Oxnard College President Richard Duran as well as members of the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees, came together to celebrate the dedication of the new Student Services Building on Oct. 22 and were joined by students, faculty, staff and community members.

Mary Jones, health center coordinator, was the master of ceremonies and acknowledged the capital required to produce the building.

“The first time any public comment was made to, or by the board, regarding the measure S Bond, that occurred Oct. 9, 2001,” said Jones.

Board members, including chair Robert Huber and Arturo Hernandez and Duran were among those to deliver speeches at the dedication.

Visions of the building, how it started, through Bond Measure S, a $356 million dollar bond, and how voters of Ventura County made it possible, were all discussed.

At nearly 38,000 square feet, the two-story Student Services Center houses several needs for students such as admissions and records, the Student Business Office, counseling and the Health Center.

“More students are utilizing the Health Services Center,” said Duran. “We have become for some their primary healthcare source in their homes.”

Following the speeches was the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony.

According to Duran, many dedications are still to come. The new Performing Arts Center should open in January 2011.