Plans for a $20 million dormitory to be used by Schenectady County Community College are moving forward.
The county Legislature voted unanimously, Tuesday, Aug. 12, to create a local development corporation to handle the development of the 105,000-square-foot dormitory, which could house 313 students as early as September 2009.
Without a local development corporation, the dormitories would not be possible, as the state does not allow community colleges to take out loan funding for dormitories.
Initially the Legislature looked at funding the project through the Industrial Development Agency, but in January, the state put a halt to IDA funding for nonprofit projects.
While several legislators expressed reservations about the project, they said it is imperative that they act on the project now.
Creating a local development corporation is the only realistic route said Vincent DiCerbo, D-Schenectady, a graduate of SCCC.
Legislator Gary Hughes, D-Schenectady, said it is essential that the cost of the dorms be in line with what a community college student can afford. He said the cost of construction is a factor in building the dorm because the developer must be able to pay back bonds while providing affordable housing to students.
`This is a well thought out project,` Hughes said. `It is imperative that it move forward tonight.`
Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Glenville, said despite his reservations about the project, he would like to see the dormitory built. He said preferably the county would not have to rely on another entity for financing, but after talking about building dorms for more than 10 years, now is the time.
One legislator was wary of the county’s oversight of the corporation.
Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, said, `I would be keeping one eye open on the corporation.`
He said he would like to see more people on the corporation’s board that are not already involved in downtown development.
The three board members already named are Bernard Mericle and Christine Chiaravalle, members of the Schenectady County Industrial Development Agency, and Philip Morris, CEO of Proctors.
The dormitory would be located on a county-owned parcel of land on Washington Avenue in the City of Schenectady.
Legislators and college officials have said the dormitories will help increase enrollment and attract more students from out of the area to the college, which offers unique programs in music, culinary arts and aviation.
`I know the housing will have an impact,` said SCCC President Gabriel Basil.
`Look at that [student housing] as an investment with a real return,` said Michael Karl, vice chairman of the college’s board of trustees.
In other business, the Legislature adopted the college’s operational budget of $22 million with a county contribution of $1.9 million.
The county increased its contribution by $80,000, although the college initially requested a $120,000 increase in the county contribution.
Although several legislators agreed with Niskayuna resident Elmer Bertsch
that the county’s contribution is not adequate, they said with tough economic times it is all they can afford. Legislators said in the future they hope to contribute closer to one-third of college’s operating cost.
According to Hughes, community colleges should be funded in thirds through tuition, the sponsor, which is the county, and the state.
DiCerbo said the community colleges were never intended to be revenue generating as one resident suggested, but he is disappointed by the county’s contribution to the college.
`The county has continually underfunded the college,` he said.
Basil said he understands the county’s fiscal difficulties, but appreciates their continued support of the college.
He said the assistance from the county for the culinary arts wing and music program have proven a worthy investment.
`Those cooperative efforts have led to increased enrollment,` Basil said.
`We have to run a tight ship too,` Karl said. `We have to keep our expenditures down as well.`
He said the college is rated No. 1 among other State University of New York colleges for its economic efficiency.
This year, the college enrolled its largest freshman class, with 700 students set to begin this fall.
Basil said 64 percent of Schenectady County students attend Schenectady County Community College while 37 percent attend Hudson Valley Community College.
Hughes urged the college to look at the reasons students attend colleges out of the area. He said he would like an evaluation of the motivation behind attending other community colleges like Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
`The community really participates in the college itself,` Basil said.
He said the college employs more than 400 full-time and part-time staffers and has more than 10,000 community users annually.
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