This year there were 338 employees who participated in the State Employees’ Charitable Campaign at Brookhaven College and more than $53,000 pledged in contributions. The chancellor has consistently matched a portion of the donated funds with money from the district. The college community can propose projects and purchases for the funds.
Last year, three projects were approved for funding through the SECC match dollars totaling more than $27,000. The first of these funded projects is currently on display in the Student Services Center lobby. The new holiday tree and decorations were purchased with these funds. The tree is the focal point of the Student Services Center and of the seasonal service projects supported by student life and the entire college community.
As the seasons change to spring, a second project will start to move forward. Funding was approved for the creation of a xeriscape garden. Xeriscape gardens focus on using low-maintenance, low-water, native plants. The funds will support a landscape consultation, design and plantings for the new garden space. It’s hoped that the garden will bring interested visitors to the college and provide a model for water-wise landscaping. Once installed, the garden will require minimal maintenance. The President’s Cabinet also has proposed that the space be used to create some kind of memorial for college employees.
The final proposal for the funds was the largest. Matching funds of $20,000 were approved for the purchase of security cameras for the college parking lots. There is a project underway to post security cameras at specific sites on campus: at building entrances, etc. The purchase of additional cameras for the parking lots is planned to deter crime and increase the safety and security of students and staff. This investment should support approximately half the number of cameras Dave Reagan, director of the college police, estimates are necessary.
This proposal was important to the committee because safety and security is a primary concern of college employees. Responses to the Strategic Planning Committee’s SWOT Survey in fall 2007 indicated overwhelmingly that college employees considered campus safety and security to be a “threat” to the college. The requisition for purchase for an eight-camera system has been input and district Purchasing is working on the project.
