Obstacles stall 'third campus' restoration
Money and safety issues abound for COM's marine lab
Nick Madden
Issue date: 3/15/10 Section: News
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Trees and vines creep along its corners, threatening to engulf the building. Its once white walls are slowly turning gray and the wood structure swells from rain, bloated to the breaking point. A few more years would see nature reclaim this one-time research facility, which served as College of Marin's little-known third campus.
The building, located on the shores of Bolinas Lagoon was used mainly for marine biology study and courses since obtained by COM in 1956 for $1.
Far from the reach of COM administration and custodians, the lab was used and maintained primarily by biology students and instructors until its closure in 2005. Now, five years later, a plan is in the works to save the lab.
"We were on our own out there," said Joe Mueller, biology teacher at COM.
Once a COM student, Mueller returned in 1995 to become director of the lab and since his return has become the lab's biggest proponent. Mueller's most recent effort involves setting up a consortium to raise money to reopen the labs doors.
Funds are being sought from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to a sum of $3 million, which would partly be used to help rebuild the lab. The consortium, consisting of COM and the Farallons National Marine Sanctuary, is hoping to receive the stimulus within the upcoming months.
"This will help us build a strong partnership with COM," said Maria Brown, Farallons Marine Sanctuary superintendent.
In a recent interview with the Marin Independent Journal, COM President Fran White expressed hopes that the stimulus will come through. "It's always competitive, but we have our fingers crossed," said White.
Since the time COM took over the lab, hours upon hours of research have been logged at Bolinas Lagoon and Ducksberry Reef by a countless number of students.
"The lab helps protect the lagoon and reef," said Brown. "Also it provides an excellent classroom facility."
Starting in the 1990s usage of the lab declined, along with its condition, mostly because its remote conidtion and lack of maintenance crew.
A lack of repairs hasn't been the only roadblock between the lab and a reopening date. The building is located 1,000 feet the San Andreas Fault. The California Field Act, which regulates safe buildings for students, states that no classes can be held where students are at high risk of an earthquake that would cause injury.
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