District’s ambitious student housing plans hope to avoid budget setback

By Joshua D. Picazo Editor-In-Chief

When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the state’s 2021-22 budget, it included community college housing funding made possible by SB 169. This bill allocates money for California’s community colleges to apply for the state’s Affordable Student Housing Grant Program.

The need for housing on these two-year campuses is made evident by the fact that 20% of students at California community colleges have reported experiencing homelessness, according to a report by the State’s budget subcommittee.

Although student housing is more commonly associated with four-year universities, 11 Californian community colleges currently have housing. However, none of these campuses are in the Bay Area, which has some of the highest rent costs in the nation.

San Mateo County ranks as the fourth most expensive county to rent in, with the top three being their neighboring counties.

The District has applied twice, with a third application on the way for Skyline College. The second application for a site at College of San Mateo is ranked fifth out of 21 applications, giving hope that if the upcoming state budget continues to allocate money for this grant, it will be granted.

“This is an excellent ranking with a high probability of receiving approval for funding subject to the availability of funding at the State level,” said Richard Storti, executive vice chancellor of administrative services.

“At this point, the preliminary plans include single and multiple student-occupied rooms to house approximately 300 students. This is a very exciting opportunity that will be transformational for many students by providing affordable housing. Student housing also increases student life,” added Storti.

"Skyline is in a pretty good

Facts about District housing proposal

- Percent of students experiencing financial difficulties paying rent (2018 survey):

42%

- Median rent price for studio in San Bruno, CA: $2.910

- Proposed cost of units at CSM: $475-920

- Total students served planned at proposed CSM location: 310

- Anticipated completion date: June 2026

(Source: Board of Trustees) area in of itself so I think it’d be a pretty interesting place to have dorms or housing over here," said Skyline student Michael Sabando.

However, whether the budget will delay this funding was recently questioned when Gov. Newsom unveiled his proposal.

The District was awarded $200,000 to develop the plans for their application, and at recent board meetings, the designs and other information were unveiled.

“Our district is not only ready to break ground, but we have experi-

Skyline’s Student Trustee nominee leans on experiences to guide vision

By Joshua D. Picazo Editor in Chief

Arthur Veloso was elected as Skyline College’s Student Trustee nominee, and will now go to a second phase in which he will face off with CSM and Canada College’s nominees.

The Student Trustee of the District sits at Board Meetings and has a vote. They are seen as the voice of the student population and provide input into issues ranging from student housing to funding for different programs.

Veloso spoke with The Skyline View about his election and vision for the position.

“If I’m given the opportunity... I have the same plans to promote equity, visibility, and self-advocacy, to the immigrant communities, especially the Latin American community as well because I have a past with immigration,” said Veloso. “I had to overcome a lot of social problems and economic problems in order to be here today.”

Veloso’s road to Skyline College has come with hard work, including learning English, getting his GED, and working to earn scholarships.

“The moment when I got here in

America, I did not know that I could do what I’m doing right now, I had no hope in the future, I did not know that I could be in such a position and represent other people that are in the same situation as me. I think that is important,” said Veloso.

“Because if we do not have a person with that same background, how are we going to make other people like me encouraged to run for other positions like that, like a Student Trustee? So I’m running because

I want to give hope to those inviduals to be part of that change the change that they want, and that they deserve.” ence with two employee housing complexes, and there are several community colleges that already have student housing that we can learn from the experience of managing student housing,” Student trustee Lesly Ta said at a recent budget meeting.

Veloso said he plans to prioritize advocating for the immigrant community, the LGBTQ+ community and other groups if elected.

Cañada College students nominated Ignacio Morales in their election earlier this month.

The three trustee nominees from each campus will face off next, after College of San Mateo’s ASSC elections this week.

“District housing will be available to students from all campuses, regardless of the school they attend,” said Michele Rudovsky, the District’s Chief Facilities and Operations Officer.

To hear student opinions on the student housing application, scan this QR code for our multimedia section

ASSC 2023-24 Election Results

President Win Shwe Yee

Vice President

Sarah Ruiz

Commr. of Activities

Mowen Tan

Commr. of Finance

Elian Fontanilla

Commr. of Publicity

Win Thiri

Commr. of Communications

Irah Tancioco

Commr. of Public Records

Jackeline Huinac-Fuentes

Senators

Celina Buncayo

Isabelle Escobar

Jerry Hsu Wai Hnin

Hilary May Thiri Lin

Dennis Aung Htet Thu

Florence Yun Myat Thwe

Hnin Thandar Win

Julius Wijaya

SMCCCD Student Trustee

2023-2024 Skyline College

Nominee

Arthur Veloso

Editor-In-Chief

Joshua D. Picazo

News Editors

Joshua D. Picazo & graham breitbarth

Focal Point Editor Sean siapno

Opinions Editor nishad karulkar

Sports Editor kathia noriega

Chief Copy Editor

Joshua d. picazo

Multimedia Editor Graham breitbarth

Social Media Editor danielle cosino

Reporters

Antonio franco alex gonzalez

Ileana Guillen zach hernandez freelance reporter gabriel mendez

Faculty Adviser

Nancy Kaplan-Biegel