EvCC to expand housing to students from other schools

Published 1:30 am Sunday, July 2, 2017

EVERETT — As Everett Community College expands degree offerings and strengthens ties with universities, it also has added student housing, citing the need for higher education options in Snohomish County.

This fall, on-campus apartments are to be open for students who choose to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees through Everett’s partnership with Western Washington University. The community college also hopes to open its housing for other four-year schools it works with, including Washington State, Central Washington and Eastern Washington universities.

Cedar Hall, under construction on Broadway, is expected to open in September. It’s the second residence hall here. The first, Mountain View, was finished in September 2016. No additional student housing is planned at this point, but could be in the college’s future, said Pat Sisneros, vice president of college services.

The community college recently signed an agreement with Western Washington University to allow students to live in the residence halls. No non-students can live in the apartments, including children.

About 200 students per year study for Western’s degree programs through Everett Community College’s University Center. There are a dozen bachelor’s and master’s degree offerings, including for teaching, educational administration, environmental science, counseling and business.

Lois Longwood, Western’s director of degree and professional programs for extended education, called student housing in Everett “the next logical step.” Many students who transfer to Western begin their education at Everett Community College, she said.

As the Everett campus grows, especially with Washington State University expanding, it seemed natural to make sure that students who start their degrees in Everett can continue here, Sisneros said. The residence halls also are meant to help the school’s growing international program, giving foreign students the option to live where they study. The apartments currently have a fairly even mix of international and U.S. students, Sisneros said.

The community college expects to be able to house up to 252 students once Cedar Hall is finished. Cedar has space for 132 students in three-and four-bedroom or studio apartments, while Mountain View has 120 single rooms. Rent covers furniture, utilities, internet, security and 24-hour support from staff who live in the building. Student loans can be used for the housing.

Rent at Cedar Hall is expected to range from $870 to $1,095 a month, or up to $4,380 for fall quarter. Rent at Mountain View for fall 2017 is $895 per room, or $3,580 fall quarter.

Room assignments for fall quarter start July 15. Applications for housing are accepted year-round at EverettCC.edu/Housing.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.