The Associated Student Government considered potential additions to the Facility Master Plan including replacing filters in the water fountains and adding solar panels to buildings. 

Vice President of Business Services Lyndsay Maas presented a draft, a year in the making, of the Facility Master Plan to the senate Friday. 

The plan hasn’t been updated since the 1980s, leaving many facilities in a state of neglect.

Before completing the draft and handing it over to the Board of Trustees for approval, Maas wanted insight from the senate on anything she could have potentially missed.

“We have been analyzing each building and notating the deficiencies,” said Maas. She said she wants to “improve our aging facilities.” 

Maas said the goal is to look towards the future in terms of providing better support for students and modernizing buildings. 

She also said she wants to address accessibility needs like sidewalks and hills, while also fixing infrastructure problems like the sewers. 

“A lot of our buildings are outdated and need to be replaced,” said Student Advisor Josh Villanueva. “I believe the initiative to replace facilities on campus would bring in more eco-friendly buildings.” 

The senate had several ideas when it came to updating buildings. 

Commissioner of Sustainability Natalie Blackwelder suggested putting solar panels on a few buildings on campus. 

Maas said she would be interested in adding solar panels to every building, but the Coastal Commission has to confirm that the panels would not be blocking the views of the ocean. This is an ongoing struggle between City College and the City of Santa Barbara. 

Blackwelder also said many students have been telling her the water refill stations in the Campus Center taste bad and the automatic toilets flush multiple times per day. 

Maas responded that she will have someone take a look at the filters and the toilets. 

Blackwelder insisted on the upkeep of the water stations being a priority of the school for the safety of students.

Another issue brought up by Student Advocate Syd Abad was the lack of all-gender restrooms. Students who use these bathrooms have very limited options, with only a handful available on campus. 

Maas responded that she is currently working on adding more all-gender bathrooms to the campus. 

The plans are set to be sent to the Board of Trustees for approval after some adjustments in the design phase of the Physical Education building are complete. The projects are due to be finished in 2023. 

Maas said she hopes the improvements to the campus will make students feel more comfortable and better supported.