UCC outlines medical college building; Roseburg board weighs a high-school annex and funding options

Umpqua Community College officials told the Douglas County SD 4 board they plan a new two-story, roughly 24,000-square-foot medical careers building and invited the district to locate a dedicated high-school annex inside the facility for Roseburg students.

"It's sort of a once in a, probably 20 year opportunity," UCC President Rachel Hokkrant said, describing the annex as space "on our campus for your students." Jared, Roseburg superintendent, described the idea as an "annex" off a main hallway and gave a rough cost estimate for build-out of high-school-dedicated space: "We talked about $400 a square feet. So to give you an idea, 5,000 square feet, about $2,000,000 investment, 6,000 square feet, about $2,400,000 investment," he said.

Rachel Hokkrant (UCC president) said the college has raised about $16,500,000 toward a roughly $19,000,000 project and has secured a $2,500,000 federal grant from Senator Jeff Merkley to purchase high-tech medical equipment for the building. She described a program design with a first-floor welcome center and student services and second-floor simulation labs and exam rooms for programs such as radiology tech, medical assisting and occupational therapy.

Board members asked about ownership, cost details and timetable. Hokkrant said the district would likely own the annex space: "It would be Roseburg High School space. It would be our district space there," and that an MOU would define the arrangement. She said UCC plans to tear down the existing administration building this summer and dig foundations in October.

The board and staff discussed funding paths. Cheryl, director of finance and operations, explained district options: finance the district's share, reallocate existing resources, or use reserves. "If you were to reallocate district reserves, that is cash we have on hand," Cheryl said. Administrators said UCC is not borrowing for its share; the college plans to use grants and locally raised funds. Jared said the college has not used financing: "We are not borrowing. We've, we've been able to write grants and get a state matching grant."

Directors asked for costs and financing scenarios before a possible board decision. The superintendent and finance staff said they will provide options, including reallocation, internal financing and external borrowing scenarios, and indicated the board would consider the matter at its Feb. 12 meeting. Cheryl said staff could present financing options and estimates for terms such as 10- and 15-year financing.

No formal district commitment or funding vote took place at the meeting. Administrators characterized the discussion as preliminary and asked the board whether it wished to pursue the annex; board members expressed substantial interest and requested follow-up materials on cost, ownership terms and the MOU process prior to the next meeting.

Speakers noted potential benefits for students and the community, including early college exposure, pathway development and local workforce retention. "The building is just a tool. The building is just the place where the magic's gonna happen," Jared said, emphasizing that program partnerships, not the structure itself, drive student opportunity.

Implementation details, including a formal MOU, precise square footage to be dedicated, and a final cost allocation, were not resolved at the meeting. Administrators committed to returning with written financing options and a recommended approach before the board's February meeting.