Whatcom Community College current and potential students are encourage to apply to live in the first on-campus student housing complex. Cedar Hall, which broke ground in September 2018, will open for fall quarter 2020 in Bellingham, Washington. The four-story building is located on Olivine Lane off of Cordata Parkway, adjacent to the Cordata WTA bus station, and directly across the street from the College’s main campus.
Cedar Hall’s apartment-style living is designed to build community while creating a space WCC students can call “home.” Each of the 233 residents will have their own bedroom in either a two- or four-bedroom suite, with a limited number of studios and one-bedroom apartments available. All units are fully furnished and include a kitchen, appliances, bathroom(s), living room, and smart TV. Community spaces, study rooms, recreational areas, front desk, and a laundry facility are on-site.
The new housing option is ideal for local students interested in community living spaces typically associated with universities, as well as out-of-state students moving to Bellingham for the first time. The residence hall will also allow the College to expand its international program, which currently hosts about 320 international students each year from over 25 countries.
“All the choices and decisions that went into building Cedar Hall came directly from years of student surveys and focus groups,” said Terri Thayer, WCC’s Director for Community Standards & Residence Life. “The hall will stay open in between quarters and during holidays to provide students a safe and secure living environment year round.”
Pricing ranges from $950 a month for a private bedroom and shared bathroom in a four-bedroom suite to $1,400 a month for a private one-bedroom apartment. Most unit types in the 90,000 square foot facility are four-bedroom/two bathroom designs. All unit prices include utilities (power, water, sewer, and garbage), data connection for smart TV, wireless internet, and gated on-site parking. For comparison, Zillow.com lists the median rental price in Bellingham as $1,800 a month, excluding utilities.
Whatcom Community College in Bellingham is regularly recognized as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute. The College, a destination for cybersecurity, healthcare and business studies, offers a bachelor of applied science degree, transfer degrees, career preparation, online courses, and community education classes. WCC’s accomplished faculty and staff serve 11,000 students annually.
