The big move to the present campus¡site came in 1950 when facilities for Palomar College in Vista were no longer available. The College purchased Army surplus "prefabs" for use as temporary College buildings in order to meet the already growing demands of increased enrollment Most of the temporary classrooms are still in use, 12 years after they were first moved to the campus.
Moving a college across country is not without mishaps. On arrival at the campus, the art building promptly fell off its carrier and buckled down on its new plot of ground. This building is still in use although it has been relenquished by the art department. The building now houses the music department headed by Howard Brubeck.
Community Effort Makes Palomar College Possible The establishment and growth of Palomar can be attributed to a true community effort. Students in 1950 helped transform the desolate campus site into a center of higher education. Citizens of the district have invested their money in the belief that a free college education is necessary to the existence of a developing and conscientious community. College officials and teachers have seen to it that the voters' funds are well invested~, This is how the College began, and on the following pages is reflected what the College has accomplished. The Palomar College district was
formed in 1947 and began operations at Vista High School. Soon, the high school could not accommodate the growing number of students and, for a time, College classes were conducted in community buildings in Vista. In 1949, the present site was purchased and war-surplus barracks were moved to the campus. These barracks began to be replaced after eight years although many are still in use today, 12 years after the move from Vista. Student work days were the thing in those early days; students wanted to learn and were willing to help build a school for themselves.
Student work days came to Palomar following the move to the present campus. After classes, students pitched in and cleaned up around the buildings. Many helped with the installation of wiring, plumbing and landscaping as a regular part of their school-day curriculum.
Voters Approve College Growth In accord with policy adopted by the College Board of Governors, three bond issues planned at staggered intervals for the gradual construction of permanent facilities, were authorized by the voters. In 1957, enrollment had grown from the few original students in Vista to a day-school enrollment of 420. By 1961 , enrollment had tripled to a day-school total of 1,21 6. The College now has an enrollment that was predicted for 1965. Population figures in the district show a 260 per cent increase in the
last decade. In the last four years, 11 ,346 building permits were issued in the district. High-school enrollment in the district (1 ,264 seniors and 2,087 freshmen) indicates that an estimated 1,837 students will enroll at Palomar in 1963. Any buildings proposed now cannot be occupied until 1963, at which time present facilities will not house the anticipated enrollment. Will the benefits of Palomar be available to all the district's students in the next decade?
College President Dr. John W. Dunn spoke on the need of 1assing the .1954 Palomar bond issue before students in the campu "outdoor auditorium '' which seats a capacity of some 100. The .... ility still stands at Palomar although it is seldom noticed by students. It represents a constant battle for school gardenP.rs who must combat the creeping vines which threaten to transform the facility into a mound of foliage.