Hartnell College hosts first classes at the new Soledad Center

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION) On Monday night, Hartnell's Soledad Center hosted their first-ever day of classes.

The funding for the center was made possible through a $167 million Measure T bond, approved by voters in 2016.

It's the first day of classes for the newly constructed Soledad Education Center and some students are excited to no longer have to travel around 30 to 40 minutes to get to class.

"It helps, it helps a lot. Actually, when I saw that the building was first being built and saw the Hartnell sign, I was so happy," said Maria Del Carmen Soto.

For the Fall semester, there will be a total of nine classes that will be offered and are currently servicing around 150 to 200.

"The community members voted for Measure T and identified a need in south county for a center because a lot of students were having to travel to the main campus that was just spending a lot of traveling time to Salinas…. so we’re hoping that this will benefit the community,” said Ana Gonzalez, Director of Soledad Education Center.

For some students arriving at the center, it's their first day as college students. A course held on Monday night was a seminar on student success.

The center is taking precautions with classes operating 75% capacity, enforcing social distancing, requiring students to wear masks.

"It’s great to see students coming in and out of the center. it certainly brings a lot of life to the center, so we’re really happy and just excited for this day," said Gonzalez.

 One of the program assistants at the center told me they hope to return to 100% capacity by Spring.