Lone Star College–CyFair

Lone Star College–CyFair

Lone Star College Fairbanks Center
Former names	Cy-Fair College (2003-2007)
Type	Community college
Established	2003
President	Dr. Seelpa Keshvala, Ph.D.
Students	16,000+
Location	Cypress, Texas, United States
Campus	Suburban 200 acres (.808 km²)
Mascot	Mighty Duck
Affiliations	Lone Star College System
Website	[1]

Lone Star College–CyFair, formerly Cy-Fair College, is one of five colleges in the Lone Star College System located in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, United States of America.

As more and more of Texas’ natural environment is developed by commercial and residential properties, the 200-acre (0.81 km²) Cy-Fair College campus was planned to serve as a model of environmentally responsible development within a sensitive ecosystem, in this case the rapidly vanishing 1,000-square-mile (2,600 km²) Katy Prairie.

The Cy-Fair College campus not only works with the land, it rehabilitates the land.

First, the majority of the previously cleared and over-grazed 200-acre (0.81 km²) site was restored to its native flora and environment. The undulating hills and meadows are now covered in native grasses like Indiangrass, Little Bluestem, and Gulf Coast Muhly, as well as Coreopsis and Liatris wildflowers, and groves of over 3,200 native and indigenous prairie trees like Loblolly Pines, Bald Mexican Sycamores, and Live Oaks.

Second, 18 acres (73,000 m²) of lakes, ponds, and bayous replicate the Katy Prairie’s natural wetlands system. Underwater shelves in the larger lakes were planted with native aquatic plants, including Arrowhead and Sand Spikerush. The five buildings in the campus core front some of these lakes.

Third, stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots, and building roofs is captured by the lake system where it is retained, naturally cleansed, and later used for campus irrigation.

Fourth, the campus uses natural systems to protect and enhance the prairie and campus environment. Over 3,200 native and indigenous prairie trees have been planted along the roads and at campus and building entries, throughout parking lots, and along the central lake to significantly reduce heat islands, clean the air, and further integrate the College into the Katy Prairie.

With the restoration of native habitat, wildlife like beaver and deer have already returned to the site, and thousands of migratory birds are using the campus wetlands.

The county and the college collaborated to create a joint-use library to enhance services to the public and the college and to save tax dollars. This 78,500 sq ft (7,290 m²). blended library has resulted in extended hours, community meeting rooms, 200+ computers, a children’s library, teen room, both tutoring and counseling for students and the public. Not only do the librarians teach research to college students, but also teach English as a Second Language classes, develop community programming using the vast academic resources of a college, teach computer workshops, and sponsor book clubs. The county funds the salary of one counselor so career counseling and resume help can be offered to the public free of charge. Spanish Conversation classes and business research classes are also offered.