By
Shana Heiser
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Student population expected to double before the new location's opening in 2003
A permanent home for the Arizona International College will be decided on in the next two months and will most likely be a part of Pima Community College's new campus.
All that exists now of the new home is a plot of land given to the University of Arizona through a ground lease arrangement with Pima Community College, but plans for the move are nearly finalized. The land is on the southeast corner of North Shannon and West Magee roads.
The move will probably occur in fall 2003, said Paul Rosenblatt, the Arizona International College dean. Ground breaking will probably be in January or February, Rosenblatt said.
"We're trying to move as rapidly as possible," he said.
The college was established in 1995 to cater to UA students interested in international affairs.
Space is shrinking because about 300 students now attend the Arizona International College, said Dave Gnage, the college's vice dean.
"We're going to be outgrowing this space," Gnage said. The projected enrollment by 2003 is 600 students.
Even though the growth in enrollment has forced the college to move again, after relocating just 2 years ago, Rosenblatt said he looks forward to the new facility.
"The increase in enrollment has been dramatic, and we're very encouraged by that increase," Rosenblatt said. "Things are moving along very well."
Beginning with preliminary drawings and student government input a year and a half ago, the building design now allots space for the UA and Pima Community College.
"We have to have space that is clearly identified as AIC student space," Gnage said. "At this point in time, (we'll share) the library, computer commons, cafeteria, bookstore, recreation space, some classrooms and labs."
Juniors and seniors in the college are not likely to be affected by the move, but many underclassmen remain unaware of the changes despite Gnage's effort "to keep students informed of the possibilities."
Those students who know what may happen have mixed reactions to the proposal.
"The mission of AIC is to become their own institution, and joining with Pima won't make them independent of anything at all," said Jason Baran, a social sciences junior. "If they want to become a respectable institution on their own, they need to distance themselves."
Other students hold a more neutral position toward the likely move because they see benefits to a larger facility.
"(The move) would be better because they could expand AIC," said Jenny Moiza, a liberal studies freshman. "But if people won't be able to take classes at UA it will be harder being at Pima."
To assist students needing transportation between UA and the new Pima Community College location, a shuttle is planned to run back and forth between the campuses.
Even with this service, Baran knows 10 minutes between classes will never be enough time to get from Pima Community College to UA. The new location is about 20 miles away from the current location at East Helen and North Cherry roads.
"I would probably transfer out because I don't want to go all the way to Pima," Baran said. "It's so far away from all the amenities we have on campus. I'd never be able to take a shuttle."
Gnage said some concerns still need to be examined before the agreement is signed by both schools and is presented to the Arizona Board of Regents.
"There are a lot of issues to discuss and work out, (such as) locations of offices and use of classrooms," Gnage said.
The process has just begun, but once plans are finalized moving will hopefully run smoothly for Arizona International College's new opening.
"The UA is cooperating with Pima - it, in a sense is as seamless, as possible," Rosenblatt said.
