MARIJUANA ON CAMPUS REQUEST REJECTED

A student's claim seeking permission to smoke medical marijuana while on
the Mendocino College campus was denied at its board meeting Wednesday.

"Basically, this kid wants to use medical marijuana on campus and says that
without it he can't pursue his education," Ross Beck, Mendocino College
director of public information, said Thursday.

"Our view is the district is expected to receive $2.8 million in federal
funds this year, of which approximately $1.7 million will be in the form of
PELL grants and other forms of direct student financial aid. Since
marijuana possession and use is currently a federal crime, any district
sanction of on-campus marijuana use could jeopardize financial aid for our
students, as well as other operational funds provided by the federal
government," Beck said, noting that while Mendocino County may allow
medical marijuana use, it is still considered a federal crime.

Changes made to the 20,000-square-foot science complex, currently under
construction at the college, were also addressed at Wednesday's meeting.

Change order no. 3 on the Science Building Project -- in the amount of
$9,180 -- was submitted and approved by the board. The third change order
includes fire access doors, additional insulation, a waste vent change,
cabinet changes, etc.

The first change order was approved June 4, and totaled $7,703 and was for
minor changes, according to Beck, who said he wasn't certain what the
changes were.

Change order no. 2, approved Aug. 13, is the most significant thus far.
Among a number of other changes, the order included adding a beam and an
automatic door, altering the sewer line, and reconfiguring two offices at a
total cost of $55,609, Beck said.

The new science complex will include separate laboratories for general
chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy/microbiology, geology/geography and
biology. There will also be facilities inside the complex for large
presentations, lab and lectures, resources and numerous support and
preparation rooms, along with faculty offices, Beck said.

Funding for the project came from $651 million in Economic Stimulus
legislation signed by Gov. Gray Davis last April.

The college's current science facilities are located in 2,400 square feet
of portable buildings.