Whatcom welcomes students into its first campus dorm, with these COVID-19 restrictions
The first student housing built on Whatcom Community College’s campus has opened, but at just 50% capacity to curb the spread of COVID-19.
At a total cost of nearly $31 million, including for construction, furnishings and technology, the new Cedar Hall was built for 233 students at full capacity.
The college is instead allowing about 116 students in order to match current COVID-19 safety guidelines for social distancing that include one resident for each bathroom, according to Marisa Ellis, spokesperson for Whatcom Community College.
“Reduced capacity at Cedar Hall supports the health and safety of our entire community, as well as ensuring our housing requirements and expectations are met,” Ellis said in an email to The Bellingham Herald. “We know this is an uncertain time for our students. WCC is here to help our students and entire community navigate these uncharted waters.”
Located off Cordata Parkway at 204 Olivine Lane in north Bellingham, the building is 89,000 square feet spread over four stories. Cedar Hall is the first student housing built on campus in the college’s 53-year history.
Student rental payments were set to repay a 25-year bond that financed the project. Because of limited capacity, the college will dip into reserve funds for those bond payments this next year, according to Ellis.
The building is on part of eight acres owned by the college.
With the dorm’s opening, the college is no longer leasing apartments in private complexes near the campus for its students. Those furnished spaces had totaled 164 beds.
Whatcom’s new dorm opens amid heightened concern in the state and nationally about college towns becoming COVID-19 hotspots.
Ellis said staff in the residence halls will be on hand to address issues.
“Our staff-to-resident ratio is low, allowing staff to provide immediate response to resident needs and monitor concerns,” she said. “Residents are aware of the requirements and expectations, and we will continue to address needs, questions and concerns as they arise.”
Ellis also outlined the COVID-19 measures required of Cedar Hall residents, with guidance from the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges and approved by Gov. Jay Inslee:
▪ Before moving in or coming to campus, students and staff must complete a health self-assessment.
▪ Cedar Hall residents, even if they’re already living in Whatcom County, are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days, starting the day they move in.
The college will help student residents during their self-quarantine.
“Residence Life staff are accessible to residents via text, phone or email for any needs,” Ellis said. “Information on self-care and engagement, as well as grocery delivery options during self-quarantine are being provided to residents. We encourage residents to bring everything they would need for a self-quarantine in advance, but they can leave for essential trips.”
All the units have their own kitchen, Ellis said, adding that Cedar Hall is “much more similar to apartment-style living than typical university residence halls.”
▪ Staff and residents are required to wear face coverings and follow physical distancing requirements. They can’t gather in large groups.
▪ Move-ins are scheduled so that just one or two residents do so at a time.
▪ The college also is asking students who live off-campus to monitor their health and to not gather in large groups.
Is there a defined punishment if a student violates the protocol by having a party in their dorm room, for example?
“As with any student conduct issue, situations are addressed individually, with care and equity,” Ellis responded.
WCC’s fall quarter begins Sept. 22. Classes will be online primarily, with a limited number of hybrid — online plus in-person — sessions for programs such as its health care programs.
This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
