Student housing and upscale, modern living rarely coincide, but one local college hopes to find success with this unlikely combination.
Schenectady County Community College and The United Group of Companies on Tuesday, Aug. 7, offered the media a tour of nearly completed student housing, College Suites at Washington Square, which is on target for students to move in on Aug. 31. The $13 million project places student housing adjacent to SCCC’s main campus on Washington Avenue.
SCCC President Quintin Bullock stood inside a nearly completed suite several years in the making as construction workers continued final preparations outside the door.
“It is very exciting to see this come to fruition and know that it will open on Aug. 31 for students moving in,” Bullock said. “The Board of Trustees, faculty and staff are looking forward to watching this new initiative and allowing it to really become a part of the college’s fabric.”
Bullock said more community colleges are looking to student housing to expand outside of the typical recruitment area. He said SCCC has “very unique programs,” such as air traffic control, culinary arts, nanoscale materials technology and alternative energy technology that appeal to students from across the state.
There are students signed up for housing next semester from Oneida County, Warren County and even New York City. Out-of-state interest has also been spurred, with two baseball players coming up from North Carolina.
College officials estimate enrollment will increase 1.5 percent for the 2012-13 school year. Current enrollment stands at 7,340 students.
Bullock said housing offers the complete college experience to SCCC students.
“It really allows students to get that sense of independence, a chance to get a true experience of college life, a chance to really begin to live on their own and explore opportunities,” Bullock said.
The 112,000-square-foot facility has 69 rooms with 264 beds, with a mixture of four bedroom, two bathroom and two bedroom, one bathroom suites. Each room includes full-size appliances, such as a refrigerator, microwave and stove.
Joe Uccellini, social media manager for United Group, said he worked with students to identify what they wanted for rooms and the building. Full-size beds were placed in rooms after the company heard a lot of feedback on the issue, he said, and closet space was identified as a priority.
David Lee, sales and leasing manager for College Suites, said he’s toured the facility to around 150 people so far, with several tours happening each day. In the last two days, he has received around 40 phone calls and 25 to 30 emails from students looking for housing.
College officials said around half of the rooms are already rented out, with little worry the remaining rooms won’t be filled.
“I believe we will be filled by the move in date without a problem,” Lee said. People have been blown away. We are not a dorm, we are off campus luxury housing … most dorms don’t have half of this.”
A fully furnished four-bedroom suite rents for $635 monthly per person, which includes cable, fiber optic Internet and Wi-Fi, central air and heating and utilities. The all-inclusive cost goes up $30 per month for a two-bedroom suite.
SCCC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Denise Murphy McGraw said the college surveyed students to reach the design and price point. Michael Kliman, property manager for United Group, said it was “very important” to offer an affordable price for students.
Outside of the rooms there are several amenities that compliment programs offered at the college. There is a flight simulator offered for aviation students to practice outside of the classroom. Music students will also be able to hone their skills in a music rehearsal room. The student lounge also holds a demonstration and community kitchen, allowing for culinary students to practice and share their craft.
“Everything we have in the common area space is designed to work with the programming over at the college,” Kliman said. “It is very important for us to be able to provide them with things that help them with their schooling and to make their schooling experience more convenient.”
Also, there will be a business center with study rooms for students hitting the books the more conventional way. Residents will have access to a fitness room and an area for students to store bicycles. A game room will also provide some additional entertainment.
“I myself would like to live here,” Kliman said.
Lee said there would be a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding drinking, smoking or using illegal substances in the building. Since there is a wide age range of students, alcohol can’t be allowed on the premises.
“We want to make sure we are safe,” he said. “Education is first, but safety is a direct number two. We house 264 students and we want to make sure they are the safest students around, so that is why we have a strict policy on drugs and alcohol.”
