Columbia College Purchases Calaveras County Property

Columbia College has purchased 5.9 acres of property in Calaveras County for the purpose of establishing a permanent presence in providing higher education opportunities to area residents.  As part of the Measure E Bond Program, Columbia College purchased two (2) parcels of property, totaling 5.9 acres from the Calaveras County Office of Education for $615,000.  The property is located on Murphys Grade Road within the City of Angels Camp city limits and is currently undeveloped.

Dr. Joan Smith, Columbia College President, is pleased with the purchase, “This will be a great addition to Calaveras County for the College.  We look forward to providing even more educational services to the area.”  Columbia College has maintained a presence in Calaveras County for a number of years serving area residents, previously at the Glory Hole location.  Currently, Columbia College offers a two-year degree pattern of classes at the Bret Harte High School campus.

In 2004, voters within the Yosemite Community College District (“YCCD”) service area passed the Measure E Bond, which allotted funds to provide for the purchase of a Calaveras educational site.  The purchase of this site is the first step to being able to offer expanded instructional and student services in Calaveras County.  Planning for a permanent center on the site may now begin.  “Today is just wonderful news for Calaveras County,” says Pat Dean, YCCD Board of Trustees Chair who represents Tuolumne, portions of Calaveras and East Stanislaus Counties.  “We can continue our mission of meeting the needs of our local students in the district.  Providing a permanent presence in Calaveras County has been long in coming.   Completing the process with the purchase of Calaveras County Office of Education land is a very big step in securing the educational opportunities that we can build upon in the future.”

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Coni M. Chavez
Executive Assistant to the President
Columbia College
11600 Columbia College Drive
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 588-5115 • (209) 588-5161 fax
chavezc@yosemite.edu