Descriptive Background and Demographics

Descriptive Background

Victor Valley College was established by authority of the voters who created the district in 1960. The College is located in the High Desert at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet. The district is approximately 2,200 square miles. Communities served include Adelanto, Apple Valley, Helendale, Hesperia, Las Flores, Lucerne Valley, Oro Grande, Phelan, Piñon Hills, Victorville, and Wrightwood.

Classes began in 1961 using the facilities of Victor Valley High School in the late afternoon and evening. Construction of the present campus on Bear Valley Road began in 1963 and the new campus opened its doors to students in 1965. Initial buildings were constructed around the lake in the center of the campus site: business, library, science, gymnasium, and administration.

Since then the district has maintained a planned program of new construction and improvements. In 1968 the Music Building was completed and in 1970 the Art Building was added. The following year Automotive, Welding, and Aeronautic Technical facilities were opened. The Agriculture facility was constructed in 1972 and has continued to expand. The district purchased the Boise Cascade Building in 1975. After extensive remodeling to meet Field Act requirements, the Student Center opened, housing the bookstore, placement, registration, counseling, EOPS, Financial Aid, Veterans’ Services, Career Center, Rams Inn Restaurant, Board Room, and Student Activities Room.

In 1980, a major addition to the vocational complex was completed including an Electronics and Homemaking Center, a separate welding shop, and new faculty offices. The Performing Arts Center opened in 1981. This facility is designed to accommodate 493 people in a wide range of cultural and community activities. The Allied Health Building was completed in 1983. In 1988 the Student Services Building was constructed across the end of the lake. The student services staff moved into their new location and the Boise Cascade Building was remodeled to house administration. The former Administration Building was remodeled and became the Humanities Building, housing classrooms and the Placement/Co-operative Education offices; modular buildings have been located on campus to accommodate faculty offices, additional science classrooms, and snack facilities. In 1992, a building was leased across Bear Valley Road to house the Print Shop.

A new gymnasium was completed in May, 1994. A disabled barrier removal project in 1995 added an elevator that connects the upper and lower campus. A new Construction Technology Center was completed in 1995 and opened for classes for the Spring Semester, 1996. A new Library/Learning Resource Center and Science Building which includes a planetarium opened in Spring, 1997. The new Student Activities Center opened in August, 1997. Opening January, 1999, is a new Child Development Center which will provide infant and toddler care for children of Victor Valley College students. In addition, this facility will be enlarged by a new Child Development Center which will be completed during the 2000-01 school year.

Demographic Information

The Victor Valley College geographic area is approximately 90 miles north of Los Angeles, 33 miles south of Barstow, and 195 miles southeast of Las Vegas along Interstate 15. The College is located about 40 miles from the major commercial and business centers of San Bernardino and Riverside, commonly known as the Inland Empire. The general geographic description is commonly called the High Desert and the region contains a wide dramatic variety of western flora and scenery. The district serves a geographic area which, at first glance, appears to be semi-rural in nature. However, over the past five years the region has seen a boom in development resulting in new home and business construction immediately surrounding the College. In 1991, the district became part of the City of Victorville.

From its beginning, the College offered two-year academic transfer programs and corresponding vocational education programs. Opening enrollment in 1961 was approximately 500 students. In the fall semester, 1998, statistics showed 9,234 students taking advantage of the comprehensive educational programs in a wide number of academic, vocational and community service areas.

The students at Victor Valley College reflect the diversity of the surrounding community. Since 1991, the percentage of African American, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian, and Filipino students has increased from 26% to 33% in 1998. The African American population has increased from 6.4% to 8.31%, and the Hispanic population has risen from 14.4% to 20% while other ethnic groups remain somewhat steady in the same time period.

The College opened in 1961 with 12 full-time instructors, 10 part-time instructors, and 2.4 administrators. Since its inception, the College has maintained high standards of instruction and an array of services to students. As of Fall 1998, the staff has grown to 98 full-time instructors, 300+ part-time instructors, 124 classified support personnel, and 29 administrative/ management/confidential employees. Victor Valley College has a total of 251 full time employees. Of these 251 full-time employees, 57 % are female, 43 % are male, 80% are white, 11% are Hispanic, 2% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 5% are African-American, and 2% are American Indian.