Bellevue College has started building student housing since March 2017, and its completion is projected for this summer to serve students beginning fall quarter 2018. The application has been open since March 29, so BC students who are interested in living on campus could apply for housing now and get ready to move in this fall.
Studies around the country have confirmed the value in offering students on campus housing to improve student success, recruitment, and a positive campus climate. Consequently, BC consulted with Spectrum Development Solutions to examine the feasibility of student housing on campus in 2014 and then hired NAC Architecture to design BC’s first student housing building.
The housing project is a 132,725 square foot building with more than 350 beds in 137 units. There are different units for students to choose, such as one-bedroom suites for one person, one-bedroom suites for two people, two-bedroom suites for two people, two-bedroom suites for three people, two-bedroom apartments for four people, and four-bedroom apartments for four people. Depending on different units, prices will vary. All units are designed with the inclusion of kitchens and private bathrooms and they are pre-furnished with the environment and sustainability in mind. The suites would have a bed, desk, chair and storage for each resident, and living room furniture is provided in apartments. The building will also have a main level lounge with a coffee shop, which is open to all students on campus, and second level multi-purpose meeting space. Moreover, the project features private studying areas and some floor lounges for students to use.
There are many benefits to living on campus. Many students have to commute a long way to get to school and back home. As a result of living on campus, students can save a lot of time by walking to school and go back home without much effort. Students are likely to engage more with campus activities, gain more experiences, and eventually get a better grade if they live on campus.
Amenities are covered with the project; they include front desk operations, mail service, equipment rental, community spaces, laundry facility, Wi-fi access, food services, community events, and student job opportunities.
A variety of pictures have been posted on the student housing website, so people can get an idea of how the building will look when it is finished. The website also shows the interior design, kitchens, living rooms, hallways and more.
Some dates are important for those interested in applying for student housing this fall. The priority applications’ deadline would on May 4, and after that, the school will begin the process of offering housing contracts on a rolling basis. Students will still be able to apply after May 4, but their applications would be processed after those that have been submitted by the priority deadline are processed. On Wednesday, Aug. 1, the student housing building will be formally completed, and in September of this year, students can move in, but the exact date will be posted soon.
Please visit BC website, https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/housing/, for more information about student housing, and please feel free to contact housing@bellevuecollege.edu and michael.kaptik@bellevuecollege.edu for more questions and concerns.