One is not like the others

 

          

Reynolds Community College Goochland Campus

  Reynolds Community College, formerly known as J. Sergeant Reynolds, named in honor of a former lieutenant governor, is celebrating 50 years of providing non-traditional higher educational opportunities for Virginians.

            Founded in 1972, Reynolds is the youngest member of the Virginia Community College system, and, according to Reynolds’ President since 2018 Dr. Paula Pando, the largest in terms of enrollment.

            Pando presented her annual report to the Goochland Board of Supervisors at its November 1 meeting. She outlined the contribution that Reynolds has made to Goochlanders.

 The Advanced College Academy (ACA) program allows Goochland High School students to earn an associate degree before they graduate from high school, enabling families to save two years’ college tuition. Credits earned through ACA are fully transferable to four-year institutions in Virginia. Reynolds also offers a wide array of programs for the post high school credentials that lead to skilled jobs vitally needed in the state’s workforce.

Reynolds’ students, explained Pando, often juggle many roles in addition to that of student and benefit from the various kinds of support the college offers to help them meet their goals.

            In the fall 2022 semester, said Pando, 290 Goochlanders enrolled for classes at Reynolds. Over the years, Reynolds has helped central Virginians of all ages and backgrounds access educational opportunities to better their lives. In the past academic year, Reynolds awarded over $300k to support Goochland students. She shared success stories of graduates. (Go to the county website goochlandva.us, click on watch county meetings and select November 1 BoS meeting to see her remarks, which begin around the 50-minute mark) 

            Since its start, ACA has helped 200 students earn an associates degree before high school graduation. For high school students not quite able to handle the full two-year ACA program, Reynolds offers a passport option where students can earn some college credits while still in high school. Sometimes, said Pando, a student who might not consider themselves college material successfully completes a college level course goes on to higher education.

            Indeed, Reynolds is a vital link in the development of a skilled workforce to build a strong Virginia economy. Pando contended that the strength of Reynolds is its “localness” and ability to understand and fill the needs of local employers. To that end, Reynolds is modernizing its facilities in Richmond and Henrico and increasing course offerings especially in health care fields across the spectrum of needed skills.   

Exquisite  gardens

            This wonderfulness, however, does not happen at Reynolds’ Goochland Campus anymore. High school students take part virtually, and other students go to Reynolds’ facilities in Henrico or Richmond. Programs once held in Goochland have been discontinued or moved. Since the pandemic, 89 percent of students are enrolled in at least one online course, reflecting a change in how Reynolds delivers education. This is undoubtedly poses a challenge to the use of the institution’s physical infrastructure.

Empty halls.

            For the past few years, Pando has promised “community conversations” about the future of the 90-acre (Pando was unsure if it was 9,000 or 90) campus that has become a dead zone—a beautiful one—but deserted except for the horticultural program, and unused except for Covid vaccine clinics.

            She contended that Reynolds is excited to “participate in the Courthouse Village discussions” and will continue to do so. This participation seems to have been behind closed doors with selected county and school officials. As the small area plan discussion about Courthouse Village nears completion, references to what could become of the Reynolds campus remain vague at best. Right now, it’s a dead zone in the center of Courthouse Village.

            In all fairness, the Goochland campus is nothing like Reynolds’s other faculties. It has no access to public transportation and lots of potential students nearby.

            County land records list an assessed value for the Reynolds’ campus of about $11 million. It is, as Pando said, extraordinary well kept. Its two buildings of 21k and 46k square feet sit empty. As this is on state owned land, it pays no real estate tax. Maintaining the property is an expense for the Commonwealth. Why is the state not concerned about this money drain?

            If Reynolds isn’t going to do something with the Goochland campus, perhaps it should sell it, to put it on the tax rolls, and let another entity find the highest and best use for the property.

            Some random thoughts on possible uses for the campus:

·        There is a dire shortage of child care in Goochland. An early childhood education center could supply practical experience for students while filling a community need.

·         A business incubator could supply administrative and other support for fledging enterprises until they get on their feet.

·        Courthouse Village has no healthcare facilities, perhaps a clinic or doc in the box could locate there offering internships for Reynolds students in healthcare fields.

·         A training site for public safety,

·        A program to prepare students for careers in the burgeoning hydroponic agriculture field, which marries Goochland’s agricultural heritage and technology of the future.

            The land between Dickinson and Fairground Roads could be developed with flats or townhomes to provide badly needed entry level housing. Undoubtedly other constructive ideas could come from the community about the use of the property if it were allowed to chime in.

            Remember, it was the suggestion of a citizen that supplied a solution to the long-festering school bus garage issue almost a decade ago.

            Pando mentioned several possible programs for Reynolds going forward but was unclear if any of these were intended for the Goochland campus. It’s time to figure out what to do with the Reynolds’ Goochland campus.