News

DCB's paving project moving on schedule

By Heather Milbrath

07/31/2012

Dakota College at Bottineau is adjusting to two big changes on campus, including hiring a new Director of Business Affairs, as well as a total reconstruction of campus streets.

Kara Bowen is the new Director of Business Affairs for DCB, and is charge of the accounting and budgeting of the college. She also works closely with the faculty and staff. Bowen has had 22 years of experience in accounting, as well as a background in management. Bowen received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Minot State University. After graduation from Minot State, she went on to the University of Phoenix were she obtained her master’s in accounting. Most recently, Bowen was teaching full time at the University of Minnesota.

Bowen says she enjoys working at DCB because she not only gets to work with the faculty and staff, but also the students.

“It is very interesting because you get to interact with so many different areas of the college, because there is so much overlap,” Bowen said. “Some days it’s stressful, but I know I’m never alone; whether it’s here on campus, or within the whole North Dakota University system, I know I can find help.”

One of the first big projects Bowen has been a part of is the recent road construction on campus. The construction first started on June 11, and is on track to be completed by Aug. 10. Bowen says all the basic preliminary work is done, and progress is continually being made.

This was a much-needed update for the campus, according to Bowen, as it has been many years since the last total reconstruction for DCB. Bowen feels this will benefit the college in many ways.

“Right off the bat, it beautifies the campus.” Bowen said. “Our grounds crew and horticulture department do a wonderful job, so it’ll make our campus look that much better with new, smooth streets. Drainage will also be better therefore making the streets easier to maintain. We were also able to repair sidewalks in the process, which makes for better access and safer conditions in the winter.”

Bowen feels the current construction has been going well.

“I think it’s looking great,” Bowen said. “Mother Nature has been holding up well for this project, and our physical plant crew has done a really good job of directing traffic.”

Visitors of the campus can park on Simrall Boulevard, 1st St. E or Alexander Street. For the recent Sectional Legion Tournament held on DCB campus, traffic was directed to park at the north end of campus.

This project is funded through an appropriation from the 2011-2013 North Dakota State Biennium. Bowen says that although they did have to scale down from the initial plan, the project is within the current budget.

“The best time to do this work is when there is the least amount of students on campus, which of course is during the summer,” Bowen said. “We really needed the update and I feel that everyone will appreciate the new roads.”