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DECADE SEVEN

Santa Rosa Junior College continued to thrive as the decade of the 1980s began. It was a time of fiscal uncertainty for community colleges at the state level, but SRJC weathered it well. Enrollment dipped slightly when cuts were made at the state level in 1982-1983, but by the mid-1980s the College bounced back and again attracted record numbers of students. In spring 1988, more than 30,000 students registered for classes. Major building slowed, but a new Planetarium opened in 1980, a new gym, Haehl Pavilion, was edicated in 1982, and the 4,000-square-foot Charles D. Belden Center at Shone Farm was dedicated in fall 1983 from funds from community donations.

As enrollment at SRJC’s Petaluma Center expanded, the search for a permanent site began. In July 1986, the District purchased a 40-acre site in east Petaluma for a permanent campus. However, construction funds were not approved for another decade. A High-Tech Center for Students with Disabilities was approved in 1987-88.

By decade’s end, President Roy Mikalson announced his retirement after nearly 20 years at the College’s helm. When he took office, enrollment was 5,716; at his retirement, enrollment had reached more than 30,000 day and evening students at 15 locations.