four year State colleges have always had a working agreement to move the kids upward and onward if a four year degree was being sought. Why this requires anything but reimbursing tolls for the handful of professors who would be making the trip down here doesn't come close to anything more than a few thousand dollars a semester.
And for those who want the top of the pack college courses for free, both Princeton and separately Harvard in conjunction with some of the best schools in the nation are offering completely free courses in many areas of study that will be done on line and with testing and at completion of a course, the student will receive a certificate. The goal of the ivies is for the community colleges or four year colleges to translate that work into credits. The only expense for the student will be the cost of books.
Now I'm a post graduate but perpetual student and am preparing to sign up for two courses that way. Tuition is about to trend down and technology is going to put some of the very best classroom professors in arenas where tney can work with more students via computers and phones. College professors right now are negotiating just how this will work as a part of their on campus duties.
So to spend $8 million dollars we don't have on roads and student centers seems a bit out of whack. Education is on the cusp of cost effective change. Just not here.
Mark Wendell
11:31 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
I'm glad the collage is growing, the kids as well as adults need a decent affordable collage in the area.
Ken
12:10 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
It is good to see expansion, but this is basically for a road and a new student center. How about spending the money on more classrooms and/or more professors?
clamdigger
5:49 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
@ Mark Wendell...nice to know you're happy the collage is growing, you might want to check your spelling on that though...a collage is bits of colored or hand-made papers, portions of other artwork or texts, photographs and other found objects, glued to a piece of paper or canvas. Adults and kids do need decent affordable collage in the area, but if they put in a little work they can make a collage for themselves....maybe at an art class in COLLEGE.
Helen
8:14 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Waste of money. Higher Ed. has become another big business basically funded by taxpayer money funneled to colleges through student loans to pay for overpaid college Presidents, Administrations and Professors. The government doesn't belong in the student loan business. Why is college so expensive? Research the salaries, benefits etc. of the clowns employed by the colleges & universities. They're another class untouched by the economy. The past President of Rutgers recently stepped down from his half million dollar salary into a $300K Professor position. The student loan scam is the next bubble to burst. Worst of all there are very few jobs available to graduates. As for the doubling of the interest rate on the loans - research Obama's history on that topic before you put the blame on the evil R's. The country, state and local governments have no money but the irresponsible spending continues.
Chief Wahoo
8:44 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Who is the most successful graduate in OCC history. That should give you a good idea how much taxpayer money has been wasted on this education ponzi scam.
JD
9:13 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
You are clueless...
The reason for the growth in OCC is due to the high cost of 4yr state colleges in NJ.
It's $100k for NJ state colleges... rutgers, etc.
Most kids do 2 years at OCC and final 2 years at Rutgers, Rowan, etc to save cost.. that is less than $60k.
With Kean setting up... that could be a commuter school for a 4yr degree... large population to draw from within driving distance... would end up costs less than $60K for 4yr degree from Kean if you commute.
I can see lots of kids doing this option.
lloyd christmas
11:21 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012
Stop spending money on Hooper high, go elsewear, like deliahs den,bigger white castle,etc... Everyone will always need a decent strip club & a place they call home "castle of white"
Can't shut me up
6:05 am on Sunday, May 20, 2012
MY ACCOUNT HAS BEEN HACKED.....i DID NOT POST THE LAST POST
Sophia Loyd
10:36 am on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Fantastic, now students get get a full 4yr degree at reasonable price. This is great! But didn't the school just get a face lift? Hmm.. guess they just like to be a giant construction zone, well good for them.
smartzonemary
5:37 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
IS IT ME OR AM I SEEING THINGS?
Can't shut me up
5:51 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
MY ACCOUNT HAS BEEN HACKED.....
charlotte
6:15 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
Great opportunity for the students of Ocean County. Agreed. The public will be in control of what is being borrowed? Really? You would be reaching if you thought ANYONE would agree to have their taxes raised for a multimillion dollar construction project at this time. Perhaps the 8 million dollar road can have a toll so that those that are saving on the commute can contribute a higher proportion?
smartzonemary
9:46 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
I'm happy the Board of Freeholders have finally agreed to improve the campus at Ocean County College. At a cost of 11 million for the county it's a bargain.
Can't shut me up
10:07 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
SMARTZONEMARY HAS BEEN HACKED
project bluebeam
11:07 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
smarttonmary who cares if youre a hack . we knew it wouldnt take long for helen to blame this all on obama
Can't shut me up
11:21 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
@project bluebeam
my account was hacked, most of what's been posted is NOT me/smartzonemary...If it was your account you would be concerned. Who's Helen?
project bluebeam
12:29 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
i dont know who helen is but she commented on this thread. it could be considered a way to get around the patch's violations policy to write anything and then say " it wasnt me' .
John Pine
4:07 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
That first photo is just sickening. We have enough development as it is! I've been visiting Toms River for several years now and notice the increase in traffic and congestion as a result. Eventually there will be no woods left to enjoy in Toms River. Even when the land is part of the Ocean County Land Trust it may still be developed, WTF? I am including some pictures of the land we have lost to remind us how Ocean County paved paraside and put up a parking lot, literally!
John Pine
4:45 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
It's too bad there are no true Conservative freeholders. Conserve the land and the taxpayers money! You want to turn Toms River into a city, plowing down woods that were supposed to be set aside for open space. You want to make access easier, how about encouraging the use of mass transportation by improving the pathetic bus service OCC currently gets which encourage students and faculty to drive and create a need for more parking spaces. You want to be green yet bulldoze Pinelands and encouarge more traffic on already congested roads. Improve the damn bus service before killing anymore trees for new parking spaces.
Tom Davis
5:24 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
John Pine, That is a very thoughtful post.
Tom Davis
5:26 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
How many Smartzonemarys are there here? It seems one of them is alway complaining about be hacked.
smartzonemary
11:39 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The last count was three, maybe four. It's a very common name here on Patch.
One of them keeps posting SMARTZONEMARY HAS BEEN HACKED all over Patch to the point it is boring.
smartzonemary
11:47 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
SMARTZONEMARY WAS NOT HACKED here.