The Board of Trustees of the San Jacinto Community College District will vote Nov.7 on whether to discontinue four of the six competitive athletic programs offered at the College. The programs up for elimination include Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, and Men’s Soccer. If passed, the measure will go into effect May 2018 leaving Men’s Baseball and Women’s Softball to continue on the North and South Campuses, respectively.

According to an email distributed on Oct. 31 to San Jac employees, Dr. Brenda Hellyer cites growing facility needs and unsustainable operating costs as the reasons for the matter going before the Board.

“The upcoming decision by the Board of Trustees has nothing to do with the success of the teams, our student-athletes, or our coaches,” Hellyer said. “We have a rich history of athletics, and our coaching staff are highly regarded throughout the State.”

Moreover, Hellyer emphasized the College’s wider focus on a student success agenda inclusive of all 30,000 attending students, as well as the needs of the surrounding communities.

“The priority for San Jacinto College,” she said, “is to focus on the broader student population’s educational goals and what would have the most impact on the entire student body and on the taxing community.”

Meanwhile, if the Board moves forward to discontinue the four programs, Hellyer said College leadership would work with the affected faculty and staff in the following 19 months to maintain program success and “assist them with transitional opportunities that will meet the needs of the broader student population.”

The Board of Trustees of the San Jacinto College Community District will meet at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 in Room 104 of the Thomas S. Sewell District Administration Building located at 4624 Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena, Texas.