The college has already begun receiving inquires regarding the new residence hall. The new residence hall is slated for completion late spring or early summer 2015.
“The process has been fantastic,” said Alicia Moore, COCC dean of students. “So far everything is on time.”
The early interest in the residence hall is a positive sign for college growth.
The current on-campus residence hall, Juniper Hall was filled to capacity around a month after opening applications for the 2014-15 academic year. For the hall to fill at this rate is “incredibly unusual,” according to Paul Wheeler, director of residence life.
“With enrollment going down, to see enrollment in the residence hall increase is a good sign,” Wheeler said in May 2014, after the residence hall was filled.
Each aspect of the residence hall, from the design of the rooms to the site for the building, are in place to encourage a “sense of community,” according to Moore.
“The rooms – now that you can see them framed – have some level of privacy but encourage community,” Moore said. “I love that it builds a neighborhood hub of services for students who want to spend more time on-campus.”
This “hub” includes the Campus Center, Barber Library, Mazama Gym and Mazama Field. This close proximity of student services to the new on-campus housing is crucial to student success, Moore explained.
“We know that student success increases for students who spend more time on campus and having all of these services so close together will help,” Moore said.
The design of a “hub” of services on-campus will also aid in recruiting efforts.
Currently plans for what will be done with COCC’s current residence hall, Juniper Hall are “still to be discussed,” according to Moore.

Molly Svendsen | The Broadside
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